The Orthodox community in Azerbaijan is an important factor in interstate relations with Russia, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan as he met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Azernews reports. "We traditionally demonstrate great sympathy, respect, and mutual support for each other, and I am glad that strong ties between our peoples form such a foundation for interstate relations. Of course, the Orthodox community in Azerbaijan is an important factor in interstate relations. I am sure that, like all of us, they will be very pleased with your visit. In our comprehensive exchange on this issue, we spoke about the interfaith and interethnic peace, understanding, and mutual support in Azerbaijan. This is an important factor in the sustainable development of our countries. Otherwise, there can be no talk of any development. We are very glad that the Orthodox community, as representatives of the Russian community, actively participates in the development of our country, contributing to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and together with all other representatives of the numerous peoples living in Azerbaijan, makes a great contribution to the overall development of our country," said President Ilham Aliyev. Police say Richard J. Fox II is a twice-convicted violent sex offender who is also accused of murdering two Buffalo women who disappeared and then were strangled nearly two decades apart. He is also under investigation in connection with other unsolved crimes, authorities told The Buffalo News, including the apparent murder of an unidentified woman whose skeleton was found hidden under a stairwell in a Niagara Falls home where Fox used to live. Fox, 62, pleaded not guilty to the two Buffalo murder charges earlier this year. But police suspect him of being a serial killer who murdered other women in Western New York and buried their bodies. Investigators are also trying to determine whether Fox was involved in more unsolved murders in other states, two knowledgeable sources told The News. For more than a year, Fox has been the subject of one of the most wide-ranging cold case murder investigations in recent Western New York history, law enforcement officials and other sources close to the case told The News. Sex offender charged in killing of 2 Buffalo women who disappeared 2 decades apart Richard J. Fox has been accused of killing two Buffalo women whose remains were found in Chautauqua County in 2021. Other than the Niagara Falls case involving the unidentified body found in Foxs former apartment on Orleans Avenue, authorities declined to specify what other homicides they are investigating. Some of the crimes happened decades ago, authorities said. When asked about the case on Friday, Kait Munro, a spokeswoman for Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, reiterated that Fox is charged with murdering two women whose bodies were found in Chautauqua County. We continue to encourage anyone who may have information about Richard Fox, the homicides of Marquita Mull and Cassandra Watson, or any additional crimes, to contact our office, Buffalo Police Department or the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office, Munro told The News. Munro declined to comment when asked whether Fox is suspected of other murders, but another law enforcement official who is familiar with the case said Fox is suspected to be a serial killer. Story is still unfolding It wasnt just my sister. I believe this man committed more murders. This story is still unfolding, said Wendy Mull of Buffalo, whose late sister, Marquita Mull, was one of the women Fox is charged with murdering. Mull said police told her they are investigating crimes Fox is suspected of committing against many other people, including a number of local women who are missing. Mull said she hopes the investigation brings justice for her family and for so many things that this man has done, that (are) going to be revealed. The murder charges that were filed against Fox really shocked me, said Moniruzzaman Bhuiyan, a Niagara Falls businessman who formerly owned the Orleans Avenue home where police recently found a skeleton. I could not believe it when police told me they found a skeleton there, and now detectives are telling me they believe this man is a serial killer, Bhuiyan told The News. I spoke to him many times. I wouldnt believe he would have killed a mosquito, much less any human being. A skull was found off a trail. The next day, searchers discovered a second body. A woman was walking on a trail early Sunday evening in a remote, wooded part of Chautauqua County when she thought she saw something like a glass bottle. It turned out to be a human skull. Bhuiyan said Fox was his tenant for about two years, and said Fox also worked for him as a handyman, repairing drywall, painting, installing floor tiles and doing other jobs at the properties that Bhuiyan owned in the Falls. I didnt know he had a criminal past ... he never told me that, Bhuiyan said, describing Fox as an easygoing person. He did a lot of work for me, but I had to stop using him. He was sloppy with his work, he didnt really care if he made mistakes. I know he went out and did a lot of drinking after work. The businessman recalled meeting one of Foxs girlfriends, whom he described as much younger than him. He said police told him that the skeleton was found under a stairwell, and hidden within drywall installed by Fox. He added that police told him they are trying to determine whether Fox killed other women. Buffalo Police homicide detectives have been working on the case with Keanes office, the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office, Niagara Falls Police, the states Erie Crime Analysis Center and other law enforcement agencies. Detective Mark Costantino said he could not discuss details of the case, but asked that anyone with information about Fox contact Buffalo Police at 716-851-4466. The Chautauqua Sheriffs Office directed a reporter who called about Fox to contact Michael Keane. Wearing orange jail garb and handcuffs, Fox made a routine status appearance on Wednesday before Erie County Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes. He stood silently between two court-appointed attorneys, saying Good morning, your honor, when the judge greeted him. Fox has admitted to police that he killed both women, a prosecutor said during an earlier court appearance in February. The judge set a pretrial conference on July 15 for Fox, accused of killing Mull in 2021, and Cassandra Watson in 2003 or 2004. His attorneys, Louis P. Violanti and Paul M. Michalek Jr., declined to comment when asked about the investigation by a News reporter. Who is Richard Fox? Born on Jan. 15, 1963, Fox is a native of the town of Portland in Chautauqua County, 54 miles southwest of Buffalo, where his family operated a vineyard. Over the years, he has lived in Dunkirk and several locations in Buffalo, including an apartment on the 400 block of Eggert Road and most recently in Niagara Falls. Arrested in January on Main Street in the Falls, he is being held without bail in the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. Buffalo Police and the Erie County District Attorneys Office have charged Fox with murdering Mull and Watson, who is believed to have lived with Fox in a Buffalo apartment around 2003. Fox attacked and killed Watson, 40, and then buried her body near the Chautauqua County Rails to Trails bike path, police charged in February. The body was found about a half mile from a rural property where Fox grew up, police said. On Sept. 26, 2021, a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in the Town of Portland. The skeletal remains were recovered from the site the next day. Forensic analysis determined that the human remains had been at the site for more than a decade, Keane told the media in January. The identity of the victim was later determined in December 2024. The defendant was allegedly in a relationship with the victim during the time of her disappearance. The victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement. About 17 years after Watson was killed, Mull, 50, of Buffalo, disappeared without a trace in June 2021. Prosecutors said they do not believe Mull previously knew Fox. Police said Mull was beaten to death at Foxs apartment in the 400 block of Eggert Road. Mulls family contacted police to report her as a missing person several weeks after her disappearance, prosecutors said. One day after Watsons body was found in September 2021, Chautauqua County law enforcement personnel searching for evidence in the Watson case found the body of Mull about 10 yards from where Watson was found. The bodies were found in Portland, where Fox grew up and went to school, police said. This man is a monster In my opinion, these two women never should have been murdered, said Merry Williams, who runs a website based in Chautauqua County that tries to help families of people who have disappeared or were murdered. What is so disturbing to me is that Fox was caught and put in prison twice for horrible sex crimes. He should have been appropriately punished, then, and spent the rest of his life in prison. Instead, he was released into the community to harm other women. The state should have longer prison terms for people who commit such heinous crimes, Williams said. Williams said she and other volunteers associated with her Facebook page WNY Missing & Unidentified Persons have been working with families who fear that Fox harmed their loved ones. I dont know how many other cases he will be charged with, but I believe there were others, Williams said. Convicted sex offender State records show that, before the homicides, Fox served two prison terms for felony sex attacks. The state classifies him as a Level 3 registered sex offender. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services calls Level 3 offenders the most dangerous in the state system. They identify Fox as a sexually violent and predicate sex offender, who is a high risk to attack other women. In 1993, Fox was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl, and he was sentenced to three to six years in prison. After serving 204 days in jail after his arrest, he served three years and almost five months in state prison for that crime. He walked out of prison on April 29, 1997. He repeatedly beat, sexually attacked and raped this young girl, beginning when she was 3, for 11 years, said Williams, who knows the victim and has interviewed her on several occasions. It was life-changing for her, it destroyed her. In my opinion, the sentence was totally insufficient for what this woman went through. In March 2005, Fox attacked a 42-year-old Buffalo woman he knew and had lived with, police said. According to state Sex Offender Registry records, the woman was hit with a hand/fist/club, immediately and physically overpowered, choked, stabbed. The woman was stabbed twice in the neck, police reported at the time of the attack. State records describe the weapon used in the attack as knife/cutting instrument (e.g., ax, ice pick, screwdriver, switchblade, Kung Fu stars, cane sword, etc.). Fox admitted that he sexually assaulted the woman, according to court documents that The News obtained through a Freedom of Information Law request. Fox is described by the states Sex Offender Registry as 5-foot-7, 190 pounds, with brown eyes and eyeglasses. He has white hair and black eyebrows. The accused killer has tattoos on both arms and one leg. Arrested by Buffalo police and prosecuted by the Erie County district attorney, Fox pleaded guilty in 2005 to felonies of aggravated sexual abuse and attempted rape. State records show he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, plus five years on community supervision. After spending 206 days in jail, he spent 12 years and four months in state prison and was released from prison in January 2018. After his release from prison, Fox worked at least two jobs in Buffalo, The News learned from employers who hired him. He spent about a year working for a Buffalo construction company headed by businesswoman Brenda Calhoun. I did not know that he served time in prison before he came to us. Now that I know that, it disturbs me very much, Calhoun told The News. He had basic skills as a carpenter and worked for us part time for about a year, maybe a little less. I worked in close proximity to him at times. He was quiet and respectful on the job. I never saw any strange behavior or anything that would indicate he was a violent criminal. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw on TV he was accused of murders. Looking for full-time work, Fox in 2018 left Calhouns company and got hired at a Buffalo warehouse. One of his former bosses at the warehouse said he hired Fox at the request of state parole officials. You are not allowed to ask parolees what crimes they are convicted of, and I didnt, recalled the warehouse boss who hired Fox in 2018. I said, Are you willing to work? He said he was, and we hired him. I believe that people deserve a second chance. Nothing Fox did at the warehouse gave any indication that he was a violent criminal, said the employer, who spoke to The News on the condition that he and his business would not be named. He worked midnight shifts and did a good enough job that he was promoted to a shift supervisor, the employer said. But we discharged him in December of 2021 because he reported to work intoxicated and admitted that he drove a company vehicle while intoxicated. That was the last he heard about Fox until he saw a television report in January stating that Fox was charged with murder, the employer said. Was I surprised? No, I was disappointed, the employer said. His actions make it harder for the next parolee who goes out and tries to find himself a job. A childhood classmate Fox grew up not far from Lake Erie in Portland. Portland and nearby Brocton are known for their farms, vineyards and wineries. Rich Carpenter, 62, said he went to elementary school with Fox in the Brocton Central School District. Carpenter said he was not close to Fox, but distinctly remembers him being in his kindergarten class. He recalled that Fox and his family lived in a rural section of Portland that was close to the area where the bodies of two of Foxs suspected victims were found. You would have to be pretty familiar with the area to pick that location for burying bodies, said Carpenter, who serves as Broctons deputy dog control officer. Carpenter does not recall any odd behavior from Fox that would give any hint that he might become a violent predator someday. He said he found it unsettling and upsetting when he learned recently that Fox sexually attacked at least two women and is accused of murdering two others. Its very strange to hear that somebody you knew as a kid and went to school with could be accused of doing things like that, Carpenter said. Its actually kind of surreal. The RSF noted that press freedom in Finland remains strong, anchored by constitutional safeguards and historic legal precedents. Norway once again tops the index, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands and Sweden. At the bottom of the list of 180 countries are Eritrea, North Korea, China, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan. Finland has ranked fifth in the World Press Freedom Index for the fourth year in a row, according to the 2025 report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday. The worlds first law banning censorship was introduced in 1766 under Swedish rule, a fact often cited in Finland's media rights history. Despite the high ranking, the organisation warned of recent developments that threaten the countrys journalistic climate. Legal cases against reporters and court rulings affecting protections have added uncertainty to the profession. In 2023, two journalists were convicted for publishing classified information. Another ruling introduced tax implications for employer-funded legal defence, a measure that has discouraged some reporters from covering national security issues. Freelance journalists are seen as particularly vulnerable. The Union of Journalists in Finland has set up a support fund to assist those affected by harassment or stress linked to their reporting, offering help with lost income, therapy, and related expenses. The RSF highlighted growing concerns around psychological pressure from social media and SLAPP lawsuits, which Finlands legal system has yet to adequately address. These forms of harassment, it said, contribute to a broader sense of risk in the media sector. Public broadcasting is also facing structural change. The government that took office in 2023 is pursuing reforms that will result in substantial funding cuts to public media institutions. Still, RSF acknowledged that Finland continues to uphold core principles of press freedom. Defamation, incitement to extreme hate speech, and treason are among the few areas where sanctions can be imposed. Confidentiality of journalistic sources remains protected by law. In its global overview, RSF called attention to economic pressure as a rising threat to press freedom worldwide. It noted that strained media outlets are more susceptible to influence from political and corporate actors and warned that weakened media organisations are less equipped to resist disinformation. When journalists are impoverished, they no longer have the means to resist the enemies of the press, said RSF editorial director Anne Bocande. The media economy must urgently be restored to a state that is conducive to journalism. HT The post, written by Mikko Talso during May Day celebrations, appeared in a Facebook discussion group focused on the city of Vaasa. Finlands Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso has condemned a social media post by her parliamentary assistant describing welfare recipients as losers who deserve poverty, but said she would not dismiss him over the comments. In the message, Talso lashed out at recipients of welfare benefits, suggesting that those struggling financially were at fault for their circumstances. No one in Finland dies of hunger, Kela takes care of that. If you dont get food, thats your own stupidity! I say this because you losers whore waiting for support with your hand outstretched without getting your ass out of that chair, you deserve your poverty, he wrote. Kela is the national agency responsible for distributing welfare payments and other social benefits in Finland. Following widespread public criticism, Talso attempted to clarify the comments, saying he had been referring only to what he called the ideologically unemployed. He said the post was written in response to an opinion article in the regional newspaper Ilkka-Pohjalainen that described growing bread lines in western Finland. In retrospect, I could have made it clearer that I was referring specifically to the ideologically unemployed. I regret this, Talso said. The backlash prompted a response from Juuso two days later. In a message to Iltalehti, she described her assistants post as undeniably unpleasant and unsuccessful, and said she would not tolerate such conduct. I will go over the matter carefully with Talso. We will have a serious discussion, Juuso said. However, terminating the employment relationship because of one mistake would be unreasonable. Juuso, who has served as Minister of Social Affairs and Health since 2023, was appointed as part of the current right-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. She represents the Finns Party, which has drawn criticism over its rhetoric on immigration and welfare issues. The incident has added to political tensions around social policy in Finland. Opposition politicians have called for stronger accountability over statements made by public officials and their aides. Some social media users have urged Talso to resign, saying his views undermine the dignity of welfare recipients. No formal disciplinary action has been announced. Talso has not responded further to public calls for clarification or apology. HT At its 229th Council Session in Montevideo, the association expressed concern over growing confusion caused by terms such as physician associate and anesthesia associate, which it believes may mislead patients into assuming these professionals are fully qualified doctors. The World Medical Association has urged healthcare systems to adopt clearer terminology for non-physician healthcare providers to protect patient safety and public trust. The resolution, prompted by a proposal from the British Medical Association, calls for transparent and accurate role descriptions across the healthcare sector. It stresses that non-physician providers must be recognised as assistants operating under physician supervision, not as independent associates. The terminology being adopted in some areas, particularly the use of the term associate, is misleading for patients and healthcare teams alike, said Dr Ashok Philip, President of the World Medical Association. It is critical that these professionals are recognised as assistants, not associates, to accurately reflect their supporting role within healthcare teams and to protect the trust and safety of patients. The WMA warned that the use of physician-linked titles by those without full medical qualifications risks creating a false sense of expertise among patients. The resolution also opposes the use of broader terms such as medically trained or medical professional to describe those who have not completed medical school and licensing. The association highlighted the importance of maintaining clearly defined scopes of practice for non-physician roles and insisted they must function under the supervision of licensed physicians. It also cautioned against expanding these roles at the expense of training and development opportunities for fully qualified doctors and medical students. Ensuring patient safety and maintaining public trust requires clarity and honesty about the roles of all healthcare providers, Dr Philip said. We value the contributions of all members of the healthcare team, but it is essential that patients are fully informed about who is delivering their care. The resolution reiterates the WMAs commitment to the highest standards of care and calls on national medical associations and health authorities to prioritise medical education and uphold transparent professional standards. The World Medical Association represents physicians across over 100 countries and plays a central role in setting ethical guidelines and policy recommendations on global health issues. HT THE Henley Archaeological and Historical Group has been digging into the history of the town during the Second World War. An early point to emerge during two years of research was just how well organised Henley was when war broke out in September 1939. The air raid siren was on the roof of the town hall well in time and training on precautions against air raids and wearing gas masks began more than a year in advance. Air raid shelters, in the Market Place and at Northfield End, were more of less ready and the basement of the town hall was equipped and strengthened to be the air raid precautions (ARP) control centre for the town. Henleys unrivalled experience of absorbing visitors at annual regattas no doubt helped in coping with the arrival of more than 1,000 evacuees, including unaccompanied children and some whole schools, who were billeted in private houses and hostels across the town. But before the air raids on London began in earnest, families in the town had to face the death or capture of menfolk in local regiments who were caught up in the battle for France and the retreat to Dunkirk. We have also explored Henleys considerable contribution to engineering production for the war effort. Many residents worked in factories locally, including housewives who returned from shifts to feed their children. An underground factory for the production of parts for Spitfire fighters was dug out under the chalk hills in Wargrave Road by Welsh miners, who were incongruous additions to the population of the town. The aircraft were flown from RAF Henley at the top of Remenham Hill. Also, Stuart Turner, with a camouflaged factory within the town, and its own shelters and platoon of the local Home Guard, doubled its workforce to produce a range of mobile and often miniaturised pumps, engines and generators which were of vital importance to all three armed services. As well as the darker side of wartime life, our research has shown how normal life continued, with fun provided and innovative solutions discovered to the challenges of food rationing. With the end of the Blitz on London in the middle of 1941, the tempo of the war in the town noticeably changed. The Henley district accommodated British army units, US forces assembling for invasion of North Africa and then Northern Europe and war workers, such as the Womens Land Army and construction crews building military camps. A British Restaurant appeared in the town and a scheme was organised for around-the-clock fire-watching, with an observation post in the tower of the Congregational Church at the geographical centre of the town, showing that the German threat was regarded as real until close to the end. Films shot at the passing-out parade of the Home Guard in 1944 and the celebrations on VE day in 1945 are now available on the Imperial War Museums website. They surely show how wide of the mark the Dads Army image was. Every voluntary organisation marched proudly through the town for the last time, with satisfaction at enormous challenges successfully overcome, although at enormous cost, now often forgotten. We looked, finally, at the changes the war brought to Henley a revolution in farming which altered for ever the towns status as a rural centre; expansion of its housing on foundations laid by the military camps in the town; and the welfare safety net for evacuees morphing into the welfare state created by the post-war Labour government. Not a bomb fell on the town but it was transformed beyond recognition. l The Henley Archaeological and Historical Group will present its findings at a seminar on the morning of Saturday, May 10 and in walking tours that afternoon. For more information and tickets, visit hahg.org.uk State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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According to Hochul, a tentative deal is now set at $254 billion, though the bills that would finalize it have yet to be printed and passed. Which makes this budget, due on April 1, more than a month late. 'Almost done': Hochul announces general agreement on state budget The Buffalo-born governor stopped short of saying whether the budget would include Mayor Christopher Scanlon's plan for 3% hotel occupancy tax for the City of Buffalo and the sale of parking ramps to a newly created Buffalo parking authority. In a more logical world, big policy issues would be consigned to their own bills, but in New York State, the governor has more power when they are part of the budget. Given that reality, it does seem as though the budget, with all its baggage, is on the way to becoming law. At least some of whats in it offers economic relief for those who could use the help. By the numbers Financial boosts for lower- and middle-income families are on the way. Hochuls proposed Empire State Child Credit will be increased to $1,000 for children under the age of 4 and $500 for school-aged children. There is also $400 million for child care vouchers. A general tax cut is planned for New Yorks first five tax brackets over two years, amounting to $1 billion in cuts. A Housing Access Voucher Program, meant to help low-income households avoid foreclosure or eviction, received $50 million in pilot funds. Much like the federal Section 8 program which the current administration has threatened with cuts these vouchers allow eligible households to pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. The amount is much less than advocates requested, but its a good start and its needed. The one-time rebate checks Hochul proposed have been retained, though reduced to $200 to $400, making their utility considering the overall cost to the state of $2 billion doubtful, but most recipients will likely agree that every little bit helps. Overall, the fiscal side of this almost-baked agreement makes life more affordable for many New Yorkers, which is not a bad thing. Policy moves Hochuls nonfiscal proposals prioritized public safety, for the most part an area of vulnerability during her 22 campaign. In January, Hochul proposed new restrictions on masks, changes in the discovery process in criminal justice cases and an expansion of psychiatric involuntary commitment. She has been successful in getting versions of them into the framework agreement. The mask ban has been watered down to the creation of a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail) for wearing a mask when committing or fleeing the scene of a more serious misdemeanor or felony. That may help avoid civil rights violations. Well see. It will also be important to make sure expanded involuntary commitment doesnt simply end in jailing more mentally ill people without effective treatment. A bell-to-bell cellphone ban in New York public schools looks like it will become law. This policy has science and common sense behind it. Something needs to be done and it makes sense to have a statewide framework theres also funding to help guide school administrators. While many fiscal watchdogs are tsk-tsking about the budgets seeming nonchalance about federal cuts to come later this year, there is no way to predict what President Trumps government will do. The outlook is bleak, certainly, with cuts to many federally subsidized programs threatened. Indeed, according to Hochul, New York has already been hit with about $1.2 billion in cuts. Another big question mark concerns legislative help for the City of Buffalo. News on that front is imminent. But Hochul is correct when she notes, We can only devise a budget based on the information we have at this time. Despite its typically frustrating burden of policy, as it stands now, this years state budget does well to offer financial relief to lower- and middle-class residents. They will need that help more than ever as federal economic policy continues on a hapless and possibly disastrous course. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. News / National by Staff reporter In a bid to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and strengthen sustainable energy infrastructure, the Government of Zimbabwe has introduced a duty rebate on imported equipment used to set up solar-powered charging stations.The incentive, outlined in Statutory Instrument 35 of 2025 under the Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, is specifically available to operators approved by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).A duty rebate refers to a reduction or refund of customs duties normally levied on imported goods. In this case, it applies to essential components required for solar EV charging stations, including solar panels, inverters, EV chargers, battery storage units, monitoring systems, electrical wiring, grounding equipment, and mounting structures.The regulations, however, come with strict conditions. Operators benefiting from the rebate may not transfer or sell the imported equipment without prior written consent from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the payment of the originally waived duty.The new policy marks a significant step in addressing infrastructure deficiencies that have long discouraged widespread EV adoption in the country. While the Government reduced import duty on EVs from 40% to 25% effective January 1, 2025, insufficient charging infrastructure remains a major obstacle.According to analysts, the lack of accessible and reliable EV charging pointsespecially outside major urban areas and along key highwayscreates "range anxiety" for potential users, thereby limiting the practical appeal of EVs."Addressing this infrastructure gap through strategic investment in public and private charging networks, including solar-powered options in remote areas, is crucial for building consumer confidence and accelerating the transition to electric mobility in Zimbabwe," said Harare-based economic analyst Mr Carlos Tadya.Meanwhile, horticultural producers are also calling for further incentivesspecifically a waiver on value-added tax (VAT) for solar equipment. The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) argues that the waiver would help farmers in the sector invest in off-grid energy solutions and reduce dependence on the unstable national grid.Power shortages continue to affect critical operations such as irrigation, cooling, and post-harvest processing, with producers emphasizing the need for consistent electricity to maintain productivity and competitiveness.Supporting this push toward sustainable energy, ZERA has revealed 29 energy projects currently in development, expected to contribute 1 688 megawatts (MW) to Zimbabwe's power grid. Notably, solar photovoltaic (PV) projects dominate, with 25 of the projects targeting a combined 403MW in capacity.This trend reflects a growing interest among businesses and private investors in clean, renewable energy solutions to complement and potentially replace unreliable grid power.The introduction of the duty rebate for solar-powered EV charging infrastructure not only complements the Government's EV strategy but also aligns with broader efforts to decarbonise the economy and promote sustainable development across sectors. News / National by Staff reporter HELIDRIVE National Air Rescue Services is setting up a national emergency call centre as part of its ambitious drive to streamline Zimbabwe's first publicly operated air ambulance system, with the ultimate goal of ensuring rapid medical response coverage across the country.Currently operating from Harare and Bulawayo, Helidrive's helicopters offer a 180-kilometre operational radius from each base. However, plans are already underway to expand the footprint, with Victoria Falls set to become the next fully operational hub in the coming weeks.In an interview last week, Dr Rudo Gumbo, one of the six medical doctors attached to the service, revealed that preparations for the national call centre were nearing completion."Currently, we are working on a national call centre, where distress calls will be sent to," said Dr Gumbo. "Once a call comes in, trained staff will ask key questions to assess whether the situation requires a ground ambulance or an air evacuation."The initiative stems from bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation, which led to the creation of Helidrive. The project was conceived following discussions between President Mnangagwa and Russian authorities on addressing Zimbabwe's long-standing gaps in medical air transportation.Dr Gumbo confirmed that Victoria Falls will be operational by next month, adding that other future bases are earmarked for Masvingo, Mutare, Kariba and Buffalo Range."These bases are determined by the range which our helicopters cover that is 180km, one way. We have identified critical points across the country to ensure nationwide access," she said.Helidrive's model represents a historic first in Africa, as the continent's first non-privatised national air rescue service. Dr Gumbo lauded the initiative as a testament to President Mnangagwa's visionary leadership, which has prioritised transforming Zimbabwe's health delivery system.She noted that the choice of base locations is also guided by the availability of refuelling infrastructure, but expressed confidence that by the end of the year, Helidrive will be able to respond to emergencies in any part of Zimbabwe.In the meantime, alternative ground and air routes are being mapped to ensure coverage in hard-to-reach areas.The air ambulance service is part of Zimbabwe's broader goal to modernise the healthcare sector in pursuit of becoming an upper middle-income economy within five years.These air ambulances are equipped with advanced medical technologies and manned by highly trained personnel, offering intensive care-level services during flight. The system is particularly vital for critically ill or injured patients in remote or inaccessible areas, helping to bridge the geographical divide in emergency healthcare access.Helidrive's efforts mark a significant step forward in Zimbabwe's healthcare modernisation agenda, setting the pace for regional innovation in emergency medical response. News / National by Staff reporter The Government of Zimbabwe has intensified its diplomatic campaign to end illegal Western-imposed sanctions by appealing to the Vatican for support, as part of a renewed strategy to build international consensus against the punitive measures.Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga met yesterday with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, and sought the Catholic Church's intervention in advocating for the removal of sanctions that have weighed heavily on Zimbabwe's economy since the early 2000s.Speaking after the high-level engagement, Vice President Chiwenga emphasized the Vatican's potential to be a moral voice in amplifying Zimbabwe's call for justice."We believe that the Church can play a significant role in advocating for the removal of these sanctions," said Dr Chiwenga."Our discussions with Archbishop Gallagher touched primarily on this issue, as well as other areas of longstanding cooperation between the Church and the State."Although Archbishop Gallagher declined to go into detail about the meeting, he confirmed that Zimbabwe's current diplomatic needs were a key part of their dialogue."We talked about the role of the Church in Zimbabwe," said Archbishop Gallagher."We discussed the challenges that Zimbabwe faces today and also touched on the regional situation and some of the challenges facing Africa."The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic effort by the Second Republic to re-engage with the international community. Despite signs of progress, sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and other Western nations continue to constrain Zimbabwe's efforts toward sustainable economic growth.Chiwenga said the discussions also revisited Zimbabwe's deep-rooted partnership with the Catholic Church, particularly in education and healthcare, sectors in which the Church has historically played a pivotal role."Everyone who is educated in Zimbabwe, especially those of our generation, attended missionary schools," he noted."In the health sector, many hospitals in various districts are still run by the Catholic Church and function as district hospitals."Dr Chiwenga also highlighted the Stella Mundi agricultural project at Driefontein Mission as an example of productive collaboration between the Church and the State.The Vice President further called for the Vatican's recognition of Zimbabwe's historical contribution to Christianity, citing the 16th-century involvement of sons of Mutapa kings in the Catholic priesthood in Goa, India."We requested the Vatican to recognise Zimbabwe's role in spreading Christianity," he said."We talked about Father Miguel, one of the sons of a Mutapa king, who rose to become a vicar in Goa. These are significant contributions that deserve to be acknowledged."Dr Chiwenga added that Zimbabwean bishops would begin working with the Archdiocese of Goa to document this shared religious history.Father Ephraim Murwira, who accompanied the Vice President, said the Church in Zimbabwe welcomed the Government's efforts to deepen ties with the Vatican."The Church in Zimbabwe is proud to see our Government taking steps to strengthen ties with the Vatican," said Father Murwira."This cooperation can pave the way for meaningful dialogue and support."The meeting marks another step in Zimbabwe's efforts to leverage religious diplomacy and historical ties in order to reshape global perceptions and push for the end of sanctions that continue to impact millions of ordinary citizens. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to commission Zimbabwe's first-ever artificial intelligence-powered grain silos at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Kwekwe tomorrow, marking a groundbreaking milestone in the country's agricultural transformation and digital innovation.The commissioning of the 56 000-tonne smart grain storage facility, which houses seven state-of-the-art silos, represents a major step in the Second Republic's strategy to modernise national food security systems through cutting-edge technologies. The depot will receive its first grain delivery today in preparation for the official launch.This pioneering initiative is the first of 14 grain depots undergoing modernisation and expansion, forming the foundation of a broader government vision to transform 21 depots nationwide by 2030."We are ready," said Engineer Andrew Mupariwa, Midlands Provincial Director of Agricultural Engineering and Farm Infrastructure Development."The state-of-the-art facility is now up and running and ready to start receiving grain from this successful season."The AI-integrated silos, powered by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, bring real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, moisture levels, and carbon dioxide all critical indicators for grain quality. These systems allow automated environmental adjustments that preserve grain integrity and prevent spoilage, mould, and pest infestation.At the core of the facility is an AI engine that analyses sensor data to predict potential risks, recommend optimal storage practices, and trigger climate control systems only when necessary a feature that also enhances energy efficiency.Upon delivery, the system can instantly assess grain quality, directing it to the appropriate silo and generating a digital traceable record for transparency and accountability."The monitoring system gives us central oversight of silo operations, from intake to dispatch," said Eng Mupariwa."We've installed strong perimeter security and integrated anti-theft measures to ensure the protection of both the facility and the grain."Zimbabwe currently requires around 2.2 million tonnes of grain annually for both human and livestock consumption. However, outdated infrastructure has led to losses of more than US$32 million per year, largely due to pest damage, moisture, and handling inefficiencies.The modernisation of these 14 sites will boost national storage capacity from 650 000 tonnes to 1.43 million tonnes, an increase of 780 000 tonnes, making a substantial contribution toward national food self-sufficiency.The commissioning of one upgraded or new facility at a time forms part of a phased rollout strategy, with Kwekwe acting as the flagship model for future installations in key grain-producing areas.This historic development places Zimbabwe among the first African countries to integrate AI-driven systems into its public agricultural infrastructure, as the nation accelerates toward becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030."This project is a direct result of our deliberate shift toward appropriate technology," said a senior government official."It aligns with President Mnangagwa's vision for a modern, resilient agricultural sector."The Kwekwe depot now stands as a symbol of technological advancement, efficiency, and national resilience in the face of climate variability and food security challenges.Tomorrow's commissioning ceremony will not only celebrate the arrival of a new era in grain management, but also reaffirm the Government's commitment to leveraging innovation for sustainable development. News / National by Staff reporter The intensifying succession war within Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF has taken a dramatic cross-border turn, with one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's fiercest critics, Wellington Masiiwa - better known by his alias Nyokatemabhunu - now at the centre of a legal and political storm in South Africa.Masiiwa, a former Zanu-PF activist turned vocal opponent of Mnangagwa's continued rule, was arrested under mysterious circumstances on April 13 by unidentified individuals who later handed him over to South African immigration authorities. He is currently facing charges of violating immigration laws and could be extradited to Zimbabwe, where authorities say he is wanted for fraud.Zimbabwean police allege that Masiiwa is linked to a US$60,000 fraud case said to have occurred in Mazowe in June 2023 a charge that his supporters claim is politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to silence dissenting voices.Legal Limbo in South AfricaMasiiwa appeared last week before the Randburg Magistrates' Court, where he was charged under Section 49 (1) of the South African Immigration Act for residing in the country without a valid visa or permit. His bail application was postponed after a discrepancy emerged in the identification documents he submitted.Court sources revealed that Masiiwa presented an identity card different from the one listed in the documents supplied by Zimbabwean authorities, complicating efforts to determine his true legal status and further delaying bail proceedings.He is scheduled to return to court on May 9, where the magistrate is expected to rule on his bail eligibility and hear arguments related to the extradition request from Zimbabwe.Masiiwa has gained notoriety in recent years through audio leaks and online campaigns that exposed internal Zanu-PF power struggles and criticised Mnangagwa's grip on power. His content, widely shared across social media platforms, has painted a damning picture of alleged corruption and factional scheming within the ruling party.Supporters say his arrest and attempted extradition reflect an emerging trend of transnational political suppression, with Zimbabwean authorities accused of using regional allies and legal systems to clamp down on dissidents."This is a textbook case of political persecution," said a Johannesburg-based rights activist familiar with the matter."There's growing evidence that Zanu-PF elements are pursuing opponents beyond Zimbabwe's borders using trumped-up charges."Masiiwa's detention comes at a time when Zanu-PF is riven by factional tensions, with speculation mounting over who will succeed Mnangagwa, whose second term ends in 2028. Though the president has not publicly declared his succession intentions, internal jostling has become increasingly visible and brutal.Masiiwa's supporters say he had become a thorn in the side of powerful factions, particularly those seen as loyal to Mnangagwa, by amplifying calls for a leadership renewal and transparency within the party.His arrest, they say, is the latest move in a broader crackdown on dissent as Zanu-PF prepares for a post-Mnangagwa future.With legal proceedings underway in South Africa and Zimbabwe pushing for extradition, Masiiwa's case may become a flashpoint in the regional debate over political asylum, human rights, and cross-border repression. News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has ignited a storm of criticism after accusing Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart of advancing tribal interests and allegedly supporting a separatist agenda, following Coltart's recent meeting with King Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo, a claimant to the Ndebele throne.Speaking at a press conference at Zanu-PF headquarters last week, Mutsvangwa claimed that the mayor's engagement with King Bulelani was part of "a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state." He further accused the opposition-led Bulawayo City Council of being out of touch with the Government's national development agenda."His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa is committed to providing working capital for the people of Zimbabwe," said Mutsvangwa. "But the mayor is too busy playing politics to notice the industrial revival already underway."The remarks were immediately met with fierce backlash from Matabeleland-based civil society organisations, who labelled them reckless, divisive, and historically ignorant.Ibhetshu LikaZulu, a prominent advocacy group in the region, slammed Mutsvangwa for what it described as dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric."Mr Mutsvangwa's statement that this meeting is part of a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state is not only malicious but also a dangerous distortion of both historical truth and present reality," said Mbuso Fuzwayo, the organisation's secretary-general.Fuzwayo underscored that King Bulelani's role is cultural, not political, and his recognition stems from historical continuity rather than political favour."King Bulelani Lobengula is the leader of the Ndebele nation not by the permission of Chris Mutsvangwa, Zanu-PF, or any contemporary political actor, but by historical right and the lived cultural reality of the people," he said.The controversy escalated further after Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe issued a stern letter to Mayor Coltart demanding an explanation for hosting King Bulelani, a South African national. The move has drawn ridicule from cultural leaders and politicians who see it as a misguided and culturally tone-deaf intervention.Critics say Garwe should be celebrating cultural heritage instead of demonising it.Fuzwayo also used the occasion to address the long-standing marginalisation of Matabeleland, citing Zanu-PF's failure to rebuild Bulawayo's economy and its refusal to adequately address the Gukurahundi genocide, in which over 20,000 mostly Ndebele civilians were killed in the 1980s."Chris Mutsvangwa must not mistake his overrated Rambo war credentials and militant posturing for wisdom," said Fuzwayo. "Zanu-PF owns this destruction they must not now seek scapegoats among those trying to revive a broken city."The current uproar has also resurfaced painful memories of a similar tribal controversy in 2020 involving Mutsvangwa's wife, Monica Mutsvangwa, who at the time served as Information Minister. Monica drew national condemnation for her attack on Catholic Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, whom she accused of pushing a "tribal agenda" in response to a pastoral letter criticising government abuses.Her now-infamous reference to the "righteous Ndebele minority" was widely condemned as an ethnic slur and seen as an attempt to diminish the trauma of Gukurahundi. Human rights groups demanded her resignation, leading to her eventual reassignment to a less influential ministry.As tribal tensions resurface, voices from Matabeleland are calling for genuine national healing rooted in justice, accountability, and respect."We demand dignity, justice, and a new national discourse rooted in truth not fear," said Fuzwayo. "Zimbabwe cannot move forward while its leaders weaponise ethnicity for political convenience."The controversy comes at a time when President Mnangagwa's administration is under increasing pressure to demonstrate sincerity in addressing historical grievances and fostering national unity. Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized Russias decision to deny entry to a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Az?r Badamov, during an official visit to the Russian city of Astrakhan, Azernews reports. In response to media inquiries, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada confirmed the incident, describing it as an "unfriendly act" and demanded a clear explanation from Russian authorities. According to Hajizada, the Azerbaijani delegation which included MP Badamov was traveling to Astrakhan to participate in commemorative events marking the 102nd birthday of Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The visit was organized at the invitation of the Vice-Governor and Head of Government of Astrakhan Oblast, Denis Afanasyev. Despite the delegations official status and pre-arranged schedule, Russian authorities detained Badamov upon arrival at a Moscow airport. He was not permitted to board the connecting flight to Astrakhan and was subsequently informed that he was barred from entering the Russian Federation. No prior warning or notification had been issued. "MP Az?r Badamov was held at the airport for a period of time and then sent back to Baku," Hajizada noted. In response, Azerbaijans Embassy in Moscow immediately contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek clarification. While Russian officials acknowledged the issue and promised an investigation, they did not provide any explanation for the decision. "We view this decision by the Russian side as an unfriendly step," Hajizada stated. "We expect a comprehensive and credible explanation from the Russian Federation." The incident has added strain to Azerbaijan-Russia relations at a time when regional tensions remain sensitive. While both sides have pledged continued cooperation, the Azerbaijani government has made it clear that such incidents cannot be overlooked. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is cutting $900 million from the revised two-year state budget to set aside a buffer against potential revenue losses as Virginias economy braces for deep cuts in federal employment and spending and the financial fallout from President Donald Trumps tariffs on global trading partners. Youngkin, who continues to defend Trumps tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce, said on Friday that he is vetoing 37 line items in the budget that the Democrat-controlled General Assembly delivered to him. Most of the savings, about $840 million, will come in the current fiscal year and then roll over as surplus in the next year, which begins July 1. The governor, who outlined his actions in a news conference at midday on Friday, acknowledged the risks to Virginias budget outlook, while remaining optimistic that the state will benefit in the long term from Trumps aggressive trade policy and cuts to the federal government which underpins the state economy. The timing of that transition does create a risk to our financial forecast, he said. Youngkin said the assembly budget would have committed all but $50 million of a projected $3.2 billion two-year surplus, but his cuts allow us to retain a portion of the projected surplus as a cushion ... against any risk to the forecast. He said he is not basing the cuts on policy or political disagreements with the legislature, although he faulted the assembly for rejecting all but 33 of the 205 amendments he had proposed to the budget in late March to create a $300 million cushion in case revenues were to fall below the forecast. I think the risks that I identified back in March, when we were all together, are the same risks, Youngkin told the media after the speech on Friday. I think we do recognize that the federal government is going to reduce the federal workforce, that Virginia has a substantial representation of that workforce, and I cant express loudly enough the deep empathy that I have for those families. It is a tough thing to go through. In his speech, the governor said he is providing a hedge against potential losses of up to 3% in state income and sales tax revenues in the next fiscal year below the financial forecast on which the budget rests. It comes as businesses cut back in the face of declining demand because of higher prices under tariffs and job losses by federal employees and contractors. The state also holds a combined $4.7 billion in the state rainy day and revenue reserve funds. Capital projects Youngkins budget cuts hit higher education hardest, including a proposal for Virginia Commonwealth University to purchase the Altria research facility in downtown Richmond. The proposal, which the governor had included in the budget he introduced in December, is one of 10 affected projects in a higher education capital pool, along with a new performing arts center at the University of Virginia. Altogether, he is cutting $691 million in state funding for capital projects. Prevented by law from unilaterally cutting portions of the budget item, he eliminated it entirely, saving $646 million in cash. He said all of the projects are in the planning stage and suggested that the assembly restore funding, either in cash or bonded debt, in its 60-day session that will begin in January under a new governor. I also want to be perfectly clear that these projects are good projects and they should be funded, Youngkin said. The pool also included projects planned at the College of William & Mary, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Longwood University, James Madison University, the Virginia Community College System, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, as well as money for a capital project at George Mason University. After the General Assembly adopted its budget on Feb. 22, Youngkin proposed to add more than $60 million in state funds to the pool for a new phase of the Center for Leadership and Ethics at Virginia Military Institute, but the legislature rejected his amendment at its veto session on April 2. He did not cut budget provisions for a new state office building at the site of the Virginia Department of Transportation Annex on East Broad Street in Richmond, renovation of the governors offices and other offices at the Patrick Henry Building or temporary relocation of state employees who will be displaced by the eventual replacement of the James Monroe Building in the capital. The governor also is cutting more than $200 million in state funding for government operations, primarily in the areas of natural resources and commerce and trade. Those cuts include an additional $50 million for the state community flood protection fund, which instead will rely on money that the assembly ordered released from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It included money for new home ownership programs and rental assistance at the Department of Housing and Community Development. Targets expansion Youngkin is targeting expansion of existing programs without reducing their existing funding. He is cutting $10 million in additional Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes, which also will lose $11.6 million in federal matching funds. Ultimately, the cut will cost the state $43.3 million because the reimbursement rate would remain in effect for two years, not one. The governor had previously proposed the cut as part of a package of $300 million in potential savings, but the assembly rejected it a month ago. Other affected state initiatives include the expansion of a Medicaid program for weight-loss drugs and a pilot program for early childhood education. Youngkins budget cuts will not touch money to fully eliminate the recession-era cap on state funding of school support positions. In his earlier package of proposed amendments, the governor had proposed to reduce K-12 spending on support positions by $138 million, but the legislature rejected it after hearing strong opposition from public school divisions and local governments across Virginia. Under state law, the governor would have had to make deep cuts in K-12 funding to reduce spending on support positions, including $1,000 bonuses for teachers and money for instruction of students who do not speak English as their first language. A blunt instrument In remarks to the media, Youngkin called the line-item veto a blunt instrument. Oftentimes, when you use a line-item veto in the context of a governor in a budget, it takes away lots of other things and it has unintended consequences, he said. The teacher bonus and a 1.5% one-time bonus for state and state-assisted local employees remain in the budget that Youngkin signed on Friday. So is $1.1 billion in tax rebates and cuts. The package does not include his original proposals for offsetting local car tax payments for some Virginians and removing taxation of income from tips. Its in a different format, but we agreed on that, he said, touting a cumulative $9 billion in tax rebates and cuts during his term. Youngkin said his cuts do not reduce existing spending for any program but seek to hold back money that the state does not have to spend now at a time of great economic uncertainty. The impact of federal job and spending cuts has not shown up significantly in Virginias unemployment claims, although the state unemployment rate has inched up to 3.2%. Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater said Friday that the state has documented 872 unemployment insurance claims by federal employees who worked in Virginia. State residents who work in the District of Columbia or Maryland would file claims there. The state also has documented 695 unemployment insurance claims by employees of federal contractors. However, Slater acknowledged that unemployment claims are likely to mount because of pending layoffs by federal contractors, such as Mitre Corp. in Fairfax County, and companies affected by Trumps tariffs, such as Volvos truck factory in Pulaski County. Youngkin also confirmed potential short-term risks, although he said the effects of Trumps policies have not shown up yet in state revenues, which he said were $85 million ahead of forecast at the end of March. Watching Medicaid His speech did not address the potential rollback of Virginias expansion of the Medicaid program, based on deep cuts in the federal share of the expanded programs costs that the Republican-controlled Congress is considering as part of a budget package to help pay for Trumps proposed tax cuts. However, Youngkin acknowledged that Virginia has a trigger law that would require the state to reverse Medicaid expansion if the federal government reduces its share of the costs by 1% or more. More than 641,000 Virginians receive their health care benefits through the expanded program. My current understanding is that is not something that is advancing, but were paying close attention, he said, adding that he is talking to the White House and members of Virginias congressional delegation about the pending budget package. We just want to make sure that we are prepared to react to whats coming out of this budget bill, but I also believe that there is a very straightforward way to deal with this, which is fraud, waste and abuse is projected to be big in Medicaid, he said. Trump and trade In his speech, Youngkin again lauded the presidents efforts to reset trade relationships and restore fiscal sanity to Washington. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, faulted the governor for supporting Trumps policies and said, the Governor showed he is as out of touch as ever when it comes to standing up for Virginia. While Virginians look to the governor for leadership, he once again spent his platform kissing up to Trump and justifying his devastating cuts to our federal workforce, Surovell said. Democratic leaders in the House of Delegates took credit on Friday for what House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, called a family-first budget that puts money back in families pockets, strengthens our public schools, and builds strong communities through investments in infrastructure and health care. House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, said that while the final budget the governor signed does not include every priority we fought for, it reflects the determined efforts of House and Senate Democrats to deliver meaningful progress for Virginians. Times-Dispatch reporter Dave Ress contributed to this story. British police on Sunday said they had arrested five men, including four Iranians, on suspicion of "preparation of a terrorist act". The arrests were carried out in London, Swindon and the Greater Manchester area, with all five arrested on suspicion of "terrorism offences", London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The men aged between 29 and 46 were detained by Counter Terrorism Police on Saturday in relation to "a suspected plot to target a specific premises" -- wich was not named -- and remain in custody. The nationality of one of the men is still being established, police said. "This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated," said Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism chief Dominic Murphy. "The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter," he added. Meanwhile, three other men, all Iranian nationals, were arrested in London in a separate Counter Terrorism Police operation on Saturday. The men, aged 39, 44 and 55, were arrested under the National Security Act -- which gives law enforcement greater powers to disrupt "state threats" including foreign interference and espionage -- the Met Police said in a statement on Sunday. Interior minister Yvette Cooper "thanked" the police in a statement. "These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats," Cooper told the PA news agency. "The Government continues to work with police and intelligence agencies to support all the action and security assessments that are needed to keep the country safe." Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin added to his record score of vetoes Friday, killing 38 more bills and bringing his total to 437 for his term. His vetoes included the General Assemblys second effort to guarantee a right to contraception (House Bill 1716 and Senate Bill 1105) as well as the legislatures replay of a measure to end a tax break for Confederate heritage organizations (House Bill 1699). Youngkin vetoed the bills after the General Assembly rejected his proposed changes to those measures. He previously vetoed several other General Assembly replays of measures he had vetoed in 2024, including a proposal to create a legal retail market for marijuana and to ban assault-style firearms. He signed 53 other bills into law, although the legislature had rejected his proposed changes for those measures. Youngkin had until midnight Friday to act on bills for which the legislature had rejected his proposed amendments. His bill signings and vetoes close out his actions on legislation from this years regular General Assembly session. There are bills that I have vetoed before that were vetoed again, and there are a lot of bills that I think are very interesting, that I hadnt seen before, that we tried to make a little better. Didnt get the amendments passed, but Im going to sign it, because I think they actually are pretty decent bills, Youngkin said. Youngkins 437 vetoes stand at nearly four times the record any earlier governor set for whats has long been a relatively infrequent exercise of gubernatorial muscle. Former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who like Youngkin faced a General Assembly controlled by the other party and like Youngkin had never before held elected office, vetoed 120 during his term. Contraception bill The contraception bill the General Assembly passed would guarantee Virginians right to contraception. Under Youngkins proposed revision which lawmakers rejected medical providers could decline to prescribe contraceptive measures if doing so violated their religious belief. For the second year in a row, Governor Youngkin has vetoed the Right to Contraception Act, choosing politics over the personal freedom of Virginians, said state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, who sponsored the Senate bill. This bill was clear and direct it defined contraception and protected the right to use it, including IUDs and emergency contraception. That should not be controversial in 2025, said Hashmi, one of six Democrats seeking the partys nomination for lieutenant governor in a June 17 primary. On the Confederate tax measure, Youngkin wanted the legislature to hold a second vote next year after a general review of real estate tax breaks. Youngkin signed bills (Senate Bill 746 and House Bill 2657) that say the dealers who sell fatal doses of drugs with a detectable amount of fentanyl would be guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Youngkin had proposed that selling any fatal dose be treated as second-degree murder, which is subject to a longer prison term. Hes pushed for three years to say selling fatal overdoses should be treated as murder, including an amendment this year that the General Assembly rejected. He also signed a bill (House Bill 1725) that set tough new limits on hospitals, doctors and debt collectors seeking repayment of debts for medical care. The bill limits would have limited interest charges and the time during which a debt could be collected. The General Assembly rejected Youngkins proposal to strike language that said health care providers would be liable for damages caused by any collection firm that bought the debt. Also on the consumer protection front, Youngkin signed bills (Senate Bill 1212 and House Bill 2515) that crack down on so-called junk fees service charges and other fees added on after a sale. Youngkin wanted the General Assembly to vote on this idea next year before any law could take effect, but the General Assembly rejected this idea. On measures that touched his differences with Democratic legislators over race and gender, Youngkin vetoed bills (House Bill 1678 and Senate Bill 1048) directing school boards to notify parents they need to store guns and prescription drugs safely. The legislature had rejected Youngkins proposed addition requiring schools to tell parents if students say their gender identity differed from their sex at birth. But he signed a bill (House Bill 2328) that said magistrates and judges should consider pregnancy or recent birth when deciding about bail or jail. The bill said they should consider pregnant persons or a person who has recently given birth or is nursing a child. Youngkin wanted to change these references to say woman." Youngkin also vetoed bills (House Bill 1649 and Senate Bill 740) that would have required doctors to complete training on unconscious bias. He proposed instead that obstetricians and gynecologists be trained on care for groups with above average rates of maternal and infant death. Among the other measures he acted on, Youngkin: Signed a bill (Senate Bill 854) that sets restrictions on social media platforms interaction with minors. The General Assembly had rejected his proposal to add language allowing parents to tell the platform to disable any infinite scroll or other feature that automatically loads and displays additional content, on the grounds that this can keep kids hooked to social media. Signed a bill (Senate Bill 894) that says employers are liable when employees while on the job cause anothers personal injury or death. The General Assembly had rejected his proposal to limit this to cases of sexual assault. Signed a bill (House Bill 2724) that sets rules for how automatic license plate readers and their data can be used. Signed a bill that says parole board (House Bill 1589) deliberations are not open meetings under the Freedom of Information Act. The General Assembly rejected his proposal to add language saying that if people on parole violate rules for post-release supervision, a judge can send them back to prison. Signed bills (Senate Bill 955 and House Bill 2777) that aim to improve the quality of textbooks in public schools. Youngkin had rejected and the General Assembly insisted on language that teachers and subject matter experts should study and possibly propose changes to the states textbook selection process. Vetoed bills (Senate Bill 1040 and House Bill 1883) that aimed to make it easier to place small solar projects on sites such as parking lots, rooftops and abandoned industrial sites. On the much-lobbied front of data centers, Youngkin vetoed bills (House Bill 1601 and Senate Bill 1449) that would have said in a rezoning case local governments can require developers of data centers to submit assessments of the centers impact on the environment and on neighbors. The bill said localities must do it; Youngkin proposed saying they may do so. Globally, RevPAR increased for the third consecutive week, with Japan and Mexico leading the surge. - Image Credit Unsplash+ U.S. hotel industry performance dips during Holy Week, while global performance sees a healthy gain. Canadian and Mexican border hotels experience demand variations, and luxury hotels in the U.S. perform well. During the Holy Week leading up to Easter and Passover, the U.S. hotel industry experienced a slowdown. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) dropped 9.3%, with hotel occupancy declining by 5.4 percentage points and average daily rate (ADR) falling 1.3%. The decrease was anticipated due to the holiday period and a challenging comparison with last year's calendar. Despite this, room demand exceeded the 10-year average and was above 2023 levels. Hotels in the U.S. sold 1.5 fewer rooms on average this Holy Week than in the previous year, with the most significant demand decreases seen on Sundays and Thursdays. However, ADR remained stable compared to the same period last year. Areas like Myrtle Beach, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and the New Jersey Shore saw strong growth, likely due to the later Easter and warmer weather attracting travelers. A significant increase in students on Spring Break also contributed to the rise in demand. On the other hand, markets such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, Nashville, and Washington, DC saw reduced demand. Hotels near U.S. border crossings experienced varied demand, with those near Canadian borders seeing a 9.8% decrease year over year and those near Mexican borders experiencing a 1% drop. Except for luxury hotels, all other chain scales posted RevPAR declines, primarily due to lower occupancy. Luxury and Upper Upscale hotels saw a significant drop in group demand but an increase in transient demand. Globally, RevPAR increased for the third consecutive week, with Japan and Mexico leading the surge. However, countries like Italy, Germany, U.K., Canada, and China saw declines due to event calendar shifts and the Holy Week slowdown. This week's slowdown was anticipated, and performance is expected to improve the following week due to Easter Sunday and favorable comparisons to last year's Passover week. Discover more at STR. What is the best way for guests to get from Madrid Barajas Airport to Axel Hotel Madrid - Adults Only? Axel Hotel Madrid - Adults Only has parking for hotel guests so for most visitors spending time in Madrid, renting a car for around $16/day may be the best option. This will give you the ability to get to and from Madrid Barajas Airport, and also give you the flexibility to get around the area. Taking a taxi or rideshare service from the nearest airport, Madrid Barajas Airport, to your hotel is often the most cost effective transportation solution. What is the best way for guests to get from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Demetra Hotel? Getting from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Demetra Hotel can be as easy as renting a car at the airports rental desk for, on average, $16/day in Rome. Luckily, Demetra Hotel has parking on site for guests who choose this method of transportation. Taking a taxi or rideshare service from the nearest airport, Rome Fiumicino Airport, to your hotel is often the most cost effective transportation solution. What is the best way for guests to get from New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport to Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau Lemoyne? Getting from New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport to Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau Lemoyne can be as easy as renting a car at the airports rental desk for, on average, $38/day in New Orleans. Luckily, Holiday Inn French Quarter-Chateau Lemoyne has parking on site for guests who choose this method of transportation. One of the more popular options today is to take a taxi or ridesharing service directly from New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport to the hotel. This option is often cost effective, but guests must keep a lookout for peak time rates. A Creole-infused cultural smorgasbord, New Orleans is coveted for its famous blend of Spanish and French architecture, delectable cuisine and live music. Tourists flock to the streets of this lively port city to embrace its abundance of timeless beauty, visible cultural heritage and vibrant festivity. Things to do in New Orleans Quickly immerse yourself into the New Orleans lifestyle with a visit to Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter where you are surrounded by local performers. You can take in the wonder of the impressive cathedrals looming overhead and view the iconic St Louis Cathedral at the forefront of the square. Get an up-close look at the Jackson monument, a bronze equestrian statue rearing up in the centre of the square. Travel nearby to the Treme community to find the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the New Orleans African American Museum for a double dose of history. This endeavour could take up an entire day so plan accordingly. Cant wait to try the food in New Orleans? Considered one of the culinary capitals of the United States, the distinctive flavours in New Orleans are sure to entice, as it is a perfect blend of Creole and French influences. Make reservations at Clancys, a local favourite, or head over to the Restaurant August for Creole cuisine in a romantic ambience. When youre done sightseeing and ready for a night out on the town, remember the name Tipitinas for some of New Orleans most memorable live music shows. It is usually packed during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, attributing to its insane popularity. Getting around New Orleans New Orleans is intersected by three major interstates, making transit by car or taxi easily accessible. You can also take a ferry across the Mississippi River to find gorgeous waterfront views. Take a ride on one of the classic streetcars in New Orleans for a true taste of city ambience. The billboards can be seen heading west on River Street. They'll be up for weeks. A map of the river and spots for placemaking at left and images of options and current conditions at Beaver Mill, the Berms and Willow Dell. Tessa Kelly of Group Work points to an image of a cantilevered observation deck above the flood control chute. She says the Army Corps of Engineers was not opposed to the possibility. PreviousNext Hoosic River Revival Celebrates Billboards, Kicks Off 'Placemaking' Hoosic River Revival founder Judith Grinnell, left, and co-President Nancy Bullett at Saturday's celebration. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Eighteen years ago, Judith Grinnell asked 30 like-minded people if they wanted to make North Adams prettier. "Most of them have still been working on it," said the founder of the Hoosic River Revival on Saturday as she touched on the "roller coaster ride" the nonprofit has been on ever since. The effort to integrate the Hoosic River into the city it runs through while still maintaining the flood control protocols that prevent it from endangering North Adams has been a multistep process that has been tripped up over the years. "We believe if you will continue to be patient, and we know, continue to be persistent, North Adams deserves a river that keeps them safe and also becomes a community asset," she said. Saturday's event at the River Street park was both a thank you to Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art's community partnership program for hosting two large billboards touting the river's possibilities and the nonprofit's next steps in "place making" along it. Spencer Byrne-Seres, an HHR board member and the museum's director of exhibitions, said places important to people have identities and meaning, not just elements like sidewalks or telephones you ignore. "They are places you go, you congregate, that are part of the identity of a town and a community and a site for shared experiences to happen," he said. "When the river is channelized and concretized like that, we tuned it out the same way we tune out the telephone lines overhead. And so we are trying to elevate the river. The fact that it flows through our town, it divides our town. It also weaves our town together." A subcommittee has been working with the city and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission this past year with support from a Municipal Vulnerability Grant. Berkshire natives Tessa Kelly and Chris Parkinson of Group Work , an urban design firm headquartered in Pittsfield, are the lead designers for this placemaking effort. On Saturday, they had maps and images of current conditions and possibilities accessible pathways, parks, lookouts and river access. The focus is on three areas along the riverway at Beaver Mill, Willow Dell and the Berms. They are asking for input on what residents would like to see in those areas, with some suggestions including gathering spots, continuous pathways and accessibility. "I think we've actually really started to hone an ability to connect local community members to larger community, urbanistic environmental priorities," said Kelly, referring to some of the past work. "So really, our hope in beginning to partner with HRR and looking at the Hoosic River is that we can provide some connectivity between all of the groups that Judy mentioned and all the different efforts that have already taken place." Afterward, Grinnell pointed to the importance of Mass MoCA in pushing the venture forward after one of the flood control chute panels fell by Building 6. Now known as the Robert W. Wilson Building, some $65 million including $25 million in state funding was invested to rehabilitate the 130,000 square foot structure. "It's a catalyst. It's the diamond in the necklace," said Grinnell, pointing to its position at the juncture of the North and South Branches. "I see this as a necklace. You see that, and they're the diamonds, and they're the most vulnerable. You can say it's being hugged by the river, or you can say it's being threatened by the river. So safety has to be the primary thing." The designs would not disturb the current flood control chutes but could create points were views or pathways could be cantilevered over them or beside them. Kelly wants to ensure that aspects of the city's history and memory are significant features of any design. At the Beaver Mill, they're looking at the outlines of long-demolished structures in the parking lot and thinking these industrial remnants could be traced out as landscape features, and at the berms, the old overgrown rail lines could be reimagined. "One of the things that we felt when we looked at some of the old plans that had been done is that maybe there wasn't enough of North Adams. They felt a little bit they were beautiful, but they felt like they could be on any river," she said. "That's really part of the reason that we're showing these historical maps, trying to say at each of these sites, let's also tell a story that's North Adams specific and site specific about the unique features of each of these spots, so that the river walks can kind of take you through all these different things." Co-President Nancy Bullett credited Grinnell with getting the project to where it is today. "Hoosic River Revival is continuing to carry the torch to be able to secure a positive future for the river as well as our community, and it's very important, because it's such a big piece of our community," she said. "We've all seen it alive. We've seen it become cement. We've seen it as it is. We have a vision for the future to be able to make it bigger, brighter and safer, and that's what our goals are. And in partnership with the city, we are on that mission to be able to work together to strengthen our river for future generations." Social Security Concerns Fuel Pittsfield 'May Day Strong' Rally PITTSFIELD, Mass. At the first of several May Day Strong events this weekend, community members rallied in front of the Conte Federal Building in Pittsfield with signs such as "Stop Trump's Terror" and "People Over Profits." Wendy Penner of Greylock Together explained that the Northern Berkshire group has been gathering signatures on its petition to fire Elon Musk, which will be presented to state Sen. Paul Mark on Saturday. The petition states that Musk, a billionaire known for his leadership of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), has used his wealth and power to influence elections and obtain unbridled power, is "leading" without congressional confirmation or election, and has engaged in activity that undermine the health and safety of U.S. citizens as well as national security and the fundamental tenets of the U.S. Constitution. According to AP News, "Musk has been focused on Social Security as an alleged hotbed of fraud, describing it as 'a Ponzi scheme' and insisting that reducing waste in the program is an important way to cut government spending." On Thursday, it had over 800 signatures and was fast approaching its 1,000 signature goal. "A lot of people say he was never hired, which is true, but I think the it was to give people an opportunity to express to our elected officials how angry and distressed they are about the harm he's causing, and to create a sense of urgency about doing something to stop it," Penner said. "And he wasn't hired, but yet, he could be fired. It's up to the Republicans in Congress. They could end this so we just want our elected officials to do everything they can to disrupt the business as usual and return our country to a sense of normalcy." When asked what is the best way to take action, she suggested joining a grassroots group, a phone bank, or choose from a number of actions on the Mobilize website. "This is not a time to wait it out or to be afraid," she said. "I think this is the time to leave it all on the table and do everything we can to advocate for the country we want." As a recipient of social security, activist Robin O'Herin said, "My home, my healthcare, everything," is at risk. She was getting increasingly anxious as things on the national level got "crazier and crazier" and leaned into simple actions, taking trainings from three journalists who were in countries that elected presidents who became dictators. "And they told me how they got them back, their democracies," she explained. "The first thing was, if you're silent, you've already lost. Second thing was, you never win with violence. It has to be peaceful. The third thing was, when your government fails you, you have to get people in the streets and if you can get about 3.5 percent of the population every time that happens, you win." She heard about the large "Hands Off" rallies planned for April 5 and registered to be a host, triggering a standout of about 2,000 people in Pittsfield on that day. A couple of weekends later, hundreds of people mobilized again throughout more than 10 rallies across the county. "But May Day is a Thursday, and a lot of people work," she explained, adding that the May Day Strong events run from May 1 to May 3. Meg Arvin, who organized the Pittsfield People's March in January, wants people to understand that is Social Security can be on the chopping block, anything can. "I think it's a lack of access to proper education so that people understand the brevity of what is at risk because I feel like if they take away something like Social Security, which is something we all look forward to for ideally being retired, and that it's not just a pipe dream, then what else are they going to take away?" Arvin said. "They're not going to stop at just Social Security and if they can do something like the beast that is Social Security, taking that away from people, then none of us are safe from any sort of hope for our future." A rally at Field Park on Saturday drew more than 200 people, part of May Day protests nationwide since Thursday. Standouts were also planned in Pittsfield and West Stockbridge. State Sen. Paul Mark speaks to the gathering before heading to Pittsfield's standout. He also attended one in Holyoke. The rally had planned to march to Spring Street but the threatening sky canceled that. PreviousNext Williamstown Protest Speakers Call for Citizens to Rise Together State Sen. Paul Mark becomes the 1,001 signature on Hailey Peters petition to the federal delegation to 'fire' Elon Musk. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Speakers at a May Day rally at Field Park stressed the need to rise together to push back against actions being taken by the Trump administration that they say weaken civil rights. "They are dismantling our voting rights. They are gutting protections for workers. They are attacking public education, banning books and silencing honest history," said Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire Chapter of the NAACP. "They are playing politics with our health care, putting corporate profits above human lives. They sow division, fear and hatred, because they know that we are weaker when we are divided ... "So we are here to say we are not weak. We are rising." At least 200 people were holding signs at the park and waving to a chorus of tooting horns, and a few catcalls. Saturday's event followed thousands held worldwide on Thursday for May Day and was the latest local protest of the president and multibillionaire Elon Musk's actions in hollowing out government agencies, and the government's detaining of immigrants and a flurry of executive orders targeting everything from education to showerheads. "It's a dark time, but I think the resistance movement is building, and I think people are starting to get the message, like, we need to keep doing this," said Wendy Penner of Greylock Together, organizer of the rally. "This isn't going to be like a one and done thing in terms of standouts protests. And my hope is it's building, not just in Massachusetts, but it's building in all the purple and red states across the country." She believes more and more people are disgusted by what's happening and that standouts and rallies will have an exponential effect, what researchers call the "theory of change" when the 3.5 percent of the population participates in a nonviolent resistance. "When it's in the news in the blue states, then I think it's empowering our officials to use their leverage and power," Penner said. "And then when their colleagues are wavering, they can have conversations about how to get support. So it's kind of an inside/outside game, right? We're doing our thing on the outside, and we're trying to put all that pressure on the folks on the inside." Hailey Peters of North Adams presented a petition with 1,000 signatures to state Sen. Paul Mark to present to the state's federal delegation to do whatever they could to "fire" Musk and dismantle his Department of Government Efficiency, and restore departments and public employees. "This petition wasn't electronic," said Peters. "It is an old-fashioned, person-to-person effort. These signatures were collected by your constituents in rains at rallies, on street corners and at gatherings. ... they were collected by passing through hands young and old, picked up at houses, and one even survived a fall into the Hoosic River." She described the signatures as being about 1,000 conversations "discussing democracy, building a community and taking an active step to save our country." Tens of thousands of government workers have already been fired or targeted while the president is seeking to replace civil service positions with political appointees, said Peters, and there's fears that DOGE is collecting personal data from Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Health and Human Services. Mark attended a rally in Holyoke in the morning and was heading to another gathering in Pittsfield afterward. Other officials were attending the funeral of U.S. Rep. James McGovern's daughter on Saturday morning, he said, adding he had paid respects at the wake the night before. "Seeing everyone here today makes me and my colleagues in the Legislature know we are a community," said Mark, a Democrat who represents 57 communities in Western Mass. "We have people that are fighting there with us, and we can fight as hard as we need to to push back at these horrendous things that should not be happening in this great country." As a former union member and in light of International Workers Day, the senator's focus was on labor, and he told the story of his own family's struggles in the 1990s when his father lost his job. "Right now, what is happening around this country, with these unannounced layoffs, with this attack on working people, federal workers, the cutting of grants, this is resulting in people like 11-year-old Paul Mark all over this country," he said. "It's happening now because a billionaire and a multi-billionaire guiding him decided they need to take more money, that they need a tax cut, and because of that, they are intentionally damaging our community and communities all over this country. This matters to everybody, no matter what party you are or if you're no party." "Down the street," said the senator, referring to Lexington and Concord, "we started a revolution because the government then got a little too big for their britches. And I'm here to tell everybody that's listening out in Washington, Massachusetts isn't letting the king come back." The gathering also heard from immigrants' rights advocate Fernando Leon, who recalled the eight to 10 immigrants taken from the Berkshires by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the impression that immigrants are a burden. "In 2020, immigrants paid $650 million in local and state taxes," he said. "Thirty-five percent of main street business owners in Massachusetts are immigrants. Undocumented immigrants contribute to Social Security and Medicare but are not eligible for federal benefits. When immigrants move to Massachusetts, the economy grows. ... "We are here to push against the lies. Let me be clear no human being is illegal. But what happened on March 19, that was criminal." Elizabeth Recko-Morrison of the Berkshire Labor Council said the quality of service delivery depends on supporting the workforce and the Project 2025 blueprint being used by Trump would limit union power, and threaten wage and labor protections. "It is our unions that add power to our individual voices during good times and the horrific ones like those we are experiencing now," she said. "Unionized workers built the middle class, and we damn well intend to keep it alive." Innovations powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can help bridge financial gaps, democratize access to services, and create opportunities for underserved communities. This was the key message highlighted by GCash, the Philippines' foremost finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, during the UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week, a two-day summit recently organized by the British Embassy in Manila. (L-R) British Embassy Bangkok digital and head of investment first secretary Zak Lawton, TPP research and analytics director Chris Bates, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines president and CEO Jack Madrid, BCG managing director and partner Julian Cua, Arup director Sankar Villupurum and GCash chief data officer Sara Venturina The event also featured twelve prominent global companies operating in the region sharing their financial technology (fintech) expertise. They were focused on harnessing the transformative power of AI to foster economic growth and sustainability across the Southeast. The summit brought together top global firms spanning engineering, health technology, management consulting, information technology, and business process outsourcing (BPO). GCash joined the discussions to emphasize how AI-driven fintech innovations are transforming lives and creating new opportunities for underserved communities through access to fintech services. At the fireside chat panel titled 'AI for Good: Transforming Industries and Enabling Sustainable Growth', GCash chief data officer Sara Venturina shared the stage with industry leaders that included Arup Director Sankar Villupuram, TPP director of research and analytics chris bates, IBPAP president and CEO Jack Madrid, and BCG managing director and partner Julian Cua. Together, they unpacked the impact of AI in reshaping industries and fostering sustainable growth. Venturina shared insights into how AI has been instrumental in expanding financial inclusion in the Philippines. With over 94 million users nationwide, GCash has leveraged advanced AI technologies to address the unique challenges faced by underbanked and underserved populations. Through AI-powered analytics, GCash can better understand user behavior, enabling the platform to tailor its financial services to meet the needs of diverse communities, including those with limited access to traditional banking systems. By integrating AI into its operations, GCash has streamlined processes like credit scoring for users without formal credit histories, allowing more Filipinos to access loans and other financial products. AI also enables personalized recommendations, guiding users toward tools and services that align with their financial goals, such as budgeting assistance, savings plans, and investment opportunities, allowing users to build more educated financial habits. Additionally, Venturina highlighted how AI enhances the platforms security measures, particularly in fraud detection and prevention. By analyzing vast amounts of transactional data in real time, AI helps protect users from cyber threats, fostering trust and confidence among those new to digital financial platforms. At GCash, we are proactive in using AI to achieve financial inclusion for all Filipinos and ensure they actively participate in the countrys financial progress, Venturina shared. She emphasized that these technologies not only broaden access to essential financial services but also empower individuals and families to build a more secure and stable financial future. As a flagship event showcasing advancements in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, the UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week affirmed the UKs commitment to supporting Southeast Asias digital transformation. GCashs participation highlighted its dedication to aligning with global best practices and fostering cross-border collaborations in fintech innovation. Through its involvement in this summit, GCash continues to position itself as a champion of responsible and inclusive AI-driven financial solutions, contributing to the development of a more connected and equitable digital economy. For more information, visit www.gcash.com. The University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) is partnering with GCash, the leading Philippine finance super app, through its GForest program, to address environmental threats like illegal forest conversion and accelerate the restoration of degraded lands within the Mount Makiling Georeserve and the Sierra Madre mountain range. The strategic partnership aims to protect and reforest 250 hectares of land within the two land grants managed by UPLB by planting at least 130,000 forest and fruit trees during the first phase, and another 25,000 seedlings for urban and roadside planting in parts of Mount Makiling Georeserve by 2029. UPLB, as the Center for Excellence in Forestry Education, is set to implement its data-driven and science-based approach to identify suitable types of trees, strategic project areas, and apply implementation strategies to ensure environmental conservation and reforestation efforts translate into meaningful long-term impact. The academic institution also seeks to tap local communities as long-term partners in planting and stewardship, empowering them through livelihood opportunities and ongoing involvement. These include womens groups, peoples organizations, and qualified UPLB community members. UPLB also seeks to engage participation and support from relevant local government units (LGUs) in Laguna, municipalities in Quezon province, and national-level government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DICT). (L-R) UPLB University research associate Arthur Umali, UPLB-CFNR dean Marlo D. Mendoza MDM, and GCash head for sustainability CJ Alegre, during the ceremonial planting of Dillenia philippinensis (Katmon), an endemic species, in a joint initiative promoting biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship Marked by a ceremonial contract signing led by UPLB, its College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), the Land Grant Management Office (LGMO), and GCash, through the support of its 22-million GForest Green Heroes, pledged to plant at least 130,000 forest and fruit trees across 250 hectares in two land grant areas managed by UPLB in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. In addition, 10 kilometers of road within the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve will be planted with species ideal for urban settings. Another 25,000 seedlings will also be cultivated for roadside planting in various parts of Laguna province. Roadside planting in the Mt. Makiling Georeserve will provide multiple benefits, including environmental, social, and economic advantages. In terms of environmental impact, it will lead to improved air and temperature quality, carbon sequestration, noise reduction, urban flood mitigation, pollination support, and urban wildlife habitat. From a social and economic perspective, it can improve recreational opportunities and mental wellbeing, lead to energy savings, and increase property values. Sierra Madre is one of our last frontiers when it comes to [our remaining] intact forests, shared UPLB-CFNR Dean Marlo D. Mendoza, MDM. "[This] is rich in terms of biodiversity [and is] very high in endemism, which means a lot of species that are in Sierra Madre can only be found there or [can be found in] the Philippines and not other parts of the world. (L-R) UPLB chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. and UPLB-CFNR dean Marlo D. Mendoza MDM, underscore the University's steadfast commitment as a designated Center of Excellence in Forestry Education, advancing the restoration of critical forest ecosystems nationwide through strategic and innovative partnerships Luzons backbone against natural hazards The Sierra Madre mountain range, which spans approximately 600 kilometers from Cagayan to Quezon Province, is known as the backbone of Luzon and is home to lush forests and vital watersheds that support the nations diverse wildlife populations. In addition, it acts as a natural shield against typhoons coming from the Pacific, protecting the Philippines by weakening and redirecting storm winds before they reach inland areas. The end goal of the UPLB and GCash reforestation initiative is to help restore and fortify parts of the UP Sierra Madre Land Grant. The trees planted aim to convert degraded lands (remnants of past logging, timber poaching, and unsustainable farming) into thriving ecosystems of tall native forest species that form a closed or semi-closed canopy. Fundamental to the success of this program is UPLBs sourcing process, which focuses on native tree species that are well-adapted to the local environment and support biodiversity. UPLB researchers have selected a diverse mix of native species, such as Mayapis, Apitong, White Lauan, Almon, and Palosapis, that can support canopy restoration while promoting ecological diversity. Meanwhile, native tree species for urban areas such as Salingogon, Katmon, Aunasin, and Pamitoyen have been selected based on tree architecture, height, climate adaptability, and the benefits offered, such as aesthetic values, shade, pollution reduction, and habitats for wildlife. To complete the project in the coming months, UPLB will also recruit the help of local communities to oversee the planting, care, monitoring, and evaluation activities thereafter. By championing collaboration among scientists, organizations like GCash, and local communities, this partnership creates a holistic approach that addresses environmental challenges, enhances resilience, and turns residents into long-term environmental stewards. The program includes community-based monitoring to ensure survival rates and continuous ecological and social benefits. We are excited about this new partnership with GCash, as it allows us to explore the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of reforestation, said Mendoza. Together, we can implement UPLBs proven methods to maximize benefits for both ecosystems and local communities. Through this partnership, GCash continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability. As a tech for good platform, we can bridge users with sustainability partners and environmental institutions, like UPLB, and contribute to real-world environmental efforts. CJ Alegre, GCash Head for Sustainability, added: At GCash, we believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change. The battlefield is undergoing a quiet revolution, particularly in how firepower is delivered. Missiles, rockets, and artillery the traditional long arms of land warfare are increasingly shedding their human crews. This shift towards autonomous fire support systems is not a distant concept but an accelerating trend, driven by the harsh realities of modern conflict and enabled by rapid technological advancements. From defense exhibitions showcasing futuristic concepts to real-world deployments demonstrating strategic impact, a clear picture emerges: unmanned systems are already assuming some missions and, if proven effective, could reshape the future of multi-domain operations. This article explores the key trends revealed through these global activities, highlighting how autonomy is becoming central to survivability, operational effectiveness, and the evolution of military doctrines. The Imperative for Autonomy Survivability The primary catalyst for the autonomous fires revolution is the brutal demand for survivability on increasingly transparent and lethal battlefields. Lessons learned, particularly from conflicts like the one in Ukraine, starkly illustrate the vulnerability of traditional, crewed artillery and its supply chain, both in position and on the move, to rapid detection and counterattack, often facilitated by ubiquitous drones and loitering weapons. This has created an urgent imperative to remove personnel from the direct line of fire. Automating the firing and reloading processes directly contributes to improved survivability by reducing human exposure. Unmanned systems, capable of rapid shoot-and-scoot maneuvers without pausing to secure a crew, offer a direct answer to this challenge. Evolving Doctrines Robotic and autonomous artillery systems have roles in all types of warfare, including asymmetric conflicts, near-peer, and peer warfare. Simultaneously, evolving military doctrines like the U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and the Armys Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) demand forces that are distributed, mobile, resilient, and capable of operating within contested enemy territory. Autonomous platforms are essential enablers for these concepts, making the deployment of significant firepower to dispersed, high-risk forward locations feasible by minimizing human risk. The strategic impact was vividly demonstrated by the USMCs deployment of the unmanned NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) anti-ship system to the Philippines Luzon Strait during Exercise Balikatan 2025. NMESIS uniquely pairs the versatile, unmanned Oshkosh ROGUE-Fires UGV with long-range Naval Strike Missiles, providing a land-based anti-ship capability crucial for EABOs sea denial mission. This activity showcased the ability to project relevant A2/AD capabilities from expeditionary land bases, directly supporting EABO principles and sending clear strategic signals, arguably made more palatable by the systems unmanned nature. The Corps has deployed new mobile air defense (MADIS) drone-killing vehicles to protect these strategic assets from loitering weapons attacks. Technological Enablers Significant technological advancements fulfill these operational needs. Sophisticated robotics, AI, secure communications, and mature drive-by-wire vehicle architectures establish the foundation. A key trend observed in development and experimentation, such as with Lockheed Martins Autonomous HIMARS (AML) tests, focuses on applying electro-optical sensor suites for navigation and perception. The AML aims to replicate the proven firepower of HIMARS on an unmanned chassis, uniquely emphasizing autonomous operation using stealthy, passive sensors to enhance survivability. AML experiments reflect the maturing of autonomous capabilities in navigation, convoy operations, and executing fire missions, often within a Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) framework. The Path to Autonomous Artillery The path to full autonomy often follows an evolutionary trajectory. The Swedish truck-mounted Archer SPH was the first to introduce an autonomous gun turret. The IDF is also fielding a new 1010 truck-mounted SPH called Roem, with an autonomous gun turret developed by Elbit Systems. Systems like Hanwhas K9A2 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) feature automated turrets that reduce the crew size from five to three while increasing the rate of fire. KNDSs RCH155 mounts a fully automated, unmanned 155mm gun module onto a highly mobile Boxer 88 chassis. Its unique capability allows operation by just two crew members, safely housed in the drive module, with the system even capable of firing on the move. The Chinese company Norinco has recently introduced the SH-16 SPH, which can be utilized in human or autonomous modes of operation. It is important to note that automation can sometimes result in a slower process compared to an experienced and highly motivated human team. Therefore, expectations for automated processes should focus on overall performance benefits enhanced survivability, sustained firing rates, and achieving the desired effect on the target rather than just comparing the cycle time of an autonomous howitzer to that of a human-operated system. These automated systems pave the way for fully unmanned successors, such as the conceptual K9A3 Thunder, which aims for full autonomy and an extended range, or future autonomous versions of the RCH155, which can fire on the move practically. Logistics, Teaming, and Beyond Defense exhibitions provide a window into this evolution. We see concepts pushing towards full autonomy (K9A3), adaptable platforms like the ROGUE-Fires shown in multiple roles, and even the integration of legacy systems onto robotic platforms. A forward-looking trend, highlighted in KNDSs concepts, is the move towards automating the entire logistics chain, specifically through the combined deployment of robotic howitzer carriers and autonomous resupply vehicles, operating in a distributed manner to minimize exposure. This concept recognizes that sustaining high-tempo fires requires automating support functions beyond just reloading the guns. Furthermore, concepts like Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), tested in exercises with systems like AML, explore how autonomy can act as a force multiplier, allowing smaller crews to control more assets. The Way Ahead The shift towards autonomous missiles, rockets, and artillery is a defining trend in modern land warfare, clearly visible through global defense activities. Driven by the urgent need for enhanced survivability on lethal battlefields and the requirements of new operational doctrines like EABO and MDO, this transformation is enabled by rapid technological progress in robotics, AI, and sensors. Key trends revealed include a clear evolution from crew-reducing automation to fully unmanned platforms, emphasizing stealth through passive sensing, developing flexible, multi-role unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and nascent efforts to automate logistics, particularly ammunition resupply. Real-world deployments and exercises are proving the operational viability and strategic impact of these systems. While there are challenges in logistics, command, control, and cybersecurity, the trajectory is clear: autonomous systems are becoming integral to delivering decisive firepower effectively and survivable across the multi-domain battlefield. 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 Chinese leader Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Russia from May 710, the Kremlin confirmed Sunday. Mr Xi was already among the leaders set to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9. The Kremlin said Mr Xi was visiting at the invitation of Russian president Vladimir Putin and, as well as taking part in Victory Day celebrations, the leaders would discuss further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction and issues on the international and regional agenda. Mr Putin and Mr Xi will sign a number of bilateral documents, it said. Mr Xis visit to Russia will be his third since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. China claims to take a neutral position in the conflict, but it has backed the Kremlins contentions that Russias action was provoked by the West, and it continues to supply key components needed by Moscow for weapons production. RUSIA-CHINA ( AP ) Mr Xi last visited Russia in September 2024 for a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies. He also paid a state visit to Russia in March 2023 and Mr Putin reciprocated with his own trip to China in October that year. The two leaders have since also met in Beijing in May 2024, where Mr Putin took the first foreign trip of his fifth presidential term, and in Kazakhstan in July. After launching what the Kremlin insists on calling a special military operation in Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly dependent economically on China as Western sanctions cut its access to much of the international trading system. Chinas increased trade with Russia has helped the country mitigate some of the worst blows from the sanctions. Moscow has diverted the bulk of its energy exports to China and relied on Chinese companies to import high-tech components for Russian military industries to circumvent Western sanctions. The leaders of Russia and China have developed strong personal ties that helped boost the relations between Moscow and Beijing. Moscow accused Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky of threatening the safety of dignitaries attending Victory Day celebrations after he dismissed Russias unilateral 72-hour ceasefire. Mr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine cannot provide security assurances to foreign officials planning to visit Russia around 9 May, warning that Moscow could stage provocations and later attempt to blame Ukraine. 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 Former Labor Minister and staunch conservative Kim Moon Soo won the presidential nomination of South Koreas main conservative party, facing an uphill battle against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung for the June 3 election. Observers say Mr Kim will likely try to align with other conservative forces, such as former prime minister Han Duck-soo, to prevent a split in conservative votes and boost prospects for a conservative win against Mr Lee. In a party primary that ended Saturday, Mr Kim won 56.5 per cent of the votes cast, beating his sole competitor, Han Dong-hun, the party said in a televised announcement. Other contenders have been eliminated in earlier rounds. Ill form a strong alliance with anyone to prevent a rule by Lee Jae-myung and his Democratic Party forces. Ill push for that in a procedure and method that our people and party members accept, and Ill ultimately win, Mr Kim said in his victory speech. The 3 June election is meant to find a successor to conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol, a People Power Party member who was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in mid-December and dismissed by the Constitutional Court in early April over his ill-fated imposition of martial law. open image in gallery Scientist Hwang Woo-suk (R) and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon Soo (2nd from R) pose in a ceremony to donate eight coyotes to a wildlife centre in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on 17 October 2011 ( EPA ) Mr Yoons impeachment is a major source of feuding at the PPP and a hot topic at the partys primary. Mr Kim, who served as labor minister under Mr Yoon, has opposed his parliament impeachment, though he said he disagreed with Mr Yoons decision to declare martial law on 3 December. Mr Kim gained popularity among hardline PPP supporters after he solely defied a demand on 11 Dec by an opposition lawmaker that all Cabinet members stand up and bow in a gesture of apology for Mr Yoons martial law enactment at the National Assembly. Han Dong-hun, Mr Kims main contender in the PPPs primary, served as Mr Yoons first justice minister. Mr Han leads a reformist yet minority faction at the PPP who joined the liberal opposition in voting to overturn Mr Yoons martial law decree and later impeach him. Without the support of Mr Hans faction members, an opposition-led impeachment motion on Mr Yoon couldnt have passed through the National Assembly because opposition parties were eight votes short of a two-thirds majority to approve it. open image in gallery South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun, right, speaks as South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo listens during their joint statements in Seoul, South Korea ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Shin Yul, a politics professor at Seouls Myonggi University, said that public awareness of the conservatives campaign could have risen more sharply if Mr Han had won, as he could have appealed to moderate, swing voters more. Mr Kim, 73, was originally a prominent labor activist in the 1970-80s but joined a conservative party in the 1990s. Mr Kim recently said he gave up his dream to become a revolutionist after observing the collapse of communist states. He has since served as a governor of South Koreas most populous Gyeonggi province for eight years and a member of the National Assembly for three terms. Mr Kim has said that if elected, he would push to fight corruption, overhaul financial regulations, reform pension systems and increase government spending on Artificial Intelligence infrastructure. He said he would maintain a solid military alliance with the US and introduce nuclear-powered submarines as a way to increase deterrence against North Korean nuclear threats. open image in gallery People watch a TV screen showing former South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung announces his presidential bid via a video message at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Mr Lee, who won the Democratic Party nomination last Sunday, is the clear favorite to win the election. But Mr Lees campaign suffered a setback due to a recent Supreme Court decision to order a new trial on his election law charges. Its unclear if he will face a court sentence that requires the suspension of his campaign before the 3 June vote, but hell likely grapple with an intense political offensive by his election rivals. 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 Singapores Peoples Action Party (PAP) has secured another decisive victory in Saturdays general election, winning 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats and 65.6 per cent of the popular vote, according to the Election Department. The result marks a strong endorsement for prime minister Lawrence Wong in his first electoral test as head of government, a year after he took over leadership of the long-ruling party. The outcome not only extends the PAPs uninterrupted 66-year rule but also reflects a swing in support from its near-record low of 61.2 per cent in the 2020 polls. Voters backed the party in a campaign shaped by economic headwinds and regional instability, delivering early wins in key battlegrounds like Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC, and Jalan Kayu SMC. At a press conference following the vote count, Mr Wong described the result as deeply humbling and a clear signal of trust, stability and confidence from Singaporeans. He acknowledged that voters also wanted more alternative voices in government, but said the strong PAP mandate would give Singapore the best chance to navigate an uncertain world. The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world, he said. We will honour the mandate you have given us. open image in gallery Lawrence Wong greets his supporters at the party's gathering centre during the general election results ( AFP via Getty Images ) Thanking voters for their support, Mr Wong said his immediate priority would be to form a Cabinet and confirmed that all key MPs had been returned to Parliament. I will announce the Cabinet line-up when ready, he added. A US-trained economist and current finance minister, Mr Wong had appealed for a strong mandate to guide Singapore through economic headwinds worsened by global trade tensions and protectionist policies. At 52, he now faces the challenge of addressing rising living costs and a housing crunch, even as the economy braces for a potential recession. Despite retaining its 10 seats, the opposition Workers Party saw heavy losses in many constituencies. PAP candidates won more than two-thirds of the vote in 18 of 33 contested races. Leader of the Opposition and the WPs secretary general Pritam Singh told supporters: We start work again tomorrow, and we go again. Your support has been so important in the mission of achieving and working towards a more balanced parliament. That work also continues. The voters have spoken and they have voted for stability, for continuity, for certainty and they voted to give Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a strong mandate, said Mustafa Izzuddin, adjunct senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, told Reuters. open image in gallery Supporters of the leader of the opposition and secretary-general of the Workers' Party, Pritam Singh, react as he delivers his speech after the preliminary results of the general elections were announced ( EPA ) Mr Wongs victory marks the beginning of a new chapter in Singapores leadership. He succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024, becoming the city-states fourth prime minister. Mr Lee, who stepped down after 20 years in office, remains in Cabinet as a senior minister. His retirement closed a significant chapter in Singapores political history, ending a family dynasty that began with founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who led the nation for 31 years and transformed it into one of the world's most developed economies. Speaking after the results, Mr Wong acknowledged emerging signs of a slowdown in Singapores economy and pledged to treat it as a priority. We will do more to get Singapore through the storm safely, he said. He emphasised that the real contest was not between the PAP and the opposition, but between Singapore and a turbulent global environment. Framing the country as a perennial underdog, Mr Wong urged unity over division: Singapore is the underdog we have always been, and we will continue to be, despite what we have achieved today. So to improve our chances, we cannot afford to fight one another. open image in gallery Speaking after the results, Mr Wong acknowledged emerging signs of a slowdown in Singapores economy and pledged to treat it as a priority ( EPA ) He also warned against attempts to sway voters along racial or religious lines, reinforcing the PAPs message of multiracial harmony and national resilience. World leaders were quick to extend their congratulations to Mr Wong and the PAP following their victory. The US, a longstanding ally, reaffirmed its commitment to the relationship. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the nearly 60-year strategic partnership between the two nations, calling it strong and enduring. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the newly elected government and Prime Minister Wong to strengthen economic growth and our bilateral defence and security ties, he said. Regional leaders echoed the sentiment. Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto praised the decisive victory as a reflection of Singaporeans trust in Wongs leadership and said he looked forward to strengthening bilateral ties. Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba also extended his congratulations, adding that he hoped to deepen cooperation as the two countries approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. Indias prime minister Narendra Modi described the Singapore-India relationship as strong and multifaceted and said he looked forward to working closely with Mr Wong to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Malaysias prime minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke of the enduring ties of kith and kin between the two countries, highlighting the importance of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and said it could become a shining example of what neighbours can achieve, with conviction and shared purpose. 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 29-year-old man who reportedly mistook a live crocodile for a statue was bit by the animal when he climbed into its enclosure at a wetlands park in southern Philippines to take a selfie. The man was in the area when he spotted the female crocodile, named Lalay, resting inside a fenced enclosure at the Kabug Island Mangrove and Wetlands Park in Zamboanga Sibugay province, according to reports. Police said he mistook the 15-foot reptile for a statue, clambered over the chain-link fence, and waded through the shallow water as he took out his cellphone, the Daily Mail reported. He was suddenly attacked after jumping into the crocodile enclosure. Police officers arrived to find he had already been bitten on the right leg, according to the Siay municipal police station. The tourist was walking around the area, then he saw the crocodile, which he thought was just a plastic fixture. He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him, police staff sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. The crocodiles owner, Nanding Panogan, managed to intervene and rescue the victim, but not before the man had been trapped in the enclosure in agony for up to 30 minutes. Mr Panogan, who is also the reptile's caretaker, reportedly risked his own life by climbing into the pen and slamming a piece of cement onto Lalays head, prompting her to release her grip. Medics then wrapped his wounded arm and thigh with cloth to stanch the bleeding before rushing him to a nearby hospital, where he reportedly received more than 50 stitches. open image in gallery Mr Vista was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he reportedly received more than 50 stitches ( X/The Tradesman ) This kind of behaviour is very dangerous. Nobody should ever enter an animal's enclosure at the zoo. He put other people's lives at risk and he is very lucky to have survived, added Mr Sajolga. Footage obtained by ViralPress and taken by onlookers showed Lalay grabbing the mans arm and performing a death roll, a feeding technique used by crocodiles and alligators to subdue and dismember their prey. As the gruesome scene unfolded, onlookers can be heard screaming as the man continued being dragged through the water. The park has not issued a public statement yet, and the investigation is still ongoing. I don't know why he would do such a stupid thing, but I'm glad the man is alive and the crocodile just let him go. His leg wasn't broken, but he suffered arm and thigh wounds, onlooker Canete Jie said. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New York Citys police department provided federal immigration authorities with an internal record about a Palestinian woman who they arrested at a protest, which the Trump administration is now using as evidence in its bid to deport her, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press. The report shared by the NYPD in March includes a summary of information in the departments files about Leqaa Kordia, a New Jersey resident who was arrested at a protest outside Columbia University last spring. It lists her home address, date of birth and an officers two-sentence account of the arrest. Its distribution to federal authorities offers a glimpse into behind-the-scenes cooperation between the NYPD and the Trump administration, and raises questions about the city's compliance with sanctuary laws that prohibit police from assisting with immigration enforcement efforts. Kordia, 32, was among the earliest people jailed in President Donald Trumps crackdown on noncitizens who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. She was detained during a voluntary check-in with immigration officials in Newark, New Jersey, on March 13, then flown to an immigration jail in Texas. Her arrest was announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security the next day in a statement that cited an expired visa and her role in pro-Hamas protests. It remains unclear how immigration authorities were able to learn about Kordia's presence at the protest near Columbia last April. At the demonstration, police cited Kordia with disorderly conduct. But the charge was dismissed weeks later and the case sealed. City law generally prohibits police from sharing information about arrests with federal immigration officials, although there are exceptions for criminal investigations. On March 14, an NYPD officer generated a four-page report on Kordia and shared it with Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. In an emailed statement, an NYPD spokesperson said the department received a request from a federal agency related to a criminal investigation and shared relevant information in accordance with our sanctuary city policies. The NYPD does not participate in programs that are designed for visa revocation or any civil immigration matter, the statement added. The department declined to say what the investigation entailed. Inquiries to the DHS and ICE were not returned. Legal experts and civil liberties advocates said the document reflected a worrisome level of information-sharing between the city and the federal government, which has conflated criticism of Israel with support for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. The intention of the sanctuary laws is to protect against this kind of collusion and pretextual information sharing, said Meghna Philip, the director of special litigation at the Legal Aid Society. It seems to be a clear violation of the law, Philip added, and raises questions about what guardrails, if any, the NYPD has around sharing information with a federal government that is seeking to criminalize speech. A low-profile protester Kordia grew up in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and moved to New Jersey in 2016 with her mother, an American citizen. She studied English at a local exchange program, but let her student visa expire because she believed her application for permanent residency was sufficient to remain in the country legally, according to her attorneys. Kordias case stood out among those ensnared by Trumps crackdown. She was not an outspoken activist and had not publicly criticized Israel, either in social media posts or newspaper op-eds. She maintained no social media presence and did not appear on any of the public lists maintained by pro-Israel groups that seek to identify people who participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Her name was not mentioned in news reports about the demonstrations. While the Trump administration identified her as a Columbia student, she has never been affiliated with the university and was not enrolled in any college when she joined a protest in 2024 outside Columbia. Her attorneys said she was peacefully voicing her dissent against Israels military campaign in Gaza, which they said has killed over 100 of her relatives. A spokesperson for the NYPD declined to say when they were first approached by federal authorities or whether the March 14 report was the first time they had shared information about Kordia's arrest record. Surveillance and interrogations Beginning in early March, attorneys for Kordia say federal agents began interrogating members of her family and her neighbors. They also subpoenaed records from her MoneyGram account and established a trace on her WhatsApp messaging account, her attorneys said in a court filing. The investigation revealed nothing except that Ms. Kordia sent a single payment to a Palestinian family member in 2022, which itself is protected First Amendment" rights, the filing states. At an April 3rd hearing, the federal government pointed to Kordias prior arrest for protesting as a reason she should not be released. An immigration judge found no evidence she had acted violently at the protest and agreed to grant Kordia a $20,000 bond, which her family paid. The government has appealed that decision, keeping her detained for now. In a petition seeking her release, attorneys for Kordia, a devout Muslim, said she had been denied halal meals since arriving at the jail. As a result, she has lost 49 pounds (22 kilograms) and fainted in the shower, according to facility records shared with her attorneys. The governments entire argument that Ms. Kordia is a danger to the United States rests on a single summons for her participation in a demonstration, Arthur Ago, her attorney, said. The only reason shes confined right now is because of her political viewpoint. Mayoral cooperation New York City Mayor Eric Adams has criticized the citys sanctuary protections, while insisting his administration is meticulously following the law. When asked by the AP last month if the NYPD could turn over information to its federal law enforcement partners about a summons issued to a protester, the mayor insisted no such request was ever made. We have no record that this happened, Adams said. When I inquired, they said we did not turn over anything and we dont collaborate for civil enforcement. They said that over and over again. His office did not respond to inquiries Friday. 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 Off the Sicilian coast, a complex salvage operation is underway to recover the British-flagged superyacht "Bayesian," which tragically sank last summer, claiming the lives of seven people, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter. Two specialized floating cranes, the "Hebo Lift 2" and "Hebo Lift 10," are at the heart of the recovery effort. The "Hebo Lift 2" is equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles and equipment crucial for the delicate task of retrieving the wreckage from the seabed. Meanwhile, the "Hebo Lift 10," one of Europe's most powerful maritime cranes, arrived in the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese on Saturday, having journeyed from Rotterdam. Under the watchful eye of the Italian Coast Guard, the operation is expected to last between 20 and 25 days. The Coast Guard is not only supervising the recovery process but also maintaining a security perimeter to ensure the safety of the personnel involved. Once the "Bayesian" is brought ashore, it will be meticulously examined by judicial authorities as part of their ongoing investigation into the sinking. Prosecutors are investigating the captain and two crew members for possible responsibility in connection with the Aug. 19, 2024, sinking. The 56-meter (183-foot)-long, 473-ton yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localized powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly after hitting the surface. open image in gallery Hannah and Mike Lynch died in the sinking last summer (family handout/PA) ( PA Media ) The yachts 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast -- the second tallest in the world will be cut to allow the hull, which lies 49 meters (160 feet) below the surface, to be brought to the surface more easily, said coast guard Capt. Nicola Silvestri. In addition to Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and wife Neda, and ships cook Recaldo Thomas died in the shipwreck. With the help of nearby vessels, 15 of the 22 people were rescued in the initial phase, one body was recovered, and six others reported missing. The bodies of the six missing people were found following long and complex search efforts, which continued until Aug. 23. 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 All of the UKs rivers are now polluted with sewage, with campaigners warning of a toxic chemical soup in our waters. Leading campaign group Surfers Against Sewage is calling on the government and water companies to tackle the issue, as new data showed only 40 per cent of rivers are deemed to be in good ecological health. According to the website Top of the Poops, which collects information on sewage dumps, found there were at least 513,234 spills into rivers in 2024, lasting more than 4 million hours. Sewage can harm wildlife and river ecosystems because chemicals, including everything from pharmaceutical drugs to phosphates, entering the water from sewage systems are toxic. It can fuel the rapid growth of algae, which can choke out other forms of life by consuming all the oxygen. It can also be a source of E coli, which can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever when ingested by swimmers. open image in gallery Sewage has been pumped into UK rivers across the country with 513,234 spills in 2024 ( Top of the Poops ) Wessex Water was listed as the worst offender, with 5,221 sewage spills into the River Avon, which runs through the southwest of England between Bath and Bristol. Other rivers with significant pollution include the River Trent with 3,186 spills last year, as well as the River Ouse in Yorkshire and the River Severn in the South West. In Wales, the River Teifi endured 2,232 sewage spills by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water over 22,288 hours. Consistent dumps were recorded in Cardigan Bay despite its popularity with swimmers, kayakers and its abundance of wildlife. In its annual water quality report, SAS recorded spills into Scotlands rivers and lochs every 90 seconds last year, with a lack of accuracy over its data leaving people unsure if it was safe to swim. open image in gallery Sewage was discharged into UK waters for over 4 million hours in 2024 ( Shutterstock ) The group said that while the missing data means the true figure is not known, it could have been as high as 364,629 discharges. SAS chief executive Giles Bristow told The Independent: Every time we test the water, we find a worse toxic chemical soup. Its pharmaceuticals, toxins, sewage its worse than weve feared, we can only describe it as a continued environmental degradation. We are the canaries in the coal mine. These are rivers and lakes that are poisoned with sewage, fungus and toxic chemicals. Nature does not have a chance, yet we pay these water companies to clear up these issues. SAS said it received 1,853 sickness reports in the UK last year, which it said was the equivalent of nine years worth of sick days linked to sewage pollution. But it warned the true scale of sickness was likely to be far higher as most people dont report it. open image in gallery Sewage discharges can be a source of E coli which can cause diarrhoea and a fever when ingested by swimmers ( AP ) Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at Surfers Against Sewage: Our rivers are in a dire state. People up and down the country rely on our blue spaces for their physical and mental wellbeing, but risk their health each time they take a dip. This is unacceptable and all thanks to our profiteering water companies, who treat our rivers like open sewers. With the weather warming up and the official bathing season about to start, more and more people will be flocking to the UKs rivers and beaches to enjoy their natural beauty. However, these waterways remain choked with sewage pollution. Despite the government promising billions in further investment to clean up our waterways, we cannot end the sewage crisis until we see radical, systemic change and end to pollution for profit." 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 Hundreds of thousands watched from The Mall in London on Monday as an RAF flypast marked the 80th anniversary of Europes liberation from the Nazis. Buckingham Palaces balcony hosted the royal familys VE Day commemorations eight decades after King George VI first marked the Second World Wars end from the same spot. The aerial spectacle was followed by tea parties across Britain, including in Downing Street, where Sir Keir Starmer served up tea and cakes to veterans and other guests. The sacrifices of those who fought for peace must never be forgotten, the prime minister said. It was a privilege to join Second World War veterans. On behalf of the whole country, thank you for your service. Several royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, sat among veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past the palace in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitlers regime and bring peace to Europe. Charles was seated next to Joy Trew, 98, who served as a wireless operator after enlisting in the Womens Auxiliary Air Force, aged 17, in 1944. The veteran said the king bent down and tucked me in to prevent her from getting chilly. open image in gallery King Charles speaks to veteran Joy Trew during the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) Also among the royal party were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. When the King and Queen moved inside and up onto the balcony, they acknowledged the cheers of well-wishers and watched a Second World War-era Lancaster bomber lead the aerial display. The Kings naval No 1 dress uniform reflected the outfit worn by his grandfather, George VI, on VE Day May 8 1945 who, with the Queen Mother, made eight balcony appearances to satisfy boisterous crowds at the palace gates. After Queen Elizabeth IIs death in 2022, this was the first landmark VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony on that day. open image in gallery The royals wave to the crowds outside Buckingham Palace ( WPA Rota ) William dressed in the RAF No 1 uniform while Kate, whose grandfather served in the RAF as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, wore an RAF wings pin brooch. Prince Louis, who recently turned seven, did not disappoint royal fans, pulling faces as planes thundered overhead. Prince George, 11, joined senior royals at the tea party with veterans where a 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old who served with the Desert Rats and took part in the D-Day landings, and a 100-year-old woman who worked in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), known as Churchills Secret Army, were among 30 veteran guests of honour, according to the Royal British Legion which helped organise the event. The Prince of Wales told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester, near Portsmouth, that George is interested in learning about those who served in the war, the veterans granddaughter said. Samantha Davidson, 58, from Denmead in Hampshire, told the PA news agency: The prince said George is very interested in finding out about the veterans. George even asked my grandfather how old he was during his service. open image in gallery Prince George and his father Prince William listen to veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace ( Getty ) She said Mr Littlefield was very happy that George had taken an interest in the past. Royal Engineers veteran Mr Littlefield said: Im very proud. William smiled as he shook hands with veterans and said it was very important for George and the next generation to hear the stories from those who fought in the war. Henry Ducker, 104, from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, said Camilla spoke with him about her father. It was an honour to talk with her, she was quite funny, very humorous, he said. We had quite a laugh, she is a lovely woman. Camillas father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa. He died in June 2006, aged 89. On The Mall, two royal fans wore handmade dresses to celebrate VE Day at Buckingham Palace. open image in gallery Satvinder Cubb (left) and Grace Gothard, who made their own dresses for the occasion ( Emily Smith/PA Wire ) Retired carer Grace Gothard, from Ghana, made a union flag dress and hairbow for the occasion. She said the creation took her two weeks to make. I made this dress personally. So anytime theres any royal occasion, I make my own dresses, she said. It took two weeks to make. The last one was the Kings coronation, and that dress is in a museum now. Her friend Satvinder Cubb wore a dress reading Lest We Forget. I know people who have actually fought in the war, she said. I have a very close friend, hes 94 and was 14 at the time. Its just about thanking them all. Were here for a reason and have freedom now. Its important for us to be a part of it." Across London in Tower Hamlets, war survivors, refugees and local families joined together for a VE Day street party in one of Britains most bombed neighbourhoods. The event in Docklands, one of the locations most heavily hit during the Blitz was organised by the Bengali Association, local refugee support and other community groups. It featured 1940s music and dancing, Morse code demonstrations and food ranging from BBQ favourites to VE Day biryani. Local refugee Abdul Shakoor, who came to the UK from Pakistan nearly 20 years ago, spoke about his grandfather and uncles involvement in the British Indian Army. His grandfather fought in Burma and later died from his injuries. open image in gallery Abdul Shakoor in Londons Docklands, at a VE Day event organised by the Bengali Association ( Joe Haddon/PA Wire ) He said: VE Day means a lot for us. It was a pivotal moment for the whole Indian subcontinent, it was a moment of transformation and looking for a new horizon. We were proud of fighting with the Allied forces. A major part of the British army that fought in Africa and Europe came from Pakistan and India. In nearby Wanstead, Marjorie Gadd, 89, recalled the lights from boats marking VE Day in Falmouth, Cornwall, where her family had fled during the war. The whole harbour was alight it was so magical, she said. My mother said, Youve seen history, youll never forget this and she was right. This weeks commemorative events were kicked off on Monday by actor Timothy Spall, who delivered some of the words of Sir Winston Churchills 1945 victory speech in Parliament Square. My dear friends, this is your hour, he read aloud. This is not victory of a party or of any class. Its a victory of the Great British nation as a whole. 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 A campaign group has claimed that the impact assessment produced by the government on assisted dying legislation proves that there will be a financial incentive to end peoples lives early. The claim by the group Care Not Killing (CNK) came after the government identified at least 59.6m savings a year to be made by allowing assisted deaths. CNK believes the real amount is much larger because savings in benefits cannot be quantified. However, the bills sponsor Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has warned: The cost in human terms of failing to act would be immense. She said: It is difficult, if not impossible, to put a price on correcting injustice and providing dignity to our fellow citizens in their final weeks and months, but it is of course right that we look at what effect changing the law would have more widely. open image in gallery Kim Leadbeater is the Labour MP behind the assisted dying bill (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) With the bill set to be debated again in the Commons in just two weeks, her supporters argue that the government assessment has confirmed that assisted dying can be delivered safely, ethically, and compassionately in England and Wales. But Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of CNK, warned that financial incentives could encourage the NHS to push people to choose to end their lives or for people with diseases to feel they are a burden. He noted that the impact assessment confirms that changing the law will save money, both health care costs of up to 59.6m and a reduction in benefit payments, which is unquantified. He claimed: In the US state of Oregon, the model for the current bill in parliament, a majority of those ending their lives cite fear of being a burden on their families, carers or finances as a reason for their decision. In Canada, politicians have talked about the considerable savings made to regional health care budgets since introducing euthanasia, with some estimates suggesting up to $500m, regrettably this includes removing funding from a hospice that refused to kill their patients. open image in gallery Campaigners including actress Liz Carr and Baroness Grey-Thompson outside parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) In Holland, not only have the Dutch saved money, but chillingly, they talked about how this policy also increases the availability of organs for transplant, something Dr David Shaw and Professor Alec Morton, two British academics argued for in 2020. Dr Macdonald highlighted how the hospice movement has a 150m hole in its budget, with up to one in four Britons who would benefit from palliative care not currently receiving it. He said: Introducing so-called assisted dying would be an incredibly dangerous policy that would put pressure on vulnerable, elderly and disabled people to end their lives prematurely. We need to fix the UKs broken and patchy palliative care system so everyone can have a dignified death. We need better care not killing. However, Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision who support the bill have argued that the impact assessment has dealt with fears about assisted dying. They noted that overall there are predicted to be cost savings for the state if the law does change though the sums of at most tens of millions are negligible in the context of the 180bn annual NHS spend. They added: Regardless, the decision on whether to change the law should not be about economics, but on whether assisted dying is the right approach in principle. Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, said: Assisted dying isnt untested. Legislation is already working in over 31 jurisdictions across the world, where implementation in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe has shown it to be safe, compassionate, and practical. Its time for parliament to grant people the dignity and autonomy they deserve at the end of life. Claire Macdonald, director at My Death, My Decision, added: These reports confirm what we have long known that our current laws are failing dying people and that the current status quo is unacceptable. Every day we delay is another day someone is denied the choice to die with dignity, free from prolonged pain and suffering. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The leader of the House of Commons is facing calls to quit after she appeared to dismiss concerns over the grooming gangs scandal as dog whistle politics. Lucy Powells remark came on BBC Radio 4s Any Questions? when she was responding to a point by Reform UKs Tim Montgomerie. Ms Powell interrupted as he was trying to question why Labour has blocked a national inquiry into the way gangs of men targeted young girls in towns and cities around the UK with the authorities failing to act. She said: Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now, do we? Lets get that dog whistle out, shall we? open image in gallery Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Archive ) Her comment received widespread backlash and Ms Powell was accused of belittling the issue. The shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, has called for her to resign. Labour has been resisting calls for a national inquiry and recently cancelled five local inquiries it had promised. Ms Powell quickly issued a clarification on X (formerly Twitter) to apologise to those who felt she had not taken the issue seriously. As MP for Manchester Central, Ms Powell has had to directly deal with the fallout of the scandal with victims in her own constituency, which covers parts of Oldham. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, seen visiting The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has made political capital over the grooming gangs issue (PA) ( PA Wire ) She said: In the heat of a discussion on Any Questions?, I would like to clarify that I regard issues of child exploitation and grooming with the utmost seriousness. Im sorry if this was unclear. I was challenging the political point scoring around it, not the issue itself. As a constituency MP, Ive dealt with horrendous cases. This government is acting to get to the truth, and deliver justice. Health secretary Wes Streeting also came to her defence and insisted she should not lose her job. Asked if he and his Labour colleagues see the grooming gangs scandal as a dog whistle, issue or a coded signal to racists, Mr Streeting said: No and I dont think thats what Lucy intended to imply in a heated debate on Radio 4, and thats why shes apologised for what she said. I dont think for a moment she would have meant or wanted to imply that raising these issues, talking about these issues, is dog whistle. We all make mistakes and the important thing is that we own it, Mr Streeting told Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme. Asked if Ms Powells job as Leader of the House of Commons was safe, he said: I think shes made a genuine mistake, shes owned up to it shes said sorry and well move on. But Ms Powell was also criticised by former Labour adviser Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmers biographer, who described her remarks as ill-judged. Mr Montgomerie also addressed the confrontation on Sir Trevors show. He said: Theres been a tendency its gone on for too long now to close all sorts of important debates down by throwing that racist charge at people. He warned people feel there is a stifling of debate. In the context of grooming gangs, an issue of such consequence, I think it was clearly ill-judged by Lucy Powell, but she was, I think she was keen to have a very strong go at Reform, and I was the representative of Reform that night. But unfortunately, the words she chose have wider resonance. And I think the only trouble, if she really is to get in trouble (is) if survivors come out in large numbers and object to what she said. It was also pointed out that Ms Powell had pushed for one of George Galloways Respect candidates to be dropped over remarks he had made about rapes. The Tories have demanded she be sacked. Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, said: This shocking outburst from a Labour cabinet minister belittles the thousands of girls and women who were raped by grooming gangs over decades. We have consistently called for a national inquiry in parliament, which has been blocked by Labour ministers who dont seem to know or care about the disgusting crimes which have been perpetrated. Anyone who has seen the shocking Channel 4 documentary will know that it is clearer than ever that this is not a dog whistle. To dismiss thousands of victims who were raped and the cover-up that followed is sickening. She should resign. India has finalized a significant Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France, signed on April 28, 2025, to acquire 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy. This deal, valued at approximately 7 Billion ($7.5 Billion or 63,000-64,000 Crore), marks the first export order for the naval Rafale and aims to modernize Indias carrier aviation capabilities, particularly aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The procurement strengthens the Indo-French strategic partnership, especially concerning security in the Indian Ocean Region amidst Chinas growing naval presence. The agreement covers 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters for carrier deployment and four twin-seat Rafale DH variants for land-based training, as a carrier-capable twin-seat version was not developed. The comprehensive package includes advanced weaponry like Meteor, SCALP, and Exocet missiles, simulators, training, spares, and five years of Performance-Based Logistics (PBL). Deliveries are set to begin around mid-2028 and conclude by 2030-2031. The deal also bundles upgrades for the Indian Air Forces (IAF) existing Rafale fleet, including buddy-refueling pods for 10 jets, indicating a coordinated approach. Carrier Integration Challenges The Rafale M is the carrier variant of Dassaults versatile 4.5 generation fighter, featuring modifications for naval operations like a reinforced undercarriage, arrestor hook, and a jump strut nosewheel. Crucially, trials in January 2022 at INS Hansa, Goa, confirmed its ability to operate from the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) ski-jump configuration used on Indias carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Significant commonality (around 80%) with the IAFs Rafales offers logistical and training advantages over its competitor, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. Despite its capabilities, the Rafale M presents a significant integration challenge due to its physical dimensions and lack of folding wings in its current configuration. The aircrafts wingspan of 10.9 meters exceeds the width of the aircraft elevators on both INS Vikrant (approximately 10 meters) and INS Vikramaditya (approximately 9.9 meters). These elevators, critical for moving aircraft between the hangar bay and the flight deck, were designed primarily for the smaller, folding-wing MiG-29K (which folds to 7.8 meters). This size mismatch poses considerable operational constraints. Moving the Rafale M onto the elevators requires complex maneuvers, potentially slowing the mission preparation time and cycle time for launching and recovering aircraft. This could significantly impact the operational tempo during high-intensity flight operations, a critical factor in carrier combat effectiveness. Several potential remedies or workarounds are reportedly being considered, though none are without challenges: Tilting the Aircraft: This option involves using specialized jigs to tilt the Rafale diagonally on the elevator. This option involves using specialized jigs to tilt the Rafale diagonally on the elevator. Removing Wingtip Rails: Detaching the missile launcher rails from the wingtips before moving the aircraft onto the elevator. Detaching the missile launcher rails from the wingtips before moving the aircraft onto the elevator. India-Specific Modifications: Dassault is expected to showcase an India-specific Rafale M within 18 months of the deal. If feasible, these changes could feature foldable wingtips. Dassault is expected to showcase an India-specific Rafale M within 18 months of the deal. If feasible, these changes could feature foldable wingtips. Revising procedures and Deployments: Restricting Rafale M to flight deck operation, assigning the Rafale M exclusively to the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2), which will have larger elevators. The F/A-18 Super Hornet, with its folding wings (reducing span to 9.32 meters), would have fit the elevators more easily. Despite this known constraint, the selection of the Rafale M underscores the weight given to other factors like IAF commonality but highlights a significant operational challenge the Navy must manage. This reinforces the long-term importance of the indigenously designed Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), which will feature folding wings tailored for Indian carriers. Strategic Rationale and Self-Reliance The Rafale M procurement addresses the urgent need to replace the Indian Navys unreliable MiG-29K fleet, which has suffered from poor serviceability. It is an essential interim capability bridge until the Indigenous TEDBF becomes operational, expected around 2031-2032. The Rafale M significantly enhances the Navys power projection with its advanced sensors, electronic warfare suite, and potent weapons loadout, crucial for countering Chinas increasing naval activities in the region. To align with Indias Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, the deal includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) for integrating Indigenous weapons like Astra missiles and NASM-MR onto the Rafale M. Furthermore, it mandates establishing local production facilities for Rafale fuselage sections and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities for engines, sensors, and weapons within India, fostering domestic industrial capacity. The acquisition of 26 Rafale M jets represents a major capability upgrade for the Indian Navy, replacing aging aircraft and providing a potent, modern fighter for its carriers. While serving as a stopgap pending the indigenous TEDBF, the Rafale M brings advanced technology and weaponry. However, the significant challenge posed by its non-folding wings and elevator incompatibility requires effective workarounds to avoid hindering carrier operational tempo. Despite this, the deal enhances Indias maritime deterrence in the IOR, boosts self-reliance through technology transfer and local MRO, and deepens the strategic partnership with France. 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 Kemi Badenoch has admitted that Nigel Farage could become prime minister at the next general election after the Conservatives dismal local election results. Still reeling from her party losing 45 per cent of the council seats it was defending last week, the Tory leader was pressed by Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC over whether Mr Farage could enter Downing Street at the next general election. She replied: Anything is possible. We live in politically turbulent times. It is my job to make sure he doesnt become prime minister. open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch apologised to Conservative councillors defeated in local elections ( PA ) It came as health secretary Wes Streeting conceded that there is a realignment in British politics and quipped that deciding who will win between the Tories and Reform is like Alien vs Predator, you don't really want either one to win but one of them will emerge as the main challenger to Labour at the next general election. Speaking on Sky Newss Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Streeting said: I think Reform is definitely a real threat and one that we take seriously. I think theres clearly, on the right of British politics, a realignment taking place. Its not yet clear whether at the next general election it will be Reform or the Conservatives that are Labours main challenges, but weve got to take that threat seriously. open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting ( PA ) In that spirit, I think Reform does deserve more air time and scrutiny of their policies. In her interview on the BBC, Ms Badenoch also insisted that protest is in the air and warned that it will take longer than six months to rebuild the damaged Tory party. However, The Independent has revealed that Tory MPs are already plotting to replace her. And her admission came after leading pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common told The Independent that the Conservatives have just 12 months to turn things around. Highlighting how the Tories had been badly defeated in the heartland areas like Kent and Lincolnshire, he said: I think they have until next years local elections, Holyrood elections and Senedd elections to show that they're still relevant. Meanwhile, former Tory cabinet minister Justine Greening said that the results marked a point where the Tories needed to pivot and reinvent themselves. She told Ms Kuenssberg: This version of the Conservative Party, which we have seen over the last decade, which has tried to out Reform Reform, is finished and it will need to reinvent itself. But the only big success story for the Tories in last weeks election, new Peterborough and Cambridgeshire mayor Paul Bristow, urged Tory plotters to just stop it and said individuals in the party needed to step up and give Ms Badenoch time. However, a former adviser to David Cameron, think tank red Tory boss Phillip Blond, has called for Ms Badenoch to go. He posted on X (Twitter): Our leadership post the GE has been astoundingly poor. All Badenoch has offered is inertia and inaction. She has allowed Reform to establish bulwarks on her flank that now look unbreachable, adding, Regrettably we do need a new leader, and this surely can only be Robert Jenrick. Reform can be challenged, but not under Badenoch. The alternative is doing nothing and becoming nothing. Mr Jenrick has appeared to have been on manoeuvres with a letter to all candidates which omitted Ms Badenochs name and a recording of a speech calling for a deal with Reform against party policy. Nigel Farage claimed the Tories will never recover and Reform UK has supplanted them as the opposition to Labour after his party made sweeping gains in local elections. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a visit to The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, after Reform made gains against both Labour and the Conservatives across England in local polls ( PA ) Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Farage said two-party politics had died at a local and national level. The party that I lead is expanding. As we march on, the Conservatives are in retreat. In my opinion, they will never recover, the Clacton MP said. Meanwhile, Labour is still in shock from a dreadful set of results, which also saw them replaced in many parts of the country, such as County Durham, by Reform. 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 Downing Street has reacted with fury to revelations that Nigel Farage plans to use Reforms control of councils across England to launch a series of legal challenges to tie Sir Keir Starmers government in knots. The announcement by Reforms new mayor for Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, came as she spoke to The Independent in her first major interview since her victory was declared on Friday morning. She said that high on the agenda were plans to take the Labour government to court in a bid to block net zero projects like solar and wind farms, as well as attempts by the Home Office to house asylum seekers in Lincolnshire. It came as The Independent revealed that another top priority, to sack council diversity officers, has fallen flat after it emerged Lincolnshire County Council does not employ any. open image in gallery Reform UK won 10 councils and more than 600 councillors, raising questions over the direction of the two main parties ( PA ) With Reform winning nearly 700 local council seats and holding a majority in Kent, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Durham, and three in Northamptonshire, Sir Keirs government could be facing a flurry of legal challenges. Taking control of councils means Reform has an opportunity to spend taxpayers money on expensive legal challenges, which they would have struggled to afford as a political party. It brings the prospect of legal tactics imported from the US to try to bring the government to a standstill by tying it up in the courts. The threat could play out in the political battlefield until the next general election, expected in 2029, where Mr Farage hopes his populist right-wing party can win and install him in Downing Street. The threat has provoked a furious warning from Downing Street as Labour, already bruised from defeats in the local election just 10 months after winning power, gears up for a fight. A No 10 source told The Independent: The public rightly expect more than legal challenges and faux anger from their MPs, mayors, councillors. As the Tories learned the hard way, people want change. This Labour government will deliver it. As she prepares to be sworn in on Thursday next week as mayor with a large majority of Reform councillors on the county council, former Tory MP Dame Andrea admitted: All eyes are going to be on us. Setting out her early agenda, she explained how she and Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, who represents a Lincolnshire seat as an MP, discussed how to get on with legal challenges. open image in gallery Former Tory minister Andrea Jenkyns won the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty for Reform UK ( P ) What we really want to do is really push back on the Miliband stuff, really be a thorn in their side and do legal challenges against it. Were going to get quite strong with them, and were going to start doing stuff on the migrant hotels as well in Lincolnshire. Were going to start pushing back and put pressure on [the Labour government]. I was speaking to HQ yesterday about possibly starting legal challenges, and that would be brilliant. As the new mayor was speaking to The Independent, she received a message from a local company inquiring about finding tents for migrants to be put in. Dame Andrea had said in her acceptance speech that asylum seekers should be housed in tents, rather than hotels, and she said she has no regrets over the remarks which sent shockwaves around the country. I think most people think that. I mean, when you get homeless veterans and you house illegal migrants in hotels. To me, thats absolutely bonkers. So for me, Im surprised, because Ive been saying this for weeks, but the mainstream media hadnt picked up on it. While Sir Keirs government has increased the returns of illegal migrants, a plan to obtain housing from landlords to house asylum seekers broke down in the middle of the election campaign. Added to that, the crisis at British Steel in Lincolnshire, which ended up with the government nationalising it, and an intervention by Sir Tony Blair, put massive pressure on Sir Keir and Mr Miliband over their net zero policies. The legal challenge strategy was partly confirmed by Reform chair Zia Yusuf on the BBC. He said his party would use every instrument of power available when asked how the party would stop migrants from being housed in the areas where it now controls the councils, because contracts for such provisions are drawn up between the Home Office and accommodation providers. Judicial reviews, injunctions, theres planning laws, he told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. You know, a lot of these hotels there has been litigation around this already a lot of these hotels, when you suddenly turn them into something else, which is essentially a hostel that falls foul of any number of regulations, and thats what our teams of lawyers are exploring at the moment. 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 man who persuaded Donald Trump to unleash the hugely damaging global tariffs plan which put the US and western allies on the verge of an economic meltdown has launched an extraordinary attack on Sir Keir Starmers government. Peter Navarro described Britain as a compliant servant of communist China and warned it is in danger of having its blood sucked dry by Beijing in an interview with a UK national newspaper. But the tariffs tsar, who has been under severe scrutiny over his trade policies which have destabilised the US, has himself come under attack from sources close to the administration. open image in gallery Peter Navarro ( AP ) In response to the interview with The Daily Telegraph, an adviser told The Independent: Navarro is crazy and most people in the White House see him as a dangerous influence on the president. Downing Street has declined to comment about the latest attack by a close ally of the president. While Trump himself has been very positive about his relationship with the UK and Sir Keir, it did not save the UK from being included on the tariffs list with 10 per cent basic charges for exports to the US and 25 per cent on automobile products. Added to that, vice president JD Vance and close Trump ally Elon Musk have launched a series of attacks on Sir Keir with claims Britain no longer has freedom of speech. The issue has become so toxic that it could get in the way of a trade deal between the UK and US. Other attacks included briefings against Sir Keirs choice of ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson. open image in gallery Lord Peter Mandelsons links with China were a problem for the US (Niall Carson/PA) ( PA Wire ) Lord Mandelson almost had his credentials rejected because of his past business relationship with Beijing while visits to China by senior ministers including chancellor Rachel Reeves have provoked anger across the Atlantic. Mr Navarro said: If the Chinese vampire cant suck the American blood, its going to suck the UK blood and the EU blood. This is a very dangerous time for the world economies with respect to exposure to China. He added: And lets face it, the UK has been an all too compliant servant of the Chinese Communist Party because of the string-laden gifts that China gives as a way of spreading its soft power. Mr Navarro believes that China may try to dump excess steel and other products on the UK after the Trump administration put 165 per cent tariffs on its exports. As the US tries to get fairness from the biggest cheater, China, the UK and the EU have to be very vigilant about becoming dumping grounds for the products that China would otherwise sell to America, he said. There have been question marks over the UKs relationship with the Chinese Communist Party with attempts to get Chinese investment in nuclear and the 5G network. The issue came to the fore recently when the government was forced to pass emergency legislation to take ownership off British Steel from a Chinese campany that was on the verge of closing its plant in Scunthorpe down. 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 president of the Art Institute of Chicago has taken voluntary leave following reports of an incident during which he stripped off his clothes while on an international flight. James Rondeau, the Art Institute's president and director since 2016, was accused of strange behavior on a United Airlines aircraft on April 18. Rondeau had been on the way to Munich, Germany. According to CBS News, which first reported the incident, he had been drinking alcohol after taking prescription medication. In a statement shared with The Independent, a spokesperson said: The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information. open image in gallery The president of the Art Institute of Chicago, James Rondeau (left), has taken voluntary leave following reports of an incident during which he stripped off his clothes while on an international flight ( Getty Images ) James will voluntarily be taking time away from the office while the investigation is completed. Art Institute officials said Rondeau has since returned to Chicago, and the leadership team will soon meet to determine the next steps." As president of the Art Institute, Rondeaus salary is more than $1 million a year. The institute employs around 600 people and plays host to such world-renowned works as Edward Hoppers Nighthawks and The Bedroom by Vincent Van Gogh. Founded in 1879, the institute has an operating budget of $120 million. Since his appointment in 2016, Rondeau has been a proponent of bringing more works by female artists and artists of color into the collection. This variety and balance is core to our mission. We are able to leverage more established names while introducing new work and providing a more expansive view about contemporary art, he told The New York Times in 2022. The alleged incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 953 from Chicago to Munich on April 18. Police were called to the plane following reports of a passenger stripping off his clothes. open image in gallery Officials from the Art Institute of Chicago said Rondeau was taking voluntary leave following the incident and that it was investigating ( iStock ) Sources confirmed to CBS that the passenger in question was Rondeau. A spokesperson for United Airlines told The Independent they had no further comment. Founded in 1879, the Art Institute is one of the most prestigious museums in the U.S. It has an operating budget of $120 million and a full-time staff of about 600. 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 It was after their tiny plane crashed into the Bolivian jungle earlier this week that their ordeal really began. After smashing into the ground, the aircraft flipped over into a lagoon infested with anacondas and alligators, plunging the pilot and four passengers including a six-year-old boy into a harrowing 36 hours spent clinging to the plane's wreckage before being rescued Friday in the northeast of this Andean nation. The doctor who treated the five survivors said they were conscious and in stable condition, with only the young boy's 37-year-old aunt still hospitalized for an infected gash to her head. The rest were discharged and recovering from dehydration, minor chemical burns, infected cuts, bruises and insect bites all over their bodies. "We couldn't believe it, that they weren't attacked and left for dead," Dr. Luis Soruco, director of the hospital where the survivors were delivered in Bolivia's tropical Beni province, said by phone after sending the pilot and two of the women home with a strong course of antibiotics. The pilot, 27-year-old Pablo Andrs Velarde, emerged Friday to tell the story that has transfixed many Bolivians a rare piece of uplifting news for a nation badly in need of it after years of a spiraling economic and political crisis. open image in gallery All five survivors were rescued ( Bolivian civil defence vice ministry ) "The mosquitoes wouldn't let us sleep," Velarde told reporters from his hospital cot in the provincial capital of Trinidad, where Dr. Soruco said he was in surprisingly good health and spirits. "The alligators and snakes watched us all night, but they didn't come close." Shocked that the caimans, a species of the alligator family native to Central and South America, didn't lunge at them, Velarde speculated it was the stench of jet fuel spilling from the wreckage that had kept the predatory reptiles at bay, although there's no scientific proof that's an effective alligator repellent. open image in gallery Caimans sit on the banks of the almost dried-up Bento Gomes River in the Pantanal wetlands near Pocone, Mato Grosso state, Brazil ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Velarde said that the five of them survived by eating ground cassava flour that one of the women had brought as a snack. They had nothing to drink the lagoon water was filled with gasoline. The small plane had set off Wednesday from the Bolivian village of Baures, bound for the bigger town of Trinidad farther south, where Patricia Coria Guary had a medical check-up scheduled for her six-year-old nephew at the pediatric hospital, Dr. Soruco said. Two other women, neighbors from Baures ages 32 and 54, joined them. A map of Baures: Such flights are a common form of transportation in this remote Amazonian region carved with rivers. Heavy rains wash away unpaved roads this time of year. But just 27 minutes almost halfway into the flight, the plane's lone engine cut out. Velarde said he reported their imminent crash over a portable radio to a colleague. He recalled in interviews with local media that he scanned the vast emerald green canopy below him and aimed for a clearing near a lagoon. "There was no ranch or road along the route," he said. "It was just swamp." Instead of skidding across the shore as planned, the plane smashed into the ground and flipped upside down injuring everyone on board and leaving Coria Guary with an especially deep cut to her forehead before splashing into the water. "The landing was very rough," Velarde said. As the plane flooded, the five of them managed to clamber on top of the fuselage, where they stayed for two terrifying nights surrounded by caimans and anacondas and attacked by swarms of mosquitoes and other insects. open image in gallery Aerial view of the Isiboro Secure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), Bolivia ( AIZAR RALDES/AFP/GettyImages ) They waved shirts and sheets to no avail and screamed each time they heard the thud of propellers or revving of a boat engine. On Friday, at the sound of approaching motorboats, "we started shining our cell phone flashlights and shouting," Velarde said. A group of fishermen noticed, and helped them into their canoe. They called the authorities and delivered them to an army helicopter some hours later. "We couldn't have handled it one more night," Velarde said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A drone expert is warning that an attack by a swarm of dark drones could cause carnage at a large public event or devastate critical national infrastructure. Both Ukraine and Russia use drone swarms as huge, unmanned air forces to destroy and intimidate each others forces and civilian populations. But their radio frequency signals are susceptible to being jammed, so Kyiv turned to hi-tech drones that use fibre optic cables instead, and Moscow quickly followed suit. These drones, tethered with long, fine cables, are resistant to electronic jamming. They are dubbed dark because of the absence of detectable radio frequency emissions. Mike Fraietta, a US drone pilot who has seen the development of the technology first-hand in Ukraine, says concerts, rallies, conferences and all other gatherings are now at risk from the threat of coordinated drone attacks with explosives and says governments need to prepare their defences. In the UK, drones using radio frequencies are already used to smuggle drugs into prisons. Police warned last year that gangs are recruiting skilled drone pilots to fly banned items including phones and even sachets of ketchup to cell windows in Amazon-style deliveries. open image in gallery Both sides in the Ukraine war have seized on drone technology to launch attacks ( EPA ) Tethered drones have come down in price after China ramped up their production, and now they can be bought online from about 2,000. But those with more features sell for a lot more. Last year, China set a new world record by using 10,000 drones, controlled by one laptop, to form images in the sky in Shenzhen. Mr Fraietta suggested terrorists could load explosives in a coordinated attack while a similar show was going on. If somebody could get their hands on a huge quantity of them all at once, it could be absolutely devastating, he said. These are not small drones either. And the payload can be as big as the drone can hold. Even one can cause devastation to a crowd or one could hit water supplies. He said after Ukraine and Russia began using tethered drones, they turned up in Myanmar and then Colombia, where drug cartels use them. So the rate of innovation of warfare technology usually comes years later, [but] were seeing it come months later, getting into the hands of criminals and accessible to average citizens within months of being developed. Every country will face threats, he said, but so far only Sweden and Estonia are investing in drone defence. And he called for the US government to appoint a drone tsar to control the threat, suggesting other countries including the UK do the same. American radar company Echodyne says most critical infrastructure sites, law enforcement agencies and public institutions are ill-equipped to detect dark drones, let alone defend against them. Mr Fraietta says his drone-detection systems company, in New York, is experiencing rising demand from bosses of Fortune 100 companies. The UK government says it constantly monitors the development of all security threats and is well prepared to respond. 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 10-year-old girl was killed after a tree fell on her familys home during a violent storm in Atlanta. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday as a cold front swept through Georgia, bringing storms and heavy rain. According to the Atlanta Fire Department, the tree had snapped in half and collapsed on the home in the citys southwest neighborhood. Erica Dixon, a fourth-grade student at KIPP WAYS Academy, died in the incident, according to Atlanta News First. The girls mother and grandmother both sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. Both are expected to recover. Fire department officials said six people lived in the home and the American Red Cross has been contacted to assist the residents, whom officials did not identify. open image in gallery The tree that fell on the family's home ( Atlanta News First ) Dixons 14-year-old sister, Akiylah Dixon, described the ordeal to the outlet: The house just started shaking. Everything just crashed, and I just see my mama running through the hallway to get to my grandma, she said. I broke down really bad, because that wasnt just my little sister. That was my best friend. In a written statement posted to X on Saturday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said: This morning, were saddened by the tragic passing of this young girl as a result of last nights storms. We ask that all Georgians join us in praying for her loved ones during this difficult time. Parts of the South and Midwest experienced severe storms earlier this month, which left at least 19 people dead after a series of historic rainfalls, flash flooding and strong winds. At the time, 73 million people were under flood alerts, the National Weather Service reported. The Independent has emailed the Atlanta Fire Department for information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A conservative judge should be removed from the bench for egregious unethical conduct after lying about her military career, a Louisiana special counsel has said. District Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts is reported to have falsely claimed she had attained the rank of Captain, and said that she was deployed overseas in Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Such misstatements about her service were made during her campaign to be elected as a judge and later during an investigation into her conduct. In a recommendation to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana, seen by The Independent, Special Counsel Michelle Beaty agreed that Foxworth-Roberts should be removed from judicial office and that she should have to pay for the cost of the investigation. The evidence was overwhelming that Judge Foxworth-Roberts's conduct constituted egregious unethical conduct, necessitating a severe penalty, the brief stated. Judge Foxworth-Roberts' egregious misconduct, including a severe lack of cooperation, were calculated, deliberate, made in bad faith to further her own self-interests, and avoid detection. In 2020, Foxworth-Roberts ran as a Democrat for a seat on the bench. Despite her party affiliation, Foxworth-Roberts described herself in at least one ad as representing conservative family values. She went on to tout herself as being pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, crime fighter, pro-military, and pro-veteran. open image in gallery District Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts is reported to have falsely claimed she had attained the rank of Captain, and was deployed overseas in Operation Desert Storm. A brief from the Louisiana Office of Special Counsel recommends she be removed from the bench ( 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ) Investigators said that one of the most serious complaints was Foxworth-Robertss repeated claim that she had attained the rank of captain. The claim was central to her political campaign and appeared repeatedly in ads and media coverage. The special counsel's brief said the judge had provided "misleading, incomplete, and false information" to investigators and had ignored requests and subpoenas for her military records. Investigators were forced to get the records from the Army themselves. She also "lied in her sworn statement to the [Office of Special Counsel], claiming she attained the rank of Captain while serving in the Army," the brief said, adding that Foxworth-Roberts also "failed to achieve the rank of Captain twice, requiring her separation from the U.S. Army Reserves at the rank of First Lieutenant." A newspaper advertisement that ran in 2020 as part of her campaign for office stated that Foxworth-Roberts served 13 years in the U.S. Army as both an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer during Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. The brief noted that, having been born in 1974, Foxworth-Roberts would only have been 16 years old during Desert Storm. According to the brief, Foxworth-Roberts was also untruthful about an insurance claim for a diamond ring, having misled police about the location of a reported burglary of her vehicle. Foxworth-Roberts said a $19,000 diamond ring had been stolen from a vehicle. The OSC says the judge tried to hide the fact that she made a claim and attempted to mislead the agency regarding what losses she actually claimed. Foxworth-Roberts is due to go before the Judiciary Commission on May 23. 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 When Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was hospitalized for depression in 2023, many on Capitol Hill celebrated it as a moment of courage and a willingness to be open about mental health struggles. Now, a startling picture of relapse and its associated cost is being associated with him after a deeply sourced profile on Fetterman was published Friday in New York Magazines Intelligencer by reporter Ben Terris. Democrats on Capitol Hill have yet to comment. But the shock from the profiles reporting was evident across social media and on political talk programs. He needs to resign, The Bulwarks Jonathan Last, a supporter of the senator who wrote that he was the first person to suggest that John Fetterman could run for president, said on The Secret Podcast with co-host Sarah Longwell. Longwell, who agreed, called the pieces revelations career-ending. In the piece, Terris quotes extensively from Fettermans former chief of staff, Capitol Hill veteran Adam Jentleson. He also relies on statements from current and former employees in the senators office who describe a man harrowed by the challenges of his office and struggling to accept the help he may still require to recover fully. Fetterman, who suffered a stroke during the final months of his 2022 run for Senate, pulled off a much-needed victory for Democrats even after a debate performance made clear that he was still suffering dire auditory processing issues and speech problems. Jasmine Crockett responds to John Fetterman's criticism of Democrats But his recovery inspired many on the Hill and around the country. While he continues to rely to some extent on auditory transcription devices during conversations, he remains capable of speaking in press gaggles and in interviews. In private, however, things are reportedly far less encouraging. For the first time, New York Magazine reported that the senator was involved in a serious car wreck in May or June of 2024, one which injured his wife Gisele, after he ignored staffers concerns and got behind the wheel, then supposedly fell asleep. A video of him arguing with a commercial airplane pilot over the visibility of his seatbelt resurfaced this weekend after the profile was published. And there are other interactions between the senator and those around him outlined in New York Magazines profile and other sources that are turning heads, including supposedly frequent and heated personal exchanges with his wife, Gisele Fetterman, over Israels siege of Gaza and other issues. Whether Goodfellas or politics - everyone takes a beating sometimes. This hit piece came from best friends - Adam Jentleson and Ben Terris - who sourced anonymous, disgruntled staffers with lies or distorted half-truths. My ACTUAL doctors and my family affirmed that Im very well, Fetterman told The Independent in a statement. open image in gallery John Fetterman continues to struggle with recovering from struggles with depression, according to New York Magazine ( AFP/Getty ) According to Terris, Fetterman continues to struggle with the burdens of his office and in January, days after Trumps inauguration, melted down with despondency over whether or not to support Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps now-embattled Secretary of Defense. Ahead of the vote, the senator, according to a staffer, raised the possibility of abandoning DC and refusing to vote at all. He also spent part of the day locked in his office, fighting with Gisele and crying while FaceTiming with staff, according to Terriss reporting. My no vote on Pete Hegseth speaks for itself. The rest is pure conjecture, Fetterman told Terris of the above anecdote. The behavior led to Jentleson, whod stepped down as chief of staff months earlier, to write a letter to the senators doctors prior to his summer 2024 car wreck, warning them of his increasingly unstable and reckless behavior. Jentleson wrote that he was seeing clear signs of Fetterman backsliding on his mental health recovery. Gisele Fetterman, for her part, told New York Magazine in a statement that Jentleson told her scary, untrue stories about Johns health and called his letter part of a conspiracy to damage her husbands political reputation. That reputation may be in tatters after 2025. His votes to confirm several of Trumps nominees, including Pam Bondi for attorney general, were the signs of ultimate betrayal for many Democrats. The extent of his enthusiasm for the Israeli military campaign in Gaza was apparent and drew a fresh wave of disgusted condemnations from progressives across Twitter and Bluesky, with his critics accusing the senator of harboring a fervor for the carnage. Fetterman denied this to New York Magazine. Discover on this site is a strange place. There are some people arguing Fettermans kill them all stance on Gaza is the result of a medical condition and we should remember hes a person too. No shit. Adam McKay (@ghostpanther.bsky.social) May 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM John Fetterman doesnt deserve sympathy. Hes always been racist. Those in Pittsburgh and Braddock remember him pulling a gun on a Black jogger and holding him hostage, wrote Tanisha Long, a Pittsburgh-based activist, on Twitter, referring to a 2013 incident. But most of the reactions across Democratic circles over the weekend were shocked at the extent of the unreported issues the senator faces, including discussions over whether he retains the cognitive faculties and stability necessary to hold office. Some thought the concerns were clearly overblown. open image in gallery Fetterman often engages with reporters on Capitol Hill ( Getty ) Despicable hit piece on @JohnFetterman - I wish I was surprised anyone would publish an obvious vendetta re: a mans medical journey. What a weird medical stalker, wrote Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democratic senator from Arizona. It should not require mental illness for Democratic Party politicians to escape the iron grip of groups-think Fetterman should go back on his meds to own the haters and have a long and successful career, other Dems should ask what they can learn from what's worked for him, added blogger and perennial center-left gadfly, Matthew Yglesias. But many others took away from the piece an understanding that Fetterman remains clearly challenged by his continued mental health issues and the fast pace of politics in the second Trump era. The Fetterman story is troublingnot just because of chaotic staff allegations, but because someone clearly still struggling with their mental health shouldn't be in such a high-stakes role. The only solution is political: Fetterman should resign, wrote Rotimi Adeoye, a Philadelphia-based Democratic operative who previously worked as a staffer for then-Senator Bob Casey. He added: PA Dems need a robust primary. This email, a year ago, from Fettermans former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate, said progressive commentator Medhi Hasan. Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it - especially Schumer. Still others hoped that the fallout from the saga would not further hurt the senators family. Will Stancil, a centrist blogger and former congressional candidate, said simply: My god the Fetterman piece. His wife needs to leave. My heart really breaks for her. 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 has posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal regalia, just 11 days after Pope Francis death. The image, posted on Truth Social, shows President Trump dressed in white wearing a papal hat, known as a mitre, with a large crucifix hanging around his neck. His hand is raised with the index finger extended as if giving a belssing. Days earlier the president quipped that hed like to be the pontiff when asked who he would like to succeed Pope Francis. He told reporters at the White House: Id like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice. Trump went on to say that he actually didnt have a preference, but that the cardinal in New York was very good, likely referring to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York. Donald Trump appears as a pope in an AI generated image of himself he posted on his Truth Social account ( Donald J. Trump/Truth Social ) The conclave to select a new pontiff is now underway after the death of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. The post has been met with scathing criticism, with many describing it as startlingly insensitive, disrespectful and sacrilegious, as well as hailed by some staunch MAGA supporters. Some Trump backers called the image hilarious, and hailed Trump for infuriating the left, though clearly the religiously devout appeared to be the most offended. From Donald Trump Truth Social 05/02/25 10:29 PM pic.twitter.com/6BmCkSY1Q8 Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 3, 2025 Please take this down, pleaded one social media user. Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church. Another responded: Trump, as someone outside the U.S., I find your post utterly disrespectful to the Catholic community worldwide. The papacy is a sacred institution for millions, and this mockery is an affront to their beliefs. Is anyone else surprised that Trump would be so brazenly sacrilegious? Me either. Classless. Trump Tracker (@trackingdonald) May 3, 2025 Completely disrespectful. The Catholic community is mourning and you post this? one critic posted. The president was criticized over his appearance at Pope Francis funeral last month, after he attended wearing a non-traditional blue suit, and was seen chewing gum during the ceremony. @grok Does this technically constitute a blasphemy, buddy? Also, how do you think devoted Catholics are going to react to this? penguins_against_trump (@FlippersUpNow) May 3, 2025 Some critics also suggested his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines at the funeral was inappropriate. The United States navigates a new era of strategic competition in the shifting sands of global power dynamics. The landscape changed dramatically following the nations withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019, a pact with long-defined missile constraints between the US and Russia. This post-INF world, coupled with the rise of sophisticated Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategies employed by peer competitors like China and Russia, has spurred a concerted American effort to revitalize its theater strike capabilities. The goal is clear: develop and field a new generation of conventional missiles capable of ensuring deterrence and projecting power across vast distances, particularly in the critical Indo-Pacific region. Army Multi-Domain Effects The U.S. Army stands at the forefront of this push with its Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) initiative, a cornerstone of its broader Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) concept designed to counter and dismantle adversary A2/AD networks. Recognizing the need for speed, the Army adopted a rapid fielding approach with the Typhon system, officially known as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) or Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF). Instead of designing a weapon from scratch, Typhon cleverly adapts proven U.S. Navy missiles the versatile SM-6 and the long-range Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile (TLAM) for ground launch. Housed within a mobile battery consisting of four launchers, a command center, and support vehicles, Typhon fills a crucial gap, offering strike ranges between the Armys shorter-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and its developmental Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW). The strategic significance of Typhon was dramatically underscored in April 2024, when a battery was deployed over 8,000 miles via a C-17 aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state to Northern Luzon in the Philippines for Exercise Salaknib 24. This marked the systems first operational overseas deployment, aimed at enhancing Philippine maritime defense and interoperability with its allies. The move, however, immediately drew sharp criticism from China and Russia, who labeled it a destabilizing provocation fueling a regional arms race. Despite the political fallout, the deployment signaled a tangible US commitment to presence and deterrence in the contested Indo-Pacific. The Army is activating more Typhon batteries, with plans for future deployments, including one to Germany in Fiscal Year 2026. While Typhon offers a near-term solution, the Army is also pursuing longer-range capabilities through the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program. Designed as the successor to the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), the baseline PrSM Increment 1, now entering service, already pushes beyond the old 500 km INF limit. Fired from existing HIMARS and MLRS launchers, PrSM offers double the missile capacity per launch pod compared to ATACMS. Future increments promise even greater reach and versatility: Increment 2 adds an anti-ship seeker; Increment 4 aims for ranges exceeding 1,000 km; and Increment 5 pushes further into MRBM territory. This incremental approach allows the Army to enhance its capabilities while leveraging existing infrastructure steadily. Congressional interest is also high, with recent proposals earmarking significant funding to accelerate MRBM development, potentially including entirely new designs beyond the PrSM family, which may offer greater performance at the cost of requiring new launchers. At the cutting edge of the Armys LRPF portfolio is the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), officially christened Dark Eagle in April 2025. This system uses the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB), a joint development with the Navy, which is launched by a ground-based booster. Traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5 and possessing significant maneuverability over its roughly 2,775 km range, Dark Eagle is designed to penetrate the most sophisticated defenses to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets. The name itself reflects its intended role: Dark, signifying its ability to disintegrate adversary capabilities, and Eagle, representing its speed, stealth, and precision. Despite successful flight tests in 2024 and early 2025, the program faced earlier integration challenges, pushing its initial fielding to the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Naval Conventional Prompt Strike The Navy, meanwhile, is pursuing its hypersonic ambitions through the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program, which shares the C-HGB payload with the Armys Dark Eagle. The Navys vision involves deploying this capability from the sea. The three Zumwalt-class destroyers are undergoing significant modifications, replacing their costly and ammunition-starved 155mm Advanced Gun Systems with four large-diameter tubes, each capable of holding three CPS missiles, for a total of 12 per ship. USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) completed its tube installation in late 2024, with sea testing anticipated around 2027-2028. The long-term plan, however, focuses on integrating CPS into future Block V Virginia-class attack submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), providing a stealthy, submerged launch capability, with an initial operational capability targeted for around FY2028 or FY2029. Air Forces Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile The Air Force is also in the hypersonic race, though its path has seen adjustments. After canceling the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) boost-glide program due to testing difficulties, the service is now prioritizing the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). HACM is an air-breathing system using scramjet technology, aiming for operational capability around 2027 to provide air-launched standoff strikes against defended targets. Looking further ahead, the Air Force is exploring reusable hypersonic platforms for future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions. These diverse Army, Navy, and Air Force programs are not developing in isolation. They are designed to integrate into broader US military concepts, such as MDO, and are executed by specialized units, like the Armys Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTFs). These MDTFs, equipped with systems like Typhon and Dark Eagle, are intended to provide theater commanders with integrated capabilities across domains. New Theater Fires Commands are also planned to coordinate these long-range assets effectively. While pursuing these offensive capabilities, the US is acutely aware of the need for defense against similar threats. Significant investment is flowing into the development of countermeasures, particularly a layered space-based sensor network featuring the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) to provide early warning and tracking data, as well as dedicated interceptors like the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), designed to engage maneuvering hypersonic threats. In essence, the United States is undertaking a comprehensive, multi-service effort to adapt its long-range strike and missile defense posture. By blending the rapid fielding of modified existing systems with the ambitious development of next-generation hypersonic weapons, the US seeks to maintain a credible deterrent and ensure its forces can operate effectively in the increasingly complex and contested security environment of the 21st century. No one can accuse Donald Trump of easing his way slowly into the job the second time around; of slouching back in his chair in the Oval Office, Fox News on the big screen, remote in hand. In 100 days hes managed to lay off 12,000 federal workers in the name of government efficiency, alienate countless allies, threatened to invade Greenland and take over the Panama Canal, humiliated Volodymyr Zelensky, told Canada he wants to see it become the 51st state (prompting a historic win for Mark Carney) and imposed tariffs on Europe and elsewhere that signal an end to free trade. But perhaps most notable in terms of his policy agenda is that he has essentially governed by executive order more than 140 of which have bypassed Congress entirely. And these orders have targeted everything from immigration to education to the detention of 6 January defendants. All in under four months. Why anyone is surprised, however, is the question. In Project 2025, the sweeping, dystopian blueprint for his second term crafted by The Heritage Foundation, he was presented with the instruction manual of how to govern. While on the campaign trail, he disavowed it, saying: I havent read it, I dont want to read it. But from day one, it feels as if his administration has been following the right-wing plan to disrupt and tear down key government infrastructure. They have set about erasing federal language around gender identity and reproductive health, targeted DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives, dismantled climate policies, and have been busy stacking the bureaucracy with loyalists. It is clear to anyone following American politics, Project 2025 is not theoretical anymore its happening in real time. And its gone further than any of the architects of Project 2025 surely ever imagined. Legal challenges have swelled, too, with the administration accused of sidestepping court orders, including a Supreme Court mandate to return a wrongfully deported migrant. The White House, meanwhile, insists its reclaiming power from what it views as an entrenched, unelected judicial bureaucracy. A key check and balance put in by the founding fathers to protect democracy from segueing into an autocracy. Meanwhile, the religious undercurrent of the document is hiding in plain sight too. Government agencies have ramped up enforcement, launching initiatives with culture war missions like targeting anti-Christian bias, and task forces that have raided clubs looking for immigrants to deport. This was the dream scenario sketched out in Mandate for Leadership, the 900-page document that serves as the ideological spine of Project 2025. But Trump hasnt just followed its recommendations hes outpaced them. He handed Elon Musk the keys to the federal government and shuttered the United States Agency for International Development, triggering lawsuits from federal employee unions and mass protests. David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and author of The Making of Donald Trump and Its Even Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration is Doing to America says that his second book, which was published during Trumps first administration, showed that they set out to destroy the federal government an endeavour theyre continuing in his second. Steve Bannon said they were going to deconstruct the administrative state. And in a few places, where he had competent or zealous managers, they did. They damaged the Environmental Protection Agency. But in most cases, they had little to no success because Donald doesnt know what hes doing. open image in gallery Donald Trump at a rally in Michigan to mark 100 days of his second presidency ( Reuters ) Now though, Johnston, who is currently a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, says Trump has become more successful because he is surrounded by people who have dreamed of dismantling the government for years. And they are now his attack team. A year ago, New York Times opinion columnist Carlos Lozada said Mandate for Leadership called for a relentless politicising of the federal government, with presidential appointees overpowering career officials at every turn and agencies and offices abolished on overtly ideological grounds. Back in February, in a piece for The Independent, I wrote: Some of the verbiage in that document is eye-opening. That in its pages it states, Americas vast reserves of oil and natural gas are not an environmental problem; they are the lifeblood of economic growth; that conservatives should gratefully celebrate the greatest pro-family win in a generation: overturning Roe v Wade, a decision that for five decades made a mockery of our Constitution and facilitated the deaths of tens of millions of unborn children. And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which houses the National Weather Service and other components [have] become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future US prosperity. open image in gallery Demonstrators protest against plans to slash Medicaid ( Getty ) Project 2025 also argued that the president should have absolute authority over the executive branch. But the boldness with which the second Trump administration has, in the words of Michele Goodwin, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown Law, issued executive orders in a way thats devastating to democracy has shocked many. Johnston said the speed and scale of Trumps bulldozing is unprecedented. He took the best-performing economy in the world and flushed it. The stock market has dropped significantly, and although its popping up and down day-to-day, thats not a good sign. Unemployment is going to go up. He has turned close allies into sceptics, if not hostile countries. The level of ignorance is appalling. Businesses are complaining they dont have any certainty as to whats going on. No one is investing. And meanwhile, Donald flip-flops: today theres a tariff, tomorrow there isnt a tariff. And President Xi is not blinking. Not that any of this is being admitted by Trump himself, of course. Despite the almost daily rollback of his tariff programme, which has directly harmed his Maga allies, at a rally to mark his 100th day in power, he declared: 100 days of greatness. open image in gallery Trump has essentially governed by executive order since beginning his second term ( Getty ) Johnston, who has studied Trumps rise for decades, puts it bluntly: Trump believes he is our king. He has no idea whats in the constitution. Hes appallingly ignorant. He thought [19th-century abolitionist] Frederick Douglass was alive, and he thought that Finland was an oblast of Russia. But to understand the 100-day sprint, you have to understand the long game. This was always about power consolidation. Steve Bannon once promised theyd deconstruct the administrative state. Now, theyre doing it. But in their quest for control, Johnston believes Trumps team has overplayed their hand particularly in targeting Medicaid, the federal health insurance plan which disproportionately supports Trumps own red-state base. Youll start hearing stories a working mother whose child is dying because of the cuts they made to Medicaid. Or a single mother saying her husband died because insulin went from $35 to $1,000. Thats stupid because youre slapping your support base in the face These people dont know what theyre doing; theyre just a wrecking crew. open image in gallery This isnt policy reform. Its a regime change. A blitzkrieg of executive action designed to overwhelm institutions before they can push back ( Reuters ) But with a House and Senate in Republican hands, and so compliant, why hasnt he bothered asking them to even rubber-stamp those policies? Because Donald is our dictator, Johnston said. Why would you go to Congress when you think you can just rule by executive order? Part of the scheme [behind governing by] executive order is to put out so many that nobody can keep track of them. I think the thrust of it is ignoring the courts and ignoring the legislative process and basically declaring, My people and I are going to do whatever we want. What Johnston is saying is that theres no pretence of any compromise. This isnt policy reform. Its a regime change. A blitzkrieg of executive action designed to overwhelm institutions before they can push back. And when they do like the courts have, sporadically the response is either defiance or circumvention. The exception? The US Supreme Court. On 1 July 2024, the court ruled in a 6-3 decision that former presidents are entitled to broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. Johnston said he wouldnt be surprised if it directly or indirectly revisits that immunity decision because it cant live with Trump claiming that he doesnt have to follow the orders of the courts. open image in gallery Protesters voice their anger outside the Michigan building holding Trumps 100th-day rally ( Middle East Images ) John Glover Roberts Jr [the chief justice of the United States] is an institutionalist, and he has got to be having trouble sleeping at night because of the nightmare that he realises he created. If Trump loses the next election in 2028 assuming he leaves the White House, which some doubt and a Democratic president gets the keys, Johnston said he or she could dispense with all Trumps executive orders en masse. But Donalds not worried about that. He isnt planning to leave. It took Rome 40 years to go from a democracy to a dictatorship. Hitler pulled it off in less than two months. Donald Trump pulled it off in less than one. At his 100th-day rally in Michigan, Trump made a direct attack on communist radical left judges for trying to seize his power, warning, nothing will stop me. It is a warning, Johnston says, that we should heed: All the people who are doing Donald Trumps bidding are putting themselves at very serious risk of criminal prosecution and civil litigation because the immunity decision does not extend to them. And if youre carrying out illegal acts on behalf of Donald Trump, youre not going to be protected. This also means that they will be very motivated to help subvert or prevent future elections that would put them at risk. Weve now got to wait 1,370 days to find out if that happens. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will now elect its new leader, in a process virtually unchanged in 800 years. The system is known as the Papal Conclave, and is a democratic process with a strong emphasis on working through multiple rounds of voting until a clear consensus emerges. Under the current rules, only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to cast a vote. Officially candidates for pope need only be male and Catholic, although in reality Pontiffs have only ever been chosen from the ranks of cardinals for centuries. Theres no age limit on who can become pope, but Francis was 76 when he took up the position, and held it until his death, aged 88. Benedict before him was 78, and was pope for only eight years before his surprise retirement aged 85. When will the Conclave begin? The popes funeral took place on Saturday, 26 April, starting nine official days of mourning called the novemdiales, which ended on May 5. According to Vatican rules, the process of electing a new pope should begin between 15 and 20 days after the pontiffs death. The Vatican confirmed the conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7. It is the camerlengo, a cardinal selected by the pope, who is tasked with organising the Conclave election process. open image in gallery Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell is the camerlengo, a cardinal who is tasked with organising the Conclave ( Vatican Media ) The current camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-born American Catholic prelate who has held the position since 2019. His other responsibilities include sealing the door to the popes study and bedroom with a traditional red ribbon. How does Conclave work? To begin the Conclave process, there is a special morning mass, after which the 135 cardinals of voting age would gather inside the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel home of all the Papal Conclaves since 1858. New rules for the election of a pope were introduced in 1996 under Pope John Paul II, and the process has largely remained unchanged since then. After the death of a pope, cardinals hold a series of meetings called general congregations to discuss the future of the Church. open image in gallery 133 cardinals will join the conclave ( Getty ) While all 252 cardinals can participate in these meetings, only 133 are under the age of 80 and have been well enough to travel to participate in the Conclave. After the cardinals have gathered, the shout extra omnes (everybody out) rings out and the cardinals who are sworn to an oath of secrecy will be locked inside the Conclave until they can choose a successor. There is no guarantee that the first round of voting will be revealed the same day. Through a mixture of speeches, prayer, reflection and intense political jostling cardinals whittle down candidates through successive rounds of voting. The cardinals themselves sit on both sides of the Sistine Chapel. open image in gallery The Sistine Chapel, set up for the Papal Conclave ( VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Imag ) The names of nine cardinals are chosen at random to officiate and organise the vote. Three become Scrutineers, whose job it is to oversee the vote. Three more collect the votes and three more revise them. A pope is only elected when a single candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Sometimes popes are chosen quickly, when a strong candidate emerges. However, from the 34th ballot onwards, the Conclave only votes between the two front runners who gained the most votes in the previous round. The longest Papal Conclave, in the late thirteenth century, lasted the best part of three years thanks to massive political infighting. Three voting cardinals died during the process. The ballot itself is secret and was introduced on 1621 by Gregory XV to try and avoid overt politicking, but the Conclave is inevitably a hotbed of competing factions who wish to see their man come out on top. open image in gallery Firefighters place the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which will be used to signal that a new pope has been elected ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) During each ballot, cardinals write the name of their choice, ideally in distorted handwriting to disguise their identity. The ballot papers are then burned in a small fire inside the Sistine Chapel. The black smoke which is produced by the fire tells the crowds waiting outside that a new pope is yet to be chosen. When one candidate has finally won two-thirds of the vote a new pope is elected. The Cardinal Dean then calls the candidate to the front of the chapel and asks whether they are willing to accept. If the answer is yes, the new Pope is then asked to choose his new Papal name. Although the pope is seen as the successor of St Peter, none have chosen Peter for their Papal name, partly to avoid comparisons to the founder of the Roman Catholic Church and partly because of an ancient prophecy that a new pope called Peter will precede the end of the world. open image in gallery The "Room of Tears", a small room next to the Sistine Chapel, with the vestments of the next Pope displayed in three different sizes ( VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Imag ) With a pope now duly elected the ballot papers are burned once more with an additive placed in the fire that turns the smoke white, informing the world that a new Pontiff has been chosen. In the weeks leading up to the Conclave, Vatican tailors get to work on creating three Papal robes in small, medium and large. The new pope is led into the Room of Tears adjacent to the Sistine Chapel where he dons his new white robes and red slippers. The pope is then presented to the crowds who have gathered in the Vatican from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica with the famous words: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! (I announce to you with great joy we have a pope.) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The gleaming colonnade of St. Peter's Square provides a majestic backdrop as four men wait for a free dinner on a terrace in the heart of the Vatican, on a balmy April evening. The prestigious location is the envy of Rome's finest hotels. But the 19th-century Palazzo Migliori is a homeless shelter, housed in a building the late Pope Francis dedicated to their care. Francis, who died on April 21, shunned much of the pomp and privilege of the papacy and sought to make the Roman Catholic Church more inclusive and less judgmental. Known as the "slum bishop" in his native Buenos Aires because of his frequent visits to shanty towns, Francis made concern for the poor a major focus. He also asked that they play a prominent role in his funeral. After he became pope in 2013, more tents and sleeping bags appeared in the evenings in the long shadows of St. Peter's Square, as word of Francis' welcome to the homeless spread. Under his direction, the Vatican built new facilities like showers and a laundry to help them. Six years ago it gave the palazzo, once used by nuns, to the Sant'Egidio lay community, which supports those on society's margins. "He has done so much for the poor. He met so many poor people, he opened the best building to give hospitality to all these who are on the street," said Antonino Siracusa, a former homeless man who works at the Sant'Egidio shelter. The shelter currently houses 38 men and seven women. open image in gallery Savile Piro, who is homeless and sleeps on the streets, asks for money outside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, April 24, 2025 ( REUTERS ) Siracusa was among a group of homeless, migrants, prisoners and transgender people waiting on the steps of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Francis' chosen resting place far from the splendour of the Vatican, to greet the pope's coffin after the funeral on April 26. Each held a white rose. "I was inside the gate with a flower in my hand, waiting for Pope Francis' coffin to enter," said Siracusa. During his 12-year papacy, Francis invited huge groups of poor and homeless to eat with him - sometimes as many as 1,200 at a time. He asked that umbrellas forgotten by tourists in the Vatican museums be handed out to those on the streets. He had a Vatican post office turned into a health clinic for the poor, and distributed sleeping bags on his birthday. "We're going to miss everything. He was a pope who was doing so many things," said Siracusa. Savile Piro, who is homeless and sleeps on the streets of the Vatican, said the pope "always thought of us. He has always given to us. The showers that are there - he created them. The clinic - he created it. The shelter that's here - he created it. What more could you want?" open image in gallery People are served dinner at a shelter run by Sant'Egidio, a Catholic association dedicated to social outreach, in Rome, Italy, April 24, 2025 ( REUTERS ) Piro was there when the pope surprised residents of the shelter with a visit. "It was an experience that you can't explain with words. A blow to the heart... it left me breathless. When we were having breakfast, and then he came in, we were all open-mouthed." Who will be the next pope? With Francis' death, nearly all Vatican officials automatically lose their positions apart from those in a handful of offices. One of those who keeps his job is the head of charity, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, a Pole appointed by Francis. Krajewski is well known in Rome for having climbed down a manhole in 2019 to restore electricity to hundreds of homeless people living in an occupied building. The then Italian government did not approve. Cardinals will start their conclave next week to pick a new head of the 1.4-billion-member Church. Among the leading contenders is Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's number-two official for most of Francis' papacy. open image in gallery Antonino Siracusa, part of a group of homeless and poor chosen to bid a final farewell to Pope Francis, holds a white rose as he stands behind a fence at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the pontiff is buried, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025 ( REUTERS ) Another is 67-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who is from the Philippines and is often called the "Asian Francis" because of his similar commitment to social justice. Spain's Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, 79, is in the running and has promoted care for the poor and a compassionate vision of Catholicism. Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna in Italy, is known as a "street priest" who focuses on migrants and is also considered a possible candidate. "My hope is that the next pope will follow the same path as Pope Francis. That he will be as approachable," said Siracusa. "Many say that there will be a Black pope. Many say 'let's hope he's Italian'. I say, 'let's hope he's a good pope'. That's enough," said Piro. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russian President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a recent interview with Russian state television, reflecting on his 25 years in power, Putin asserted that the need for nuclear deployment has not arisen, and expressed his hope that it never will. He maintained that Russia possesses the necessary resources and capabilities to achieve a "logical conclusion" in the conflict. Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Putin said: There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires, he said. open image in gallery Municipal workers clean up around burnt cars in the residential area following Russia's drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Putin signed a revamped version of Russias nuclear doctrine in November 2024, spelling out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscows atomic arsenal, the worlds largest. That version lowered the bar, giving him that option in response to even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. In the film, Putin also said Russia did not launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine what he called a special military operation in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea, because it was practically unrealistic. The country was not ready for such a frontal confrontation with the entire collective West, he said. He claimed also that Russia "sincerely sought to solve the problem of Donbas by peaceful means. Putin said that reconciliation with Ukraine was inevitable." open image in gallery A municipal worker cleans a street in front of the Kremlin in Moscow on April 23, 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Russia and Ukraine, however, remain are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, in comments made public Saturday, that Moscows announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II is merely an attempt to create a soft atmosphere ahead of Russias annual celebrations. Zelenskyy instead renewed calls for a more substantial 30-day pause in hostilities, as the U.S. had initially proposed. He said the proposed ceasefire could start anytime as a meaningful step toward ending the war. The Kremlin said the truce was on humanitarian grounds and will run from the start of May 8 and last through the end of May 10 to mark Moscows defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 Russias biggest secular holiday. A Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, wounded 11 people, Ukraines State Emergency Service said Sunday. Two children were among the wounded. The attack woke up Valentyna Fesiuk, an 83-year-old resident of Kyiv's Obolon district. I was just sleeping when the house shook," said Valentyna Fesiuk, an 83-year-old resident of Kyivs Obolon district. "It was at 12:30. An apartment on the 12th floor caught fire," she told The Associated Press. Another resident, Viacheslav Khotab, saw his car burning. "I was covered with broken glass, he said. I couldnt do anything. The 54-year-old was frustrated with stalled peace negotiations: "They cant agree on anything, and we are the ones who suffer the consequences. Daryna Kravchuk, an 18-year-old student in the district, described how five to six minutes after the air raid was activated, we heard a strong impact, everything started shaking. ... There were three strikes almost in a row after the air raid was activated." Its very scary to witness, we have been suffering from this for so long. People are just suffering all the time. ... Its still very hard to see our country constantly being destroyed, she told the AP. Two people were killed by Russian guided bombs Sunday, one each in the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions, local officials said. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraines air force said. Of those, 69 were intercepted and a further 80 lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russias Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. 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 missile fired by Yemens Houthi rebels landed near Israels Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, sending a plume of smoke into the air and causing panic among passengers in the terminal building. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile, the groups military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement. He repeated a warning to airlines that Israels main international airport was no longer safe for air travel. The Iran-aligned Houthis have recently intensified missile attacks on Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. A senior Israeli police commander, Yair Hetzroni, showed reporters a crater caused by the impact of the missile, which airport authorities said had landed beside a road near a parking lot. You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep, he said, adding that there was no significant damage. open image in gallery Israeli security forces take measures after the attack on Ben Gurion Airport ( Anadolu via Getty ) In a statement after the strike, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said: Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold. Israels Channel 12 News said prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet security ministers and defence officials on Sunday to discuss a response. Most missile launches from Yemen have been intercepted by Israels missile defence systems, apart from a strike that hit Tel Aviv last year. The military said it was investigating what happened with Sundays launch, which caused sirens to be activated across central Israel. A Reuters reporter at the airport, which is located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, heard sirens and saw passengers running towards safe rooms. Several people at the airport posted videos filmed on smartphones that showed a plume of black smoke clearly visible nearby, behind parked aircraft and airport buildings. Reuters has not verified the videos. The Israeli ambulance service said eight people were being taken to hospital, including a man in a mild to moderate condition with injuries to his limbs and two women in a mild condition with head injuries. open image in gallery Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree delivers a televised statement about the missile attack ( EPA ) A spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority said take-offs and landings had resumed and operations at Ben Gurion had returned to normal, after reports of air traffic being halted and access routes to the airport being blocked. However, flight operations were disrupted, according to Ben Gurions live air traffic site. Some flights, including by Air India, TUS Airways and Lufthansa, were cancelled. Others, including to US airports Newark and JFK, were delayed by about 90 minutes. Sundays strike came as Israeli ministers were reported to be close to signing off on plans to expand the military operation in Gaza, which resumed in March following a two-month truce, drawing a pledge from the Houthis to hit Israel with more missiles. open image in gallery Travelers pull their luggage as they walk towards Ben Gurion airport after main road entrances to the facility were closed by Israeli police ( AFP via Getty ) Efforts to revive the ceasefire have so far faltered, and President Trump in March ordered large-scale strikes against the Houthis to reduce their capabilities and deter them from targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who control swathes of Yemen, began targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping in late 2023, during the early days of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. The US strikes on the rebel group, which have killed hundreds of people in Yemen, have been the biggest US military operation in the Middle East since Mr Trump took office in January. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice On summer break from a Ph.D. program, an international student at University of California, San Diego, was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it. Any travel, even inside the U.S., just didn't seem worth the risk. I probably am going to skip that to ... have as few interactions with governments as possible," said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted. International students weighing travel to see family, take a vacation or conduct research are thinking twice because of the Trump administration's crackdown, which has added to a sense of vulnerability. Even before students suddenly began losing permission to study in the U.S., some colleges were encouraging international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing government efforts to deport students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against non-essential travel abroad for international students. University of California, Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to strict vetting and enforcement. At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. open image in gallery A group of Florida International University students protest against cuts in federal funding and an agreement by campus police to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, on the FIU campus on a day of protests around the country in support of higher education, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Miami ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress. Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students went into hiding while others left the country on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn't know why their records were removed. After federal judges raised due process concerns in several students' cases, the U.S. government reversed the terminations but then issued new guidance expanding the reasons international students can lose their legal status in the future. Under the new policy, valid reasons for status termination include the revocation of the visas students used to enter the U.S. In the past, if a students visa was revoked, they generally could stay in the U.S. to finish school. They simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country. The fast-evolving situation has left colleges struggling to advise students. A Michigan college employee who helps international students navigate the visa process said they are inquiring more than ever about summer travel. The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he often has been unable to give sufficient answers. Last year, the U.S. hosted around 1.1 million international students, a source of essential tuition revenue at many schools. Advocates say that number is likely to shrink as the crackdown hurts America's appeal. Over the past few weeks, Rishi Oza's immigration law firm in North Carolina has received calls about travel risks almost daily from people of varied immigration status, including international students. You kind of shake your head and say, Is this the character of the country we want?' Oza said. It just seems that its a bit out of whack that people are fearful of leaving and whether they'll be able to come back. Students in the U.S. with a visa need to decide if their travels are critical, Oza said. When attempting reentry after leaving the country, they should bring immigration documents, school transcripts and even court documents if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case. Ultimately, lawyers can't foretell what will happen at the airport, he said. The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated. The student's plan to travel to his home country in Asia this summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, is still there. Right now," he said, I'm afraid I might not be able to come back. ___ Associated Press reporter Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico. This video shows the moment a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on Sunday landed near Ben Gurion Airport. The strike near the country's main international airport sent a plume of smoke into the air and caused panic among passengers in the terminal building. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the missile strike, have recently intensified missile launches at Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Most missile launches from Yemen have been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems. In a statement after the strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold." Chinese-owned aircraft leasing giant CDB Aviation, which is headquartered in Dublin, is going to be stung with a multi-million euro legal bill after withdrawing a High Court action against insurers. The case is linked to jets that were seized in Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Malaysias Foreign Minister Dato Seri Mohamad Hasan has expressed support for Islamabads stance during a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Azernews reports. According to a statement issued by Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar briefed the Malaysian minister on recent developments in the region, strongly rejecting what he described as Indias provocative actions, including its unfounded claims, inflammatory propaganda, and its unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Dar emphasized that Indias actions constituted a direct violation of the treatys provisions and of international legal obligations. He reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to regional peace and security while underlining its right to safeguard its sovereignty and national interests. In response, the Malaysian Foreign Minister reiterated his countrys support for Pakistans position and urged all parties to exercise restraint. Both ministers agreed to maintain close communication as the situation develops. From the battlefields of Ukraine to the contested waters of the Red Sea and the skies over the Middle East, a profound shift is underway in modern warfare. The era of air power being solely the domain of expensive, crewed aircraft is rapidly giving way to the age of massed, low-cost, and increasingly autonomous aerial systems. One-way attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWA-UAVs), often dubbed kamikaze drones, and sophisticated loitering munitions are proliferating at an unprecedented rate, fundamentally altering tactical realities and strategic calculations for nations big and small. This transformation isnt merely about new hardware; its driven by disruptive factors. Perhaps the most significant is the democratization of air power. Systems like Irans Shahed series, estimated to cost around $20,000 per unit, or the even cheaper First-Person View (FPV) drones adapted from commercial components (costing as little as $500), dramatically lower the barrier to entry for projecting force. State actors like Russia leverage thousands of Shaheds against Ukrainian infrastructures, while non-state groups like the Houthis use similar Iranian-supplied systems to disrupt global shipping in the Red Sea. This accessibility empowers a wider range of actors, complicating global security. Closely linked is the brutal economic logic of attrition these systems impose. Defenders face unsustainable cost-exchange ratios, often forced to expend multi-million-dollar interceptor missiles to counter threats costing a tiny fraction of that amount. Russias Shahed campaign, despite high interception rates (often 80-90%), remains cost-effective for Moscow because the sheer volume saturates defenses, and the cost per target struck is far lower than conventional missiles. Similarly, tactical systems like FPV drones or Russias Lancet loitering munition (around $35,000) can destroy or disable tanks, artillery, and air defense systems worth millions, fundamentally shifting the economics of battlefield losses. The psychological dimension is also potent. The constant threat from above, amplified by the ubiquitous sharing of drone strike footage online, exerts significant pressure on troop morale and shapes public perception of the conflict. Soldiers face the unnerving reality that a cheap, remotely piloted weapon could target them individually at any moment. Fueling this revolution is a technological engine built on three key pillars: Additive Manufacturing (AM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA). AM, or 3D printing, enables the rapid prototyping and production of complex, lightweight drone components. Companies like Firestorm Labs are pioneering expeditionary manufacturing, using containerized 3D printing cells to produce and repair drones directly near the front lines, drastically shortening logistics chains. Others, like Cummings Aerospace, leverage AM to iterate designs rapidly and cost-effectively to produce high-speed loitering munitions. AI is transforming drones from remotely piloted tools into increasingly autonomous systems. AI algorithms enhance navigation (especially in GPS-denied environments), enable automated target recognition (ATR) that speeds up the kill chain, allow for autonomous decision-making during terminal attack phases, and increase resilience against electronic warfare. Critically, AI is the key enabler for drone swarms large numbers of drones coordinating autonomously to overwhelm defenses or perform complex tasks. MOSA provides the architectural flexibility needed for this rapid evolution. By using standardized interfaces, manufacturers can easily swap components sensors, warheads, communication systems, AI processors allowing for rapid upgrades, mission customization, and easier integration across different platforms and forces. This technological convergence is spawning a new generation of weapon systems. In the United States, startups like Anduril are developing families of autonomous systems, including the air-launched Altius drone and the modular Barracuda cruise missile, designed for hyperscale production, leveraging their Lattice AI software. Firestorm focuses on mission-adaptable UAS like Tempest, built via their expeditionary, scalable 3D printing xCells. Cummings Aerospace offers the high-speed, 3D-printed Hellhound loitering munition. Established players like AeroVironment continue to supply systems like the Switchblade loitering munition used extensively by Ukraine. Europe is also rapidly innovating. The Franco-German KNDS is developing loitering munitions like the jet-powered LARINAE and the MATARIS family, leveraging its munitions expertise. German AI defense company Helsing is mass-producing its AI-driven HX-2 strike drone, heavily supplied to Ukraine, from dedicated Resilience Factories. Competitor Stark Defence, also German, offers the Virtus VTOL loitering munition, incorporating AI and lessons from Ukraine. Since 2022, Ukraine has implemented rapid scaling of drone production for 2.55 million units annually, a trend that demonstrates the effectiveness of distributed manufacturing in modern warfare. This model contrasts with centralized approaches like Andurils hyperscale facilities or Helsings sovereign factories but shares key resilience principles. Over 150 manufacturers, ranging from state-owned enterprises to volunteer-led workshops, operate across Ukraine. This chaotic arsenal of producers reduces vulnerability to Russian strikes and enables rapid iteration. Monthly production surged from 20,000 drones in early 2024 to 200,000 by January 2025, with plans to exceed 2.5 million drones in 2025 (including 5 million FPV drones annually if funded). Competition among manufacturers drives advancements like fiber-optic control systems (immune to jamming), AI-guided drones, and hybrid missile-drone systems like the Palianytsia with 3,000 km range. Israel, a long-standing pioneer, continues to advance its capabilities. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) produces the combat-proven Harop loitering munition known for its long endurance and range. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems offers the tactical Spike FireFly loitering munition and is partnering with General Atomics to produce the Bullseye cruise missile (derived from its Ice Breaker) for the US market, emphasizing affordability and scale. The Viper 300 and 750, produced by Spear UAVs, are also designed for rapid manufacturing and operations in swarms in scale to achieve battlefield dominance rapidly. Xtend Defense is offering its line of Scorpio 500 and 1000 multirotor drones, leveraging FPV operation via wireless and fiber optics, leveraging its XOS, an open drone operating system to control drones in a human-assisted autonomous mission. Israel is also heavily investing in counter-drone capabilities, including directed energy weapons like Iron Beam. The rise of cheap, smart, and numerous aerial weapons signifies an irreversible shift. It demands urgent adaptation from Western militaries, requiring faster acquisition cycles, transformed industrial bases capable of affordable mass production, and doctrinal evolution. Countering these threats necessitates layered, cost-effective defenses, moving beyond expensive interceptors towards solutions like directed energy, advanced electronic warfare, and interceptor drones. Simultaneously, managing the proliferation of these technologies to state and non-state actors requires robust international controls and vigilance. The future battlefield is increasingly defined not just by the sophistication of individual platforms, but by the ability to deploy intelligent systems at scale a reality reshaping conflict before our eyes. CONSTRUCTION The factory is based in Irvine, and will use advanced technology and design systems to deliver homes made from Scottish timber. Photo: Stock image/Getty Glennon Brothers, the Co Longford timber-processing group, has opened a new 18m (21m) timber-frame construction plant in Scotland as part of plans to target the countrys lucrative house-building market. The family-owned companys latest investment in Scotland brings the total amount of money it has put into the country to over 80m. Glennon Brothers employs 340 people directly across four operations in the Scottish market. Its widespread. Every age cohort, every walk of life. Fraud doesnt see the customer, it sees the account, CEO of Bank of Ireland Retail on a scourge of the digital era A fisherman who went missing at Lough Corrib last night has been found safe and well. The alarm was raised late last night after the man, who had gone fishing at Lough Corrib yesterday, was overdue to return. A search for the man was carried out by the Irish Coast Guard with assistance from local gardai and local search and rescue agencies. Coast Guard helicopters Rescue 115 and Rescue 118 were deployed to the scene of the search, which has now been stood down. The man has been taken to hospital for treatment. A spokesperson said the Coast Guard were alerted shortly before 11pm on Saturday night when the fisherman had not returned from the water. The Sligo-based Coast Guard helicopter R118, the Shannon-based Coast Guard helicopter R115, and the Corrib Community Rescue Boat were tasked to initiate a search of Lough Corrib overnight, they said. "The search was suspended shortly after 4:00 this morning, with plans for the Cleggan and Costello Bay Coast Guard units, alongside the Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter R115 to recommence the search of Lough Corrib and the surrounding areas at first light. "Following resumption of the search at first light, the missing person was located safe and well shortly afterwards. No further details available at this stage. "The search teams have now been stood down. The Irish Coast Guard wishes to thank all personnel involved in this successful search." A garda spokesperson the man was located safe and well on Lough Corrib this morning and has been taken to hospital for treatment. The man convicted of killing Veronica Guerin has been given an independent living unit on the grounds of Shelton Abbey ahead of his full release, which is understood to be in the coming months. Brian Meehan, aged in his late 50s, and from Crumlin, Dublin, who is serving life for the murder of Sunday Independent journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996, has been allowed out of the Co Wicklow open prison to attend training courses as well as for social meetings over the last several weeks. Its not about the money, its just having to do it all again home that had 600,000 Room to Improve makeover is damaged in blaze The Forever Young festival halted entry to Saturday day visitors because of the atrocious weather conditions in 2023 Summer festival organisers are being urged to bolster their weather contingency plans as climate-related events fuel heightened scrutiny from insurers and local authorities. Cancellation and curtailment insurance, which covers unforeseen disruption beyond organisers' control, is becoming an essential part of cover in Ireland, according to an industry expert. A growing number of Irish events and festivals have been affected by adverse weather - including Forever Young in Kildare, where severe rainfall in 2023 led to the temporary exclusion of day-ticket holders. Heading into the summer of 2025, Brady Insurance has said that insurers are placing a greater emphasis on how organisers address adverse weather conditions. And some local authorities are setting cancellation and curtailment cover as a condition of event licensing. "We're seeing more sudden downpours, storm warnings and safety concerns that can derail an event at the last minute," said Jane Brady, CEO of the Leitrim-based insurance provider. "The goal is to prepare early and manage risks effectively and ensure that events have the best chance of going ahead with minimal disruption. "As well as cancellation and curtailment insurance, insurers want to see proactive measures on-site. "These include use of additional woodchip to manage muddy grounds, trackway systems to ensure emergency vehicle access and crowd-cooling measures such as shaded areas or misting stations for potentially hot weather." As an example, the St Patrick's Festival in Dublin, which is a client of Brady Insurance, benefited from cancellation and curtailment insurance in 2018. Forecasts of heavy snowfall led to the curtailment of several outdoor events, including the Festival Big Day Out and the 5K Road Race. "The festival's existing cancellation and curtailment insurance provided financial protection, underscoring the importance of such cover," said Julia Dalton, operations director with the St Patrick's Festival. "In today's unpredictable climate, having robust contingency plans and appropriate insurance coverage is not just prudent it's essential. "Our collaboration with Brady Insurance has been instrumental in ensuring we can protect the experience for our attendees, and give peace of mind to our team, suppliers and partners. It means we can be confident we're covered and prepared, no matter what the weather throws at us." Brady Insurance also noted evolving risk concerns beyond the weather with growing interest in securing insurance cover for public disorder risks. It urged festival and event organisers to engage with brokers early in their planning stages to ensure they have the most appropriate cover in place, tailored to their needs. Ms Brady added: "With good preparation, clear contingency planning, and the right insurance advice, Irish festivals and events can continue to thrive, even in a more unpredictable world." The army chaplain who was stabbed by a teenage boy outside a Co Galway barracks last year has said he is grateful it was he, and not a young soldier, who was attacked. Fr Paul Murphy was stabbed multiple times by the teenager outside Renmore Barracks in Galway on August 15, 2024. Earlier this week, the boy, who is now aged 17, was sentenced to 10 years detention with the final two years suspended before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Reflecting on the attack, Fr Murphy told RTEs Sunday with Miriam he vividly remembers what took place that day. He said that when he opened the window of his car, it for some reason only opened two-thirds of the way. "If it had opened the full way, I would be dead, he said. "I had a certain protection in my car. I was able to take my foot off the brake and the car started up. It was an automatic car, and it started moving towards the gate and then it became an option for me to drive through the gate to try to get away from this person who was stabbing me. "I was able to crash through the gates of the barracks, but he kept coming with me all the way into the barracks and kept trying to stab me with the knife. Fr Murphy said there were 20 deliberate attempts on his life in the 90 seconds of CCTV footage of the attack. I remember all the details of it. While I didn't remember his face, I do remember the determination on his face and the real intent to put an end to my life. Asked if he thought he was going to die, Fr Murphy said he did not have much time to think at all but he was focused on how serious the attack was. The idea was to get my head into the centre of the car, away from him so my two arms were facing him, and that's how I got stabbed on both arms. It was an eight-inch blade, a serrated bayonet, hunting-type knife and I knew not to grab that because it would take my fingers off, but I was able to grab his wrists in the hope of holding on to him, but he had the advantage of being outside standing up and being able to pull away from the window of the car. Fr Murphy pushed back against the idea he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and said it was better that he was the one attacked at the gate and not someone else, particularly one of the young soldiers living at the barracks. I would dispute that, and I would say that that wasn't the case at all. In my view, I was the right person, in the right place, at the right time. The fact is that boy had come to kill a soldier, and that's a matter of record now. Hed come to kill a soldier, and I thank God every day that it was me that he got to rather than one of the others. At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, Fr Murphy hugged his attacker and told him he forgave him, something he said he had planned to do. He showed remorse. He said, Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry and did that in movement as well as in voice. There's always a risk in forgiveness, but forgiveness has to be accepted as well. It's one thing saying I can forgive you, but if somebody isnt sorry, then what does it mean? To me, the fact that he was able to say I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, meant that that risk of forgiveness paid off. He said he offered forgiveness to the teenager in the hope it would change something. You can fight hate with hate and then we become entrenched in our hatred, and we continue to hate one another, and I think there's enough of that going on in the world. Love is stronger than hate, so I just believe that if I can fight hatred with love, well then there's an opportunity for something different to happen. Fr Murphy said his hope and prayer for the teenager, who was radicalised by online Islamist extremist content, can benefit from the opportunity of being de-radicalised and be able to return to society. As I said to him, hes 17 now. He could have another 80 years on this Earth and that if he can do this for himself, it means that he can make a good positive contribution to society for the rest of his life, rather than just being full of hatred. It will benefit him. It will benefit the rest of the world too. Joe Little: Disgraced Bishop of Ferns Brendan Comiskey was following orders from Rome on clerical sex abuse cover-ups Cleric obeyed clear instructions from Vatican not to report any allegations made against priests Brendan Comiskey resigned in disgrace. Photo: David Conachy Joe Little Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 On Thursday, mourners at Bishop Brendan Comiskeys funeral mass were told by his old friend, Fr Jim Fegan, that he was in some ways a product of the church culture of his time, which focused overtly on organisation rather than people. The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) is evaluating initial proposals from some local companies to decide what types of loitering weapon systems will be deployed on Israels Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava 4 main battle tank. The operational requirements match the experience gathered from the extensive operation of this MBT in the ongoing war. The idea to equip the MBT with advanced loitering weapon systems stems from the initial experience accumulated by the IDF armored corps during the fighting in the highly densely populated Gaza. In the fighting in such an urban area, the tank is more vulnerable to advanced anti-tank weapons. The initial idea is to equip the tank with special loitering weapon systems that will enable the tank commander to see beyond the building and, immediately after, attack the enemy using direct fire by the tanks gun or other supporting weapons that enables indirect attack such as a loitering weapon, or another drone launched by the tank (such as the Viper 300 or 750). Tal Inbar, a senior defense analyst, said there is an urgent operational need to enhance the crews situational awareness, especially the tank commanders field of view. a loitering weapon system with an EO payload will allow the tank commander to locate hidden threats and destroy them in real-time. This is needed in very high priority. A number of Israeli defense companies, like Uvision, Elbit Systems, Spear UAV, BlueBirs UAS and Aeronautics, have developed advanced loitering weapon systems that are used by many countries, including the U.S. RAFAEL have already included Spear UASs Viper loitering weapons in their Samson 30 turret configuration displayed at the DSEI 202 exhibition. The loitering weapon systems that will be carried by the MBT will have added capabilities to fulfill the triple task improve situational awareness, detect and destroy the enemy. Surge in US students looking to study in Ireland amid ongoing Trump attacks on third-level institutions American interest in Irish higher education centres surged 63pc in the first quarter of 2025 the highest growth for any destination among US residents Ireland is now the sixth-largest EU market for US students, the StudyPortals data showed. Above, Trinity College Dublin. Photo: David Soanes Photography Sean Pollock Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 The number of US students looking to study at Irish universities has soared in recent months at a time when some of Americas leading higher education institutions have been facing attacks from US President Donald Trump, new research reveals. Author and retired professor of history at University College Cork, Tom Dunne, who has died at the age of 82, was a highly respected academic who wrote extensively about the culture and politics of 18th and 19th century Ireland. His books include an award-winning history of the 1798 rebellion in his native Co Wexford which also featured memories from his own life a personal dimension that made the book particularly interesting. His most recent research was on Irish landscape art from the 18th century, featuring the demesnes of great houses. Tom Dunne was born a week before Christmas, on December 18, 1942, into a family farm at Courtdale, Co Wexford, 13km outside New Ross. His mother had a small shop on Bridge Street in the town, and in order to avoid the daily bicycle journey, the family moved into the living space upstairs. The number of children increased to six within eight years, so the Dunnes moved again to a large 18th-century building where they lived over a much bigger shop. Living in the town made it easier to access education. Having initially attended infant school at the Mercy Convent, Tom transferred at age six to the local CBS where over the next six years he witnessed beatings with the infamous leather, not for bad behaviour but for missing questions or getting homework wrong. Though he seems to have been more gently treated himself, perhaps because of being a son of a local shopkeeper. Despite those experiences and against the advice of his parents, he joined the Christian Brothers himself at the age of 14. There was an important connection through his family tree to Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the congregation, who set up its first school in Waterford in 1802. Imbued with religious fervour, young teenager Dunne moved to the seminary of Colaiste Chiarain, the new name for what was formerly an 18th-century mansion owned by the Plunkett family at Old Conna, Bray, Co Wicklow, where what was once a ballroom had become a chapel. Unlike other Christian Brothers schools at the time, there was no corporal punishment for the aspiring brothers in Colaiste Chiarain. Dunne was later moved to teacher-training college at Marino in Dublin and then a month before his 18th birthday was assigned to teach the Primary Certificate (an optional exam sat in sixth class) at inner-city Francis Street, while residing in the congregations monastery at Synge Street. Corporal punishment was still a common practice and Dunne was supplied with a leather strap. He recalled the experience later. I did try using it briefly, only to find that I was temperamentally unsuited to hitting the boys, finding it personally upsetting and humiliating, as well as cruel. Two years later he was moved to Tralee where he taught at secondary school level. He also taught and resided briefly at the St Josephs industrial school in order to allow permanent staff take a holiday. The atmosphere in the school and his experience of the way boys were treated upset him greatly. He was then moved on to Sexton Street CBS in Limerick. In 1963, at age 21, he invited his parents to Limerick and told them over lunch that he was leaving the Brothers. He became a history student at UCD and later moved to Cork, where he acquired a teaching diploma and taught at secondary level. He did his masters degree at UCC, writing a thesis on four-times UK prime minister William Gladstone (1809-98), who was heavily involved with Irish issues such as Home Rule and land reform in the course of his long career. Dunne went on to acquire a PhD at Peterhouse College in Cambridge and was appointed a lecturer in history at UCC in 1977, where he often taught through Irish. He later became Professor of History at UCC. He wrote about Maria Edgeworth, particularly her novel Castle Rackrent, which covers four generations of landlords in Ireland and was published in 1800. In 2004, his book Rebellions: Memoir, Memory, and 1798, a combination of recollections and history, won the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize, named after the British ambassador to Ireland who was assassinated by the IRA in 1976. Another highly-readable memoir, The Good Boy: A Life Re-examined, was published last year. Tom Dunne died on April 15 and in a statement the National University of Ireland recalled his contributions as a member of the NUI Senate from 1998 to 2007 and how he edited the landmark The National University of Ireland 1908-2008 Centenary Essays, as well as his work as a lecturer and later as dean of arts at UCC. He is survived by his wife Clare OHalloran, daughters Fiona and Deirdre, sons Oisin and Fergus, grandson Sean, siblings Mary (Quigley), John, Joan (Estall), Rosaleen and Arthur, and by in-laws and friends. My favourite room: I draw up the plans, Tim makes them. Hes so good and so adventurous midwife turned Instagrammer Orlaith Donlons family home Instagrammer Orlaith Donlon has had a difficult decade dealing with illness, both her own and that of two of her four children. However she and her husband Tim have honed their DIY skills and together created a cosy yet stylish family home My Favourite Room - Orlaith Donlon Mary O'Sullivan Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 A brand new house is a wonderful thing A rating, underfloor heating, perfect foreign-holiday-worthy temperatures at all times but making it look welcoming and giving it character can be a challenge, particularly if youre a young homeowner, have a tight budget and have a lot on your plate. For example, there are many blank walls to be filled. I was so desperate to see the girls, Id have sat in the jump seat all the way Irish parents on their trips to see adult children who have emigrated Eilis OHanlon: Our politicians should take a stand and stop tip-toeing around Kneecap Tanaiste Simon Harris rushed to offer political cover instead of letting the Belfast band sort own mess Kneecap in New York in 2024. Photo: Justin Bettman/Getty Eilis O'Hanlon Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 Two years ago, as TDs returned to work after the summer recess, a mock gallows was wheeled into place outside the Dail. It was a cold, wet day in January when the new Programme for Government was launched by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and those still divisive Independents. The outlook could not have been more different last week, as Ireland basked in what Met Eireann described as extra tropical weather. Summer is in the air. Ministers should think of it as a warning of how quickly time passes. This weekend marks the 100th day since the 35th government of Ireland was formed and cynics might be tempted to wonder what happened to the pledge to match its ambitious targets with a tireless focus on delivery? Of course, its still early days. A hundred days is an artificial anniversary, and one imported largely from the US where presidents are judged on how fast they hit the ground running. President Trump reached that milestone last week with a mixed scorecard. He certainly gets things done. Alas, theyre often the wrong things. The Government here has less to show for the past few months, despite it being in power for much longer than that in real terms. The two main parties have been shacking up together since 2020, albeit with different housemates. And if one does think of the country as a house with solid foundations, but which needs doing up then they ought to know by now what parts of the property are crying out to be fixed. What stands out in the Sunday Independent/ Ireland Thinks poll today is how little trust we have in them to do it properly. More than half of us disapprove of how the Government is doing its job a figure up since the last poll. These days there is no honeymoon period for new administrations and the poll finds that fewer people now approve of the Government than voted for it in November. The most conspicuous evidence of discontent is found in the answers to questions about the Farrelly Commission report into the disturbing allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a young woman with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, known only as Grace. Asked if they have confidence in the States provision of care for vulnerable people, a staggering 77pc of respondents said no. When it comes to whether anyone will be held accountable for the failings identified by the Farrelly report, the answers were starker still, with 84pc of people answering no. When he sat down on Fridays Late Late Show, the Tanaiste recalled how it was the desire to look after the interests of disabled and at-risk individuals that first took him into politics. Simon Harris is palpably sincere about this issue, but our poll suggests the public regards the fine words with a huge dollop of scepticism. Between the idea and the reality, as poet TS Eliot once wrote, falls the shadow. It seems that, regardless of party affiliation, voters to the left, right and centre alike have dwindling faith in the States ability to provide basic services. Given the robust health of the public finances, that is profoundly shocking. Ireland has not seen the disillusionment with a creaking system which has twice propelled Trump to power in the US and which last week saw Nigel Farages party make gains in the UK but it is clearly bubbling under the surface. The danger can still be averted, but wise ministers should not let another 100 days go by with little to show for them. Voters do not expect instant results, but they want to see action today. In August 1980, a pastor, his wife and their three children left their home in a yellow hatchback car bound for a holiday in central Australia. A few days later, they arrived at Ayres Rock, where they pitched a tent at a family campsite. It was the perfect holiday for Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, until one evening changed everything. The family were enjoying an evening by a fire with other campers while their nine-week-old baby, Azaria, slept in a nearby tent. After hearing a baby cry, Lindy went to check on her daughter and that's when she screamed: A dingo's got my baby. The case of what happened to baby Azaria shocked and divided Australia, as the unthinkable question was asked of her mother: did you kill your child? Today on the Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by Malcolm Brown, who reported on the dingo baby case for the Sydney Morning Herald, to discuss how the story became a global sensation. This podcast was originally published in July 2024. The historic bridewell at Kanturk Courthouse, which contains graffiti from the War of Independence era, remains under the protective canopy of a tarp three years after the roof was damaged The temporary tarpaulin covering the damaged roof of the bridewell of the Kanturk Courthouse. A plan to protect and renovate a building that featured prominently in the strife of the War of Independence was discussed during a constructive meeting in North Cork. Kanturks historical courthouse is a building with over 200 years of history and the bridewell contains rare graffiti that was etched on the walls by Republicans who were incarcerated there during the Revolutionary Period. But the bridewell has been protected by a temporary tarpaulin covering after the roof became badly damaged, in what the Vice-Chairman of the Kanturk Courthouse Restoration Committee Dan Dennehy has described as a total disgrace. Over three years with a temporary tarpaulin covering, which is a total disgrace. It is probably only adding to the deterioration of the graffiti, Mr Dennehy told The Corkman. Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fianna Fail TD for Cork South West Christopher OSullivan said there is so much passion and dedication within the Kanturk community to see the courthouse returned to its former glory. I visited the courthouse with Deputy Michael Moynihan, the [Kanturk Courthouse Restoration] Committee who have been working for a couple of years to make a case for the state to renovate it and what I can say is there is so much passion and dedication with the community. I can see Michaels passion for the project shines through and he has so much knowledge and interest, which shone through on the day, Mr OSullivan said. Locals who formed the Kanturk Courthouse Restoration Committee have advocated for the building to be urgently restored so that its artefacts are not further damaged by dampness caused by the bridewell's damaged roof. Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan said protecting the building is crucially important. Theres a lot of drawings on the courthouse building itself in terms of the battleships from the first World War that were drawn there by the people who were incarcerated during the War of Independence and the Civil War. We have evidence of people who are long since gone that have played a visible part in the War of independence who have since been forgotten, Mr Moynihan said. Minister OSullivan, Deputy Moynihan, members of the Kanturk Courthouse Restoration Committee and representatives from the Irish Court Services held a constructive meeting about the restoration of the building. I was representing the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and from the Heritage point of view to explain that there are types of funds available for groups, for state bodies and local authorities to apply for funding for the protection and renovation of these incredible landmarks. The Court Service has a very important role to play because they are the owners of the building. We certainly identified a path forward that we are exploring at the moment, and that path would have to involve the court service and eventually the local authority, Mr OSullivan added. Mr Moynihan told The Corkman that further engagement with the Court Service is important. There were routes to funding discussed by Minister OSullivan and the Court Services. We have to further engage with them because it is crucially, crucially important that we protect this structure, he said. Mr OSullivan continued to say: I would urge the Court Services, along with the OPW and the local authority to bang heads together and for them to avail of the funding mechanisms available. It certainly is as my state admission as Minister to where opportunities arise to protect, renovate and to increase access to these very important monuments, that is what we want to do. In the case of Kanturk where you have a really passionate community and you have local representatives who are very passionate, that is the basis to doing something very special, he concluded. Work has finally begun to knock down a 164-year-old Victorian building on Bray seafront to make way for an amusement arcade. While planning was approved last year, demolition works only began this week and the reaction locally has been mixed with some bemoaning the loss of what was a fine piece of architecture, and others just relieved that the building, which had become a dilapidated eyesore, was finally being replaced with something. That something will be a two-storey childrens amusement arcade, with the plans approved by An Bord Pleanala (ABP), in February of 2024. It followed appeals by residents over the loss of an intrinsic element of the iconic image of Bray Seafront, as well as being heavily criticised by former Wicklow Green Party TD Steven Matthews and Green Party councillor for Bray East, Erika Doyle. The building, at 1 Marlborough Terrace, Strand Road, was last home to the popular Campo De Fiori Italian restaurant, which closed in 2019 following the decision of its owners, Laura Chiavini and Marco Roccasalvo, to return home to Sardinia. Permission was then sought in March 2022 for the building to be demolished and replaced with an arcade by Bentley Leisure Limited. In October, 2022, Wicklow County Council (WCC) granted permission for the work to go ahead at Marlborough Terrace, subject to conditions, resulting in appeals by local residents, who expressed their surprise at the approval, and argued that WCCs decision was another in a line of recent WCC decisions that allowed a Victorian building to be demolished (referencing St Pauls Lodge, on Herbert Road to make way for a car park, in 2018, and the removal of the iconic railings along Strand Road in 2013 and 2016). Following an appeal, An Bord Pleanala referred to the objectives of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018-2024, including those for the seafront, which state it shall be promoted as the primary tourist, recreational and leisure centre of Bray. In arising at their decision, the inspector said a childrens arcade is a compatible use with this objective and is one that can contribute to and complement the mix of uses in the area. And It should be noted that the planning approval is for a childrens amusement arcade, and not a casino or gambling arcade. Following the approval last year, Cllr Doyle expressed her concerns for childrens amusements, when she remarked: It will be interesting to see if this is simply fun rides and activities, or machines that require coins to be pumped in over and over again with the distant lure of a win. I believe these plant the seeds of an attraction to gambling. Years ago, arcades had waltzers and slides and water spray games etc where you got some fun for your money increasingly, they are about mindlessly spending money. Mr Matthews said it was an extremely disappointing decision by An Bord Pleanala, as not only have the Bord allowed another amusement outlet but unbelievably they are allowing a good structure to be demolished. However, taking to social media this week, Bray residents were mixed in their views of the development, with some saying that the building was in appalling condition and grateful that at least something is being done. Another called it a blessing and was too grateful that the owners were spending their money on this eyesore, adding that the building was dangerous and an indoor childrens play area [is] badly needed and will flourish. Regarding its use as a childrens arcade, the owners in their application that the proposals aim to invest in the area through replacing a disused and substandard building with a modern and adaptable structure that will ensure active uses will be maintained along the seafront. The public hearing to consider the expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill, located just north of Corvallis, has begun, and it's been a slow process. Community members converged to overflowing capacity on Benton County headquarters Tuesday, April 29 and Thursday, May 1, sporting Stop the Landfill Expansion stickers on their shirts. Both the meeting room where the hearing is taking place over multiple nights, as well as an upstairs viewing room, were well-populated each evening and packed to standing room only the first night. In response, an additional listening area was added to the lobby for the second session. And another 80 community members or so tuned into each evening online via teleconferencing. Landfill owner and operator Republic Services Inc. is proposing to expand its existing operations to a 59-acre tax lot south of Coffin Butte Road, along with making other additions, to extend the landfill's life. The community has vehemently and consistently opposed the expansion. This is a larger audience than we usually have for a Planning Commission meeting, Chair Nicholas Fowler told the audience at the Tuesday meeting. The proceedings also took longer than anticipated. After two sessions and multiple hours, staff and Republic Services have now been able to make their presentations and take questions from the eight-member Planning Commission. But the public has not yet had the opportunity to testify. Public testimony is set to begin immediately at the start of the third hearing session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, on the first floor of the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, according to Fowler. Accommodating the sheer volume might require additional adjustments to the schedule, according to County Administrator Rachel McEneny. The county is committed to ensuring everyone who has registered to testify on the landfill expansion application is afforded an opportunity to do so," she wrote in a statement to Mid-Valley Media. "Currently, county staff and the Planning Commission chair are making plans to ensure there is adequate time to accept oral testimony, which may include extending Tuesday evening's hearing or scheduling a supplemental hearing day. Following oral testimony, the Planning Commission is slated to deliberate and reach a decision regarding the expansion June 17. Day 1: The staff report In 2021, the Planning Commission unanimously denied a previous attempt at expansion by Republic Services. This time around, on April 22, Benton County planning staff recommended denial as well, citing concerns with noise and odor. These concerns are shared by the community, along with a plethora of others, such as leachate (the chemical soup that forms when rainwater runs through landfill waste), methane emissions and the Arizona-based companys perceived past performance in the county. On April 29, Interim Community Development Director and planning official Petra Schuetz presented the staff report and its findings to the Planning Commission. She parsed out staffs concerns with Republic Services proposal, particularly the absence of a solution for noise levels and observed inconsistencies with the applicants odor analysis. Therefore, staff recommends denial of this application, Schuetz said. The reins of the meeting were then turned over to the Planning Commission. Weve been tasked with reading over 3,000 pages of material, Fowler said, referencing the mountain of written testimony from the community as well as the hefty staff report. This is our opportunity for fact-finding on that material. Commissioners spent the next two hours asking questions. Vice Chair Greg Hamman noted that noise and odor conditions already occur at the landfill as it is currently iterated. How do those issues play into the consideration of this application? he asked. Jesse Winterowd with the county's consultant, Winterbrook Planning of Portland, said staff asked the applicant to show exactly what the expansion would be creating in terms of noise and odor. Were not looking at adjudicating the existing landfill in those respects, he said. The noise and odor are based on the new landfill expansion area. Commissioner John Wilson asked about leachate, saying it wasnt clear what the capture rate was for the effluent. It would be safe to assume that with this expansion there would be an increase in the volume of leachate? he asked. That would be a correct assumption, Ellery Howard, a senior engineer with the firm Maul Foster & Alongi of Lake Oswego, said. He said there is one unlined portion of the landfill in operation, adding that the proposed expansion is lined so that the leachate would be fully captured and treated. Fowler pointed to the impressive volume of public testimony attached to the staff report. There are a couple of overwhelming themes that seem to speak directly to some of the concerns that were expressed in the staff report, he said, yet none of the public comments were entered into the analysis portion of the staff report. He asked why this testimony wasnt considered in the staffs analysis. It will be, Schuetz answered. A subsequent staff report will include a more thorough analysis that will synthesize public comment, to which the Planning Commission will have access at least seven days before the final decision is to be made. Commissioner Catherine Biscoe pointed out that if the application is approved, the tonnage cap in Republic Services franchise agreement with the county would be lifted. Special land use counsel Melissa Ryan said that even so, the conditional use permit could include a tonnage cap. After a deluge of other comments and questions from commissioners, spanning everything from forever chemicals to property taxes to traffic, Fowler recessed the hearing for the night. Republic Services representatives had to wait until Thursday. Day 2: Republic Services speaks According to Coffin Butte Landfill General Manager Bret Davis, this years expansion application is the result of more than three years of active listening and understanding. The proposal is 50% smaller in scope than the 2021 application, adding only six years of life. Currently, Coffin Butte Landfill has 10 or 11 years of useful life remaining, he said. The expansion made sense, Davis said, because Coffin Butte is a regional asset, provides critical infrastructure and serves as an economic engine for the county, bringing in $2 to $3.5 million annually. An expansion, he added, would ensure continuous and reliable capacity for the region. Republic Services did not display Powerpoint slides as part of its presentation, much to the dismay of the audience, who were forced to follow along on their own electronic devices. Brian Rupe, Republic Services vice president for the Northwest area, said that after some of Benton County staffs feedback came to Republic Services attention on April 17, Republic Services team circled the wagons to figure out where they could communicate better and identify more solutions regarding noise and odor. We wouldve loved to come with a complete package of solutions to include in the staff report, but there was no way for us to get that done, just given the nature and the volume of the work, he said. However, he said he was confident that Republic Services would be able to successfully address staffs concerns. Rupe requested a 14-day extension past the closing of public comment to consider public feedback and continue working through solutions for noise and odor. Fowler said the commission would allow time to officially consider that request at the conclusion of the public comment period. A slate of experts spoke on behalf of Republic Services, including noise and odor analysts, who further elucidated their research on the two main points of concern at Coffin Butte. At the conclusion of the two-hour long presentation, Rupe encouraged the Planning Commission to listen to the public comment that is directly applicable to criteria. Some of it, he said, may not be. There are a lot of passionate, articulate folks speaking out against the expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill, he said, but judging by comments and looking at distinct contributors overall, its about 0.2% of the 97,000 or so folks that represent Benton County, he said. Id ask that as you deliberate on a decision, that you think about the entirety of the county. Rupe acknowledged that major topics of conversation in the community have centered around environmental concerns important issues that Republic Services juggles every day, he said. If the commitment here is to be the best stewards of the environment as possible, doesnt it make sense for Benton County to keep some of the volume here, in Benton County, where you not only have your very concerned and educated citizen group, you have a county thats very involved and someone whos willing to partner with you at the landfill he said, as opposed to that volume being pushed out of Benton County where that may not happen? Similarly to the previous session, the Planning Commission asked Republic Services and its consultants a wide range of questions, going an hour over the allotted time. Commissioner Biscoe asked how the Sustainable Materials Management Plan, a county-financed project focused on materials management systems and environmental impact, folded into the life of Coffin Butte Landfill. The reality of the scenario of SMMP actually altering the handful of years that we have left at Coffin Butte Landfill is pretty insignificant, is that correct? she asked. Its not a solution to Coffin Butte Landfill and our end-of-life expectations. I think thats probably fair to say, Rupe said. Vice Chair Hamman clarified the application was not for an expansion of the landfills overall operation, but rather a shift in the location of operations further south, which the applicants legal counsel Jeff Condit confirmed. And Commissioner Fowler asked about odor. He pointed to the significant input from the public on the matter. Is there a hypothesis as to why this would be such a ubiquitous input from the surrounding neighbors up to 7, even further, miles away? he said. What could explain it? Paul Koster, the environmental manager at the landfill, said that a lack of detail in odor complaints can make them difficult to verify. When he gets a complaint through the Coffin Butte website, he walks around on the site and said he cant detect anything in those instances. We clearly have a data collection issue, but we also have a complaint issue, and so Im struggling with how we go forward in terms of a suggestion on how we can improve the data collection, how we can identify other sources, Fowler said. I think thats something Ive got to ponder a bit more. Republic attorney Condit said a condition of approval for the landfill would be providing a more structured process for monitoring odor. Upon recessing the hearing that night, Fowler told the audience that public comment would begin immediately at the start of the session on May 6. Recordings of the public hearing are available online at www.bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill/. Verbal testimony registration is open until 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, and written testimony will continue to be accepted until the open record period is closed. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the description of Republic Services' proposed expansion. Related stories: The Kabin Studio with GMC Beats (Kabin Crew) will host rap workshops at Beyond The Pale 2025 on the Glendalough Estate. Hi Pony! will perform at Beyond The Pale 2025 on the Glendalough Estate. Tailteann Tournaments will take place at Beyond The Pale 2025 on the Glendalough Estate. This years Beyond the Pale music and arts festival looks set to enthral, amuse and foster creativity among the next generation of culture lovers, with family and child-friendly programmes that feature everything from tug-of-war competitions to nature-based workshops. Taking place at the stunning Glendalough Estate from June 13 to 15, the festivals curated line-up of family-friendly activities includes The Kabin Studio with GMC Beats (Kabin Crew), who will host an interactive rap workshop with rap and songwriting lessons. Aerial and high-flying acrobatics from Hi Pony! will mesmerise children and adults alike, while young minds will be buzzing at a lino printing workshop where kids of all ages can print their own flags and bunting. A rising talent in the trance/house scene who is renowned for his exceptional mixes, 11-year-old DJ Sean M is the youngest DJ (by far!) playing Beyond the Pale this year and makes his festival debut at Baby Rave, a rave in the forest for kids during the day! Festival organisers will announce the big-name DJs from the BTP line-up who will be playing kid-friendly DJ sets at the afternoon rave-in-the-woods. Also in the programme is Bee-ology, which weaves together juggling, storytelling, dance, puppetry and a love of all things living to create a funny, heart-warming and interactive outdoor circus show for young people and their hives. The TCD Current Chemistry Investigators will examine energy and building batteries kids can even make their own batteries made from simple everyday materials. For budding artists and activists, the Art of Protest workshop will teach how to make mini murals and unique street art all materials provided. At Go Fly Your Kite, a vibrant, family-friendly experience full of creativity and colour, kids can design their own kites before taking to the skies in a joyful celebration of imagination and outdoor fun. For Feasa na Foraoise, Bushy Park Forest School will lead a series of child-friendly workshops utilising the forest floor and everything that nature has to offer. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. You can get the whole family involved in Tailteann Tournaments, a campy collision of community, chaos, and craic with tug-of-war, hoops and many more games. As always, to delight young and old, The Vintage Carousel Companys funfair will feature a big wheel, chair-o-planes and other attractions all weekend long. Family tickets for BTP are 449 for two adults and two children, which includes access to the family/quiet campsite. Tickets for additional children (Under 12s) are 39 plus booking fee, and available at itsbeyondthepale.ie 37 members of Wicklow Male Voice Choir will travel over to Eichenzell in Germany this June, alongside members of the Wicklow Twinning committee, and sought some financial aid from Wicklow Municipal District for the trip. Twinning arrangements between towns and areas in different countries help to develop a better understanding of other nationalities and cultures, and Wicklow town is twinned with Eichenzell, as well as Montigny-Le-Bretonneux in France and Montigny-Le-Bretonneux in France. At Aprils monthly meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, the elected members were informed that up to 37 members of Wicklow Male Voice Choir will join the Wicklow Twinning Committee as they head over to Eichenzell from June 20 to June 22, at a total cost of 14,500 for flights. While the choir will subsidise some of the costs, they still have their accommodation to pay for. The flight costs are exasperated by the large costs involved in flying all of their instruments over, while they are also required to bring two professionals along with them. The choir hasnt made the trip over to Eichenzell since 2011 and in June are due to perform at an Irish night taking place at the cultural centre, which will be attended by the local mayor. They have also been invited to an official reception where they will be representing Wicklow. Cllr Paul OBrien said: I wish them well. Everyone knows how positively I feel about twinning. It opens up so many doors to different local community groups. Its a coming together pf peoples from different countries. I have to say Eichenzell give a lot back to us in Wicklow as well. I know there is a delegation from Eichenzell who are meant to be coming over to Wicklow for the regatta and Taste of Wicklow, so if we had any funds in the twinning budget to assist the male voice choir, then that would be great. Cllr John Snell commented: The choir mainly consists of senior citizens who have contributed a life-time to doing their best and what is right. They come from all walks of life. Its not just Wicklow town they will be representing, but County Wicklow and Ireland as well. It was agreed to provide the choir with 2,000 from the twinning budget to assist with the costs of the trip. Paris awaits Kim Kardashians evidence in $10m jewellery heist that could see the Grandpa gang jailed for the rest of their days Ten people are on trial in France, accused of holding the reality TV star up at gunpoint in 2016 Kim Kardashian and her bodyguard Pascal Duvier in Paris before the robbery on October 2, 2016. Photo: Getty Peter Allen Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 When Aomar Ait Khedache started his criminal career in 1970s Paris, he was warned that the life of an armed robber was likely to be brutal and short. Prince Harrys stab at reconciliation only deepens the wounds between British royal family His comments about his fathers cancer are viewed as being in poor taste Prince Harry. Photo: PA Victoria Ward Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Sun 4 May 2025 at 03:30 Prince Harrys public outburst about King Charles will only deepen his rift with Buckingham Palace and make any reconciliation an even more distant prospect, palace insiders have said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine has not arisen and he hopes it will not. Why making a will is one of the most important jobs you will ever do KanKhajura OTT Release Date: Drama. Secrets. Family tensions. And a past that refuses to die. Sony LIVs upcoming thriller KanKhajura is all set to drop on 30th May 2025, and it promises a chilling tale packed with suspense and emotions. If you enjoy dark family dramas and edge-of-the-seat thrillers, mark your calendar now. What is KanKhajura all about? Set in the quiet but deceptive backdrop of Goa, KanKhajura is the story of two estranged brothers who are suddenly forced to face their dark past. One of them, Ashu (played by Roshan Mathew), has just been released from prison after 17 years. The other, Max (played by Mohit Raina), has been trying to move on. But when Ashu returns, everything changes. The silence between them is heavy, and old wounds begin to reopen. As buried secrets come to light and the past starts haunting the present, the brothers must figure out how to survive both emotionally and physically. An Indian adaptation with an emotional core KanKhajura is the official Hindi adaptation of the critically acclaimed Israeli series Magpie, but its been reimagined to suit Indian sensibilities. Roshan Mathew, who plays Ashu, shared, "What drew me to KanKhajura was its emotional intensity and the stillness beneath the chaos. The story is heartwarming and haunting. Every relationship in the show is cracked in some way, and its how these characters act on those flaws that makes it so much fun to explore. Apart from Mohit Raina and Roshan Mathew, KanKhajura features a powerful ensemble that includes Sarah Jane Dias, Mahesh Shetty, Ninad Kamat, Trinetra Haldar, Heeba Shah, and Usha Nadkarni. Chandan Arora directed the series, which was produced by Ajay Rai. Are you excited about KanKhajura? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes. For more news and updates from the world of OTT and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Chosen: Last Supper OTT Release Date - The wait is almost over! Fans of The Chosen, the popular show based on the life of Jesus, can finally mark their calendars. The much-anticipated Season 5, titled The Chosen: Last Supper, is all set to release on Prime Video starting June 15. The new season will roll out in three parts, with episodes dropping weekly. Here's what you need to know. The Chosen: Last Supper Streaming Schedule The new season will premiere on Prime Video in the following way: June 15 Episodes 1 & 2 June 22 Episodes 3, 4 & 5 June 29 Episodes 6, 7 & 8 What is The Chosen: Last Supper about? The Chosen: Last Supper brings us to the final days of Jesus before the crucifixion a story millions know but now get to see come to life in a new way. From his victorious entry into Jerusalem to the emotional Last Supper with his disciples and the growing tension with religious leaders, this season shows Jesus at his most courageous, and the betrayal that changed everything. One key moment from the trailer? Jesus turning over the tables of corrupt merchants in the temple, shouting, My house should be a house of prayer, but you make it a den of thieves! Meanwhile, Judas looks on, clearly torn, whispering, What have you done? Meet the cast of The Chosen: Last Supper Jonathan Roumie returns as Jesus, joined by a talented cast including Luke Dimyan as Judas, Shahar Isaac as Peter, Paras Patel as Matthew, Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, Noah James as Andrew, George H. Xanthis as John, Vanessa Benavente as Mother Mary, Richard Fancy as Caiaphas, Paul Ben-Victor as King Herod and Andrew James Allen as Pontius Pilate among others. Before its Prime Video release, The Chosen: Last Supper was released in theatres starting March 28 in the U.S. and April 11 internationally. The theatrical run was a success, earning nearly $60 million globally. Over the past few years, The Chosen has grossed close to $140 million from its movie releases across 55 countries a massive feat for a faith-based series. Whats next after The Chosen Season 5? The Chosen: Last Supper sets the stage for whats to come. Season 6, currently being filmed in the U.S. and Italy, will focus on the crucifixion. Season 7 will explore the resurrection. Both future seasons will also come to Prime Video, thanks to a new deal between Amazon MGM Studios and the shows creator, Dallas Jenkins. For more news and updates from the world of OTT and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Bodybuilder Choi Hanjin recently sent the internet into a frenzy after sharing photos featuring BTS members V and Jungkook, along with South Korean actor Song Kang. K-pop fans were thrilled to see a Taekook reunion during their military service, while Song Kang, also currently enlisted, was spotted in a picture with V, leading fans to joke that the BTS star is collecting celebrity friends like Pokemon. But one detail that really caught fans attention was Taehyung wearing a SaveOne bracelet, which is given to monthly donors of Save the Children, a global organization that supports children in over 120 countries, including war zones like Gaza. Eagle-eyed fans notice Vs bracelet for Gaza relief cause BTSs V is known for his soft heart and big soul, and hes done it again, this time with a tiny but powerful detail. Fans with sharp eyes noticed V rocking a SaveOne bracelet, the kind given to monthly donors of Save the Children. The organization helps kids around the world, including in war zones like Gaza. Its a small accessory, but it says a lot, quietly showing his care for those in need without saying a word or announcing the details of his donations. Taehyung's wearing 'Save the children bracelet' The Save One bracelet embodies the commitment to protect even a single child in disaster areas around the world, like a round lifebuoy. We will send the Save One bracelet, which symbolizes saving children alongside relief workers + pic.twitter.com/22ncjesrFi (@mybwits) May 3, 2025 Fans praise Taehyung's small bracelet, big heart The photos have since gone viral across platforms, with fans praising Taehyung not just for the reunion but for using his influence in such a thoughtful way. Many noted that his choice to wear the bracelet, even while serving, reflects his ongoing commitment to meaningful causes. One user wrote, "Gentle reminder that this has always been Taehyung. Hate trains are never because of him as a person but because of Army TW's extreme insecurity. That insecurity will never be cured because Taehyung will continue to be the better person." Gentle reminder that this has always been Taehyung. Hate trains are never because of him as a person but because of Army twt's extreme insecurity. That insecurity will never be cured because Taehyung will continue to be the better person. V Reve Kim Taehyung Borahae (@CalisTaeFan) May 3, 2025 Another fan added, "It's just unbelievable how kind and good-hearted a person he is; he has been donating regularly, and I'm glad to say I never doubted him for even a second." It's just unbelievable how kind and good hearted person he is, he has been donating regularly and I'm glad to say I never doubted him for even a second https://t.co/wULHNQxvQo Sohee new au (@lomlsthjk) May 4, 2025 "Yeees, I'm always so proud of him. That's how humans never want to see, hear, or find out about the truth; they can only see one side and judge easily. Kindness doesn't have to be seen, right? Thank you so much, Taehyungie; you have become part of the good people," mentioned a third fan. Yeees, i'm always proud of him so much. That's how humans never want to see, hear or find out about the truth, they can only see one side and judge easily. kindness doesn't have to be seen, right? Thank u so much taehyungie, has become part of the good people https://t.co/6EtVkMhugQ n a y a (@kimmamatae) May 4, 2025 A fourth shared, "Kim Taehyungs heart is gold, and his true fans knew it already." Kim Taehyungs heart is gold and his true fans knew it already. LOVE YOU TAEHYUNG BORAHAE https://t.co/CHwpRAAVUW Sun&Moon (@Sun95Moon97) May 4, 2025 V is getting closer to finishing up his military service, with his discharge date set for June 10, 2025, just in time for the groups 12th debut anniversary. The Layover hitmaker enlisted back in December 2023 with RM, and hes been keeping a low profile, aside from the occasional sighting or group photo that sends ARMY into a frenzy. With Jin and J-Hope already back and the rest of the members (Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, and RM) set to wrap up around the same time, all signs are pointing to a full BTS reunion this summer. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Julien Baker cancels tour: Julien Baker and TORRES have officially called off their 2025 Send a Prayer My Way tour. The duo shared the news in a statement posted Sunday morning, citing health concerns as the reason behind the difficult decision. The duo was scheduled to play Houston on Monday and Dallas on Tuesday. Julien Baker announce the cancellation of her tour with Torres Due to recent events, Julien Baker is prioritising her well-being and taking time to focus on her health, the statement read. This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for fans. We deeply appreciate your understanding. Fans suspect Julien suffered a concussion in March While the exact nature of the health issue hasn't been disclosed, fans are speculating it may be related to a March incident in which a key member of the touring team suffered a concussion. At that time, just three shows were cancelled. But as of now, all remaining 2025 headlining dates have been called off. Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment but have largely responded with messages of support and concern for Bakers health. Many are hopeful the tour could be rescheduled once she's ready. Responding to the post announcing the cancellation of their tours shared on the Reddit subreddit r/indieheads by a fan, one Reddit user wrote, "Oh damn. Hope everything turns out okay." Another added, "Aw man. I hope everyone is okay. We were seeing them with Rilo Kiley at Red Rocks. I wonder wholl open now." A third fan added, "Damn, this reads as very serious. I hope shes ok and takes care of herselfyou can always tour again, but you cant undo harm to your health," while a fourth commented, "If its the concussion others are mentioning, this is probably for the best. Concussions are tricky, and you dont want to rush back from them. Loud music can make recovery extremely difficult or exacerbate." The cancelled tour was meant to promote Baker and TORRES' recently released collaborative country album, Send a Prayer My Way, which dropped on April 18. The project, which has been praised for its raw lyricism and unexpected sonic pairing, features standout tracks like Sugar in the Tank and Sylvia. As of now, no rescheduled dates have been announced. Its been a tense few weeks for fans of Kim Soo Hyun. Ever since his name got dragged into a controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron, everything from brand deals to future projects seemed to hit pause. But this week, a small update sparked massive reactions online. Disney+ quietly released a promotional poster for his new drama Knock Off, despite the show still being officially delayed. The unexpected move caught everyone off guard. The poster went viral almost instantly, and fans are taking it as a glimmer of hope that Kim Soo Hyun might finally be returning to screens after a rough patch. Kim Soo Hyun's new Knock Off poster out! On May 2, a promotional image of Knock Off featuring Kim Soo Hyun popped up online and made its way across fan pages within hours. At first, many assumed it was fan-made, but it was later revealed that it came straight from IMDb, a reliable indicator that the poster had been uploaded officially. However, the poster was not shared on official social media handles of Disney+. While Disney+ hasnt released a statement, the fact that the image is out there has fans believing the platform hasnt pulled the plug entirely on the drama. Kim Soo Hyun's Knock Off poster| Credit: IMDb What went wrong before this? Knock Off, starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jo Bo Ah, was supposed to be his big follow-up after the blockbuster success of Queen of Tears. The crime-action series is set during South Koreas IMF crisis and had fans hyped for a gritty, intense ride. But things took a turn in April. Reports emerged that production was halted indefinitely, shortly after Kim Soo Hyun was linked to Kim Sae Ron, who passed away earlier this year. A YouTube channel shared alleged proof of their relationship, which landed him in legal trouble. He lost endorsement deals. Scripts stopped coming in, and Knock Off was postponed indefinitely. Disney+ slammed for releasing Kim Soo Hyun poster While fans were quick to celebrate the poster drop, not everyone was impressed. Some netizens criticised Disney+ for what they saw as an attempt to quietly push the show forward without addressing the elephant in the room. Others accused the platform of trying to profit off controversy, pointing to the confusing timing and lack of updates. 'We're so back': fans rally around Kim Soo Hyun Fans of Kim Soo Hyun, who have been standing beside him despite the controversy, wasted no time turning the moment into a full-blown celebration. "Me liking every single tweet/post about his new release picture and seeing how overly excited everyone is. Dear @DisneyPlusKR @DisneyPlusBR @DisneyPlusSG Kindly release the knockoff," one user wrote. Another fan penned a lengthy note, highlighting that Kim Soo Hyun gave his everything to the drama and it deserves to be released. "We should be celebrating right now. Counting down the days to see Kim Soo Hyun shine again. But instead, were stuck waitinghurtingbecause Disney+ is holding back. Knock Off. This isnt just about a drama. Its about watching a man who gave everythinghis time, his heart, his craftbe left in limbo while lies shout louder than the work he dedicated himself to. Its about us, too. His fans. Weve spent months emotionally drained, standing by him, defending him without even the comfort of seeing what he worked so hard to bring to life. Were excited, yes. But were also aching. Because Kim Soo Hyun deserves joy, not silence. He deserves applause, not delay. Let Knock Off rise. Let healing beginfor him and for all of us who've never stopped believing." We should be celebrating right now. Counting down the days to see Kim Soo Hyun shine again. But instead, were stuck waiting hurting,because @DisneyPlus is holding back Knock Off. This isnt just about a drama. Its about watching a man who gave everything,his time, his heart, pic.twitter.com/xocn4ehpVk London voting team (@Londvoting) May 4, 2025 Whether Knock Off drops next month or later this year, the response to one poster made it clear that Kim Soo Hyun still has the support of millions, and fans are ready to cheer him on through anything, and a comeback is not a far-fetched dream. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Indias most expensive school: If you have ever imagined studying in a luxurious school like the ones shown in Bollywood movies such as Student of the Year, you are not alone. While those glamorous schools are fictional, India has real institutions that are just as impressive, if not more so. One such iconic name is Woodstock School in Mussoorie, proudly known as Indias most expensive school. A School Nestled in the Beautiful Hills of Mussoorie Set high in the lush hills of Mussoorie at an altitude between 6,500 to 7,500 feet, Woodstock School offers students stunning views of the Doon Valley and the distant Tehri Hills. But the beauty of its location is just the beginning. The school is famed for its world-class facilities, holistic education system, and a truly international atmosphere that welcomes students from all corners of the world. Over 160 Years of Rich Heritage Founded way back in 1854, Woodstock School holds a very special place in India's history. With a legacy that stretches over 164 years, it is not just the most expensive school but also among the oldest educational institutions in the country. Over the decades, Woodstock has stood witness to monumental events such as India's independence and both World Wars. It proudly holds the title of being Indias first international boarding school, offering a unique mix of Indian tradition and global exposure. A Truly Global Student Community One of the most impressive features of Woodstock School in Mussoorie is its diverse student population. Pupils come from more than 30 different countries, and over 40 languages are spoken across its vibrant campus. The school places strong emphasis on all-round developmentnot just academics. Students are encouraged to explore arts, sports, cultural exchanges, and exciting field trips, making learning a rich and dynamic experience. How Much Are the Fees at Woodstock School? As you would expect from India's most expensive school, the fees are on the higher side. According to the school's official website, the 2020-2021 Academic Year fees structure: Grade Fees Grade 6 Rs 15,90,000 Grade 7 Rs 15,90,000 Grade 8 Rs 15,90,000 Grade 9 Rs 16,46,000 Grade 10 Rs 16,46,000 Grade 11 Rs 17,65,000 Grade 12 Rs 17,65,000 Besides the annual tuition and boarding fees, there are additional charges: A one-time Establishment Fee of Rs 4,00,000 (non-refundable) A Security Deposit of Rs 3,50,000 (refundable) These charges cover tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, laundry services, internet, and a wide range of school activities. To put it in perspective, the total annual cost could easily match the price of a good mid-range sedan. Yet for many families, sending their child to Woodstock School in Mussoorie is seen as a priceless investment in a premium international education. Why Woodstock School Is Worth It With its world-class teaching methods, state-of-the-art facilities, and a truly global student body, Woodstock School offers an educational experience that is hard to match. It's not just about getting a degree; its about shaping students into confident global citizens. This is why Woodstock School continues to be recognised as Indias expensive school, attracting families from India and around the world who want nothing but the best for their children. Top 10 Most Expensive Schools in India 2024 Most expensive schools in India School Location Annual Fee Woodstock School Mussoorie Rs 15-17 Lakhs The Doon School Dehradun Rs 12.5-14 Lakhs Scindia School Gwalior Rs 12 Lakhs Good Shepherd International Ooty Rs 6-15 Lakhs Mayo College Ajmer Rs 6.5-13 Lakhs Ecole Mondiale World School Mumbai Rs 10 Lakhs Stonehill International School Bangalore Rs 9 Lakhs Welham Girls School Dehradun Rs 8.5 Lakhs Bishop Cotton School Shimla Rs 4.1-4.8 Lakhs Vidya Niketan Birla Public Rajasthan Rs 3 Lakhs (Source: Jagran Josh) For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the heads of security agencies to focus their attention on tracking and arresting individuals and groups allegedly financing insecurity across Nigeria. Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye condemned the recent brutal attacks in Benue and Plateau States, describing them as heartbreaking and intolerable. READ MORE: https://www.informationng.com/2025/04/oborevwori-pledges-support-for-tinubus-2027-reelection-after-joining-apc.html Advertisement He stressed that efforts to tackle insecurity will remain ineffective if those who supply food, weapons, vehicles, and other resources to criminal groups are not apprehended. He argued that armed groups depend on external support, and unless the flow of essential supplies is stopped, it would be difficult to dismantle their operations. He said cutting off these lifelines should be a priority for security agencies seeking lasting solutions to insecurity. According to him, The point is that to effectively combat insecurity in the country, it is important to target the individuals and entities that are bankrolling criminal activities and insurgencies. He added that this effort should include improved intelligence gathering, stronger anti-corruption efforts, and international collaboration to track illicit financial flows. While acknowledging the progress made by security operatives, Oyintiloye said more needed to be done, particularly in exposing and prosecuting those behind the scenes. He also warned against individuals exploiting the countrys security challenges for political advantage, calling them enemies of national unity. He commended President Tinubus commitment to national security but called for the public prosecution of arrested sponsors to restore public confidence and reinforce the rule of law. A Colombian man, identified as Quesada Vanegas Ricardo Alfonso, was found dead in his hotel room at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos State. The lifeless body of the 80 years old mas was discovered at approximately 3:45 p.m. on May 1 in Room C85, located on the 8th floor of the hotel. Confirming the incident in a statement, Spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said that security operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene following a distress call. Advertisement READ MORE: NDLEA Raids Lagos Hotel, Recovers Illicit Drugs Worth N1bn It was gathered that no visible signs of violence or foul play were observed on the body, according to police report. The corpse has since been transferred to the Mainland General Hospital morgue in Yaba, where it is being preserved for autopsy. A coroners inquest has also been initiated, alongside other legal procedures. Hundeyin said: A distress call was received on May 1, alerting authorities to the discovery of the deceased at around 3:45 pm in his hotel room (No. C85) on the 8th floor of the hotel. The police team, including homicide detectives, was dispatched to the scene to examine the situation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had been staying at the hotel for more than four months before his death. No signs of violence or foul play were found on his body. He added that the corpse was evacuated and transported to Mainland General Hospital morgue in Yaba, where it was preserved for autopsy. They have since been released as part of the investigation. Thorough investigation will continue to determine the cause of death,n Edo State Police Command has commenced investigation, following the killing of a vulcaniser, identified as Boyo, by unknown assailants along Warrake Road in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and stopped at the victims roadside vulcanising workshop. An eyewitness who refused to disclose her identity, told newsmen that one of the suspects approached the Boyo, who was said to be resting and shot him twice at close range before fleeing the scene. Advertisement She said: It all happened so fast. The gunman didnt say anything. He just walked up to Boyo, shot him, and escaped. The area was thrown into chaos. READ MORE: Edo Police Nab 95 Suspected Cult Members, Recover Dangerous Weapons The Commands Spokesman, Moses Yamu, said that police received the report of Boyos death on Friday and that a manhunt for the assailants was underway. He said: We got the report yesterday, but the assailants, who were on a motorcycle, had already escaped. The victim was confirmed dead at the hospital. A manhunt for the assailants is in progress, and the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has warned that no one involved in this mayhem will be spared. Operatives of Gombe State Police Command have arrested one Joseph Babari, contracted to cause mayhem in Plateau State. It was gathered that the suspect, confessed that he had been hired by one Isah to fight in Bokos Local Government Area of Plateau State for a fee of N180,000 over two months. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Babari, a resident of Bambur Darufa Ward in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, was apprehended on April 30, 2025, while returning from Maikatako in Plateau. Advertisement This was contained in a statement on Saturday by Spokesman of the states Police Command, Buhari Abdullahi. Buhari noted that Babari was apprehended by a police patrol team attached to Pero-Chonge Division in Shongom Local Government Area during a stop-and-search operation along the Gombe Taraba border. READ MORE: FG Rehabilitates 390 Ex-Boko Haram Members In Gombe He said: On April 30, 2025, at about 23:30hrs, a police patrol team attached to Pero-Chonge Division, Shongom LGA, while on a stop-and-search operation along the Gombe-Taraba border, successfully apprehended Joseph Babari, who was found in unlawful possession of a locally fabricated automatic rifle, eight live rounds of ammunition, a locally made black vest, and a bunch of charms. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was travelling from Maikatako in Bokos LGA of Plateau State, intending to return to Karim Lamido LGA in Taraba State. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been contracted as a fighter at the rate of N180,000 to operate in Bokos LGA for two months by one Isah, whose surname remains unknown. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the weapon. The Kebbi State Police Command has taken three of its officers into custody in connection with the alleged murder of Abubakar Auwal, who passed away in police custody under suspicious circumstances. CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Command, stated in a release on Saturday that the incident occurred after a complaint was lodged on April 15, 2025, regarding stolen trailer truck rims at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Jega. The statement said, The deceased, Abubakar Auwal, was arrested as a suspect in the case. Advertisement While the investigation was ongoing, Auwal reportedly collapsed in custody on the morning of April 16 and was rushed to the General Hospital in Jega. He was pronounced dead later that night at approximately 10:00 p.m READ MORE: Traders Escape Death In Ogun As Train Derails The statement also mentioned that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Sani, swiftly instructed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a thorough investigation. Preliminary findings led to the detention of three officers believed to be culpable in the incident. In addition, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the affected station has been issued a query and redeployed. The Nigeria Police Force reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. The actions of a few do not represent the values of the Force, and disciplinary measures are being taken to ensure accountability, the statement added. However, the police have vowed to persist with internal reforms designed to strengthen public confidence and maintain the integrity of their operations. Meanwhile, the Command has withheld the identities of the detained officers but confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal and state governments to take decisive action against heads of tertiary institutions implicated in the mismanagement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme. The association demanded the immediate sack of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts found guilty of corruption or mismanagement linked to the scheme. This demand follows mounting allegations of fraudulent practices by certain institutions, including the collection of tuition fees after loan disbursement, collusion with banks for personal enrichment, and withholding information about student loan access. Advertisement READ MORE: https://www.informationng.com/2025/04/inec-manipulated-labour-partys-2023-election-votes-kenneth-okonkwo.html NANS decried these practices, describing them as a betrayal of government efforts to make higher education accessible to all, particularly students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Sunday, the newly elected NANS President, Comrade Olushola Ladoja, expressed outrage over what he described as systematic abuse of the student loan program. He stated, Im telling you categorically, as NANS President, that any Vice Chancellor, Rector or Provost found withholding students loans or engaging in any dubious dealings in the administration of the student loan scheme, we will agitate for their removal. NANS will not accept such betrayal. We will fight whosoever is found wanting. Ladoja revealed that NANS had already engaged with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and NELFUNDs Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, to report their findings. A critical meeting is scheduled in Abuja for Thursday, where Student Union Government (SUG) presidents and NANS officials will meet with NELFUND representatives to discuss the crisis. NELFUND and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have both confirmed ongoing investigations, while anti-corruption agencies have been notified. NANS pledged to maintain pressure until the loan scheme is fully transparent and accountable to students across Nigeria. Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has refuted claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he attempted to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Saturday, the state government described the allegation as false, misleading, and a desperate attempt to distract the public. At no time, past or present, has Governor Ademola Adeleke negotiated or considered defection from the Peoples Democratic Party. Such an idea has never been and will never be on the table, the statement read. Advertisement Rasheed added that Adeleke remains firmly rooted in the PDP and continues to enjoy widespread support from the people of Osun State. He cited the Governors performance since assuming office in 2022, claiming he had delivered more in under three years than the APC did in twelve. Governor Adeleke has achieved in under three years what the APC could not deliver in twelve. He has no need for a party widely criticised and rejected in Osun due to its past failures and current disarray, he added. READ MORE: https://www.informationng.com/2025/05/dss-arrests-activist-in-edo-over-controversial-protest-plans-in-support-for-birkina-faso-military-leader.html The APC, however, maintained its position, insisting that Adeleke was denied entry into the party because he refused to follow due process and sought an automatic ticket. The party accused him of deceiving PDP stakeholders by denying his alleged plans. Responding, Rasheed described the APCs claim as a diversionary tactic aimed at masking its internal troubles, and reaffirmed Adelekes commitment to peaceful, people-focused leadership. We urge the Osun APC to focus on its internal implosion and face its reality. Governor Adeleke remains loyal to the PDP and committed to delivering good governance, he said. Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has joined the growing list of public figures calling for the release of popular social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The activist was reportedly arrested on Friday in Abuja by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the development via his X (formerly Twitter) account. Weighing in on the matter via her Instagram page, Edochie described VDM as a rare voice in todays society, stressing that silencing him would leave a dangerous vacuum. Advertisement READ MORE: Skales Joins Outcry Against GTBank Over VeryDarkMans Arrest, Recounts Late Mothers Ordeal I am not exaggerating nor talking down on anyone. But VDM is the only young man that is societally outstanding. If he is silenced, no other person is ready to take his place as per lending a voice, she stated. Edochie went on to emphasize her belief in VDMs importance to the youth and his courage in speaking truth to power. Free VDM now!! Yes na me tok am. The young man is one in a million and does not fear speaking the truth. Nothing must happen to VDM, else the youths are finished, she added. The actresss comments have further fueled the online demand for his release, as concerns continue to mount over the circumstances surrounding his detention. SEE POST: Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed grave concerns about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On Sunday, Okechukwu lamented that the PDP is dangerously sliding from major to minor political party due to what he called self-induced impunity. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he criticized the party for its internal issues and lack of cohesion, stressing that it had failed to live up to expectations in Nigerias democratic system. Advertisement Okechukwu, who previously served as the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), reflected on the establishment of the APC in 2013 and how it was hoped that it would foster intense rivalry between two strong political parties. He emphasised that he does not support a one-party system, noting that the APC has demonstrated its ability to win elections without it. Citing the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections as proof, he said that what true democrats want is a strong PDP to provide checks and balances, rather than a weak coalition. READ MORE: https://www.informationng.com/2025/04/leave-pdp-ways-embrace-the-apc-vision-nwoko-to-oborevwori.html Okechukwu also referenced the PDPs violation of the rotation convention, a fundamental agreement established in 1999 for the peace and unity of Nigeria. He described this breach as a factor in the partys disintegration, stating that he who cultivated ill wind will surely reap whirlwind. On the economic situation in Nigeria, Okechukwu expressed confidence that the APCs economic reforms would eventually stabilize the economy and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. In his statement, Okechukwu said: In fact one was in league with those who cried out, when PDP violently breached the rotation convention of president from north to south and vice versa, a toolkit conceived by patriots in 1999 for peace, unity and good health of our democracy and dear country and Section 7 of their constitution. Senator Wasiu Eshilokun, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, has rejected claims that the 10th National Assembly merely serves as a rubber stamp for the executive. In a recent interview on Sunday, the lawmaker argued that such views are shaped by a small group of vocal critics and do not reflect the opinions of the majority of Nigerians. Thats not a widely held view; its a perception pushed by a few vocal groups. Most Nigerians do not want a standstill in governance, Eshilokun stated. Advertisement The senator emphasised that Nigerians are more focused on results than on political power struggles. He pointed out that past confrontations between the legislature and executivesuch as those during the tenure of former Senate President Bukola Saraki only led to stalled progress and uncompleted projects. In contrast, Eshilokun praised the cooperative model under Ahmed Lawans leadership, which he believes has yielded better outcomes. The result was uncompleted projects and stalled progress due to the lack of appropriation and implementation, Eshilokun said, referring to the Saraki-led Senate. Were here to make improvements, provide checks, and support where necessary. We consider executive bills carefully, he added, challenging the perception that the Senate simply approves everything without scrutiny. Eshilokun also noted that collaboration between the executive and legislature does not equate to compromise. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/04/ogun-govt-warns-hajj-pilgrims-against-travelling-with-prohibited-items.html He reassured that the Senate continues to perform its constitutional duty of scrutinizing bills and confirming appointments, all while prioritizing the nations best interests. As an example, he highlighted the passage of a bill aimed at improving the welfare of frontline soldiers. Reflecting on his political career, Eshilokun warned against the growing trend among young politicians seeking high office without the necessary grassroots experience. Many young people today want to start from the top. They dont want to learn or serve, he said, urging a return to the principles of hard work and service before seeking leadership positions. A Chinese national has publicly spoken out in defense of popular Nigerian social media activist, VeryDarkMan (VDM), who was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The man, who identified himself as Ross, recounted how VDM once helped him recover funds from a fraudulent transaction involving a Tanzanian national. In a heartfelt video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Ross described VDM as a good person who had shown him kindness without expecting any reward in return. Advertisement I heard my brother VeryDarkMan has been arrested by EFCC like all brothers. Ross is very angry because hes a good person and its not just empty talking, he said. READ MORE: Religious Cabals Behind Crackdown On VeryDarkMan Seun Kuti Alleges According to Ross, he reached out to VDM after being scammed by a man named Peter who sold him secondhand shoes worth one million naira in cash. Ross claimed that it was on the advice of his Nigerian friends that he sought help from VeryDarkMan. I just messaged my problem to VDM to read it. And the next day, he made a video to expose it. Later, Ross got a little money back, he said. He praised VDMs willingness to support a stranger from another country without seeking personal gain, saying: He was willing to help a stranger, a Chinese, without any reward. So Ross says hes a good person and its impossible to have done anything illegal. Ross also used the opportunity to urge the Nigerian government to address the countrys underlying economic challenges, rather than silencing outspoken citizens. You are a great country with land, resources and labour. You can definitely develop your country well. But look at the current situation. Your people are starving. Those who work dont get a good payment. And those who do business dont make a good profit, he noted. He criticised VDMs arrest, suggesting it may have been a reaction to the activists public commentary on societal issues. I think you arrested VDM because he often speaks out on those public issues. You cannot solve the problem, so you choose to silence those who raise it. Isnt that shameless? Ross concluded his message by encouraging Nigerians to support VDM and promote freedom of expression. Please release VDM immediately. But I also want to tell VDM followers, please be patient and do not take extreme actions to make things worse. Wait for VDMs release and the truth to come out before taking action. The video has since gone viral on social media, drawing reactions from both supporters and critics of the activists arrest. The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to halt the judicial harassment of state lawmakers who have opted to form a parallel assembly. The statement was made available to newsmen on Sunday, May 4, 2025. The APC emphasised that this move was made to foster peace in the state amidst the ongoing political crisis. Yusuf Idris, the partys Publicity Secretary, expressed concerns that the governor should focus on resolving the crisis through dialogue rather than using the judiciary to intimidate lawmakers. Advertisement According to the APC, the Governors actions, including attempts to arrest lawmakers without proper summons or charges, undermine the constitutional rights of the elected officials. The state governments efforts to use judicial power to target lawmakers who refused to be influenced by the government were condemned by the APC, which described the actions as witch-hunting. The APC stressed that the focus should be on finding an amicable resolution to the crisis, allowing the state to progress. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/04/ndlea-seizes-n2-6bn-worth-of-drugs-in-jigawa-arrests-three-suspects.html Idris also pointed out that, despite a pending case in the Court of Appeal and a petition to key stakeholders, the Magistrate Court proceeded to order the arrest of the lawmakers. The APC maintained that such actions were politically motivated and harmful to public interests. We are therefore calling on the state government under Governor Dauda Lawal to stop these harassment, sit with the aggrieved members and amicably resolve the crisis in order to move forward, the statement reads. The APC remains committed to staying within the bounds of the law but will not tolerate attempts to manipulate the judiciary for political gain. They urged the nine aggrieved lawmakers to take legal action against the court order, calling it a crucial step in safeguarding judicial integrity. Le Fat Bastard Chardonnay Languedoc, France Advertisement $11.49 13.5% alcohol PLCB Item # 6177 Sale price through May 4; regularly $13.49 Chardonnay is the worlds most widely planted white wine grape, thanks in part to its broad stylistic range. Where most prestige grapes hang their hat on a single flavor profile, chardonnay can excel at almost every variation a green-skinned grape can be used to make, from sparkling blanc de blancs to flinty, unoaked Chablis to the richly oaked and buttery chardonnays of California. Chardonnays supremacy is driven by two simple but rarely spoken truths about this golden grape. First, chardonnay is relatively cheap and easy to grow. Second, what makes chardonnay pleasant to drink has more to do with its texture on the palate its mouthfeel than with its flavor. By any calculation, chardonnay ranks among the very finest wine grapes, making both the worlds most expensive white wines in Burgundy and its most expensive bubbles in Champagne. Unlike its peers like cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir, chardonnay adapts easily to both warm and cool climates and is capable of making noble wines at both ends of the ripeness spectrum. Even the most brisk early-harvested chardonnays deliver a mouth-filling tactile opulence, and it is this trait more than any other that makes chardonnay wines like this one so popular. Chardonnays richness of texture is front and center in this value-oriented wine from the south of France. First produced in 1995 as an experimental cuvee that was aged longer than usual on its lees, or spent yeast sediment, Fat Bastard quickly became the top selling French chardonnay in the United States thanks to its fleshy, buttery style. Todays Fat Bastard still smells and tastes mainly of snappy apple juice but with the creaminess and spice of a decadent homemade eggnog, making it spectacular with anything you might top with lemon butter. Also available at: Canals of Berlin Discount Liquor Mart, Berlin, $8.99 www.canalsofberlin.com/ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, $9.37 www.totalwine.com/ Wine Legend Cherry Hill, $10.49 winelegendcherryhill.com/ Elizabeth Jackson (left), Rachel Kostelz (center) and Gracie Stagliano (right) cheer on runners in the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Read more Despite cloudy skies and calls for rain Sunday morning, runners in the 46th annual Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run stayed mostly dry save for some expected sweating during the 10-mile trek from North to South Philadelphia. Its holding off, its awesome, said Marie Suarez of the weather around 9 a.m. as throngs of runners rounded the southwest corner of City Hall. Advertisement The last two years its been pouring rain, continued the Cherry Hill resident, who came to cheer on her daughter, Katie. Theres nothing worse than cheering in the rain if youre not running in it. Without a downpour to dampen the fun, this pocket of Center City sprung to life in the hours after 7 a.m., when the first corral of runners left the starting gate near North Broad Street and West Fisher Avenue. In what appeared to be the only hiccup of the massive event, some participants were left to walk the final mile to the gate after a SEPTA mechanical issue left hundreds of passengers stuck for nearly a half hour underground in sweltering heat until the train could be pushed to a station so they could disembark. An estimated 40,000 runners hit the pavement this year; Joshua Izewski won the mens category with a 46:13.73 finish, while Amber Zimmerman claimed the womens at 54:01.81. Bryan Morseman and Miguel Jimenez Vergara finished first in the nonbinary and wheelchair categories respectively. Keeping with the events laid-back spirit, runners donned costumes ranging from pickles to Pikachu; even a woman dressed as a Dunkin iced coffee was seen making the dash. Cowbells rung out as wave after wave of runners raced toward the Navy Yard finish line. Along the way, DJs and bands blared everything from Soulja Boys Crank That to Bruce Springsteen classics. At City Hall, Suarez and her husband, Augusto, hoisted homemade signs of encouragement while a live band played Van Morrisons Brown Eyed Girl to keep spectators dancing. Augustos sign riffed on Star Wars this years run fell on May 4, the unofficial day of celebration for fans of the movie franchise complete with Baby Yoda offering words of wisdom, such as May the course be with you. Maries sign took a political bent, blending enthusiasm with political protest. You are running better than our government, her sign read. Denise Strohmayr and Patty McCoy, too, lined up to get a glimpse of their children sprinting by. The women came from central New Jersey and became friends when their daughters, Brielle and Morgan, met at West Chester University. The girls were hardly runners before deciding to enter the Broad Street Run this year, according to their parents, and judging by Strohmayr and McCoys signs, both families made a day of it. Hurry up so we can drink, Strohmayrs sign said cheekily. McCoys suggested the moms had already been imbibing. Further along the course, Andrew Ferraelli demonstrated that he understood the Star Wars assignment: The 31-year-old Philadelphia resident was dressed head-to-toe in an Obi-Wan Kenobi costume robe, boots, and all. Ive got a coworker, Ive got a couple friends in the race, Ferraelli said. I just come out to generally cheer everybody on, give em a little motivation. Of his interstellar attire, Ferraelli said he picked up the garb online. This is the only day its gonna work, he said with a smile. Other spectators, like Kelsey Rey, were equally creative. Gracing the 34-year-olds homemade sign was Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippopotamus that charmed the internet last year and unleashed a cascade of memes. Moo can do it! the hippo tells runners in Reys rendering. The Queen Village resident said she made the sign to support her roommate, Nicolette, who had recently run past her near Washington Avenue. She was invigorated by the sign, Rey said with a laugh. Like, Ill run for that sign. With Pope Francis laid to rest, the Catholic Churchs cardinals will meet Wednesday in Vatican City to decide the next pontiff through a long-standing tradition known as the papal conclave. But for the first time in nearly half a century, Philadelphia will not have a cardinal casting a vote to decide the future bishop of Rome. Following custom that dates back to the 13th century, the papal conclave will see cardinals from around the world travel to Rome to cast their votes for Francis successor who will be the Catholic Churchs first new leader in more than a decade. The churchs College of Cardinals currently has 252 members, but only slightly more than half of them 135 are eligible to vote in this conclave. Advertisement Eligibility for voting cardinals or cardinal electors, as they are known is based on age. Cardinals must be younger than 80 to participate in a conclave, which is a relatively new rule in the Catholic Church, dating to the early 1970s. A vast majority of cardinal electors in this conclave were appointed by Pope Francis, and come from roughly 70 countries around the world, according to data from the Vatican. Only 10 cardinal electors come from the United States. Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, the former archbishop of Philadelphia, however, is not included in that group. Here is what you need to know: Why isnt Phillys cardinal voting? At 90, Rigali is well outside of the age cutoff for cardinal electors. He turned 80 in 2015, about two years after Pope Francis was elected to lead the Catholic Church. Rigali, however, did participate in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, as well as the 2005 conclave that resulted in Pope Benedict XVIs eight-year run as pontiff. Pope John Paul II made Rigali a cardinal in 2003, the same year he began serving as archbishop of Philadelphia. Rigali remained in that position until 2011, when he retired amid the fallout of a second grand jury report on clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Rigalis retirement was expected, as he submitted his resignation in 2010 when he turned 75, as is typical. Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Charles Chaput as Rigalis successor, and Chaput held that position until his own retirement in 2020. Neither Chaput nor his successor, Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, has been elevated to cardinal. When did the church set age limits for cardinal electors? The age cutoff for cardinal electors took effect in 1971, and was decreed by Pope Paul VI. In December 1970, the pontiff declared that cardinals over the age of 80 lose the right to elect the Pope and consequently also that of entering the conclave, according to a letter announcing the rule. Prior orders from the Vatican addressed other age limits, including the requirement for leaders to tender their resignation at age 75. Pope Paul VIs 1971 decree extended similar rules to the churchs cardinals, noting that the good of the Church demands that the increasing burden of age should be taken into consideration also for the illustrious office of the cardinalate. If a cardinals 80th birthday happens during a conclave, the letter added, they dont have to leave in the middle of voting. Per the decree, they can continue to enjoy the right of electing the pope on that occasion. The rule, according to National Catholic Reporter, has to do with easing travel burdens for older cardinals, as they must travel to Rome to participate in person. How many cardinals has Philly had? The city has had five cardinals, starting with Archbishop Dennis Joseph Dougherty, whom Pope Benedict XV made a cardinal in 1921. Longtime Philly residents, even if theyre not Catholic, may recognize the name from Cardinal Dougherty High School, a former Archdiocese of Philadelphia school that closed in 2010. Since Doughertys death in 1951, other pontiffs have appointed four more Philadelphia cardinals: Archbishop John Francis OHara (1958) Archbishop Emeritus John Joseph Krol (1967) Archbishop Emeritus Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua (1991) Archbishop Emeritus Justin Francis Rigali (2003) While five cardinals in more than a century may appear to be low for a highly Catholic region like Philadelphia, thats not exactly the case. In fact, Philly has the third most cardinals of any U.S. archdiocese, behind only New York and Chicago. As a result, Philly has historically been known as something of a feeder city for bishops being elevated to cardinals though Pope Francis notably avoided choosing new cardinals from traditional cities during his time as pontiff. Have Philly cardinals missed papal conclaves before? Over the last century, we have missed a few. Since Phillys first cardinal in 1921, there have been nine papal conclaves including the one starting Wednesday. Philadelphia cardinals participated in five of them, according to data from Catholic-Hierarchy.org, an unofficial online Catholic database. Rigali and Krol each voted in two conclaves, while OHara and Bevilacqua did not vote in any. Dougherty, meanwhile, participated in one conclave in 1939, though he was eligible to vote in two. Dougherty missed the 1922 papal conclave, in which Pope Pius XI was elected pontiff, after he was unable to arrive in Rome in time to take part. In two other conclaves 1958 and 1963 Philadelphia did not have a living cardinal to attend. And now, Rigali becomes the latest Philly cardinal to miss out, this time due to the Vaticans age cutoff. Stephen J. Harmelin, who died at age 85 on May 3, 2025. Read more When the White House called a Harvard fraternity looking for Stephen J. Harmelin in 1964, his frat brothers assumed it had to be a practical joke, and hung up. Repeatedly. It was no joke. Advertisement President Lyndon Baines Johnson needed a director of speechwriting, and he had landed on Mr. Harmelin, then a Harvard Law student in his mid-20s and a Philadelphia native. In Washington, he would help found the White House Fellows program. But he would return home to become a towering figure in corporate law, eventually cochairing Dilworth Paxson, and later used his stature as an attorney to leave an imprint on a hometown that he loved dearly. A history lover and a passionate Philadelphian, Mr. Harmelin died at his home in Society Hill on Saturday, May 3, at 85, just four days before his birthday, and after a battle with Parkinsons disease. He was surrounded by family. Nearby were many physical monuments to his life the Barnes Foundation, the Convention Center, the National Constitution Center and other iconic institutions that Mr. Harmelin had a hand in. He quietly built Philadelphia, his daughter Alison said. He believed in his heart that Philadelphia was a world-class city. His daughter Melina said: His legacy lies both in his astounding achievements as well as within the people he leaves behind who loved him immensely. Along the way, Mr. Harmelin helped orchestrate the Bicenntenial Celebrations, displays of the Magna Carta in Philadelphia, and showed off his home to European royalty while rubbing elbows with senators and governors. They say all men die, but not every man really lives. Well, Steve lived, his daughter Alison said. And he lived 100% of his life here in Philadelphia. Even when he was away from Philadelphia, he was a pure Philadelphian. Born May 7, 1939, in Northwest Philadelphia, Mr. Harmelin attended Central High School and later the University of Pennsylvania. After a stint in the Coast Guard, service in the White House, and completion of his degree with honors at Harvard, the young lawyer went to work straight away at Dilworth Paxson, under former Mayor Richardson Dilworth in 1965. Until his retirement in 2019, he would leave the firm only briefly: In 1970, he went to work under Philadelphia District Attorney Arlen Specter as a special prosecutor. The two men formed a lifelong friendship, with Mr. Harmelin doing work for Specters U.S. Senate campaign. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, Mr. Harmelin helped bring an original copy of the Magna Carta to Philadelphia in 1987. This will be an excellent opportunity to remind people of the great gift that English-speaking people gave to the world: the supremacy of the law, Mr. Harmelin said in a 1987 interview with The Inquirer. Were talking about two documents that made the most profound change in the lives of people since, I guess, the beginning of the Christian era. As a trustee of the Magna Carta Foundation of Philadelphia, Mr. Harmelin and former Judge Edward R. Becker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit secured the exhibit of the 13th-century document, which ensured English rulers power no longer went unchecked. The ceremonies were attended by Queen Elizabeths cousin Princess Alexandra and the attorneys general of the United States and Britain. The same copy returned to Philadelphia in 2001 for a display at the newly formed Independence Visitor Center. In 1989, Mr. Harmelin was appointed by former Gov. Bob Casey Sr. as a commissioner on the board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. He served on the board until 2002. He went on to become a founding board member of the National Constitution Center, which opened in September 2000. . Jeff Rosen, CEO of the Constitution Center, said Mr. Harmelin was a towering figure, whose contributions to the history museum and the city of Philadelphia will continue to endure. In March 2003, Mr. Harmelin helped recover and restore North Carolinas missing copy of the Bill of Rights, which was stolen from a Union soldier in the waning days of the Civil War. After a dealer reached out to the Constitution Center, Mr. Harmelin determined it was a 138-year-old handwritten copy that was swiped from the North Carolina statehouse. He arranged a sting operation led by the FBI to retrieve and restore the document. It was an incredible act of detective work and bravery, and he was absolutely central to that, Rosen said. In 2013, Mr. Harmelin was instrumental in recognizing Pennsylvanias original copy of the Bill of Rights was being held at the New York Public Library. He arranged a historic agreement with the library, allowing the document to be shared with the state of Pennsylvania for the next 100 years. The Bill of Rights copy was displayed at the Constitution Center between 2015 and 2017 thanks to Mr. Harmelins efforts, Rosen said. Theres no one else in American history whos responsible for restoring two original copies of the Bill of Rights to their owners, and [Mr. Harmelin] deserves all the credit. He also served on the board of the Barnes Foundation for many years, and was instrumental in relocating billions worth of paintings and sculptures to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from the Barnes original location in Lower Merion. Along with his public service and dedication to American history, Mr. Harmelin joined The Inquirers board of directors after Gerry Lenfest acquired the news organization in 2014. Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, said his same passion for education and community engagement carried over into service journalism. In a city of firsts, Steve Harmelin was a founding father of a new legal structure to ensure the health and independence of a great American newspaper, Friedlich said in a written statement Sunday. The Inquirer is now the largest U.S. newspaper under nonprofit ownership, thanks to [Mr. Harmelin], Gerry Lenfest, and a handful of other Philadelphia visionaries. There is no level of pain in his loss that compares to the privilege of having known him, his daughter Alison said of her father. He was a great man. His daughter Melina said: As a husband and a father, he was no less than our knight in shining armor. To his friends and colleagues, he was respected, admired, and above all sincerely adored. In addition to his daughters, Mr. Harmelin is survived by his wife of 30 years, Julia Harmelin; a son, Thomas Tracy; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A memorial service is tentatively planned at the Barnes Foundation at the end of May. A specific date has not yet been confirmed. Designed by John Haviland in 1826 as a school for deaf students, Hamilton Hall is the oldest building on South Broad Street. Read more The agonizing and abrupt closure of Philadelphias University of the Arts last year may yet yield something positive for those who care deeply about the citys rich architectural legacy. The universitys two oldest buildings have been acquired by Scout, a Philadelphia-based design and development firm, which promises to transform them into a dynamic ecosystem of studios, small businesses, nonprofits, and artist residences. Advertisement But before we rejoice, we need reassurance that Scout appreciates just what it has acquired. You cannot care for a great building unless you know why it is great. Hamilton Hall and Furness Hall are nominally two buildings, but, in fact, are one long rambling structure. Hamilton Hall was designed by John Haviland in 1826 to house the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb (today known as the School for the Deaf). Its original building at Broad and Pine Streets was gradually extended westward until 1875, when it reached 15th Street with Frank Furness eponymous Furness Hall. The result is an amusing ensemble: a stern Greek Revival temple at the prow, trailed by a brick Gothic caboose to the rear. But its real importance is not at all in its style, or the celebrity architects who designed it, but in the beautiful expression of a simple idea: Deaf children learn through their eyes. When Haviland built his Greek temple, it effectively stood in the countryside. But development soon reached Broad Street, and by the Civil War, it was engulfed by stores, churches, and rows of fashionable houses. Dismayed by these changes, the directors of the School for the Deaf began to look at greener, cleaner sites in West Philadelphia. This would have happened but for the inspired collaboration of Furness, the architect, and William Welsh, head of the building committee. The building is the beautiful expression of a simple idea: Deaf children learn through their eyes. Welsh, a businessman and philanthropist, believed that a move to the countryside would deprive the schools pupils of visual stimulus. They needed the activities of city life and the infinite variety of ideas that are received through the sights in a large city. And what better viewing platform, he argued, than Broad Street, one of the great thoroughfares of the city? The argument for staying was unassailable, but it still did not solve the problem of the stale urban air. This is where Furness stepped in. Furness surrounded his double row of dormitories with nine mighty ventilating stacks, which are invariably mistaken for chimneys. These were brick shafts, and in the center of each was a large iron pipe that was heated by a furnace below, and kept running all year round. This would warm the air, causing an updraft that would lift the exhausted air from the dorm rooms and expel it, even as it drew in cooler fresh air from outside. Furness could have treated his ventilation stacks merely as utilitarian necessities, but instead, he chose to celebrate them. He pushed them to the outer walls, raised them above the roofline, and crowned them with massive projecting caps with festive iron cresting. This announced that ventilation was not an architectural afterthought; they expressed the interplay of fire and air, which was the central truth of the building a congenial thought for an architect whose own name was a pun on truth and fire. But Furness did not stop here. Taking to heart Welshs idea that the education of deaf children is through the eye alone, he ran a continuous cast-iron balcony along the entire Broad Street front, a parapet from which to view the life of the street. In effect, he turned Havilands building inside out, morphing his introspective Greek temple into an extroverted theater of the city. Alas, the balconies were removed after the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, the forerunner of the University of the Arts, took over the building in 1893. But one can still look at the granite foundations of the building and see where the iron brackets were mounted. Is it too much to hope that Scout might restore the balconies? If not, what about the ventilation shafts, which have been decapitated over the years and are now blunt stumps? While the building has been mutilated, the idea that a building might derive its visual character from its system of ventilation has lived on. Frank Lloyd Wrights Larkin Company Administration Building in Buffalo became a sensation in 1904 by making its fire stairs and ventilating shafts the subject of its facade. Is it possible Wright got the idea from his mentor, Louis H. Sullivan, who, in turn, trained with Furness? And Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn needed no intermediary to acquaint him with the work of Furness; it was all around him. His Richards Medical Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania startled the world when he wrapped its laboratories within a mantle of expressively projecting towers and shafts. The good folks at Scout might be reminded what an architectural landmark has passed into their hands: A landmark that embodies, in a single building, two of the best aspects of Philadelphia culture the humanitarian and the imaginative. Michael J. Lewis is a professor of architecture at Williams College with an emphasis on buildings in Philadelphia. He is the author of Frank Furness: Architecture and the Violent Mind and Philadelphia Builds: Essays on Architecture. Across America in Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicagos Cook County, and other jurisdictions reform-minded district attorneys have fallen out of fashion, many of them scapegoated as their policies meant to curb mass incarceration ran headlong into a rise of homicides and retail theft during the pandemic. In Philadelphia, however, one of the countrys original progressive prosecutors deserves a third term. Despite some missteps, Larry Krasner has earned the Editorial Boards endorsement. Advertisement Given that there are no GOP opponents, the district attorney race will likely be decided in the Democratic primary. In his two terms in office, Krasner, 64, has fought to hold law enforcement accountable, often attracting the ire of the Fraternal Order of Police and former prosecutors. Before Krasner, only two Philadelphia police officers had ever been convicted of killing someone on duty while in uniform. It may be a low bar, but Krasner has added two more convictions to that tally. Eric Ruch was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the 2017 shooting of Dennis Plowden, who was unarmed, and Edsaul Mendoza pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the 2022 shooting of 12-year-old TJ Siderio. READ MORE: The high cost of police misconduct | Editorial While police unions and their allies have complained about a so-called chilling effect from Krasners zealous prosecution of officer misconduct, the prospect of being held to the same laws they are sworn to uphold shouldnt merit a second thought from the upstanding officers who make up the overwhelming majority of Philadelphias law enforcement community. In addition to keeping the current roster of police honest, Krasner has also dived into the past. His departments Conviction Integrity Unit, which has successfully overturned the convictions of more than 40 people, is another effort Philadelphians should be proud of. No one should spend their life sitting in prison for an offense they did not commit. As Philadelphias own Benjamin Franklin said nearly 250 years ago, it is better that a hundred guilty persons go free than that one innocent should suffer. Krasner has run into criticism, some of it from judges, that he may be overzealous and has overstepped his bounds when holding law enforcement to account. The district attorney should be mindful of those perceptions and work scrupulously to avoid any bouts of pertinacity that could undermine what he has accomplished. Krasner has also been criticized for being prickly and hard to work with, and that he thinks too much like the defense attorney he was, instead of the prosecutor he is. Those qualities and his policy choices make Krasner an easy target for those looking to assign blame for the surge in crime during his tenure. To be sure, there are certainly echoes of Krasners previous life in his decision-making. That said, it would be just as difficult to single out the district attorney as the cause of pandemic-era spikes in crime as it would be to fully credit him for recent reductions in homicides and shootings across the city. There were 171 homicides in the first four months of the year in 2021; this year, there were 63 a decline that is among the sharpest in the nation. Additionally, Krasner has shown signs that while he remains a reformer, he has also moderated his perspective. In his 2017 victory, Krasner was heavily focused on his plans to hold bad police officers accountable and change the culture of the office, and he had much less to say about his offices role in reducing and preventing crime. Speaking with this board, Krasner acknowledged that sometimes penalties need to be imposed for behaviors to change. Whether or not he understood that balance eight years ago matters much less than the fact that he clearly does now. READ MORE: Circumventing DA Larry Krasner is not the answer to citys gun woes | Editorial Krasners opponent, former President Judge of the Municipal Court Patrick Dugan, asserted that if elected, he would strive to hold police accountable and invest in diversionary programs, while focusing on violent and repeat offenders. He would also devote more attention and staff to work with families of crime victims, which has been a recurring critique of the district attorneys office under Krasner. Dugan is a qualified challenger, but the incumbent has the edge. Another reason voters should opt for Krasner is the looming presence of President Donald Trump. While Dugan has made clear he has vastly different values than Trump, he also seems less likely to counter the White House as vigorously as Krasner. Not only has Krasner been vocal about his opposition to the presidents lawlessness, but he also sued Elon Musk over his $1 million voter sweepstakes during last years election. We got enough profiles and cowardice out there right now that we are going to need some fighters in every major city, Krasner said about standing up to the Trump administration. I am happy to volunteer to be a fighter in Philadelphia if I get another term. Voters should ensure they have Krasner fighting on their side. Erica Deuso, 44, of Downingtown, would be the first transgender person elected mayor in Pennsylvania if elected by the Chester County borough. Read more When Erica Deuso goes door to door in Downingtown asking her neighbors to make her the first out transgender person to be elected mayor in Pennsylvania, her identity rarely comes up. Instead, she said, her potential constituents talk to her about traffic problems and public safety. Advertisement A member of the Chester County Democratic Partys executive committee and board member on several local and statewide LGBTQ advocacy groups, Deuso said she chose to run for mayor to serve her community, and maintain its good neighbor spirit. But her campaign is historic and, as President Donald Trumps administration pursues policies that target transgender and nonbinary Americans, Deuso knows her candidacy carries a strain of resistance. Trumps rhetoric, the executive orders overall have made it harder for people like me to just live our lives. But I refuse to let that fear define that campaign, Deuso said. Some of the best pushback is just being visible. Deuso, originally from Vermont, became politically active when Sen. Bernie Sanders ran for president in 2016 on a platform promising Medicare for all. She works in management at a pharmaceutical company and emphasizes her ability to build consensus and cut costs. If Deuso prevails in a competitive Democratic primary on May 20 and defeats a GOP opponent in November she would be the first transgender person elected mayor in the commonwealth, according to the Victory Fund, which works to elect LGBTQ individuals to public office. Deuso doesnt have a guaranteed path to victory. Her primary opponent, Barry Cassidy, gained respect from many in the boroughs business community leading the communitys main street program and advocating on flooding issues. But Deuso earned key endorsements from the local Democratic Party and outgoing mayor. Kristen Cahoon, a Downingtown committeeperson who voted to endorse Deuso, said Deuso had a strong understanding of what it would take to be mayor, and had been preparing for years. I think you get into politics because of your heart but to be a good strong political leader you need to treat the work like a business, and Erica does that, she said. Historic representation LGBTQ rights advocates in the community say Deusos candidacy marks a major step forward in representation, offering an example to gender nonconforming youth and helping to normalize the existence of transgender individuals for the general public. I dont really have enough words to state how impactful that would be for the LGBTQ+ community and especially transgender and nonbinary youth, said Carrie Stare, president of the LGBTQ Equality Alliance of Chester County, which plans the countys annual pride festivities. As of May 2024 there were fewer than 50 out transgender elected officials across the United States and just three in Pennsylvania (all at the local level), according to the Victory Funds research arm, the Victory Institute. Stare said Deusos campaign lends essential visibility to transgender and other gender nonconforming Americans, a small but growing subset of the LGBTQ population whose identities have been belittled and vilified by political forces on the right. Since Trump took office in January, his administration has sought to limit gender-affirming care for transgender youth, eliminated legal acknowledgment of nonbinary Americans, targeted transgender members of the U.S. military, and stripped funding from schools that allow transgender girls and women to participate in the sport aligning with their gender identity. Often, trans youth are the individuals taking the brunt of political attacks as executive orders target specifically treatment of transgender children and teens. Sean Williams, vice president of the LGBTQ Equality Alliance of Chester County, said that for some of these youth who cant vote and are dependent on their parents, visibility is all you can really have. Deuso, who has been out for well over a decade, said she hopes that through her campaign she can serve as a role model to those youth to see a transgender person leading their own or a neighboring local community. To see a strong trans woman leading a community, she said, will send a strong message to trans kids about their opportunities. I didnt have many role models growing up because no one looked like me, no one had my experience, she said. If a young person in Downingtown sees me and thinks I can be myself and still be a professional, still have a good job, still have all this education, that means everything. Ultimately, Deuso said, her campaign isnt about being transgender. Its about being a good neighbor and leading the community she calls home. Her experience as a transgender woman, she said, will help her do a better job of ensuring city systems help everyone, especially those who may fall through the cracks. I want to be known as a good mayor, I want to be known as a good person. I want to be known as a person who gets things done. Not just a trans one. Not just a visible one, she said. A crowded race In the primary, Deuso is running against Cassidy, a Democrat and longtime resident who has worked on Downingtowns main street program and revitalization efforts for communities across the region. The winner of the primary will face Republican Richard Bryant, a retired cybersecurity expert, in the general election in November. In recent years Democrats have held an advantage in the borough. Bryant said his campaign would focus primarily on development, flooding and cybersecurity issues. Ive had some experience all over the United States with local, state and federal government, Bryant said. Downingtown Boroughs mayor has relatively limited power. Most lawmaking authority goes to the borough council but the mayor oversees the police department, is a tiebreaking vote on council, and has various duties representing the borough. Thus far, the contest for mayor has not focused on Deusos identity but rather the candidates approach to the office. Cassidy has focused his campaign on projects mitigating flooding issues in the borough, something that was a major problem in Downingtown following Hurricane Ida in 2021. Following the hurricane, Cassidy formed the Downingtown Resilience Fund, which has focused on finding a solution to prevent future catastrophic floods. In an interview with The Inquirer, Cassidy said he was seeking the mayors office so he could have greater control over flood-mitigation projects hes already started pursuing. I feel that I would have more leverage in dealing with some of the decisions that are going to have to be made, Cassidy said. A longtime face in the borough, Cassidy has earned the support of some in the business community that have known him for a long time and respect his work. Danny Castaldi, a former Democratic council member who runs a plumbing business in Downingtown, said he knew Cassidy well but hadnt met Deuso yet. Cassidy, he said, had a good track record of delivering for local communities. When my kids were young we were the only ones pushing strollers; now there are young couples everywhere, said Castaldi, who credited this change to a main street program led by Cassidy but stopped short of endorsing a candidate. Cahoon, the Democratic committeeperson, said the party rejected Cassidys candidacy because he had positions that didnt align with the Democratic Party and was too focused on a single issue. She pointed to prior Facebook posts in which Cassidy said he couldnt vote for former President Joe Biden while sharing an article about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s bid for president and others posted before he entered the mayors race in which he was dismissive of the validity of transgender identities. In an interview Cassidy said he still considered himself a Democrat but was frustrated with what he saw as suppression of ideas in the party. He compared transgender identities to individuals who claim to be a race they are not. I didnt make those remarks about her. I made the remarks way before I was running because thats the way I feel, he said Friday. Deuso, for her part, has made a broader pitch for her role in the office, basing her campaign on infrastructure issues like flooding as well as enhancing downtown Downingtown and working with the police department to emphasize mental health and wellness and reduce the spread of drugs. Im not an expert on everything, Deuso said. Im a nuts-and-bolts person; I listen, I get things done and I build consensus. Phil Dague, the current mayor, endorsed Deuso before Cassidy entered the race. He said her passion working on political campaigns and for causes she cares about would translate well to work in Downingtown. Shes somebody to be reckoned with, he said. David Brophy, 53, grew up in Santry, Co Dublin. In 2007, he was appointed principal conductor of the RTE Concert Orchestra. He has conducted orchestras at major international events, including Queen Elizabeth IIs state visit to Ireland in 2011. He was made principal conductor with Colognes WDR Funkhaus orchestra in 2024. He will conduct the Irish Chamber Orchestra for A Midsummer Nights Dream, May 27-June 2, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Lismore Castle, Co Waterford. See: www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie. Brothers in Arms I remember aged 13 or 14 buying Dire Straits Brothers in Arms. The lyrics are great. Theres outstanding hooks and guitar riffs on it. I can still hear that opening guitar riff on Money for Nothing, with those parallel fifths, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A world opened up to me it was music you didn't necessarily hear on Top of the Pops. Its well put together all the tracks lead from one into the other. It was the first album I got that made me listen to music differently. Its amazing. Vivaldi's Four Seasons I didnt do classical music at school. The first classical music thing I bought was aged 17. I stumbled across Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I listened to that so much the spool on the tape eventually gobbled itself up. They were the days when music was perishable. Riffing and the notion of a small group of notes that becomes arresting finds its beginnings with Vivaldis Four Seasons. There's a lot of music in it that has been used by rock musicians over the years. Jon Lord Great musicians I've worked with over the years have listened to lots of different types of music. I worked with Jon Lord at the RTE Concert Orchestra many years ago. I remember having a drink with him after the gig, and we spent the whole evening sitting in the Shelbourne bar talking about Beethoven. He didn't wanna talk about everything else. He wasn't interested in talking about Deep Purple. I see music as a continuum. I don't see a huge difference between Vivaldi and Deep Purple. The Shining Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in The Shining The music in The Shining is amazing. Stanley Kubrick married music and tension in a scene in a way no other director has done. That scene where Shelley Duvalls character comes down the stairs and Jack Nicholson has been writing whatever novel hes been writing and she sees written across all the pages, All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All that music you hear in the background is from Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. I love that film the lighting, the cinematography. The acting is unreal. All the scenes are the perfect length. There's a look off it. It's cleverly done. It's one of those films I know inside out. Woody Allen Years ago, I was a big Woody Allen fan. I was first attracted to his films because he's the underdog. I identified with him. I was bullied badly at school and have all my scars that we all have from school. That dry New York wit, the droll underdog sense of humour made me laugh all the time. I didnt relate to swashbucklers in movies, but I related to Woody Allen as a teenager. Enda Walsh Mikel Murfi, Cillian Murphy and Stephen Rea during a photoshoot for Ballyturk. Im a big Enda Walsh fan. I remember in particular seeing Ballyturk with Stephen Rea, Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi, three legends on stage. I felt reassured leaving it because I felt, oh, somebody else sees the world like me. I find the world of his plays completely normal. He taps into the deep psychosis we walk around with all day long. Stephen Rea sang in the play. His mic came down, like one of those microphones that come down in boxing arenas. I spoke to Stephen afterwards, and he goes, Oh, Brophy, if I'd known you were there, I'd never have sung. Benjamin Britten I did a foundation course in Dublin College of Music back in the late 1980s. I got exposed to Benjamin Britten. He was seen as being scary, very modern music. I remember buying his Sinfonia da Requiem and his Cello Symphony, which blew my mind. It wasn't atonal, but it was weird music, unlike music I'd heard before, using an orchestra with all the instruments. I don't know why somebody who had a diet of chart music and a bit of Vivaldi suddenly jumped into Benjamin Britten, that's quite a leap, but I became fascinated by his music. Under the Moon I started working with traditional musicians, and delving into the world of trad, in my mid- to late-twenties. I bought Under the Moon by Martin Hayes with Steve Cooney. I remember listening to it and pennies dropping, thinking there's a circle here between all the baroque music I'd be listening to and traditional Irish music. Its a seminal album for me, still a go-to. Its fantastic. Mise Eire Sean O Riada saw himself taking central European avant garde music to Ireland and exploring that world. He did something embryonic but simple, like that opening chord in the strings, which is just tremolo. Everyone's moving their bow very fast. That creates huge expectations straightaway. Then you get the opening horn solo on Roisin Dubh. It's very clever, very simple. He managed to distill traditional elements and put them in an orchestra context. He took trad music from an oral tradition, domestic music, played in your house by your family, or played in the local pub and he made it cinematic. That's the genius of it. He gave it a brand new canvas. BB King I went to see U2 on their Lovetown Tour. They played at Dublins Point Depot in late December 1989. I was blown away by BB King and his band, who supported them, that night. At the time, I didn't realise the legend that BB King was. He had all these amazing jazz/blues musicians from America in his band, there playing at the Point. My jaw hit the ground.. It was unreal. Ill never forget the sheer sense of virtuosity. Grigory Sokolov Around the same time, I went to Dublins Concert Hall to see the great Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov. He played music by Rameau, an eighteenth-century French composer. On the grand piano there are three pedals. The left pedal is called the una corda pedal, the softer pedal. He used that pedal in a way I've never heard in my life. The colours he got from the piano I was completely mesmerised. One of the best concerts I was ever at. Simon Rattle I saw the English conductor Simon Rattle conduct in Dublin last September. He was on tour with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany. The magic is in what he doesn't do. He knows exactly what is the minimum he needs to do with the orchestra. Like, if you look at Usain Bolts cheeks when he runs, his face is unbelievably relaxed. That sense of being able to let go to create something amazing is what Rattle has. The best people don't try. They just do. Theyve got that flow. Mugshots were such a massive part of pop culture when I was growing up. From Lindsay Lohan to Paris Hilton and Mischa Barton, all our favourite celebs were regularly photographed in bright orange jumpsuits, which wed see splashed across the front pages of magazines. I never exactly idolised these people, but I understood that they were very famous, and very popular. These celebs had adoring fans all over the world, even when they were caught up in driving or drug offences. If we werent looking at mugshots we were looking at these same stars, bleary-eyed, falling out of nightclubs or screaming at one another in the back of cars. They made chaos look cool. Some of the most well-known photos of Lindsay Lohan include her court-ordered ankle monitor, which she began styling to match her designer looks. Rather than let her DUI arrest cramp her style, she covered the monitor in what looked like tiny handbags. Lindsay, Britney, Paris and Nicole Richie were the names Id recite if someone asked me who the cool girls were. We were obsessed with Von Dutch, Juicy Couture and saying thats hot all because Paris and Nicole did it first on their reality show The Simple Life. In the 2000s, it felt like these women would influence everything from fashion and beauty to accents and cadence for teens all over the world. Even when we werent being directly influenced by them, there was an understanding that the cool girls were bold. They stayed out all night, broke the rules and partied hard. Closer to home, we had Alexa Chung and Kate Moss reiterating the idea that grungy and messy was in. A mug shot of one of the original bold girls, actress Lindsay Lohan in 2010. So when I look at teens today, its fascinating to me that they idolise a beige-loving, slicked-back-bun-wearing mum-of-one. Women and girls from 12 and up will tell you that they adore Molly-Mae Hague. While the influencer first got her name on Love Island, she quickly and consciously carved out a very clear brand for herself. Shes not the only beige-clean-girl-cosy-life influencer on our feeds but shes certainly the queen of them all. Molly-Mae likes simple, sophisticated fashion (think oversized blazers), and clean-girl makeup. She doesnt drink alcohol (previously stating she just doesnt like the taste, or how it makes her feel) and isnt into partying. Instead, she is focused on making her house a home, with beige and grey and cream and lots of closet space. In her YouTube vlogs, youll find her doing her skincare, lighting fancy candles, and raising her two-year-old, Bambi. When she announced her split from Bambis dad, Tommy Fury in 2024, fans felt personally offended for their girl with cheating rumours stirring online. In the throes of this extremely examined break-up, Molly stayed at home and stayed quiet. She saved those finer details for her Prime documentary, Molly-Mae: Behind It All. The first half dropped in January, with the second half dropping this Friday, May 9. In a time when social media rants and oversharing get people talking, the 25-year-old is savvy enough to know that saving it all for a feature-length six-part show reaffirms her status as #1 it girl. Once upon a time, a hugely public breakup would result in photos of the heartbroken star partying in nightclubs and kissing mystery men, but Molly-Mae is seen in the documentary holding her baby, hanging out with her granny, and horse riding. While the first three episodes of the documentary focus on her girl boss era, as she launches her clothing brand Maebe, it really just affirms her status as an ambitious but extremely introverted young woman. Tommy Fury (left) and Molly-Mae Hague during the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena. A striking element of the doc showed Molly-Mae preparing for the launch of her clothing brand. She and her manager both stress what a big deal this is, as its her first in-person event. This is the first face-to-face event Ive hosted or done, really ever, says Molly-Mae in the first episode. Six years after Love Island, and 12 million followers later, shes managed to carve out a massive career and become the ultimate it girl without ever really leaving her house. In a similar vein, when discussing her dream wedding, she explains: If I was to plan my perfect wedding now, it would be, a vicar come to the house while Harry Potter is on in the background, snacks on the table, and the vicar just marries us whilst were sat on the sofa in our pyjamas, that would be great get a bath, early night, lovely! Its a far cry from the Vegas weddings and exclusive luxury parties of our party girls gone by. Later, she goes through her luxurious closet, focusing on her pyjamas. One thing about me, she says, is that pyjamas are a sacred part of life, like, you spend half your life in bed, so you spend half your life in nightwear, you need to invest in your nightwear. Growing up watching MTV Cribs, we saw most celebs showing their flashy handbag or car collection, but never their fluffy, cosy, nightwear. And yet, so much of the doc highlights just how many fans she has. Women from all over the world attend her clothing launch, and the brand sells out its first drop in just 24 minutes. Even with complaints of quality issues around one item, the fandom never falters. The documentary aims to explore this popularity, with input from Nicki Capstick, chief marketing officer of fast fashion brand PrettyLittleThing. Shes just got that fine balance between making everything so polished and so aesthetically pleasing but then it feeling normal to an everyday girl, says Capstick. We knew there was something special. I think shes extremely driven and she knows exactly what she wants. Molly-Mae Hague at a screening of her Prime Video documentary series, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, in London. Her manager, Francesca Britton echoes this. She doesnt realise quite how big she is... the Molly-Mae effect what people talk about its a real thing. Her followers truly believe in anything that she does. Molly-Mae herself isnt so sure of why so many people are obsessed with her: It still shocks me how invested people are in my life and I dont really understand why. It all feels worlds apart from the naughty noughties it girls I was raised on. I thought raccoon eyes, vodka shots and nightclubs were the key to being cool. So when and why did this begin to change? Reality stars once had to rely on paparazzi and traditional media for coverage, and so to guarantee that attention, you couldnt simply sit at home eating baked oats. Now though, people have the ability to build and hook their own audiences, and in recent years weve seen social media creators with even the most niche hobbies gain hundreds of thousands of followers. So while there is more freedom and personal power to create your own audiences, what is it that draws audiences toward a quieter life? Lynn Hunter is the founder of Hunter Media Group, which includes The Collaborations Agency and Social Content HQ. With over 20 years experience in the industry, monitoring trends and analysing peoples appetites, shes noticed a change in who people lean toward. TV Personalities Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, pictured in 2004, were the ultimate party girls. Picture: Peter Kramer/Getty I have seen a shift in what content creators share online, says Hunter. Exploration and activities feature heavily in content, whether it is running clubs, saunas, cold water plunges, paddle boarding, hikes, or sea swims. Peoples interests dictate their content. Gen Z and millennials arent drinking as much as the older generation when we were that age. Non-alcoholic drinks are hugely popular. The wellness industry is thriving, and people want to get on board with a healthier lifestyle. So why this vast change from the party girl era? People realise that going to bed early, getting up early, and having a fresh head are great ways to live. There are so many community-based events that people can join that are free and dont involve late nights or alcohol. Clean living is considered cool, and meeting people in a safe, sober, open and healthy environment is a positive, especially after covid, and people crave a sense of community. Its clear Molly-Mae epitomises so much of this. In Hunters words, Molly-Mae is aspirational but [still] accessible. When I was growing up, getting dressed up and going out to a nightclub was my understanding of fun. We saw elevated versions of this in Paris Hilton, Geordie Shore and in shows like Skins. It seems the rise of social anxiety and sober curiosity, the death of nightclubs, and our ever-increasing screen time mean that women no longer look to messy party animals for inspiration or wonder, but instead are drawn to a more wholesome, quiet life. If teens today see the dream as being cosy, clean and comfortable, perhaps Molly-Mae represents the perfect heightened version of their reality? It certainly brings a whole new meaning to the simple life. The criminal case against the man accused of the murder of a Cork bishop in Los Angeles over two years ago remains deadlocked because of concerns over whether he is mentally fit to stand trial. Carlos Medina, the husband of Bishop David OConnells housekeeper, was charged with the murder of the Brooklodge man at his home in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles days after the shooting on February 18, 2023. He is also charged with a special allegation that he used a firearm during the commission of an offence. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. His case is back before Hollywood courthouse in California on Monday, as efforts continue to establish if he is mentally competent to stand trial. The case against him was suspended last October after Medinas lawyers raised concerns about his ability to stand trial during a pre-trial hearing. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office has confirmed to the Irish Examiner that criminal proceedings are still suspended. It is understood that his legal team raised their concerns about Medinas mental competency because of interactions they have had with him since his arrest over two years ago. His behaviour while in prison awaiting trial has also sparked concern. He has been assessed by an independent expert who believed he was not able to stand trial. Medinas wife worked as a housekeeper for the bishop, while Medina himself also carried out some work for him on a number of occasions. He was arrested after barricading himself into his home following the discovery of the bishop's body by a deacon who went to the house after bishop OConnell failed to turn up for a scheduled meeting. If Medina is found mentally unfit to stand trial, he will be required to undergo psychiatric treatment by a licensed psychologist. Following that, the judge will decide on what options of treatment are required, which could include referral to a state mental health facility, for a period of up to four months. The court could grant additional time for treatment, or order that the criminal proceedings against him could continue. If convicted, Medina could face from 35 years to life in prison. The 69-year-old bishops killing was met with devastation by Catholics across the Los Angeles archdiocese, where he had served since his ordination in 1979. He was laid to rest in a crypt in Los Angeles Cathedral. An exhibit of some of his belongings has been opened in a church where he served. Scores of people have been left without water for up to 10 days at a time in an area of North Cork, because Uisce Eireann is not replacing ageing mains pipes which keep breaking. Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle said many mains pipes serving parts of water supply system supplied from Freemount are decaying, and the utility urgently needs to invest in replacing them. Mr Doyle and other councillors recently attended a meeting organised by angry locals who say they are fed up with repeated outages in the general Freemount, Dromina, and Millford areas. There is a huge problem with this," Mr Doyle said. "There is a lot of very irate people out there who have been without water for anywhere between eight and 10 days at a time. "The weaker areas [of pipes] are breaking all the time. This plant [Freemount] services a huge area and whats happening is not on. There used to be several people involved in operating the plant and now theres just one "Uisce Eireann proposed to fill the vacancies and this still hasnt happened, Mr Doyle added. Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne said the breaks are seriously impacting householders, businesses, and farmers in a number of areas. The Freemount plant also services the Churchtown and Buttevant areas, and there have been breaks in old pipes there as well, according to Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden. 'Absolute disgrace' This is going on far too long, Labour councillor Ronan Sheehan told a meeting of Cork County Councils northern division, while Fine Gael councillor Tony OShea described the utilitys lack of action as an absolute disgrace. He claimed there had been 46 leaks in the network, adding that only six of them had been properly rectified. It is hard to believe that they havent addressed theses issues. Trying to get a response from them is next to impossible. Uisce Eireann is not working, Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes said. Niall Heal, the council's divisional manager for North Cork, said the local authority will write to the utility urging it to take action. Meanwhile, similar issues were outlined in the village of Kildorrery, near Mitchelstown, by Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn. He said that a new mains is needed from the village out to the Ballyvisteen area, on the Limerick road, to ensure a quality water supply to meet the present and future needs of householders, farmers, and businesses. Mr OFlynn said the existing mains pipe is constantly breaking and this has been going on for a number of years. The repairs are now like putting bandages on bandages and thats simply not good enough Mr OFlynn said that Kildorrery is to get a new water reservoir, which will improve pressure in the area and which is welcome. However, he added that increased pressure will only cause more breaks in the mains on the northern side of the village and this has to be addressed. The Government will not pay anywhere near 430,000 for its new housing tsar, a Fianna Fail TD has said. Cork South Central TD Seamus McGrath has said he hopes the head of the Governments proposed Housing Activation Office could be appointed within weeks, after housing minister James Brownes preferred candidate, Brendan McDonagh, withdrew from consideration. The proposed appointment of Mr McDonagh sparked controversy after it emerged that he would continue to be paid his 430,000 NAMA salary when seconded to the Housing Activation Office. It led to Fine Gael essentially blocking Mr McDonaghs appointment to the role, and shortly after he withdrew his name from consideration for the new position. Mr McGrath said he believed the 430,000 salary was excessive, but it had not been agreed by the coalition. We need someone with a required skill set, we need to have a remuneration package which obviously attracts the right person that can lead this office within the Department of Housing, Mr McGrath said. But I think that type of salary over 400,000 was excessive and I dont believe it will ultimately be anywhere near that. Mr McGrath rejected assertions the appointment of Mr McDonagh was botched, while pushing back on claims that Fine Gael was unaware of the leading candidate. He said some discussions had taken place with finance minister Paschal Donohoe over the secondment of Mr McDonagh, given the responsibility of Mr Donohoe for NAMA. Mr McGrath said he could not be certain how long the appointment process would take, but the Government is examining alternative options. It is an extremely responsible position. We need someone who can do the job and do it effectively and work closely with the minister, Mr McGrath said, speaking on RTEs This Week. This is in no way the minister trying to absolve himself of responsibility. Mr McGrath argued the office is necessary to have an individual who can get into the nitty gritty of what is causing the delays on the ground in large scale developments. Amid the fallout from the failed secondment, the Housing Agency has delivered a report to Mr Browne with options to change rules around Rent Pressure Zones. It is understood that Mr Browne is examining the proposals within the report, which include the outright abolition of RPZs, their retention or allowing for landlords to hike rents beyond 2% a year. Madeleine McCanns family has marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance by remembering her as a very beautiful and unique person ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday. Madeleine was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. A statement from her parents Kate and Gerry McCann and the family said: The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this. On May 12, Madeleine would be turning 22 and the family said: No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day. We continue to celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her. Kate and Gerry McCanns daughter vanished in May 2007 (Joe Giddens/PA) The statement, posted on the Find Madeleine website, thanked supporters for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine. It added: Were very grateful to the UK charity Missing People for their ongoing, invaluable work, and to all organisations, charities and police forces who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding and bringing home the many missing and abducted children. Ahead of International Missing Childrens Day on May 25, the McCanns said: We continue to remember all missing children and their families, both here in the UK and abroad, thinking especially of all the children displaced from their homes & families in Ukraine and Gaza at this time. In April, ministers approved more than 100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleines disappearance. Madeleine was three when she vanished while her parents went to dinner with friends, leaving their three young children asleep in their holiday apartment. Prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of an elderly woman at her home in the Praia da Luz in 2005, has denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance. Warren Buffett shocked an arena full of his shareholders on Saturday by announcing that he wants to retire at the end of the year. Mr Buffett said he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaways board that Greg Abel should become chief executive at the end of the year. I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the chief executive officer of the company at year end, Mr Buffett said. Mr Abel has been Mr Buffetts designated successor for years, and he already manages all of Berkshires noninsurance businesses. But it was always assumed he would not take over until after Mr Buffetts death. Previously, the 94-year-old Mr Buffett has always said he has no plans to retire. Mr Buffett announced the news at the end of a five-hour question-and-answer period and didnt take any questions on the topic. He said the only board members who knew this was coming were his two children, Howard and Susie Buffett. Mr Abel, who was sitting next to Mr Buffett on stage, had no warning. About an hour later, Mr Abel came out to oversee the formal Berkshire business meeting without Mr Buffett, and he addressed the announcement. I just want to say I couldnt be more humbled and honoured to be part of Berkshire as we go forward, Mr Abel said. Many investors have said they believe Mr Abel will do a good job running Berkshire, but it remains to be seen how good he will be at investing Berkshires cash. Mr Buffett also endorsed him by pledging to keep his fortune invested in the company. I have no intention zero of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway. I will give it away eventually, Mr Buffett said. The decision to keep every share is an economic decision because I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Gregs management than mine. Thousands of investors in the Omaha arena gave Mr Buffett a prolonged standing ovation after his announcement in recognition of his 60 years leading the company. CFRA research analyst Cathy Seifert said it had to be hard for Mr Buffett to reach this decision to step down. This was probably a very tough decision for him, but better to leave on your own terms. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine has not arisen and he hopes it will not. In a preview of an interview with Russian state television, published on Telegram, Mr Putin said Moscow has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a logical conclusion. Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, he said: There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons and I hope they will not be required. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires, he said. Mr Putin signed a revamped version of Russias nuclear doctrine in November, spelling out the circumstances that would allow him to use the worlds largest atomic arsenal. Moscow is due to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany on Victory Day (Alamy/PA) The document gave that option in response even to a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. Russia and Ukraine are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday, in comments made public on Saturday, that Moscows announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in the Second World War is an attempt to create a soft atmosphere ahead of Russias annual celebrations. Mr Zelenskyy instead renewed calls for a 30-day pause in hostilities, as the US had proposed. He said the proposed ceasefire could start any time as a meaningful step toward ending the war. Mr Putin on Monday declared the unilateral 72-hour ceasefire as the US presses for a deal to end the three-year war. The Kremlin said the truce, ordered on humanitarian grounds, will run from the start of May 8 and run until the end of May 10 to mark Moscows defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 Russias biggest secular holiday. Meanwhile, 11 people were wounded in a Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukraines State Emergency Service said on Sunday. Two children were among the wounded. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraines air force said. Of those, 69 were intercepted and 80 were lost, having probably been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russias Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Friday that malnutrition is on the rise. More than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year. At least 10 NGO aid kitchens have closed in recent weeks for lack of food, and 25 UN bakeries havent been operational for a month. The Israeli military has for two months been committing a war crime in preventing shipments of food from entering Gaza. Meanwhile, a medical source in Gaza told the Anadolu Agency that on Saturday, a child died from malnutrition and dehydration at Al-Rantisi Childrens Hospital in Gaza City. Gaza medical authorities have documented 57 deaths from malnutrition in Gaza during the current conflict. UNICEF says that over 75% of households in Gaza have reported declining access to water. Russell explained that many families with children have to choose between drinking, bathing and cooking. Because of the lack of clean water, Russell explained, acute watery diarrhea now accounts for 1 in every 4 cases of disease recorded in Gaza. Most of these cases are among children under five, for whom it is life-threatening. UNICEFs Russell said, For two months, children in the Gaza Strip have faced relentless bombardments while being deprived of essential goods, services and lifesaving care. With each passing day of the aid blockade, they face the growing risk of starvation, illness and death nothing can justify this. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its weekly report on Gaza on Wednesday that On 25 April, the World Food Programme (WPF) reported that its food stocks in Gaza have been depleted, as the agency delivered its last remaining supplies to kitchens preparing hot meals. WFP additionally highlighted the impact of deteriorating nutrition on vulnerable groups, including children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly, warning that the situation has again reached a breaking point. 9,000, Digital, Midjourney, 2025 OCHA added that between 18 March and 27 April, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) recorded 259 attacks on residential buildings and 99 on IDP tents. Most of the attacks resulted in fatalities, including of women and children. Among the strikes on IDP tents, 40 reportedly took place in Al Mawasi area, in Khan Younis, where the Israeli army repeatedly directed civilians to seek refuge. Over 400 Palestinians seem to be being killed each week by Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the vast majority women and children. Thousands have been wounded in the two months since the government of Benjamin Netanyahu breached the January ceasefire. OCHA writes, On 27 April, at about 20:10, 13 Palestinians, including a woman and her six children, were reportedly killed and others injured when a residential building was hit in southern Khan Younis. On 28 April, at about 00:30, 10 Palestinians, including at least three children, were reportedly killed and others, including a seven-year-old girl, were injured when a residential building was hit in Al Fakhoura area, west of Jabalya refugee camp, in North Gaza. On 28 April, at about 00:30, 10 Palestinians were reportedly killed and others injured when a residential building was hit in Al Karmah area in northwestern Gaza city. Israeli forces have been firing on Palestinian fishing boats, as fishermen desperately attempt to bring in some protein for their families. ( Michigan Advance ) Former employees of the University of Michigan are suing the leadership of the school, alleging that their employment was terminated after they engaged in pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Detroit by the Sugar Law Center and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, asserts the universitys actions are in violation with the employees constitutional rights of freedom of speech, petition and assembly. The university attributed all firings and blacklisting to violations of the schools policies on community violence, but the lawsuit states neither the seven student employees nor the full-time employee who faced repercussions for their participation in protests on campus enacted any sort of violence and complied with police instructions during the events. Civic engagement has long been a hallmark of the university community, the lawsuit states, noting University of Michigan students throughout history have protested for different causes on campus including demanding an end to the Vietnam War. But as members of the university community hold protests demanding the university divest from companies tied to Israels war in Gaza, the lawsuit states that since the deadly October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the university has completely changed its response to protest activity on campus. Since October 7, 2023, the University has solely targeted, discriminated against, and punished students for engaging in speech and protest activity in support of Palestine and calling for the University to divest from Israel as a means of pressuring Israel to cease human rights violations against the Palestinian people, including crimes against humanity and genocide, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit notes that divestment is a reasonable effort for protesters to pursue as the university has divested before, including divesting from tobacco companies in 2000, South Africa in the 1970s and 80s and Russia in 2022. The lawsuit further notes that never before has peaceful participation in protests on the universitys Ann Arbor campus resulted in termination or permanent ineligibility for rehire, as it has for these employees. University of Michigan spokesperson Kay Jarvis said, the university does not comment on litigation in response to Michigan Advances request for comment on the lawsuit. The protests at the heart of the lawsuit are a November 17, 2023 sit-in protest outside the university presidents office and a May 3, 2024 protest outside of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. During the May 2024 protest, the lawsuit said protestors stood outside the art museum while several of the universitys regents were inside the building for a private event. Protestors linked arms and chanted and moved back to continue their protest after university police set up a barrier around the entrance of the art museum. Months later, five university employees who participated in the protest were sent correspondence informing them that their employment was terminated and they were permanently not eligible for rehire for violating the university policies against community violence. Pro-Palestinian protestors gather on University of Michigans Ann Arbor campus on March 14, 2025 to call for the release of Columbia University organizer Mahmoud Khalil | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols. Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Four of the individuals who were fired months after the protest were not employees of the university when the protest was held, according to the lawsuit, which added that all the former employees who participated in the November 2023 and May 2024 protests participated in their own personal time. During the November 2023 protest, the lawsuit says one particular student, Zaynab Elkolaly, attempted to join the sit-in protest outside the university presidents office, entering the Ruthvan Building, when she became caught between a crowd trying to enter the building and police officers at the entrance. While turned away from the entrance to leave and with her back to the police, she was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground by a University of Michigan police officer. While being thrown to the ground, her hijab was ripped off, the lawsuit says. Months later, after Elkolaly had graduated and was no longer an employee at the university, but was planning on applying for work at the school, she received a letter from the university saying she was ineligible for rehire due to violating the schools policies against violence. Each of the Plaintiffs was a dedicated University employee who took their job duties seriously, conducted exemplary work, and performed necessary services for the University, the lawsuit states, adding that the processes the university enacted to terminate employment or bar future employment for the former employees robbed them of due process to combat retaliation by the university for their civic engagement. The lawsuit seeks to force the university to repeal actions it took against the plaintiffs employment statuses, recover damages from loss of employment and any other relief that would be considered just in this scenario. Published under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Anna Liz Nichols Navigating the Social Security Disability (SSD) application process can be a daunting experience, especially for those already dealing with a medical condition that prevents them from working. The paperwork is complex, the requirements are strict, and unfortunately, the majority of applications are denied on the first attempt. For residents of Spartanburg, having local legal guidance can make a world of difference. A lawyer who understands the specific rules and procedures of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims can help you avoid critical mistakes and increase your chances of approval. Whether youre just starting your application or facing a denial, understanding your rights and responsibilities is the first step toward securing the benefits you deserve. Why the Application Process Is So Challenging Applying for SSD benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) isnt as simple as filling out a form. Its a detailed, multi-step process that requires substantial documentation, including medical records, work history, and evidence of how your condition affects your daily life. The Burden of Proof One of the biggest challenges is meeting the SSAs definition of disability. The burden is on the applicant to prove that they are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last at least one year or result in death. This means its not enough to have a diagnosisyou must show how your condition prevents you from holding any kind of employment. Strict Technical Requirements Beyond proving disability, you must also meet technical eligibility requirements. For SSDI, this includes having worked long enough and recently enough to have earned sufficient work credits. For SSI, which is need-based, your income and assets must fall below a certain threshold. What to Expect During the Application Process The SSD application process involves several distinct stages, each with its own procedures and timelines. Understanding each step can help you prepare and avoid unnecessary delays. Initial Application This is the first formal step. You submit your application online, by phone, or in person at your local SSA office. Youll need to provide comprehensive information about your condition, treatments, work history, and education. The SSA then forwards your file to a state-level Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for evaluation. Reconsideration If your initial claim is deniedwhich happens to over 60% of applicantsyou can request a reconsideration. This involves a review of your case by a different claims examiner. While approval rates at this stage are still relatively low, its an important opportunity to provide additional medical evidence or clarify misunderstandings from your original application. Administrative Hearing If reconsideration doesnt lead to approval, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is often where many claims are finally approved, especially if youre represented by an attorney. Youll have a chance to present evidence, bring in witnesses, and make a strong case for why you qualify for benefits. The Value of Hiring a Local Attorney While its possible to apply for SSD benefits on your own, the process is difficult to navigate without experience. Mistakes in documentation, missing deadlines, or failing to present your condition accurately can all lead to denials. Thats where an experienced disability attorney becomes essential. Personalized Guidance From Start to Finish A local lawyer understands not only federal SSD laws but also how the Spartanburg SSA office operates, and how regional medical providers document their records. This local knowledge can play a key role in successfully building your case. The Spartanburg social security disability applications lawyer from Pilzer Klein has years of experience helping residents through every phase of the SSD processfrom initial applications to appeals and administrative hearings. With the firms detailed approach and in-depth understanding of what SSA evaluators look for, applicants can move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Common Reasons for SSD Application Denials Understanding why claims are denied can help applicants avoid the same pitfalls. Here are some of the most frequent reasons SSD applications are rejected: Lack of Medical Evidence: Insufficient documentation of your condition or inconsistent treatment records can weaken your case. Insufficient documentation of your condition or inconsistent treatment records can weaken your case. Failure to Follow Treatment: If you havent followed prescribed medical advice, the SSA may conclude your condition isnt as severe as claimed. If you havent followed prescribed medical advice, the SSA may conclude your condition isnt as severe as claimed. Earnings Above SGA Limit: If youre working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold, your application may be denied. If youre working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold, your application may be denied. Short-Term or Non-Severe Impairments: Conditions expected to improve within a year or that dont significantly impair your ability to work often lead to denials. An experienced lawyer can identify and address these issues before they lead to a denial. Resources for Applicants For a comprehensive overview of eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and the full application process, the official Social Security Administration website is a valuable resource. It includes downloadable forms, eligibility checklists, and state-specific information that can help applicants understand where they stand. In addition, legal directories such as this attorney profile for Donald Pilzer can provide insight into your attorneys background, experience, and legal focus. When choosing representation, its important to work with someone who is both accessible and thoroughly experienced in SSD law. A helpful article from Justice News Flash, Do You Need an Attorney to Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim?, further outlines the benefits of legal assistance during this complex process. It emphasizes the significant difference a lawyer can make in preparing your claim and handling appeals effectively. Preparing for a Successful Outcome No one applies for SSD benefits casually. For many, these benefits are a lifelinecrucial support during a period of physical, emotional, and financial strain. With so much riding on the outcome, its important to do everything possible to strengthen your case. Keep Thorough Medical Records Work closely with your healthcare providers to ensure your records clearly document your diagnosis, treatment history, and how your condition limits your activities. Regular visits and consistent care demonstrate that your impairment is both serious and ongoing. Be Honest and Detailed Whether youre completing forms or speaking to SSA representatives, be honest and specific. Broad or vague statements can hurt your credibility. Use concrete examples to show how your condition impacts your daily routine, job duties, and ability to function independently. Stick to Deadlines Missing a deadlinewhether for submitting forms, requesting reconsideration, or attending a hearingcan derail your entire claim. An attorney will ensure all timelines are met and that your case remains active throughout the process. Conclusion: Dont Navigate the SSD Process Alone If youre unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, Social Security Disability benefits can provide essential support. But the process is far from easy. With confusing paperwork, rigid eligibility rules, and frequent denials, its no surprise that so many claimants find themselves overwhelmed and frustrated. Working with a dedicated local lawyer ensures your case is handled with care and precision. From the initial application to any necessary appeals, your attorney serves as a trusted guide and advocatesomeone who will fight for the benefits youre entitled to. When it comes to securing your financial stability and peace of mind, choosing the right legal help isnt just smartits necessary. Sunday, May 4, 2025 - Robert Odembo Oluoch, a well-known Busia businessman, was laid to rest alongside his three children in an emotional burial attended by friends, family, and business partners. Oluoch and his kids died in an accident that occurred on the evening of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, when their vehicle collided with another along a busy highway. He had travelled to Nairobi to pick up his kids after schools closed. See photos of the burial. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 4, 2025 - Renowned Political Analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has cast doubt on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangis presidential ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Elections. In a tweet posted on Sunday, May 4th, Ngunyi labeled Matiangi an overrated greenhorn and expressed confidence that President William Ruto would easily secure a second term. He argued that despite backing from former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiangi stands little chance at the ballot. Matiangi is an overrated greenhorn. Working with Uhuru, they couldnt make Raila President. How will a deadwood like Uhuru make Matiangi President? Ngunyi posed. The analyst further questioned Uhurus influence, citing his failure to rally the Mt. Kenya region behind ODM leader, Raila Odinga, in the 2022 elections. Ngunyi also predicted a political reconciliation between President Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, ahead of the 2027 polls. GEMA votes will be delivered by Gachagua. And Riggy G will reconcile with Ruto by 2027. End of discussion! he tweeted. Matiangi declared his presidential bid on May 2nd during a homecoming rally at Gusii Stadium, Kisii County. I have spoken it now from my own mouth. I am ready, he stated. To strengthen his campaign, Matiangi has enlisted the services of Canadian lobbying firm, Dickens & Madson, reportedly spending over Ksh. 32 million to boost his international profile and garner strategic support. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 4, 2025 - Saboti Member of Parliament, Caleb Amisi, has urged ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, to reconsider his working relationship with President William Ruto, warning that the partnership is undermining the oppositions strength ahead of the 2027 General Elections. In a strongly worded tweet on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, Amisi called on Odinga to immediately withdraw from the "broad-based Government" with Rutos Kenya Kwanza administration. He accused the President of systematically weakening the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from within. "The ODM party must and should stop this broad-based nonsense with immediate effect," Amisi stated. "Coalitions of unlike minded have never solved issues in any democratic outfit before. Ruto is not foolish. He is slowly finishing ODM from within." The vocal legislator also took aim at fellow MPs, urging them to act independently rather than blindly follow political figures. Even the political masters you worship will abandon you when the time comes, he warned. Amisi further condemned alleged State repression, referencing the recent death of Hon. Were. He called on ODM leaders to stop supporting a regime he claims is responsible for abductions and killings of young people. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 4, 2025 - Raila Odingas elder brother and Siaya Senator, Oburu Odinga, has publicly criticized Siaya Governor James Orengo for opposing ODMs alignment with the Kenya Kwanza government. Oburu told Orengo, who has been a vocal critic of the broad-based Government to quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) if he cannot support the party's decision. Speaking during a church service in Migori County on Sunday, May 4th, Oburu accused Orengo of undermining ODM's support for the broad-based Government formed following a recent MoU between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto. I am a truthful man from Siaya, and it pains me when my own Governor says hes angry and wants to speak the truth.! What truth is that? The real truth is that we are part of the broad-based Government, Oburu said. He added that those within ODM opposing the arrangement should leave the party. Orengo has consistently rejected the Kenya Kwanza deal, arguing it violates constitutional values and sets a dangerous precedent. The law can never be suspended... I pray that ODM withstands any storm, Orengo stated. Oburu defended the MoU, saying stakeholders were fully consulted. Alego Usonga MP, Samuel Atandi, and Treasury CS, John Mbadi, echoed Oburus sentiments, accusing Orengo of derailing development and pledging full support for the new political arrangement. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, May 4, 2025 - National Assembly Minority Leader, Junet Mohamed, has dismissed the ongoing Ruto Must Go campaigns, describing them as outdated and lacking political weight. Speaking during an interdenominational church service in Migori County attended by President William Ruto, the Suna East MP said the slogan has lost relevance. Junet likened the slogan to past political chants that failed to unseat sitting presidents. They said Moi Must Go when I was in primary school. We shouted Uhuru Must Go until he finished his term. These slogans dont need launching - you can just shout them in a Nairobi microphone. Theyve lost meaning, he said. The ODM lawmaker also criticized recent rallies led by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, urging opposition leaders to focus on articulating their agenda rather than reviving tired slogans. Reaffirming his allegiance to ODM leader, Raila Odinga, and the broad-based coalition Government, Junet warned dissenting party members against attacking the President or the administration. We signed 10 agreements to unite Kenyans, and we will honor them. Theres no room for insults against the president, those acting otherwise are going against our own MOU, he stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST There is cross-party agreement in Government and in the Dail to establish a housing activation office to break down the barriers and build houses at scale, a minister has claimed. Minister for Higher Education James Lawless attempted to play down the controversy surrounding the Governments plan to appoint a housing tsar, saying the move is more about creating an office to deliver housing solutions. On Thursday, Nama (National Asset Management Agency) boss Brendan McDonagh withdrew his name from consideration to be the offices first chief executive. Mr McDonaghs decision came after sharp questioning of a suggested 430,000 euro salary for the role. The Government is expected to continue with a plan to appoint a housing tsar. A poll, published by Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks, revealed that 52% of the public blamed Housing Minister James Browne for the controversy, while 46% blame Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Some 88% of the public said the role should be advertised publicly and that the salary should be between 100,000 and 200,000 euro. Mr Lawless said the proposed new office is not about the chief executive role, adding that the term tsar was of a media creation. The minister is ambitious. He wants to build houses, he wants to get things done and he wants to get things done quickly and we all do, Mr Lawless said of Mr Browne on RTEs The Week In Politics programme. Its not about the tsar individual. Its actually about the office and the delivery. The public dont want politics: the public want houses. And thats what Government wants to deliver, thats what Mr Brown is committed to delivering, thats what all of us want to deliver. We need to get through the barriers. We know what about infrastructural complications, we know about zoning, we know about planning permission. On paper, there is cross-party agreement, including opposition, including the Housing Commission, which produced the report last year. The Sinn Fein manifesto, the programme for government are all crystal clear. We need a housing activation office to break down the barriers, to build houses at scale and at urgency. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said what the Government has proposed is not in line with recommendations from the Housing Commission report. What the Housing Commission did say that we needed (was) the housing oversight executives that would be placed onto a statutory footing, that it would have a legislative strength, he said. Even what the minister has outlined there is actually not in keeping with the facts of what happened this week, and actually over the last month, and was also backed up by the Taoiseach himself, about a month ago. The commission recommended executives with a statutory footing. What we got was this big title and this strong man who was supposed to go in and shake things up without any legislation. The whole thing was bizarre. The whole thing has just been a shambles, and its indicative of the Government who dont seem to know what theyre doing. Clare TD Donna McGettigan, Sinn Feins education spokesperson, said that while a housing activation office is in the partys manifesto, their role is different to the one put forward by Government. The difference is its an executive we were calling for, which is what the Housing Commission is also calling for, and that would give it legislative powers, she said. What is being proposed here by the Government is just a name, a person that doesnt have any powers, that is going to have a huge wage, which would have created 11 new garda, 11 new nurses, 13 new special needs assistants. People could see this eye-watering wage, which is even higher than the American president, and they were very angry about it. The fact that we were told that it wouldnt come from the public purse, (but) then to be told that the preferred candidate would actually be leaving his role, so it would be costing us. When youre talking about people struggling, they dont want to hear about more money going and its just wastage. Patrick Rafter will conduct an 80-piece orchestra next weekend in St Canices Cathedral, with music from Star Wars, Schindlers List, Wicked and much more. An evening at the Oscars will see the ensemble performing your movie favourites in the incredible setting. Or how about witnessing quite literally one of the worlds greatest pianists, Barry Douglas, join sensational Irish violinist, Patrick Rafter in an breathtaking programme at St Marys Cathedral? The Marble City Music Festival will present these two concerts this weekend on Sunday, May 11 and Friday May 16. All details and tickets can be found at marblecitymusicfestival.com and tickets are also available from Frank Wall Mans Shop in Kilkenny City. Tickets are available from 25. LOVE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC Speaking to artistic director Patrick Rafter, a Kilkenny man and celebrated as one of Irelands finest classical musicians, it is clear he aims to spread a love of classical music in his home city. READ MORE: WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY Whether youve never been to a classical music concert before, or whether youre a seasoned music aficionado theres incredible joy to be experienced in each one of the festivals concerts, he says. Come and see for yourself I can personally guarantee that you will have a wonderful time and feel truly welcomed and overjoyed by the music! On Sunday, May 11, Patrick Rafter will conduct the 80 person strong Irish Doctors Orchestra in an incredible concert featuring an breathtaking programme of movie themes alongside Tchaikovskys Swan Lake. Star Wars, Wicked, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the iconic Schindlers List theme that Patrick will perform from the violin. INCREDIBLE On Friday, May 16, Barry Douglas will perform the incredible Mussorkgskys Pictures at an Exhibition a work that earned him first Prize Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Douglas will be joined by Rafter for the sensational and epic Cesar Franck Sonata for violin and piano. Follow the festival on Instagram and Facebook to see some videos of all the performers. For more, see marblecitymusicfestival.com. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 67F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. In recent years, the Russian government has repeatedly insisted that it seeks strong, cooperative relationships with its post-Soviet neighbors. Moscow claims to value mutual respect, shared history, and regional integration. Yet, its actions tell an entirely different story one rooted not in partnership but in punishment, discrimination, and strategic humiliation. Nowhere is this contradiction more stark than in the latest incident involving Azerbaijan. Earlier this week, an Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation was en route to Russias Astrakhan region to attend an annual commemoration of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijans national leader. The event, held with the full knowledge and formal invitation of the Russian side, was intended as a gesture of diplomatic respect. But the visit turned into an affront. Az?r Badamov, a sitting member of Azerbaijans National Assembly and part of the delegation, was detained at a Moscow airport and denied entry into Russia with no explanation. Despite his diplomatic status and the official nature of the trip, Badamov was informed he was now barred from entering the Russian Federation. He had no prior warning. The move was deliberate, humiliating, and deeply insulting. This episode is not an isolated bureaucratic mishap. Rather, it fits a disturbing pattern in Russias treatment of its so-called partners in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), particularly those who dare to assert their sovereignty or challenge Moscows rhetoric. Under the surface of cooperative summits and symbolic gestures, Russia has been tightening the screws using diplomatic snubs, media propaganda, and even cyberattacks to assert dominance over its former republics. The decision to bar Az?r Badamov, in particular, reeks of retaliation. His offense appears to be nothing more than expressing a principled objection to offensive comments made by Russian State Duma member Nikolai Valuev about the Azerbaijani people. Badamovs response was measured, professional, and devoid of personal insult. Still, Moscows response was petty and vindictive proof, perhaps, that respectful dissent is now enough to trigger blacklisting in Russia. This case follows a wider trend of growing racism and xenophobia in Russian political and social circles. Central Asian migrants, in particular, are facing rising levels of discrimination and violence. In recent months, there have been increasing reports of harassment and abuse directed at Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Kazakh nationals. Official statements from Russian politicians questioning Kazakhstans territorial integrity, or labeling migrant workers as threats to national identity, only pour fuel on the fire. But Azerbaijan occupies a uniquely precarious place in this dynamic. While Central Asian states are often targets of Russias racialized domestic anxieties, Azerbaijan faces both political suspicion and ethnic prejudice. Armenians Russias longstanding regional ally enjoy a different standard. Despite years of occupation and recent tensions in the South Caucasus, Armenian individuals and political interests continue to receive preferential treatment in Russia. Crimes and abuses are often glossed over. By contrast, Azerbaijanis are subject to suspicion and double standards. The double-dealing is not only infuriating, it is destabilizing. This latest affront comes on the heels of more serious grievances, including Russias failure to account for the downing of an Azerbaijani military aircraft an event still awaiting honest explanation, apology, or compensation. Moscows silence on that tragedy, coupled with a wave of verified cyberattacks targeting Azerbaijani institutions, suggests a systematic erosion of trust beneath the public veneer of alliance. Let us be clear: Azerbaijan has demonstrated diplomatic maturity in the face of these provocations. Even as a Russian Orthodox Church delegation led by Patriarch Kirill visited Baku and met with President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, expressing mutual respect and cultural harmony, unseen forces in Moscow were working to sour the very fabric of bilateral ties. The detention of Badamov was not just an insult to a lawmaker it was a message, and not a constructive one. Some will argue that these tensions are part of a broader Russian strategy: keeping its neighbors insecure, divided, and dependent. If that is indeed the plan, it is short-sighted. Alienating partners who have chosen strategic alignment over hostility is no way to ensure influence. Todays humiliation sows tomorrows resentment. And Azerbaijan, a country with its own national dignity and strategic weight, is unlikely to forget these transgressions. So, what does Russia want? The question now hangs over the entire post-Soviet space. Is it seeking new enemies? Testing its limits? Or simply losing control of its foreign policy to hardliners and nationalists? Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: Azerbaijan deserves better than this. So does every other nation still clinging to the hope that Russia can act like a true regional partner. In diplomacy, as in life, actions speak louder than words. And Russias actions are making its words ring hollow. If Moscow wants respect, it must start by giving it. If it wants cooperation, it must stop sowing mistrust. And if it truly seeks a stable Eurasian future, it must abandon this dangerous habit of turning friends into adversaries. Because in this game of humiliation and coercion, it is not just Azerbaijan that stands to lose it is Russias own credibility as a serious international actor. And that, in the end, is a price far too high for any nation to afford. It now seems that the Democratic Republic of Congo has granted a licence to satellite communications company Starlink despite an earlier ban, which finally appears to have been rescinded. Late last week the DRC said not only that it had become the latest African country to grant a licence to Starlink but that the company would begin operations soon. As Reuters points out, DRC, which has been dealing with war and instability for some time, has low connectivity. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) figures indicate that under a third of the population were using the internet by 2023. However, its not clear why DRC has reversed its view given the apparently strong resistance to a service that military officials feared could be used by rebel groups, including Rwandan-backed M23 insurgents who have reportedly routed the DRC army to take control of the eastern part of the country. Indeed, only a year ago, the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said use of Starlink was banned and violators would face sanctions. Meanshile Starlink continues to make inroads into African markets. April saw licence awards in Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau and Somalia, bringing the service to more than 20 African countries. Could Uganda be next? It has been widely reported that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said last week that he had had a productive meeting with Starlink representatives. Starlink isnt having things entirely its own way. Late April also saw the first 27 satellites in Project Kuiper launched, though that still leaves the Amazon business, also positioned as a boost to connectivity in remote or rural areas, some way behind Starlink. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. In todays fast-paced digital world, creating high-quality content for various platforms can be a time-consuming and daunting task. This is where Alphana comes in an AI-powered content management tool that helps businesses streamline their content creation process and repurpose their existing videos, podcasts, and ideas into multiple pieces of shareable content. Features Turn videos into shareable content: With Alphana, users can easily repurpose their long videos into viral clips for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. 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Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. Gordon Deegan A Co Clare-based direct provision firm, which has received millions of euro in State payments for housing International Protection (IP) applicants, has been ordered to pay 7,000 compensation to a Romanian worker who was racially abused by a colleague. This follows Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator, Una Glazier-Farmer, ordering James White & Company UC trading as The King Thomond Hotel in the north Clare town of Lisdoonvarna to pay 7,000 to Konsuela Daradics after she was discriminated against and subjected to harassment on the grounds of race by a colleague in staff accommodation. James White & Co UC was at the centre of controversy in 2018 when IP applicants first arrived in Lisdoonvarna. A local poll at the time showed that 197 voted no to a direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna with only 15 voting 'yes' and subsequent to the vote James White & Co entered a State contract to operate a direct provision centre at the King Thomond Hotel. Figures published by the Dept of Integration show that the company received 11.39 million (incl VAT) from 2018 to the end of 2022 for accommodating IP applicants in Lisdoonvarna. In October 2021, the company re-registered to unlimited status where it is no longer required to file its annual profits to the Companies Office. In the case before the WRC, Ms Daradics lived in staff accommodation provided by the company for over one year and she had a good relationship with the other residents, until another employee, an Irish man, moved in. Ms Daradics told the hearing that he was intoxicated at least every second day and around June 30th, 2024, he allegedly shouted at her, saying, Go back to your f**king country, you f**king Romanians. In her findings, Ms Glazier Farmer stated that the incident of racial harassment experienced by Ms Daradics in a setting where she was entitled to feel safe and secure, is unacceptable. Ms Glazier Farmer stated that it was Ms Daradicss unchallenged evidence that the workplace and associated staff accommodation comprised individuals of various nationalities, and that relations among staff were generally positive. However, Ms Glazier Farmer stated that the firm failed to provide adequate training or to communicate effective policies and procedures in respect of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. She said that this failure extended not only to the workplace but also to the staff accommodation, which was under the companys direct control and formed part of Ms Daradicss terms and conditions of employment. In light of this, Ms Glazier Farmer found that the companys omissions contributed to Ms Daradics being subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race. Ms Glazier Farmer stated that she further noted with concern the submissions made at the commencement of the James White & Co UCs case, wherein it was asserted that the matter involved a minor infringement, was nothing serious, and amounted to a frivolous and vexatious complaint. She said that these remarks are inappropriate, particularly given the undisputed evidence of racist comments having been made in accommodation provided by the company as part of Ms Daradicss employment package. Ms Glazier Farmer also stated that it is incumbent upon representatives not to mislead or diminish the substance of a complaint, particularly where such assertions are not supported by their clients own evidence. It is accepted, Ms Glazier Farmer said, that an assistant manager took informal steps to investigate the allegation, although this process was not concluded. Ms Glazier Farmer stated that it is not accepted that Ms Daradicss early departure from her employment resolved the issue. During her time of employment, Ms Daradics earned 412.75 per week and worked 25 hours per week. Ms Glazier Farmer said: "Despite the seriousness of the allegation being acknowledged, there is no evidence of any follow-up action taken by the Respondent to ensure that all employees were made aware of their obligations under the Employment Equality legislation, regardless of the outcome of the complaint. At hearing, it was also submitted on behalf of James White UC that no official complaint was made, and that there was no need for an investigation. Assistant Manager, Jessica Bane gave evidence that racism would not be tolerated and that the matter was taken seriously. INFORMATION has been sought from the HSE following a recent report by the Land Development Agency that identified lands adjoining Saint Fintans Hospital in Portlaoise, that has the potential to realise up to 960 homes. The request for the information came from Independent cllr Mulligan who said: I know that the lands hasnt been identified under the governments housing strategy, so far, nor is it zoned for residential use by the council, but there is concern from the public and they dont want to see houses going into that area. They want that green area protected. Its parks and green areas that people want to see around the centre of town, if at all possible. Speaking at the April meeting of Laois County Council cllr Mulligan said: I understand that there is a shortage of housing and a need to build houses, but houses can be built on the outskirts of the town. Anything in the centre of the town we should be protecting and any green areas we have should be used as amenity areas. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the call for information from the HSE on any plans it may have for the grounds adjoining the hospital. She said: There has been discussions about a link road joining the Dublin and Stradbally Roads, that would go through grounds on Saint Fintans. We need amenities and we also need houses. Id have no issue about building houses on the towns fringes. The councils director of services Simon Walton said: The Land Development Agency has its own raison d'etre. Its their report. We will liaise with them about their thinking around this. He said the plan for the link road is an objective in the Portlaoise Local Area Plan, for a road connection from the exiting roundabout on the Stradbally Road, through the HSE lands onto the Dublin Road and that objective remains. Did you buy an iPhone from Amazon? Protect yourself from this text message scam. Canva Scammers are smart. They know how to play the odds. Imagine a paper with a random list of consumer names hung up on a dart board. A Hellertown woman was convicted last week of an estate sales scam that bilked 15 victims out of more than $35,000. Amy Lynn Richline, who owned Bethlehem-based Top Notch Estate Sales, was found guilty of a total of 13 counts of theft and 13 counts of deceptive business practices. Anna Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Northampton County District Attorneys Office, told lehighvalleylive.com the initial criminal complaint totaled 15 victims. Two of the 15 victims, however, died prior to the trial, Thompson said. Those charges of felony receiving stolen property were then forced to be withdrawn, however, were as a result of the deaths and not as a result of payment, Thompson said. At the time of the trial, there were a total of 14 victims. Richline was found not guilty of one count felony theft and one count felony deceptive business practices. The conviction of the 12 charges followed a four-day bench trial before Northampton County Judge Brian Panella, who will sentence the 51-year-old Richline on July 16. The investigation began in June 2023 when a Bethlehem Township resident reported never being paid after hiring Top Notch Estate Sales to conduct a sale two months before at his mothers home. The victim never heard from Richline about the proceeds from the sale, authorities said. Investigators later learned Richline had withheld funds from at least six other victims in the Lehigh Valley for sales dating to 2020. Two victims claimed they hired Top Notch Estates for sales in Bethlehem, and additional victims reported hiring Richline in Coopersburg, Coplay, Bethlehem and Allentown. Another eight victims later came forward with identical experiences dealing with Richlines business, for a total of 15 victims. All the customers reported to authorities they were not allowed to attend the estate sales and didnt receive an itemized list of the items sold. Following the sales, they received an invoice and expected a payment within 15 days, as specified in the contracts they signed. However, they never received payment. All the victims reported attempting to contact Richline through phone calls, emails and letters, along with local police and attorneys, authorities said. If Richline replied, she used the same statement: Theyre checking to see if it has been cashed, or if its been returned to their mail room. This is the first step. Because its certified funds, its not as simple as cutting another check because the funds have already been taken from my account. The victims then ultimately lost contact with Richline, prosecutors said. District Attorney Stephen Baratta announced the verdict Friday afternoon. Theodore Andrew Skaarup, the public defender representing Richline, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Sunday. At the time of her 2023 arrest, Richline denied the allegations to lehighvalleylive.com. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Editors Note: Lehighvalleylive.com is offering a benefit to subscribers: Click the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite prom-goer and get free, print-quality downloads as well as the option to purchase keepsakes at half the price. Whitehall High School students celebrated their prom at the Palace Center on Saturday. Freelance photographer Alan Sylvestre was there to capture a few moments as the students celebrated. Lehighvalleylive.com will be sending photographers to proms throughout the Lehigh Valley and Warren County this season. Our full coverage of proms across the region can be found at lehighvalleylive.com/prom. Check out the gallery above to see everyone dressed up for a night to celebrate. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS Dont forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter. We just might highlight the best pics! Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Ho Chi Minh City iconic landmarks 50 years apart Many iconic locations in Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, when the war ended and Vietnam was reunified, are still preserved today as witnesses to the history of the country's biggest city. Pittman Building 22 Gia Long Street (now 22 Ly Tu Trong Street) Before 1975, this building served as the residence for staff of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Saigon. It was one of 13 evacuation sites used by Americans during the "Frequent Wind" helicopter operation. After 50 years, the building retains its original architecture and is located at 22 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh The photo was taken on April 29, 1975, before the Liberation forces took control of Saigon. The spot where the helicopter once landed for Americans scrambling aboard is now the building's rooftop, above the elevator shaft. Photos by Hubert van Es/UPI (then) and Phung Tien (now). Rach Chiec Bridge Located approximately 10 km east of central Ho Chi Minh City, Rach Chiec Bridge connects the city with the southeast, Central Highlands, and central regions. From April 27 to 30, 1975, fierce battles took place there between Liberation special forces and Republic of Vietnam troops. After repeated assaults, Liberation forces successfully secured the bridge by the morning of April 30, 1975, paving the way for the main army to enter the city center. Fifty-two soldiers sacrificed their lives here just before the country's unification. Today, the original bridge has been replaced with a concrete structure featuring three separate branches and 10 traffic lanes. In 2015, a park and memorial for the 52 soldiers of Battalion 81, Brigade 316, and two Z22 and Z23 special forces units, who died during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, was inaugurated at the bridges base. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Rach Chiec Bridge. Archived photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now) Tan Cang Bridge (now Saigon Bridge) Situated at the northeast gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Cang Bridge was the final Republic of Vietnam resistance point that Liberation forces had to overcome before entering the city center on April 30, 1975. After 1975, it was renamed Saigon Bridge. In 2012, Saigon Bridge 2 was constructed parallel to the original as part of the Hanoi Highway expansion project to alleviate traffic pressure in the eastern part of the city. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Saigon Bridge. Archive photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now) Tan Son Nhat Airport Tan Son Nhat Airport was a key Republic of Vietnam stronghold and a primary target for Liberation forces during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign on April 30, 1975. After unification, it became the main international airport in southern Vietnam. Today, it ranks among the countrys three largest international gateways, alongside Noi Bai in Hanoi and Da Nang, though it frequently faces overcrowding. In 2025, the airport expanded with the addition of domestic terminal T3 to meet growing travel demand. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Tan Son Nhat Airport. Photos by VNA/AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now). U.S. Embassy The rooftop of the U.S. Embassy was one of two primary helicopter takeoff points during the emergency operation "Frequent Wind", from the afternoon of April 29, 1975, to the morning of April 30, 1975, involving 81 helicopters and 1,000 Marines. In 1995, Vietnam and the U.S. normalized relations. Four years later, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City was built on the former embassy site, replacing the demolished original building. Relations have since been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh The U.S. Embassy in a photo courtesy of the War Remnants Museum (then) and the U.S. Consulate General in a photo by Phung Tien (now). Lang Cha Ca Roundabout Bay Hien Cross During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the Lang Cha Ca Bay Hien intersection was a key attack route for Liberation forces targeting Tan Son Nhat Airport and the Republic of Vietnam General Staff, the commanding organization. The clash on the morning of April 30, 1975, resulted in nine Liberation tanks and armored vehicles being destroyed, with 25 soldiers killed. After 50 years, the Bay Hien intersection in Tan Binh District has become a vital junction connecting four major roads: Cach Mang Thang Tam, Truong Chinh, Hoang Van Thu and Ly Thuong Kiet. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Photos by Corbis (then) and Thanh Tung (now). Independence Palace Before 1975, Independence Palace was the residence and workplace of the Republic of Vietnam President. On April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell, Liberation forces breached the palace gates, marking the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam regime. After the war it was renamed Reunification Hall and recognized as a special national historical site in 1976. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Photos by Borries Gallasch, preserved at Reunification Hall (then) and Phung Tien (now). Caravelle Hotel Opened in 1959, the Caravelle Hotel housed several embassies and press offices during the war. Its balcony and rooftop were popular spots for journalists to observe the conflict. After 1975, it was renamed Independence Hotel, reverting to its original name after over 20 years. In 1997, it was upgraded with a connected 24-story tower. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Photos courtesy of hotel archives (then) and Phung Tien (now). Lam Son Square Once the heart of Saigon, Lam Son Square featured key structures like the Republic of Vietnam National Assembly building (now Ho Chi Minh City Opera House). Today, the area remains largely unchanged and is a popular tourist destination due to its central location, architectural beauty, and historical significance, with easy access to landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace, and the City Post Office. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Liberation Front fighters sat before the Republic of Vietnam National Assembly on April 30, 1975. Photos by AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now). Majestic Hotel Built in 1925, the Majestic Hotel sits at the corner of Dong Khoi and Ton Duc Thang Streets in District 1, overlooking the Saigon River. In April 1975, it was hit by artillery and later restored in a European Renaissance style. In 2007, it was certified as a five-star hotel by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. It has hosted notable figures, including French President Mitterrand, Japanese Prince Akishino, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Liberation soldiers sang and played music in front of Majestic Hotel on the afternoon of April 30, 1975. Its architecture remains preserved. Photos by UPI (then) and Phung Tien (now). Tu Do Street (now Dong Khoi Street) After 1975, Tu Do Street was renamed Dong Khoi Street, one of Ho Chi Minh Citys oldest roads with over 150 years of history. It now features luxury hotels, and its rental rates rank among the worlds top 15 most expensive retail streets. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Liberation vehicles rolled down Tu Do Street into the city center on April 30, 1975. Photos by AFP/Pham Khac (then) and Phung Tien (now). Nguyen Hoang Street (now Tran Phu Street) Nguyen Hoang Street, post-1975, became Ttran Phu Street (District 5), now known for its vibrant art market. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh A Republic of Vietnam plane crashed on the street during the wars final days, captured in a photo from May 1975. Photos by AFP (then) and Phung Tien (now). Prime Ministers Office The Republic of Vietnam Ministers Office, located on Thong Nhat Street (now Le Duan Street) hosted a meeting of Duong Van Minhs cabinet on the morning of April 30, 1975, where they recorded a unilateral ceasefire declaration. After 50 years, the buildings architecture remains largely intact and is now used as a government office. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Archived photo (then) and photo by Phung Tien (now). Voice of Ho Chi Minh City The building, used to be known as Saigon Radio, was where Republic of Vietnam President Duong Van Minh recorded his unconditional surrender announcement on the afternoon of April 30, 1975, following the fall of Independence Palace, marking the end of the 30-year war and the countrys unification. After 1975, Saigon Radio was renamed Voice of Ho Chi Minh City. The room where the declaration was read is preserved as a historical site. Click e lat anh Click e lat anh Photos by Vietnam News Agency (then) and Phung Tien (now). 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 Road Safety Authority(RSA) was slammed as incompetent for issuing incorrect Freedom of Information figures to the Irish Road Hauliers Association. The Irish Road Hauliers Association(IRHA), which is headed up by Laois man Ger Hyland, issued a statement in relation to driving licence figures which they had secured under Freedom of Information from the RSA. The RSA had wrongly issued the figures stating that there were 15,055 provisional drivers in Laois. These figures then appeared in a statement issued by the IRHA to media organisations. When contacted by the Leinster Express/Laois Live, the RSA stated that the numbers quoted by the IRHA were incorrect. As you will see, the figure is 378,652, not 842,260. We will be writing to the original FOI requestor informing her of the error and providing the correct information, a spokesperson for the RSA had said. They said the true figure for Laois is 6,657 and not 15,055 as quoted by the IRHA. A spokesperson for the IRHA said If the RSA are disputing the figures, they are disputing their own figures provided to us on April 15th! More examples of the RSA's incompetence! The RSA are trying to undermine their own figures. President of the IRHA, Laois man Ger Hyland, has called for a root and branch review of the Road Safety Authority and their operation of the Irish driving test system. The IRHA said the figures coincide with recently released figures by the Gardai which show a dramatic increase in some counties in the numbers of learner drivers caught driving unaccompanied. See table below. The IRHA claimed that an inadequate and backlogged testing regime is forcing young learner drivers out on our roads without a full licence or a supervising driver. The IRHA said they are concerned for the safety of their drivers who are coming across inexperienced drivers on a daily basis on Irish roads. According to Hyland, this is having a knock on impact on housing because young apprentice trades people cannot get to work independently, on families because their children cannot drive to college and on business because learner drivers cannot get to work and are waiting over six months or longer for a driving test. He would like to see driver education introduced in secondary schools. Following two intense days of competition in the CanSat Ireland National Finals, a team of students from Confey Community College, Kildare, has today clinched the coveted national title. The CanSat Ireland competition is an ESERO Ireland collaboration, co-funded by the European Space Agency and Research Ireland and coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory. The victory marks the end of a campaign that began in September 2024. All participants in this years competition have displayed incredible technological prowess, with judges lauding the expansive expertise on display from the teams of young scientists. A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite developed in the size and shape of a soda can. A European Space Agency initiative, the competition fosters an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) careers by offering students a hands-on experience of a space-themed project. The multidisciplinary nature of the project ensures students are exposed to industry standards in a broad array of potential career paths. In recent months, regional competitions have taken place across Ireland, in partnership with the Technological Universities in Dublin, Athlone, Limerick, Tralee, and Cork. ALSO READ: You won't believe the transformation of this Kildare home. Regional winners gathered in Emo Court, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, on Thursday 1 st May, and launched their mini-satellites in rockets to a height of over 350 metres. On Friday 2 nd May, these national finalists presented their analysis, recordings and flight patterns to the judging panel consisting of experts from a range of STEM fields. Congratulating Confey Community College, Alan Giltinan, project coordinator for CanSat Ireland said: Confey College cant be praised enough for this achievement. Winning the National Final of the CanSat competition is no small feat. Year on year, the STEM literacy of the participating students seems to increase as rapidly as the technology theyre working with. The technical competency displayed by teams all over the country continues to surpass the expectations of the judges. "These students represent Irelands STEM future, and I think its safe to say were in very good hands! . The students from Confey have been invited to attend the celebratory event, Space Engineer for a Day, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands. The students will have the opportunity to explore ESTEC facilities and laboratories, network with space experts, and present their work to a panel of experts. The CanSat competition will re-open in September 2025. Students or teachers interested in competing in the next iteration of the project are encouraged to visit the CanSat project page at esero.ie. A trade unionist has said that aspects of the plan to update employment law in Northern Ireland doesnt go far enough. Susan Fitzgerald said the Good Jobs Bill was far from a revolutionary document and the implementation of the legislation involves a long transitional period. Last week, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the ambitious proposals in the Bill included tackling zero-hour contracts, improvements to family-related leave and strengthened rights for trade unions. I set out my Good Jobs proposals this week the biggest upgrade to our employment legislation since the GFA. Good to have the chance to talk to @MarkCarruthers7 on @bbctheview yesterday about how the ambitious proposals will benefit both workers and employers. Catch up https://t.co/MZW4iGppkz Caoimhe Archibald MLA (@CArchibald_SF) May 2, 2025 The proposals also aimed to enhance protections for agency workers, ensure tips were passed on to staff in full and introduce easier access to flexible working arrangements. Ms Fitzgerald, Unite Ireland regional secretary, said the union is discussing the ministers proposals with union representatives and activists. We will be guided by the discussions we have with workers, who will be on the receiving end or otherwise of the proposals, she told BBC NIs Sunday Politics show. I suppose our point is its far from a revolutionary document, to be fair, where it doesnt go far enough from a trading perspective, or hasnt addressed at all. But theres no question that, you just take a sample of some of the items tips, flexible working opportunities, neonatal leave and pay for pregnant workers, protections against unfair redundancy for pregnant workers, movement on zero hour contracts, movement on fire and rehire I actually dont know how anyone can disagree with any of those areas. I think one of the key things for us now is what are in some cases mostly just headlines is getting behind the detail of what we need to see implemented. But I have to say an area of concern is maybe its an attempt to reassure people but its the proposal to have what feels like a long transition period, and presumably that would only commence after the process has gone through Stormont. Thats not good enough. Its actually unconscionable to say to someone, we know your rights are not currently protected, we know youre not currently being treated with respect, Youre currently very vulnerable, but bear with, we dont want to scare the horses. Suzanne Wylie, chief executive of NI Chamber, said that a very complex set of regulations of codes of practice are being proposed. It is, as the minister has said, the biggest overhaul in employment law in decades, and so our businesses across Northern Ireland really need to be prepared for that, she said. Theres a lot in these, and this is really about putting right these proposals. Theres a lot more to the creation of good jobs than just aspect of employee rights. Ms Wylie said that similar legislation is going through Westminster, which is estimated to cost businesses some 5 billion. If we think about the challenges that businesses here are facing at this point with increases in tax, increases in minimum wage, living wage, etc, AI, thats disrupting how we work our days, the cost of energy, etc. Really, really challenging time for business. We really do have to think about how these proposals are going to be implemented, and how that balance will be achieved between ensuring that we have viable businesses that can grow and a growing economy that we can really create good jobs for the future. QATAR Racing, headed up by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani (pictured above) of the Qatari royal family, is selling its stud farm in County Limerick, the Limerick Leader has reported. The global operation has put its 100-acre breeding complex - Spring Lodge in Manister - up for auction. It takes place on Thursday, June 5 at 3pm in the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare. The advised minimum value is 2 million. Qatar Racing purchased the wonderful limestone holding with a proven track record of producing world-class racehorses, according to promotional material, in 2013, for 1,050,000. Significant investment has been pumped into the breeding operation and into a property thereon in the intervening years. When contacted by the Limerick Leader, a spokesperson for Qatar Racing said they wont be making any comment on the sale of Spring Lodge. READ MORE: RIP: Gardai stand down search for missing man (44) following tragic update The Leader understands Qatar Racings Limerick enterprise has proved very successful but they are reducing their breeding operation in Ireland. They continue to have horses in training with Joseph O Brien, Gavin Cromwell and Johnny Murtagh and now have a lot more horses in America, Australia and James. Goffs Property, who are handling the sale of Spring Lodge, say it is situated within the Golden Vale of Ireland. It has been identified as one of the hot spots of Irelands thoroughbred breeding sector being adjacent to Group One producing stud farms Rathmore, Croom, Manister, Ballyphilip and Caherass Stud to name but a few. The stud benefits from a superb infrastructure with a high standard of equipment installed throughout and has an enviable record as a breeding ground for exceptional racehorses, they say. Peter Molony, Irish representative of Qatar Racing, owner of neighbouring Rathmore Stud and manager of Spring Lodge, said there has been a lot of success over the 12 years. Two yearlings that were born and raised there last year - St Marks Basilica filly topped the Arqana sale in Deauville last August at 1.7 million for a filly, and a nice Kameko colt made 2 million at Tattersalls in Newmarket The facilities are fabulous. The yards are all very practical, the paddocks are all serviced by an internal road network and it's all beautifully fenced. They spent a lot of money on the house - it is beautifully done. It's a lovely property for someone, said Mr Molony, who adds that it would be a pity if it didnt continue as a stud farm after all the effort, work and thought that went into Spring Lodge. We have to see who buys it I suppose, said Mr Molony, who added that he is happy to help the new owner with their purchase. Sheikh Fahad gave an interview to the Leader in 2014 after flying in by helicopter to Manister to inspect his recent purchase at the time. It is very impressive. The land looks great, the spot looks nice. It is nice and quiet, it is good for the mares here so I am very happy, said Sheikh Fahad. I bought the farm to keep a few mares and foals down here, Irish ones. It looks like a perfect spot to be honest. We are going to build a few stables here and barns. I believe this part of the world, the land is one of the best lands to raise race horses, that is why we bought the place and we are going to raise a few of our race horses down here, said Sheikh Fahad, who described the land as some of the best in Ireland. For more pictures, click 'Next' THE MAYOR of Limerick, John Moran, has led a delegation from Limerick City and County Council on a tour of four UK cities, one of which he was born in. Mayor Moran was accompanied by Vincent Murray, director of services, planning and place making, and Cllr Francis Foley to visit Liverpool, Birmingham, Salford and Manchester. All three members were born in the city of Birmingham before returning to Limerick at a young age and had been invited to attend a networking dinner with members of the Limerick Birmingham Association. READ ALSO: Limerick woman shares her experience of working as an intern at national TV station Mayor Moran said: It was with great pleasure and personal affection that I could lead this delegation to these cities, particularly my birthplace and indeed that of all three of us who went, Birmingham. Spending time with my counterparts there has only deepened my belief that our cities share more than just a similar past - we share a common future. These are places, like Limerick, shaped by industry, resilience, and reinvention. Adding that he is committed to growing alliances and that there is already a powerful foundation for us to continue to build on, he said: Now is the moment to be bold, take action and to weave those threads into something stronger. Whether its collaborating on innovation, exchanging ideas for more liveable cities, or unlocking new cultural and economic links, the different kind of energy that we are so used to in Limerick is there and the appetite is there. The group initially travelled to Liverpool, meeting with the leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson and Limerick City and County Council alumnus Ms Nuala Gallagher, corporate director, city development. Links between Limerick and Liverpool and how to continue building the relationship between the two cities were discussed, along with lessons learned from the development of key new areas in urban Liverpool. Vincent Murray, said: Visiting Liverpool, Salford, Manchester and Birmingham offered a unique opportunity to deepen ties with cities that share a proud industrial heritage and ambitious regeneration goals with us in Limerick. We engaged with key stakeholders across urban development, culture and innovation, as well as highlighting Limericks progress and potential. These visits reaffirmed the value of international collaboration in shaping resilient, forward-thinking cities with a different kind of energy. The delegation also travelled to meet separately with Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The delegation visited and examined a recently completed mixed-tenure brownfield scheme in an established neighbourhood. The group finalised proceedings by travelling to Birmingham where the Mayor first met with Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood. The Mayor and Lord Mayor then led a joint workshop with key political leaders and officials from Birmingham. Issues discussed including housing, transport and links to the Limerick Birmingham diaspora. Cllr Francis Foley said after the Birmingham proceedings: It was an honour to accompany the Limerick delegation, led by our Mayor, to these cities. The visit reinforced the historic and cultural links between our regions and highlighted exciting opportunities for future collaboration. Returning to Birmingham was especially meaningful for me, both personally and professionally, as I witnessed the potential for deepening connections that benefit Limerick. A formal invitation will now be extended by the Mayor of Limerick to representatives from Liverpool, Manchester, Salford and Birmingham, to visit Limerick at some point during the current Mayoral term. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland has urged outdoor workers to take "extra precautions" following sharp rise in fatalities over the past month. The HSA has noted that there has four fatal incidents in the past month, three of which were associated with quad bike use. Of nine confirmed work-related fatalities so far this year, six were self-employed, with five of those associated with the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sectors. They issued the statement on Friday, the 2nd of May, and they are "urging outdoor workers to take extra precautions following a significant increase in work-related fatalities in recent weeks. The latest figures from the HSA show a concerning rise in fatalities, particularly amongst the self-employed and farmers." Read Next: RIP: Gardai stand down search for missing man (44) following tragic update The Senior Agricultural Inspector with the HSA, Ger Hartnett: "We are deeply concerned by the recent sharp rise in fatalities, especially amongst self-employed outdoor workers and farmers. We are calling on farmers and all those working outdoors to take a step back, assess the risks, and prioritise safety at every stage of the job. No job is important enough to risk your life." He also added: "We want to see everyone come home safely at the end of the day. Safety isn't an optional added step, it must be an integral part of the job." MAYOR of Limerick, John Moran, told the over 400 guests at his first annual charity dinner that he too knows what it means to confront cancer, like so many across the city and county. Mayor Moran chose the Marie Keating Foundation as the beneficiary of the black-tie event to raise awareness in Limerick of bowel cancer and help fund preventative screening for those who cannot afford it. The traditional Mayors Charity Dinner the first of his five-year term - took place on Friday night in the Limerick Strand Hotel. "Celebrating Limerick" was the theme for the event. More than 430 guests attended, including Limericks civic leaders, the respective Lord Mayors of both Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly. Barry Murphy, of Hermitage Green and former Munster rugby centre, MCd proceedings. READ MORE: Limerick Council tour led by Mayor John Moran includes UK city he has unique ties to Each item on the menu served included one or more local Limerick producers at the request of the mayor. It reflected a significant commitment to supporting the Limerick food sector in the More for Limerick 2024-2029 Mayoral Programme. Mayor Moran said the event was all about celebrating Limerick. "I chose the Marie Keating Foundation as the beneficiary of my first Mayors Charity Dinner in my term because, like so many others across our city and county, I too know what it means to confront cancer. Funds raised tonight will be spent on raising awareness right here in Limerick of bowel cancer and helping to fund preventative screening for those who cannot afford it themselves," said Mayor Moran (pictured below with mum Bridie Moran, partner Damien Duggan and sister Siobhan O'Sullivan). Mayor Moran said it was a true honour to host the Lord Mayors of Belfast and Cork and the Chair of the Southern Regional Assembly describing it as "symbols of the growing spirit of co-operation between Limerick and other parts of the island". "Too often we forget how great Limerick is as a place to live, the diversity of our businesses, but most of all the strength of our community. "Welcoming these guests was more than a civic celebration, but a moment to showcase the unity, embrace and ambition that defines our city and county," said the mayor. CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, Liz Yeates said they are deeply honoured to have been chosen as the charity partner for this years Mayors Charity Dinner in Limerick. "We want to thank Mayor Moran for his generous support and for sharing his own personal connection to the work of the Marie Keating Foundation. The funds raised from the evening will directly support our free life-saving cancer prevention and support services in Limerick. "Events like this allow us to continue offering hope, compassion and care to those facing a cancer journey and their loved ones. Limerick is showing it has a heart as strong as its spirit," said Ms Yeates. On 2 May, the Supreme Court sent shockwaves through Indias insolvency ecosystem with a surprise ruling that overturned a resolution plan approved five years ago for Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL), sending the company into liquidation. On the receiving end of the ruling was JSW Steel Ltd. The company, among Indias largest steelmakers, acquired BPSL through a winning 19,000 crore bid in 2021, injected capital, integrated operations, and gained control of its assets, but now finds its plans quashed. A Supreme Court bench led by Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Sharma effectively mandated the liquidation of BPSL, marking a dramatic end to the longest-running insolvency case under Indias Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Mint breaks down the key aspects of the judgment, the reasons behind it, its immediate fallout, and why this ruling could redefine Indias insolvency resolution landscape. What did the Supreme Court rule? The Supreme Court invalidated JSW Steels 19,350 crore resolution plan for Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd citing violations of key provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The ruling was passed on several pleas opposing JSW Steels plan, including those filed by former promoter Sanjay Singal, operational creditor Kalyani Transco, and the state of Odisha. The apex court found JSW Steel had delayed implementation, failed to make mandatory payments to creditors, and attempted to bypass obligations. It also criticized the committee of creditors (CoC) for approving the plan. Using Section 142 of the IBC, the court directed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to initiate fresh liquidation proceedings, effectively ending any chance of BPSLs revival under the existing resolution plan. There was a dishonest and fraudulent attempt made by JSW, misusing the process of the Court by not making the upfront payments as committed by it for about two and a half years and thereby enriching itself unjustly, and thereafter considering the rising prices of steel in the market, JSW sought to comply with the terms of Resolution Plan at a very belated stage, in collusion with the CoC and the Resolution Professional," the Supreme Court stated in its judgement. What were the specific reasons behind the decision? The Supreme Court cited several serious lapses to justify its decision to scrap JSW Steels resolution plan for Bhushan Power and Steel and order liquidation: A clear violation of statutory timelines, as the resolution plan was submitted well beyond the 270-day limit without seeking timely extension under Section 12(2) of the IBC. The court also found that JSW Steel had unjustly enriched itself by delaying creditor payments while benefiting from favourable market conditions such as rising steel prices. JSW Steels resolution plan breached provisions of the IBC by failing to prioritize operational creditors, which the court saw as a fundamental violation of insolvency rules. The court also indicated a possible collusion between JSW Steel, Bhushan Powers resolution professional, and the committee of creditors , highlighting manipulation of the process for financial advantage and non-compliance with plan obligations until conditions became favourable. Such flagrant violation of the terms of the resolution plan, has frustrated the very object and purpose of the Code," the court said. Also read | A series of court orders changed bankruptcy rules. Now, the govt is amending the law Why was the judgment a surprise? Insolvency experts said the Supreme Courts ruling was unprecedented as it effectively sent a companywhose revival had been carried out through a court-approved plan five years agointo liquidation. The ruling has not only disrupted the resolution process but also raises concerns about the future of insolvency proceedings in India, they said. Reversing a resolution plan after (five) years introduces an unprecedented element of retrospective disruption," said Ritesh Kumar Adatiya, director of NPV Insolvency Professionals. It not only questions the sanctity of approved plans but also puts commercial decisions at risk. Unwinding such transactions carries monetary costs, reputational damage, and systemic inefficiencies." Adatiya also stressed that the ruling could shake confidence in the insolvency process, making stakeholders more cautious. The ruling weakens the confidence of key stakeholders CoC may hesitate to take decisions, and resolution applicants may become more risk-averse. The process may now become cautious and prolonged, defeating the objective of time-bound resolution." Other legal experts offered similar opinions: Investors who have relied on the IBCs principles of finality and the clean slate theory to avoid post-deal liabilities may now face legal risks even after successful implementation. This could chill participation in distressed asset markets, making investors more cautious when proposing resolution plans." Yogendra Aldak, partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorneys Interference after so many years makes IBC another statute filled with uncertainties Lenders may be wary of taking decisions, and SRAs (successful resolution applicant) may hesitate to submit plans." Sushmita Gandhi, partner, IndusLaw Shashank Agarwal, an advocate at the Delhi High Court, said the IBC needed reforms to enable effective supervision over the implementation of the resolution plan, indicating that the current system has gaps in terms of monitoring and ensuring timely execution of approved plans. However, some lawyers suggested that while the ruling may be harsh, it sent an important message to stakeholders. The Supreme Court has sent a clear messageCoC cannot keep changing its stand. Resolution applicants must stick to timelines and not prolong the implementation of the plan once approved by the adjudicating authority," said Amir Bavani, founder of AB Legal. Also read | IBBI cracks the whip on a dozen insolvency professionals Can the Supreme Court review its ruling? According to lawyers, the committee of creditors and JSW Steel may seek a review of the judgment, as the Supreme Court retains the power to review its own decisions under Article 137 of the Constitution. However, lawyers said a mere apprehension of far-reaching consequences does not, by itself, warrant an immediate review. Unless it can be shown that the ruling creates systemic disruption or results in gross injustice, an immediate review may not be necessary," said Tushar Kumar, a Supreme Court lawyer. Why is the ruling a huge blow for JSW Steel? The judgment is a significant setback for JSW Steel, which owns 83.3% of Bhushan Power and Steel. Acquired for around 19,000 crore, BPSLs 2.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) Jharsuguda plant is central to JSW Steels eastern India strategy and accounts for about 13% of its capacity and 10-11% of its consolidated EBITDA. The ruling puts JSW Steels revenue, operational control, and expansion plans at risk, potentially impacting cash flows and debt servicing. JSW Steel had expected value gains from BPSLs expansion, but the uncertainty now threatens its 2030 target of reaching 45 mtpa steelmaking capacity. What factors led to the Supreme Court ruling? Bhushan Power , founded in the late 1970s by Sanjay Singal, grew from a small steel processing unit into one of Indias major secondary steel producers. It specialized in manufacturing cold-rolled steel strips, pipes, tubes, HR coils, and alloy steel products. During the 2000s and early 2010s, BPSL undertook aggressive expansion, particularly in Odisha, backed by large-scale borrowing from public sector banks. However, its overambitious growth plans, coupled with delays in execution and a downturn in the steel sector, led to severe financial stress. By 2017, BPSL had defaulted on loans exceeding 47,000 crore, prompting the Reserve Bank of India to classify it among the Dirty Dozen"a list of top 12 non-performing corporate accounts. That year, BPSL was admitted to insolvency proceedings under the IBC. JSW Steel emerged as the successful bidder in 2019 for Bhushan Power with a 19,700 crore resolution plan. JSW Steels resolution plan for Bhushan Power was first approved by NCLT in September 2019. However, Singal, along with several operational creditors including Jaldhi Overseas, Medi Carrier, and Kalyani Transco, challenged the resolution plan before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), alleging arbitrary claim rejections and lack of transparency. The state of Odisha also sought recovery of 139 crore in entry tax dues, though its plea was dismissed as time-barred. Additionally, CJ Darcl Logistics questioned the resolution professionals claim collation process. In February 2020, NCLAT upheld the resolution plan and dismissed all objections. This led the opposing partiesincluding Singal and Kalyani Transcoto move the Supreme Court in March 2020. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled in their favour and struck down JSW Steels plan. What is the Enforcement Directorates role in this case? The Enforcement Directorate had also raised concerns given its attachment of BPSLs assets due to a money laundering investigation against the companys former promoters. The ED had initially attached these assets under Section 5 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleging that BPSLs former promoters had diverted bank loans for personal gains. The CoC had contested the EDs action, arguing it violated IBC provisions that protect resolution applicants. NCLAT in its ruling had also rejected ED claims. The ED later withdrew its objections, citing Section 32A of the IBC, which offers immunity to resolution applicants from the liabilities of previous management. In December 2024, the ED chose not to pursue its own challenge against JSW Steels takeover of BPSL. Following the Supreme Courts direction on 11 December, 2024, the ED returned attached assets worth 4,025 crore to JSW Steel, clearing the way for the implementation of the resolution plan. Also read | Do creditor committees in insolvency cases need an oversight body? Harsh Goenka has shared a powerful message on democracy, flagging the situation in the US under the administration of President Donald Trump. Sharing a video of a meeting of the Trump cabinet, Goenka pointed to the way Trump's cabinet ministers were admiring the president. In a strong message on politics, Harsh Goenka said that such actions are a red flag and a threat to democracy. When democracies start looking like fan clubs, and leaders are worshipped instead of questioned- its not patriotism, its a red flag and a threat to democracy, he said, sharing the 45-second long clip. Check out the post below: The video starts with praises for Donald Trump from Vice President JD Vance. He's actually doing the the things that he promised that he would do. And, Mr. President, it's been an honour to be part of it for the past 100 days, he said while thanking Trump in a meeting after the President completed 100 days in office recently. Mr. President, in the last four years, the world experienced a total lack of leadership under (Joe) Biden. And then we've had a 100 days of your leadership with respect, with strength, another cabinet member said. President, your first one hundred days has far exceeded that of any other presidency in this country ever. Never seen anything like it. Thank you, another person added. President Trump, in your first term, when I had chance to work with you as governor, you were courageous. You probably assembled the greatest cabinet ever. This time you're not just courageous, you're actually fearless, a leader further said. Netizens react Harsh Goenka's post received mixed reactions from netizens. While some agreed with his views, others questioned his opinion on the Indian context. This happens only in America, a person said. In India, if a politician does turn his career into fan following, it must have been something special and gigantic effort. The real democracy is people liking what they have chosen, unless you beg to differ, another commented. Dinner theater. The war room has shifted downstairs. This is the American version of a total information lockdown : get the actual decisionmakers away from the camera so not even a hot mic, chance conversation, bead of sweat, or nervous facial tic gives anything away, a third person opined. However, some users had the opinion that the condition is the same in India. What are we doing? Same. Some people openly praise and some people keep mum and shut their mouth and don't utter a single word against the government. I don't see any post against the government by you, a user said. The education systems in Vietnam and the Netherlands differ significantly in terms of class schedules, teaching methods, and grading systems, with the Dutch system encouraging independent study and adopting a stricter grading system. In 2024, my daughter received admission offers from two Dutch universities: Erasmus University Rotterdam and Maastricht University. She chose to study Psychology at Erasmus. For the first few months after she left for school, we video-called every night at midnight. Vietnam and the Netherlands have a five-hour time difference in summer and six in winter. The only time she could talk was after returning from school at 6 p.m. in the Netherlands, which was midnight in Vietnam. A group of students is having a discussion. Illustration photo by Pexels From what she shared, I found that Dutch university education is different from Vietnam's in several ways. First, once enrollment is complete, Dutch universities send out the full-year class schedule for all courses. In Vietnam, students usually wait until the second semester for the rest of the year's class schedule. Lectures follow the schedule strictly from the first to the last week. Lecturers show up on time, sometimes even early. Late starts rarely happen. The Psychology undergraduate program in the Netherlands lasts three years. Each year has four terms instead of two. By September 2024, when my daughter started, she already had the schedule for every course in her first year. Second, Vietnamese universities divide students into fixed classes for both general and major-specific courses, keeping the same classmates throughout. In my Chinese Studies class, I studied with the same 20-plus students for four years. At Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Psychology cohort of 20242027 has 600 students. Each course assigns groups of 20 students, but these groups change for each subject. Over three years, students rotate through different classmates. There is no fixed class of 20 students for the full program. So, students must adapt and work with everyone in their cohort. The list of students for each course is published on the university website at the start of the academic year. Third, Vietnamese public universities often run classes from Monday to Friday, 10 periods a day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the Netherlands, students have fewer class hours. They attend classes on four days a week. Each day includes one or two two-hour sessions. On weekends, my daughter books time at the faculty or university library to self-study more than 100 pages of English-language psychology material. At the start of each week, students discuss what they learned from the assigned reading. Lecturers only guide the discussions and answer difficult questions. They do not teach the entire content like in Vietnam. Student-teacher interaction in the Netherlands is strong. Classes are divided into small groups for discussions. Students can freely share their thoughts with each other. A group representative then presents the shared viewpoint to the class. Lecturers summarize the ideas from each group, explain them, and add supporting insights. This helps turn student ideas into shared class knowledge. The method requires students to study on their own and come to class well prepared. Students must prepare thoroughly before class, reading a wide range of materials tied to the topic. At the end of each session, lecturers assign reading for the next class. Teachers are no longer the center of the classroom, and their workload becomes lighter. All these methods aim to prepare students not just with core knowledge but also key skills like teamwork, independent work, creativity, decision-making, public speaking, and the habit of analyzing problems from multiple angles, including critical and opposing views. Fourth, most Vietnamese students still learn through lectures. In the Netherlands, students learn in more practical settings. They work on real-world assignments and group projects based on current issues. In the first term, my daughter joined a university project that helped immigrants adjust to life in the Netherlands. In the second term, another course required students to pair up. Each pair had to contact a foreign family with a child under 15 who spoke English. They had to sign a contract with the child's parents, get permission to schedule interviews with the child, and record both video and audio for their group assignment. Living alone in a foreign country forces students to adapt quickly. Without family or friends nearby, they must take full responsibility for their studies and stay independent, creative, and hardworking. Fifth, essay writing is still new to many Vietnamese students. In the Netherlands, students often write essays in English or Dutch. Each term includes both multiple-choice tests and essay writing. Besides writing, reading is one of the most important skills. The reading list is long. My daughter said there was too much to cover and not enough time to do it. Sixth, the Dutch grading system works differently than Vietnams. Both use 10 as the highest score, but in the Netherlands, students need 5.5 to pass instead of 5. In computer-based multiple-choice tests, Vietnam gives full marks for the right answer. But in the Netherlands, the software calculates whether a student truly understood the answer or guessed it. A guessed answer can cost students 0.6 to 0.7 points. That is why scores of 10 are rare. Most students get moderate results. Unlike in Vietnam, Dutch universities do not have 70% of students graduating with honors. In Vietnam, students can retake failed courses again and again until they pass. In the Netherlands, students only get one retake. If they fail again, they are expelled and cannot continue studying in that university. Because of this policy, far fewer students graduate than those who started. The exit process is much more demanding than in Vietnam. Seventh, age does not matter in class. Some of my daughter's classmates are over 30. They already have degrees, jobs, and families, but still study full time at university like her. In Vietnam, people with jobs usually earn second degrees through night classes, weekend programs, or remote learning. In the Netherlands, even if you already finished a degree, you must pass the entrance exam again and attend full-time classes. You cannot work and study at the same time. Because the curriculum, teaching, and grading systems are different, the quality of higher education also varies. If Vietnam wants real change in university teaching, it must reform the entire system, not just parts of it. *Dr. Vu Thi Minh Huyen is working at the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy. Artificial intelligence (AI) isnt just threatening to make jobs redundant. It may be taking over the hiring process--at least the initial screening of candidates. AI tools conduct video interviews, track every expression on the face of a candidate and throw up questions based on expertise and sector. Just like a human recruiter would do. Professional networking firm Grapevine, and companies like AssessHub, Hyring and Babblebots are helping outsourcers and retailers to realty firms screen potential hires from large pools of aspirants. Grapevine uses its Round1 solution to interview interns. Soon after launch, my AI took 100 interviews, something I wouldn't have been able to do manually," said Saumil Tripathi, co-founder and chief executive at Grapevine. Since its launch, over 15,000 users have given interviews to an AI, whether to prep themselves for future interviews or brush up their skills, he said. One or two months from now, this is what is going to be the future of hiring." Grapevines Tripathi said they are not targeting the entire interviewing process. "We want to come in initially, screen a good candidate and give it to the company." Also Read: AI, capital, startups & reforms will drive Indias growth to $8 trillion: Infosys' Nandan Nilekani Until now, AI was limited to scanning resumes and recruiters then had to shortlist candidates individually. The process was long and not cost-effective. AI is now filling in that gap. And the opportunity is growing. A report by HR solutions provider Genius Consultants shows that 45% of companies expect to hire for new permanent positions in FY26. It would be safe to assume that AI would play a role in many of these recruitments this year. Razorpay, for example, is running proof-of-concept projects that use AI for HR functions, both in the pre- and post-hiring phases of a candidate. We're evaluating AI-driven tools that can help us conduct the first one or two rounds of conversations and we may want to use that as a step for early assessment or filtering candidates," said Chitbhanu Nagri, head of human resources at the fintech company. The unicorn has partnered with MasterPrep AI for initial screening and interviews of potential employees. Razorpay is also using AI for documentation, be it writing out job descriptions or hiring guidelines for HR associates. Saving on costs, time The cost savings for clients using AI for recruitment vary, according to Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and chief executive at CIEL HR, a recruitment and staffing services provider. I've seen savings as high as 80% and as low as 20%," he said. It depends on the level of the position you're talking about as well as the number of positions. When the position is slightly junior in nature and the volume is high, then cost savings are high." Ajmera Realty has seen its recruitment timelines shrink by 20% after it bought Babblebots' offerings to automate several aspects of recruitment. Things like CV-matching, after-hours interviews and WhatsApp outreach helped cut timelines. HR could thus focus on highvalue decisionmaking instead of administrative tasks," said Shweta Rathor, assistant vice president of HR at the real estate and infrastructure firm. As a result, Rathor said, the HR team saw indirect cost savings through lower overtime, reduced agency fees, and fewer coordination overheads." A startup currently in stealth made a hire for its team using Grapevine's service. The prefiltered resumes that Grapevine gave us were helpful. I was able to get people who have the pedigree and technical talent I required," said its Singapore-based founder Chinmay Chauhan. We closed the role within a week." How AI hiring tools work In India, the information technology sector, which has fairly standardized key performance indicators and know-how, has been using AI for hiring. AI tools built for hiring can reduce what takes three months into three days and you can do tens of thousands of interviews in a very short time," says Pranav Pai, founding partner and chief investment officer at 3one4 Capital. AI can map talent, it can match the right people, source them, call and even interview," said Kamal Karanth, former director and head of Asia Pacific for Randstad, a Dutch HR consulting firm. AI can handle everything in terms of the filtering aspect of recruiting," he added. The recruitment process ends with negotiating pay and onboarding of an employee. Hyring, which offers AI-based candidate interviewing for now, gives clients access to a dashboard that lets them tweak job requirements as they see fit. This includes the desired skillset and AI-generated questions based on the requirements. It even allows users to set the level of difficulty for the questions. Mostly, its the MNCs that are using our product. Its meant for roles that have high volumes and a high churn rate," said Hyring's co-founder Adithyan RK, declining to name companies Hyring deals with, citing non-disclosure agreements. The startups video-screening platform even looks for potential clues for fraud: how many times a person swaps tabs or looks away from the screen. The tool can also check pronunciation, besides evaluating grammar and technical aptitude. Beyond tech hiring Hyrings AI tool helps retail companies to evaluate potential hires and allows colleges and universities to design mock interviews to prep their students for real-world hiring. Babblebots' AI product has been used to hire for non-technical roles at both Ajmera Realty and Welspun Enterprises. Thanks to AI, we are not limited by the technology to focus on only one type of role," said Babblebots co-founder and chief executive Roli Gupta. We can pretty much do any role." Welspun Enterprises used Babblebots to hire site engineers for projects. Babblebots helped us create specific interview questions which the AI would ask, rate and then give it to us. [From among] whoever met our cut-off percentage, our interviewer would only interview the top five or six," said Lekha Raghavan, head of HR at Welspun Enterprises. In terms of man-hours, that's over a 50% reduction in the time spent on interviewing, Raghavan said. Hyring claims to have completed over 37,000 interviews, saving 1,87,484 HR man-hours. Adithyan said the company is on track to become cash-flow positive in the next three months. Similarly, Babblebots' website claims to have conducted over 30,000 interviews, saving over 5,000 man-hours. The company expects to hit $1 million annual recurring revenue by the end of FY26, just over two years after it launched its product in 2023, according to Gupta. AssessHub, a cloud-based skill assessment platform for scouting talent, introduced an AI-led interview tool two years ago. In that time, the vertical's contribution to revenue hovered between 20% and 30%. In FY26, we expect the revenue to more than double and eventually become equally strong a revenue as generated from the rest of our verticals," said co-founder Amit Desai. The company claims to have clients including banks, retailers, financial services firms, staffing companies and a few mid-cap services firms. Long-term sustainability in doubt However, the question is whether these businesses will remain feasible. A lot of this is curiosity revenue. Enterprises are trying a lot of tools at once because everyone is trying out AI to be able to say they're tech-forward and thinking ahead. A lot of this revenue might not stick," said Pai of 3one4 Capital. Companies could end up going back to old systems of carrying out interviews, screening candidates and making calls. Or they may build HR tools in-housesomething that the Welspun Group did. Also Read: Indian VCs join a global race to back the next big AI disruptor Its global capacity centre in Ahmedabad built an in-house system for AI interviewing, helping it cut both HR costs and tech spend. The group launched a pilot with one of its group companies, and Welspun Enterprises is now rolling it out for low to mid-level hiring for high-volume roles like planning engineers and even accountants. We intend to increase our adoption by around 50%. Last year, we did it only for a few positions. This year we'll do it for more positions," said Raghavan. Success not guaranteed Not everyone has had success with AI videos for initial interviews. CIEL HR, which received Sebi approval to go public in February, said its video solution was received poorly. People didn't feel very safe to have a conversation with an AI and whether they can disclose specific information," said CEO Mishra. The company now uses AI agents by HYRGPT and AssessHub to streamline what Mishra calls the transactional" parts of recruitment like scheduling interviews, dos and don'ts, and documentation needed. Also, there is not much to distinguish AI hiring tools. Currently, there are no moats; all the products look the same," said 3one4 Capital's Pai. The margins are lower than SaaS because running an LLM (large language model), the cost of running GUPs [to process AI computing] is much higher." Stock market news: Indian benchmark indices started the day positively on Monday, bolstered by robust foreign investor inflows and optimistic signals from the global market. The Nifty 50 index increased by 100 points, reaching 24,447.65, marking a gain of 0.41%, while the Sensex rose by 374 points to 80,876.92, reflecting an increase of 0.47%. Market analysts suggest that the sustained foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows and positive sentiment surrounding India-US trade talks have enhanced investor confidence. Sensex and Nifty 50, saw a minor uptick on Friday, ending off day's high, as investors resorted to profit-booking at higher levels. Optimism surrounding a potential India-US trade deal, record high April GST collection, and continuous inflow of foreign funds, was offset by potential geopolitical tensions brewing between India and Pakistan. The 30-share BSE Sensex trimmed most of the intraday gains to settle 259.75 points, or 0.32%, higher at 80,501.99. During the day, the benchmark jumped 935.69 points or 1.16% to 81,177.93. The NSE Nifty 50 closed 12.50 points, or 0.05%, higher at 24,346.70 amid high volatility. Positive global market cues also supported the Indian stock market, however, cautiousness on the domestic front weighed on the sentiment. Dharmesh Shah, Vice President at ICICI Securities, expects a possibility of knee-jerk reaction on escalation of geopolitical worries, but advises investors not to panic but rather build quality portfolios from medium to long term perspective amid ongoing Q4 results season. Shah has recommended one stock to buy for short-term. Here's what he expects from Indian stock market next week, along with his stock recommendation. Market Outlook by Dharmesh Shah, Vice President, ICICI Securities 1. Equity benchmark witnessed a lacklustre week amid stock specific action and settled the truncated week with marginal gains. In line with our expectation, the Nifty 50 index witnessed stiff resistance around 24,500 on multiple occasion in current week, indicating profit booking at higher levels. However, the index relatively outperformed the Broader market as it gained 1.2%. Meanwhile, beaten down Infra & Realty index witnessed pickup activity where it gained, 2.3% and 2.6% respectively for the week. 2. The weekly price action resulted in a small bull candle with long upper shadow, indicating prolonged consolidation after recent sharp up move. However, formation of higher high- low signifies that broader uptrend remains intact. Additionally, the ratio chart of Nifty 50/Nifty Midcap witnessed falling trendline breakout suggesting the benchmark to continue its outperformance. 3. In the upcoming week, we expect volatility to remain elevated tracking geopolitical worries wherein Nifty 50 is likely to consolidate in the broader range of 24,500-23,500 zone and witness stock specific amid earning season. On the oscillator front, the weekly stochastic oscillator is in overbought territory (placed at 92), indicating the ongoing breather to continue. However, we expect the market to trade with a positive bias where the current breather would help index to form higher base and close above 24,500 which will further fuel the rally towards the psychological mark of 25,000. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 200: Mehul Kothari recommends three shares to buy or sell 4. For the coming week, strong support is placed at 23,800-23,500 zone. Meanwhile, on the upside, 24,500 would continue to act as immediate resistance. 5. In current scenario, possibility of knee-jerk reaction on escalation of geopolitical worries cannot be ruled out. However, historical evidences suggest that market will eventually stabilise. Hence, we advise not to panic but rather build quality portfolios from medium to long term perspective amid ongoing earning season. 6. There has been an ancient market saying of sell in May and go away. However, the historical data suggests that the Nifty 50 has witnessed positive returns in 9 out of 12 years (2013-2024) with an average return of 2.1%. This makes us believe that any dip amid volatility related to domestic and global factors should be capitalized a buying opportunity. 7. The blend of following parameters makes us believe that the index has formed a durable bottom. Tracking the historical data, benchmark index has staged a strong rebound after approaching the price and time wise correction. Key point to highlight is that, the current up move is backed by the faster pace of retracement, indicating structural turnaround that has been further validated by significant improvement in momentum, breadth as well as sentiment indicators. 8. Amidst ongoing volatility, following are the key monitorable which would act as tailwind: a) Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and US b) Continuation of FII's inflow c) Further strengthening of Rupee post 1.5% of correction in last week augurs well for equity market. d) Decline in Brent crude oil prices Stocks To Buy This Week - Dharmesh Shah Dharmesh Shah of ICICI Securities recommends buying Sun Pharmaceutical Industries shares. Buy Sun Pharmaceutical Industries shares in the price range of 1,780 - 1,833. He has Sun Pharma share price target of 2,040, and suggests maintaining a stop loss of 1,687. Disclaimer: The Research Analyst or his relatives or I-Sec do not have actual/beneficial ownership of 1% or more securities of the subject company, at the end of 02/05/2025 or have no other financial interest and do not have any material conflict of interest. Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide (1862) is widely considered the first-ever cocktail book to be published, followed by The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. Both catered to fellow bartenders and simply featured recipes with no real style or structure. David Emburys The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks (1948) was the first book to give readers a chance to peruse and appreciate a cocktail book. Even today, spirit aficionados and experts agree there is no fixed approach to reading about spirits and cocktails. The best way to get started is to dip your toes in what interests you, whether its cocktail history, a deep dive into a spirit of your choice or picking inspiring memoirs, and take it from there. Spirits are a very interesting category of books. There are so many stories waiting to be discovered beyond the technical aspects of cocktail recipes. As consumers, were so well-travelled today, and know so much more about spirits that it needs to reflect in our reading choices as well," says Vikram Achanta, co-founder of 30 Best Bars and author of Shaker Sutra, one of Indias first cocktail books. Also read: Squid cocktails and bone marrow shots at this new bar in Mumbai I recommend starting with something light like The History of the World in 6 Glasses. This breezy book follows the author Tom Standages journey of trying beer, wines, rum, tea, coffee and Coke across the world," says Ajit Balgi, founder, The Happy High Bar Consultants & Bartending Academy in Mumbai. Maybe start with an encyclopedia, suggests Gagan Sharma, a certified sommelier and founder of education solutions provider Indulge India. More specifically, The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Wine, Beer, Spirits and Liqueurs by Walton Stuart to build a solid foundation about the most important spirit categories," he says, and also recommends Oz Clarke and Margaret Rands Grapes and Wines for its humorous tone of explaining things. Arijit Bose, the man behind Bar Spirit Forward and Wine in Progress in Bengaluru and Bar Outrigger in Goa, recommends English author Michael Jacksons books on beer and whisky. His books are engaging and have the right amount of information to get you started. If you want to learn about bars and making drinks, go for Gary Regans The Joy Of Mixology," he suggests. For the sheer joy of reading, he recommends David Wondrich, the former drinks columnist for Esquire and Daily Beast, and drinks historian Anistatia Miller. Wines are one of the easiest spirits to find reading inspiration from, thanks to their long history and dedicated experts writing exhaustively about the spirit. Among these, Sonal Holland, Indias only master of wine, particularly recommends wine legend Jancis Robinsons World Atlas of Wine as well as the 24-Hour Wine Expert. While the World Atlas is considered as the Bible of wine books, 24-Hour Wine Expert is written specifically for beginners that can take anyone curious about wines from zero to hero in one day," Holland says. Her most interesting recommendation, though, is Gerard Bassets Tasting Victory. Basset is known as one of only three people in the world to have the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles to his name. Both of these are the most coveted and difficult titles to achieve in the world and this book is sort of his memoir where he talks about his personal journey. Basset has left an indelible mark on everyone in the wine world, including me, with his insights and humbleness during our meetings," she says. Other recommendations include Benjamin Lewis Wine Myths and Reality, Madeline Puckettes Wine Folly, Karen McNeils Wine Bible and Aldo Sohms Wine Simple. For the sheer joy of reading, Bose recommends books by David Wondrich, the former drinks columnist for Esquire and Daily Beast and drinks historian Anistatia Miller, both of whom have written prolifically about spirits. I also personally like Charles Bakers The Gentlemans Companion that combines food, travel and drinks from the Prohibition Era. An underrated category is picking up books written by popular bars such as The Savoy Cocktail Book, Death & Co Cocktail Book and Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide To Classic Cocktails." Some of the most internationally well-known mixologists today are also certified authors with a body of work that is well worth diving into. Bose recommends books by contemporaries such as Holly Grahams Cocktails of Asia, Ryan Chetiyawardanas Good Things To Drink and Matt Whileys The Modern Cocktail to understand the current scene in the bartending world today. Balgi bats for Indian titles such as Achantas Shaker Sutra and The Cant Go Wrong Book of Mocktails by Shatbhi Basu, widely regarded as Indias first female mixologist. Another book that Achanta received as a farewell gift from Minakshi Singh of Delhis popular bar Sidecar fame when she quit Tulleeho in 2008 is Bill Yennes Guinness: The 250 Year Quest For The Perfect Pint that details the history of Irelands most popular stout beer. To round off, he suggests his favourite. I love books that take me on a journey, something that Iain Banks Raw Spirit does exceptionally well in his search for the perfect dram across multiple distillery visits through Scotland." 5 most commonly recommended books The Joy of Mixology by Gary Regan Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold Cocktail Codex by Alex day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan Whisky: The Definitive World Guide by Michael Jackson Wine Folly by Madeline Puckette Also read: Why classic cocktails will never go out of style Priyanko Sarkar is a Mumbai-based writer covering the F&B industry. Only weeks ago, reporters covering state-level Delhi politics were filling column inches about a storm-in-a-teacup controversy. The Aam Aadmi Party, recently removed from power following the assembly elections, claimed that the new victors, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had removed a portrait of the revolutionary Bhagat Singh from the chief ministers office. The BJP replied with a quick denial and hastily shot video rebuttals. To the unschooled observer, it might seem strange that circa 2025, Indian politicians are devoting so much time to the symbolic significance of Bhagat Singh. But thats the grip on the imagination that Bhagat Singh and the other revolutionaries of that era like Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru, among others, continue to have. I was powerfully reminded of this phenomenon while reading A Glimpse of My Life by Ram Prasad Bismil" (1897-1927), translated into English by Awadhesh Tripathi (the original Hindi memoir is called Nij Jeevan ki ek Chhata). The book is a part of the Chronicles" series of Indian non-fiction conceived by the Ashoka Centre for Translation at Ashoka University. Bismil was a poet, writer, translator and front-line revolutionary involved in the famous Kakori train robbery of 9 August 1925 alongside the likes of Azad, Ashfaqullah Khan and Rajendra Lahiri. The group looted bags full of tax money collected by the British government from a train travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow. Years later Bismil was captured, convicted and eventually hanged for his role in the operation. A Glimpse of My Life presents his life story in a linear, largely chronological order. The book begins from his childhood in Tomarghat village near Gwalior, the midsection moves on to his youth and revolutionary exploits in the 1920s, and the final section is a kind of manifesto-cum-prison-diary, peppered with occasional verses of both mystic and nationalistic poetry. To my mind, this book is a reminder of why the writings of Indian revolutionaries form a sort of alt-history of the interwar period in India. Specifically, the writings of Bismil, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, among others, bust three major myths, which have been sustained and encouraged by mass-media depictions, such as the countless biopics produced by Hindi and Punjabi-language cinema, an honourable exception being Raj Kumar Santoshis sincere and kinetic The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002). View Full Image A Glimpse of My Life: By Ram Prasad Bismil, translated by Awadhesh Kumar Tripathi, Penguin Random House India, 216 pages, 399 The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries were primarily youthful daredevils whose greatest feats were more physical than intellectual. The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries were monomaniacally focused on expelling the British, and therefore had no plans for what came after" for the newly-independent India in terms of laws and policies. The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries, on account of their relative lack of experience, were not sufficiently cognizant of the fault lines within Indian societies, especially with respect to gender, caste and religion. To the first point, let us consider Bismil: throughout A Glimpse of My Life, there are copious quotations of well-known lines from Kabir, the Gita and several other foundational Indian texts. A bit of a polyglot, Bismil was fluent in Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Bangla and probably a few other languages we do not know of. Indeed, in the original Hindi text, the narration of life events takes place in the Khari Boli register of Hindi typical of the 1910s and 1920s. But the couplets he composes and sprinkles liberally over the text are all in either Urdu or braj bhasha, a completely different Hindi/Hindustani-adjacent register. Also read: 'White Lilies': Life and death on the mean roads of Delhi As the moment of execution drew near, Bismil recited some of his own lines: Maalik teri raza rahe aur tu hi tu rahe/ baaki na main rahun, na meri aarzoo rahe./ Jab tak ki tan mein jaan ragon mein lahu rahe/ Tera hi zikreyaar, teri justujoo rahe (Lord, may your will prevail and may you prevail/ Neither I nor my desire may remain./ Till there is life in the body and blood in my veins/ May you be remembered and longed for). These were remarkably thoughtful and prescient young people with a cosmopolitan ease in the way they read and wrote about the dominant cultural and social issues of the day. In The Bhagat Singh Reader (edited by Chaman Lal and published by HarperCollins India in 2019), there is a letter Singh wrote to his beloved comrade Sukhdev Thapar on the subject of suicide. It starts on predictable lines, with the query: Is suicide justified for the revolutionary in the face of imminent capture? But the letter soon branches out to become something considerably stranger and more wide-ranging. At one point, Singh launches into a kind of comparative criticism mini-essay about realism in Indian vs Russian literature. Perhaps you recall that we have talked several times about the fact that the realism that one finds in Russian literature everywhere is not seen at all in our literature. We really admire the painful and sorrowful situations in their stories, but do not feel the sensation of going through that pain. We praise their intense passion and their characters to unprecedented heights, but never trouble to ponder over their reasons. I would say that it is the delineation of suffering in their literature that gives sensitivity, a sharp pang of pain and nobility to their characters." Reading Bhagat Singh makes you realise the true scale of the revolutionaries intellectual ambitions and nation-building vision. In his letters Singh describes his vision for a socialist Indian republic where caste, gender and religion-based discrimination would be eliminated, where agrarian and labour laws would give the working-class lives dignity and security. He would cite everyone, from Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill to the Romantic poets, to support his arguments. His boundless curiosity and rhetorical flair, impressive for a man still in his mid-20s, were proof that India lost a future statesman with his passing. And Singh could be funny in a sardonic way, too, like when he writes about his British-loving classmates at college and their servile behaviour. Subhas Chandra Boses unfinished memoir An Indian Pilgrim also has several funny episodes from his youth as well as his military career. While headed by ship to Cambridge, for example, the beleaguered Bose had to put up with the company of a pair of irritating, henpecked men who he describes with deadpan restraint. One fellow-passenger had been ordered by his wife not to touch beef. By another passenger he was tricked into taking copta curry" of beef (which he thoroughly enjoyed) under the impression that it was mutton copta curry". Great was his remorse when he discovered his mistake after twelve hours. Another passenger had orders from his fiancee to write a letter every day. He spent his time reciting love-poems and talking about her. Whether we liked it or not, we had to listen." Above all, these revolutionaries had the humility to concede that their paths were exceptional, and not replicable in a widespread way. Indeed, towards the end of A Glimpse of My Life, Bismil came to a similar conclusion. He suggests that for the average educated young man, organizing the working class and the farmers into unions" was even more important than secret revolutionary work". Its useful to remember that Bismil wrote this at the back end of his imprisonment, when he already knew his fate. He was thinking of the future of the nation even as his own ran the clock. It takes rare mettle to be able to collect ones thoughts in such circumstances, which is a big reason why these books by Indians revolutionaries remain enduringly relevant. Also read: Looking back at the intertwined legacies of Tagore and Ray India seeks "partners" rather than "preachers," and Europe must demonstrate "sensitivity" and a "mutuality of interest" to deepen ties with New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Sunday, in a pointed critique of certain European nations' responses to major geopolitical upheavals, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During an interactive session, Jaishankar observed that Europe has "entered a certain zone of reality check" as he elaborated on the subtleties of India's stance of "Russia realism" and the significance of the relationship between the two countries. He emphasised that India has consistently advocated "Russia realism," highlighting the "important fit" and "complementarity" between India and Russia, with the latter serving as a vital resource provider and India as a key consumer. These remarks came amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to broker a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. In the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, New Delhi remained engaged with Moscow and enhanced its procurement of Russian crude oil which triggered criticism from the West. Responding to a question on India's expectations from Europe, Jaishankar said it has to get beyond preaching and start acting based on a framework of mutuality. "When we look out at the world, we look for partners; we do not look for preachers, particularly preachers who do not practice at home and preach abroad," he said. "I think some of Europe is still struggling with that problem. Some of it has changed," Jaishankar said at the Arctic Circle India Forum while interacting with former Iceland President OG Grimsson and Observer Research Foundation's Samir Saran. His comments came two days after European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the rising tensions between India and Pakistan "are alarming" and asked both sides to "show restraint" following the Pahalgam terror attack. Many observers on social media criticised her comments for drawing a parallel between the victim and the aggressor. In his remarks, the external affairs minister criticised earlier attempts by the West to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict without involving Moscow saying it "challenged the basics of realism". "Just like I am an advocate of Russia realism, I am also an advocate of America realism," he said at the 'Arctic Circle India Forum'. "I think the best way to engage today's America is also through finding mutuality of interests rather than putting ideological differences upfront and then allowing it to cloud the possibilities of working together," he said. The external affairs minister was broadly delving into the global consequences of developments in the Arctic and how the changing world order impacts the region. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar said India has always been "very careful not to prescribe a solution".jaishankar "We have not told one or the other party to do this or do that. And that is important to remember because that is a courtesy that is not always granted to us. So we get advice on what we should be doing," he said, in another dig at the West. In answering a question on India's expectations from Europe, Jaishankar said it has to get beyond preaching and start acting based on a framework of mutuality. "When we look out at the world, we look for partners; we do not look for preachers, particularly preachers who do not practice at home and preach abroad," he said. "I think some of Europe is still struggling with that problem. Some of it has changed." The external affairs minister said Europe has "entered a certain zone of reality check". "Now whether they are able to step up to it or not, it is something we will have to see," he said. Also Read | Jaishankar Explains How India Navigated US & China "But from our point of view, if we are to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, there has to be some sensitivity, there has to be a mutuality of interest and there has to be a realisation of how the world works," he noted. "And I think these are all work in progress to differing degrees with different parts of Europe. So some have moved further, some a little bit less," Jaishankar said. On India-Russia ties, he said there is such an "important fit and complimentarily" between the two countries as a "resource provider and resource consumer". "Where Russia is concerned, we have always taken a view that there is a Russia realism that we have advocated." "When passions were very high (in) 2022, 2023... if one looks back at that period, the kind of predictions and scenarios which were put forward have turned out not to be well founded," he said The external affairs minister criticised the thinking in the past in the West that a solution to the conflict in Ukraine could emerge without involving Russia. "The idea that you will get a solution out of Russia without inviting Russia challenged the basics of realism. We have always felt that there is a need to engage Russia. Nobody wants war, particularly in a very interdependent world. These are lose-lose situations," he said. "I think for us, to engage Russia, if there is any way we can be of help, we have always been very open about it." Having said that, we have always been very careful not to prescribe a solution. Jaishankar said India is not necessarily siding with one party or the other. "But we always felt that international relations are conducted on the basis of some fundamental realism and that realism requires an engagement with Russia," he said. "Europe had a selective belief in their indivisibility of the world. When it liked the world to be connected, they believed in indivisibility, when it didn't there is a fortress in Europe," he said. An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday as there was a missile attack near the airport in the Israeli capital, according to news agency PTI. Subsequently, Air India flights to and from Tel Aviv have been suspended till May 6. An airport official at Tel Aviv also confirmed the diversion of the flight, as per AFP. The attack took place less than an hour before the flight was to land at Tel Aviv, PTI reported quoting sources. The Air India flight AI139, operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, will be coming back to Delhi, the sources added. According to data available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the Air India flight in question was in the airspace of Jordan when the authorities decided to divert it to Abu Dhabi. Air India's flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been cancelled for Sunday. Air traffic to the Tel Aviv airport was briefly suspended after a missile launched from Yemen landed near the Tel Aviv airport. Air India issues statement, flights suspended till May 6 Hours after the diversion, Air India issued a statement regarding the incident. Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 3 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi, it said. A spokesperson for the company said its flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till May 6. Consequently, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements, as per the statement. Other airlines suspend, cancel flights Some flights, including by Air India, TUS Airways and Lufthansa Group, were cancelled. Others, including to U.S. airports Newark and JFK, were delayed by about 90 minutes, as per Reuters. British Airways said it was suspending all flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 7. "We continually monitor operating conditions and have made the decision to suspend all our flights to and from Tel Aviv, up to and including BA405 on Wednesday, 7 May," the airline said in a statement sent to AFP. German carrier Lufthansa and Spanish airline Air Europa have also halted flight operations to and from Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Delta Airlines has cancelled its flight from the JFK airport to Tel Aviv scheduled for Sunday. Also Read | Air India to temporarily extend duty, rest for long haul crew amid Pak ban Also Read | Bengaluru-bound Air India passengers stranded over 24 hours in Saudi Arabia Customers will be offered a full refund on cancellation or one time waiver on fee for rescheduling. Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 3 and 6 May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority, the spokesperson said in the statement. Missile attack on Israel A missile landed inside the perimeter of Israel's main airport on Sunday. Six people were injured in the attack, while flight operations were halted reported AFP. The missile gouged a wide crater on the impacted area. The responsibility of the attack was claimed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Also Read | Israel strikes near Syria's presidential palace in Damascus over Druze violence The Houthi rebels have been striking Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before top Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the countrys military operations in the Gaza Strip. A plume of smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. Claiming responsibility for the strike, the Houthis' military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Israel's main airport was no longer safe for air travel. In a statement after the strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "Whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold." Pahalgam Attack: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has warned against treating Kashmiris as collateral damage and counterterrorism measures getting reflected as collective punishment in the aftermath of last month's Pahalgam terror attack. Mehdi, the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, raised questions after the body of a 22-year-old youth Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray from South Kashmir was recovered on Sunday, days after allegedly being picked up by security forces for questioning. Also Read | Owaisi backs govt on Pahalgam response, urges clarity on action and time I am deeply worried by the recovery of 22-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray's body from a stream in Kulgam. According to credible reports, Imtiyaz was picked up by the security forces days ago, and today, he was returned to his family, lifeless, Mehdi said in a statement on Sunday. Residents of a village in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir recovered the body of a Magray on Sunday amid allegations that the deceased was picked by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Police have denied the 'custodial death' allegations by the family. This follows disturbing allegations by family members of those who were recently killed in Kupwara and Baramulla, raising serious questions about the pattern of abuse, Mehdi said, supporting the family's demand for a swift and independent investigation into Imtiyaz's death while asserting that full accountability for all involved must be upheld. This follows disturbing allegations by family members of those who were recently killed in Kupwara and Baramulla, raising serious questions about the pattern of abuse, Mehdi said, supporting the family's demand for a swift and independent investigation into Imtiyaz's death while asserting that full accountability for all involved must be upheld. Mehdi's remarks came amid escalating tensions and Pakistan's downgraded diplomatic relations with India after the worst-ever terror attack on civilians in twenty-five years in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on 22 April. Mehdi had earlier questioned the detention of over 2000 Kashmiris after the Pahalgaam attack. Collective punishment? Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Arbitrary detentions, custodial killings and torture was violations of every democratic and legal principle. Counterterrorism is increasingly getting reflected as collective punishment, Mehdi said in the statement. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: PM Modi meets Indian Air Force Chief Marshal AP Singh Another NC leader and Jammu and Kashmir minister Sakina Itoo met the deceased's family on Sunday. "He was a young man who worked a labourer. He used to work outside Kashmir and returned two weeks ago. He was picked up by security forces for investigation a few days ago. I wanted to request the L-G to order a judicial probe in his death," she said. Some reports in the media quoted police sources saying Imtiyaz was an overground worker (OGW) Earlier in the day, People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said there were serious allegations of foul play in the death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray whose body was fished out from the Adbal stream in the Aharbal area of Kulgam district this morning. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and started an investigation to ascertain the cause of death. Serious allegations of foul play: Mehbooba "Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam, raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the army two days ago, and now, mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river," Mehbooba, the former Chief Minister of Kashmir, said in a post on X She said the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam appears to be a calculated attempt to derail the fragile peace, disrupt tourism in Kashmir and undermine communal harmony across the country. "If a single act of violence can shake the entire system, triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the targeting of innocent civilians, then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective," she said. Mehbooba called for an impartial investigation into the death. Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "Allegations of misconduct, whether in Bandipora encounter or in this latest incident in Kulgam are deeply troubling and warrant a thorough impartial investigation," she added. Died by suicide, says Police The body of Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, a resident of Tangmarg in south Kashmir's Kulgam, was recovered from a stream on Sunday. The family said Magray was picked up by the Army some days ago, and alleged it was a case of custodial killing. Police, however, claim he jumped into the river while leading authorities to a terrorist hideout. They said that Magray had confessed to having knowledge of a terrorist hideout and tried to escape while making his way there. "Today morning, when CASO (cordon and search operation) was launched, the deceased went to the hideout spot (near the riverbed) under close supervision via videographed drone. Consequently, he jumped into Veshaw Nalla and probably tried to escape via the river route," the police said. "It is also learnt that he was aware of the first terrorist hideout that was busted by security forces in the Tangmarg forest, where contact was established on 23 April. Police said that while locating the second terrorist hideout.He jumped into the river and died by suicide, they said. The first batch of Hajj 2025 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir is ready to depart for Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, May 4. According to reports, 178 pilgrims are set to begin their sacred journey from Srinagar International Airport, marking the start of this years Hajj season from the region. The 178 pilgrims include 96 men and 82 women, DD News reported. When is Hajj 2025? Hajj takes place between the 8th-13th of Dhul Hijjah each year. This year, Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 to June 9, 2025, as per the Gregorian Calendar, depending on the sighting of the moon. Hajj concludes with Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice', the second of the two main festivals in Islam. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during the 12th Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah or Zil-hajj, specifically from the 8th to the 12th of that month. Where does it take place in Saudi Arabia? Hajj is performed in Makkah, present-day Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage involves a series of rites and rituals at various locations near Makkah. The key locations include: 1. The city of Makkah 2. The tent settlement of Mina 3. Mount Arafah 4. Muzdalifah What is Hajj 2025 dress code for men and women? During Hajj, Muslim men wear a special outfit called the Ihram. It is made up of two plain white cloths. One part is wrapped around the waist (izar) and the other over the shoulder (rida). They cannot wear underwear, socks or stitched clothes, and their heads must stay uncovered. For women, Ihram doesnt need a special garment. They can wear any modest, loose-fitting clothes that cover the full body, except the face and hands. Simple outfits like long dresses, tunics with pants or abayas are fine. Shoes must cover the whole foot, and women should carry scarves or shawls to cover their heads and shoulders. 'Mahram' This year's Hajj marks not just a spiritual milestone for pilgrims, but also a significant moment of empowerment and inclusion for women travelling without a Mahram under new policies, news agency ANI reported. As many as 620 deputationists (266 administrative and 354 medical) have been selected this year to assist CGI Jeddah in effective Haj management in Saudi Arabia, to serve Indian Haj pilgrims. Hajj 2025: Fine for violations A fine of up to Saudi Riyals 100,000 (INR 22,68,536) will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa for an individual who has performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or who has entered or stayed in Mecca city and the holy sites during the specified period. Here is the list of penalties announced by the government. 'Thousands of Pakistani pilgrims to miss out on Hajj 2025' Only 23,620 private Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will be able to perform this year's pilgrimage, leaving over 67,000 others unable to participate, with only a day remaining before the first flight departs, ARY News reported. A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer, who was sacked on Saturday for allegedly concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed he had proof that he had informed his department. Constable Munir Ahmed was dismissed from service for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa," a CRPF statement said on Saturday. He was posted with the 41 Battalion of CRPF. Ahmad claims he informed his department While talking to ANI on Sunday, after his dismissal from CRPF, Ahmed claimed he had informed his department about his wedding twice once before and then after. Ahmed married Meenal Khan, a Pakistani national, on March 24, 2024 via a video call. Our wedding happened on 24 May 2024 through video conference. She is my cousin they stay in Pakistan. Before partition, both families stayed together here (India), he said. According to Ahmed, he wrote a letter to the CRPF on December 31, 2022, asking for permission to marry Meenal. He said he had also submitted the wedding card, as asked for by the CRPF. Meenal Khan, a Pakistani national, married to Munir Ahmed, leaves for her country, in Jammu, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Munir Ahmed was dismissed from CRPF for 'concealing' his marriage to a Pakistani national and for 'harbouring his wife' beyond the validity of her visa. Initially he claimed that in 2023, the CRPF had rejected his letter which informed about the marriage, however in 2024, after his letter was sent through multiple officials of CRPF and ultimately to headquarters in New Delhi, he had received a confirmation that CRPF had acknowledged the marriage. He also claimed that he had written to his department one more time after his wedding, and submitted the wedding photos, along with his marriage certificate. Also Read | Owaisi backs govt on Pahalgam response, urges clarity on action and time "I was already working in CRPF before marriage, and to get permission for the marriage and inform the headquarters, I had written a letter on December 31, 2022, they had objected to certain things and returned the letter on January 24, 2023. In that letter the marriage's card and all information was there, I had given it all to the 72 CRPF battalion in Sunderbani," the former CRPF constable told ANI at his residence in Jammu. After the wedding, I informed my department again. I submitted the marriage certificate, wedding photos. On 28th February 2025, she got the visa and reached India. I informed my battalion once my wife arrived, Ahmed added. I sent the visa copy to the deputy commandant. We had applied for a long-term visa on 4th March 2025, and field verification happened. We had an interview with FRRO Jammu. I was told they are sending positive recommendation for visa, he said. Ahmed claims to have proof, appeals to PM Modi Ahmed claimed to have documents as proof that he had informed his department about his marriage to a Pakistani national. He also appealed to PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for justice. The reason they have told me is that I kept my wife here and did not inform the department. But, I did inform my department, I have proof, I submitted the document and informed them he said. Munir Ahmed, who was dismissed from CRPF for 'concealing' his marriage with a Pakistani woman, displays photos of his marriage, in Jammu, Sunday, May 4, 2025. Yesterday, suddenly I was informed that I have been dismissed from service. I want to appeal to PM and Union Home Minister, I want justice, I am a jawan, why did this happen? I have been giving all details to my department, the former CRPF officer told ANI. He detailed that he had met with the commandant of the CRPF battalion too, and eventually his letter was sent through proper channels to Jammu sector CRPF, to SDG, and finally to Delhi headquarters of CRPF, where he received a reply from them. "I met with the Commandant sir, and the letter was sent through proper channels, DIG range, then Jammu sector RG CRPF, then SDG, it went till CRPF Delhi. There it took around five months, then we got a reply, where they had said that the rule clearly states that the department has to be notified. In that reply it was written clearly that I had informed the department," Ahmed said. He further showed the letter to ANI, claiming that the letter mentions that the applicant had informed about the marriage before. "I had informed before marriage and after too. The letter dated April 30 2024 clearly states that, and there is nothing written about an NOC." What the CRPF said in its statement The CRPF, in a statement released on Saturday, said Ahmed's actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security." In a matter of serious concern, CT/GD Munir Ahmed of 41 Battalion of CRPF has been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa. His actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security, the CRPF's statement said. The central government had cancelled all issued visas to Pakistani nationals following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam district, which killed 26 civilians on April 22. The government had directed Pakistani nationals with short-term visa, as well as Islamabad's top military attaches in India, to leave the country. Jammu and Kashmir: Three Army personnel were killed when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 700-feet deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Sunday, May 4. The army truck was part of a convoy moving from Jammu to Srinagar along National Highway 44 when the accident occurred near Battery Chashma at around 11.30 am, the officials said. The deceased soldiers' bodies have been retrieved from the gorge, and are being transported to the District Hospital in Ramban, inspector Parihar told news agencies. The deceased were identified as sepoys Amit Kumar, Sujeet Kumar and Man Bahadur. The extent of the crash was such that the army vehicle was reduced into a mangled heap of metal, PTI reported. Joint rescue operation launched Officials said a joint rescue operation was launched immediately by army, police, SDRF and local volunteers and three soldiers, travelling in the vehicle, were found dead on-the-spot. Ramban flash floods In other news, flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall, left Ramban reeling during Easter. Three people including two children lost their lives, as the floods washed away scores of houses and roads. The flash floods also led to landslides that blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), and left hundreds stranded on the 250-kilometre stretch, the only all-weather road that links Kashmir with the rest of India. Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Gunfight breaks out in Bandipora amid search operations While talking to reporters, locals in the region said the flash floods completely washed away a whole market, which was home to around 20-25 shops. Three soldiers dead in Bandipora In January this year, three Indian Army soldiers were killed and three others critically injured in a road accident in the SK Payeen area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district after an Army vehicle skidded off the Bandipora-Srinagar road and plunged into a deep gorge. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. The Orthodox community in Azerbaijan is an important factor in interstate relations with Russia, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan as he met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Trend reports. "We traditionally demonstrate great sympathy, respect, and mutual support for each other, and I am glad that strong ties between our peoples form such a foundation for interstate relations. Of course, the Orthodox community in Azerbaijan is an important factor in interstate relations. I am sure that, like all of us, they will be very pleased with your visit. In our comprehensive exchange on this issue, we spoke about the interfaith and interethnic peace, understanding, and mutual support in Azerbaijan. This is an important factor in the sustainable development of our countries. Otherwise, there can be no talk of any development. We are very glad that the Orthodox community, as representatives of the Russian community, actively participates in the development of our country, contributing to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and together with all other representatives of the numerous peoples living in Azerbaijan, makes a great contribution to the overall development of our country," said President Ilham Aliyev. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Saturday (May 3) the launch of the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana and directed the establishment of "Take Home Ration (THR)" units in all districts of the state. According to a statement, the decision was taken in an effort to combat malnutrition and foster a healthier future for the state. "The scheme will focus on providing nutritious meals and support to vulnerable families," the statement said. Also Read | EPFOs scheme more beneficial for construction workers: Regional provident fund commissioner Who will benefit? Under the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana, nutritious morning meals will be provided to children aged 3 to 6 years registered at Anganwadi centres. "Our goal is to create a malnutrition-free Uttar Pradesh," Adityanath was quoted as saying. "This scheme is a crucial step in ensuring that every child receives the nutrition they need to thrive," he said. A post on X by Yogi Adityanath's office stated that this scheme "will be a big gift for poor families identified under Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Zero Poverty Mission." "Aspirational districts and development blocks should be benefited from this scheme," it added. What is Take Home Ration (THR) programme? The scheme will also focus on expanding the Take Home Ration (THR) programme. Currently, THR units operate in 43 districts, but the chief minister has ordered the establishment of these units in all 75 districts, news agency PTI reported. Yogi Adityanath stressed the importance of incorporating local products like amla, millets and jaggery into the recipe-based THR to enhance its nutritional value and variety. "We must use our local resources to create nutritious and appealing food for our children," Adityanath stated. Furthermore, the chief minister directed officials to ensure 100 per cent transparency and quality in the production, packaging and distribution of THR. He also ordered the regular monitoring of stunting, underweight and wasting among children to track the scheme's effectiveness. Adityanath called for close coordination between local administration, health and child development departments to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives. How to apply, when will it begin Without giving any further details, CM Yogi Adityanath said that a detailed action plan regarding the scheme will be prepared as soon as possible. Has there been a similar scheme in UP? The Uttar Pradesh government had reportedly launched the "Mukhyamantri Saksham Poshan Yojana" in the financial year 2021-22 to address the problem of malnutrition among women and children. Under this scheme, along with dry ration, additional nutrition was provided to identified malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years registered at Anganwadi centres and non-school-going adolescent girls aged 11-14 years suffering from anaemia, a report claimed. Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22nd Pahalgam terrorist attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Sunday. Earlier, PM Modi emphasised India's commitment to decisive action against terrorism and those who support it. Watch the video here Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met the prime minister on Saturday and briefed him on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea, PTI reported. Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was convened the next day. The government has granted the armed forces full operational autonomy to determine the strategy, targets, and timing of India's response. Earlier on Friday, the IAF conducted a flypast and operational exercise on Friday along the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, India, May 02, 2025: IAF fighter jets and transport planes, including helicopters, tested the Ganga Expressway's emergency airstrip in Shahjahanpur on Friday afternoon. The air show included fighter jets like Rafale, Mirage, and Jaguar practising touch-and-go manoeuvres on the 3.5 km airstrip in Shahjapur, Uttar Pradesh, India on Friday, May 02, 2025. (Photo by Hindustan Times) As part of the drill, the IAF performed take-off and landing operations on a 3.5-kilometre stretch of an airstrip located in Shahjahanpur, which is part of the under-construction Ganga Expressway project. Opposition parties have extended their full support to the government's efforts in responding to the recent terror attack, affirming unity against those responsible. During a briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), officials highlighted the cross-border linkages involved in the incident. It was also noted that the attack occurred shortly after the successful conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and amid the regions ongoing economic growth and development. In response, the government has announced a series of strong measures, including the decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, as a clear signal to Pakistan over its alleged support for cross-border terrorism. Pakistani troops continued their pattern of unprovoked small arms firing across multiple sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a strong and effective response from the Indian Army, officials said on Sunday. This marks the 10th consecutive night of cross-border firing, occurring amid escalating tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, most of them tourists. According to officials, ceasefire violations were reported from eight locations across five districts of the Union Territory during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. During the night of May 3 and 4, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J&K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately, a defence spokesperson said. The ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border (IB) have been very rare since India and Pakistan renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. Understanding the Line of Control (LoC) India shares a total of 3,323 km of border with Pakistan, divided into three parts: the International Border (IB), approximately 2,400 km from Gujarat to the northern banks of the Chenab River in Akhnoor, Jammu; the Line of Control (LoC), 740 km long, running from parts of Jammu to parts of Leh; and the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), 110 km long, dividing the Siachen region from NJ 9842 to Indira Col in the north. The LoC, serving as the de facto border, stretches for approximately 740 kilometres, from Sangam in Kashmir to Point NJ-9842 near the Siachen Glacier. In Jammu, the LoC transitions into what India considers the International Border (IB), as India has no territorial claims on Pakistani Punjab. The Ceasefire Line between India and Pakistan was initially established under the Karachi Agreement of 1949, following the 194849 war. It was later renamed the Line of Control (LoC) after the Simla Agreement in 1972. Cross-border firing, infiltration by terrorists However, cross-border firing and the infiltration of Pakistan-backed terrorists, particularly since the onset of the Kashmir insurgency in 1989, along with attacks by Pakistani Border Action Teams (BATs), have rendered the ceasefire agreement effectively meaningless. Also Read | Owaisi backs govt on Pahalgam response, urges clarity on action and time Periods like the 1990s and the span between 2016 and 2021 saw over a thousand violations annually, with the 1990s often described by Indian Army veterans as a free for all along the Line of Control. In 2021, both Armies found mutual incentive to curb hostilities and reaffirmed the 2003 ceasefire understanding, originally established ahead of the India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue. Despite the broader breakdown in diplomatic and economic ties since 2019, the Army channel remains the only active line of bilateral communication, giving both nations a reason to maintain the current ceasefire arrangement. Why does Pak keep on violating the LoC? According to (Retd) IFS officer Anil Trigunayat, former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta, ceasefire violations are mostly cover fires to enable the entry of terrorists, and to provoke India to retaliate. Mostly it does to facilitate the entry of terrorists across the border by providing fire cover. Secondly it wishes to provoke India to retaliate and use grey zone warfare to accuse India of violation to garner international sympathy and domestic support as it goes through tremendous financial and socio-economic stress," the former Ambassador told Livemint. Pakistan's economic crisis Over the past four years, Pakistans economy has steadily declined, while the Army's dominant hold over the country is increasingly being challenged by insurgent groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Following the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan, the TTP significantly escalated its operations, leading to a 73% surge in terror attacks across Pakistan in the first 21 months of Taliban rule, according to a report by ORF. Pahalgam attack: Amid India's escalating tensions with Pakistan, which continues to feel the jitters for the deadly Pahalgam attack, Rajnath Singh promised a befitting reply' to those who 'cast evil eye' on India. The Defence Minister made the comments while addressing the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in Delhi, on Sunday, May 4. Also Read | Owaisi backs govt on Pahalgam response, urges clarity on action and time As defence minister, my responsibility to work with armed forces, give befitting reply to those who cast evil eye on India, asserted Rajnath Singh. Pahalgam attack Rajnath Singh's stern promise come amid the series of big moves that India has taken against Pakistan, following the lethal attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's picturesque town Pahalgam. As many as 26 people, majorly tourists, including two foreigner and two locals were killed after a Lashkar -E-Taiba offshoot opened fire near the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. India's BIG moves Just a day after the deadly attacks, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and shut the Octroi and Attari-Wagah border check posts. On Saturday, May 3, the Centre also banned all ships bearing the flag of Pakistan from entering any Indian port amid escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries which is just one in the series of India's moves against Pakistan. In a single day, India imposed a total of 3 bans against Pakistan. The other two are as follows: India bans all imports from Pakistan In a notification, issued on Saturday, India imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows. India suspends all mails from Pakistan India also suspended all postal services from Pakistan after banning all imports from the nation. (The) government of India has decided to suspend exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes, an order issued by the Department of Posts that operates under the Ministry of Communication said. New Delhi: India's small businesses and startups have started adopting mediation in the dispute resolution clauses included in their contracts, Union law and justice minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said. Mediation is an inexpensive and expedited means of resolving disputes as it is not adversarial, he said, speaking at the first National Mediation Conference in New Delhi on Saturday. A dispute resolution clause determines how parties will resolve an issue if one arises. Commonly, most commercial contracts use arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism. The event also marked the launch of the Mediation Association of India, a body of legal practitioners and mediation experts, which would work on suggesting best practices as well as rules of procedure in the mediation domain to the union government. The Union government had called for the creation of the Mediation Council of India under the Mediation Act 2023. The MCI, which has not been created yet, would have powers to ratify mediators, decide rules of procedure, and govern the actions and behaviour of mediators and mediation institutions, among other things. Meghwal also called for more mediation and less litigation in resolving disputes in the country, as it was closely linked to the investment sentiment about India. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta highlighted that mediation would reduce the burden on Indian courts and undo the pendency clog in the countrys access to justice. President Droupadi Murmu called for extension of the Mediation Act 2023 to rural areas, legally empowering village panchayats to mediate any issues between parties. This mediation push comes in the wake of the Union government turning its back on arbitration, a preferred means of dispute resolution outside courts, in an advisory in June 2024. The advisory, by the Union finance ministry's department of expenditure, asked government entities in the country to use mediation or litigation over arbitration. According to the advisory, arbitration was expensive and time-consuming for the government, and mediation would be a relatively cheaper alternative. New Yorkers may need to slow their celebrated city stride at least according to a new global ranking that places the Big Apple far from the front of the pack. Despite its reputation for subway-hopping, block-hustling, pedestrian-proud residents, New York City failed to crack the top 10 in a recent list of the worlds most walkable cities. Instead, it landed in a surprising 34th place. The ranking, compiled by price comparison platform Compare the Market, evaluated cities based on several walkability-related factors, including access to walking trails, public transport options, rainfall levels, and proximity to essential services. The biggest takeaway? Europe ran laps around the competition, with numerous continental cities outperforming their global peers when it comes to pedestrian-friendliness. Heres a look at the urban centers that truly walk the walk. 1. Munich, Germany Topping the list is Munich, where an impressive 86% of residents live within a mile of designated car-free zones. Combined with nearly a million miles of bike trails crisscrossing the city, this Bavarian capital easily claimed the number one spot. 2. Milan, Italy Milan, the fashion capital, makes a stylish statement with well-maintained sidewalks, efficient public transport, and effortless access to cafes, shops, and attractions all while keeping the heels intact. 3. Warsaw, Poland This hidden gem blends historic appeal with contemporary convenience, featuring safe streets, excellent public transport, and ample walking paths that keep locals light on their feet. 4. Helsinki, Finland Despite the freezing temperatures, Helsinki remains a walkers paradise, with exceptional safety, intelligent city planning, and an abundance of pathways that encourage residents to stay active year-round. 5. Paris, France Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said she never witnessed signs of former President Joe Bidens mental decline during her tenure, distancing herself from concerns raised after his widely criticised June 2024 debate performance. I never saw that person not a single time, and I was in the Oval Office every day that was on that debate stage, Psaki said Friday on the Mixed Signals podcast. Bidens poor showing in the debate against Donald Trump prompted widespread calls, even from within his own party, to exit the 2024 race. Left in 2022, only saw Biden once since Psaki emphasised that she left the administration in May 2022 and has seen Biden in person only once since then. She cautioned against drawing conclusions about his health post-tenure. I think cover-up is such a loaded phrase, Psaki spoke in the podcast when asked whether White House aides shielded the public from Bidens cognitive decline. I dont know the facts of what was happening privately. Aging happens quite quickly Acknowledging the effects of age, Psaki said, Im not a doctor, aging happens quite quickly. She added, Were things that people saw during that period of time that were similar to that or wouldve been in a category of that? I dont know, possibly. And all these books are gonna tell us. Rejects cover-up narrative Psaki argued that talk of a cover-up implies criminal wrongdoing, and that such accusations are dangerous when no legal violations have been proven. A cover-up is often like a crime. People use that term when they refer to Watergate or the covering up of not sharing public information about a war, she said. She insisted that her former colleagues were well-intentioned: I would like to think they would not be a part of an active lets hide from the public what we see happening privately. Media scrutiny and Republican narratives When asked if the media had failed to scrutinise Bidens mental fitness, Psaki admitted, Maybe the media missed a lot, and so maybe in retrospect, there were major stories and moments missed. She also accused Republican operatives of shaping the public narrative prematurely. There was an aggressive all-out pitching operation from the right-wing and from the Republicans about Joe Bidens age and how he was in decline the majority of which wasnt true, in 2019-2022, she said. Bidens reelection bid tarnished legacy, Psaki says Psaki suggested Bidens decision to run for reelection and ultimately drop out in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris had negatively impacted his legacy. US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to serve only two terms, but acknowledged he's received strong requests from allies to run again. Ill be an eight-year president, Ill be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important, Trump told BNC News in an interview aired on Sunday. Trump says allies urge him to seek third term Trump revealed he has received persistent encouragement from his supporters and inner circle to explore another run beyond 2028. Its something that, to the best of my knowledge, youre not allowed to do. I dont know if thats constitutional that theyre not allowing you to do it or anything else, Trump said, acknowledging the constraints of the US Constitution. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly states: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Changing that would require a constitutional amendment a process so demanding that it would need either two-thirds of both houses of Congress or two-thirds of state legislatures, followed by ratification from three-quarters of the states. Trump hears different concepts, floats dubious ideas Though he claimed there have been no formal meetings to map a path to a third term, Trump said hes heard different concepts, including one in which Vice President JD Vance could assume office and hand over the role to him. Other people say, You can have a write-in vote, Trump added despite the constitutional restriction making such a scenario legally implausible. Vance and Rubio among potential GOP successors Trump also praised several potential successors, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When the host asked if Vance was at the top of the list, Trump responded, It could very well be, while emphasizing that its too early to make commitments. I think hes a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. Theres a lot of them that are great, Trump said. He added: Certainly you would say that somebodys the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage. Rubios expanding role inside Trumps cabinet Trump expressed strong confidence in Rubio, who has held several high-profile roles in the administration from acting head of the National Archives to administrator of USAID, and most recently, national security adviser. Marcos doing an outstanding job, Trump said, noting that Rubio would likely not remain in the adviser role long term. Marco wont keep Marcos very busy doing other things, so hes not going to keep it long term. Were going to put somebody else in. Still, Trump added, He could [stay]. But I think he even would like to probably see because it is a little bit different. But in the meantime, hell handle it. Focus on 2026 Midterms, not 2028 As for his political future beyond his second term, Trump appeared more focused on the immediate battle ahead the 2026 midterm elections. I think were going to turn it around. I think were going to turn it around easy, Trump said, referring to the historical trend of presidents losing congressional control in midterm cycles. He vowed to play a very active role, especially on the fundraising front, and dismissed concerns that his aggressive agenda could hurt the GOP at the polls. Trump questions constitutional due process for noncitizens When pressed on immigration issues, Trump offered a controversial response to a question about whether every person in the US is entitled to due process a constitutional right affirmed by the Fifth Amendment. I dont know. Im not a lawyer. I dont know, Trump replied when the anchor referenced a recent comment by Rubio affirming due process for all. The Fifth Amendment reads that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law language that courts have consistently interpreted to include noncitizens. Trump, however, questioned the practicality of adhering to the law in mass immigration enforcement. It might say that, but if youre talking about that, then wed have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials, Trump said. I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it. When asked if he had an obligation to uphold the Constitution, Trump answered: I dont know. I have brilliant lawyers that work for me they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. Deportation of alleged gang members draws legal scrutiny The administrations use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has triggered legal pushback. The law, historically reserved for wartime, is now being invoked to bypass immigration courts. Men detained under the act have claimed they were not given a chance to contest allegations, resulting in two Supreme Court decisions blocking deportations to El Salvador. One ruling came just hours before buses carrying detainees reached an airport in Texas. In another case, the Court intervened after Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man living in Maryland with his family, was deported despite a 2019 judges order blocking his removal. The Trump administration later admitted it was an administrative error. At least one person was killed and 13 others were wounded in a mass shooting early Sunday at a house party in southeast Houston. According to police, the violence began shortly after an uninvited guest was asked to leave the family event. The Houston Police Department began receiving 911 calls about shots fired at around 12:50 a.m. Officers arrived within minutes and reported hearing gunfire as they approached the scene. It was chaotic from the get-go, Assistant Police Chief Patricia Cantu told reporters during a morning briefing. Officers arrived to find multiple victims with gunshot wounds in and around the property. Shooter opened fire after being turned away Investigators believe the suspect was a party crasher who became violent after being told to leave. A family party was going on. An uninvited guest showed up, was asked to leave, and that individual began shooting, Cantu explained. The initial gunfire reportedly triggered a response from others at the party who were armed. Other individuals pulled out guns and began returning fire, she added. Scene of celebration turned into tragedy News video from the location showed overturned tables, scattered folding chairs, and leftover food and drinks beneath a carport and outdoor tentvisual remnants of a celebration cut short by violence. The Houston Fire Department responded to the scene and treated some of the victims in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. Others reportedly made their own way to hospitals. At least one person is confirmed deceased. Several others are in critical condition and undergoing surgery, said Cantu. Investigation ongoing, no arrests yet As of Sunday morning, police had detained several individuals for questioning but had not confirmed whether the shooter was among them. We are still trying to determine who the actual shooter is, Cantu said. Houston Police spokesperson Jody Silva later confirmed that no arrests had been made. Meghan Markle broke her social media silence posting a rare black-and-white photo of Prince Harry walking hand-in-hand with their childrenPrince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3at their Montecito home. The photo, shared on Instagram, showed the trio from behind, with Lilibet sitting atop Harrys shoulders. Markle, 43, included no caption. The image came shortly after Prince Harry lost his legal appeal to regain taxpayer-funded police protection in the United Kingdom. Devastated by security ruling The Duke of Sussex, 40, said he was devastated by the UK High Courts decision to deny him publicly funded security during visits to his homeland. In an interview with the BBC, Harry expressed frustration and concern for his family's safety. Im sure there are some people out there, probably most likely the people that wish me harm, [who] consider this a huge win, Harry said. Everybody knew that they were putting us at risk in 2020 and they hoped that me knowing that risk would force us to come back. But then when you realize that didnt work, do you not want to keep us safe? he asked. Whether youre the government, the Royal Household, whether youre my dad, my family despite all of our differences, do you not want to just ensure our safety? No plans to return to the UK Following the ruling, Harry revealed he would likely never bring Meghan or their children back to the UK. Markle has not visited the country since Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral in September 2022. I miss the UK, I miss parts of the UK, of course I do, Harry said. I think that its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. The Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, prompting UK authorities to revoke their access to government-funded protection. Strained ties with the Royal family The fallout over security has reportedly deepened Harrys estrangement from his family, especially his father, King Charles III, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Life is precious. I dont know how much longer my father has, Harry said. He wont speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova sent a letter of condolence to Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (GNAT) Numan Kurtulmus on the passing of GNAT Deputy Speaker Srr Sureyya Onder, Trend reports. In the letter, Speaker Gafarova extended her heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the late Deputy Speaker, as well as to the members of the GNAT, both on her own behalf and on behalf of the deputies of the Milli Majlis. She also prayed for mercy upon the departed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt when asked about the AI-generated image of Donald Trump dressed as the pope, defended the President, saying he had traveled to Italy to attend Pope Francis' funeral and "has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty." Leavitt said, President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty. The image, posted to Trump's Truth Social account and later reposted by the White House on X, drew sharp criticism from Catholic leaders and Italian officials. US Bishops condemn the image The New York State Catholic Conference called the post offensive. "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President," the bishops' group said. "We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave. Do not mock us." Italian ex-Premier Matteo Renzi slammed the image as "shameful," writing on X: "This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around." The Vatican declined to comment through spokesman Matteo Bruni. Trump jokes about becoming Pope The meme followed Trumps earlier comments this week joking about becoming pope himself. Id like to be pope. That would be my number one choice, Trump said, despite reportedly not being Catholic. The quip sparked a mix of amusement and outrage online. Senator Lindsey Graham added to the mockery, posting: I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope... Watching for white smoke. Trump MMXXVIII! Vice President JD Vance joined in too, joking that Secretary of State Marco Rubio might make a good pope. Trump endorses Cardinal Dolanbut hurts his chances Trump also casually endorsed Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as a possible papal candidate. I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out a place called New York who's very good. So well see what happens, he said. However, Vatican insiders cautioned that such public support could harm Dolans prospects. The India Meteorological Department, Chandigarh, issued a nowcast warning on May 4, predicting moderate thunderstorm with wind speed of 40 to 60 Kilometre per hour in several parts of Panchkula and Ambala cities of Haryana over the next three hours. This weather condition will be accompanied by lightning. Furthermore, IMD's orange alert for rainfall is in place for Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Karnataka. Also Read | RCB vs CSK IPL match today: Chinnaswamy stadium pitch report and more IMD in its latest press release stated, Isolated heavy rainfall likely over southwest Rajasthan on 06th & 07th May. Besides this, thundersqualls are likely in Uttarakhand until May 6; in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh on May 4 and 5 and in East Uttar Pradesh on May 5. Additionally, duststorm is likely in Rajasthan until May 5. Weather forecast for South peninsular India IMD's weather bulletin dated May 3 states, Isolated hailstorm very likely over North Interior Karnataka on 05th & 06th and South Interior Karnataka on 06th & 07th May. The weather agency warned about thundersquall activity over South Interior Karnataka likely until May 5 and over North Interior Karnataka om May 6 and 7. IMD predicted isolated heavy rainfall in Kerala on May 6 and 7 and in Tamil Nadu over the next two days. Weather forecast for Northeast India Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh during over the coming four days, IMD said. Also Read | IMD issues thunderstorm warning across THESE 8 states: Check forecast Weather forecast for West India IMD said, Isolated to Scattered light/moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning & strong winds speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely over Gujarat, Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathawada until May 8. According to the Meteorological Department, isolated hailstorm is likely in Gujarat over the next two days and in Madhya Maharashtra on May 7. Furthermore, thundersquall is expected in Gujarat on May 6 and 7 and in Madhya Maharashtra on May 7. Also Read | Flights diverted as rain and thunderstorms hit Delhi and NCR Amid rising tensions after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian Army responded to unprovoked small arms fire from across the Line of Control (LoC) during the night between May 3 and 4, the Indian Army said on Sunday. The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC in areas in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the tenth consecutive day of India's effective retaliation since the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small-arms firing on the night of April 25-26. As reported by ANI, the Indian Army noted, During the night of 0304 May 2025, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J&K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately. Earlier, the Indian Army responded to the unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC in areas opposite the Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor area during the intervening night of May 2 and 3. Earlier, the Indian Army had delivered a strong response to Pakistans small arms firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, as well as in the Uri and Akhnoor sectors. In a significant escalation following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan or operated by Pakistani airlines, including military flights. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued, enforcing the ban from April 30 to May 23 (tentative duration). Earlier on Tuesday, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan held a conversation via hotline to address the issue of unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, ANI reported citing defence sources. Sources told ANI India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the LoC and the International Border. At this time, when there is widespread anticipation of a military retaliation by India in response to the atrocious terrorist attack in Pahalgam, it is useful to take a step back and look at the scoreboard. In the decades-old conflict with Pakistan, India is winning. Recognizing this is important, for then we can reinforce success factors and avoid mistakes. At the outset, let me be clear: The use of military force against targets in Pakistan is called for and well-justified. If Indias political leadership assesses that the risk of war is acceptable, then a sharp operation that hurts without humiliating the Pakistani army will ensure that the cost of cross-border terrorism remains high. The political objective would be to cause enough damage on the other side and absorb the ensuing retaliation by Pakistan. This will reinforce the message that the Pakistani establishment does not enjoy impunity regardless of its geopolitical alliances or nuclear weapons. Why do I say India is winning? The Pakistani establishment has clearly not changed its stripes since the 1980s, when it ramped up its investment in terrorism and a proxy war against India. What has changed is the worlds response to it. I still recall the 1990s, when, after a terror attack in Kashmir, Washington would blithely support the Pakistani position and protect Islamabad from military and political retaliation. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries in West Asia, would provide the financial reassurance that emboldened the Pakistani army. The international community would equate terrorists and their victims and ask both sides to de-escalate. Prominent political leaders in Kashmir, led by the Hurriyat, would sympathize with terrorists. In Pakistan, cross-border terrorism enjoyed considerable public support and was popular as a policy. Now consider what happened after the Baisaran killings. The US Presidents first reaction was to support the Indian position. Saudi Arabia and the UAE enjoy close ties with New Delhi and are unlikely to provide encouragement or solace to Pakistani generals or terrorist groups. Global public opinion has no patience for terror. Kashmiri people came out on the streets to protest against the terrorists. Few Kashmiri politicians have openly backed terrorism. And, from my limited sense of elite Pakistani opinion, people there seem to be more fatigued than enthused by this act of terrorism. Even the terrorists who claimed responsibility quickly backtracked once they realized that the attack didnt play out as they had hoped. It is too early to tell, but I will not be surprised if Indian tourists return to Kashmir in the coming months. When that happens, it will be yet another sign that India is winning. As for Pakistan, even if China and Turkey stand behind it, Islamabad will find it difficult to secure international assistance to shore up its crisis-ridden economy. Indias success is not an accident. It comes as the result of a consistent approacha grand strategythat focuses on building economic strength, engaging Pakistans foreign sponsors, investing in security infrastructure (like the border fence), conducting democratic politics and, finally, judiciously using military force. We can date this approach either to 1991-92 or 1999-2000. In any case, without making doctrinal declarations and advertising it as a shrink-wrapped strategy, New Delhi has employed a set of policy options that have allowed India to gain an upper hand in its contest with Pakistan. This approach is bipartisan and each government has added a new element to Indias strategy. What are the pitfalls to avoid? One, as we have known from the time of Partition, the most important thing is for India to not allow the external conflict with Pakistan spill over into domestic strife. Demolishing the homes of alleged terrorists may be counterproductive at a time when Kashmiri public opinion has turned against terrorists. Two, the information dimension needs careful management. Not every signal needs to be sent through loudspeakers. Not every verbal taunt needs a response. Three, we should recognize that the Pakistani military-jihadist complex and the nominal Pakistani state are two distinct entities. New Delhis approach must take into account the dynamics of the relationship between the two. What worked in times of the Imran Khan-Qamar Javed Bajwa regime in Pakistan need not quite work during the Shehbaz Sharif-Asim Munir dispensation. It is not my purpose to offer a saccharine-coated story that makes everyone feel good. Rather, it is important for us to recognize that if we stay the course, we will be able to diminish the impact of Pakistani mischief on Indias future. Rawalpindis generals would like nothing better than to suck India into the morass of a proxy conflict and exploit religious fault-lines to weaken Indian society. They will not be easily deterred. Neither military force nor economic straits have stopped them. Preventing the military-jihadist complex from carrying out cross-border terrorism is therefore a multi-dimensional, perennial and round-the-clock activity that India must doggedly persist with over the long term. The author is co-founder and director of The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. Remittances sent home by Indian workers overseas have long been a saviour for the Indian economy, which has become dependent on foreign savings to finance the economy. Recent data releases from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) show that the nature of remittances has been changing over time, revealing not only emerging trends but also potentially reviving some old debates. Remittances to India have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24 (the graph alongside has calendar years). In fact, India leads the global league tables in remittances, being the top recipient. Remittances crossed the $100-billion mark in 2021. And, looking at the run-rate so far, remittances are likely to touch a new record for 2024-25. RBIs sixth round of surveys on inward remittances for 2023-24, covered in its bulletins March 2025 edition, states that despite the contraction during the pandemic, the resurgence in subsequent years points to an improvement in employment opportunities in advanced economies. To wit, remittances from the US to India had the highest share among inward remittances from all countries, at 27.7%. The UAE came in second with a 19.2% share. This same pecking order was in evidence during 2022-23 and is a complete reversal from the traditional ranking. For example, in 2016-17, the UAE had a 26.9% share while the US had 22.9%, and the ongoing reshuffle indicates shifting dynamics. It seems that remittances from white-collar Indian employees (US) have now overtaken, or are in the process of overtaking, remittances from blue-collar workers (UAE). While there are white-collar workers even in the UAE, it is safe to assume that the bulk of remittances from the US originate from mostly white-collar workers, since the country is not among the top destinations for most blue-collar workers. Here is another interesting data-point supporting the shifting trend in the nature of remittances: inflows from the US, UK, Singapore, Canada and Australia contributed more than 50% of the remittances. Indeed, a further bump-up in remittances from the US during 2024-25 can be expected due to certain categories of non-resident Indians reducing their dollar assets in favour of rupee assets, given the rising political and economic uncertainty there. The rupees sharp depreciation over the past few months would have added to the attraction. However, the uncertainty also holds out a red flag: with the Donald Trump administration in the US now flexing its nationalist muscles by targeting immigrants, there is a likelihood of some jobs evaporating for Indian professionals. Many leading US-based companies, acting on smoke signals emanating from the White House, have slowed down their recruitment of non-US citizens. Many Indian companies are also seeing their outsourcing contracts from US-based firms dry up. While it is still too early to determine or quantify the impact of these developments on remittances from the US, this merits a continuing vigil. RBIs survey reveals another emerging trend: Maharashtra received the highest remittances, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka. These top five states accounted for over 66% of inward remittances. Juxtaposed against other available data, the shift is unmistakably in favour of white-collar workers. Here is another confirmatory data point: individual remittances worth over 500,000 during 2023-24 had the highest share among remittances by value. But, in terms of volume, the highest number of remittances had ticket sizes below 16,500. Replying to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha on 28 November 2024, the minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided state-wise data of workers granted emigration clearance (mandatory for those who have not cleared their Class 10 exams) between 1 January 2021 and 19 November 2024. The top five recipient states mentioned earlier accounted for 211,572 workers obtaining emigration clearance, against 643,186 from just two states, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These data points provide grist for many discussion mills. Assuming there has been a spike in white-collar remittances, as data seems to indicate, it would necessarily imply that a larger number of educated and skilled Indian professionals are seeking opportunities overseas, thereby raising questions about the state of employment in India and the loss of talent to overseas opportunities. This is reminiscent of the old brain drain debate about India losing its qualified professionals to advanced nations, instead of working at home and helping Indias economy grow. The counter-argument was that this phenomenon helped generate remittances, thereby filling a vital gap in Indias external economy. The situation was further infused with an element of helplessness: the supply of suitable jobs hopelessly lagged demand. In some ways, the situation does not seem to have changed much. Something else also seems unaffected by time: remittance costs. While the RBI survey finds that the average cost of sending $200 to India in 2023 had reduced to 4.9%, which is a shade below the G20s 5% target and among the worlds lowest, the cost remains significantly above the SDG target of 3%. This needs sustained cross-border cooperation, alongside continuing efforts to squeeze unofficial routes of money transfer. The author is a senior journalist and author of Slip, Stitch and Stumble: The Untold Story of Indias Financial Sector Reforms @rajrishisinghal Maybe its Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky who should be writing books about the art of negotiation. For a while, it looked as though Zelensky had made a huge miscalculation by highlighting the opportunities available to allies in exploiting his nations natural resources. The idea was to interest the famously transactional Donald Trump in Ukraines defence and it seemed a clever ruse at the time. In the event, it almost blew up a military relationship critical to Ukraines survival, but the deal as now at least partially agreed looks like a good save. We do not yet have the deals published text, andaccording to a Ukrainian news agency that saw the documentsan important further technical" protocol remains to be signed. Also Read: The Oval Office showdown left Putin holding a trump card in the Ukraine War Still, if the agreement is as described by both Ukrainskaya Pravda and Yulia Svyrydenkothe economy minister who drove the final negotiationit at least averted disaster and could serve a little of the original purpose. The neo-colonial terms of exploitation in previously leaked US drafts that Trump clearly expected Zelensky to sign on the spotbecause the American president exploded in anger when that did not happenare no longer there. The US wont have legal jurisdiction over the joint fund to be created, isnt in full control, but must make decisions by consensus in a 50-50 arrangement and will not own any assets. Only future investments are to be included. Nor will US companies get the right of first refusal on all projects, a provision that would have clashed with Ukraines plans for joining the European Union at some point. In fact, as described, the deal now includes a clause that allows for revision if terms do prove to contravene EU membership requirements. Theres also no mention of back payments to cover previous US war aid to date (which was given in the form of grants not to be repaid), nor any ridiculous figure as to what that would require (at one point Trump talked about $350 billion, or even $500 billion, four times the actual total). Ukrainian infrastructure is no longer to be included in the fund. Theres a list of 57 minerals, including natural gas, that are but, again, the fund will draw and divide revenue only from extraction licences issued after the funds formation. What this seems to have become is a deal that could give Trump political cover to resume the provision of arms to Ukraine, should he choose, by creating a mechanism for repayment, but without destroying Zelenskys political standing at home. According to Ukrainians, the US can add future arms provisions as capital contributions to the fund and can withdraw profits to recover those costs after 10 years. Until then, all revenue would go to Ukraines reconstruction. Theres no hiding the fact that Trump and his administration wanted more. The earlier drafts were so punitive that they seemed designed to force Zelensky into a position where he either rejected the approach outright, allowing Trump to cut off arm supplies and force Ukraines capitulation or accept and be swept away by public outrage. Whatever the plan was, Trump also appears to have miscalculated. Zelensky fell into neither trap. Even during his explosive Oval Office humiliation, he somehow managed to hold his own without burning all bridges. It has been a strategy of dogged persistence and he may need more of it. That technical protocol includes some of the key wins the Ukrainian side has been claiming, including the question of legal jurisdiction and the 10-year rule on US withdrawals. These will be critical to getting the Rada and Ukrainians in general to accept that this is a deal that will aid, rather than exploit them, already a difficult task, given the optics. Even once complete, though, its unclear what this tumultuous negotiation will have achieved. Though proposed by Washington as an agreement to help deter Russia by putting US companies and personnel in the way of any potential attack, its more realistic to view that in reverse. What the arrangement proves to be and do will be determined almost entirely by what happens in settlement talks with Russia and how Trump responds to those. Should the war end quickly, the new US-Ukraine fund could well have an economic role to play. If not, investment is improbable and Trump can either ignore the deal orless likelyuse it to re-arm Ukraine. At a minimum, it could be used to pay for continued and critical US intelligence support. Either way, if the remaining documents get signed as planned, Zelensky and his negotiators seem to have neutralized a potentially fatal dispute. Bloomberg The author is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Akhilesh Yadav takes a dig at BJP: Political leaders of different parties often trade barbs with each other over a variety of issues plaguing the nation. On Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav did not specify any issue in particular, but simply took a swipe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the occasion of World Laughter Day. World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May, which is May 4 this year. 'kyunki Bhajpa raaj mein' Taking to social media platform X, Yadav posted: "'Vishva Haasya Divas' par danda tana hai, kyunki Bhajpa raaj mein hasna mana hai. (The stick is on World Humour Day Because laughing is prohibited in BJP rule)" Akhilesh Yadav also issued a warning for the public: "Warning: Laugh at your own risk, the government takes no responsibility. Akhilesh Yadav's swipe and the comedy crackdown The SP chief's quip comes amid a comedy crackdown targeting stand-up comedians for their content, as a wave of headline-grabbing cases put stand-up comedians like Kunal Kamra among others in the legal hot seat for their satire. Amid the current scenario, where its laughter versus law, and comedy stages are getting stormed it might also be interesting to note that India's World Press Freedom ranking has fallen to 151 in 2025 highlighting how free speech is sparring with political thin skins. Kunal Kamra controversy In March 2025, Kunal Kamra cracked a joke, and the Shiv Sena cracked Mumbai's Habitat studio, where the joke was made. Warning: Laugh at your own risk, the government takes no responsibility. Kamra turned up the heat at Mumbais Habitat Comedy Club, remixing a beloved Hindi tune to call Maharashtras Deputy CM, Eknath Shinde, a gaddar (traitor)referring to Shindes 2022 defection that split the Shiv Sena in two. New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation to the annual meeting of the board of governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), being held in Milan, Italy, from 4 May to 7 May, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. During her visit, Sitharaman will hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, as well as engage with heads of key international organisations, the statement added. Also read: CBDT charts route to achieve target after 1 tn relief to middle class Sitharaman, who is also the minister of corporate affairs, will also meet with global think tanks, business leaders, and CEOs during her visit to Milan. In addition, the finance minister will interact with the Indian diaspora and deliver a keynote address at a plenary session of the NEXT Milan Forum at Bocconi University, on the theme Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience." Also read: Arvind Shrivastava takes charge as revenue secretary The ADB's annual meeting of the board of governors - the current one is the 58th - is a flagship event that brings together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior government officials, business leaders, international development partners, and academics from ADBs member countries. The meeting serves as a platform to discuss critical regional and global economic challenges, development priorities, and strategies to foster sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia and the Pacific. Also read: States' liabilities under Centre's 50-year interest-free loan scheme to exceed 3.5 trillion by FY25-end It also features high-level seminars, policy dialogues, and networking opportunities that shape ADBs operational and strategic direction for the coming year. New Delhi: Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal has called for the expansion of renewable energy use within metro operations, proposing even cargo compartments for small businesses, to help India's energy transition goals. Addressing an event in the national capital, the minister said that the continued expansion and modernization of metro rail infrastructure is key to building smart, inclusive, and future-ready urban centres. He was speaking at the 31st foundation day of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday. Also read: Hyderabad, Bengaluru shine among metro airports in footfall growth; new Noida, Navi Mumbai facilities set for takeoff He said that urban transport systems like the Delhi Metro have become an indispensable part of urban living, and added that cargo compartments can be added to metro, enabling small businessmen, vendors, and hawkers to seamlessly transport their goods across the city to save time, reduce energy consumption, and enhance business efficiency, according to an official statement. He noted that by 2047, nearly half of Indias population will reside in urban areas, making it imperative to plan and strengthen urban mobility infrastructure. Also read: Africa's charcoal economy Delhi Metro has been integrating solar energy to its operations and a significant portion of its energy consumption comes from renewable energy. In February, it launched first vertical bi-facial solar plant installation on Metro Viaduct at Okhla Vihar Metro station and 1MW rooftop solar power plant installed at Khyber Pass depot. India has set itself ambitious energy transition goals to fight climate change, boost energy security, and drive economic growth. These goals include ramping up renewable energy capacity, promoting electric vehicle adoption, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Also read: This defence stock rose 1,300% in five years. Its growth story isn't over yet Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune metro rails also have received (Indian Green Building Council) Certification for their commitment to sustainable designs and the use of green material to further minimize their environmental impact. In December 2024, the Union cabinet approved Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro Rail project, the 26.46-km-long Rithala-Kundli corridor, in bid to enhance connectivity between the national capital and Haryana. The Rithala-Kundli corridor, with a cost of 6,230 crore, will be executed by DMRC--a 50:50 special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the central and Delhi governments--over a four-year period. Axiom Mission 4: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to launch into space on May 29. He will travel to the International Space Station, along with three other crew members, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 10.33 pm IST on May 29. Shukla will travel to space onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. "Falcon 9 [rocket] is targeted to launch Dragons third human spaceflight of the year no earlier than May 29 from Florid," SpaceX posted on X on May 1. This mission will send the first ISRO astronaut to the International Space Station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is also one of the Gaganyaan crew members. How long will Shubhanshu Shukla stay in space? According to NASA, the Axiom Mission 4 crew will spend up to 14 days at the orbiting laboratory or the ISS. What will Shubhanshu Shukla do in space? Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax4). The other Ax-4 crew includes Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, who will command the commercial mission. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. These astronauts will conduct a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. Shukla will conduct seven experiments in space that are aimed at encouraging microgravity research in India, which hopes to build its own space station by 2035 and send astronauts to the moon by 2047. The ISRO drew up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions. "We have a sprouting experiment which tries to sprout green gram or moong and methi or fenugreek seeds, which are believed to have medicinal properties," Tushar Phadnis, Group Head for Microgravity Platforms and Research, was quoted news agency PTI as saying at a virtual press conference organised by Axiom. "The idea is not just to stop with sprouting it there. The idea is also to see how these India-specific sprouts behave when they come back. They will undergo a lot of analysis in the labs of the respective PIs (principal investigators)," Phadnis said. Overall, Ax-4 has a research complement of around 60 scientific studies, including the seven from India. Shubhanshu Shukla undergoes robust training Shubhanshu Shukla, along with other Ax4 crew members, underwent robust training. They recently completed training in California ahead of their upcoming mission to the space station. In a recent post on X, Axiom Space said the Ax4 crew engaged in emergency training to ensure they are prepared for anything while in orbit. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. On May 3rd, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and head and founder of IDEA Public Union, and Arzu Aliyeva, head of Baku Media Center along with their family members, continued their visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, exploring the Ordubad district and surrounding areas, Trend reports. The second day of their tour focused on immersing themselves in the region's heritage, renowned for its ancient history, rich culture, and unique landscapes. Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva began their day at the Ashabi-Kahf shrine, a site of profound spiritual and symbolic significance for Nakhchivan. They explored "Damjikhana" and other sacred areas within the site, chatted with local pilgrims, and posed for photos. Next, they traveled to the city of Ordubad, where they visited historical, religious, and cultural landmarks. Their first stop was the Juma Mosque, an iconic symbol of Ordubad. They then visited the " Geysariyya" History and Ethnography Museum, viewing exhibits that showcased Ordubad's history, cultural heritage, and traditions of craftsmanship. The tour continued with a visit to cultural monuments on Sersheher Street, including the historically significant Sersheher Mosque. Later, at the organic market in Sersheher Square, they were presented with a variety of Ordubad's distinctive local products: national sweets, jams, dried fruits, plant extracts, medicinal herbs, honey, and other bee products. The famous Ordubad scrambled eggs and the regions renowned lemons were also featured. The ancient plane tree in the square, a centuries-old landmark, was highlighted as a symbol of the enduring connection between nature and history in Ordubad. During their walk, they enjoyed meeting and photographing with local residents. Finally, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva visited the Akbarov family in the village of Vanand, Ordubad district. They toured the family's small lemon-growing farm, learning firsthand about the cultivation of the prized Ordubad lemon, nurtured with dedicated care. Edinburgh, Scotland Steeped in history and culture, Edinburgh dazzles with its medieval Old Town, vibrant arts scene, and the majestic Edinburgh Castle. A perfect blend of city life and historical charm. Credit : PEXELS A play about Longford sees Maynooth University Drama sweep the boards at ISDA thanks to it's darkly comedic tale of the county. The Roscian Players group won five awards, as well as the coveted Best production for the dark comedy set in North Longford in the 1980s. Mullinroe was written and directed by Eoghain Francis Kiernan whose parents both hail from North Longford. Eoghain also won the award for Best Original Writing. READ NEXT: Housing shortage crisis: Just 12 properties available to rent in Longford The prestigious University Drama All Ireland saw the Maynooth group up against formidable opposition from Trinity College, UCD NUIG UCC and Queens University. This was all the more impressive given it was the only university in attendance without a drama program. Some call it a cul de sac, others a dead end. Set in Longford circa 1993, Mullinroe is a story of secrets, forbidden love, friendship and murder. Theres only one way out. READ NEXT: Girl Power: Longford ladies blaze triumphant trail The judges gave particular praise to the material, saying that every character had its own unique and the audience experienced a strong sense of place being transported to a very specific time and part of Ireland. Mullinroe writer and director Eoghain Francis Kiernan shared that: the key to our rehearsal process was finding a curiosity within the material and following our instincts in exploring that curiosity. Introduction This brief history explores the evolution of suckler cows in Ireland since the 1970s, highlighting key shifts in farming practices, policies, and market dynamics. Background The 1970s and 1980s Historically, suckler cows in Ireland were predominantly grazed on the poorer soils of the western regions. This practice was common throughout Europe, where suckler beef production was a significant part of rural farming life. The 1970s marked the beginning of a shift toward more specialized suckler beef production. READ NEXT: Girl Power: Longford ladies blaze triumphant trail This change was driven by a growing demand for high-quality Irish beef and the desire to diversify farm incomes. A key turning point was Irelands accession to the European Union in 1973, which brought subsidies and structural supports that benefited farmers. With the introduction of milk quotas in the 1980s, many smaller dairy farmers found it increasingly difficult to maintain dairy production. As a result, some of these farmers sold their dairy quotas and transitioned to suckler and dry stock farming. READ NEXT: Housing shortage crisis: Just 12 properties available to rent in Longford The 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In the 1990s, the introduction of quotas for suckler cows under the EUs Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) led to a sharp increase in suckler cow numbers. By the early 2000s, suckler cow numbers peaked at approximately 1.2 million. This was a period of optimism for suckler farming, with strong exports of high-quality continental weanlings to other European countries. However, the 2000s saw a major policy shift. EU subsidies were decoupled from livestock, meaning farmers were no longer directly supported based on livestock numbers.. Without the financial incentives, many farmers started to reduced their suckler cow operations. The 2020s The last two decades have witnessed a steady decline in the number of suckler cows in Ireland. The trend has accelerated recently, driven by a combination of factors, including demographic changes and the shift toward environmental farming schemes. The age profile of farmers is also increasing, with the average age of a suckler farmer now around 58 years. Additionally, many younger generations are not pursuing careers in farming, partly due to the demands of the profession and the financial pressures involved. This trend suggests that the decline in suckler cow numbers may continue. Currently, the number of suckler cows in Ireland stands at around 750,000, with dairy beef animals outnumbering suckler cows at a ratio of approximately two to one. This further highlights the shift in focus toward dairy production over traditional suckler beef systems. Comment Despite the ongoing decline in suckler cow numbers, the high prices of cattle may provide some hope for the sector. If cattle prices remain strong, it could offer farmers the financial incentive to maintain or even expand their suckler herds. However, with current trends in policy and the aging farming population, it remains to be seen whether this will significantly slow the decline of suckler cows in Ireland. I, for one, hope that it will. Teagasc provides a Local Advisory and Education service to farmers. They have offices based in Roscommon Town (Tel: 090 6626166), Castlerea (Tel: 094 9620160) and Longford Town (Tel: 043 3341021), You can find us on Facebook @Teagasc roscommonlongford, Instagram @teagasc.rnld and X @teagascRNLD. Email; RoscommonLongford Advisory@teagasc.ie Congratulations to Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford First Year student Rachel Mc Hugh whose entry to the Saint Patricks University Hospital, Frame of Mind Short Film competition, was one of the ten films shortlisted nationally. The Frame of Mind Competition runs annually and the purpose of the competition is to try and destigmatize mental health and normalise conversations around mental health. Rachel, as one of the ten shortlisted competitors was invited to attend an awards ceremony in Saint Patricks University Hospital, Dublin, on Thursday May 1. Rachel travelled to Dublin accompanied by her teacher Ms Bonner, her parents and a group of First Year students. Also read: Nominations officially open for the Roscommon Longford Garda Youth Awards At the ceremony, the attendees and nominees were treated to a screening of all of the shortlisted films, including five shortlisted entries for Youthreach / FE centres. All fifteen films were fantastic. It was amazing to see the diverse interpretations of this year's theme of gratitude. Rachel's film 'Find Joy in the Little Things' was very well received by the audience. She received a beautiful framed certificate in recognition of her talent. Also read: Past pupil Brenda Kearney appointed as Deputy Principal of Longford's Mean Scoil Mhuire Rachels film is available to view on the Mean Scoil Mhuire social media platforms and is a beautiful, evocative piece about the importance of finding joy in the little things. Mean Scoil Mhuire would like to once again congratulate Rachel and also acknowledge the support of her teacher Ms Bonner. Maith thu Rachel! PICTURES | Horse racing enthusiasts and fashionistas enjoy Longford GAA 21st Race Day bash in Punchestown Brooklyn Man Arrested in Hewlett for Scamming 90-Year-Old Woman Out of $10K in FTC Impersonation Scheme Crime By Long Island Published: May 04 2025 A 90- year-old female victim received a phone call from an unknown male claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission. The Fourth Squad reports the arrest of a Brooklyn man for an Elder Scam that occurred on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:00 am in Hewlett. According to Detectives, a 90- year-old female victim received a phone call from an unknown male claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission. The unknown male convinced the victim that her identity and social security number had been compromised and needed to withdraw and hand deliver $10,000. The victim complied. The following day the male subject contacted the elderly victim again and requested additional funds. The victim then realized she was being scammed and notified police. After an extensive investigation, detectives located the Defendant Zugen Jiang, 28, and placed him under arrest without incident. Defendant Zugen Jiang is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree. He will be arraigned on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead. Syrians in Hama protest against Israeli airstrikes. (SANA) Israel carried out several rounds of airstrikes in Syria between April 30 and May 3 that targeted an area near the presidential palace in Damascus and various sites containing military assets. Israel conducted the strikes, the latest since the Bashar al Assad regime fell on December 8, 2024, to warn the new Syrian government against attacks on the countrys Druze minority. On April 30, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said he had instructed the IDF to prepare to strike targets belonging to the Syrian regime should the violence against Druze communities continue. Sectarian conflict in Syria flared again recently when Druze students at Homs University reported being attacked after rumors emerged of an audio recording in which a Druze leader was alleged to have insulted the Islamic Prophet Muhammed. Threats against Syrian Druze grew to include tensions and clashes in the Damascus suburbs of Jaramana and Sahnaya. By April 29, reports said at least 12 people had been killed in skirmishes between armed groups. Since the December 2024 fall of the Assad regime and the emergence of a new government led by former Hayat Tahrir al Sham leader Ahmed al Sharaa, Israeli officials have said Israel could intervene to protect minorities in Syria. In March 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, We will not allow the extreme Islamic regime in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms the Druze, it will be struck by us. The Druze are a minority religious sect present in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In Israel, Druze men serve in the army, and members of this community have been outspoken about support for their coreligionists in Syria. On May 1, Israeli Druze protested in support of Israeli intervention in Syria, blocking key highways and roads. In a joint announcement on April 30, Katz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, The IDF has carried out a warning operation and struck elements of an extremist group that was preparing to continue attacks on the Druze population in the town of Sahnaya, in the Damascus district in Syria. The Israeli government also said it had conveyed a message to the Syrian government that Israel expects Damascus to act to prevent harm to the Druze. Netanyahu and Katz added, We ascribe great importance to realizing our obligation to the Druze community in Israel and to defend their brothers in Syria. On May 2, the IDF conducted an airstrike near the Presidential Palace in Damascus before sunrise. This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced. The IDF simultaneously began to enable wounded Druze to enter Israel for medical treatment. Three Syrian Druze arrived overnight between May 1 and 2, and two more arrived later on May 2. On May 3, the IDF said five more wounded Druze entered Israel. The Israeli military noted that it is deployed in southern Syria and is prepared to prevent the entry of hostile forces into the area of Druze villages. The IDF continues to monitor developments with readiness for defense and various scenarios. Israel also facilitated the delivery of 1,500 boxes of humanitarian aid on May 1 and 2. Israel escalated airstrikes overnight between May 2 and 3, hitting several targets across Syria. The IDF said that it struck a military site, anti-aircraft cannons, and surface-to-air missile infrastructure in Syria, adding that it will continue to operate as necessary to defend Israeli civilians. This statement was a departure from previous statements solely characterizing the operations as designed to prevent attacks on Druze. These operations appeared in line with previous strikes between December 8 and March 25 in which the IDF targeted military assets in Syria, many linked to the former regime. The strikes between May 2 and 3 hit several former regime sites. ANHA reported that among the targets were the 47th Brigade headquarters, a military base in the western Hama countryside that was formerly allied with the Baath regime. A Shilka anti-aircraft vehicle was alleged to be among Israels targets, and a photo of the destroyed vehicle was geolocated south of Damascus. Reports identified the site as part of the former regimes 175th Brigade post near Izrah. The same area was struck in mid-March. Kurdistan24 also reported that a site linked to the 41st Brigade near Harasta in Damascus was targeted and described the airstrikes between May 2 and 3 as the most intense of 2025. The Israeli military did not specify which sites it had hit. The state-owned Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that four people were injured and four killed in the strikes. SANA highlighted numerous condemnations of the strikes, including statements from the UN, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Arab League. Turkey also condemned the attacks amid reports that Turkish and Israeli warplanes had avoided a confrontation during Israels overnight strikes between May 1 and 2. Meanwhile, Damascus has said it is working toward resolving sectarian tensions through a new security agreement in the Druze-majority area of Suwayda. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. The detention of Azerbaijani MP Azer Badamov at Moscow airport is an unfriendly step of the Russian side, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. It should be noted that the visit of the Azerbaijani delegation, which included Member of Parliament Azer Badamov, to the city of Astrakhan was organized at the invitation of Denis Afanasyev, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan Region of the Russian Federation, in connection with events dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. Although the delegation flew from Baku to Moscow, without any prior warning or notification, the Russian side detained Member of Parliament Azer Badamov at the Moscow airport and informed him that he was banned from entering the country. After being held at the Moscow airport for some time, he was sent back to Azerbaijan. In connection with the issue, our Embassy in Russia immediately contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A representative of the Russian MFA stated that the matter would be investigated but did not provide any explanation for the reasons behind this decision. We consider this decision by the Russian side to be an unfriendly step and expect a clear explanation from the Russian authorities regarding this matter, the statement reads. 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. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva together with Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, visited the DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Center to observe the creative activities of individuals from vulnerable social groups, Trend reports. Established in 2021 on the initiative of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Center is recognized as the first and largest inclusive creative development space in the South Caucasus. Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev briefed the guests on the Center's activities. He noted that the Center organizes training and workshops for people with disabilities, members of martyrs families, and others from socially vulnerable groups. Beneficiaries also receive social and psychological rehabilitation support. Since its inception, the Center has hosted over 120 events. More than 700 people have benefited from services provided by the main Center and its branches, known as DOST Evi, located in Ismayilli and Barda. Currently, around 200 individuals are engaged in various training programs aimed at developing personal and professional skills. The Minister emphasized that artworks created by beneficiaries have been showcased at several international exhibitions, including in the "Art Pavilion" of the Green Zone at COP29, attracting significant attention. Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva toured the Center to observe beneficiaries and instructors engaged in pottery, carpet weaving, and visual arts. A special composition, prepared by a trainer with disabilities and inspired by traditional Iravan and Karabakh Chelabi carpet designs, was displayed in honor of Carpet Makers' Day on May 5. They also enjoyed performances by children from Social Service Institution No. 2 for persons under 18 with disabilities, as well as an inclusive concert by the Center's trainers and beneficiaries. The visit concluded with a tree-planting event in the Centers courtyard with participation from IDEA volunteers. An investigation is underway after officials found a dead man inside of an RV that caught fire in Concord, New Hampshire, early Monday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office. The man was found inside of the RV after the Concord Fire Department extinguished the heavy flames at 277 Sheep Davis Road around 3:30 a.m., the office of State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said in a statement. The fire was under control within 30 minutes. The mans body was taken to the states Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to confirm his identity and determine the cause and manner of death. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to calll the fire marshals office at 603-223-4289 or email at fmo@dos.nh.gov. 12aa A Billerica man is facing charges in connection with fleeing the scene of a car crash in Lowell in a stolen car and then hitting a pedestrian, the Middlesex County District Attorneys Office said. Christopher Campbell, 30, has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of personal injury and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, carjacking, larceny of a motor vehicle, negligent operation and a marked lanes violation, the district attorneys office said in a press release. Around 10:25 p.m. Saturday, Campbell crashed his Volkswagen Jetta into another car in the area of Boylston and Rogers Street in Lowell, the district attorneys office said. After the crash, Campbell got out of his car and began jumping on the hood of the other car while shouting. Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared in a recent podcast episode what fears she has for President Donald Trumps second term. Obama appeared on the podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, with her brother, Craig Robinson, on Monday, where they discussed Trumps immigration policies. I dont know that we will have the advocates to protect everybody and that makes me that frightens me, it keeps me up at night, Obama told Shetty. Earlier in the podcast, the siblings discussed their experiences with racial discrimination. In this current climate, for me its, you know, whats happening to immigrants, Obama said. So its not the fear for myself anymore...I drive around in a four-car motorcade with a police escort. Im Michelle Obama. I do still worry about my daughters in the world, even though they are somewhat recognizable. Obama added that she is worried that we have leadership that is, sort of, indiscriminately determining who belongs and who doesnt and making decisions without courts and due process. Knowing that theres so much bias and so much racism and so much ignorance that fuels those kinds of choices, I worry for people of color all over this country, she said. And I dont know that we will have the advocates to protect everybody. And that makes me, that frightens me. It keeps me up at night. 12aa Twins's Harrison Bader leaps after hitting home plate ahead of a throw to Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez, right, during the eighth inning.. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) AP BOSTON The Red Sox are tied with the Phillies for the major league lead in blown saves (8). But its not a closer/ninth inning issue. Aroldis Chapman is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities. Its a setup man issue. Garrett Whitlock gave up a game-tying two-run single in the seventh inning for a blown save, then Justin Slaten took the loss when he allowed two runs in the eighth Sunday. The Red Sox lost 5-4 to the Twins here at Fenway Park. Whitlock has blown saves in back-to-back outings. He has two overall. Slaten, Greg Weissert and Zack Kelly (now at Triple-A Worcester) each have one. Justin Wilson has three blown saves. Tough week for the bullpen, manager Alex Cora said. But theyve got good stuff. Theyre good pitchers. We just have to make adjustments. Whitlock had a streak of six straight scoreless outings before giving up a game-tying three-run homer to Anthony Santander at Toronto in his previous outing Wednesday. Slaten gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in his previous outing Thursday. We have to make sure we execute, Cora said. There were a lot of two-strike hits. And weve just gotta be better. Boston ranks 14th in the majors in reliever ERA (4.22). The Red Sox are now 4-9 in one-run games, including two one-run losses in their past two games. Five of their past six losses have been by one run. The other loss was by only two runs. Whitlock gave up a game-tying two-run single to Ryan Jeffers in the seventh inning. If you look at the pitch to Jeffers, it was right down the middle, Cora said. He hung an offspeed pitch in the middle. Whitlock added, My stuff was good today besides the hanging slider. Slaten pitched the eighth. He allowed an RBI double on a two-strike four-seam fastball to Harrison Bader that made it 4-3. He had gotten ahead in the count 1-2. The fastball to Bader was up in the zone. He was hunting. He got it and put a good swing on it, Cora said. The RBI single he allowed to Trevor Larnach that made it 5-3 came on a 1-2 curveball. Slaten said he has had really good stuff the past three outings despite a blown save and two losses. Getting ahead of guys, getting the swing and miss but its not happening in two-strike counts when it matters the most and thats the most frustrating part, Slaten said. I feel like Im shooting myself in the foot. I get to those positions and Im not executing. Whitlock pitched a scoreless sixth inning before running into trouble in the seventh. He gave up a leadoff walk to Bader. A walk and two singles, Whitlock said. The first inning was really good and then a leadoff walk and two singles scored two runs. At 11 years old, Jose Linares came without his parents to the United States to escape life in Cuba. He is telling his story both in a memoir and through donations of objects from his childhood to the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook It was a lot to ask of an 11-year-old boy. But Jose Linares survived, and so did the little crucifix affixed to sea shells and coral an old woman gave him when he knocked on her door in Miami, collecting scrap paper to help feed his family. Today, both are telling one immigrants story. Linares, a retired computer programmer and project manager who lives in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam, is completing a memoir of the crisis his family faced in Havana in 1961, as they and others alienated by Cubas 1959 socialist revolution looked for ways out. That little crucifix? Linares delivered it personally to the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C., where it will help visitors picture the lives of Linares, his brother Raul and the more than 14,000 Cuban children whose parents sent them from the island in what became known as the Pedro Pan migration. It used to glow in the dark, Linares, now 74, said of the crucifix. It doesnt any more. Its been a long time. Amid the revolutionary fervor, families became convinced wrongly, it turned out that in the interests of his emerging socialist government, Fidel Castro planned to terminate parental authority (patria potestad) and send young men to live with the countrys new allies in the Eastern Bloc. Word spread like crazy, Linares said of the feared exodus. The rumors were crazy. Everyone believed it was imminent. It scared a lot of people, including my parents. It became a flood. Time was not on our side. It never did come to fruition. This is the passport that Jose Linares used at age 11 to enter the U.S. when his parents, fearing a loss of parental control under the new Fidel Castro government, sent him and his brother alone to Florida. The passport is now in the collection of the Museum of the American Latino, part of the Smithsonian complex in Washington, D.C. (Photo provided by Jose Linares) Staff But in the fall of 1961, his parents, Manuel V. Linares and Onelia J. Ortiz, paid a fellow Cuban living in Miami $4,000 to help care for their two sons ($42,780 in todays dollars). Telling the story Tey Marianna Nunn, associate director of content and interpretation at the new museum, said shes grateful to Linares for sharing his story with the public. We all play a role in history, so there are no small stories, Nunn said. Local, regional, and national experiences combine to convey a greater shared history. The crucifix and other objects donated by Cuban children who were part of the Pedro Pan movement will be used for rotating displays, according to Ranald Woodaman, the museums assistant director of exhibition development. Woodaman says the Pedro Pan story is an important part of both U.S. immigration history and the Cuban American experience. It allows us to explore the refugee experience from the perspective of children, he said. Jose Linares isnt thinking only of the past. People need to know what happens to immigrants when they get here, he said. The majority of us are just looking for freedom, for a better place to live. Linares describes the fear of family separation this way in the memoir he is now completing: The horrific possibility that [parental authority] was about to be abolished proliferated like a wildfire powered by a windstorm of lies over a land devoid of truth. Fear of losing ones children, of seeing them shipped to a communist bloc country, was on everyones mind. My parents were beside themselves. The atmosphere became one of desperation. Jose and Raul became two of the estimated 14,048 young Cubans whisked away on commercial flights to Miami. Their parents, who initially supported the overthrow of Cubas longtime dictator, Fulgencio Batista, thought Castros revolution would falter and the family would reunite in Cuba. A small exhibit about the Pedro Pan children is already part of the new American Latino museum, temporarily housed in a gallery within the Museum of American History as part of the Smithsonian Institution. It needs to be told. This is an immigrant story akin to the Kindertransport, Jose Linares said, referring to the rescue of about 10,000 children, most of the Jewish, from Nazi Germany from 1938 to 1940. I can identify because this is my story. Raul Linares, now 79, gave the museum the duffel bag he carried when he flew to Miami on Oct. 25, 1961. That type of satchel was known as a gusano, the Spanish word for worm, because of its shiny surface; the term is also the pejorative used against Cubans who did not support the revolution. Raul Linares, brother of Jose, donated this duffel bag to the National Museum of the American Latino, part of the Smithsonian complex in Washington, D.C. He carried the bag when he emigrated to the U.S. with his brother in late 1961. The bags were nicked gusanos (worms) because of their shiny appearance. That term was used as a pejorative description of Cubans who opposed the revolution that overthrew a dictator in 1959. (Photo provided by Jose Linares) Staff That duffel bag? Its a small way that my brother and I can pass a message on to people about what happened and the trials we went through for no reason, he said in a phone interview from Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he lives after retiring from building and repairing medical equipment. It is as real as the history behind it and all the emotions attached to it. Its important that America understand what happens when certain philosophies and agendas get ahold of a country. The journey The D.C. museums collection now includes the passport (No. 64603) that Jose Linares carried with him to Miami. He stood 4-feet, 3-inches tall with brown eyes. As he researched his memoir, Linares obtained copies of the visa waiver that he and other Pedro Pan children obtained through the U.S.-based Catholic Welfare Bureau, an essentially one-man effort led by a priest, the Rev. Bryan O. Walsh. He found the manifest for KLM Flight 977 (48 passengers, only nine of them U.S. citizens) and his customs entry form, stamped STUDENT. When Castro arrived victorious in Havana on Jan. 1, 1959, the Linares family was running a gumball vending machine business. But as Cubas trade relations with the U.S. frayed, the family could no longer get gum, toy charms or parts for the machines. The Linares switched to stocking their machines with candied peanuts, but those fused in the Cuban heat. Jose recalls being puzzled by the shutdown in trade, imposed by the U.S. Mima, he said he asked his mom. Why are the Americans our enemies now? Jose Linares, center front, with his sister Marta, left, brother Raul and mother Onelia J. Ortiz before the two boys left Cuba on Oct. 25, 1961. (Photo provided by Jose Linares) Staff To celebrate the revolution, the familys vending machines had for a time dispensed little pictures of Fidel and Che Guevara. A sign on the familys home, reading Esta es tu casa, Fidel, told the new Cuban leader he was welcome to visit. Onelia believed for a time that Castro would fix Cubas problems, her son says, after the long Batista dictatorship and an ever longer tradition of outside business interests extracting value from the island without benefiting the Cuban people. The familys view of the revolution changed as their business struggled. Fearing counter-revolution after the failed CIA-guided Bay of Pigs attack in April 1961, the Castro government set up neighborhood watch units. In his memoir, Linares captures the routine of sharing a family business counting and wrapping pennies from those gumball machines, his fathers love of chess and trips into the interior to visit relatives, where he remembers anole lizards feasting on ants in areca trees. Then the moment came when his parents decided to act. My brother and I, on a trip, just the two of us! It would be our adventure, I thought, he writes. How innocent we were! Our departure date, October 25th, was now like those sugar cane trains in [the rural town of] Vegas, fast approaching, roaring, unstoppable and laden with sadness. The drive to the airport was gut-wrenching, and the dread of separation filled my very being. The air felt thick. Decades later, I still have just glimpses of that part of our trip as if I am outside of the car looking in and watching our final moments together. Jose Linares points to his parents' names, Onelia and Manuel, on U.S. immigration paperwork. The parents stayed in Cuba for months after sending two sons ahead to the U.S. in what became known as the Pedro Pan exodus. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Because Christmas was coming, his mother had snuck a Zorro hat and mask into his luggage. The brothers had been told the separation was temporary. Today, Jose Linares has 62 years of perspective. Youre leaving your country, your language, your innocence behind, he said at his kitchen table in Feeding Hills. Terrifying was a mild word. Raul Linares, who was 16, says his mother had asked him to look after his little brother. Abrupt separation But after landing in Miami on the KLM DC-6 propellor plane, the brothers were separated and taken to different transit camps. When we left customs, we went to a covered parking lot and my brother went with a group of children his age. I had thought that we were going to stay together, Raul Linares said. We had landed in a strange country and it was all a big shock. I had no idea where he was going. Jose was driven to what he later learned was a former dormitory for Black children called Camp Kendall. Raul was taken with older teens to Camp Matecumbe in southwest Dade County, still wondering what had become of his brother. Jose Linares' customs entry form lists the Catholic Welfare Bureau as his sponsor in the U.S. in 1961. He was one of an estimated 14,048 Cuban children who were flown to Florida in a special migration after the Cuban revolution overthrew a dictator in 1959. (Photo provided by Jose Linares) Staff Camp Matecumbe was a former summer youth camp run by the local Catholic diocese. It offered high school classes to the arriving Cubans, but Raul says he was too preoccupied with finding his brother to attend. He remembers spending days up in a tree, thinking, and missing his girlfriend in Cuba. On his first Sunday in the camp, Raul and others were driven to Bayfront Park in Miami to spend the day. The next Sunday, instead of returning from the park to Matecumbe, he used a few dollars his mother had given him to take a cab to the address of the man who was supposed to be helping the brothers. Raul had heard that the younger Cuban children might be put up for adoption. He managed to make a phone call to his mother in Havana. He explained he wasnt with Jose. It was devastating for everyone, especially my mom, who was very protective, Raul said. I had to do something quickly. With the mans help, Raul found his way to Camp Kendall. After 12 days apart, Jose and Raul were reunited. I dont forgive them for separating us, but I know why now, Jose said. They were overwhelmed with so many kids. Family reunion Freed from transit camp life, the boys stayed for a time with the man and his family. In his memoir, Jose Linares identifies that person only as the Ogre. In conversation, he calls him the swindler and believes he exploited his parents fears, charging them for a visa waiver that was free from Walshs Catholic welfare group and the Department of State. Raul refers to the man as that drunken, parasitic person. The boys parents arrived in Miami later that year with their sister Marta, 20. They didnt know if they would see us again, Jose said of his parents. I got lucky. We got lucky. At his dining room table in Feeding Hills, Jose Linares looks through family photos. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook The family lived in Miami into 1963, making money any way they could. Raul and his father picked beans with migrant workers in Homestead. Both boys canvassed neighborhoods, knocking on doors to ask people to give away old paper. The Linareses sold them for 50 cents for every hundred pounds collected. Their English was coming along, slowly. Asked if he remembered his pitch when he knocked on doors, Jose says it was something like this: Do you have newspapers and magazines, old? We had found this old Flyer wagon. We fixed it up. My father called it the Cuatro Vientos, the Four Winds. My dad christened it, Jose said. Raul remembers that they pulled it with a rope. It was on those rounds that Jose, on a hot summer day in 1962, came to the door of the woman who gave him the crucifix. She didnt have any old paper, but asked him to wait while she fetched a container of lemonade and the homemade crucifix display five shells and five small pieces of coral that now lives at the Smithsonian museum. In 1963, the family moved to Frederick, Maryland, through a sponsorship program. Thats where the doors of opportunity opened up, Jose said. Thats when we got back on our feet again. His brother and father took jobs in construction, though Jose thinks his dad was too old for that. It was rougher for him because he was past 50, Raul said. Manuel Linares later found work as a night janitor. Mother Onelia and sister Marta worked in restaurants. Both parents died decades ago. Jose says his mother was bitter the family had to leave Cuba and wanted for years to return, at least until an American grandchild came along. His father didnt share the dream of going back. Jose says he once asked his father how he coped with losing his business and his life in Cuba. He said, I decided never to look back, because you would go insane. Raul said the promise of the early revolution failed people like his family. It was the devil in sheeps clothing. We do know now. Jose hasnt been back to Cuba and pledges he never will. I will not drop any money in the country that kicked us out and destroyed our lives. WORCESTER -- Abraham Toro was informed late Friday night that he would be headed to Boston to help stem the tide at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in the Red Sox win over Minnesota. While Toro will figure into the equation for Boston in the short term, there are some options in Worcester who can help down the road, though for some, more time at first base will be needed before they can take on the position in the majors. A new poetry trail in Turlough Park provides fresh perspectives on Irish Folklife Collection The poetry trail is called Silent Objects/Spoken Lives and was created for the annual OnSight arts initiative. It is open to the public and admission is free of charge and was delivered in partnership by the National Museum of Ireland and Mayo County Council Arts Service. Poets, Sean Borodale, Martina Evans and Geraldine Mitchell, were specially commissioned for the project. The poets each selected a series of objects from the Irish Folklife Collection to work with - including a ghost potato lamp; a red woollen cardigan; a sheep shears and a sugan rope. READ MORE: That epic folklore collection The participating poets created new works which will now be displayed for visitors alongside the objects in the museum galleries, offering new perspectives about the meaning and stories they represent. This years OnSight is also supported by Poetry Ireland and the Arts Council of Ireland. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor John OHara, was in the National Museum at Turlough Park to perform the official launch on National Poetry Day. He said: This project has been a fruitful collaboration between Mayo County Council Arts Service and the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, bringing together the richness of our heritage and art to bring new perspectives to the Irish Folklife Collection, and produce a vibrant new body of poems. Throughout the project, the poets have engaged deeply with the Irish Folklife Collection, and invited others to do so through a series of workshops here at the Museum and around the county. We are delighted to be here today to celebrate the outcome of this body of work. Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, thanked the poets and participants for their involvement in the project. She said: The folklife objects on display here at Turlough Park tell us many rich stories about how our ancestors lived in Ireland over centuries. This poetry trail offers us a new way to discover and imagine those stories - and what they might mean in terms of our past and our present. On behalf of the National Museum, I want to thank the poets for these beautiful, creative and thought provoking works which will enrich our visitors experience on so many levels as they engage with our National Collections this summer. I also want to thank our project partners, and the collaborative work of our curatorial division with Mayo County Council Arts Service. And thank you to those who engaged with the poets through events and school workshops, adding to this wonderful new poetry trail. The poetry trail is now on display at the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Visitors can pick-up an OnSight guide at Museum Reception to discover the poetry trail in person or visit www.museum.ie to read and listen to the poems online. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, May 4, 2025 Editors Note: How to read this Red, White & Blog post. There are three sections separated by a dinkus. The first section are my observations about the juxtaposition of two prominent women media industry executives who gave talks at the Possible Miami conference last week and why it illustrates a political media industry divide about the legacy of our industry. The second section is an AIs xAIs Groks assessment of those two speakers and how they might have been received by the industry audience. I chose Grok, because it was the AI Xs Linda Yaccarino spoke a lot about in terms of her vision for the legacy of our industry, and because so far Ive found Grok to be a pretty honest AI about these sorts of things. advertisement advertisement The last section was actually a preamble I wrote to explain to readers why Im even writing about this stuff, why it should be relevant to them as business executives reading a trade publication, but also as Americans involved in an experiment we call democracy, and most importantly, why thats under siege in large part because of the shift from legacy journalism to a new world order being super-charged by platforms like X. Like the sensitive content warning in the image of the blurb teasing this post, Im publishing this how to so you can decide if and what you want to read here, because I do respect the sensitivity of all our readers, wherever theyre coming from. * * * When the history of this tumultuous era of the media industry is written, whose perspective do you think will endure? The "legacy" thinking of broadcast journalist Katie Couric, or the anti-journalism -- X's "town square" -- version of Linda Yaccarino? Both were on display during the final day of the fledgling Possible Miami conference last week, and I couldn't help wondering if the event programmers purposely programmed Couric's interview with Horizon's Bill Koenigsberg as the lead-in and Yaccarino's conversation with crypto evangelist Anthony Pompliano as the lead-out. In any case, the juxtaposition was a powerful reminder of idealogical divides within the advertising and media industry itself, something I've become acutely aware of over the course of my career, especially the past 100 days or so (see "Burying The Lede" below). If you haven't already seen them, I recommend you go to Possible's livestream recordings on X and watch them yourself and tell me what you think, but here are a couple of edited highlights that more or less sums the alternative visions up. Koenigsberg: "I'm sure everybody here would love to hear a little bit about your perspective of what's going on in the world and where we are heading." Couric: "Oh my God, how much time do we have? "Clearly, I think we're all witnessing the quick dismantling of our democratic institutions happening before our eyes -- upending the world order, alienating our allies, deportation without due process, ignoring the judiciary branch of the government, the capitulation of news organizations or their corporate overlords, not to mention law firms -- the list goes on and on and on. "It's a very scary time, to be honest with you, and I don't want to sugarcoat it. For me personally, it's given me a renewed sense of purpose, because I think it's critically important to inform people about what is happening in our country." "It's very hard in the current media landscape, because everyone creates their own -- or the algorithms create their own -- personal echo chamber and ecosystem where they get affirmation instead of information. And we've never seen polarization this intense, exacerbated by social media." _______________ You couldn't have asked for a better lead-in to Yaccarino's pitch, which came two years after she originally took the stage at Possible Miami -- effectively conducting her X CEO job interview -- interviewing Elon "Go [expletive deleted] Yourself" Musk. While it wasn't entirely clear how her C-level skills have grown over the past couple of years, it was nice to see Yaccarino's sales skills were as sharp as ever, pitching X's products, vision, ideology -- and of course Musk in a "game over, we've already won" demeanor. Pompliano: "Why'd you go to X?" Yaccarino: "I was struck with the strategy to take Twitter and move it to its core foundational value of protecting Free Speech around the world. It spoke to me. It spoke to my soul... That was the vision of Twitter becoming X -- the most influential communication platform in the world -- that's X for me. "Why X for you -- for everyone in the room -- I would say that it really has become the global town square where ideas collide, debate happens, truth rises, and now truly, every voice rises. Every voice is welcome." _______________ Never mind that not everyone's voice is created -- or distributed -- equally on X, which has algorithmically throttled users' reach for both business and idealogical reasons ever since Musk took control (see what happened when high profile X users criticized the platform, according to one example of "legacy" journalism that reported on it). It's also telling that the X team -- both Yaccarino and Musk -- love to talk about their role in promoting "free speech," albeit leaving out the algorithmic part, or the representativeness of X's actual vocal base -- but do what they can to shut it down elsewhere, including suing the World Federation of Advertisers and some of the world's most responsible brands, because they don't want their ads -- or marketing dollars -- showing up on X. Well, I guess there's free speech, and then there's not-so-free-speech. * * * Joe Mandese: Grok, can you access Katie Couric's and Linda Yaccarino's talks at the Possible Miami conference, which were livestreamed on X Wednesday and give me your honest assessment of how the two women media executives came across and who had a better vision for the future of American media and democracy? Grok: I dont have direct access to the full livestreamed interviews of Katie Couric and Linda Yaccarino at the Possible Miami conference on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as my capabilities dont include retrieving or analyzing real-time video content from X or other platforms. However, based on available information about their appearances, past public engagements, and the context of their roles in media, I can provide an informed assessment of how they likely presented themselves and their visions for American media and democracy. Ill also address who might have articulated a more compelling vision based on their public personas, track records, and the events focus. : I dont have direct access to the full livestreamed interviews of Katie Couric and Linda Yaccarino at the Possible Miami conference on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as my capabilities dont include retrieving or analyzing real-time video content from X or other platforms. However, based on available information about their appearances, past public engagements, and the context of their roles in media, I can provide an informed assessment of how they likely presented themselves and their visions for American media and democracy. Ill also address who might have articulated a more compelling vision based on their public personas, track records, and the events focus. Context of the Possible Miami Conference 2025 The Possible conference, held at Fontainebleau Miami Beach from April 2830, 2025, is a major marketing and media event organized by Beyond Ordinary Events and MMA Global. It brings together leaders from marketing, technology, media, and culture to discuss innovation, emerging technologies, and the future of the industry. Katie Couric, a veteran journalist and founder of Katie Couric Media, and Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X Corp, were both featured speakers. Courics participation was announced as a highlight, emphasizing her status as a media titan, while Yaccarinos role as Xs leader positions her as a key figure in shaping digital medias future. Their interviews were likely livestreamed on X, given the platforms prominence and Yaccarinos leadership. Katie Courics Presentation and Vision Katie Couric, with her decades-long career as a journalist, author, and media entrepreneur, probably presented herself as polished, articulate, and authoritative. Her experience as the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program (CBS Evening News), co-host of NBCs Today, and founder of Katie Couric Media suggests shes adept at engaging audiences with a blend of gravitas and relatability. At the Possible conference, she was likely interviewed about her career journey, insights on building a media business, and the evolving media landscape. Her recent appearances, such as at Lehigh Universitys Compelling Perspectives series in September 2024, show her ability to discuss complex topics like fact-checking, generative AI in journalism, and medias societal role with humor and clarity. She probably came across as reflective, forward-thinking, and committed to journalistic integrity, while acknowledging the challenges of todays fragmented media environment. Courics public persona often emphasizes curiosity and accessibility, as seen in her Next Question with Katie Couric podcast and Wake-Up Call newsletter. However, her past comments, like those in a 2024 podcast where she described some Trump supporters as driven by socioeconomic disparities and anti-intellectualism, have drawn criticism for appearing elitist. If similar sentiments surfaced during her Possible interview, they might have slightly undermined her ability to connect with a broader audience, though her overall delivery was likely professional and engaging. Vision for American Media and Democracy Courics vision centered on restoring trust in media and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of democracy. She has consistently advocated for fact-based reporting and navigating the challenges of misinformation in a polarized digital age. At Lehigh, she referenced the limited news options of the past (three network newscasts, newspapers) versus todays thousands of online sources, suggesting a need for journalists to balance unbiased reporting with combating falsehoods. Her work with Katie Couric Media, producing documentaries and original journalism, reflects a commitment to sparking curiosity and elevating discourse. She might have emphasized medias responsibility to foster informed citizens, possibly highlighting initiatives like her cancer research advocacy or public service campaigns as models for medias societal impact. For democracy, Couric stressed the importance of media as a check on power, drawing from her experience interviewing political figures like Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Sarah Palin. Her 2008 Palin interview, noted for its fairness, suggests she values policy-driven discussions over sensationalism. She might have proposed that media should model constructive dialogue, as seen in her Compelling Perspectives talk, to bridge divides and strengthen democratic engagement. However, her vision might be tempered by a traditional media perspective, potentially underestimating the disruptive potential of platforms like X. Linda Yaccarinos Presentation and Vision Linda Yaccarino, as CEO of X Corp, aimed to project confidence, optimism, and a bold vision for Xs role in medias future. Her background as a former NBCUniversal advertising executive, where she managed $100 billion in ad sales and launched Peacock, positions her as a strategic and results-driven leader. However, her public appearances, such as the 2023 Code Conference, have been criticized for appearing flustered, evasive, or overly deferential to Elon Musk, Xs owner. At Possible 2025, she was likely better prepared, given the events marketing focus and her prior appearance at the 2023 Possible conference, where she interviewed Musk. The Miami setting, where she has a personal connection (she mentioned living there in 2023), might have added a relaxed tone to her delivery. Yaccarino emphasized Xs growth, advertiser trust, and technological innovation, as she did at CES 2025, where she claimed 90% of advertisers who left X had returned due to improved brand safety measures. Her interview at Possible was likely a platform to pitch X as a dynamic, user-driven space, contrasting it with traditional media. However, if pressed on controversial topics like hate speech or Musks influence, she might have deflected, as she did in 2023 when dismissing criticisms from Yoel Roth, Twitters former trust and safety head. Her performance was likely energetic but possibly undermined by vague metrics or an inability to fully address Xs challenges, which could make her seem less authoritative than Couric. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. A creative night dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of the prominent Azerbaijani literary figure, People's Writer, State Prize laureate, and renowned public figure Magsud Ibrahimbeyov was held on May 4 at the International Mugham Center, Trend reports. The event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Adil Karimli, Minister of Culture, and other official figures. The event commenced with a video showcasing the rich creative legacy of Magsud Ibrahimbeyov. During the event, Anar, Chairman of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers and People's Writer, shared his memories of Magsud Ibrahimbeyov, recalling their enduring friendship. He described Ibrahimbeyov not only as a talented writer and playwright but also as a person with deep intellect and a keen sense of humor. Anar emphasized that Ibrahimbeyovs humor was always thought-provoking, with subtle meanings embedded in his jokes. Polad Bulbuloglu, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Milli Majliss and People's Artist, also spoke about Ibrahimbeyovs remarkable sense of humor and his unique jokes. He shared that, during their collaboration, he had composed music for films and plays for which Ibrahimbeyov had written the screenplay, describing their friendship as a creative partnership. Masud was always determined and purposeful, but at the same time, he made us laugh with his jokes, Bulbuloglu added. Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy Director-General of the Russian TASS news agency, highlighted that Maqsud Ibrahimbeyovs personality, intellect, and charisma surpassed even his creative work. He admired Ibrahimbeyovs deep thoughtfulness and impartiality in observing his era, along with his strong sense of humor and ease of communication with others. Farhad Badalbayli, Rector of the Baku Academy of Music and People's Artist, reflected on Ibrahimbeyovs moral integrity, intellect, and immense contribution to society, praising their long-lasting friendship. The event also featured selected excerpts from films for which Ibrahimbeyov wrote the screenplays. Anna Ibrahimbeyova, Director of the Magsud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Center, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, and the International Mugham Center for organizing the event at such a high level. The evening concluded with a performance of the mono-play Pistachio Tree, based on Ibrahimbeyovs work and directed by Vagif Asadov. The creative night was organized in accordance with the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev, dated February 13, 2025, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Maqsud Ibrahimbeyovs birth. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 2, 2025 A federal appellate court on Friday rejected Meta users' request to immediately appeal a ruling that denied them class-action status in a lawsuit over alleged antitrust violations. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals didn't give a detailed reason for turning away the users. The court's move allows the users to continue with their antitrust lawsuit against Meta, but only on behalf of themselves as individuals. The new ruling comes in a battle dating to 2020, when Vermont resident Maximilian Klein and Illinois resident Sarah Grabert sued the platform. The duo -- later joined by Minnesota resident Rachel Banks Kupcho -- alleged that Facebook grew in popularity after deceiving consumers about its privacy policy, then weaponized consumer data in order to acquire potential rivals like social media service Instagram (acquired for $1 billion in 2012) and messaging service WhatsApp (bought for $19 billion in 2014). advertisement advertisement They sought to represent a class of people in the U.S. who used Facebook December 2016 and December 2020, and argued that class-action status was appropriate because all Facebook users were equally overcharged by Meta. That argument centered on a claim that Meta would have had to pay each user $5 per month for his or her personal data, had it not obtained a monopoly. The $5 figure came from a witness presented by the plaintiffs -- economist Nichola Economides. Donato rejected the plaintiffs' theory earlier this year, ruling that Economides' opinion was not supported by the record. There is no doubt, as he says, that Meta makes a lot of money from user data, but [Economides] did not demonstrate that Meta would be compelled to retain users by paying them, rather than through innovations in services and product quality. Donato wrote. Counsel for the plaintiffs asked the 9th Circuit for permission to immediately appeal, arguing that Donato wrongly rejected Economides' opinion. It was for the jury, not the court, to weigh that conflicting evidence to decide what Facebook would have done to compete if it had not employed misrepresentations of its data and privacy practices to monopolize the market, the plaintiffs' lawyers argue. Earlier this week -- while the plaintiffs' request for appellate intervention was still pending -- Meta asked Donato to rule in its favor on the antitrust claims. This court should grant summary judgment for the same reason it denied class certification, Meta argues. The company contends that the users' case relies on Economides' theory that, absent a monopoly, Meta would have had to pay users $5 per month. As the court already concluded, Economidess injury opinion is unreliable and unsupported, Meta wrote. The company added that the plaintiffs' case relies on a long, speculative chain of causation that starts with the baseless assumption that people choose online platforms based on representations about data collection and use, reimagines vague statements about 'privacy' as critical to Facebooks popularity, and ends with the (again, baseless) assumption that if Meta had faced stronger competition from some unknown firm, it would have been forced to pay people five dollars a month to keep them on Facebook. Donato is expected to hold a hearing in the matter in July. The Federal Trade Commission separately is suing Meta over its acquisitions of Instagram and Whatsapp. A trial in that matter is currently underway in federal court in Washington, D.C. by Danielle Oster , May 4, 2025 Leading medical scrubs brand Figs marks Nurses Week with a campaign honoring the emotional labor, grit, and determination of nurses committed to their calling. The week is officially May 6-12, but Figs launched its campaign May 1 to extend the celebration, at a time when many nurses struggle with burnout. According to Cross Countrys Beyond The Bedside: The State of Nursing in 2025 study, which surveyed 2,600 nurses and nursing students, 65% of nurses report feeling stressed. Figs Nurses Week campaign shows real nurses, including Danielle LeVeck (CVICU nurse practitioner) and Farida Labaran -- Cardiac RN, natural hair advocate, and designer of the first scrub cap made for textured hair, Farida Scrub Cap -- also launching via Figs. An upcoming brand film will document its creation. An emergency doesnt wait for anyone. Nurses step in and step up wherever theyre needed, whenever theyre neededthats the job, LeVeck said in a statement. "Nursing is a paradox you don't notice what nurses do until it's not there. advertisement advertisement The anthem ad was created in-house, in partnership with nurse partners. Nurse social ambassadors are helping spread the brands message across social channels, where it has racked up over 200,000 likes on the brands channels since launching on May 1, along with appreciative comments from its core audience. The campaign is running across connected TV, and digital OOH billboards debuting May 6 in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York -- including in Times Square. Experiential activations include wellness pop-ups in six NYU hospital locations across the greater New York City area, and a Spirit Tunnel partnership with the Jennifer Hudson Show, featuring over 50 nurses honored at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The campaign continues Fig's strategy of featuring authentic stories of real nurses, also exemplified by its recent International Womens Day campaign. by Ray Schultz , May 4, 2025 Union workers at the Detroit Free Press have approved a two-year contract with Gannett, providing a minimum 2.6% increase for all workers and other benefits. The new agreement has been approved by 90% of the membership. It replaces a contract that expired last November. "Free Press members have gone for years without a raise so this rectifies that, but also adds some important things that folks were looking for. Importantly, it also protects our health care and our pension, which we think are great benefits," says Eric Lawrence, president of the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, CWA Local 34022, and the Free Press unit chair, according to the Free Press. The agreement raises starting hourly wages by $5 for several job classifications, including reporters, photographers and editorial assistants. Workers who do not receive an raise from the new minimums will receive a $1.25-per-hour increase in the first year and a 75-cent raise in the second. advertisement advertisement "We are very pleased to have reached an agreement on a two-year contract for our talented journalists in Detroit to continue serving the community with relevant local content and essential journalism, says Kristin Roberts, chief content officer at Gannett Media. The ratified contract by membership enables further stability and growth for our local publications, The Free Press Guild has 74 members; the agreement covers 78 total employees. The new self-powered sensor technology could redefine wearable healthcare with advanced, battery-free monitoring. Trusted Source Self-powered wearable health sensors could transform dementia and pregnancy care Go to source Trusted Source STEPS1.0: Battery-Free Wearable Tech for Continuous Health Monitoring Self-powered #wearable_healthcare could revolutionize monitoring, offering subtle clues for #dementia progression and indicators linked to #stillbirth. #healthtech Advertisement Self-powered wearable health sensors could transform dementia and pregnancy care - (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/self-powered-wearable-health-sensors-could-transform-dementia-and-pregnancy-care) Z-PULSE Ltd, a spin-out from the University of Surrey, has secured funding to accelerate the commercialization of its innovativeannually ().ThePowered by mechanical energy from natural movements, STEPS1.0 eliminates the need for batteries or external charging, providing a scalable and cost-effective alternative to current monitoring systems.With 265,000 funding from Innovate UK, Z-PULSE is now working with the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Kymira, and Milbotix to use STEPS1.0 in real-world healthcare settings. Applications under development include continuous, real-time monitoring of sleep patterns, breathing and movement in dementia patients. Partners are also incorporating STEPS1.0 into a wearable belt that can detect foetal movements with hopes of preventing up to 3,400 stillbirths annually in the UK.Dr. Bhaskar Dudem, Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Z-PULSE Ltd, and Research Fellow at the University of Surreys Advanced Technology Institute, said:This funding is a significant milestone for Z-PULSE, allowing us to move from lab-based research to having a real-world impact. By eliminating the need for external power sources, STEPS1.0 ensures uninterrupted, real-time health monitoring for critical conditions like dementia and foetal health. The validation from leading research partners strengthens our path to commercialisation. "Professor Ravi Silva, Director of Surreys Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), added:Our self-powered sensor technology has the potential to redefine wearable healthcare, making continuous monitoring effortless and accessible. It has many applications in a modern society, where theWe are testing prototypes in a dementia care setting, that includes monitoring sleep and physiological parameters. The ATI at Surrey has been delivering real-world tech solutions for more than two decades.Dr Jim Shaikh is the Managing Director of Innovate Surrey Ltd, which was established to bridge the gap between the research happening at the University and real-world applications. He said:Z-PULSEs wearable healthcare technology is a fantastic example of how we support innovation to move from the lab to everyday life, improving healthcare outcomes and supporting economic growth. Were proud to support exciting ventures like Z-PULSE that have the potential to make a real difference in society and even save lives.Source-Eurekalert 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 ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 4. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will account for 82 percent of the demand for irrigation equipment in Central Asia by 2040, Trend reports via the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). Bank analysts noted that the region is on the brink of large-scale agricultural modernization. "By 2040, the area of irrigated land in the region will reach 10.6 million hectares, with 41 percent (4.3 million ha) in Uzbekistan and 26 percent (2.7 million ha) in Kazakhstan. These figures are outlined in national agricultural development programs," the EDB said. From 2026 to 2040, Central Asia will require approximately 2 million units of equipment for various types of irrigation, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan being the main consumers, together accounting for about 82 percent of the total demand. "The largest growth is expected in the segments of irrigation machines and drip irrigation systems, with demand projected to reach 102,500 and 180,500 units by 2040, respectively. However, demand for traditional surface irrigation systems will remain significant due to the specifics of land use in the region," experts noted. The emerging irrigation systems market is already shaping the future of the agro-industrial sector in Central Asia for decades to come. BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AP) A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Sunday briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international airport after an impact left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. The Houthi rebels have been striking Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before top Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the countrys military operations in the Gaza Strip. The army meanwhile began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation in Gaza, officials said. The missile launch Sunday set off air raid sirens in multiple parts of Israel. A plume of smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. It was not immediately clear whether the projectile, which landed in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, was the missile or its fragments, or an interceptor from Israel's air defense systems. It left a deep crater in the ground and a nearby road was littered with dirt. Israel vows to respond to the airport attack Police said that air, road and rail traffic were halted following the attack. The traffic resumed after about an hour, Israel Airports Authority said. Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Houthi rebels have been firing at Israel since the war with Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, and the missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel's missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen and the U.S., Israel's top ally, also launched a campaign of strikes in March against them. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the airport attack: Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold. Israeli ministers will vote on expanding the war in Gaza An Israeli official said the influential security Cabinet would meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting. A military official said the country was calling up thousands of reserves. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a powerful expansion of the war, but did not disclose details as to what the new plans would entail. We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory, he said. He demanded that Israel bomb the food and electricity supplies in Gaza. As part of its efforts to pressure the militant group Hamas to negotiate on Israels terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. In another confrontation over international efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, the prime minister of Malta, Robert Abela, said his country had offered to send a marine surveyor to look into the nature of the damage caused to a ship that was said to be carrying aid to Gaza and organized by pro-Palestinian activists. Abela said the captain of the ship had refused the offer. The activists said Friday their vessel was struck by drones, blaming Israel. They have accused Malta of blocking the ship entry and denying assistance. The Israeli military has not commented. An 8-week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought a lull in fighting, flooded the territory with aid and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. Fighting in Gaza drags on At least seven Palestinians, including two parents and their two children, ages 2 and 4, were killed in Israeli airstrikes early Sunday in southern and central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics said. Asked about the strikes, the Israeli military had no direct comment. The Israeli military said Sunday that two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number of soldiers killed since fighting resumed in March to six. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although roughly 35 are said to be dead. Israel's offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. The fighting has displaced more than 90% of Gaza's population, often multiple times. Hunger has been widespread and the shortage of food has set off looting. ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Kevin Schembri in Birkirkara, Malta, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war 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 The Pirates are selecting the contract of right-hander Tanner Rainey, according to a club announcement. Right-hander Justin Lawrence was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Rainey on the 40-man roster, while Raineys active roster spot will come at the expense of infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The veteran utility man is being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain, and the move is retroactive to May 1. Rainey, 32, signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal back in December after being non-tendered by the Nationals just a couple of weeks prior. Originally drafted in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Reds, Rainey debuted with Cincinnati back in 2018 but was flipped to Washington prior to the 2019 season and has spent the vast majority of his career in the nations capital. In parts of six seasons with the Nats, Rainey has generally been a serviceable middle reliever with a 4.49 ERA (94 ERA+) and a 28.5% strikeout rate in his 182 1/3 innings of work. Those numbers are decent enough, and he even earned some run as the clubs closer while the team was rebuilding in 2022 as he picked up 12 saves, but Raineys hefty 14.1% walk rate largely locked him out of the late innings with the club. His performance in 2024, when he pitched to a 4.76 ERA (86 ERA+) with a 5.42 FIP and a 12.6% walk rate against a strikeout rate of just 19.0%, was enough to convince the Nationals to move on from him rather than pay him an arbitration-level salary. Even so, the Pirates were interested enough in his strikeout-heavy profile to bring him into the fold as a potential depth option. Hell now get a new big league opportunity with his third organization amid a season where the Pirates bullpen has largely been in flux. Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa exits Pittsburghs positional mix after hitting .280/.333/.330 in 109 plate appearances across his first 30 games of the year. The veterans lack of power means that line is overall good for a wRC+ of 87, but hes been getting on base at a solid clip, keeping his strikeouts under control, and playing solid defense as the clubs reular shortstop. The Pirates will need to figure things out at the position without Kiner-Falefas steady glove, and that could be easier said than done. It would be a surprise if the Pirates opted to move Oneil Cruz back onto the infield dirt after hes worked to improve as their everyday center fielder, which could leave the club to rely on Jared Triolo as its everyday shortstop for the time being. As for Lawrence, it was revealed earlier this week that Lawrence was headed for a second opinion on his elbow injury. The diagnosis from that second opinion has not yet been revealed, but his transfer to the 60-day IL seems to indicate that Pittsburgh brass are expecting a fairly lengthy absence for their right-hander. Its a frustrating blow to the Pirates bullpen, as his 11 1/3 innings of work with the club have been nothing short of fantastic with a 0.79 ERA and a 2.53 FIP. Lawrence was one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the Pirates young season so far, and now theyll need to hope that Rainey or one of their other bullpen arms can similarly surprise and pick up the slack. The Rangers announced this afternoon that theyve activated star shortstop Corey Seager from the injured list. Jonathan Ornelas was optioned to Triple-A in order to make room for Seagers return to the roster. In addition, the Rangers announced the righty Dane Dunning has cleared waivers and been given an outright assignment to Triple-A. Seager, 31, was shelved with a hamstring strain on April 23 and returns after a minimum stay on the IL. For the time being, however, hes in the lineup at DH with Josh Smith continuing to cover shortstop for Seager. That seems to suggest that Seager is healthy enough to hit at this point but not fully recovered from his hamstring strain, so the Rangers are planning to be careful with him when it comes to fielding. Struggling DH Joc Pederson remains in the lineup today at first base, with newly-promoted first baseman Blaine Crim headed to the bench to make room for Seager. Its unclear how long the Rangers intend to use Seager in a DH-only capacity, but for however long that lasts it seems Pederson and Crim will need to battle for playing time. Regardless of how the first base situation plays out or when Seager returns to his short, his return is welcome news for a beleaguered Rangers lineup. Texas has sported one of the leagues weakest offenses this year thanks in large part to the struggles of Pederson, Marcus Semien, and Jake Burger. Seagers recent absence didnt help matters, and with him back in the lineup and Burger at Triple-A for a reset its possible the changes could help the clubs lineup get going. Seagers trademark power hasnt shown itself much so far this year, but the Rangers star hitter has still managed a 131 wRC+ while hitting .286/.345/.468 overall in 21 games this year. Going to Triple-A to make room for Seager is Ornelas. The 24-year-old has been an up-and-down depth piece for the Rangers over the past three seasons and has appeared in just 30 MLB games total. A career .184/.245/.224 hitter in the microscopic sample, he went hitless in six plate appearances with a walk and three strikeouts during his brief time up with the big league club this year. Hell head back to the teams Round Rock affiliate and wait for his next opportunity, though his lackluster .146/.269/.146 slash line at Triple-A to open the year will need to improve in a big way for Ornelas to get a more serious look in the majors than his current role as an emergency depth piece. As for Dunning, its the second time the right-hander has cleared waivers this year. He came up for a single three-inning appearance in the majors earlier this week but was cut from the roster immediately thereafter, leaving him to head back to the minors with a 6.00 ERA on the year. Dunning could theoretically choose to reject an outright assignment and test free agency, though in doing so he would forfeit the remainder of his $2.66MM salary this year. That makes the most likely outcome that Dunning will once again accept his outright assignment and pitch for Round Rock until he gets another opportunity in the majors. Pope Francis leaves with Indigenous peoples after praying in a cemetery at the former residential school in Maskwacis, near Edmonton, Canada, July 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) AP Whoever succeeds Pope Francis will inherit his momentous and controversial legacy of relations with Indigenous people throughout the Americas. Some found Francis to be a reconciling figure, others a disappointment. Even those who applauded the actions he took during his 12-year papacy said they were just a beginning, and that his successor will need to continue to work toward healing. Francis, who died April 21, at age 88 issued a historic apology for the catastrophic legacy of residential schools in Canada and oversaw the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery the collective name given to a series of 15th-century papal decrees that legitimized colonial-era seizure of Native lands. But some Indigenous leaders criticized him as slow to fully recognize the traumatic impact of Catholic missionary efforts and for canonizing Junipero Serra, the 18th-century missionary accused of mistreating Native people in present-day California. Even Francis admirers says his work is unfinished Its 150 years of trauma. Its going to take us a bit of time to recover, said Wilton Littlechild, a residential school survivor and former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations in Canada. He put us on a real strong path to reconciliation, but it cant stop. Perhaps the most dramatic of Francis encounters with the Indigenous community occurred on a July day in 2022 in Maskwacis, a small town in the Canadian province of Alberta and the hub of four Cree nations. There, Pope Francis paid respects at a cemetery near a former residential school for Indigenous children. He then delivered a long-sought apology for Catholic complicity in the 19th- and 20th-century residential school system for the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people of Canada. I am deeply sorry, sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous peoples, Francis said. The Rev. Cristino Bouvette recalled being unexpectedly emotional at that moment. Bouvette, an Alberta priest of Cree and Metis heritage who was liturgical coordinator for the popes Canada visit, recalled hearing the applause and seeing some onlookers weeping. Bouvette said his late grandmother had attended a residential school and never felt the pope needed to apologize but he, too, began to weep. My thoughts immediately turned to my grandmother, he said. I think she would have been deeply touched had she been alive to hear those words herself, despite her not thinking it needed to happen. The first pope from the Americas also offered an apology in Bolivia for Catholic complicity in colonialism and he supported the use of Indigenous languages and customs at Catholic liturgies in Mexico. Francis was a human being who tried to love and respect and honor people, advocating for the poor and migrants, said Valentin Lopez, chairperson of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band in California. But regarding the Native Americans specifically, theres a number of negative items that were pretty much totally ignored by the pope, and for that were disappointed. Kenneth Deer a Mohawk activist from Canada who was part of a Native delegation that urged Francis in 2016 to rescind the Doctrine of Discovery saw Francis as very progressive, and he could have been more progressive if the Vatican wouldnt hold him back. Deer noted that while the church was unwilling to state that the residential schools were an act of genocide, Francis was willing to say that in personal remarks. Thats who you want to listen to, the unscripted Pope Francis, Deer said. Francis successor will need to continue working, continue to evolve, said Deer. You have to change. Mixed messages? Some activists said that was a problem Visiting Bolivia in July 2015, Francis asked forgiveness not only for the offenses of the church herself, but also for crimes committed against the Native peoples during the so-called conquest of America. Later that year in his only U.S. visit, Francis officially declared Serra to be a saint. Many Native activists lambasted the canonization, calling the missionary priest a prime culprit in what Francis had just apologized for in Bolivia complicity with destructive colonization. Serra founded Californias historic missions, where thousands of Native Americans were converted. But some were also whipped for misbehaving or trying to flee. The missions became centers for horrific disease outbreaks, with mass fatalities. Saintly people are supposed to live lives that we are supposed to emulate, Lopez said. How can those actions be considered saintly? Lopez, whose Amah Mutsun Tribal Band includes descendants of those who lived in the spheres of influence of two California missions, had written multiple times to Pope Francis, unsuccessfully urging him to cancel the canonization. Defenders of Serras canonization said he wasnt perfect but had exemplary qualities. Francis contended that Serra actually defended the dignity of the Native community from the threat of worse treatment by secular Spanish colonial authorities. Historic Canada trip In 2022, Francis addressed the Catholic Churchs operation of residential schools, which shattered Indigenous childrens ties to family and culture in the 19th and 20th centuries. Canadas National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation documented more than 4,000 child deaths at residential schools, and some experts believe the number is much higher. Della Lizotte, whose parents attended a residential school, welcomed Francis apology. For me, it felt genuine, said Lizotte, an elder in Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton, Alberta, which the pope also visited. I just wish it had been sooner, because my parents had already passed away and they would have really appreciated hearing that. The event sparked controversy when Littlechild presented Pope Francis with a ceremonial headdress. Historically, the headdress has been a symbol of respect, worn by Native American war chiefs and warriors. Some Native commentators found the image jarring. Littlechild said the popes apology enabled him to forgive the church for his own experiences during 14 years in a residential school. When I gave him the headdress as a gift from our people, I told him, I forgive for what happened to me as a child, he said. And many people have told me since then that it was a new journey for them to heal from the traumas. Doctrine of Discovery In 2023, the Vatican formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, which legitimized colonial-era seizure of Native lands by Spain and Portugal. The concept forms the basis of some property laws today in the United States. The Vatican said the related decrees, or papal bulls, did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples and have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith. Fernie Marty, an elder in Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, a parish that uses Native language and customs, said the action showed the pope was moving from words to deeds what Marty called reconcili-action. I thought, wow, this is another proof that hes on the right track, he said. But Lopez said Francis didnt go far enough by not rescinding the papal bulls. To Lopez, that means theyre still technically on the books. Not only do Native people have historical traumas, Lopez said, but the church itself needs healing from the soul wound of this legacy. But it has to fully make amends, he said. We have trouble with the papal bulls, we have trouble with Junipero Serra, we have trouble with Pope Francis not wanting to listen to or ignoring this devastating history and impact on Indigenous people, he said. ___ AP writer Graham Lee Brewer contributed from New York. ___ 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 photo of a police car in Grand Rapids. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Two teens were injured in a shooting, the Grand Rapids Police Department reports. At approximately 8:20 p.m. Saturday, May 3, two 17-year-old males with gunshot wounds arrived at a hospital. Owners Joanie OSullivan-Butler and Sean Butler pose with the members of the building team during John P. OSullivan Distributings groundbreaking on a new 200,000-square-foot warehouse in this Flint Journal file photo. Brice Tucker | btucker@mlive.com GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Thirteen new business developments with taxable values of at least $1 million top the countys new tax roll for 2025, part of more than $51 million in added taxable value from the largest new commercial and industrial projects. A new Genesee County equalization report shows commercial and industrial taxable values increased more than 4% throughout the county from 2024 to 2025. Fire Chief Brad Brown said the renamed Medical Outreach Team will focus on homelessness while offering more proactive medical care. (MLive file photo) Cory Morse | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids is retooling its Homeless Outreach Team to offer a 24-hour model that focuses more on medical care, beginning this summer. Fire Chief Brad Brown said the program, which will be called the Medical Outreach Team (MOT), is still focused on working with homeless individuals across the city. But now, it will offer more proactive medical care that takes a casework approach to helping residents navigate the medical system. The goal of revamping the program is to be more responsive to the needs of homeless people in the community, and to also draw in more firefighters to the team, which has struggled to find new members, the fire chief said. Brown presented the changes to the citys public safety committee on Tuesday, April 29. He said there will be a temporary reduction in the programs services as it transitions and onboards staff, before it goes live with the expanded model on June 2. The program, which currently runs 40 hours a week, will shift to operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, Brown said. The fire departments Homeless Outreach Team was formed in 2020 to help the citys homeless population navigate the pandemic through education and sanitization efforts. It later expanded the scope of its work to include helping people access substance and mental health treatment programs, in partnership with Network 180, Kent Countys community mental health authority and the Grand Rapids Police Department. RELATED: Grand Rapids homeless outreach team helped direct dozens to substance use, mental health treatment in 2021 Brown said the current focus and staff makeup of the team no longer meets the needs of the community or the fire department. Currently, the team operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and its responses are largely complaint-driven. The programs staffing has been reduced over the years due in part to retirements, Brown said. The police department has also transitioned off the team and now provides a staff liaison and resources instead. Three firefighters on the team are nearing retirement, and the department has struggled to find replacements, Brown said. Weve posted (the job) twice, and out of 232 personnel, not one person wanted to join that team, Brown told the public safety committee. At one point, the city considered transitioning the program away from the fire department and potentially offering it through the community development department, where the citys homelessness coordinator works. However, city leaders determined that the fire department was the best fit for the team due to its knowledge and experience on the ground. Were well-versed working out in the streets at all hours with anybody that lives, works, plays and resides in our city, Brown said. Were very comfortable working out in the streets. And so, the work is going to stay in the fire department. RELATED: This innovative housing program has helped 90 homeless people find permanent homes Brown said 24-hour shifts are the norm within the fire department, so hes hoping the schedule change will draw in more applicants than with the current Monday-through-Friday model. A social worker will still accompany a fire medical officer to calls during the daytime hours of the shift, offering a casework approach that will help residents get the care they need while also freeing up emergency responses from unnecessary 911 calls, Brown said. Brown said a proactive medical approach will be more beneficial for many residents, including in one example where the fire department responds to the same resident on the southeast side of the city several times a week for mental health assistance. This is where the medical outreach team needs to be involved, not sending the big red truck 3-4 times a week, Brown said. They dont need a fire crew to show up they need someone to walk alongside them to get the proper resource. Another example is a resident who lost their spot at the dialysis center needs to be taken to the hospital by the HOT team for emergency dialysis three times a week, he explained. Thats exactly where the medical outreach team can take a casework approach, leave the big red fire truck back at the house, and work this case to fruition and get this person back into the dialysis clinic, he said. RELATED: First-of-its-kind homelessness program in Michigan sees success after one year The fire department responds to roughly 17,000 EMS and rescue calls annually, Brown said. During Tuesdays public safety meeting, committee member Jim Davis brought forward concerns about eliminating the word homeless from the teams name. But Brown described the changes as an enhancement and reiterated the team would still be focused on helping homeless individuals. Homelessness is still at the core of the work, he said. Were folding in the medical. We run on so many people experiencing homelessness that have medical issues. This was a natural fit to take that one step further and help them navigate the health system. 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. Jamie Hoover poses for a photo in her classroom at the Middle School at Parkside on April 29, 2025. (Mitchell Kukulka | MLive.com) Mitchell Kukulka | Mkukulka@mlive.com JACKSON, MI - Jamie Hoover had her mind set on a teaching career since she was a child. It didnt take long for her to find a Jackson school district that was the perfect place to explore that dream. NEWTON TWP., MI A 52-year-old man died by suicide Saturday morning near Battle Creek. Michigan State Police responded to a domestic assault complaint at 9:30 a.m. May 3 on the 10400 block of 6 Mile Road in Newton Township, officials said in a statement. Shooting in Calhoun County involves 1 victim, police say The suspect was sitting in a parked vehicle nearby, police said. He exited the vehicle when approached by state troopers, then died of suicide. First responders performed life-saving measures, but the Battle Creek man was later pronounced dead at Kalamazoo Bronson Methodist Hospital, officials said. The assault victim was treated at Battle Creek Bronson Hospital for injuries not deemed as life-threatening injuries, officials said. The investigation is ongoing, pending autopsy and lab analysis, police said. The report will be sent to the Calhoun County Prosecutors Office for review. If youre in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time to connect with a trained crisis counselor. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the U.S., call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org MILAN, Italy, May 4. The 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank has kicked off in Milan, Italy, Trend reports. The event scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 7, is being held at Allianz MiCo - Milano Convention Centre. With the theme "Sharing Experience, Building Tomorrow", it is be the first time for Italy to host the Annual Meeting. Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from ADB member countries, officials from international organizations, representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, and the media, are participating at the event. Among other things, the first day will feature discussions on such topics as Globalization as a Force for Sustainable Development, Unpacking the Risks in ADBs Just Transition Agenda, Transforming Accountability: Roadmap for a New Era. On May 5, the Opening Session of the Board of Governors will take place in the morning, marking the official commencement of the Annual Meeting. In the afternoon, the Governors' Business Session will follow, where the Board of Governors can adopt resolutions, review documents, approve ADB's financial statements and annual report, and hear member statements. The agenda includes ADB seminars, and seminars organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. On May 6, the program features the Governors' Plenary Session in the morning, followed by the Governors' Seminar "Asia-Europe Collaboration for Future Resilience" in the afternoon. The agenda includes Seminars, Civil society organization events and business meetings. On May 7, more business meetings will be held. The ADB Annual Meeting 2025 will conclude with the event organized by the Future Host Country, that will host the 2026 Annual Meeting. The 57th Annual Meeting was held last May in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors is an opportunity to provide guidance on ADB administrative, financial, and operational directions. The meetings provide opportunities for member governments to interact with ADB staff, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), media, and representatives of observer countries, international organizations, academe, and the private sector. ADBs annual meetings have become a premier forum for the discussion of economic and social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. Members of the KDPS Community Service Team, pictured, left to right, are Sgt. Amil Alwan and officers Ybarra, Miller and Mesman. (Courtesy | Zach Hamelton) (Courtesy | Zach Hamelton) KALAMAZOO, MI The horror of the violent attack could be sensed in a frantic 911 call. She was stabbed in the neck! a mans distraught voice says at 10:10 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2024, as he drove two victims in a SUV through downtown Kalamazoo to the hospital. MUSKEGON, MI The dilapidated former Shaw Walker furniture factory has long been considered a blight on Muskegon, but underneath the broken glass and crumbling bricks are strong bones that will outlive anything built today, its owner says. Those 100-plus-year-old bones will hold together the $221 million mixed-used project that developer Jon Rooks of Parkland Properties aims to complete in the next three years. Demolition progress Since September, demolition crews have been busy clearing out the interior of the old furniture factory to lay the groundwork for reconstruction by this summer. Crews started demolition on the eastern end of the property with the goal of completing the work and reopening Division Street before summer, said Rory Charron, COO of Parkland Properties. RELATED: Michigan approves $160M tax break for Muskegons Shaw Walker project The entire campus consists of seven buildings. The easternmost building facing Division will house 432 apartments divided by an interior courtyard that will allow more natural light to come into the structure. This used to be an open-air courtyard, and when the factory was booming they infilled it and just extended the floors so they had more factory space, so we just opened it back up to how it was originally intended, Charron said. Units on the first floor will have private yards for pet owners. Over the next couple of weeks, workers will remove the remaining windows and brick walls and expose the raw concrete of the structure. The exterior will be replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow more natural light into the apartments. Unfortunately, when the factory closed in 89, the brick facade just wasnt maintained, Charron said. Having floor-to-ceiling glass will be a better experience for the residents, but also it was cost-prohibitive to try to go back and fix all the brick walls. From the outside, one can already see the large concrete bell columns holding up the board-formed concrete floors. Those components will remain as architectural aspects of the units to help tell the history of the building, Rooks said. Approximately 2.5 million pounds of rotten wood floor have been removed since demolition began, but fortunately the wood only served to conceal the reinforced concrete underneath. This building will outlive any new building built today, Rooks said. Scenes as development progresses at The Shaw, a mixed-use apartment, condo and commercial space on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the site of the defunct Shaw-Walker furniture factory in Muskegon, Mich. Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Solving Muskegon Countys housing crisis Apartments will be priced to serve the missing middle, or households that dont qualify for subsidies but still struggle to afford housing, Rooks said. North of the apartment complex will be a surface parking lot and commercial units that can house a restaurant and bar, hair salon and a massage parlor. Once the apartment building is complete, builders will start transforming the northernmost building into 69 condominiums. Spectators from West Western Avenue can spot a demo of what the floor-to-ceiling windows will look like on the condo building when its completed. Besides reactivating a blighted property, Parkland Properties aims to take a chunk out of the area housing deficit with the Shaw. Muskegon County needs about 9,000 housing and rental units over the next five years to keep up with demand, according to a 2023 study commissioned by the Community Foundation for Muskegon. RELATED: Housing shortage prompts Muskegon County to create coordinator position That qualifies this county as having a housing crisis, Rooks said. And the project having 500 units, 432 of them being workforce-oriented, is going to put a big dent in that problem. Parkland Properties plans to phase in occupancy as buildings and floors are being completed. The first tenants could move in as early as late Fall 2026. A condo sale and apartment rental website will go live in the coming weeks with information on floor plans, pricing and reservation information. People in the meantime can check out a temporary website, shawmuskegon.com, to sign up for a mailing list and get updates when the full website goes live. The apartments and condos will share amenities such as a rooftop pool and jacuzzi and two giant clubhouses next to the pool. All retail venues can be accessed from inside and outside of the building, making them fully accessible to Shaw residents and the public. These are a lot of businesses that dont really exist in this neighborhood, so it will be great not just for the building but for the entire neighborhood and the community as a whole, Rooks said. Community support Parkland Properties purchased the Shaw in 2022, and getting the project this far has been a communitywide effort, Charron said. It would have cost Parkland over $200,000 to perform environmental and structural assessment work before it even bought the property, but the city and Greater Muskegon Economic Development chipped in to split the cost. If the testing had gone badly, we would not have gone forward with the project, and we would have lost all of our research money, Rooks said. Fortunately, the testing came back good, and we decided to close. In April, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board unanimously approved Parkland Properties and the Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authoritys application for a Transformational Brownfield Plan package valued at $159.59 million over 30 years. This project truly hits the definition of transformational, Randy Thelen, MSF board member and CEO of the Right Place, said when the application was approved. If youve been in Muskegon at all lately, you know theyve got a lot of momentum, and their downtown has really been transformed. The Muskegon County Land Bank Authority is supporting the building restoration efforts, and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County is supporting the project with a loan. The historic building was originally home to the Shaw-Walker Furniture Factory, founded by L.C. Walker and Arch W. Shaw in 1899. The dilapidated structure has sat mostly vacant since the factory closed in 1989. There will be a handful of tributes to the history of the building in addition to the original concrete and the old smoke stack facing Western Avenue. Rooks said he was inspired by the Gerald R. Ford tribute room inside Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Airport to build a tribute room to Shaw Walker and the original furniture factory workers in the main lobby. Everybody in town knew somebody that worked here, whether it was a grandpa, a grandma, uncle, aunt, brother or sister, Rooks said. So, I think it is important to preserve the history. Scenes as development progresses at The Shaw, a mixed-use apartment, condo and commercial space on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the site of the defunct Shaw-Walker furniture factory in Muskegon, Mich. Arthur H. Trickett-Wile | MLive.com Reconstruction amid tariff uncertainty There currently are about 40 people onsite daily, and the headcount will jump to over 250 when construction kicks off. Ghafari Associates of Grand Rapids is the architect, and Higley Construction out of Cleveland, Ohio, is the general contractor. It was important to us to work with a firm that had experience performing projects larger than this one, Charron said. Weve been really impressed with (Higley). One of Muskegons most transformational redevelopments, however, cant escape the shadow of the Trump Administrations tariff war. Parkland Properties is actively communicating with contractors and suppliers about how tariffs could impact the cost of construction materials, but Rooks said he doesnt expect them to delay completion. Were trying to get ahead of everything by ordering products within the next 90 days and getting this building ready for construction once the product arrives, he said. The city of Muskegon has been actively attempting to redevelop the site for decades. Prior to Rooks stepping in with his vision in 2022, New York developer Moses Gross developed a portion of the property into the 50-unit Watermark Lofts, Coffee Factory cafe and Watermark 920 event center. Gross could not continue the project, however, due to financial troubles. RELATED: Trumps tariffs force West Michigan manufacturers into wait-and-see mode, experts say Parkland Properties and Higley Construction currently have staked out the event center as temporary offices, but Parkland plans to lease it to commercial tenants, such as a fitness center and daycare center. With nine projects completed in Muskegon over 35 years of business, Parkland Properties still has transformational plans for the lakeside community. West of the Shaw is the former Sappi Paper Mill site, which Rooks plans to transform into Windward Pointe, a 2,000-home community with a marina, commercial space and public parks. Parkland Properties put Windward Pointe under contract about a year after it began work on the Shaw. While there havent been a lot of physical changes to that property in the past year, there has been a lot of positive momentum behind the scenes, Charron said. We are looking forward to moving that project into the next phase of development, he said. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Tyrell Brown dances with a group of people during a Detroit-style ballroom dance class on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Saginaw, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com SAGINAW, MI Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest. The Detroit-style, four-count dance step thats becoming a lifestyle in Saginaw Tyrell Brown only needs you to follow four steps to forget your troubles. The 53-year-old bus driver, known in part for organizing group bicycle-riding outings across Saginaw County, in 2023 added Detroit-style ballroom dancing lesson sessions to his community-organizing resume. While Detroit-style ballroom dancing lessons were present in Saginaw County years earlier, Brown launched the latest group as a form of relief for people primed for social events following years of pandemic-era social distancing. Read more here. State-of-the-art surgical center comes to Saginaw County Animal Control A new state-of-the-art surgical center has officially opened within Saginaw County Animal Care & Control. County officials celebrated the centers debut with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the shelter, 5615 Bay Road, the afternoon of Wednesday, April 30. The opening of this Center only further reinforces our aim to be a proactive resource for pet owners to reduce shelter intakes and improve overall outcomes for every animal in our care, Animal Control Director Rachel Horton said in a statement. Read more here. Whistleblower vet claims Saginaw County Animal Control let dog suffer with broken leg for months A local veterinarian is suing Saginaw County and the director of Animal Care & Control, alleging they publicly defamed him when he reported illegal euthanasia. Beyond that, hes claiming the shelter director allowed a dog to endure a broken leg for months, rejecting his offer to address the injury out of spite. Attorney Kevin J. Kelly with Saginaws Mastromarco firm on Friday, May 2, filed the suit on behalf of Dr. Joseph Kline and his practice, Erwins Veterinary Clinic in St. Charles, in U.S. District Court. Named as defendants are Saginaw County and Animal Care & Control Director Rachel Horton. Read more here. Saginaw County womans home overrun with 65+ rabbits after pets wont stop breeding The cliche of rabbits breeding like mad hit home for a Saginaw County woman in the form of a fluffy infestation. In all, more than 65 of the animals were occupying the womans abode. Saginaw County Animal Care & Control officers on April 16 responded to the house when the resident called regarding an overwhelming rabbit population. She had bought a few rabbits as pets for her children but soon found herself unable to handle their rapid breeding, according to an April 29 press release issued by Tali Faris-Hylen of East Lansing-based Ripple Public Relations. Read more here. Saginaw mother told boyfriend not to call 911 for unresponsive toddler who died, prosecutor says Was a Saginaw toddlers sudden death four years ago a tragic accident or the result of a brutal killing? Thats the issue attorneys sparred over at the outset of the trial for Marcelis M. James, 31, charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the 2021 death of his then-girlfriends 18-month-old son, Jaxxon N. Jones. Jaxxons mother, 38-year-old Nia J. Kindred, faces the same two charges. Read more here. Truly heinous depravity. Victims confront sexual abuser who gets up to 50 years in prison Hideous and heinous. Evil and depraved. These are how a judge described a Chesaning man he sent to prison for sexually abusing three young girls. Before the serial abuser learned how much time hed spend behind bars, the survivors of his sadism spoke on how he marked their lives. Was what he did worth it? Did he enjoy the pain he was causing any of us? asked one of the girls during Juan C. Batistas sentencing hearing on Wednesday, April 30. Read more here. From prison to purpose: Therapist aims to teach inmates emotional intelligence, mindfulness In a place where survival often depends on hiding emotion, a different kind of lesson is taking root. On April 10, inside the Saginaw County Jail, nine inmates with gun-related felony charges graduated from The GRAY Effecta new, 10-week intervention program designed to tackle the root causes of violence by teaching mindfulness, emotional intelligence and trauma awareness. The programs name stands for Getting Real About Yourself. Its founder, Saginaw therapist Twannie L. Gray, believes thats exactly where true rehabilitation begins. Read more here. $13M MDOT project set to rebuild State Street in Saginaw, support 124 jobs The Michigan Department of Transportation is investing approximately $13 million to rebuild 1.1 miles of eastbound M-58 (State Street) from Avalon Avenue to M-84 (Bay Street) in Saginaw, beginning Monday, April 28. The extensive project includes rebuilding the roadway with hot-mix asphalt, installing new concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, signal upgrades, signage, landscaping and fresh pavement markings. Read more here. Frankenmuths Bavarian Inn Lodge hosting job fair to staff massive new indoor waterpark The Bavarian Inn Lodge is making waves and looking for new team members to join the fun. An open house will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, inside the newly expanded Bavarian Blast Waterpark, part of Michigans largest indoor waterpark and family fun center. There will be on-the-spot interviews and opportunities for prospective employees to meet the Lodges leadership team, explore open roles in the hotel and waterpark and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the new facility. Read more here. Teen sues ex-Birch Run High School teacher for sexual harassment A teenage girl has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against a former substitute teacher at Birch Run High School, alleging he has a predilection for grooming and preying on minors. The suits target, 27-year-old Alex J. Helm, is already facing criminal charges for which hes awaiting trial. Helm sought employment in situations that would bring him into contact with underage girls, the suit states. Helm was and is a predator of underage women and was placed in a position of authority over students. Read more here. Saginaw man pleads guilty to accidentally shooting granddaughter he mistook for burglar A Buena Vista Township grandfather has admitted in court to accidentally shooting his special-needs granddaughter whom he mistook her for a burglar. As a result, he had to relinquish his gun. Charles R. Jones, 64, on Friday, April 25, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens and pleaded guilty to one count of discharging a firearm causing injury without malice. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $500 fine. Read more here. Whats that? This hulking Saginaw structure was built as a safety net for residents Nearby residents and motorist passersby in recent months may have noticed a new, towering window-less structure taking up real estate and some of the skyline in a southeast Saginaw neighborhood. Still in an active construction zone, the concrete facility is a 160-foot, 3-million-gallon water storage tank that is on schedule to begin operating as early as late December, officials said. Plans for the $18.1 million water storage facility were first announced publicly by Saginaw City Hall officials in summer 2022. Now those plans are nearly a finished structure. Read more here. Frankenmuths Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival is back May 8 Its almost May, and that means a summer food truck festival is returning soon to Michigans Little Bavaria. This seasons first Frankenmuth Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival kicks off from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the parking lot east of Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 S. Main St. Funtown Chowdown offers a variety of cuisine and desserts, craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, live music and activities for families. Read more here. Saginaw man charged with fleeing, spitting on police following high-speed chase, crash A Saginaw man has been charged with leading police on a chase that involved crashing into a civilians vehicle. Devaughntae Q. Woods, 33, on Monday, April 28, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman for arraignment on single counts of third-degree fleeing-eluding police and assaulting, resisting, or obstructing police. The charges are five- and two-year felonies, respectively. Read more here. Cameras recorded man shot from ambush in front of mothers Buena Vista Township home Police are continuing to probe the recent shooting death of a man in Buena Vista Township, an apparent setup. Deon K. Haynes, 31, on the night of Friday, April 25, and into the early next morning was patronizing bars on Hamilton Street in Saginaw, said Buena Vista Township Police Detective Russ Pahssen. At about 3:55 a.m. Saturday, he was walking onto the front porch of his mothers home in the 2900 block of Arlington Road when a gunman opened fire on him from ambush, Pahssen said. Read more here. 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. DAVISON, MI Davison was in the spotlight as they gathered at the high school ahead of their 2025 prom. With a nautical theme, more than 630 attendees danced the night away on Saturday, May 3 aboard the Detroit Princess Riverboat. Prom-goers and chaperones loaded 12 Detroit-bound charter buses from the high school. While aboard the ship, students will enjoy dinner, desserts and dancing, as well as one-of-a-kind views while traveling along the Detroit River. Prom-goers will have two dance floors and two DJs on two separate floors of the ship to bounce between as they boogie the night away. Once docked and back on the bus, prom-goers will also each receive a gift bag with a themed T-shirt that has the year on it, as well as snacks and a drink for the ride home. MLive photojournalist Jake May was on the scene capturing portraits as prom-goers first arrived before loading the buses to depart. Check out all of the photos in the gallery above. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link. To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link. Read more on MLive.com: Burton Bentley celebrates 2025 prom at secret destination Flint Powers Catholic dazzles on red carpet at 2025 prom Holly High School shines bright at 2025 prom downtown Linden High School shines on red carpet at Hollywood Glam prom Goodrich celebrates 2025 prom night on Detroit Princess Riverboat 12 favorite photos from Lapeers Vegas theme prom GRAND RAPIDS, MI East Kentwood High School students took over downtown Saturday evening. About 500 students and guests celebrated prom 2025 on May 3 at the Steelcase Inc. Ballroom at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Students strutted down a red carpet as they entered the venue before dancing the evening away at the Under the Stars themed prom. MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Joel Bissell was there to capture high schoolers looking their best. Check out images in the gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link. To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Forest Hills Central High School students gathered at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Saturday to celebrate prom 2025. Over 400 students and guests celebrated on May 3 at the interactive museum in downtown Grand Rapids. Students danced under a Finny, a 75-foot long finback whale skeleton that stretches overhead in the main room. Tables were spread out across two floors of the museum, as students ate dinner together amongst the exhibits. Students had the opportunity to explore an array of museum exhibits throughout the night. The evening was highlighted by the crowning of prom king and queen seniors Weston Haywood and Eshana Kaur. MLive / Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Joel Bissell was there to capture high schoolers looking their best. Check out 54 images in the gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link. To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Jenison High School headed to the city to celebrate prom. Over 500 students and guests gathered with friends for the Once Upon a Time themed prom on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at New Vintage Place. The dance floor was hoping from the start, but there were games and cornhole upstairs for students to take a break from the music. MLive/Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Neil Blake was there to capture high schoolers looking their best. Check out more than 100 images in the gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link. To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link. 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. Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith, right, celebrates with Riley Greene after they both scored off of a home run hit by Keith during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) AP Colt Keith will start at first base, and Javier Baez returns to center field for the series finale in Anaheim on Sunday afternoon. The Detroit Tigers (21-13) and Los Angeles Angels (13-19) will wrap up their four-game series at 4:07 p.m. Eastern time at Angel Stadium. Catcher Dillon Dingler; infielders Jace Jung and Andy Ibanez; and infielder/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy will be available off the bench. The full lineup is below. On the mound, Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (3-2, 3.55 ERA) will face Angels righty Jack Kochanowicz (1-4, 5.29). Olson snapped an 18-inning scoreless streak in the sixth inning of his last start on April 29 in Houston. An otherwise strong outing was undone by two walks. He struck out nine in his only other career start in Anaheim last June. The Tigers are +800 on Caesars to win the AL Pennant. Our Caesars Sportsbook review shows you how to navigate their platform. Kochanowicz, 24, was drafted out of high school by the Angels in 2019 and made his MLB debut last July. He has just 44 strikeouts in 97 2/3 career innings. Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MILAN, Italy, May 4. Globalization remains powerful engine of development for emerging economies, ADB Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department Albert Park said speaking at the session Globalization as a Force for Sustainable Development during the 58th Annual Meeting of ADB in Milan, Trend reports. Park emphasized the importance of embracing globalization to ensure long-term economic growth and reduce inequality among countries. You need to work on your own competitiveness to build a business environment, infrastructure, that can really position you to be part of globalization, Park said. He noted that while globalization faces challenges, it remains a powerful engine of development, particularly for emerging economies. Citing research by Paul Collier and David Dollar from the World Bank, Park pointed out that in every period of globalization, youve seen the countries that participated grow faster, and you see convergence among the countries participating, meaning the poor members actually do even better. He highlighted the 19802000 period as a turning point: It was the first one where lots of developing and emerging economies were participants in globalization, noting that this era saw developing nations shift into manufacturing and export-driven growth. This was incredibly powerful for driving global convergence and improving lives, he added. Park warned that as global technology accelerates, countries risk falling behind if they remain disconnected. You really get productivity growth by transferring existing technologies to your country. And if youre not part of the globalization game youre going to fall behind. He acknowledged that some governments remain hesitant to pursue deeper integration due to perceived short-term difficulties. I sometimes feel theres a complacency, because theres some growth happening. It doesnt seem so easy to really implement measures for promoting FDI or trade globalization. Theres pain points, Park said. But if you take a historical view, thats really where all the paths are. For smaller or lower-income countries, Park argued that global value chains (GVCs) offer a practical entry point: A poor country actually has more opportunity to get into globalization because they can specialize in a very small part. They dont have to produce the whole good. He concluded with a message of optimism: Once you get into a global value chain, then you have the opportunity to move up and by being part of the value chain, you will learn things through both your suppliers and your customers that will help you get to the global market. Hania Amir reacts with 'ro dungi' and 'love you' as Indians comment on her Instagram post using VPN, see here Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis praises Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's starrer Ramayana, says, "I was amazed to see the quality" Gayatri Rani 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 Greg Abel on track to become Warren Buffett successor as Berkshire Hathaway CEO by end of year 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. 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I Accept Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MILAN, Italy, May 4. It is important to protect environmental goods and services from protectionist measures, ADB Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department Albert Park said speaking at the session Globalization as a Force for Sustainable Development during the 58th Annual Meeting of ADB in Milan, Trend reports. Park emphasized the crucial role of global trade in facilitating the transition to a net-zero economy, especially in enabling countries to access clean energy technologies, resources, and equipment at affordable prices. We need to try to protect environmental goods and services from protectionism and tariffs, even if we need to carve out separate agreements on those things, Park stated. Its so important for the transition to net zero. He expressed concern over the geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, which have led to protectionist pressures on essential goods like electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and solar panels. Its very unfortunate that because China is a main producer of EVs, batteries, and solar panels, its caught up in this geopolitics with the United States, Park added, noting the potential negative impact on the global clean energy transition. Park also discussed the potential impacts of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), noting that while the effects on Asia had been modest thus far, the expansion of such measures could lead to greater concerns. However, he also saw this as an opportunity for carbon pricing reforms. Were seeing more countries put in place emissions trading systems, thinking harder even about carbon taxes. This will make their policies more aligned with Europe and help manage concerns that may arise, he explained. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Asias heavy manufacturing base, which contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, but stressed the importance of cleaner production methods. Theres enormous work to do in different countries to promote greater energy efficiency of production, he said. Regardless of trade, this will impact how trade magnifies or doesnt the global emissions problem. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 'Bhagwan Ram is not a mythological figure': BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks at Brown University Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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 'I wasn't there, but ready to take responsibility': Rahul Gandhi's response to a question on Operation Blue Star 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. 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I Accept India looking for partners; not preachers: EAM Jaishankar in veiled message to Europe 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. 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 MILAN, Italy, May 4. Shifting to alternative energy sources will support Azerbaijans development goals, ADB Chief Economist and Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department Albert Park told Trend on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of ADB in Milan. We want to support countries to realize its own sustainable development objectives. Definitely shifting to renewable energy is important for energy security in the long term. And as the world shifts to carbon taxes, it's going to be harder and harder to rely on fossil fuels as the mainstay of an economy. So I think shifting to other energy sources is more sustainable and will support the country's development goals, he said. Talking about the impact of the U.S. tariff policy, Park said one thing that is beneficial to some of the oil exporting countries in the South Caucasus and Central Asia region is that that is an exception to the tariffs, even the ones that have been proposed. So that reduces somewhat the negative effects. But for everybody, it's really the uncertainty about the tariffs. And that makes it hard for making investments, or even to try to implement long-term responses to this. I think most people are just waiting. And even if there is an announcement about what the new policies are, I don't think it will eliminate the trade policy uncertainty, because people will still be worried that it might change again and again as it has been since the beginning of the U.S. administration. So I think the uncertainty will be with us for some time, and I think that just makes responding quickly very difficult. And it means that adjustment will be more costly in the long term for all countries in the region, including Caucasus and Central Asia, he added. India Pakistan Tension Live: UN Chief condemns Pahalgam attack, urges India and Pakistan to avoid military conflict UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, expressing his sorrow over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. It pains me to see tensions between both nations. Those responsible should be brought to justice. Military confrontation could spiral out of control. He emphasised that a military solution is no solution. I offer my offices for a resolution. There is a need to step away from the brink, he added. Pahalgam fallout: How New Delhi's import ban is likely to affect Pakistani goods worth $500 million entering India via intermediary countries 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. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept Stringent new law to prevent illegal religious conversion in Chhattisgarh, says CM Sai 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'While bullets flew in Pahalgam...': Milind Deora hits out at Uddhav Thackeray over Europe vacation' Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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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 Will give befitting reply to those casting evil eye on India, says Rajnath Singh Tamal Nandi 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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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to implement as much as possible connectivity projects, including in South Caucasus and Central Asia. This was announced by ADB President Masato Kanda during a press briefing at the ADB Annual Meeting in Milan, Trend reports. The regional cooperation and integration, this is one of our highest priorities. This is not only good for the economy, but for the regional stability. Not only in sub-region, but through the global trade, everything is there. For global economy, particularly in terms of transportation, energy, productivity, this is really transformative to change the society, human community, for better, he said. For instance, in the case of the ASEAN region, Kanda said ADB is much keen to support the ASEAN power groups. So there are many ways, including, of course, also in the Central Asia and South Caucasus. We are now trying very hard to implement our RTI approaches and to find out the feasible projects. And together with the partners on the ground, we'd like to implement as much as possible in this regard, he noted. 'Will use full spectrum of power': Pakistan envoy's nuclear warning to India amid escalating tensions 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. 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 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. 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 MILAN, Italy, May 4. The 59h Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Trend reports. The event is scheduled for May 3-6, 2026. The 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank is underway in Milan, Italy. The event scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 7, is being held at Allianz MiCo - Milano Convention Centre. With the theme "Sharing Experience, Building Tomorrow", it is be the first time for Italy to host the Annual Meeting. Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from ADB member countries, officials from international organizations, representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, and the media, are participating at the event. The Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors is an opportunity to provide guidance on ADB administrative, financial, and operational directions. The meetings provide opportunities for member governments to interact with ADB staff, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), media, and representatives of observer countries, international organizations, academe, and the private sector. ADBs annual meetings have become a premier forum for the discussion of economic and social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Slovak companies Vodohospodarska vystavba and MicroStep-MIS are interested in implementing projects in Kyrgyzstan for the construction and management of dams and power plants, Slovakia's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Robert Kirnag, told Trend. According to him, these companies can provide good practices in implementing legislation, ensuring the safety of water structures, and the efficient use of water in the context of ongoing climate change. The official added that Slovakia is already supplying water construction monitoring systems, as well as meteorological and hydrological forecasting systems, to the Central Asia region. "Kyrgyzstan has considerable untapped renewable energy potential. Existing renewable energy consists of large hydropower plants (HPPs), which account for 30 percent of the total energy supply, but only 10 percent of hydropower potential has been developed. Opportunities to develop decentralized renewable energy technologies are especially promising, primarily small hydropower stations on rivers in the mountains. The National Energy Program and the Strategy for Fuel and Energy Sector Development (covering 2010-2025) are the key policies for sustainable energy development," Kirnag emphasized. He added that the rapid expansion of renewables, especially hydro, is a priority for energy sector development, and the Strategy supports the construction of approximately 100 small hydroelectric plants with a total capacity of 180 MW. The ambassador noted that developing small HPPs will increase the country's energy production, reduce fuel import reliance, and lower emissions. CHANNEL ISLANDS, Calif. (AP) Strands of kelp glow in the dim morning light off Californias Channel Islands as fish and sea lions weave through the golden fronds. Its a scene of remarkable abundance the result of more than two decades of protection in one of the states oldest marine reserves. But farther out in the Pacific, life in the vast Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument faces a very different future. The Trump administration has moved to reopen 500,000 square miles (about 1.3 million square kilometers) of previously protected waters there to commercial fishing, in a dramatic rollback of federal ocean protections. California, meanwhile, may be headed in the opposite direction. As it undertakes its first 10-year review of its marine protected area network, state officials, scientists, tribal leaders and environmental advocates are pushing not just to maintain protections but to expand them. These areas are like our underwater Yellowstone, said Douglas McCauley, director of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Barbara, speaking aboard a dive boat heading to the Channel Islands. Its important to protect that biological heritage, but it also creates an extremely lucrative tourism industry. People want to go see all that nature and wildlife in action. The states marine protected areas have become magnets for scuba divers and snorkelers drawn by their rich life. Over time, these reserves allow fish populations to rebound and spill over into nearby waters a long-term investment with large returns for fishermen, as McCauley sees it. Launched in 2003, the network now spans 124 distinct sections along the coast. Some areas are no-take zones where all fishing is prohibited, while others allow limited use. The network covers roughly 16% of state waters, with proposed expansions that would add 2%. The goal, under the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act, was to create a science-based system to rebuild ecosystems after decades of overfishing and habitat loss. The Channel Islands were among the first sites established. About 20% of the waters surrounding the eight-island chain are now fully protected. But expansion proposals have sparked debate among fishermen. Some anglers would like the restrictions to be relaxed Blake Hermann, a fourth-generation commercial fisherman from Ventura County, grew up fishing around the Channel Islands, where he harpoons swordfish by hand. He supports keeping much of the marine protected network intact, but he argues that some closures go too far and has petitioned the state to allow limited fishing in three no-take zones around the islands. Protected areas can help nearshore species like sea bass and lobster recover, Hermann said, but offer little benefit to wide-ranging ocean-goers like swordfish and tuna that may pass only briefly through a protected zone during migration. He questions whether it makes sense to restrict selective, low-impact fishing methods in places where these migratory species are only temporary visitors and will likely be caught when they move into unrestricted waters. These islands are the best thing on the planet, Hermann said. We can still protect what makes sense to protect in the right areas, but you can also still give some access back too. Were really protecting ourselves Others warn that reopening any part of the protected network could set a troubling precedent, especially as climate change disrupts ocean ecosystems. When we protect the oceans, were really protecting ourselves, said Sandy Aylesworth, director of the Pacific Initiative for the Natural Resources Defense Council. If the additional 2% is added, it will better prepare Californias ocean for future stressors like climate change and new industrial uses of the ocean. So I see it as being a real benefit to all of the ocean users in California including recreational and commercial fishermen. Final decisions from the review are expected early next year. Marine protected areas are probably the most controversial thing that we work on, because youre essentially telling a group of individuals that they cant do what theyve historically done in an area, said Craig Shuman, marine region manager at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Shuman said the fishing community has become particularly vocal in response to petitions to expand the MPA network. Many arent asking for more access, he said, just for existing opportunities not to be taken away. Theyre asking, If you take all the places we can fish, where do we go? he said. Thats the challenge: how to find the right balance between protection and access, especially in a state like California where we already have very strong fisheries management laws. Overall, he said, the data shows the network is working. Its not consistent each MPA is a little bit different but more often than not, were seeing the MPAs are working to achieve the goals of the Act. Trump administration moves to open up previously protected waters The presidents executive order lifted fishing restrictions in waters between 50 and 200 nautical miles around a remote Pacific island chain areas first protected by President George W. Bush in 2009 and expanded by President Barack Obama in 2014. Supporters said doing so would boost commercial fishing interests in Hawaii and American Samoa. Conservationists fear the impacts from fishing in an area thats home to coral reefs, sea turtles, whales and thousands of other species. It makes it even more critical here at the state level that there is this expansion of protections to really balance out some of those rollbacks, said Molly Morse, senior manager at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. Back on the boat, still within the protected waters off Anacapa Island, a shimmering school of sardines and anchovies draws a frenzy of seabirds and dolphins. Humpback whales surge from the depths, mouths agape, swallowing fish by the gallon. Along the border of the protected area, a sport fishing boat drops its lines as a container ship rumbles past in the distance. Weve got the largest port in the United States. Weve got offshore oil and gas. Weve got fishing boats coming and going, McCauley said. But still, in the middle of all that, we still have this wildness a place where all the stakeholders who want value out of the ocean can find it. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment By ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAG Associated Press The increasingly acrimonious struggle to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa has spilled into South Africas legal system, following the arrest of Wellington Masiiwa, a former Zanu PF activist turned prominent critic of the Zimbabwean leader. Masiiwa, known as Nyokatemabhunu, was detained in South Africa on April 13 under controversial circumstances. His audio recordings and social media campaigns have been instrumental in exposing the intense power struggles within Zanu PF regarding Mnangagwas succession. Masiiwas sympathisers claim he is the latest victim of state-sponsored political persecution orchestrated by Zanu PF operatives across borders. He is known for running anti-Mnangagwa social media groups, calling on the president to step down. Following his arrest by unknown individuals, Masiiwa was handed over to South African authorities and charged with violating the countrys immigration laws. Zimbabwe is reportedly seeking his extradition on fraud charges. Police in Zimbabwe stated in March that they were looking for Masiiwa in connection with a US$60,000 fraud case that allegedly occurred in Mazowe in June of the previous year. Masiiwa appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court last week, charged with contravention of Section 49 (1) of the Immigration Act for being found in South Africa without a valid visa or permit. He is scheduled to return to court on May 9. His bail application was postponed after he presented an identity card that differed from the one held by Zimbabwean authorities. While Masiiwas documents reportedly indicate his birth year as 1987, the Zimbabwean government alleges he was born in 1977. Sources close to the case have expressed serious concerns regarding Masiiwas safety, alleging a plot to assassinate him while he is detained at Johannesburg Central Prison. The source revealed, In another alarming development, Masiiwas mobile phones were reportedly released from police custody and later hacked. From there, pornographic content was posted in what his supporters say was a deliberate attempt to discredit him publicly. Masiiwas legal team is expected to challenge the extradition, and an initiative is underway to petition regional bodies, including the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, regarding the matter. The source added, Human rights groups in South Africa and abroad must step in and prevent what we believe are a gross abuse of international legal frameworks for political gain. Meanwhile, another vocal critic of President Mnangagwa, war veteran Blessed Geza, is also being sought by police on charges of incitement. This followed a press conference where Geza urged Zimbabweans to reject the 2030 agenda and demand Mnangagwas resignation. Geza subsequently called for anti-government protests on March 31 to force Mnangagwa to step down, which resulted in a national shutdown. The government claimed that groups based outside Zimbabwe orchestrated the March 31 protests. Zanu PF officials have also accused exiled former ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and Walter Mzembi of being behind the push for Mnangagwas removal. The succession battle within Zanu PF has intensified in recent months, with the party now reportedly divided into two distinct factions. One faction is pushing for the 82-year-old Mnangagwa to remain in power, while the other supports Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga as his successor. Mnangagwa himself has stated his lack of interest in remaining in office beyond 2028. However, despite this, and the backtracking of Mnangagwas loyalists on the 2030 agenda, there are indications of moves to advance the agenda through Parliament, where the ruling party holds a two-thirds majority. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent accusations against Bulawayo mayor David Coltart, alleging that the mayor is prioritising tribal interests following a meeting with King Bulelani Khumalo, the heir to the Ndebele throne. Mutsvangwas remarks, made during a press conference at Zanu PF headquarters last week, accused Coltart of aligning with a separatist agenda and being part of a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state. He further criticised the opposition-led Bulawayo City Council for allegedly ignoring national development efforts spearheaded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa is committed to providing working capital for the people of Zimbabwe, Mutsvangwa stated. But the mayor is too busy playing politics to notice the industrial revival already underway. The accusations have been met with strong condemnation in Matabeleland, with civil society group Ibhetshu LikaZulu dismissing Mutsvangwas claims as reckless and divisive. Ibhetshu LikaZulu secretary-general, Mbuso Fuzwayo, accused Mutsvangwa of distorting both history and current reality. Mr Mutsvangwas statement that this meeting is part of a plot to create a separate Matabeleland state is not only malicious, but also a dangerous distortion of both historical truth and present reality, Fuzwayo said. The group contextualised Khumalos presence as a cultural and historical matter, not a political threat. Let it be clearly stated: King Bulelani Lobengula is the leader of the Ndebele nation not by the permission of Chris Mutsvangwa, Zanu PF, or any contemporary political actor, but by historical right and the lived cultural reality of the people, Fuzwayo asserted. The controversy also saw Local Government minister Daniel Garwe wading in, penning an angry letter to Coltart demanding an explanation for hosting the South African national. Garwes actions have attracted ridicule from cultural activists and politicians alike, with some critics advising him to celebrate his own culture and traditions without disparaging others. Fuzwayo also highlighted the systemic marginalisation of Matebeleland since independence, referencing the Gukurahundi atrocities, and criticised Zanu PF for failing to revive Bulawayos economy. Chris Mutsvangwa must not mistake his overrated Rambo war credentials and militant posturing for wisdom, the statement read. Zanu PF owns this destruction they must not now seek scapegoats among those trying to revive a broken city. This incident has also brought back memories of a similar tribal controversy involving Mutsvangwas wife, Monica Mutsvangwa, during her tenure as Information minister. In 2020, responding to a critical pastoral letter from bishops on human rights abuses, Monica launched a scathing attack on Roman Catholic Church Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, accusing him of pushing a tribal agenda. Her remarks included a controversial reference to the righteous Ndebele minority which was widely interpreted as an ethnic slur. Critics at the time accused her of fanning tribal tensions and diminishing the trauma of the Gukurahundi genocide, in which over 20,000 people, mostly Ndebeles, were killed in the 1980s. Human rights groups and political observers called for her resignation, accusing her of perpetuating a culture of impunity and tribal chauvinism. Monica was later transferred from the Information ministry to the less influential Small to Medium Enterprises ministry. The Gukurahundi issue remains a sensitive and unresolved chapter in Zimbabwes history, and any perceived trivialisation or exploitation of the issue for political gain is met with fierce resistance, particularly in Matabeleland. Fuzwayo called for national healing rooted in justice and historical truth. We demand dignity, justice, and a new national discourse rooted in truth not fear, he said. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Blood of Man Whos Had 200 Snake Bites Helps Make a Potent Antivenom Nature Kuwait Cracks Down on Crypto Miners to Cut Down on Electricity Usage Engadget Absolutely unreal! This bike trick is pure talent and courage one of the best ever! #BikeMaster #EpicStunts #CycleInspo pic.twitter.com/UXAmOu8TwK KnowledgeWolf (@KnowledgeWolfy) May 1, 2025 Since 1981, One Man Has Relocated Nearly 1,000 Snowy Owls from Logan Airport Colossal Unprecedented Recovery Gene Therapy Reverses Heart Failure in Breakthrough Study SciTechDaily COVID-19/Pandemics Climate/Environment China? South of the Border European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 DOGE Democrat Death Watch Immigration Our No Longer Free Press Mr. Market Is Moody AI The Bezzle Guillotine Watch New record: Most expensive ice cream JP873,400 (5,469; 6,211; $6,696) made by OMER in Japan. The ice cream includes edible gold leaf, white truffle and natural cheeses pic.twitter.com/kaJOACEear Guinness World Records (@GWR) May 18, 2023 You can try boozy hot cocoa that weighs 20 pounds and costs $375 pic.twitter.com/N9aJu2dyKR Insider Food (@insiderfood) February 7, 2019 Antidote du jour (via) See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here Within the first 72 hours, farmers start depopulating, an industry term for killing contaminated flocks. Despite the sweltering heat inside the barns, hired workers wear gloves, face masks and other protective equipment and repetitively pick up flailing, sick chickens and place them into a metal container filled with carbon dioxide. In a few minutes, the chickens are dead. In other cases, workers seal the barn doors and crank up the temperature, causing the birds to die from heat stroke, or flood the barn with a suffocating foam. In a few hours, most of the chickens are dead and workers begin to haul thousands, if not millions, of lifeless caracasses out to dump trucks. The stench of death seeps into workers clothes, sweat and even the water theyre supposed to shower in. This is the business of killing chickens during the ongoing bird flu epidemic. And business is booming. As the virus spreads and drives up grocery prices by shrinking the nations supply of eggs and meat, bird disposal companies, environmental waste businesses and large poultry producers have received millions of federal dollars to kill flocks, compost their bodies and clean barns across the country. However, the scale and urgency of these recent depopulation events have left room for worker protections to fall through the cracks, Investigate Midwest has found. A review of thousands of pages of state depopulation inspection records and conversations with dozens of people who work behind the scenes has revealed: Underage workers, in some cases, have been hired to kill poultry flocks, handle dead carcasses and clean industrial poultry farms. Workers sometimes lack personal protective equipment or receive damaged gear, despite the risk of the virus jumping from animals to people. Dealing with a federal backlog, some farms have used killing methods considered inhumane because it can be quicker and cheaper. The biggest factor in agricultural safety is the urgency, said Bethany Alcauter, director of research and public health for the National Center for Farmworker Health, a Texas-based nonprofit that advocates for worker safety and health. Everything has to get done in a short amount of time and that really can be problematic because theres not the same amount of time to adequately train workers. The current bird flu outbreak is also the first time in the nations history that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has put a single federal contractor in charge of responding to outbreaks when a business or state agriculture department cant handle a farms depopulation request. In the past, the USDA would train emergency response contractors across the country to deal with outbreaks in their state and region. This practice changed with the most recent outbreak when the USDA awarded a contract to Patriot Environmental Services to be the single provider of federal depopulation services. The use of a single federal contractor has caused delays when a farm requests assistance from the federal government to depopulate a flock, according to depopulation consultants, veterinarians and state agriculture agencies interviewed. An excerpt of an email exchange between reporter John McCracken and CDPHE spokesperson David Ellenberger regarding the results of a CDPHE farmworker survey. No Interpreters. No PPE. Just Blood Stains and Feathers. In July 2024, hundreds of workers descended on two poultry farms in rural Colorado, an hour northeast of Denver, to kill over 3 million egg-laying chickens. Two of the states largest egg companies had tested positive for bird flu and their flocks needed to be destroyed. Officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the USDA and the Centers for Disease Control were onsite at both outbreaks to monitor for symptoms of human exposure to the virus and to spot behavioral health concerns that is, the psychological impact of performing high-volume animal killings in hazardous, often distressing conditions. CDPHE forms obtained by Investigate Midwest through public records requests show agency workers interviewing primarily Spanish-speaking workers. A behavioral health worker wrote in a daily report that USDA staff approached farm management and asked if they could meet with full-time farm employees to discuss working conditions, to which management said absolutely not. They did not have the ability to go to the workers with us and did not have anyone who could be an interpreter for us, the behavioral health worker wrote in a report, referring to USDA employees onsite. A separate behavioral health official wrote that they witnessed workers with torn or missing PPE, PPE not being utilized, and saw animal matter, including blood stains and feathers on workers torn PPE. The same behavioral health official noted that culling and disposal workers were required to shower at the entrance and exit of the barn, but workers said several people were not showering because the water has a dead chicken smell and the horrible smell stays on the skin. One of the July 2024 outbreaks was at an Opal Foods commercial egg facility in Roggen, Colorado, where 1.8 million egg-laying hens were killed. Opal is a private company headquartered in Neosho, Missouri, and partially owned by Indiana-based Rose Acre Farms, the nations second-largest egg production company. Opal Foods has received $24 million in payments from the USDA to cover the cost of the lost flocks since 2022, a federal response known as indemnity payments. The other outbreak occurred at Morning Fresh Farms, half an hour away in Platteville, Colorado, where 1.2 million egg-laying chickens were killed. Morning Fresh is a subsidiary of Versova Holding, the nations fifth-largest egg-production company, which employs more than 2,000 people and purchased Morning Fresh in 2023. Morning Fresh received nearly $7 million in indemnity payments in 2022 and 2023, but federal data does not list them, or their parent company as a recipient of funds in 2024. Depopulation workers on both farms spent hours each day picking up chickens, putting them in metal rolling carts and filling the carts with carbon dioxide. This process subdues and kills the birds in a few minutes but poses a danger to workers because of the repeated exposure chicken handlers have to sick birds, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a nonprofit that set guidelines for depopulation methods with the USDA in 2019. Underage Labor Flagged During Bird Flu Response in Colorado Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment employees surveyed contract workers at both Colorado facilities to monitor for symptoms of bird flu and in a subsequent report, the Centers for Diseases Control showed workers self-identifying as young as 15. The Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act prevents workers under 18 from performing hazardous work such as euthanasia and disposal of animal carcasses unless performed in certain programs, such as student-learning initiatives, agricultural education opportunities like 4-H, and work apprenticeship training, according to a department spokesperson. The Colorado health agency confirmed with Investigate Midwest that workers under the age of 18 were present based on self-reported answers to survey questions and conversations with farm staff. The department did not provide the specific ages of workers, citing state privacy records laws. Investigate Midwest also received records through the Freedom of Information Act for Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, inspections done at both facilities in July and August 2024. The records included the names of four contract labor companies interviewed by OSHA, two of which matched company names provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health. All four contract labor companies denied using employees under the age of 18. Aaron Garcia, owner of Atlas Labor and Staffing Solutions, which was hired during the Colorado outbreak, said his company and other contractors were working at both egg farms around the same time, given their proximity to each other and similar outbreak timeframes. Garcia said he has heard of agriculture contract companies hiring underage workers throughout the bird flu epidemic, but his company has not done so. He said his company, based in Iowa, was paid to provide laborers who cleaned and disinfected barns and provide laundry services for workers uniforms. For a few days, his crew picked up dead birds and placed them in disposal trucks. He said all of his workers ages were verified through federal E-Verify services. Its illegal, in the first place, and it does affect the reputation of the guys that are actually trying to do it right and follow the laws, he said. Brian Mouw, a manager with D&H Poultry Services based in Sibley, Iowa, who was contracted to work at Opal Foods during the July 2024 outbreak, said all of their employees ages are verified before being hired. The other 200-275 people were with three other contractors hired by Opal, it couldve been them, he said in an email to Investigate Midwest. They didnt work under us. Khali Depardo, chief operating officer at 5280 Staffing, a Colorado-based staffing agency listed on OSHA documents as a contractor for Morning Fresh Farms, said his company does not hire anyone under the age of 18, at any time. A spokesperson for Express Employment Professionals, an Oklahoma-based staffing agency also listed as a contractor in OSHA documents, said its Greeley, Colorado, office does contract work with Morning Fresh Farms but was not contracted to provide labor related to bird flu depopulation. Express Employment Professionals of Greeley, CO., has not employed individuals under 18 years old at Morning Fresh Farms, the staffing agency spokesperson said in an email. Investigate Midwest provided its findings of potential underage workers and their tasks to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. An agency spokesperson said it was unaware of any underage labor working on commercial egg farms. Without a full investigation, we are unable to definitively determine whether the work at issue was hazardous under Colorado law, and if so was otherwise permissible, and we cannot opine on federal law as that is outside of our authority, the spokesperson said. Workers clean a truck at the site of Minnesota poultry depopulation event in 2015. photo provided by Dan Hougentogler Asked about the Colorado case, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said it is not clear whether the specific case violates federal laws. Federal child labor regulations prohibit workers under the age of 16 from conducting certain hazardous tasks while working on farms, such as working with pesticides and chemicals, but makes no mention of the gases and tactics used to kill poultry during depopulation. The commercial egg companies behind culling events in July of 2024 denied the use of child labor as well as the hiring of contractors who used child labor. Morning Fresh Farms holds the highest standards for ensuring all employees are eligible to work, a company spokesperson said in a statement provided to Investigate Midwest. Our company has no awareness of any underage labor issues by contracting companies working on our farm during our response to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Versova Holdings, parent company to Morning Fresh Farms, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Opal Foods, LLC is a separate, independent company in which Rose Acre Farms has partial ownership, said a spokesperson for Rose Acre Farms, parent company of Opal Foods. We do not know all the details nor can we speak to Opal Foods internal operations, but Rose Acre Farms is not aware of any instances of underage hiring at Opal Foods, LLC. You should however direct your questions regarding this issue to Opal Foods. Opal Foods did not respond to repeated requests for comment. The USDAs One-Contractor System. Efficient or Overloaded? Over 168 million birds have been depopulated in the U.S. since early 2022, the majority of which have been at commercial operations. When a flock is killed, the USDA can compensate producers for the loss of revenue and the cost to depopulate. Currently, operators are paid a flat fee for depopulation and disposal fees, regardless of whether the farm handles the killing on their own or hires a contractor. Producers are reimbursed $1.62 per bird for egg-laying chickens, $2.95 per meat chickens, $4.50 for turkeys and just over $5 per duck, as of February 2025, according to USDA documents. When a farm doesnt have the resources or money to kill a flock on its own, the states agriculture department is contacted. If the state does not have access to equipment or labor, a USDA-approved contract company steps in and kills the birds. Patriot Environmental Services is the nations only federal contractor able to provide depopulation services when requested by the USDA. The company is a subsidiary of the national environmental cleanup company Crystal-Clean and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with 18 locations across the country. Parent company Crystal-Clean works with oil spills and waste management and is owned by the private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Company. Crystal-Clean was fined $1.1 million in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failure to have proper permitting and handling of hazardous waste materials. Patriot Environmental Services has received more than $18 million in USDA poultry depopulation contracts since the beginning of the most recent outbreak, a figure that accounts for nearly a quarter of all depopulation contracts, technical assistance payments, research and grant funding related to bird flu funded by the federal government. This money has been paid to private companies, state agencies, universities and research groups related to poultry depopulation. Federal contracts and grants related to poultry depopulation during the ongoing outbreak have exceeded the total amount spent during the 2014 to 2015 outbreak of bird flu, from $68 million to $73 million and counting. Workers at a depopulation site in Maryland manage biosecurity by decontaminating incoming and outgoing vehicles and equipment. photo provided by Dan Hougentogler In some states, poultry producers receive technical training from the state department of agriculture on proper depopulation methods and previously, the USDA would train emergency response companies across the country to handle outbreaks, according to Dan Hougentogler, an emergency response and depopulation consultant with nearly two decades of experience in the animal disease outbreak and research industry. This practice changed with the most recent outbreak when the USDA awarded a contract to Patriot Environmental Services to be the single provider of federal depopulation services. Hougentogler said this switch has caused a bottleneck when multiple farms need access to the federal services at the same time. A common depopulation tactic is to fill barns with suffocating foam and Patriot Environmental Services is the only company that can access the federal foaming equipment, he said. Workers demonstrate the use of a water-based foam depopulation method at an empty broiler farm in Pennsylvania. photo provided by Dan Hougentoglerr A state agency located in the same area as the national equipment has to wait for Patriot Environmental Services to deploy a team and use the equipment, even if they have staff trained to operate the equipment, he continued. Not having an expansive, trained network to operate this federal equipment, or allowing states to utilize the equipment thats just sitting here with minimal people to use it, does cause some concern, Hougentogler said. The nations largest poultry companies do not typically use a third party for depopulation services, according to a spokesperson for the National Chicken Council, an industry advocacy group whose board members include executive leaders of several major poultry processors. The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, whose members include leadership at Rose Acre Foods, Versova and Cal-Maine Foods, said its members follow all guidelines set by the American Veterinary Medical Association and referred questions to the USDA. The USDA, Patriot Environmental Services and Crystal-Clean did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In some cases, the backlog has caused companies to use more controversial methods of depopulation because they do not have the equipment or labor on hand to complete the killings in the needed time frame. Hougentogler said he was aware of turkey farms that used less appropriate methods when they couldnt access the federal contracts in time. He noted an example where a turkey farm used ventilation shutdown and heat, referred to in the industry as VSD+, to depopulate a flock of commercial poultry. VSD+ is a controversial method of killing animals, but is currently accepted by industry standards set by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The USDA and the AVMA note that VSD+ is to be used only in constrained circumstances, but the majority of birds killed during the ongoing outbreak have been killed using ventilation shutdown. Workers close off the circulation of air and seal entrances to barns with ventilation shutdown, oftentimes adding extra heating units to increase the temperature. Ultimately, the goal is to have the production system and the state veterinarian agree on what is best for both the production system and animal welfare, Hougentogler said. We are depopulating the animal regardless, but until they are unconscious, we should still take as much care for them as possible. Utah state veterinarian Amanda Price told Investigate Midwest that the state was able to receive help from the federal contractor Patriot Environmental Services when requested, but some instances were delayed by a few days. This resulted in farms using ventilation shutdown in an effort to stay within target time frames meant to prevent virus spread. Crystal Heath, a California-based veterinarian and co-founder of Our Honor, a nonprofit group of veterinarian members that advocate against using ventilation shutdowns in the U.S., said that ventilation shutdown is a cruel method to kill flocks. The practice is banned in the European Union and has been criticized for its cruelty to animals in both commercial pork and poultry depopulation. If (producers) are going to get bailout money, they should put plans in place to depopulate with less cruel methods, Heath said. The American Veterinary Medical Association is currently reviewing proposals to update its depopulation guidance and is expected to announce changes later this year. The AVMA did not respond to a request for comment. McDonalds Egg Supplier Kills Millions of Birds in Michigan with VSD+ Once a farm has depopulated its flock, the work isnt over. Carcasses, feed, eggs, manure, and other organic materials are gathered and composted or disposed of, a process that requires a fleet of equipment and workers. Michigan, a state with 31 confirmed cases of bird flu in dairy cattle herds, has had 16 commercial poultry farms infected with bird flu since 2022, with more than 7 million birds killed. Most birds killed in Michigan were at egg-laying commercial farms using the ventilation shutdown method, according to USDA data. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) isnt going to discuss details about the responses done on individual farms as most of that information is protected by Michigan law, MDARD Director Tim Boring said in a statement provided to Investigate Midwest in response to questions about the use of ventilation shutdown. At every facility, we are balancing multiple priorities; including, but not limited to, stopping the spread of the disease, animal welfare, practicality given the structure, and of course safety of the people involved, the statement continued. Documents obtained through records requests from the Michigan Department of Agriculture show Herbrucks Poultry Ranch, the states largest egg-producer and supplier of eggs to McDonalds, disposing of dozens of dump trucks filled with chickens by the day during a depopulation that occurred in April 2024. Records referred to Herbruck trucks hauling caracasses to be composted at an outbreak site named IO 02, which is a reference to Ionia 02. This was the site of an April 2022 depopulation event that killed 2.1 million egg-laying chickens. Herbrucks used ventilation shutdown to kill the flock, based on USDA depopulation data and references to renting and using heaters made in the daily logs filled out by staff on site. Daily worker logs describe days where 55 loads of dead chickens and other material were hauled off the farms to be composted or sent to a landfill. Contracted environmental waste companies, composting companies, labor and disinfecting crews hauled dead birds and contaminated materials to nearby landfills as well as composted the dead carcassess. Composting the bodies of birds infected with bird flu is a common practice in disposal and requires all organic material to reach an internal temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit for three days in order to kill the virus and other pathogens. Contaminated feed, manure, bodies, eggs and other waste are stacked into large mounds, monitored for internal temperatures and eventually spread back onto land as fertilization. Herbruck, which received $89 million in indemnity payments for the flocks killed by VSD+, was part of fast-food giant McDonalds push for cage-free eggs and the decision to prioritize the health and welfare of the animals, according to a 2024 company press release. Herbruck announced it was laying off hundreds of workers in Michigan a month after its 2024 bird flu outbreak. Mohamed Mousa, Herbruck vice president, declined to answer questions about the companys depopulation events and bird flu outbreaks. In an email, Mousa said the company does not have a media contact and is trying to move on. Victim contest: CNN immigration debate explodes over slavery comparison, sparks racial tensions The live debate on CNNs News Night with Abby Phillip erupted into a heated argument between Ana Navarro and Shermichael Singleton over President Trumps deportation of Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, leading to a commercial break due to the escalating tensions. Navarro drew a comparison between modern illegal immigration and the transatlantic slave trade, which Singleton found deeply offensive. He emphasized the unique and coercive history of slavery, highlighting the generational trauma experienced by African Americans. The discussion highlighted differing views on immigration policy, with Trump supporters advocating for strong deportation measures and critics arguing these policies disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. Navarros remarks echoed broader discussions about the voluntary versus forced nature of migration, while Singletons stance reflected a shared sentiment among many Black Americans on the distinctiveness of slavery. A live debate on CNNs News Night with Abby Phillip over President Donald Trumps deportation of Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia spiraled into a fiery clash between panelists Ana Navarro and Shermichael Singleton. The argument, which led host Abby Phillip to cut to a commercial break amid shouts, began when Navarro, a former GOP strategist and contributor to The View, drew parallels between modern-day illegal immigration and the forced transatlantic slave tradea comparison Singleton deemed deeply offensive. Slavery comparison sparks firestorm The breakdown unfolded as contributors debated Trumps claim that Mr. Garcia is affiliated with MS-13, a gang accused of violent crimes. No, he purposely misheard it, Navarro countered Singleton after he dismissed her remark: Theres a hell of a lot of people, other than the Black people who were brought here as slaves, who came to this country illegally. Singleton, an African-American political operative, fired back: They are not the same as Black people who were brought here against our will. He emphasized slaverys transgenerational trauma: Last time I checked, Im Black. Youre not. Navarro defended her analogy, pointing to her advocacy for marginalized groups: Im Latino, and my people are being racially profiled. Yet Singleton refused to concede, demanding acknowledgment of slaverys uniquely coercive history: Do I have to remind you of the history of my people? Policy priorities clash over MS-13 and public opinion The panels focus shifted back to Abrego Garcias casea deportation marred by partisan disputes over his gang ties. Trump had cited the migrants hand tattoos as evidence of MS-13 membership, but Navarro dismissed the claims as unverified. What Trump said yesterday was an absolute lie, she asserted, rejecting the idea of credible photographic evidence. Contributor Scott Jennings, a Trump-backing commentator, framed the issue as a Democratic misstep: The politics of this could not be worse for the left the president knows he was elected to protect us from MS-13. He criticized Democrats for doubling down on opposing the deportation, citing Congressman Hakeem Jeffries reported plea to his members to avoid further battles over the case. However, CNN columnist Raul Reyes retorted by citing poll data suggesting 54% of Americans back Mr. Garcias return, while Navarro highlighted the hypocrisy of immigration enforcement standards: Were not talking about Marco Rubios grandfather, she said, referencing the Florida senators documented family history of unauthorized U.S. residency. Historical context The clash underscores enduring divides over how historical injustices intersect with policy debates. While analoques to slavery have long incensed African Americansnot least due to its systemic dehumanization and centuries of racial hierarchiesNavarros remarks echoed broader discussions about migrations voluntary vs. forced nature. Shermichael Singletons insistence on distinguishing freedom-seeking migrants from enslaved Africans reflects a shared sentiment among many Black Americans: That embarrassment to your life that they went through doesnt happen anymore, as one online commenter noted. Meanwhile, the exchange highlighted broader anxieties: Trump supporters view strong deportation policies as fulfilling their mandates, while critics argue such measures disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. A nations fissures play unscripted on live TV The News Night meltdown exemplified todays polarized immigration debatesa mix of legal battles, identity politics and media performance. As panelists clashed over fact-checking and rhetoric, the episode laid bare deeper questions: How does a nation reconcile its founding ideals with centuries of exclusion? And can heated discourse yield solutions? For now, the incident remains a case study in how even high-profile forums struggle to balance rigor with civility, leaving audiences to navigate the messy interplay of history, policy and raw emotion. Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com AtlantaBlackStar.com TimesofIndia.com Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Trump eases auto tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing as trade war strains industry President Donald Trump announced measures to ease the economic strain on automakers by exempting certain foreign auto parts from double tariffs and reimbursing already paid duties, aiming to stabilize the industry. The policy seeks to reconcile Trump's protectionist agenda with the reality that automakers rely on global supply networks, offering temporary relief while pushing for long-term domestic production shifts. Automakers can claim tariff credits (3.75 percent of a vehicle's value in Year 1, tapering to zero) to offset costs, providing a phased adjustment period. The 25 percent tariff on fully imported vehicles remains intact. While U.S. automakers like Ford and GM welcomed the move, foreign manufacturers and Canadian leaders criticized it as insufficient, citing ongoing trade uncertainty and economic risks. The adjustment comes amid declining public approval of Trumps trade policies and slowing GDP growth. Trump framed it as a tactical concession, not a retreat, emphasizing his commitment to reshoring manufacturing. President Donald Trump has moved to soften the economic blow of his aggressive trade policies by offering relief to automakers struggling under the weight of tariffs on foreign auto parts. The decision, announced ahead of a rally in Michigan marking his first 100 days in office, signals a tactical retreat in his broader trade war while maintaining pressure on companies to shift production back to the United States. The policy change will allow automakers to avoid double tariffs such as those on steel and aluminum when importing parts for U.S.-assembled vehicles. Additionally, companies will receive reimbursements for tariffs already paid, a move designed to stabilize an industry battered by supply chain disruptions. This adjustment comes as Trump seeks to balance his "America First" agenda with the economic realities facing automakers who rely on a deeply interconnected global supply network. The U.S. auto industry, a pillar of American manufacturing, has been caught in the crossfire of Trump's trade battles. (Related: Trump retreats on auto tariffs, plans to exempt CAR PARTS from duties.) In early April, the administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on foreign-made cars and parts, a move intended to force companies to reshore production. But the policy backfired, raising costs for domestic manufacturers who still depend on imported components. Automakers warned that without relief, vehicle prices would spike, hurting consumers and threatening jobs. The new measures aim to mitigate those risks while still pushing companies to increase domestic production over time. The high stakes of auto tariffs Under the revised policy, automakers will receive credits to offset tariffs on imported parts, calculated as a percentage of the total value of U.S.-made vehicles. For the first year, companies can claim up to 3.75 percent of a car's value in tariff relief, dropping to 2.5 percent in the second year before being phased out entirely. The White House framed this as a temporary reprieve, giving manufacturers time to adjust supply chains without facing immediate financial ruin. Officials emphasized that the 25 percent tariff on fully imported vehicles remains unchanged, preserving Trumps leverage in trade negotiations. Even Trump himself has framed the adjustment as a temporary concession rather than a retreat. "We just wanted to help them during this little transition," he told reporters before departing for Michigan. Automakers cautiously welcomed the move. Ford said it appreciated Trump's decision, which it said would "help mitigate the impact of tariffs on automakers, suppliers and consumers." General Motors also expressed gratitude, though it withdrew its annual financial forecast, citing lingering uncertainty. Foreign manufacturers, represented by Autos Drive America, called the adjustment a step in the right direction. However, they argued that more must be done to "turbocharge the U.S. auto industry." Meanwhile, Canadian business leaders criticized the plan as insufficient, warning that ongoing trade uncertainty would stifle investment. The tariff shift comes as Trump faces criticism over the economic fallout of his trade policies. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 36 percent of Americans approve of his economic stewardship, the lowest level of his presidency. Trump's tariff relief marks a strategic recalibration acknowledging the economic pain inflicted on automakers while keeping pressure on companies to boost domestic production. Whether this move stabilizes the industry or merely delays further disruption remains to be seen. Watch as former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli lauds the Trump administration's move to exempt car parts from heavy tariffs in this Fox Business report. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump administration announces phased auto tariff relief to reshape U.S. manufacturing amid political backlash. Trump's 25% auto tariffs shake industry, but Tesla stands strong. Market rebounds on Trump's tariff pause, but uncertainty looms. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com BBC.com Reuters.com Brighteon.com Googles updated ad terms spark privacy concerns, threaten medical and legal confidentiality Google's updated Local Services Ads (LSA) Terms of Service grant it access to advertiser data, including phone calls, messages and business profiles, raising alarms in privacy-sensitive industries like healthcare and legal services, where client confidentiality is legally protected (e.g., HIPAA, attorney-client privilege). Businesses must accept the invasive terms by June 5 or lose ad visibility. Ad agencies can consent on clients behalf, but it's unclear whether advertisers fully understand how their and their customers' data will be exploited. Google's integration of AI tools (e.g., call recording, keyword scanning in emails) enables it to create "caller-level profiles" and reverse-engineer pricing/data across industries, effectively manipulating markets and deepening surveillance capitalism. Features like Pixel's real-time scam detection (analyzing calls locally) and Play Protect's Live Threat Detection (scanning apps) may enhance security but condition users to accept pervasive monitoring, reinforcing reliance on tech corporations. Critics warn that Google's synthesis of personal data, e.g., linking searches for lawyers, plumbers and medical services, can expose intimate life details (financial distress, health crises), chillingly eroding civil liberties under the guise of convenience. Google has once again ignited privacy and surveillance concerns this time with controversial updates to its Local Services Ads (LSA) Terms of Service, raising alarms in sensitive industries like healthcare and legal services. Under the new terms, Google and its affiliates will gain rights over advertiser data, including access to phone calls, messages and business profiles a move experts warn could violate client confidentiality in sectors bound by strict privacy laws. The LSA program connects local businesses, such as plumbers, lawyers and doctors, with potential customers via Google Search and Maps. On April 22, an email was sent to advertisers stating that those who fail to accept the updated terms by June 5 will have their ads removed from Google's platforms. The revised policy grants Google the right to access, modify and display all LSA profile content, including business photos, contact details, service descriptions and pricing; record and analyze phone calls and messages between businesses and customers routed through Google; and create "caller-level profiles" using mined data a practice described by critics as "chilling" due to its surveillance implications. Ad agencies can consent on behalf of their clients, but it remains unclear whether advertisers will be fully informed about how their data and their customers' information will be used. The most pressing concerns involve healthcare providers and law firms, where client confidentiality is legally protected. If Google records calls and messages between doctors and patients or attorneys and clients, businesses may be forced to abandon LSA ads to avoid violating privacy laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and attorney-client privilege. Google goes from lead tracking to surveillance capitalism Google has monitored LSA calls since 2023. In December 2024, Paradigm Business Solutions Inc. published an article about Google's latest AI-powered features for Pixel devices and upgraded Play Protect. The tech giant has rolled out an on-device AI system for Pixel 6 and newer models that analyzes phone conversations in real time, flagging potential scams. The feature detects suspicious patterns, such as impersonation attempts (e.g., fake bank representatives) and urgent demands (phony fraud alerts, "immediate payment" threats). If a potential scam is detected, users receive an on-screen warning and the option to end the call. Google emphasizes that all processing happens locally on the device and the feature is disabled by default. (Related: Google employees listen in on private conversations between users and Google Assistant.) Google also upgraded Play Protect with Live Threat Detection, which scans installed apps for malicious behavior, such as stalkerware or credential-stealing malware, in real time. Like scam detection, analysis happens on-device, reducing data exposure. However, it normalizes surveillance and trust in tech dependence. And now, Google's shift from dispute resolution to large-scale data harvesting marks a dangerous escalation. The company now positions itself to reverse-engineer pricing strategies across industries, potentially manipulating ad bids; create detailed consumer profiles by stitching together call histories; and train AI Overviews to favor businesses that feed Google's ecosystem with compliant data. Check out BigTech.news for more similar stories. Watch this Feb. 28 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, lays out why it is important for people to "de-Google" their entire lives. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Google launches censorship measures to rig EU Parliamentary elections. Amazon, Google and Microsoft caught providing services to BLACKLISTED Chinese firms. Google censors all AI that generates supposed "hate speech" in Google Play Store. "Google campus" dangers revealed: Schools that have embraced Google are experiencing security breeches. Google "alternative" DuckDuckGo has become "Google Lite" with decision to censor sites over "disinformation." Sources include: Reclaimthenet.org Paradigmitinc.com SearchEngineLand.com Brighteon.com Kamala Harris slams Trumps policies, fuels speculations about her political future Kamala Harris delivered a strong critique of President Donald Trump's policies, labeling his tenure as a "high-velocity event" that abandons American ideals. She accused his administration of dismantling public services, weakening democracy and favoring the wealthy. Harris highlighted Trump's efforts to overhaul immigration, military spending, government reform and public education, framing his agenda as a threat to foundational democratic values. Harris's speech fueled speculation about her political future, including a potential run for California governor in 2026 or another presidential bid. Her decision to speak at an event tied to her political roots and her sizable campaign fund suggest she remains a contender. Harris's address aimed to balance rallying the party base and addressing internal divisions. While she praised progressive and centrist figures, she avoided taking a clear stance on the party's direction, reflecting broader debates within the Democratic Party. Harris faces challenges, including weak polling numbers and concerns about her strategic silence. However, her speech positioned her as a critic of Trump and a potential unifying figure for Democrats. Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a pointed critique of President Donald Trumps agenda Wednesday, calling his tenure a high-velocity event that wholesale abandons American ideals, in her first major speech since losing the 2024 election. Speaking to supporters in San Franciscos Palace Hotel, Harris framed Trumps policies as part of a coordinated conservative movement to slash public services, erode democracy and prioritize wealth redistribution to the rich. The remarks, steeped in partisan rhetoric, underscored her intention to remain a high-profile Democratic voice as she weighs bids for California governor in 2026 or a future presidential run. Harris wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room: Trumps sweeping administrative actions since his return to the White House earlier this year. Instead of advancing Americas highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals, she declared, her voice rising as she repeated a phrase critics argue highlights the ideological distance between the two parties. The speech, her most substantial since January, centered on Trumps efforts to overhaul immigration, military spending, government reform and public educationelements of his $3.6 trillion budget proposal passed by Republican majorities in Congress. A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making, Harris said. That agenda, she argued, embraces policies like privatizing public services, shrinking government oversight and favoring corporate wealth over truth-tellers and ordinary Americans. While Democrats have long accused Trump of polarizing rhetoric, Harris framed his return as a challenge to foundational democratic values. They punish dissent, punish truth-tellerscash in on their power, and leave everyone else to fend for themselves, she added, juxtaposing her partys identity as the courage party against Trumps fear-driven politics. Political calculus: A 2026 governors bid as a presidential stepping stone? Harriss speech arrived amid sustained speculation about her political future. With California Gov. Gavin Newsom term-limited in 2026and his own White House aspirations attracting controversyHarriss decision to speak at an Emerge America event, which trains Democratic women for offices, raised questions about a gubernatorial run. The events roots tied back to Harriss own political awakening as San Franciscos district attorney in the 2000s. Yet, when asked about her next moves by reporters afterward, she demurred, declining to answer hypotheticals about campaigns. Campaign finance records show Harriss joint fund, the Harris Victory Fund, retains nearly $5 million since her election lossa signal to Democrats that she remains a potential contender. Front-runners hope her charisma and national profile could galvanize voter turnout in California, where 28% of eligible voters skipped the 2024 election. However, her post-race absence from public commentaryincluding no debate appearances since Novemberhas raised concerns among Democrats about her strategic rebranding. The Democratic Partys dilemma: Unity or division? Harriss address walked a tightrope between rallying the base and appeasing internal party divisions. While praising progressive icons like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and centrist figures like Cory Booker for resisting Trump, she avoided taking a clear stance in disputes over the partys direction. Im not here to offer all the answers, she said, a nod to Democratic debates over whether to double down on grassroots mobilization (as urged by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker) or shift moderate to recapture centrist voters. Her rhetoric did not shy from broader Democratic fears. The one check that must not fail is the voice of the people, she warned, a veiled critique of congressional Democrats reliance on procedure over confrontation during Trumps first 100 days. Meanwhile, Trumps allies seized on her speech as proof of Democratic weakness. Kamalas lost in the wilderness, said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), adding that her defeat exposes the hollow radicalism of elites. From 2024s defeat to 2026s uncertainty Harris struggle reflects the Democrats post-election identity crisis. Their loss in Novembera landslide in which Trump won 328 electoral votesexposed vulnerabilities across the board. As Harris noted, Trumps return to the White House accelerated policies like expanded border security, an end to post-9/11 visa restrictions and cuts to federal agencies, creating what critics call a high-stakes test for congressional Democrats. Yet Harriss speech also edged toward nostalgia for her own days as a White House contender. Her polling numbers remain weak, with a Quinnipiac University post-election survey showing only 38% of voters viewed her campaign favorablya drop from her 45% favorability in 2020. Her velocity critique, while evocative, elides inconvenient truths about Trumps polling metrics, which show his approval rating remains historically low at 42%, despite legislative success. Harris gambitrevitalizing democracy or reinventing strategy? Harriss return to the spotlight underscores Democrats hunger for a unifying figure. Yet her strategic silence on her political futurewhether as Californias next governor or another presidential candidateleaves allies uneasy. With a potential 2024 censure looming and her presidential PAC still operational, the partys fate may hinge on whether courage can outpace fear in the years ahead. For now, Harris has positioned herself as both critic and candidatebut time is the only judge of whether her high-velocity speech translates into real-world momentum. Democratic leadership or lamentation? The road back to 2026 begins here Harris closed her remarks by quoting activist Coretta Scott King: The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the status of its women. Her Feb. 2024 rejection by voters suggests that measuring political greatness requires more than inspirational quotes. With the 2026 race loomingand Trumps administration recalibrating policy dailythe nation now watches to see whether Harris can pivot from speechwriter to strategizer, or become another casualty of the post-Trump era. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com Breitbart.com WLBT.com RFK Jr. accuses the Biden administration of enabling child trafficking Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the Biden administration of enabling child trafficking and making HHS a "principal vector" for it, but claims the Trump administration has ended this role. Kennedy stated that the HHS is actively searching for over 300,000 migrant children lost under Biden's policies, alleging many were released to unvetted sponsors and may be victims of trafficking or forced labor. A DHS report released last year revealed that between October 2018 and September 2023, ICE lost track of 32,000 children who failed to appear for immigration court hearings. The safety of another 291,000 could not be verified because they were not placed in removal proceedings. Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, also vowed to locate and rescue those children. He outlined three key goals: locating the missing children, securing the border and deporting criminal or high-risk illegal immigrants. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared that the Trump administration already ended the alleged role of the federal government in facilitating child sex trafficking. During a White House Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 30, which marked the first 100 days of Trump, Kennedy accused the administration of former President Joe Biden of enabling child trafficking. He stated that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) became a "principal vector" for child trafficking at the time. "We have ended HHS's role as the principal vector in this country for child trafficking," Kennedy said. "During the Biden administration, HHS became a collaborator in child trafficking for sex and for slavery, and we have ended that." According to Kennedy, the HHS is now scrambling to locate over 300,000 migrant children who went missing while in federal custody. "We're very aggressively going out and trying to find these 300,000 children that were lost by the Biden administration," he said. Furthermore, Kennedy has vowed to address the systemic failures that allowed widespread exploitation under Biden-era policies. "We are no longer going to allow this agency to be used for criminal enterprise. We're doing this for the children and for the integrity of our government." The children primarily involved were unaccompanied minors who entered the country illegally. After their apprehension, they were processed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is legally obligated to transfer them to the HHS within 72 hours. Under the leadership of former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, DHS asserted that it had limited accountability for events following the transfer. Border czar: We need to save these children Kennedy is not the only one who vowed to locate the unaccompanied migrant children who entered the U.S. illegally. In November 2024, Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, announced that one of his top priorities would be locating and rescuing those children. He outlined three key goals at the time: locating the missing children, securing the border and deporting criminal or high-risk illegal immigrants. A DHS report released last year revealed that between October 2018 and September 2023, ICE lost track of 32,000 children who failed to appear for immigration court hearings. The safety of another 291,000 could not be verified because they were not placed in removal proceedings. (Related: DHS report: ICE has failed to track down location of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children.) "We already found some in forced labor, some of them are in for sex trafficking, some of them are with pedophiles," Homan said. "We need to save these children." Head over to Migrants.news for more stories like this. Watch the video below where Karoline Leavitt talks about Trump taking necessary actions to secure the border. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: HHS launches investigation into ORR's handling of unaccompanied migrant children. Investigative journalist: Over 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children trafficked into the U.S. have been KIDNAPPED. Dozens of unaccompanied migrant minors sheltered in San Diego have tested positive for coronavirus. UNICEF: Unaccompanied children forced to flee Ukraine are at risk of CHILD TRAFFICKING. Media, pundits silent as Biden administration illegally holds unaccompanied migrants children, CBP says. Sources include: YourNews.com DailyBeast.com TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com Trump administration escalates crackdown on sanctuary cities and states that shield illegal immigrants The Trump administration mandates the DOJ and the DHS to withhold federal funds from "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The order directs agencies to cut funding to cities and counties that obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement, release criminal undocumented immigrants or defy detainer requests, citing examples like Massachusetts releasing child rape suspects and Philadelphia freeing a deported rapist. Trump argued that sanctuary policies endanger national security, violate federal laws (e.g., obstruction of justice) and undermine immigration enforcement, emphasizing that illegal immigrants with criminal histories are being shielded. While critics warn this harms community-police trust, Trump and supporters (like Senator Dave McCormick) defend the order as fulfilling campaign promises to protect public safety. Local leaders vow resistance, calling it an overreach. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the policy as straightforward: jurisdictions must comply with federal law and stop obstructing ICE's removal of public safety threats. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take aggressive action against sanctuary cities and states shielding illegal immigrants, including withholding taxpayer funds from non-compliant localities. The directive, signed on Monday, April 28, mandates Attorney General Jeff Sessions and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to identify and publish sanctuary jurisdictions; enforces compliance with funding cuts for cities and counties refusing to honor detainer requests or obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); authorizes pursuit of lawsuits and penalties against defiant jurisdictions; and restricts illegal immigrants from accessing federal welfare, in-state tuition or other public benefits reserved for citizens. Trump emphasizes the urgent need for the federal government to enforce U.S. immigration laws to safeguard national sovereignty and security. Under the administration of President Joe Biden, millions of illegal immigrants, including human traffickers, gang members, criminals and terrorists, have entered the country. Alarmingly, some state and local officials are actively undermining federal immigration enforcement, rebelling against constitutional authority and obstructing unified national policy. For instance, Massachusetts, a sanctuary state, released multiple illegal immigrants accused of child rape instead of detaining them for ICE. Similarly, in Georgia, Jose Ibarra, arrested and released twice, later murdered Laken Riley. Philadelphia, another sanctuary city, ignored an ICE detainer and freed a previously deported Honduran national, who subsequently raped a child. Beyond endangering national security, these actions often violate federal laws, such as obstruction of justice, harboring illegal immigrants, conspiracy and impeding law enforcement. The crisis demands immediate and decisive action. (Related: Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities.) Trump fulfills promise from his 2024 campaign The executive order fulfills a key promise from Trump's 2024 campaign, arriving near the 100-day mark of his administration. Critics argued that the order foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, but supporters claimed that sanctuary policies only shield undocumented immigrants with criminal records Several local leaders in sanctuary jurisdictions have vowed to resist the order, arguing it violates states' rights and could harm community policing efforts. But then, Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) voiced strong support for the order during a news conference at Philadelphia's Hanwha Shipyard, calling it a "sound decision." "This is not a new idea or policy," McCormick said during a news conference at Hanwha Philly Shipyard that same day. "It's what the president campaigned on. It's what I campaigned on, and they've had ample opportunity to make those adjustments." Meanwhile, White House officials reinforced the administration's stance, with Press Secretary Karoline Claire Leavitt stating that the situation is just simple "obey the law, respect the law and don't obstruct federal immigration officials and law enforcement officials when they are simply trying to remove public safety threats from our nation's communities." Visit Migrants.news for more stories like this. Watch JD Rucker discussing how Trump is seeking an executive order to end sanctuary cities in this clip. This video is from the JD Rucker channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Representative Tenney calls for defunding sanctuary cities and sanctuary CAMPUSES at U.S. universities. Trump slams Newsom over sanctuary cities, wildfire mismanagement. SANCTUARY OVERLOAD: Texas sends more buses full of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to Democrat-controlled sanctuary cities. Sanctuary cities: The blood is on the left's hands. Trump moves to cut federal funding for "death trap" sanctuary cities. Sources include: YourNews.com WhiteHouse.gov Inquirer.com Brighteon.com U.S. imposes stiff sanctions on Iran oil buyers as nuclear talks linger amid heightened tensions U.S. President Donald Trump announced secondary sanctions targeting any country or entity purchasing Iranian oil or petrochemicals, accusing Tehran of using revenues to fund militant groups and its nuclear program. The fourth round of U.S.-Iran indirect nuclear negotiations was delayed, with Iran citing logistical issues and the U.S. denying a scheduled date. The 2015 JCPOA's collapse continues to fuel tensions, as Tehran demands sanctions relief, while Trump refuses until major concessions are made. Iran's foreign ministry condemned U.S. sanctions as an attempt to sabotage dialogue, calling them "economic bullying" and "contradictory" to diplomatic efforts. Despite rhetoric, Iran claims it remains committed to a "just" nuclear deal but continues uranium enrichment at higher purity levels, insisting its program is peaceful. European powers suspended preparations for a separate technical meeting on reviving the nuclear pact due to uncertainty. This underscores growing frustration over stalled diplomacy and diverging U.S.-Iran priorities, with Iran seeking sanctions relief and the U.S. aiming to avoid "another Obama deal." U.S. President Donald J. Trump has escalated economic pressure on Iran, warning that countries continuing to trade in Iranian oil or petrochemicals will face severe sanctions. Announced on Trump's Truth Social platform Thursday, May 1, the orders cap a week of diplomatic tension, including disrupted nuclear talks and accusations of Tehran's regional destabilization. With the fourth round of indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations postponed, the White House insists its "maximum pressure" campaign will compel Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. The standoff, rooted in the unraveling of the 2015 nuclear agreement, now risks spilling into broader regional conflict as Iran's allies and adversaries brace for potential fallout. Trump's ultimatum came as the State Department unveiled sanctions against seven companies allegedly involved in Iranian oil shipments, six based in the UAE, one in Turkey and one in Iran itself. "Any Country or person who buys any amount of oil or petrochemicals from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions," Trump declared. The administration accused Iran of using revenue from these sales to fuel militant groups and advance its nuclear program. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the strategic rationale, stating the sanctioned network, led by Iranian magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh, had evaded existing restrictions to export millions in oil revenues. "The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to fund the regime's destabilizing activities," Bessent said. The sanctions bar sanctioned entities from any U.S. trade, a blow to firms relying on American markets. Ongoing nuclear diplomacy in limbo Talks to revitalize a nuclear deal have again faltered. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Thursday that the fourth round of negotiations, set for Rome this weekend, had been delayed over "logistical and technical reasons." Yet U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce insisted "the meeting's date and venue had never been decided" and reaffirmed expectations for negotiations "in the near future." (Related: Trump readies for high-stakes direct nuclear talks with Iran: "Great danger" looms if negotiations fail.) The delay deepened a rift between Washington and Tehran over protocol. Iran's state media framed the pause as Washington's "contradictory approach and lack of goodwill," while Oman, which coordinates the talks, attributed it to routine logistical hurdles. Meanwhile, Tehran pressed for swift sanctions relief, a condition Trump had vowed to block absent major concessions. Iran's response: Defiance and diplomacy Tehran rejected U.S. sanctions as economic bullying. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the measures "a clear contradiction with the United States' demand for dialogue," alleging "economic terrorism" to isolate developing nations. Despite the rhetorical heat, Iranian officials insist they remain "more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal." The Islamic Republic has doubled down on its legal nuclear ambitions, enriching uranium at higher purity levels while insisting its program is peaceful. European critics, including France's Jean-Noel Barrot, expressed frustration over the stalled talks, admitting ongoing preparation for a separate technical meeting had been scrapped due to uncertainty. The current crisis mirrors the fallout from President Barack Obama's 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump abandoned in 2018. That deal permitted limited Iranian nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief, but Trump argued it enabled Tehran to "achieve a nuclear breakout." Administration hardliners, led by National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, now demand full dismantlement of Tehran's program, whereas negotiator Steve Witkoff has urged flexibility. Analysts warn this ideological schism could doom talks, as Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has long ruled out abandoning enrichment. As U.S.-Iran tensions mount, the White House's dual track of sanctions and diplomatic outreach faces steep challenges. With talks delayed and accusations flying, experts warn that miscalculation could trigger blows beyond economic warfare. For now, both sides cling to different visions: Iran seeking sanctions relief and Trump aiming to make good on his pledge to prevent "another Obama deal." Watch the video below that talks about Iran ensuring a peaceful nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Iranian MP urges nuclear weapons development, citing North Korea as model. Netanyahu's Iran attack plan rejected by Trump amid Gaza backlash. Trump chooses negotiation table over Israeli airstrikes in key Iran policy decision. Sources include: RT.com TheDefensePost.com 1 TheDefensePost.com 2 Brighteon.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 4. Nicaragua has officially withdrawn from UNESCO in protest after the newspaper La Prensa was awarded the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize, Trend reports. Nicaraguas Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing the newspaper of being known for its activities against the government, promoting violence, and supporting anti-values. It is deeply shameful that UNESCO would act as the organizer and, effectively, an accomplice to actions that insult and undermine the core values of Nicaraguas national identity and culture, lack objectivity, and discredit the organization itself, the statement reads. In light of this, the Government of Nicaragua has announced its sovereign and final decision to withdraw from UNESCO, according to a letter from the countrys Foreign Minister addressed to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. In response, Azoulay expressed regret over the decision, saying it would deprive the people of Nicaragua of the benefits of cooperation, particularly in the areas of education and culture. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Taking place on 14 May 2025, in Copenhagen and online, the event will bring together leading European scientists, policymakers and civil society to address the urgent health and environmental threat from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the Danish endocrine community will host a high-level event titled: "Minimising the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on health and environment: A scientific update following the joint congress of ESPE and ESE 2025." The half-day event is organized with the support of Copenhagen Legacy Lab and aims to create a positive long-term scientific and policy legacy from the Congress in Denmark, Europe and internationally. Urgent action needed to tackle proven dangers of EDCs EDCs are found in everyday products such as plastics, cosmetics, food packaging and pesticides. These substances interfere with hormone function and are linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders. Research shows over 23,000 contamination sites in Europe, with many "forever chemical" hotspots in Denmark. Despite clear scientific evidence, regulation of these persistent substances remains insufficient across Europe. According to the European Environment Agency, approximately 100,000 chemicals are available on the market and 70% of these have not been tested for their effects on human health. With Denmark set to take over the EU Council Presidency on 1 July 2025, the timing of this event offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between science and policy. We need to change the conversation around endocrine disruptors in Europe and ensure the necessary research and policy measures are implemented now. The 'Minimizing the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on health and environment' scientific update we are hosting in Copenhagen on 14 May following the Joint Congress is a significant step towards that." Jerome Bertherat, ESE President Anita Hokken-Koelega, ESPE President, says: "Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors. Policymakers across Europe must uphold their responsibility to provide a toxic-free environment for them to grow and develop. We are looking forward to bringing together experts from across Europe in Copenhagen for this important Legacy Event on the latest research and policy challenges in this area." Event programme Aimed at policymakers, NGOs, the Danish and European scientific community and media, the event will take place from 09:00-13:00 CEST at the Bella Sky Hotel in Copenhagen and online. Speakers and participants will include leading European experts in endocrine disruption and chemicals, national and European policymakers, and representatives of local communities that have been directly affected by EDC exposure. A scientific session will focus on key research presented at the Joint Congress and future priorities from the upcoming EndoCompass Research Roadmap. A public health and policy session will look at how to reduce EDC exposure and protect populations more sensitive to exposure including expecting mothers and children. Highlights in the programme include: Insights from Members of the Danish and European Parliaments on the current policy debate A tandem talk on fertility and EDCs from both adult and paediatric perspectives A focus on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and their role in better and faster EDC assessment A testimonial on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect local communities in Denmark A networking lunch and press Q+A session will follow the main programme. More information about attending the event, including the full programme, can be found here: https://espe-ese-congress2025.org/legacy-event-14-may/ Karnataka SSLC Results 2025: Parents Arrange Party To Encourage Son Who Failed All Subjects Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 18:32 IST Abhishek was unable clear any subject, however, instead of scolding him for his poor academic performance, his parents threw him a party to encourage him to do better next time. Abhishek failed in six out of six subjects in Karnataka SSLC exam 2025 (Image: X/@LoyalYashFan) Parents of a Karnataka SSLC student, who failed all subjects, had organised a party to cheer up their son. A student of Basaveshwara English medium high school in Bagalkot, Abhishek, got 200 marks out of 625. He was unable clear any subject, however, instead of scolding him for his poor academic performance, his parents threw him a party to encourage him to do better next time. Abhisheks parents brought a cake for him as well as distributed sweets. The students father said that his son had studied hard however could not pass. Hence, to cheer him up, they threw a party. He aims to clear the exam in the next attempt. Recommended Stories According to local reports, Abhishek said that a fire accident in his childhood has resulted in poor memory. Hence, he has difficulty remembering what he studies. Heartwarming Parenting Moment In the town of Bagalkote in Karnataka India, parents celebrated their son with cake even though his SSLC exam results werent great. He failed in 6/6 subjects. They proved that love and support matter more than marks. Moral: Always encourage and pic.twitter.com/6oRxcraDZV ???????????????????? (@LoyalYashFan) May 3, 2025 The Karnataka SSLC 2025 results have been declared by KSEAB on May 2. The overall pass percentage this year stood at 62.34 per cent. A total of 8,42,173 students appeared for the class 10 exam this time which includes freshers, repeaters, and private candidates. Of the total, 5,24,984 passed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Female students performed better than their male counterparts. Girls recorded a pass percentage of 74 per cent with 2,96,438 out of 4,00,579 girls passing. While the overall pass percentage among boys stood at 58.07 per cent, with 2,26,637 out of 3,90,311 boys passing the class 10 exam. Furthermore, KSEAB offers two more chances to students to clear their class 10 exams. The Karnataka SSLC Exam 2 will be conducted from May 26 to June 2, while SSLC Exam 3 is scheduled to take place from June 23 to 30. About the Author Sukanya Nandy Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 18:11 IST MILAN, Italy, May 4. When women lead alongside others, communities can rise above the heat, stronger, more resilient, and ready for the challenges ahead, said Bruno Carrasco, Director General of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), during a seminar on heat resilience held as part of the ADB Annual Meeting in Milan, Trend reports. Addressing the event titled Heat-Proofing the Future: Solutions that Build Womens Resilience to Extreme Heat, Carrasco highlighted that we are at a pivotal moment, with the World Meteorological Organization confirming 2024 as the hottest year on record. Global temperatures averaged 1.55 degrees above pre-industrial levels effectively breaching the critical 1.5C threshold over an entire calendar year, he said, stressing that this is not a future scenario, but a present and escalating crisis. Carrasco underscored the urgency of tailored early warning systems, noting that we need to reach the people most at risk, especially women. Health systems need to be ready to manage the impacts of extreme heat, especially for the more vulnerable, including pregnant women and caregivers. He emphasized the need for gender-transformative heat action plans, financial tools like parametric insurance, and closing critical data gaps. We need more sex-disaggregated data, and we need to amplify womens voices in science, planning, and policymaking, Carrasco stated. Despite the rising risks, Carrasco expressed optimism: The opportunities are also growing to design better, more inclusive responses to extreme heat. Through partnerships and investment in resilience, the ADB is committed to ensuring that womens leadership shapes resilience efforts at every level. Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025 Likely By Next Week? Check Latest Update Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:19 IST Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025: The board is yet to make any official announcements regarding the date and time of the Class 10 and 12 results. Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025 soon at mahresult.nic.in (Representative image/File) The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Pune, is expected to release the SSC and HSC exam results 2025 soon. As per media reports, the results could be out by May 15. The board is however yet to make any official announcements regarding the date and time of the Class 10 and 12 results. In previous years, the Maharashtra Board HSC results were usually released by the last week of May, and SSC results by the first week of June. In 2024, the class 10 scorecards were released on May 27 and class 12 results on May 21. Recommended Stories Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025: Where To Check? mahahsscboard.in mahresult.nic.in hscresult.mkcl.org msbshse.co.in mh-ssc.ac.in sscboardpune.in sscresult.mkcl.org hsc.mahresults.org.in Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025: Login Credentials To obtain the Maharashtra SSC and HSC mark sheets online, students will need to enter their roll/seat number along with their mothers first name on the official website. This information is available on the admit card or the hall tickets. However, if you have not found your admit card, you may contact your school authority and ask them to help you with the seat number. Maharashtra HSC, SSC Result 2025: Steps To Check Step 1: Go to the official website at mahresult.nic.in. Step 2: On the homepage, look for and click on the link Maharashtra SSC/HSC Results 2025 result. Step 3: As a new window opens, enter the required credentials and click on the submit button. Step 4: The Maharashtra 10th/12th result 2025 will appear on the screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 5: Check all the details and download the result. Candidates will have to secure 33 per cent in each subject and overall to pass the MSBSHSE SSC and HSC exam. Details such as the name of the students, parents name, school name, grades, qualifying marks, marks obtained in all subjects, date of birth, and roll number will be mentioned in the MSBSHSE SSC and HSC mark sheet. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 13:56 IST Air India Suspends Flights To Tel Aviv Till May After Missile Strike Near Airport Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 19:54 IST Air traffic to the Tel Aviv airport was briefly suspended after a missile launched from Yemen landed near the Tel Aviv airport The flight was in the Jordanian airspace when it was decided to divert the flight to Abu Dhabi. An Air India flight from the national capital to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday as there was a missile attack near the airport in the Israeli city, according to sources. The airline has also suspended the Tel Aviv flights till May 6. Recommended Stories The attack happened less than an hour before the Air India flight AI139, operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, was to land at Tel Aviv, the sources said. Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 4 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi," the airline said in a statement. The airline said its operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till May 6 to ensure the safety of its customers and staff. As per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the flight was in the Jordanian airspace when it was decided to divert the flight to Abu Dhabi. Air Indias flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been cancelled for Sunday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Air traffic to the Tel Aviv airport was briefly suspended after a missile launched from Yemen landed near the Tel Aviv airport. Passengers having valid tickets for Air Indias Tel Aviv flights between May 4 and 6 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation, Air India said. First Published: May 04, 2025, 15:44 IST Bengal Facing Twin Crisis Of Radicalisation, Militancy: Governor To Home Ministry Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 18:41 IST The governor suggested several measures in the aftermath of violence, which claimed three lives, occurred amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose (PTI file photo) West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has submitted a report on the recent riots in Murshidabad district to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, mentioning that the twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy" poses a serious challenge to the state. In his report, he suggested a slew of measures, including setting up an inquiry commission and outposts of central forces in districts bordering Bangladesh, besides writing, needless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain". Recommended Stories Asked about the mention of the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution" in the report, an official told PTI, The governor has not proposed for implementation of Article 356. He meant to say that the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution are open to the Centre if the situation in the state further deteriorates." The imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution refers to the Presidents rule in a state. The governor also expressed apprehension about a spillover" of the Murshidabad violence to other districts of the state and recommended that the central government should consider constitutional options to put a check on the current situation besides generating confidence of people in the rule of law". The twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy poses a serious challenge for West Bengal, especially in two of the several districts sharing an international border with Bangladesh, viz., Murshidabad and Malda. In both these districts, there is an adverse demographic composition with Hindus being minorities. Another district, viz., Uttar Dinajpur, has a plurality," Bose mentioned in his report, a copy of which is with PTI. The governor suggested several measures in the aftermath of violence that claimed the lives of at least three people, including a man and his son, and left several injured. The riot occurred amid anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests. Formulating an overarching legislation to empower the Union Government to maintain law and order when the state machinery fails to act effectively. Appointing a commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to look into the reported acts of omission and commission as indicated above and to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future and needless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain," the report mentioned. Of late, there are indications of radicalisation and polarisation", it said. The divisions are so deep that even in the face of escalation of violence, the chief ministers repeated undertaking that she would protect minority interests, and that the Act would not be implemented in the state, have done little to assuage the Muslim community or stem the tide. It is imperative that the rule of law be firmly established, and the police must prevent violence," Bose wrote in the report. The governor also said, To go by the history of political violence that the state is prone to and from the spillover effect that the Murshidabad violence had over other districts in the state, may I suggest that the Government of India considers the Constitutional options not only to put a check on the current situation but also to generate confidence of people in the rule of law." In the report, the Bengal governor also claimed that the riots appeared premeditated" and the state government was aware of the imminent build-up of a threat to law and order in Murshidabad". As the Notification of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 was issued on 08.04.2025, conflagration unfolded in Murshidabad district that spiralled out of control and continued for several days. On 08.04.2025, the state government promulgated a temporary suspension order of the internetThus, the state government was aware of the imminent build-up of a threat to law and order in Murshidabad," Bose alleged in his report. It was expected that the state government also put in place a viable security mechanism on the ground that could prevent any occurrence and escalation of violence", he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Clearly, the sequence of events that unfolded shows the woeful lack of coordination among administration and law enforcement agencies that were either too feeble to rise up to the challenge or were reluctant to do so," Bose alleged. The ruling TMC functionaries and the state government officials could not be reached for their comments on the governors report. First Published: May 04, 2025, 16:27 IST Bengaluru Police Nab Man Who Molested Tech Worker In High-Surveillance Zone Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:35 IST The victim, a 20-year-old employee at an IT firm, was groped late at night while walking alone. 32-year-old Srikanth has been arrested for molesting a female IT worker in Bengaluru. (IMAGE: SOURCED) Bengaluru Police on Sunday arrested one person for molesting a female employee of an IT company earlier this week. Police officers from the Marathahalli police station had launched a manhunt in the molestation case that took place earlier this week near Eco World Tech Park. The accused had allegedly touched the 20-year-old victim when she was walking near Eco World Tech Park around 11:40pm on April 30. The incident, which took place in a high-surveillance area, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of working women in the city. Recommended Stories The man who was held is a 32-year-old person named Srikanth who works for a private company and also has an MBA degree. He had arrived on a bike, allegedly touched the victim inappropriately from behind and fled the scene. Officials said that he spanked" the victim before fleeing. The victim informed the police that she screamed and shouted in panic as the accused repeatedly sexually harassed her by touching her back. Despite raising an alarm and approaching auto drivers, security guards, and passers-by, no one came forward to assist her. The victim is originally from another state and is currently working in Bengaluru. This comes weeks after police nabbed a 26-year-old man who molested two women in Bengalurus Sadduguntepalya area. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m. on April 4, was caught on CCTV and triggered public outrage. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the footage, the accused, identified as Santosh Daniel, is seen pushing one woman aside before sexually assaulting the other on a deserted residential street. He was arrested from a village in Kerala on April 14. Locals said such attacks were rare in the area but noted a decline in safety due to the growing number of PG accommodations. Home Minister G Parameshwara faced flak after remarking that such incidents happen here and there in a big city" and later expressed regret over the comment. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 23:35 IST Four Bangladeshi Nationals Held From Delhi's Azadpur Sabzi Mandi Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 15:04 IST All four were involved in begging at traffic signals and were using a banned app to stay in touch with their families to avoid detection Representative image of Delhi Police | PTI Delhi Police has apprehended four allegedly illegal Bangladeshi nationals disguised as transgender people from the Azadpur Sabzi Mandi area in northwest Delhi, an official said on Sunday. The arrests came following a surveillance operation on Saturday and they have been handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further deportation proceedings. Recommended Stories All four were involved in begging at traffic signals and were using a banned app to stay in touch with their families to avoid detection, the officials said. Police revealed that they had undergone minor surgeries and hormonal treatments to alter their appearances and evade detection. The accused were identified as Md Armaan (21), Md Arif (26), Md Jahid (21) and Md Babul (40), all residents of Narayanganj in Bangladesh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During interrogation, they admitted to illegally crossing borders and entering India with the help of agents and later travelling to Delhi by train, police said. Police recovered two smartphones from their possession, both of which had a banned app, which the suspects used to contact their families in Bangladesh. First Published: May 04, 2025, 15:04 IST 'Hit Money Paid From Govt Aid': Probe Into Suhas Shetty's Murder Points To Revenge Plot Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 09:17 IST Suhas, the main accused in the high-profile 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, was hacked to death by a group of unidentified assailants in Kinnikambla, Bajpe, on the night of May 1. Suhas Shetty, a murder accused, was hacked to death on Thursday evening. (File image) Suhas Shetty Murder: Shocking details have emerged in the murder case of rowdy sheeter and Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, with police investigating the case revealing that Adil Mehroof, brother of Muhammad Fazil, had allegedly paid Rs 3 lakh from government compensation, to pay assailants who carried out Shettys hit job. Shetty, the main accused in the high-profile 2022 murder of Mohammed Fazil, was hacked to death by a group of unidentified assailants in Kinnikambla, Bajpe, on the night of May 1. Recommended Stories Mohammed Fazil was killed by four masked men on July 28, 2022, with Shetty being the prime accused in the case. The then Basvraj Bommai-led BJP government had not granted any compensation to the deceased family. However, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had granted a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to Fazils family in 2023, something that was also offered to three other families that saw members lose lives to communal murders. According to the probe, the amount that Adil reportedly paid to accused Abdul Safwan for the murder of Shetty, was from this compensation itself. Adil, who works as a truck driver, was allegedly plotting revenge of his brothers murder. He decided to team up with Abdul Safwan, who himself had a dispute with Shetty from 2023. Abdul had been assaulted by several associates of Shetty in 2023, and ever since, was fearing a threat to his own life. Adil and Abdul then teamed up later since they shared a common adversary, forming a gang of the other accused. According to the police, the team had been planning Shettys murder for over a month, but plans never materialised as the associates felt the time wasnt ripe. So far, the police have arrested eight suspects in connection with the case and are preparing to arrest two other who allegedly helped in tracking Shettys movements for the hit job. According to the police, the preliminary probe found no terror links to any of the accused, and the murder was possibly a case of personal grudge and revenge. Suhas Shetty Murder Suhas Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist, was murdered by an unidentified group late on Thursday within the Bajpe police station limits in Mangaluru. He was attacked at around 8:30 pm while he was traveling with five of his associates when their vehicle was intercepted near Kinnipadavu Cross by the attackers. The attackers, around six people, were traveling in a Swift car and a pickup truck. They reportedly attacked Shetty and his group, assaulting him with deadly weapons causing serious injuries. Chaos erupted in Mangaluru after the incident. VHP gave a bandh call on Friday with shops being shut in the city. KSRTC had also suspended services to suburban areas after their buses were stoned near the Pumpwell and Kankanady areas and some cases of assaults were also registered. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the aftermath of communal incidents in Mangaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara has announced that a Anti Communal Task Force would come into force in the state. The force would be different from the Anti-communal wing under the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate, that was announced in June 2023. Location : Mangalore, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 09:17 IST India Issues Navigation Warning Amid Navy Drills In Arabian Sea Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 15:13 IST The navies of the two countries are on high alert as India mulls retaliatory measures against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Indian Navy's exercise in Arabian Sea | File Image Indias maritime authorities have issued a navigation warning for commercial ships to exercise caution in view of the Indian Navys ongoing drills in the Arabian Sea, even as Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is understood to have briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes, people familiar with the developments said on Saturday. The NAV (navigation) alert comes amid increasing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack. Recommended Stories It is learnt that the Navy chief met the prime minister on Saturday evening and briefed him about the situation in the maritime domain, the people cited above said. There is no official word on the meeting yet. The people cited above said the navigation warning alert has been issued by Indias National Hydrographic Office that operates under the Indian Navy. Commercial vessels have been advised to avoid the area to ensure safety, they said. Pakistan has already put in place its naval warnings as its Navy has ramped up its manoeuvring in the critical sea lanes. The Pakistan Navy has been carrying out intense drills and live firings in the Arabian Sea for the last few days. The navies of the two countries are on high alert as India mulls retaliatory measures against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that has killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating following the terror attack. Citing "cross-border linkages" to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in it. New Delhi has already asserted that the "perpetrators, backers and planners" of the Pahalgam attack must be brought to justice. At a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on Tuesday, Modi said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of Indias response to the attack, according to government sources. The prime minister affirmed that it is a national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, the sources said after the meeting. India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the only operational land-border crossing between the two countries at Punjabs Attari and downgrading diplomatic ties, in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In response, Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan has also rejected Indias suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an "act of war". First Published: May 04, 2025, 15:13 IST 'What You Desire Will Happen': Rajnath Singh Drops Big Hint On Pahalgam Response Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 22:24 IST Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the countrymen that India would respond to the enemies as desired by the nation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (PTI file photo) Days after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday pledged a strong and fitting response against the nations enemies. While addressing an event in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the Defence Minister assured the countrymen that India would respond to the enemies as desired by the nation. Recommended Stories As a defence minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the security of the countrys borders along with my soldiers. It is my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country," said the Union Defence Minister. #WATCH | Delhi | While addressing the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, As a nation, our brave soldiers have always protected the physical form of India, while on the other hand, our sages and wise men have protected the spiritual form of India. pic.twitter.com/22QhC3MkiI ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Rajnath Singh further remarked that the people are well aware of Prime Minister Narendra Modis efficiency, determination, and willingness to take risks throughout his life. You all know PM Modis work ethic and perseverance. I want to assure you that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, now things will happen as per your wish," he said. Singh added that while the nations brave soldiers have consistently defended Indias physical borders, its sages and wise men have safeguarded its spiritual essence. While on one hand, our soldiers fight on the Rannbhoomi (battlefield), on the other hand, our saints fight on the Jeevanbhoomi." Terrorists sprayed bullets on dozens of tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, killing at least 26, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the terror attack, prompting India to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Pakistan on all fronts. Earlier in the week, PM Modi also vowed to deliver the toughest" punishment to terrorists and their backers. He assured the families of the victims that justice will be served." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He noted that Kashmir saw massive growth in recent years, with the surge in tourism and opportunities for the youth, and said that the Pahalgam attack was a desperate attempt by the enemies of the nation to derail the regions progress. 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: May 04, 2025, 19:17 IST Married Pakistani Woman After Getting Nod From CRPF Headquarters: Sacked Jawan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:22 IST CRPF trooper Munir Ahmed said he solemnized his marriage nearly a month after getting permission from the force's headquarters last year. According to the report, several lapses were observed in the constables conduct, including failure to inform the department about his wife's continued stay in India. (News18 Hindi) A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, Munir Ahmed, who has been dismissed from service for allegedly concealing his marriage to a Pakistani woman, has refuted the charges and claimed that he solemnised his marriage nearly a month after getting permission from the headquarters last year. I initially came to know about my dismissal through media reports. I shortly received a letter from the CRPF informing me about the dismissal which came as a shock to me and my family as I have sought and received permission for my marriage to a Pakistani woman from the headquarters," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. Recommended Stories Ahmed who joined the force in April 2017, was last posted with the 41st battalion of paramilitary CRPF, the lead internal security force of the country. #WATCH | J&K: Munir Ahmad, a resident of Jammu, who is married to a Pakistani national, Meenal Khan, was dismissed from CRPFHe says, " Our wedding happened on 24th May 2024 through video conferenceshe is my cousinthey stay in Pakistan. Before partition, both families pic.twitter.com/s5sQow2Cmo ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 The sacked trooper has vowed the challenge his dismissal in the court of law. I am sure of getting justice". A day earlier, the CRPF dismissed Ahmed for concealing" his marriage with Pakistani woman Minal Khan and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa, saying his actions were detrimental to national security. Ahmed, a resident of the Gharota area of Jammu, married Minal Khan from Pakistans Punjab province in May 2024 after they developed a relationship online. The two were married through a video call nikah ceremony on May 24, 2024. Khan entered India through the Wagah-Attari border on February 28 and her short-term visa ended on March 22. However, her deportation was stayed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after she and Ahmed applied for a Long-Term Visa in March and completed the necessary formalities, including an interview. Ahmed claimed that he had submitted all required documents, including affidavits from himself, his parents, the local sarpanch and the district development council member through official channels. Following the marriage, Ahmed submitted photographs, nikah documents, and the marriage certificate to his 72 Battalion. There is no provision for a No Objection Certificate, I was told. But since I had followed the process and informed the authorities, I believed everything was in order," he said. I made the first correspondence on December 31, 2022 informing my wish to marry the Pakistani national and I was asked to complete formalities like enclosing copies of passport, marriage card and affidavits. I submitted my affidavit and also the affidavits of my parents, sarpanch, and district development council member through proper channels and finally got a go ahead from the headquarters on April 30, 2024," he told the news agency. Ahmeds marriage with Khan came to light after India ordered Pakistani nationals to leave the country as part of diplomatic measures taken in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people were killed. Ahmed said he returned to his duties at the end of his leave period and was asked to report to the battalion headquarters at Sunderbani on March 25 but on March 27, I was handed over a transfer order and posted with 41st Battalion at Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) without providing 15 days mandatory joining period. I was given the order copy and relieved immediately, leaving me with no option but to join my duties at Bhopal where I joined on March 29. I faced the interview of the commanding officer and his deputy on reaching there and also completed the documentation process, clearly mentioning my marriage to a Pakistani woman," he said, adding he has even made the entry in his battalion data record book. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ahmed said his dismissal is unjustified and plans to move the court in the coming days. I am hopeful of getting justice through the legal system," he said. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 08:42 IST Minor Girl Attacks Hapur Shopkeeper With Blade After He Refused To Accept Purchased Items Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 13:09 IST The residents of the locality have claimed that the girl is mentally unwell and is undergoing treatment. A video of the incident has been widely shared on social media platforms. (X) In a shocking and bizarre incident, a 15-year-old girl attacked a shopkeeper with a blade after he refused to accept the purchased items in Uttar Pradeshs Hapur, officials said. A video of the incident, which took place on Friday in Krishnaganj area in Pilkhuwa in the district, has been widely shared on social media platforms. Recommended Stories As per the shop keeper, the teenaged girl used to purchase item from his shop and then return them after using them for a while. She even used to ask refund, NDTV reported. The shop owner said that he had returned the money many times in the past. However, this time, he refused. Agitated by this, the girl allegedly hurled abuses at the victim shop owner and suddenly she attacked him with a sharp blade, leaving him injured on his hands and stomach. As per the video shared, a few people were present at the time of the incident. The bystanders quickly caught the girl after she attempted to ran out of the store. The shopkeeper was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, officials said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the residents of the locality have claimed that the girl is mentally unwell and is undergoing treatment. The victims family has filed a complaint against the girl and an investigation is underway, officials said as reported by the news outlet. 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 : Hapur, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 13:09 IST Robert D. Kaplan (New York, 1952), one of the most important geopolitical analysts of recent times, poses questions that have no answers... at least not yet. For 80 years, Europe was in a state of dependency on the United States for its security protection. In other words, its politicians were raised in an atmosphere of dependency, just administering social welfare programs, not caring about defense that much, he explains. That era of comfort seems to be coming to an end with Donald Trump as a resident of the White House. Now the question is whether Europe can unify without the American umbrella. Will old-fashioned disputes between France and Germany come up? Will France be nervous about Germany re-arming? Will a small country like Slovakia or Belgium be able to prevent every other country from taking some action abroad? Things like that are now going to be important, he says in a conversation with EL PAIS. While Europe tries to show its strength, the world is watching as its largest economy dusts off its imperialist spirit in search of natural resources. We are entering a new imperial age, says this expert, who has released a new book, Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis. The title is no coincidence: it refers to a poem by T. S. Eliot that deals with collapse, desolation, and loss. Question. In your book, you draw a parallel between the Weimar Republic [a German regime that emerged after World War I and ended with the rise of Hitler] and the present, in that it is a world in constant crisis. Are we in a kind of global Weimar? Answer. The Weimar Republic was in a constant state of crisis; there was a lot of instability. Todays world resembles that scenario. Weimar was a truly permanent crisis. I used Weimar as a way to describe todays world because technology has defeated distance. We are more connected than ever, and we cant ignore each other. Crises in the Pacific can affect crises in Europe and the United States in a way that they never used to do. In my book I talk about a permanent crisis, I did not say anarchy or falling into the abyss. So its not a totally negative vision. I see its just struggling with one crisis after another. Q. Does the fight over critical minerals reinforce the analogy? A. Critical minerals are an entirely new phenomenon. We are entering a new imperial age that will be defined by great regional powers. It will be greater North America with the United States exerting influence from Greenland to Panama in one form or another. A Russia which is interested in more territory, and China which wants to subdue Taiwan and gain more influence in the Western Pacific. And these three powers in different ways will compete. The United States will compete with China for influence in Latin America, for instance, which used to be Americas backyard. But now there is a significant amount of Chinese influence there. Q. Where does Europe fit into this global struggle? A. Since the beginning of the Middle East crisis, which began on October 7, 2023 [when Hamas attacked Israel and the latter launched a military offensive against Gaza in response], the U.S., Russia, and Iran had big impacts, while Europe had almost no impact. It was the first major international crisis where nobody really considered what Europe thought. Benjamin Netanyahu did not care what the Spanish prime minister said [Pedro Sanchez encouraged recognition of the Palestinian state] or the British prime minister said [that Palestinians should be allowed to return home]. This reflects a trend. For 80 years, Europe has depended on the U.S. for its security. This period seems to be coming to an end with President Donald Trump. Were entering a world where China, the United States, and Russia are great powers and will compete for other parts of the world. Europe, despite its economic power, is not united enough politically and strategically. Theres talk of creating a European defense system, for example, but what kind of army will emerge? Will it be an army that will actually fight? Or will it be an army like UN peacekeeping troops in southern Lebanon that essentially do nothing? Its one thing to talk about expanding defense budgets. Its another thing to actually build a unified military force. Another reason why Europe is divided is that countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece are not threatened by Russia to the extent that Poland and Romania and Germany are. This will also contribute to European divisions that will keep Europe internally weak. Q.What do you think of the U.S. strategy on critical minerals? A. Its amoral. Not immoral. Its similar to the realpolitik of China and Russia, in a way. Since 1945, the U.S. has been a world power and projected a liberal worldview based on human rights and democracy. The Trump administration isnt interested in that, which is a big change, especially for Europe, because what united Europe with the United States had been a series of what political scientists call norms, proper behavior, as I would put it. The U.S. is now seeking new resources [in other territories]. Its not colonialism because the Trump administration does not want to rule over people. Its a new form of imperialism. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Murshidabad Riots: Security Boost To Legislative Steps, A Look At Bengal Governors Recommendations Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:06 IST Anti-Waqf violence in Murshidabad: Sources said the governor's report highlighted the law and order failure. TMC has called the report politically motivated West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose meets villagers displaced by the Murshidabad violence. (PTI) Governor CV Ananda Bose, in his special report on the Murshidabad violence, recommended intervention by the Centre, if necessary, citing constitutional provisions. According to sources, the governor, who visited the villages hit by violence linked to anti-Waqf law protests, emphasised the strategic and communal sensitivity of the region, while highlighting the law and order failure. Recommended Stories Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh called the governors report politically motivated. KEY OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS 1. Strategic Sensitivity of West Bengal West Bengal shares an international border with Bangladesh, rendering districts like Murshidabad and Malda particularly vulnerable to cross-border tensions and demographic changes. Political instability and alleged demographic manipulation have exacerbated communal polarisation across the state. 2. Rise in Radicalisation and Communal Tensions Radical Islamist groups have reportedly been mobilising communities under the slogan Islam in Danger." Increasing polarisation has been noted, especially in districts where Hindus are now in the minority. 3. Persistent Law and Order Failures Although the state successfully dealt with Left-wing extremism, it has struggled to manage communal violence and ensure basic law and order. Local police forces remain understaffed and poorly equipped, often requiring assistance from central paramilitary forces to restore peace. 4. Cross-Border Infiltration Migration from Bangladesh reportedly surged during political unrest in 2024. The report calls for urgent completion of border fencing and enhancement of surveillance systems. 5. Election-Driven Communal Polarisation With the 2026 elections approaching, communal divisions have deepened due to inflammatory political rhetoric. Political parties are accused of exploiting religious identities to consolidate vote banks. 6. Murshidabad Riots April 2025 Violence was triggered by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which intensified after the Act was notified on 8 April. Riots erupted across Murshidabad between 1112 April, resulting in significant violence, including the targeted killing of a father-son duo in Jafrabad. 7. Ground Zero Observations (1819 April 2025) Displaced families from Murshidabad were found sheltering in relief camps in Malda. Victims reported police inaction and widespread trauma in affected villages. Locals in Samserganj and other areas strongly demanded the permanent deployment of BSF personnel. 8. Casualties, Arrests, and Property Damage Over 138 FIRs have been registered and more than 300 arrests made. Prime suspects in key killings have been apprehended. A total of 109 buildings were reported damaged; the State has begun reconstruction efforts. 9. Spread of Violence Communal clashes have expanded from Malda and Murshidabad to other regions including Bhangar, Siliguri, and Cooch Behar. Assurances by the Chief Minister to protect minority communities have failed to de-escalate tensions, indicating deep-rooted communal divides. 10. Structural and Political Drivers The political landscape in West Bengal is increasingly shaped by religious identity. Allegations of hate speech, radicalisation, and demographic engineering are widespread, involving both ruling and opposition parties. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all RECOMMENDATIONS Legislative Measures: The Union Government should consider enacting a central law empowering it to intervene in law and order situations where a State government fails to act effectively. Judicial Inquiry: A statutory Commission of Inquiry should be established to investigate the causes and failures surrounding the Murshidabad riots and recommend long-term preventive measures. Security Measures: Permanent BSF outposts should be established in sensitive and vulnerable border districts like Murshidabad and Malda, responding to strong local demand and security concerns. Constitutional Oversight: Consider the use of Article 356, if necessary, to ensure the Rule of Law is upheld. 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: May 04, 2025, 13:45 IST New CCTV Footage Shows Tourists Fleeing Pahalgam Market Moments After Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 21:23 IST The CCTV footage showed tourists, including children and elderly individuals, fleeing from Baisarans higher ground, taking a route they believed to be free of terrorist activity. A new CCTV footage shows tourists fleeing Pahalgam market area after terror strike in Baisaran meadow | Image/CNN-News18 Pahalgam Terror Attack: A new CCTV footage from a market downhill of the scenic Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam shows tourists fleeing the area moments after the terror attack began. The footage accessed by CNN-News18 is from April 22 at 3:40 PM, one hour after Pakistan-based Lashkar terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 26 individuals on the spot. Recommended Stories The CCTV footage showed tourists, including children and elderly individuals, fleeing from Baisarans higher ground, taking a route they believed to be free of terrorist activity. Officials said some vehicles seen in the footage were carrying injured victims, as terrorists killed 26 tourists before fleeing into the forest, in a coordinated attack captured from multiple angles in videos recorded by survivors. The footage offers a crucial lead regarding the timeline of the evacuation and is expected to play a key role in the ongoing investigation into the terror attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already summoned and questioned over 100 local shopkeepers, including one who had shut his shop on the day of the attack. The central agency questioned the local shopkeeper, who had opened his shop just 15 days before the terror attack and was missing on the day of the incident. Earlier in the week, the NIA questioned a zipline operator seen chanting Allahu Akbar" in a viral video just before the terrorist attack unfolded in the scenic Baisaran meadow. After interrogation, the zipline operator was given a clean chit, sources said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday pledged a strong and fitting response against the nations enemies. While addressing an event in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the Defence Minister assured the countrymen that India would respond to the enemies as desired by the nation. 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: May 04, 2025, 21:21 IST Pahalgam An Execution, Pak Shouldve Condemned It: Imam Tawhidi Says Islam Doesnt Allow Terrorism Published By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 13:21 IST Tawhidi, who calls himself the Imam of peace talks, told News18s Anand Narasimhan: "It was an execution by a ISIS-Hamas like terrorist group...Islam is not run out of Islamabad. Imam Mohammad Tawhidi called out radical elements and urged for unity against terrorism. (Instagram) Mohammad Tawhidi, preacher and Imam of the Global Imam Council, who calls himself the Imam of peace talks, in conversation with CNN-News18s Anand Narasimhan, called the Pahalgam terror attack an execution by an ISIS-Hamas-like terrorist group". The terrorist attack must be named for what it is. It was a terrorist attack and it should be condemned unequivocally as the majority of the Muslim world has done. PakistanCondemnation should have been the first thing that came out of the country as opposed to denial and reciprocal diplomatic movements against India," he said. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by News18.com (@cnnnews18) ISLAM HAS SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR TERRORISM When asked if Islam condones terrorism, he said, Definitely not. Its not just Islam that does not allow this, no religion from God would allow or tolerate or accept such behaviour. In fact, there is severe punishment under Islamic law for terrorists who undergo and commit such crimes. Its very important for us to make clear distinction between murder and killing and execution. What happened was an execution by a ISIS Hamas like terrorist group." Its unacceptable to go along with the excuse that they came out behind the trees and they came out of the woods and we dont know who they are. I think the authorities know exactly who these people were and action needs to be taken because the ideology that allows such a terrorist attack to take place and is the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, a terrorist organisation that is banned, hunted, weakened and crippled by the majority of Muslim states. To see it actually take ground in Pakistan is very concerning," said Tawhidi. UAE, SAUDI RUN THE RELIGION On Pakistan Army chief Asim Munirs statement on Hindus and Pakistan, Tawhidi said, Islam is not run out of Islamabad and its not run out of Tehran. Its not run out of any other country than the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These are the two Arab countries and nations that run the region and the religion and decisions with regards to the mood and direction of Islam are made in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. They are not made in Islamabad or Tehran or Kabul or any other country in the region." I want to be very clear. Even other Arab countries do not have the authority over the Muslim world the same way the UAE and Saudi Arabia does. This is where Islam was born and this is how Islam is being governed." PAKISTAN NEEDS TO GET IN LINE If Pakistan wants to be a prosperous, peaceful country with a good reputation on the world stage, it needs to get in line with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. I want to make very clear that in terms of progress and development, the UAE is the one leading the region and the religion Islam as you can see with the Abraham Accords peace between Muslims and Jews and Israel and the Arab states and I think Saudi Arabia will follow very soon." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pakistan needs to get in line if it wants to be included in this Muslim world community of peace and harmony and progress. We cannot tolerate Hamas like entities on motorbikes as you have seen and everyone has seen in the videos that came out during and after the attack." The Muslim Brotherhood must be crushed in all of its flavours and in all of its languages Urdu included," he said. 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: May 04, 2025, 12:20 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: PM Modi Meets Air Force Chief After Army, Navy Briefings Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:22 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier held discussions with the Chiefs of the Indian Army and Navy regarding the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. (PTI/File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held talks with Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh in connection with the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 tourists were killed. They held the talks at the Prime Ministers official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where they held talks for 45 minutes. This meeting took place after PM Modi held individual meetings with the Navy Chief and the Army Chief earlier. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Delhi: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Amar Preet Singh leaves from 7 LKM, Prime Minister Narendra Modis residence. pic.twitter.com/lvpnfIOvpD ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Earlier on Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met the prime minister and briefed him on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. Earlier this week, PM Modi had a meeting with the chief of all three wings of the Indian military in New Delhi. This meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the deadly terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22, and in view of cross-border links. The Resistance Front, or TRF, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot with a bloody history, is believed to be behind the attack. Pakistan has denied responsibility for the attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last week, PM Modi told the top defence brass that the armed forces have complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of Indias response to the attack. He also met Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi after this announcement. Meanwhile, Pakistani armed forces have been continuously violating ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) for ten consecutive nights, escalating tensions across the border. The ceasefire violation by Pakistan was reported from eight places spread across five districts in the Union Territory during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, prompting effective retaliation from the Indian Army. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 13:31 IST Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:59 IST Security personnel keep vigil after a brief exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in a village, in Poonch district. (PTI photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and held discussions in connection with the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack that left 26 dead. The talks come a day after Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met the prime minister and briefed him on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Army on Sunday said that the Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire across the Line of Control (LoC), violating the ceasefire for the 10th consecutive time. As the ties between India and Pakistan continue to sour, the Pakistani government is set to brief political parties today. According to an official statement issued by Pakistans Ministry of Information, the session will offer an in-depth overview of the prevailing national security environment, focusing on recent developments with India, Pakistans defence preparedness, diplomatic outreach, and the official stance of the state. As many as 26 people, including 25 tourists and one local, were killed in the deadly terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22. The incident shook the entire nation, and India took several serious measures against Pakistan, downgrading the diplomatic ties. PM Modi Meets Service Chiefs, Rajnath Singh's Bold Message: Indication Of Major Action After Pahalgam? Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: May 05, 2025, 16:54 IST Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, there have been calls for a strong retaliation but the timing and nature of the response remain under speculation PM Narendra Modi holds meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, in New Delhi. (Image: PMO/PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held a series of high-level meetings at his official residence over the past week, signalling potential decisive action following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam. The meetings included the three service chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), National Security Adviser (NSA), and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, followed by individual discussions with the service chiefs. Modis resolve to punish the perpetrators, coupled with Singhs remarks that things will happen as you (people) wish", suggests that India is preparing for a strong response. Recommended Stories Following the deadly terror strike, which claimed 26 lives, there have been calls for a strong retaliation" but the timing and nature of the response remain under speculation. In the high-level meeting held on April 29, attended by all three service chiefs, CDS, NSA, and the defence minister, the Prime Minister reportedly granted the armed forces operational freedom" to choose the mode, timing, and target of retaliation. This was not the end, as ongoing discussions followed, with him meeting each service chief separately. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi met with the Prime Minister on April 30, spending more than an hour at his residence. Similarly, naval chief Admiral DK Tripathi met the PM on May 3, while air force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was with him on May 4. The details of these closed-door meetings will remain undisclosed until the participants choose to speak. But, there is much speculation that operational preparedness" was a key focus, with discussions likely covering current operations and intelligence gathering shared with Modi. While Pakistan is anticipating kinetic action and issuing nuclear threats, Indias citizens are also expecting decisive measures though the timing remains uncertain. Rajnath Singh reignited the speculation by saying: It is my duty to give a befitting reply to those who cast an evil eye on the country, along with my army. You all know our Prime Minister Narendra Modi very well. You are well aware of his efficiency and determination. You are also aware of the way he has learnt to take risks in his life." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He added: I want to assure you that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, things will happen as you wish (jaisa aap chahte hain waisa ab hokar rahega)." After Singh made this statement at an event, it is widely believed that action is imminent. Whether it will involve military action or happen soon remains to be seen. 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: May 05, 2025, 04:19 IST Priyanka Gandhi Says Congress Will Back Centre's Response To Pahalgam Terror Attack Published By : PTI Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:23 IST Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi noted that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has already passed a resolution affirming this stand. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi (File Image.X) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday said her party would fully support any action the central government takes in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. She noted that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has already passed a resolution affirming this stand. Recommended Stories Speaking during her two-day visit to Wayanad, the AICC general secretary expressed hope that the union government would act swiftly in the wake of the attack "The Congress Party the CWC met, and we passed a resolution. In the resolution, we have said we stand fully with whatever action the government decides to take. And we hope that they take the action soon," she told reporters here when her reaction was sought on the matter. On Friday, the Congress urged the Centre to act with firmness in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack to penalise Pakistan for its continued export of terror, and pressed for time-bound accountability into the "serious lapses" in security and intelligence in one of the most heavily-guarded regions of the country. The opposition party made the assertions in a resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which was chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and general secretaries Jairam Ramesh, K C Venugopal and Priyanka, among others. Earlier, the Congress MP handed over a new ambulance for injured and sick animals to forest officials of the Wayanad Wildlife Division at Sultan Bathery, party sources said. The ambulance, funded through Rs 15 lakh from the MPs development fund, was flagged off at a function held at the Forest Division Office in Sultan Bathery. Following a request from forest officials, Vadra also visited the animal hospice and palliative care unit, where captured aggressive tigers are housed, and reviewed its operations. Officials informed her that the shelter is currently accommodating more big cats than its intended capacity. They also highlighted the urgent need for improved facilities and additional funds to manage the growing number of animals. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the family of former Wayanad DCC treasurer NM Vijayan, who had died by suicide a few months back, alleged that the local party leaders prevented them from meeting Vadra. His daughter-in-law claimed that they didnt receive any assistance from the party despite assurances from the MP during her recent visit here. First Published: May 04, 2025, 22:59 IST Punjab Minister Visits Nangal Dam To Ensure No Water Is Released To Haryana Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:01 IST Bains highlighted the challenges posed by excess water during heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, which often affects Punjab's villages. Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday visited the Nangal dam. (X/@harjotbains) Amid the stand-off with Haryana on the water-sharing issue, Punjab minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday visited the Nangal dam to ensure that no excess water is released" to the neighbouring state. Emphasising that water is crucial for Punjabs economy, which heavily relies on agriculture, Bains said the state government stands firm on its decision not to release any more water to Haryana. Recommended Stories We are closely monitoring the situation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already visited the Nangal dam, and convened a special Vidhan Sabha session on Monday to address the issue. The Punjab government is steadfast in fighting for the farmers rights. We wont let the BJP-led Centre or any other state violate our rights. The AAP workers are vigilantly guarding the Nangal dam. With the paddy sowing season approaching, our farmers need water. We cannot afford to spare extra water for any other state," Bains said in a statement. The minister also asked the officials about the release of water from the Nangal dam, assuring that the interests of the people of Punjab are safe". According to the statement, Bains highlighted the challenges posed by excess water during heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, which often affects Punjabs villages with flash floods in the Swan rivulet. He also questioned why the neighbouring states wouldnt accept excess water at times of need, yet expect Punjab to share its water when it is crucial for the states farmers for paddy sowing. The water sharing issue between Punjab and Haryana escalated after the AAP government refused to allow the releaser of more water to the neighbouring state, even as the Nayab Singh Saini-led dispensation in Haryana resolved to safeguard the states rightful share of water. The Punjab government maintains that Haryana has already used 103 per cent of the allocated water by March". The Punjab government has also beefed up security at the Nangal dam, which is located downstream of the Bhakra dam in Ripnagar district. Bains earlier said the state government has taken control" of the Nangal dam and the room from where water supply is regulated has been locked, and its key given to police. Slamming the move, Haryana Chief Minister Saini on Saturday said it not only showed disapproval" of an administrative decision, but also posed a challenge to the constitutional system. Meanwhile, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the states agricultural fields cannot be allowed to dry up merely to divert water to other states. The AAP government will take all necessary measures to safeguard the states water resources, he said. Punjab will, under no circumstances, permit exploitation or unfair diversion of its water," a statement quoted Goyal as saying. He also claimed that Haryana is already drawing water exceeding its allocated quota, adding that Punjab will not yield to pressure from the Centre or the Haryana government. Punjab will participate in the meetings of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) if they are convened according to the established protocols. But it will refuse to attend any meeting called at the behest of the Centre by disregarding or flouting the established rules and regulations," Goyal said. On Saturday, the Punjab government boycotted" a BBMB meeting, which Goyal termed unconstitutional". On Friday, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level meeting in Delhi and advised to carry out the BBMBs decision to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water from the Bhakra dams to Haryana for the next eight days to meet the states urgent" water needs. It was also agreed that during the filling period of the dams, the BBMB will provide the excess water to Punjab to fulfil any additional requirements of the state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BBMB regulates water distribution from Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are the partner states that meet their water requirement for different purposes, including irrigation, from the Bhakra and Pong dams. Location : Haryana, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 23:01 IST Rahul Gandhi Calls Lord Ram 'Mythological', BJP Hits Back With 'Anti-Hindu' Jibe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 09:09 IST BJP leaders launched a scathing attack at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying insulting Hindus and Lord Shri Ram has become the identity of the Congress. BJP launched a scathing attack at Rahul Gandhi after a clip of Congress leader went viral Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sparked a row after he referred to Indian deities, including Lord Ram, as mythological figures. His remark came during an event at Brown University in the United States. In the viral clip, Gandhi was heard saying, All are mythological figures; Lord Ram was of that type, where he was forgiving, he was compassionate." Recommended Stories As the video went viral, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders slammed Gandhi for his remark. Sharing a part of the video, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the country will never forgive Gandhi for doubting the existence of Lord Ram. Rashtra Drohi Congress, Ab Ram Drohi Congress. Rahul Gandhi says Prabhu Ram is mythological or kalpanik. (Rahul Gandhi says Lord Ram is imaginary.). This is how and why they (Congress) opposed Ram Mandir and even doubted existence of Prabhu Ram" Poonawala said that this is the biggest indication of the mindset of a party that is anti-Ram and anti-Hindu. Insulting Hindus and Lord Shri Ram has become the identity of the Congress. Rashtra Drohi CongressAb Ram Drohi CongressRahul Gandhi says Prabhu Ram is mythological or kalpanik This is how and why they opposed Ram Mandir and even doubted existence of Prabhu Ram pic.twitter.com/doyXugs8Jm Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 3, 2025 He mentioned that Congress has been questioning Lord Ram, opposing the Ram temple, and using terms like Hindu terror. Now another statement has come up where he says Lord Ram is mythological. This is the same language that Sonia Gandhi used during UPA government to break the Ram Setu. This is the biggest example of Congress being anti-Hindi and anti-India and the people of the country will never forgive him for this," Poonawalla said. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan too shared a clip of Gandhis remark on X and wrote, Rahul Gandhis Congress led UPA Govt [2007] had filed an affidavit in SC stating no historical proof of Lord Ram. His ally DMK mocked Lord Ram saying there is no history which states which Engineering college Rama studied nor what bridge he built." Sikh Student Questions Rahul Gandhi During Event At Brown University Another video of Rahul Gandhi from the same event is going viral. In the clip, a student can be seen confronting the Congress leader over his earlier claim that BJP would ban turbans and kada. You talked about how politics should be fearless. There should be nothing to be afraid of. But we dont just want to wear kadas. We dont just want to tie turbans. We want freedom of expression, which under the Congress party in the past has not been allowed," said the student. He also accused Congress of ignoring Sikh voices and shielding 1984 riot accused like Sajjan Kumar. Rahul Gandhis crocodile tears for Sikhs at Brown University on 21-04-25 are a disgrace! He claims BJP threatens turbans & kadas, but Congress orchestrated the 1984 anti-Sikh riots3,350+ killed nationwide, 2,800 in Delhi aloneafter Indiras assassination.Sajjan Kumar, a pic.twitter.com/94d3IsRHfN Anirban Bera (@tumanontwit) May 3, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Responding to his question, Gandhi said, I take responsibility what happened in the 1980s was wrong." First Published: May 04, 2025, 07:09 IST The New Face Of Jaish-e-Mohammed In Kashmir: How The Terror Group Is Operating Via Proxies | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 22:26 IST The Jaish-e-Mohammed has rebranded itself while establishing a vast network as well as carrying out covert operations Pakistan's Balakot is a key operational base for the JeM's activities, more specifically the Jamia Ayesha Siddiqui Lillbanat Islamia madrasa. (Image: News18) After Lashkar-e-Taiba, it is the Jaish-e-Mohammed designated as the deadliest" terror group in Jammu and Kashmir now operating in the union territory via proxy groups that call themselves the Kashmir Tiger and Kashmir Freedom Army. CNN-News18 tracked down the new frontal faces of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and how the terror group has rebranded itself while establishing a vast network as well as carrying out covert operations. Recommended Stories An investigation into the workings of the group shows that Jaish has evolved its strategy to evade international sanctions and counterterrorism efforts. After global bans and increased scrutiny, it now operates through proxy groups like the Kashmir Tigers (KT) and Kashmir Freedom Army (KFA). WHAT DOES THE JeM DO IN KASHMIR? The CNN-News18 investigation showed that the JeM is trying to get a grip through social fronts and covert infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It has a history of rebranding under new names like Khuddam ul-Islam, Al-Rehmat Trust to circumvent bans, while its latest avatars KT and KFA continue their mission to destabilise Kashmir while masking their affiliations. These offshoots will operate under social covers like madrasas and hijama (cupping therapy) centres. Islamic preaching networks are used to recruit, train, and radicalise individuals while avoiding exposure. The Kashmir Tigers had claimed responsibility for the attacks in Jammus Doda and Kathua districts in July 2024, signalling their active presence. BALAKOT: JeMS KEY OPERATIONAL BASE Pakistans Balakot is a key operational base for the JeMs activities, more specifically the Jamia Ayesha Siddiqui Lillbanat Islamia madrasa. It is managed by Abdul Majid Sulimani, a senior Jaish commander whose code name" is Majid Sulimani. This madrasa spans across 2 to 3 acres (18 to 19 kanal) and includes facilities like teaching rooms, a mosque, and residential quarters. This facility has religious education Dora-e-Aaman for basics and Dara-e-Khasa for advanced studies for female orphans. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It serves as a recruitment and logistical hub for the KT and KFA, with plans to expand infrastructure. Its funding is managed by Sulimanis UK-based brother Qazi Shabir, who channels donations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Pakistan. The JeM and its offshoots maintain close ties with the ISI and its refugee management cell (RMC) led by Col Raheel in Muzaffarabad, provides logistics supplies of vegetables, meat and safe haven. This is reflected in a letter dated back to 2024, which is from Sulimani to the RMC, explicitly requesting support for business" operations. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: May 04, 2025, 22:26 IST Lisa Mosconi, at her home in the Bronx (New York) last February. The work of neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi, whose name appears on The Times list of the worlds most influential scientists, addresses the relationship between menopause and the brain from a comprehensive perspective, a field she has been working on since 2010, when no one was talking about it. An Italian who has lived in the U.S. for two decades, she is a professor of neuroscience at Cornell University, where she directs two programs: the Womens Brain Initiative and the Alzheimers Prevention Clinic. The Spanish-language launch of her third book, Menopause and the Brain, coincides with the presentation of her latest and most ambitious project, CARE, which aims to reduce the risk of Alzheimers through endocrinology, with 16 working groups and a budget of $50 million. The interview takes place in her cozy New York home, an oasis of peace and nature shrouded in snow, one day after the Spanish parliament approved a proposal for comprehensive menopause care, something Mosconi hails as a step in the right direction. Conversely, she grimaces at the mention of the cuts in research by the new U.S. administration. Facing the fireplace, which is being stoked by her husband, also a scientist, Mosconi, a lively and warm communicator, emphasizes the demographic importance of menopausal women: By 2050, there will be more than 1.23 billion women in the world who are menopausal or about to be. Almost the population of China. Question: The Spanish parliament has approved a proposal to devote more attention to menopause. Is there enough research? Answer: Its one of the least researched, diagnosed, treated, and funded fields of medicine. The U.S. National Institutes of Health allocated less than $10 million to it in 2019. Q. Why is it still taboo? A. Our society has practiced sexism and ageism. And when they are combined, you get menopausalism: making women feel less valuable than before. Q. Like you are less of a woman, in short A. Men make us feel this way, but sometimes other women do too. Many struggle with this and embrace middle age. Q. Menopause is not a disease, but its symptoms are treated as if it were. A. Many doctors and scientists argue that theres no need to overmedicate. Menopause is just part of normal aging, but its true that some women suffer. Its not normal to have brain fog, memory lapses, palpitations, night sweats, inability to sleep, or feelings of depression. Many cant handle it. Q. So what exactly is it, a disease or a temporary disorder? A. According to the textbooks, its a state of estrogen deficiency caused by hypogonadism. Very negative words: deficiency suggests something needs to be treated. Hypogonadism doesnt sound good to anyone; it results from ovarian failure. They indicate theres a problem that needs to be solved; thats how most scientists approach it. Q. Do you propose another approach? A. From an evolutionary and neurological perspective, the correct definition would be part of a very unique biological category called neuroendocrine transitions. Its not just aging, its not a disease: its a neuroendocrine transition in which the brain, the neurological system, and the endocrine, the hormonal system, change together at a certain point in time. Q. How does the brain influence this? A. Ten percent of women dont have brain symptoms of menopause; they just notice they no longer have their periods. More than 80% experience at least one brain symptom. Eighty percent of them have hot flashes, which is a neurological symptom: the brain regulating body temperature. More than 50% may have depressive symptoms. Definitely, sleep disorders. Almost two-thirds of women experience brain fog and memory lapses. For most, this can last longer. Q. And what is the relationship between menopause and Alzheimers disease? A. Menopause may be the beginning. Brain fog does not resolve and gets worse. Some have suicidal tendencies. It is very hard to say that menopause is what triggers this disease. But the hormonal changes of menopause can be a trigger. Q. How? A. When a woman of childbearing age has her ovaries removed, a procedure that precipitates menopause, it triggers the buildup of Alzheimers amyloid plaques in the brain; inflammation occurs, and neurons begin to die. Menopause is a trigger; it occurs in animal models. Similar findings appear in women with premature menopause. Q. When should it become a concern? A. The average age of menopause is 51 or 52 in industrialized countries. Worldwide, its 49. Early menopause is before age 45, and even worse, before age 40. These women have a higher risk of Alzheimers and dementia, compared to women who go through menopause after age 50. If a woman has her ovaries removed before age 45, the risk is up to 70% higher. And thats something we should be aware of; women in the U.S. are still having their ovaries removed for benign conditions, due to outdated recommendations and guidelines. Because its a cleaner surgery, not because its necessary. Can you imagine if a man went to the doctor with an infection in his testicle, and the doctor just said, oh, lets cut it out? Q. Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimers, and that risk is even higher among Black women. Does economic status play a role? A. That research hasnt been done. We know that Black and Hispanic women have an even higher risk of developing dementia compared to Caucasian women. They also have a higher risk of having more severe menopause. This may explain the higher risk of dementia later in life, but the research hasnt been done. The vast majority of studies on Alzheimers and menopause have been done on white women. Q. So there is a correlation with the economy or social class A. Access to treatment is key. Only one in five [medical] residents received training in menopause in the U.S. Q. Is there a magic solution? A. Hormone therapy, although controversial, is still a possibility. Today, we recognize that if taken at the right time, in the right doses to relieve symptoms, and for the right amount of time, its quite safe. And the risk of breast cancer is considered rare not zero, but rare. Q. Are there no safer alternatives to hormone therapy? A. There are solutions. Maybe not for all menopause symptoms, but for many. Its not necessarily about medication, but rather lifestyle adjustments. A positive mindset can help. Learning, being intellectually active. Some supplements can help. And then medications, from non-hormonal to hormonal. Non-hormonal treatment is indicated for women who, for example, have a history of cancer, or blood clots, or other contraindications, such as liver disease. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition IIT Kharagpur BTech Student Found Hanging In Hostel Room, Probe Underway Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 17:44 IST Mohammad Asif Qamar, a third-year BTech student, was from Seohar district in Bihar and was expected to visit home on Sunday The body of Mohammad Asif Qamar was found hanging in his hostel room in Madanmohan Malviya Hall in IIT Kharagpur campus. (Image via X/@WBSCPofficial) A third-year BTech student of IIT Kharagpur was found hanging in his hostel room on Sunday, an official said. The body of Mohammad Asif Qamar was found hanging in his hostel room in Madanmohan Malviya Hall in IIT Kharagpur campus, the official said. Recommended Stories The institute in a statement said, It is with deep sadness that the IIT Kharagpur condoles the untimely demise of Md Asif Qamar a third year under graduate student in the department of civil engineering at around 2:53 am on May 4." The statement said A call came at the security emergency number from an external source that Md Asif Qamar has committed self-harm. The security response team rushed immediately to the Pt M M M Hall of Residence (Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hall) where the student was found dead in his room." The team of doctors, administration and police also reached the spot. The family of Qamar has also been contacted about the incident," it said. An investigation is currently underway by the police to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. And the institute is fully cooperating with the authorities, the statement added. Cops from the police outpost on the campus were informed and they broke open the door to find him hanging, an institute official had said earlier. Qamar was from Seohar district in Bihar and was expected to visit home on Sunday. A senior police officer confirmed the death. He said the police have got some leads and the investigation was proceeding on that. He said prima facie it was a case of suicide but investigations were on. He did not elaborate if there was any phone call from outside alerting about the condition of Qamar. The institute further said, IIT Kharagpur community stands united in mourning the tragic loss of our student Qamar. We offer our deepest condolence to his family and friends." We are committed to providing them with unwavering support and assistance during this challenging time. We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of the well being support services available at the institute," an institute spokesperson added. On April 20 Aniket Walkar, a fourth-year student in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, was found hanging in his hostel room. On January 12, the body of a third-year undergraduate student Shaon Malik was found in his hostel room. In June 2024, Devika Pillai, a fourth-year student of biotechnology and biochemical engineering had died by suicide. IIT Kharagpur authorities said the institute has counsellors 247 hours to help students fight any stress and depression. After April 20, the institute put up barcodes on the door of every boarder which can be scanned by any boarder during moments of acute mental stress for immediate counselling in privacy. A committee is being formed to explore the circumstances and reason behind such tragedies and the committee will make its recommendations in three days," Acting Director Amit Patra had told PTI earlier. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The well-being, happiness and academic success of our students matter to us. They are our children," he had said. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) First Published: May 04, 2025, 17:42 IST Toy Rafale Jet With Lemon And Chilly: UP Congress Chiefs Unique Criticism Of Centre | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 18:25 IST Ajay Rai's criticism of the Centre was sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 people and a local pony ride operator. UP Congress Chief Ajay Rai | Image/ANI Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Sunday uniquely criticised the centre, holding up a toy plane, labelled as Rafale with lemon and chillies dangling from it. He mocked the BJP-led central government, claiming that although Rafale jets were brought from abroad, they remain parked in hangars with chillies and lemons hanging from them. Recommended Stories Rais criticism of the Centre was sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 people and a local pony ride operator. He accused the government of failing to deploy its defence resources effectively against terrorism and those behind such conspiracies. Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" Rai told news agency ANI. #WATCH | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai shows a toy plane with Rafale written on it and lemon-chillies hanging in it.Ajay Rai says, Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the pic.twitter.com/wIwLsa4akD ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 The Congress leaders remarks come in the backdrop of Indias recent defence deala Rs 63,000 crore agreement with France for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. Signed earlier this week, the deal aims to bolster Indias naval strike capabilities. The Rafale-M jets are designed for maritime strike, reconnaissance, and air defence operations. The Modi-led government has hailed the acquisition as a significant boost to national defence. Pahalgam Terror Attack Terrorists sprayed bullets on dozens of tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, killing at least 26, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the terror attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The attack prompted India to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Pakistan on all fronts. New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and recently banned all imports from Islamabad. 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 : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 18:24 IST Union Minister Resolves To Not Accept Bouquets, Mementoes Till Pahalgam Attack Is Avenged Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 08:29 IST An organiser then announced that Union Minister CR Paatil had "decided that he would not be welcomed with bouquets and mementoes until Pahalgam is avenged". Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil (File) Union minister CR Paatil on Saturday said that he wont accept any bouquets or mementoes until the killing of 26 persons in the Pahalgam terror attack is avenged. While being welcomed at an investors conference in Surat city, the Union Jal Shakti Minister politely refused to receive any bouquets or mementoes. Recommended Stories An organiser then announced that Paatil had decided that he would not be welcomed with bouquets and mementoes until Pahalgam is avenged", triggering a thunderous applause from the audience. Soon after the Pahalgam terror strike, India decided to halt its obligations under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Paatil had then said on X, 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." At the 7th edition of the Global Investor Conference in Surat, Paatil said he had a very meaningful dialogue on topics like entrepreneurship, investment and innovation regarding the developing future of India. under the leadership of Honourable Shri Narendrabhai Modi Sir, the vision of a Developed India is rapidly becoming a reality. Todays India is not just a consumer but is emerging as a global leader in investment," he said on X. Amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack, India banned direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect in the interest of national security and public policy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India also suspended the exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed when terrorists fired indiscriminately in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on April 22. First Published: May 04, 2025, 08:29 IST India Looking For Partners, Not Preachers: Jaishankars Sharp Dig At Europe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:32 IST Jaishankar said Europe was getting a reality check today as global politics was transforming rapidly, and a partnership should be based on understanding and sensitivity. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025. (S Jaishankar/X) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday took a dig at some European countries, saying India was looking for partners and not preachers who do not practice the same principles at home. He also said that Europe was getting a reality check as it was finally seeing the realities of multipolarity today. Speaking at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025, Jaishankar said, When we look at the world, we look for partners, we dont look for preachers. Particularly, preachers who dont practice at home what they preach abroad. Some of Europe is still struggling with that problem." Recommended Stories Europe has entered a certain zone of reality check. Whether they are able to step up or not is something we will have to see," Jaishankar further said. If we have to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, sensitivity, mutuality of interest and a realisation of how the world works." Jaishankar also highlighted Indias role in global politics, saying any consequential event in any corner of the world matters to the country. This has increased pressure on Europe to change. The realities of multipolarity are dawning on it. I think it has still not adjusted and absorbed it fully. The US has dramatically changed positions. The Chinese are doing what they were doing," he added. Indias Role In Arctic The External Affairs Minister also spoke about Indias engagement in polar regions, noting that the country has been active in the Antarctic for over four decades and has recently strengthened its Arctic involvement through a dedicated policy and international collaborations. We had an even earlier involvement with the Antarctic, which is now more than 40 years. We have come up a few years ago with an Arctic policy. We have agreements with KSAT on Svalbard, which is relevant to our space," he said, adding that sharpening geopolitical divides had only heightened the global relevance of the Arctic. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Given the Arctics trajectory, its impact will be global, making it everyones concern. Warming is opening new routes, while technological and resource dimensions are set to reshape the global economy. For India, this matters deeply as our economic growth accelerates," Jaishankar said. Meanwhile, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, said Indias economic future would depend more on access to resources in the Arctic and urged Indian economists to take this seriously as global politics undergo a sea change. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 12:57 IST Alaya F Opens Up About The '75 Hard' Mantra For Fitness and Mental Discipline Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 13:28 IST Alaya F's '75 Hard' fitness mantra involves two workouts daily of a minimum of 45 minutes each, no cheat meals, no alcohol, and ten pages of reading, among other things. Alaya F talked about how the 75 day fitness challenge transformed her. Alaya F is one of the fittest actors in the current generation. The actor often takes to her social media to share snippets from her life, which includes holistic workout sessions, nutritious meals, and some life hacks. With her videos, she inspires her fans to lead a healthy lifestyle. Recently, the 27-year-old actor talked about a health mantra that she swears by the 75 Hard. Appearing on the HSBC podcast On Realign Season 3, Alaya F talked to Karishma Mehta about all things health and fitness. She mentioned that she follows the 75 Hard rule. Talking about this mantra, the actor explained, Recently, Ive just restarted this thing called the 75 Hard. It involves two workouts a day: one indoor and one outdoor, with each lasting a minimum of 45 minutes. One of them has to be outdoors. I also drink 3.8 litres of water a day, read at least 10 pages of a non-fiction book, and follow a strict no-cheat-meal policy. Oh, and no alcohol allowed." Recommended Stories Take a look at the video here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @realignpod top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Adding more intensity to her 75 Hard Rule, Alaya mentioned that she adds ten minutes of meditation to this intensive routine. This mantra involves dedication and commitment. Alaya further explained, Even if you miss one thing on one day, you reset to day one. So if I read 9 pages instead of 10 pages, and I fall asleep while Im on the ninth page, when I wake up in the morning, Ive reset back to day one." The benefits of the 75 Hard mantra are a sharper mind, a stronger body, and unshakable discipline. These three elements can improve your approach to health and wellness. 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: May 04, 2025, 13:28 IST Here's How You Can Recreate Ananya Pandays Subtle Glam Look From Lake Como Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:33 IST Ananya Panday took to her Instagram to share more pictures from her Italian getaway. Her subtle makeup look has caught everyone's attention. Ananya Panday's dewy makeup look is perfect for day-to-night glam. Ananya Panday recently travelled to Lake Como in Italy to attend Chanels Cruise 24/25 show that was presented at the luxury hotel Villa dEste. This marked Ananyas first Chanel show after she was appointed as the brand ambassador for India last month. Throughout her trip, she took to her social media to share snippets from her Italian getaway. Her recent photo dump features some more unseen pictures from Italy, but what has got her fans talking is her minimal yet stunning makeup. Taking to her Instagram, Ananya Panday shared a carousel post that featured some cute moments from her time in Italy. The pictures included a delicious dining table spread, a blurry picture from a cruise ship, some stunning domed Italian architecture, and even a Chanel purse. She also shared two selfies in the post where she looked radiant and stunning. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, Final touches, a little bit of this and that." Recommended Stories Take a closer look at Ananyas look of the day here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya (@ananyapanday) Dressed in black, Ananyas minimal glam makeup look is fresh, subtle, and versatile. This look can be worn for brunches to coffee runs to even a romantic candlelit dinner date. Heres how you can get this look. Step 1: Prep your base. Cleanse, tone, and moisturise your skin. Step 2: Use your favourite foundation and amp up your base. Dont use a brush, but rather use a damp beauty sponge or your fingers to blend out the foundation for a more natural look. If you want to keep it more fresh and dewy, you can mix in a dash of highlighter with your foundation or use a skin tint. Step 3: Use a concealer to cover up any blemishes and spots. Step 4: Choose your favourite blush and apply it generously on the apples of your cheeks for a rosy glow. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 5: Fill in your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. For the eyes, use a black eyeliner and line your eyelids. Top it off with a generous coating of mascara, and define it further with kohl on your waterline. Step 6: Add in a glossy brown shade to your lips, and voila. 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: May 04, 2025, 14:33 IST International Firefighters Day 2025: Date, History, Significance, Celebrations And All You Need To Know Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 07:10 IST International Firefighters Day is observed to honour the courageous men and women who put their lives in danger to protect communities from catastrophes. International Firefighters' Day 2025: The day also recognises those who have died while performing their duties. (AI generated image) International Firefighters Day 2025: The courageous firefighters who put their lives in danger to protect communities and the environment are honoured on the International Firefighters Day (IFFD), observed every year on May 4. It is also a time to honour firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty. Expressing gratitude to both present and former firefighters is one way to commemorate International Firefighters Day. Another popular method is to wear and display red and blue ribbons, which stand for the two main elements firefighters deal with: blue for water and red for fire. Recommended Stories International Firefighters Day 2025: History On December 2, 1998, Geelong West Fire Brigade members responded to a request for assistance to firefighters fighting a wildfire in Linton, Victoria, Australia. A sudden change in wind direction, brought on by a cold front, caused the fire vehicle to be engulfed by flames as it was travelling to fill up its water tank. Five firefighters from Geelong West Fire Brigade, Garry Vredeveldt, Christopher Evans, Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas and Matthew Armstrong, lost their lives in this incident. International Firefighters Day was eventually established as a result of this horrific event. International Firefighters Day 2025: Significance On International Firefighters Day, we honour and show our gratitude to the courageous men and women who risk their lives to defend communities all around the world. It recognises those who have died while performing their duties and remembers the courage and sacrifice of firemen, both former and present. The day emphasises the value of firefighters unshakeable commitment and devotion while serving as a moving reminder of the inherent risks they confront daily while battling fires and reacting to emergencies. Additionally, by encouraging people to show their gratitude and support for these courageous warriors who bravely and devotedly defend lives and property, the day promotes a sense of respect and togetherness throughout communities. International Firefighters Day 2025: How to Celebrate? There are numerous ways to honour firemen and commemorate International Firefighters Day: Thank You Notes: Spend a few minutes writing a card or note to your local firefighters thanking them for their service. Public Events: Participate in or plan neighbourhood gatherings to celebrate firefighters. Parades, ceremonies and open houses at fire stations are a few examples. Fire Safety Education: To avoid crises and lower the risk of fires, use this chance to teach others and yourself about fire safety procedures. Social Media: To spread awareness and gratitude for firefighters, share posts and anecdotes on social media sites using the hashtag #InternationalFirefightersDay. Donate: Take into account donating to local fire safety projects or organisations that assist firemen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all International Firefighters Day 2025: Facts International Firefighters Day is observed annually on May 4, honouring the courageous men and women who put their lives in danger to protect communities from fires and other catastrophes. This day is important because it honours the commitment and selflessness of firemen worldwide. The origin of International Firefighters Day can be traced to a tragic incident that occurred in Australia. Five firefighters died on December 2, 1998, while fighting a major fire near Linton, Victoria. The local community was greatly impacted by this incident, which also led to a global movement to honour and value firefighters contributions. International Firefighters Day was created in 1999 to honour those firefighters valour and to thank all firefighters for their selfless service. 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: May 04, 2025, 07:10 IST Is Experiential Travel the Future of Tourism? Industry Experts Say It's Already Here Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 07:58 IST Experiential travel isnt just a trendits a transformative movement redefining how we connect with places, people, and purpose. From heritage cruises and cultural rituals to music festivals and volunteering, today's travellers are looking for something deeper. In a world where travel is no longer just about ticking off landmarks or lounging at cookie-cutter resorts, a profound shift is underway. Experiential traveldefined by its focus on immersion, authenticity, and meaningis rapidly reshaping the tourism landscape. From heritage cruises and cultural rituals to music festivals and volunteering, todays travellers are looking for something deeper. But is it just a trend or a long-term movement? We spoke to travel leaders across the country to understand why experiential travel isnt the next big thingit is the thing. Experiential travel marks a powerful evolution in how people explore the world," says Raj Singh, Founder & Chairman of Antara Cruises Heritage River Journeys Pvt Ltd. Todays conscious traveller seeks more than just a destination. They seek connection, meaning, and purpose." Singh explains how Antara Cruises curates river journeys that engage travellers with regional heritage, riverside communities, and local cuisinesall while supporting sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural traditions. It reflects a shift toward responsible exploration that honours local culture, supports ecosystems, and redefines luxury as a mindful, meaningful connection with people and places." Recommended Stories This evolution is not limited to niche experiences; its being embraced on an institutional level too. According to Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, Experiential travel isnt just the next big trendits the future of meaningful tourism." Goa Tourism has been actively pivoting toward immersive and regenerative experiences through curated hinterland trails, spiritual circuits like the Ekadasha Teertha, heritage walks, and community-led homestays. We want every traveller to leave with a sense of place, a local connection, and a commitment to preserve the beauty they experience," says Naik. From the government to the grassroots, the shift is palpable. Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, notes that travellers today are choosing engagement over escapism. The desire isnt just to visit a place, but to truly engross in it. Theres a heightening appreciation for local culture, human connection, and immersive storytelling." Whether its learning crafts or sharing meals with local families, Singh emphasizes that authenticity is becoming the cornerstone of modern travel. This insight is echoed by Mithun Jha, Director at Reservations Deal, who notes a surge in demand for immersive and alluring activities along with personalized experiences." According to Jha, data shows that travellers are increasingly choosing cooking classes, village tours, and offbeat explorations over lavish hotel stays. People are actively choosing partaking over profligacy. Experiential travel offers higher emotional ROI, making it an increasingly opted model in the evolving travel era," he says. At the heart of this transformation are young travellers, especially Gen Z, who are driving the demand for experiential offerings. Pallavi Agarwal, Founder and CEO of goSTOPS, sees this as more than a trendits a movement. Gen Z craves experiences. They want to create long-lasting memories and find meaning in travel. Weve noticed travellers curating their itineraries based on conversations with fellow guests, not internet-curated lists." Even the way people plan travel is changing. Gaurav Malik, Country Director for India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at Agoda, notes a sharp rise in travel linked to cultural events and festivals. Experiential travel is transforming how Indians explore. More travellers are seeking immersive connections through music festivals, concerts, and cultural events." He cites Coldplays upcoming concert in Mumbai as a prime example, which led to a 33-fold spike in accommodation searches on Agoda. Such events not only boost tourism but enhance Indias cultural appeal," he adds. As travel becomes more individualistic, the appeal lies in moments that are unscripted and soulful. Rahul Dhawan, Sales Director at Dial for Holidays LLP, observes that people arent looking to escape anymoretheyre looking to connect. Whether its learning from a local artisan, joining a small ritual, or living the slow life in a rural community, its about the deep involvement and not just about the distance travelled," he says. Dhawan believes experiential travel offers something grounding and emotionally nourishing in an increasingly digitized world. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Summing it up with flair, Darsi Shield, Founder of Tuesday Tickets, says, Vacations are having a glow-up. Its no longer about touristy spotsits about stories, not status. People want moments that feel candid, primal, and unforgettable." Social media, she adds, is fuelling this demand by showcasing experiences that are unique, shareable, and soul-stirring. So, is experiential travel the next big trend? According to the experts, its not just the futureits already the present. And as travellers continue to prioritize meaning over materialism, the tourism industry is reshaping itself to deliver journeys that are as enriching for the soul as they are for the selfie. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 04, 2025, 07:58 IST World Laughter Day 2025: History, Significance, Health Benefits And More Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 07:00 IST World Laughter Day 2025: The day was initiated in India in 1998 by Dr Madan Katari, the founder of the laughter yoga movement. World Laughter Day 2025: This day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of May. (AI generated image) World Laughter Day 2025: Did you know there is a day to celebrate your laughter? Yes, the first Sunday of May is recognised as World Laughter Day to celebrate the laughter and happiness of people around the world. This year, the occasion falls on May 4. World Laughter Day 2025: History Recommended Stories The World Laughter Day was initiated in India in 1998 by Dr Madan Katari, the founder of the laughter yoga movement. Kataria wanted to prove his theory that laughter decreases stress and makes life easier. He encouraged people to join laughter clubs. The first gathering happened in Mumbai on January 11, 1998, where over 12,000 people participated in the laughter gathering from the different countries of the world. World Laughter Day 2025: Significance The significance lies in its universal appeal laughter breaks barriers and promotes mental, emotional well-being. Especially in todays fast-paced, stress-filled world, a few moments of laughter can make a big difference. World Laughter Day 2025: Celebration Join a laughter yoga session in your local or online community organised by Laughter clubs or fitness centres. Add breathing techniques as a part of your session. Arrange laughter challenges in your workspace, schools, or within your laughter community. The day can also be celebrated by peace walks or singing and dancing. World Laughter Day 2025: What Makes You Laugh? Whether its a funny meme, a witty friend or a goofy pet, laughter comes from the most unexpected places. So, this Laughter Day, pause, smile and laugh its the simplest way to feel truly alive. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Health Benefits of Laughter Laughter boosts your immunity power, regulates blood pressure and reduces stress. Laughter strengthens bond. People who laugh together, share a strong bond and show empathy for each other. It also promotes positivity. People who laugh a lot have a great positive aura. Collective laughing also helps to spread positive energy. Laughter also improves heart health by increasing blood circulation. It also triggers the release of endorphins the feel-good hormones of the body. 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: May 04, 2025, 07:00 IST Vir Das Slams Mumbai Neighbour For Screaming At Delivery Agent: 'Never Wanted To Slap...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:17 IST Vir Das called out a Mumbai neighbour for scolding a food delivery agent over a minor delay. Vir Das blasts neighbour for yelling at delivery worker. Comedian and actor Vir Das is known for his sharp tongue and unfiltered takes, and this week he didnt hesitate to call out bad behaviour when he saw itstarting with a neighbour in Mumbai who berated a food delivery worker for being slightly late. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vir wrote, Heard someone in the building next door having at a delivery guy. Dude is ten mins late. Never wanted to slap someone more. In Mumbai, the average delivery guy driving an e-scooter is re-enacting The Martian on his way to you. Have a little goddamn patience." Recommended Stories Heard someone in the building next door having at a delivery guy. Dude is ten mins late. Never wanted to slap someone more. In Mumbai, the average delivery guy driving an e-scooter is re-enacting the Martian on his way to you. Have a little goddam patience. Vir Das (@thevirdas) May 4, 2025 The tweet struck a chord with many online, sparking conversations about privilege, empathy, and the everyday mistreatment of delivery workers who navigate traffic, heat, and deadlines just to make ends meet. Dass comparison of their effort to a survival mission was less a joke and more a truthone that resonated. This wasnt the only time Das took to social media to speak out this week. Just days earlier, he slammed Air India for its failure to provide basic assistance to his wife, Shivani Mathur, who is recovering from a leg injury. Despite paying a hefty Rs 50,000 per seat and pre-booking a wheelchair, the couple was left to fend for themselves. Dear @airindia Please reclaim your wheelchair. Im a lifetime loyalist. I believe youve got the nicest cabin crew in the sky, this post pains me to write. My wife and I book Pranaam and a wheelchair because shes got a foot fracture thats still healing. Were flying to delhi. Vir Das (@thevirdas) April 14, 2025 Das described the ordeal in a detailed post, saying that when they deboarded via a stairway, a ground staff member shrugged off his request for help. My wife with a fracture makes it down the stepladder," he wrote. I tell another staff member what happened. He says, Sir kya karein sorry." He went on to share that even the Encalm staff handling airport assistance were clueless about the booking, and that the aircraft itself had broken tables and leg rests," making the whole experience feel like a premium-priced letdown. Dass outspokenness isnt new. Hes long used his platform to highlight injustice, hypocrisy, and absurdityoften with a healthy dose of wit but never lacking heart. From his acclaimed monologue I Come From Two Indias to his stand-up specials that blend satire with raw social commentary, Das has made it clear hes not just here to entertainhes here to challenge. Amidst all this, Das is also prepping for his next international tour. Hes set to perform a 12-show run at the Soho Theatre in London from June 2 to June 14, 2025. Known for sold-out houses and unflinching honesty on stage, his upcoming show is expected to weave together personal anecdotes, cultural critique, and razor-sharp humour. 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: May 04, 2025, 14:17 IST Yuleima Borja has lived in La Pista for five years. Its the largest informal migrant settlement in the Americas. In the 1980s, the 54-year-old fled the violence of Colombian guerrillas and settled in Venezuela. There, Borja made a life for herself: she became a business administrator and had her daughters. But the economic situation became unsustainable. She returned to Colombia in 2015 to sell candy on buses, using her earnings to pay for a room that she shared with her sister. But during the pandemic, they no longer had enough money to cover the rent. So, we decided to come here. I arrived with only a folding bed and a suitcase full of clothes. I had nothing else, she sighs. She speaks with EL PAIS while sitting in her home. Its a small shack, covered with zinc panels. There are a couple of rooms and a kitchen. A young man walks in front of what used to be a humanitarian camp in La Pista, La Guajira, Colombia, on April 22, 2025. Diego Cuevas Over the last decade, thousands of people like Borja have settled in La Pista, which is named after its location. In Spanish, one of the meanings of pista is runway. In this case, the informal settlement literally sits along a former runway at Maicao Airport, in northern Colombia. Most of the more than 9,000 inhabitants counted in the latest census are Venezuelan, but there are also Colombian returnees and Wayuu Indigenous people, native to both countries. They live on small plots of land near the mile-long former airfield. Some have homes made of sticks, bags and cardboard, while the luckiest residents live in houses that are covered with metal, to keep out the rain during the harsh winters. Food is scarce. Water, even more so. In the mornings, some delivery workers cross the completely arid area with donkey-drawn carts. They carry a few gallons of drinking water, which they sell to homes or small informal shops. The precarious situation is particularly acute for children. Many small boys and girls work and face great risks, especially at night, as few homes have electricity and theres no street lighting. According to local authorities, theyre easy prey for human-trafficking, forced recruitment and sexual exploitation. A girl looks out the window of a makeshift wooden house in La Pista, April 23, 2025. Diego Cuevas Several years ago, to address these multiple needs, various NGOs settled in the area. A few months ago, there were up to 20 organizations located in the middle of the settlement, including UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Program, the International Organization for Migration, Save the Children, Medicare, and World Vision. Branch offices operated in the Temporary Solidarity Center (CTS), located in the middle of La Pista. Today, however, the center is abandoned. All of the NGOs ceased their activities after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the closure of USAID the U.S. aid agency in January 2025, thus freezing the delivery of aid funds, which were essential for the work being conducted in communities such as La Pista. Borja in addition to being a resident is the president of the settlement. La Pista is organized into 12 blocks, each with its own leader. They form a board and elect a president. The Colombian has held this position for over a year and has experienced firsthand the devastation caused by the withdrawal of humanitarian organizations. We feel very helpless. Before, when a person didnt have access to healthcare, they were treated. Now, the hospital only responds if youre dying. There was also space for bands, dancing, food and educational support for children. All of thats gone, she laments through tears. Yuleima Borja, leader of the La Pista community council, poses for a portrait at her home in La Guajira, Colombia, on April 24, 2025. Diego Cuevas This concern is also shared by Jorge Paz, the CTS coordinator and liaison between the community and NGOs. The departure of these allies is deeply felt, he says, standing in one of the centers now-empty tents. The effects for many, he assures EL PAIS, were immediate. For example, I have information that more women are prostituting themselves to provide food for their families. Theres a lot of hunger, he explains. Some organizations continue to operate on a mobile basis and are able to address some cases, but not on the same scale as before. The lack of financial support provided by NGOs has halted the progress some families had envisioned. This is the case of Rosa, a 44-year-old Venezuelan woman who prefers to keep her real name private. Shes been living in La Pista for seven years and, for the past three years, shes been preparing homemade chicha a Venezuelan rice-based drink for her husband to sell outside a nearby school. At the end of last year, she was enrolled in a Save the Children program to improve her sales skills. The initiative which promised more than one million Colombian pesos (about $250) to boost her business has since been shuttered. We were very sad when they told us they wouldnt be able to give us the money. I was going to buy a refrigerator, she laments. Another 20 entrepreneurs were also affected. Aerial view of La Pista, La Guajira (Colombia), the largest informal settlement in Latin America. For Rosa, Trumps decision has another connotation. As a Venezuelan, she condemns the U.S. presidents view of her fellow citizens: Its unfair. Those of us who go to another country do so to get ahead, not to harm anyone. Everywhere we go, Venezuelans work hard. Were not criminals. But he doesnt listen to the cries of our people. Aid disappearing overnight Colombia is the country in the region that has received the most development grants from the United States. According to data from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in 2024, the U.S. provided almost 70% of the humanitarian aid that Colombia received. Now dozens of organizations have been forced to close, while those that remain active have had to reduce their staff and operations. The NGO Forum in Colombia estimates that 1,300 humanitarian workers have been laid off following Trumps cuts. Cows search for food in the garbage in La Pista, La Guajira (Colombia), on April 24, 2025. Diego Cuevas Maria Mercedes Lievano, Save the Childrens country director, estimates that 40% of the budget planned for 2025 has disappeared. Of 12 regional offices, weve had to close five. Furthermore, we no longer have a presence in six departments, she noted, during a trip organized by the NGO to Maicao, the city where La Pista is based. Its painful, because wed been implementing important initiatives and creating a very valuable network for the communities. Our operations disappeared overnight. The NGOs work in La Guajira Colombias northernmost department and home to La Pista has been weakened after the layoff of more than 30% of its staff. The closure of USAID has also harmed international organizations such as UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency. The organizations Colombia office recently warned of the risk of losing years of progress regarding the protection and integration of displaced peoples, due to a lack of funding. In a statement, UNHCR announced that it has been forced to suspend essential services. This will affect thousands of people, primarily internally displaced persons and Venezuelan migrants. A man sits outside his home in La Pista, La Guajira, Colombia, on April 24, 2025. Diego Cuevas In La Pista, there are many migrants on the move, as well as commuter residents, who dont reside in the settlement on a permanent basis. Xiomara (not her real name) is one of them. Shes an Indigenous Wayuu woman and lives in Las Huertas, a small municipality in Venezuela very close to the border with Colombia. She crosses the border to receive medical care. In her home country, she cannot access treatment for the anemia that she suffers from. She also seeks treatment in Colombia for other illnesses that cause her to face frequent episodes of dizziness and vomiting. When shes in Colombia, Xiomara stays with her sisters family. Her brother-in-law makes money however he can, be it by working as a barber, or as a cell phone technician. Jorge Paz explains that many of these commuter residents havent returned to La Pista. As they realize that theyre no longer going to be receiving the benefits that the NGOs used to provide and as they dont have jobs in the community theyve had to leave. Every day, I hear about families who have sold their shacks because theyre unable to support themselves. Therefore, he predicts, the population will decline further if the NGOs dont resume their activities. No governmental authorities reacted when some families began moving onto the old airports land 10 years ago. The rapid growth of makeshift settlement has posed a challenge for the administration. The mayor of Maicao, Miguel Aragon, openly admits that the city doesnt have the capacity to care for migrants. He emphasizes that the withdrawal of international NGOs has been disastrous and is very regrettable. A mother with her son on the streets of La Guajira. Diego Cuevas When asked if theres a contingency plan, Aragon responds by noting that his office has knocked on the doors of the federal government, led by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The assistance has been almost nonexistent. They tell us theyre working on building programs, but so far theyve only given us some trucks to distribute water, he maintains. The legal situation of La Pista is another thorny issue. Residents live in a legal limbo. Although the settlement doesnt comply with land use regulations, evicting the residents would be daunting and highly unpopular. Theres also no solid relocation plan. Aragon says that he doesnt feel willing to remove people from their homes. The mayors proposal is to modify the regulations to regularize the neighborhoods status and, ultimately, provide access to public services. If the proposal goes ahead, the regulations will also help more than 40 other smaller settlements across the city. This vision brings some comfort to the residents of La Pista. For Yuleima Borja, the talk of legalization is a victory, but she acknowledges that the road is still long. If were talking about dreams, Id love to see houses with proper building materials, green areas, schools, health centers and recreational spaces. But with all the NGOs and humanitarian workers having left the area, Borja emphasizes, her dream now seems farther from reality than ever. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Opinion | Jagmeet Singhs Defeat In Canada Crushes Khalistans Voice: Indias Diplomatic Triumph Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 03:53 IST His electoral rout, coupled with the Liberal Partys majority win under Prime Minister Mark Carney, offers India a strategic opportunity to recalibrate its relationship with Canada The defeat of Jagmeet Singh, who kept Trudeaus minority Liberal government in power for more than two years in return for more social spending, is being seen as a blow to the Khalistani movement in Canada. (File pic/AFP) The Canadian federal election of 28 April 2025 delivered a seismic shift in the countrys political landscape, with the defeat of Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and a figure associated with Khalistan sympathies, marking a pivotal moment for India-Canada relations. Singh, who lost his Burnaby Central seat to Liberal candidate Wade Chang and saw the NDP collapse to just eight seats, announced his resignation, ending a tenure that often strained bilateral ties. India has long criticised Canada for providing a safe haven to Khalistan activists, viewing figures like Singh as enablers of separatist rhetoric that threatens its sovereignty. His electoral rout, coupled with the Liberal Partys majority win under Prime Minister Mark Carney, offers India a strategic opportunity to recalibrate its relationship with Canada. The Khalistan movement, seeking a separate Sikh homeland in Indias Punjab, has been a contentious issue, with Canadas 770,000-strong Sikh community playing a significant role in its diaspora-driven activism. Singhs vocal support for Khalistan-related causes, including his calls for sanctions against India over the 2023 killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, exacerbated diplomatic tensions. India rejected these allegations as baseless, pointing to Canadas failure to provide evidence. The 2025 election outcome, reducing the NDPs influence, could diminish the political space for such activism, aligning with Indias long-standing demands for action against separatism. As Carney signals a pragmatic approach, prioritising trade and mutual respect, India stands at a crossroads. Recommended Stories Diplomatic Opportunity for a Reset Jagmeet Singhs defeat and the Liberal Partys decisive victory under Mark Carney present India with a rare opportunity to reset its fraught relationship with Canada. Bilateral ties hit a low under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose reliance on Singhs NDP for his minority government amplified tensions over the Khalistan issue. Singhs calls for sanctions against India, particularly after the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and his criticism of Indias Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) fuelled a diplomatic war, with both nations expelling diplomats. India consistently denied Canadas allegations, demanding evidence that was never provided. Carney, a former central banker with a global economic perspective, has signalled a departure from Trudeaus confrontational stance. His avoidance of direct references to the Nijjar case and emphasis on addressing strains" with mutual respect suggest a willingness to prioritise trade and diplomacy over ideological battles. India, which is reportedly considering restoring its high commissioner to Canada, could leverage this shift to revive stalled negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Bilateral trade reached CAD 13.49 billion in 2023 despite tensions, and a renewed CEPA could boost sectors like technology and agriculture. However, India must navigate cautiously. Carneys liberal values, including solidarity and reconciliation, align with Canadas multicultural ethos, which may limit how far he can distance himself from Sikh community concerns. India should engage proactively, emphasising shared democratic values and economic potential while firmly reiterating its stance against separatism. The diminished NDP influence reduces the risk of Khalistan-related rhetoric dominating bilateral discussions, making this an opportune moment for India to rebuild trust and foster a pragmatic partnership. Reduced Political Space for Khalistan Advocacy Jagmeet Singhs electoral loss and the NDPs collapse to single-digit seats significantly curtail the political platform for Khalistan advocacy in Canada. Singh, often criticised for his perceived Khalistan sympathies, attended pro-sovereignty events and supported motions labelling the 1984 Sikh riots as genocide", actions India viewed as endorsing separatist narratives. His defeat in Burnaby Central, where he trailed Liberal and Conservative candidates, and the NDPs loss of national party status signal a public rejection of his brand of politics. This outcome aligns with Indias long-standing concerns about Canadas permissiveness towards Khalistan activism, exemplified by groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which organises unofficial referendums on Khalistan. India has repeatedly urged Canada to curb such activities, viewing them as threats to its territorial integrity. The NDPs reduced influencelosing parliamentary funding and speaking timelimits the ability of pro-Khalistan voices to shape policy or gain mainstream traction. Social media reactions, with users celebrating Singhs fall as a setback for Khalistans political clout, reflect a broader sentiment that his rhetoric failed to resonate. For India, this creates a window to press Canada for stricter oversight of separatist groups. The Liberal government, less beholden to Sikh vote banks without NDP pressure, may be more amenable to addressing Indias concerns, especially if economic ties are at stake. However, India must balance its demands with sensitivity to Canadas free speech principles to avoid alienating moderate Sikhs. By engaging community leaders and highlighting the irrelevance of Khalistan in Punjab, India can further marginalise separatist narratives, ensuring they lose ground in Canadian politics. Enhanced Counterterrorism Cooperation Singhs defeat could pave the way for stronger India-Canada counterterrorism cooperation, a long-standing Indian priority. India has accused Canada of harbouring Khalistani extremists, citing figures like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, killed in 2023, as threats to its security. Singhs support for Trudeaus allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjars death, without evidence, and his calls for sanctions deepened mistrust. Indias external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, criticised Canadas vote bank politics", arguing that electoral compulsions led to leniency toward separatists. With Singh and the NDP sidelined, Canadas Liberal government under Carney may adopt a more balanced approach. India has pending extradition requests for individuals linked to Khalistan-related activities, and a less polarised political climate could facilitate progress. Carneys focus on economic stability, amid US tariff threats, suggests a pragmatic foreign policy that prioritises alliances over domestic vote banks. This aligns with Indias calls for Canada to crack down on groups like Babbar Khalsa International, implicated in the 1985 Air India bombing. The 2025 election outcome reduces the NDPs ability to shield separatist sympathisers, potentially encouraging Canadian authorities to share intelligence and cooperate on investigations. India must seize this moment to formalise counterterrorism frameworks, emphasising mutual security interests. However, challenges remain, as Canadas legal system prioritises free expression, complicating action against non-violent advocacy. India should present concrete evidence of terrorist activities to build a compelling case while avoiding rhetoric that alienates the broader Sikh community. Strengthened cooperation could not only address Khalistan-related threats but also enhance Indias global counterterrorism credibility, fostering a more secure bilateral relationship. Strengthened Indian Diaspora Dynamics Canadas 1.8 million Indo-Canadians, including 770,000 Sikhs, are a vital bridge in India-Canada relations, but Khalistan activism has often polarised this diaspora. Jagmeet Singhs defeat offers India a chance to unify its diaspora by reducing the influence of separatist narratives. Singhs actions, such as attending rallies with posters of Khalistani figure Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, deepened divisions between pro-India and pro-Khalistan factions, with incidents like the 2024 Brampton temple attack highlighting communal tensions. The NDPs electoral rout weakens the political legitimacy of Khalistan advocacy, potentially encouraging moderate Sikhs to distance themselves from separatist causes. Social media posts celebrating Singhs loss as a diplomatic win for India" reflect optimism about a more cohesive diaspora. India can capitalise on this by engaging Sikh community leaders to promote cultural and economic ties, emphasising Punjabs integration with Indias growth story. Programmes like the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme and diaspora investment initiatives could strengthen connections. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Moreover, the Liberal governments focus on economic recovery may resonate with the diasporas aspirations, reducing the appeal of divisive rhetoric. India should also counter misinformation about its policies in Punjab, where Khalistan has little local support, to prevent radicalisation among Canadian Sikh youth. However, India must tread carefully to avoid alienating Sikhs who value their cultural identity but reject separatism. By fostering dialogue and celebrating shared heritage, India can transform its diaspora into a unified force for bilateral cooperation, enhancing its soft power and ensuring that Khalistan remains a fringe issue in Canadas multicultural tapestry. The author teaches journalism at St Xaviers College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Sayantan Ghosh Sayantan Ghosh is an independent journalist based in Kolkata and former policy research fellow at Delhi Assembly Research Center. He tweets as @sayantan_gh Sayantan Ghosh is an independent journalist based in Kolkata and former policy research fellow at Delhi Assembly Research Center. He tweets as @sayantan_gh First Published: May 04, 2025, 03:53 IST 'Ready To Take Responsibility': Rahul Gandhi Replies To Sikh Man Who Confronted Him On Camera Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 11:59 IST Rahul Gandhi was responding to a question of a Sikh man during Q&A session at Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University in the US two weeks ago. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was answering a question at US university. (X) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has admitted Congress partys mistakes" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots saying that he was not present when the riots took place but added that he was happy to take responsibility for everything the Congress party has ever done wrong in its history". The Congress leader was responding to a question of a Sikh man during Q&A session at Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University in the US two weeks ago. Recommended Stories The man confronted Gandhi over his earlier statement where he spoke about India under the BJP and questioned whether Sikhs would be allowed to wear the kada or tie their turbans under BJP rule. Read More: Rahul Gandhi Calls Lord Ram Mythological, BJP Hits Back With Anti-Hindu Jibe You create a fear among Sikhs about what BJP would look like, you talked about how politics should be fearless, we dont just want to wear kadas, we dont just want to tie turbans, we want freedom of expression, which has not been allowed under the Congress Party in the past," he told the Lok Sabha LoP. A brave Sikh man confronted Rahul Gandhi:Why spread fear that Sikhs wont be allowed to wear Turban & Kada under BJP? Congress, which attacked Sikh freedom of speech and shielded 1984 riot accused like Sajjan Kumar, cant lecture us on rights. pic.twitter.com/kEuVnseUbp Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) May 3, 2025 He further referred to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who has been recently sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to killing the father-son duo in the Saraswati Vihar area during the riots, and questioned why the party continues to shield such leaders. Your party lacks the maturity to accept the mistakes it has made such as Sajjan Kumar just now being tried and there are many more like Sajjan Kumar currently sitting in the Congress party." In response, the senior party leader said that he had questioned he state of religious freedom in India in the BJP regime. The statement I made was that do we want an India where people are uncomfortable to express their religion? As far as mistakes of Congress Party are concerned, a lot of those happened when I was not there, but I am more than happy to take responsibility for everything the Congress party has ever done wrong in its history," he said. I have publicly stated that what happened in the 80s was wrong, I have been to the Golden Temple multiple times, I have extremely good relationships with the Sikh community in India," Gandhi added. A video of interaction has also went viral on the social media platforms. The session, moderated by Ashutosh Varshney, Director of the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia at Brown University, was posted by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs on Saturday. BJP Reacts BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya reacted to the conversation and said that the Sikh man had reminded Gandhi of the unfounded fear-mongering" he engaged in during his last visit to the US. It is quite unprecedented that Rahul Gandhi is now being ridiculed not just in India, but around the world," he said. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, Rahul Gandhi, who goes abroad and insults India and Sikhs, when it came to facing the truth, backed off citing service at Darbar Sahib. It wasnt just a video This was the Sikh communitys expression of pain, anger and cry for justice. What Rahul Gandhi said was not an apology but a political pretense. His silence, his evasion and his protection of the culprits this is the real face of the Gandhi family." 1984 8000 , .. , pic.twitter.com/jLEIJgCUpC Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) May 4, 2025 Partys national spokesperson RP Singh said that Rahul Gandhi should immediately expel Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath from the Congress party if he is genuinely willing to take responsibility for the massacare. If @RahulGandhi is genuinely willing to take responsibility for the 1984 Sikh massacre, the first step should be to immediately expel Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath from the Congress party, as both stand accused of involvement in the horrific killings of innocent Sikhs. RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) May 4, 2025 Rahul Gandhis 2024 Remark Earlier in September 2024, the Congress leader had courted a massive row with his remark on the state of religious freedom in India, citing the example of Sikhs, during an event in the US. Addressing the members of the Indian diaspora in Virginia, Gandhi had said that the fight in India is about whether a person, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots In the 1980s, the Indira Gandhi government suppressed a separatist movement in Punjab led by radical preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The preacher, who was hiding inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, was killed when the Indian Army stormed the premises, one of the holiest sites for Sikhism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh bodyguards. Thousands of Sikhs were killed, with Delhi being the most affected, followed by Kanpur. In 2013, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had tendered an apology in the Parliament for the killings of over 4,000 Sikhs in 1984. Soon, then party chief Sonia Gandhi, too, had expressed regrets over the riots, which was followed by Rahul Gandhi himself, who said he shared their sentiments. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: May 04, 2025, 11:50 IST BJP Alleges Bengal Police Harassed Murshidabad Riot Victims Kin, Attempted Forced Return Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 20:06 IST The BJP leader called the West Bengal police, under Mamata Banerjee, worse than Hitlers Gestapo. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya | File Image/ANI In the wake of the Murshidabad riots, in which Harogobind Das and his son Chandan Das were killed, the alleged inaction of West Bengal police has sparked widespread outrage. The violence erupted in parts of Murshidabad, including Shamsherganj, Dhulian, Suti, and Jangipur, in April during protests over the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act. Recommended Stories BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya on Sunday alleged that the victims family, who is still reeling from the loss, faced further harassment when the police, seemingly attempting to cover their tracks, took sudden action based on unverified claims. The BJP leader called the West Bengal police, under Mamata Banerjee, worse than Hitlers Gestapo", adding that the police attempted to forcibly take the family back to Murshidabad" who took refuge in a rented home in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. Shockingly, the same police force that stood by silently as a radical Islamist mob murdered the father and son has now taken sudden action based on unverified claims that the family was kidnapped. Without a warrant, police from Murshidabad and Bidhannagar broke into the rented house, where only two widowed women, other female relatives, and two young children were present," he wrote on X. West Bengal police, under Mamata Banerjee, is worse than Hitlers Gestapo.In Murshidabad, under the very nose of the administration, Harogobind Das and his son Chandan Das were brutally killed in an anti-Hindu riot. Fearing for their lives, their surviving family members took pic.twitter.com/QD06aVKHun Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 4, 2025 In what appears to be an effort to cover their earlier inaction, the police attempted to forcibly take the family back to Murshidabad," Malviya added. Upon receiving the information about the incident, the BJP leaders and legal representatives rushed to the location. Malviya said that the police quickly fled after being confronted by their presence. Had the BJP not intervened, this vulnerable Hindu family might have suffered further injusticethis time at the hands of the very forces meant to protect them," he added. In an apparent bid to whitewash their role in the Murshidabad riots and support the politically declining Trinamool Congress, some are now falsely claiming that the deceased were their party workers. Yet today, as the bereaved family faces harassment in Kolkata, it is only the BJP that stands by them," the BJP ladder wrote on X. Malviya said that it is the BJP alone that continues to stand with persecuted Hindus" across West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari Slams West Bengal Govt Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that the West Bengal government must be held accountable for failing to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens, particularly those traumatised by selective targeted violence. The tragic deaths of Late Haragobinda Das and Late Chandan Das in Jafarabad, Samsherganj, Murshidabad, are a heartbreaking reminder of the fragile safety of our Sanatani community in WB. The family rejected the compensation offered by the WB Govt due to ideological differences and discontent regarding the Administrations handling of the situation, suggesting a lack of trust in the Govts intentions. The Mamata Banerjee Govt must hang its head in shame," he wrote on X. The LoP condemned the breaking of the guest house where the grieving family was staying, allegedly by the Kolkata police and said, Such heavy-handed tactics are an affront to justice and compassion, especially for a family seeking legal recourse through the Calcutta High Court for a CBI enquiry into their loved ones deaths." Trust of the family cannot be achieved through force or suppression, but through accountability and empathy. The people of West Bengal deserve better, they deserve a government that upholds the rule of law and fosters peace, not one that exacerbates division or distrust," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. First Published: May 04, 2025, 20:06 IST Flautist Asked To Play At Security Check Leaves Airport Stunned With 'Teri Mitti' | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:45 IST In the viral video, the flautist is seen playing an emotionally charged patriotic song as the security staff enjoys his stunning performance. The lead flautist of the Sufi-Bollywood fusion band 'Jaipuri Brothers' performed at the request of airport staff during a security check. Image/Instagram A Rajasthan-based artist left everyone at Raipur Airport mesmerised with his enchanting flute performance of the poignant track Teri Mitti" by B Praak, from the 2019 film Kesari. The lead flautist of the Sufi-Bollywood fusion band Jaipuri Brothers, Mehboob, who was carrying a box of flutes, performed at the request of airport staff during a security check. Recommended Stories In the viral video, the flautist is seen playing an emotionally charged patriotic song as the security staff enjoys his stunning performance. Many air travellers also stopped to hear the melodious tune, with some even capturing the moment on their phones. The band posted a video of the musical rendition on their official Instagram handle, with a caption: At Raipur airport, we gave a small performance on the request of the airport staff! Fun with the airline staff among music lovers, happy to connect with music." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jaipuri brothers (@jaipuri_brothers) The video begins with security personnel inspecting Mehboobs luggage, which seems to be filled with flutes. He then selects one and starts playing the soulful melody. The clip shared on Instagram garnered over 44 million views and received hundreds of reactions from users, who praised his exceptional talent. Praising the artist, a user wrote: Moment that made everyone stand still." Another user commented: Big salute to him,". That is such a sweet airport moment," a third added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Wow.. Very peaceful flute music," noted a music lover. Nice to see music works at any time," shared another user in the comment section of the viral video. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Raipur, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 23:45 IST Hikers Discover 7kg Of Gold And Artefacts Worth Rs 2 Crore In Czech Republic Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 07:00 IST Czech Hikers initially found an aluminium can coming out from the ground, which had 598 gold coins wrapped in black cloth and an iron box filled with filled with more items. Hikers who found the treasure are expected to receive 10% of the treasures value. (Photo Credit: Facebook) Hikers in the Czech Republic made a jaw-dropping discovery when they found a hidden treasure worth over 7.5 million crowns (approximately Rs 2 Crore). While exploring the Podkrkonosi Mountains, they came across gold coins, ornate jewellery, cigarette cases and other valuable objects weighing seven kilograms. Although the treasure was found in February, it was recently revealed. Reportedly, the hikers initially found an aluminium can coming out of the ground, which had 598 gold coins wrapped in black cloth. Nearby, they saw an iron box filled with 16 snuff boxes, 10 bracelets, a wire bag, a comb, a chain and a powder compact, all made of yellow metal. Speaking with the Daily Mail, the Head of Archaeology at the Museum of East Bohemia, Miroslav Novak said, I was called to say that a person who had found something was coming to see me. When he opened it, my jaw dropped. The men first found an aluminium can, part of which protruded above the surface and about a meter from it an iron box. The can contain 598 coins, divided into 11 columns, each wrapped in black cloth. The metal box contained a total of sixteen snuff boxes, ten bracelets, a wire bag, a comb, a chain and a powder compact. All made of yellow metal. For certain, the coins are solid gold. We will need to analyse the rest, but at the current price of precious metals, the value of the find can start at 7.5 million [Czech] Crowns. The historical value of the treasure, however, is incalculable." Recommended Stories Experts are puzzled and working to figure out how the treasure ended up buried on this particular mountain. Novak explains that hiding high cost items in the ground, called depots, has been common since ancient times. In the beginning, people used to bury items for religious reasons, but during the tough times, they started hiding such things while hoping to find them later. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The museum director, Petr Grulich, explained that its hard to know who owned the treasure. It could have been hidden by a Czech following the Nazi invasion in 1938, by a German who was scared after 1945 or it might have been Jewish gold. There is also a chance that it was stolen from an antique shop, but thats just a guess. A numismatist, Vojtech Bradle, added that the treasure was hidden almost 100 years ago. The coins were made between 1808 and 1915, during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Many of them were marked in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians in the 1930s. Despite knowing so much background, nobody knows exactly how they reached eastern Bohemia. Experts at the Museum of East Bohemia are planning to show the treasure to the public. Under Czech law, the hikers who found it are expected to receive 10% of the treasures value. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 07:00 IST Israel, Qatar Spar After Netanyahu's 'Stop Playing Both Sides' Remark Over Gaza Ceasefire Published By : AFP Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 09:10 IST Netanyahu said Qatar needed to "stop playing both sides" over negotiations for a truce in the Palestinian territory with Hamas. Qatar rejected the "inflammatory" remarks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (IMAGE: AFP FILE) Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said Gaza mediator Qatar needed to stop playing both sides" over negotiations for a truce in the Palestinian territory with Hamas. The time has come for Qatar to stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if its on the side of civilisation or if its on the side of Hamas barbarism," Netanyahu wrote on X, adding: Israel will win this just war with just means." Recommended Stories The time has come for Qatar to stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if its on the side of civilization or if its on the side of Hamas barbarism. Israel will win this just war with just means. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 3, 2025 Qatar, which hosts Hamass political office, brokered the truce alongside the US and Egypt that came into effect in January. Efforts to secure a new deal, however, have appeared to stall in recent weeks. The Israeli prime minister, under pressure from his far-right supporters, without whom he would lose his governing coalition, has been increasingly vocal in his calls to continue the war since the restart of the Gaza offensive. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari rejected the inflammatory" comments, charging that they fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility" in a statement on X. The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility. Portraying the ongoing aggression against Gaza as a defense of civilization" . Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) May 3, 2025 Israel has also blocked all aid deliveries to Gaza since March 2, prompting warnings from UN agencies of impending humanitarian disaster. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hamas on Saturday released footage of an apparently wounded Israeli-Russian hostage held in Gaza as 11 Palestinians, including three infants, were killed in a strike on the territory, its civil defence agency said. Gaza militants still hold 58 hostages, 34 of whom the army says are dead. Hamas is also holding the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous war in Gaza in 2014. 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: May 04, 2025, 09:10 IST Nepali Lawmakers Urge Ban On Student Admissions To Odishas KIIT After Two Mysterious Deaths Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 23:00 IST The lawmakers expressed concern over the safety of Nepali students enrolled at the KIIT, following the recent death of a Nepali student under suspicious circumstances Agitators stage a protest over the death of a Nepali student on the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) campus, in Bhubaneswar. (PTI photo) Members of Nepals National Assembly have urged the government to halt sending Nepali students to Odishas Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) where two Nepalese female students died in suspicious circumstances within a period of three months. They proposed denying No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to any student seeking enrolment at the institute, according to the Parliament Secretariat sources. Recommended Stories During an emergency session of the upper house, lawmakers expressed concern over the safety of Nepali students enrolled at the KIIT, following the recent death of a Nepali student under suspicious circumstances the second such incident in recent months. Tul Prasad Bishwakarma of the Rastriya Janamorcha and Madan Kumari Shah of the CPN (Unified Socialist) were among those who demanded termination of issuing NOCs for KIIT. Shah also asked parents and guardians to be aware of the matter related to the safety of their children. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mohammad Khalid of the Janata Samajbadi Party and Krishna Bahadur Rokaya of the Nepali Congress called on the government to ensure a thorough investigation into the death of the female student from Nepal and to provide justice to her family. Prinsa Sah, a 20-year-old student from Parsa district, allegedly died by suicide on Thursday at KIIT. Earlier on February 16, Prakriti Lamsal, 21, from Rupandehi, also died at the same institute by alleged suicide. Responding to this, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has urged the government to investigate the death of Nepali students at KIIT and ensure the facts are uncovered. Location : Kathmandu, Nepal First Published: May 04, 2025, 23:00 IST Pakistans Baloch Separatists Shut Down Quetta-Karachi Highway, Kidnap Policemen Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 22:17 IST BLA militants set fire to multiple govt buildings and blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway in a major strike in Kalats Mongochar area. A security personnel stands guard near charred truck containers torched by armed separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) at central Bolan district in Balochistan. (IMAGE: AFP/REPRESENTATIVE) The Baloch Liberation Army launched a large-scale attack in Kalats Mongochar area and cut off the Quetta-Karachi highway and set fire to government offices, news agency DD News said. Armed BLA militants blocked traffic on the National Highway, stopped buses and cars, and then torched multiple buildings, including NADRA, the Judicial Complex and the National Bank. Recommended Stories The groups Fateh Squad claimed the assault and called it part of their liberation struggle". In a separate strike, BLA fighters ambushed a police van carrying prisoners from Gadani to Quetta. They freed at least 10 inmates and took five policemen hostage. The van and two officers were later released. Security forces launched a counter-operation and reopened the highway. The prisoners were released later but five policemen have been kidnapped," a senior police official in the area said. Between 30 and 40 gunmen blocked a major highway that cuts across Balochistan province overnight on Friday, intercepting a prison van being transported by a police team, the police official said. Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces, foreign nationals, and non-locals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active group in the region, claimed the assault in Kalat district. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BLA has previously targeted energy projects receiving foreign financing most notably from China. In March, the group seized a train, taking hundreds of passengers hostage and killing off-duty security forces in a three-day siege. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: May 04, 2025, 22:17 IST Therell Be Many Bangs: Israels Netanyahu Vows Multi-Phase Retaliation To Houthi Strike On Airport Published By : AFP Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 20:46 IST Netanyahu said Israel has previously acted against the Houthis and will continue to do so in the future as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a memorial ceremony for those murdered by Hamas. (IMAGE: AFP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed a multi-phased response to Yemens Houthis after the rebels struck the area of Israels main airport, wounding six people and prompting several major airlines to suspend flights. The Israeli military confirmed that the attack, which gouged a large crater in the perimeter of Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport, was launched from Yemen and had struck despite several attempts to intercept the missile". Recommended Stories In a video published on Telegram, Netanyahu said Israel had acted against" the Iran-backed rebels in the past and will act in the future". It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs," the Israeli prime minister added, referring to the promised retaliation, without going into further detail. A police video showed officers standing on the edge of a deep hole in the ground with the control tower visible behind them. No damage was reported to airport infrastructure. The police reported a missile impact" at Israels main international gateway. An AFP photographer said the missile hit near the parking lots of Terminal 3, the airports largest. The crater was just hundreds of metres (yards) from the tarmac. You can see the area just behind us: a crater was formed here, several dozen metres wide and several dozen metres deep," central Israels police chief, Yair Hezroni, said in the video. The Israel Airports Authority said: This is the first time a missile has fallen so close to the terminal and the runways." Hit them Earlier, the Houthis, who say they act in support of Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack. The rebels said their forces carried out a military operation targeting Ben Gurion airport" with a hypersonic ballistic missile". Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened a forceful response, saying: Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger." Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad later hailed the attack on the airport. Israels Magen David Adom emergency service said it had treated at least six people with light to moderate injuries. An AFP journalist inside the airport at the time of the attack said he heard a loud bang" at around 9:35 am (0635 GMT), adding that the reverberation was very strong". Security staff immediately asked hundreds of passengers to take shelter, some in bunkers," the AFP journalist said. Many passengers are now waiting for their flights to take off, and others are trying to find alternative flights." An incoming Air India flight was diverted to Abu Dhabi, an airport official told AFP. It was one of the airlines to suspend Tel Aviv flights until Tuesday along with Germanys Lufthansa Group, which includes Austrian, Eurowings and SWISS. A passenger said the attack, which came shortly after air raid sirens sounded across parts of Israel, caused panic". It is crazy to say but since October 7 we are used to this," the 50-year-old, who did not want to be named, said referring to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war. Close call An airline official said: Today was a close call". I have worked at the airport for several years but even I was afraid today," they told AFP. Flights resumed after being halted briefly, with the aviation authority saying Ben Gurion was now open and operational". Israels security cabinet would meet on Sunday, a government official said, after media also reported a planned expansion of the Gaza war with call-up orders issued for tens of thousands of reserve troops. Several news outlets said the military had begun sending the orders for reservists to replace conscripts and active-duty soldiers in Israel and the occupied West Bank so they can be redeployed to Gaza. A military spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the reports but Israels public broadcaster said the security cabinet would meet to discuss the expanded offensive. The Houthis, who control swathes of Yemen, have launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war. Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely stopped the war. Sundays attack on Israel was the fourth the Houthis have claimed in three days. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israel has intercepted most of the Huthi missiles fired since the Gaza war started. The US military has been hammering the rebels with near-daily strikes since March 15. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Jerusalem, Undefined First Published: May 04, 2025, 20:46 IST Resolve Kashmir Issue, Else More Incidents May Follow Pahalgam: Pakistani Envoy To UK Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 21:21 IST The Pakistani Envoy reiterated Pakistan's demand for a "neutral probe" into the Pahalgam attack, whose responsibility was claimed by Islamabad-based Lashkar terror group. Pakistans High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal | Image.X Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, a senior Pakistani envoy warned that unresolved Kashmir issue" could lead to further fallout. Pakistans High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Faisal, said that India continues to deny Pakistans support for the aspirations and demands of the Kashmiri people. Recommended Stories Pakistan firmly stands with the Kashmiri people and their aspirations," he said, warning, This issue must be resolvedotherwise, even after Pahalgam, something else can happen." Faisal further reiterated Pakistans demand for a neutral probe" into the Pahalgam attack, whose responsibility was claimed by Islamabad-based Lashkar terror group. We are being blamed for something we have not planned. India must agree to a probe. The truth will be clearly out," the Pakistani Envoy told BBC. When questioned about US Secretary of State Rubios conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifduring which Rubio urged him to condemn the Pahalgam attackFaisal responded that Islamabad has denounced acts of terrorism on multiple platforms, including the United Nations Security Council. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri pony ride operator. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Recently, New Delhi banned all imports from Islamabad. Further escalating tensions, India and Pakistan have banned each others aircraft from entering their respective airspaces, affecting commercial and cargo flights. 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 : Pakistan First Published: May 04, 2025, 20:23 IST Jocelyn Koch Aguilera and her mother, Jacquelin Aguilera Betanzo, are sitting at a small table in the cafe of the Memory and Human Rights Museum in Santiago. The museum is dedicated to those who disappeared during Augusto Pinochets dictatorship (1973-1990) in Chile. The table is completely covered with legal documents. Three folders contain more than 500 pages of reports, statements and court orders. Jocelyn and Jacquelin like the women who took to the streets to protest during the military regime are also searching for a disappeared person. But in their case, this tragedy has nothing to do with the dictatorship, the extrajudicial killings, or the clandestine torture centers. The two women are searching for Kevin Jocelyns younger brother whom they last saw in 2004, when he was given up for adoption. For years, the two women have been denouncing the numerous irregularities that occurred during the boys adoption. It all began in 2003. Jaquelin was going through a period of profound financial and personal hardship. She requested to temporarily place her two youngest children Jocelyn and Kevin, who were six and two-years-old at the time in a foster home, so that she could look for work and more stable housing. Jaquelin had been a victim of domestic violence for years and had just moved to the city of Concepcion from Santiago, after her last partner began using drugs. I couldnt support my children, so I temporarily left them to the state. But I never thought this decision would involve my son being adopted, the 61-year-old woman laments today. Jaquelin hoped that the two children could be placed in the same home. However, they ended up being separated. The eldest, Jocelyn, was sent to the SOS shelter in Lorenzo Arenas, while Kevin just two-years-old was entrusted to the Arrullo Orphanage. Both foster homes were based in Concepcion. In Kevins case, it was always different, Jaquelin recalls. Every time I went to see him, he cried desperately, saying that he wanted to live with me again and that he didnt want to be in the home. The psychologist and social worker who were following our case constantly told me I wasnt capable of raising my son. This was not the case at the home where Jocelyn had been sent. The Arrullo Orphanage was at the center of a major scandal in 2011. And, in 2013, it was investigated by a commission of inquiry established by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Chiles Congress. This was after a report by a Chilean radio station revealed a series of child abuse cases occurring within the residence. As soon as Kevin entered the home, Jaquelin was included in an eight-month program in which a team consisting of a social worker and a psychologist would shadow her, in an attempt to help her and assess her abilities as a mother. The documents collected by Jaquelin and Jocelyn include records of visits to the orphanage, which show that Jacquelin visited her son regularly, at least once a week. Then, Jacquelin recalls, one day out of the blue, in 2004, she went to the home and one of the staff members informed her that the boy had been declared eligible for adoption. Along with two other children, he had been taken away in a white car. However, the mother claims that she had not received any formal notification of the Chilean courts decision. From that moment on, she heard nothing more about her son. Everywhere she went, the authorities told her that they knew nothing. Jaquelin fell into a severe depression, from which she struggled to emerge. And, while Kevin was given up for adoption because the Chilean government deemed her unfit to raise children, in 2010, her daughter, Jocelyn, left the foster home where she was living and was once again entrusted to her mother. Why did the Chilean government take a son away from her after deeming her unfit to be a mother when she was then deemed fit to raise me, just six years after Kevin was given up for adoption? Jocelyn wonders aloud. From the moment Jocelyn left home, she went everywhere with her mother looking for her brother: the two women knocked on every door, even going to the airport to try to find out if he was adopted by a foreign couple. After many attempts, they managed to locate the psychologist who had followed Kevins case at the Arrullo facility, who told them to forget about it, that Kevin was fine. She even advised the mother to see a psychiatrist to get over the situation. On the pile of documents the two women have compiled over the years which attest to the irregularities that occurred during the adoption process theres a framed photo of Kevin. In that portrait, hes a smiling child. And, more than 20 years later for Jocelyn and Jaquelin Kevin still looks that way. They dont know what he looks like today. They dont even know if hes alive or dead. For them, Kevin is that old image, crystallized in time. Jocelyn, now 27, has a tattoo on her forearm: it depicts her and her brother embracing. I just want him to know that hes my greatest treasure and that Ill never stop looking for him, as long as I live, she says quietly. 20,000 illegal adoptions Almost a decade ago, a major scandal erupted in Chile, which has become an internationally-known case. This had to do with the approximately 20,000 adoptions carried out during the Pinochet dictatorship. The estimate came from a judge Mario Carroz who opened the first case back in 2017. He currently sits on the Supreme Court. The Chilean justice system and a brigade of the PDI (the countrys investigative police) have been investigating the matter for years. However, due to a major justice reform, both teams now only handle cases occurring up to 2004. Complaints related to subsequent years are referred separately to the Carabineros (the National Police) or the Ministry of the Interior. Therefore, theres no Chilean public entity that investigates complaints of irregular adoptions that occurred over the last 20 years. And, for this same reason, there are no official figures regarding how many complaints have been filed since 2004. The justice system has never investigated to find common patterns or charge alleged perpetrators. In recent years, however, dozens of public complaints have been filed about illegal adoptions across Chile. They involve children who, in most cases, were adopted by European couples. During this investigation, EL PAIS has compiled dozens of reports of illegal adoptions in various parts of the country, with cases dating back to 2004. These adoptions occurred during the current democratic era and were always managed by SENAME, the National Childrens Service. This Chilean state entity handles everything related to minors, including adoption. For years, SENAME has been at the center of enormous controversy, due to the numerous irregularities detected in its management. The most serious known case is that of the horrific abuse suffered by minors in the foster homes managed by the entity. This scandal came to light after the publication of an investigation conducted by the PDI in 2017. The report revealed that in 100% of the 240 homes investigated, minors had suffered abuse. A total of 2,071 children were harmed, 310 in a sexual manner. And, every year in Chile, new scandals erupt. These are primarily related to child prostitution rings, in which those responsible for the foster homes force the minors in their care into prostitution. This is according to many of the complaints filed by parents with the PDI and reported by local media outlets. While the countrys adoption system has undergone profound revisions and improvements since the dictatorship, there are anomalies and operating procedures that seem to have never changed, from the 1970s to the present day. The affected families are always poor and the cases often involve single mothers from marginalized areas. Parents are not notified of their childrens eligibility for adoption, visits to the institutions are arbitrarily prohibited and children are given up for adoption abroad without prior verification of the presence of other relatives in the country who could take care of the child, as stipulated by law. This is not to mention the various institutions that, despite having racked up dozens of complaints since the 1970s and despite being under investigation by the PDI and the Chilean justice system continue to be accredited by the state. In 2020, Kevins alleged illegal adoption was reported to a prosecutor by Patricia Munoz, a Chilean lawyer who was appointed as Chiles first Childrens Ombudsman from 2018 to 2023. She now states: Ive reported several cases of irregular adoption, while many others have been brought to my attention. These were completely flawed processes in which the biological parents had no chance of regaining custody of their children. These are families who received absolutely no help from the state and only learned later on that their children had been given up for adoption. Between 2010 and 2020, 70% of Chilean children adopted outside the country were adopted by Italian families. Italy and the United States are the two major receiving countries for international adoptions, but in Chile, Italians clearly hold the top spot: there are seven accredited Italian childcare institutes, five of which are currently operating. Between 2010 and 2020 according to data provided by SENAME a total of 4,512 children were given up for adoption in Chile, of which 844 were adopted by foreign couples. The people who adopted Chilean children between 2010 and 2020 hailed from a variety of nations including Spain, Denmark, Australia, the United States, Belgium, New Zealand and Sweden while the countries that received the most children were Italy, Norway and France. However, the number of children adopted in Italy was clearly higher during that 10-year period: between 2010 and 2020, 587 Chilean children arrived in Italy, while 95 arrived in Norway and 91 in France. Among the cases analyzed throughout this investigation, there are several in which women turned to the state for protection, reporting abuse at the hands of their partners. But instead of receiving help, their children were stolen from them. This is the case of Giannina Riccardi, now 32. In 2018, after reporting domestic violence, she had her daughter, Ignacia, taken away from her. Ignacia was later given up for adoption. For years, Giannina denounced the abuse that the girl suffered at the foster home, as well as the irregularities that occurred during the adoption process. In 2020, she created the Facebook page Madres Desesperadas (Desperate Mothers), where she compiled hundreds of reports from across the country. Ignacia was given up for adoption at the age of seven by the Nido de Hualpen, an orphanage which was closed after several parents reported a pedophile ring that paid staff to abuse children. I did everything the judge asked me to do to get my daughter back, Giannina recalls today. I found a better job, left my abusive partner and rented a bigger house, she continues. But after she was given up for adoption, I attempted suicide several times; I once jumped from the fourth floor of my building. I would pass by Ignacias room the pain of not seeing her in bed devastated me. In 2014, another mother also publicly denounced the illegal adoption of her children, chaining herself in front of the Puerto Aysen Cathedral and beginning a hunger strike. She also collected dozens of testimonies from other mothers with similar cases in her region. The woman Yohanna Oyarzo is now 41-years-old. In 2011, her three sons Gabriel, Benjamin, and Erick, who were then five, four and two-years-old respectively were taken from her and later given up for adoption to a French couple. This was despite the protests of their mother, who claims that she did everything the courts had required of her in the previous months to regain custody of her children. The adoption of Yohannas children was carried out by the Eleonora Giorgi Home in Puerto Aysen. This facility was run by Sister Augusta Pedrielli, a distant cousin of the father of the famous Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. Pavarotti had financed the purchase of the land where the foster home stands. It was shuttered in 2015, following dozens of complaints after Yohannas hunger strike. Sister Augusta confirmed to EL PAIS that she bought the land thanks to Pavarottis donation. Cristina Pavarotti the tenors daughter also confirms contact between her father and Augusta Pedrielli between 1989 and 1990. She also notes that her father decided to send three incubators and shoes for the children. At the same time, Cristina adds, while I wasnt able to find documents about the monetary donation that made it possible to acquire the land, I consider it probable. But I can also say that the contact between Sister Augusta and my father was limited to that period of time. Yohanna still remembers the hours and days she spent visiting her children. She also remembers the reports about the abuse that her children suffered from. One of them told her that he had been sexually abused by an older girl during his time at the foster home. Today, Yohanna says that not a day goes by that I dont think about my children. Its a pain that will never end. I can only keep going because I have hope that, one day, Ill be able to hug them again. This journalistic investigation was carried out with support from the Investigative Journalism for Europe (IJ4EU) fund. Chilean journalist Paulette Desormeaux contributed to this report. Translated by Avik Jain Chatlani. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Real Reason Behind Pak Army Chief Munirs Anti-India Speech: Exclusive From Imran Aide & Junoon Member Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 18:05 IST Asim Munir wants to take control of Pakistan before November 2025 to save himself from a US bill, says Dr Salman Ahmad, a member of Junoon and an aide of former PM Imran Khan Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir gave an anti-India speech in April. (AP File) Dr Salman Ahmad, a member of Junoon band and a close aide of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader and former PM Imran Khan, in an exclusive interview with News18, explained the motive behind their Army chief Asim Munirs actions. Munir wants to eliminate Imran Khan. His speech before the diaspora was unwarranted. He spoke about sectarian division, like the British army wanted to divide and rule," said Ahmad. Recommended Stories WHAT ASIM MUNIR SAID Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad last month, just before the Pahalgam attack, Munir said, Our forefathers thought we are different from Hindus in every aspectOur 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." He also repeatedly termed Kashmir Pakistans jugular vein". He added that Pakistan will not forget this and expressed solidarity with the struggle" of the region. He urged Pakistanis to teach their children a narrative of religious and cultural superiority. Munir also vowed to crack down on terrorists in Balochistan and termed it the destiny of Pakistan", stating that even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan". ASIM MUNIR TRYING TO PROTECT HIMSELF The Pakistan Democracy Act introduced in US Parliament has recommended sanctions against Asim Munir for visa restrictions and asset freeze, said Ahmad. Munir wants to take control of Pakistan before November 2025 to save himself from this bill," Ahmad said, adding, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is a puppet in the hands of Munir and his employees." WHAT NEXT FOR IMRAN KHAN? The Khan camp feels a campaign of terror will be launched against Khan soon. This campaign will also target Khans supportersIn the coming days, incidents of violence, murder, physical torture and kidnapping will increaseThese attacks will happen to silence those who bravely raise their voices against the injustices of Munir. Maryam Nawaz Sharif and their family have spoken in favour of the real Prime Minister Imran Khan," he said. Ahmad said that during the three-and-a-half years in power, Khan wanted military to be in barracks, just like India. But in 78 years, Pakistan has been taken over by a military cartel, from Yahya Khan to Pervez Musharraf to Munir. They controlled everything economy, foreign policy and media and even control. But the Army doesnt understand civil matters." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all WHAT INTEL SOURCES SAY According to intelligence sources, Munir is desperate after a misadventure on India. Munir wants internal crises to handle backlash after Pahalgam. He also wants to control Khan. He is worried about his future because America is adamant to clear the bill on Pakistan democracy. He wants to capture Pakistan before that," they said. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: May 04, 2025, 14:34 IST Will Use Full Spectrum Of Power If...: Pakistan Envoys Nuke Threat To India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 11:03 IST Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Khalid Jamali claimed that Islamabad has credible information revealing that India is likely to plan military strikes on Pakistani territory. Pakistan's envoy to Russia Muhammad Khalid Jamali has claimed that his country will give a befitting reply to India. (X) India-Pakistan ties: Adding to a series of brazen threats amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistans ambassador to Russia has said that Islamabad could resort to its full spectrum of power", including nuclear weapons, if New Delhi disrupts attacks the neighbouring country. Speaking in an interview with Russian broadcaster RT on Saturday, Pakistans ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali claimed that Islamabad has credible information revealing that India is likely to plan military strikes on Pakistani territory. Recommended Stories There are some other leaked documents whereby it has been decided to strike certain areas of Pakistan," Jamali said, adding, So that makes us feel that this is going to happen and its imminent." NUCLEAR warning from Pakistan to IndiaDiplomat says Islamabad could use NUKES in case of war with New Delhi Pakistan will use full spectrum of power, BOTH conventional and nuclear ambassador to Russia tells RT https://t.co/iTQWdWRQlZ pic.twitter.com/LcQXKbIjD0 RT (@RT_com) May 3, 2025 Jamali asserted that the armed forces, supported by the people of Pakistan", would respond with full spectrum of power". We in Pakistan will use the full spectrum of power, both conventional and nuclear," he said. He further termed the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty as an act of war. Any attempt to usurp the water of the lower riparian, or to stop it, or to divert it would be an act of war against Pakistan and would be responded to with full force of power, including full spectrum of power," he said. Earlier Threats Several Pakistani ministers and diplomats have issued such brazen and provocative threats to India as it fears a military action by India" following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, caused by Pakistan-based and Pakistan-trained terrorists. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that the country would destroy" any structure built by India to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. India had suspended the decades-long treaty after the terror attack. Under the treaty, 80% of the Indus waters went to Pakistan, and India used 20%. Earlier, Asif had threatened an all-out war" between India and Pakistan over the issue of Kashmir. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also warned that any fresh conflict between India and Pakistan could escalate into nuclear war. Given the volatile nature of relations between Pakistan and India, it is crucial that tensions be managed before they turn into something far worse," he had said. Pakistani minister Hanif Abbasi and its envoy to the US Sheikh Rizwan have also issued both veiled and direct threats to use nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan remain high as the Pakistani Army opened small arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night, violating ceasefire for the tenth consecutive night. The Indian Army responded promptly. What Happened In Pahalgam? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack. After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches. In response, Pakistan undertook tit-for-tat measures and suspended the Shimla Agreement. 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 : Moscow, Russia First Published: May 04, 2025, 10:58 IST Missile From Yemen Lands Near Israels Ben Gurion Airport, Air Traffic Briefly Halted Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: May 04, 2025, 14:50 IST The attack temporarily halted air traffic at Israels busiest airport and triggered sirens across the country. Several people at the airport posted videos filmed on smartphones that showed a plume of black smoke clearly visible nearby. (X) A ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Sunday landed near Israels Ben Gurion Airport, authorities said, an attack that damaged road structures and briefly halted air traffic. The attack prompted the countrys busiest airport to briefly suspend flights. Trains to and from the airport were also halted and police asked the public to refrain from arriving in the area. Recommended Stories Several people at the airport posted videos that showed a plume of black smoke visible from a passenger terminal. Several videos showed smoke behind parked aircraft and airport buildings. Videos of the site also showed that the missile hit a connecting road inside the perimeter of the airport, with some debris scattered on adjacent roads. BREAKING: This is footage of a Houthi ballistic missile landing at Israels main airport just half an hour ago.Its time we unleash hell on Yemen. pic.twitter.com/sS8Ci3WJNl Vivid. (@VividProwess) May 4, 2025 Israels military said the missile landed in the airports vicinity after several attempts" at intercepting it failed, adding that the results of the interception are under review." Airport authorities said the missile had landed by a road near a Terminal 3 parking lot. The Israeli ambulance service said there were no reports of serious injuries. A man and a woman with light injuries were being taken to hospital and two people were being treated at the scene for the effects of panic. Sundays strike marks the third consecutive day of missile launches from Yemen toward Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in Yemen has repeatedly launched ballistic missiles at Israel, but this appears to be the first time one has landed near the countrys main international airport, a major breach of security at a tightly protected site. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for this attack so far. We will attack whoever attacks us sevenfold," Israel Katz, the defense minister, said in a statement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israel has carried out several strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, including the targeting of a power plant and maritime ports in January. (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 : Israel First Published: May 04, 2025, 14:33 IST Steve Chen had never been in love. Last spring though, it happened, and the 25-year-old met his first girlfriend in a way he couldn't have imagined: a livestreamed video chat. Frustrated with traditional dating and apps, Chenwho once described himself as "mutai solo," Chinese slang for "single since in the mother's womb"jumped on a new trend among young, single people in China. Those looking for love hit video chatrooms hosted by a "cyber matchmaker," all while thousands watch and comment in real time, per the AP. Single life: The number of single people in China over the age of 15 reached a record high of 240 million in 2023. Facing a plummeting birth rate and aging population, the government encouraged single people to marry and have multiple children. Last year, China's cabinet mandated that local governments build various platforms for youth to have more dating opportunities. "We should actively foster a new type of marriage and childbearing culture," President Xi Jinping said in 2023. There's been some positive movement in the US on fighting drug overdose deaths in recent years, but the war on drugs continues to rage on, particularly in some states. WalletHub looked at all 50 states and the District of Columbia to try to suss out where the problem is most prevalent, using 20 metrics in three main categories: drug use and addiction (share of kids and adults who use, overdose deaths per capita, and the like); law enforcement, meaning such gauges as drug arrests and worker drug-testing laws; and drug health issues and rehabthe availability of substance abuse treatment sites, AA and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and so on. New Mexico bubbled up as the state with the highest drug use, while Hawaiians apparently are opting to live a clean, drug-free lifestyle. The states with the most and least drug use: Around 135 cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the process of electing the new leader of the Catholic Church, and the Vatican is going into overdrive to ensure that what happens in the Sistine Chapel stays in the Sistine Chapel. As Fast Company reports, while a locked door might have sufficed in the 17th century, in the 21st century, the Church is fighting modern technology with modern technology to keep the secrets secret until the white smoke blows. The high tech we're looking at: The Vatican isn't being exactly forthcoming, so what we know is largely based on the last two papal conclaves that elected Popes Benedict (the first to ban cell phones) and Francisparticularly the latter. For any potential drones looking to take a peek in the chapel's windows, a special window film. Special floor tiles will block cellphone signals. Jamming devices high on the walls are meant to stop signals coming in or out. It would be reasonable to expect Gulf Coast shrimp on your plate when dining by the water in the South, but many restaurants are serving imports sourced from thousands of miles awaywithout lowering their prices. As Brett Anderson writes for the New York Times , a newly developed genetic test that can quickly pinpoint seafood species is revealing just how common seafood mislabeling has become. Dave Williams, a commercial fisheries scientist and founder of SEAD Consulting, has been using his test at randomly chosen restaurants in the South since late 2024 to make clear the scope of the fraud. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, only eight out of 44 restaurants tested were serving local shrimp, despite restaurant decor and menus that suggested otherwise. SEAD found a 77% fraud rate in both Wilmington, NC, and Savannah, Georgia. The article's figures don't stop there: Half the shrimp consumed in the US was sourced from the Gulf just 40 years ago; cheaper imported shrimp, mainly from Asia and South America, now make up more than 90% of the US market. It's making it increasingly impossible for American shrimpers to make a living. To wit, in 2013, Louisiana harvested 57 million pounds of white shrimp, valued at $128 million. In the last year, a nearly identical amount was worth only $54 million. And yet restaurants "are charging historically high prices for shrimp cocktails," notes Anderson. To add insult to injury, a 2020 LSU study found two-thirds of imported shrimp in Baton Rouge contained banned veterinary drugs. (Read the full article, which looks at why Louisiana is beginning to have some success with stricter enforcement of laws around menu labeling.) French officials said police rescued the father of a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur in a nighttime raid after he was taken hostage for ransom, the latest alleged criminal effort in France to extort people involved in the management of digital assets. The man was kidnapped Thursday morning in Paris, the prosecutor's office said Sunday. "The victim turned out to be the father of a man who made his fortune in cryptocurrencies, and the incident was accompanied by a ransom demand," its statement said, the AP reports, without giving their names or other specifics about their identities. Police investigators located the hostage in a house in the Essonne region south of Paris, from which he was rescued on Saturday night, the prosecutor's office said. It said he was treated for injuries but gave no details. French media reported that the alleged captors cut off one of the man's fingers. Police detained five peoplefour were in or close to the house where the man was held captive, while the fifth was at the wheel of a vehicle thought to have been used for the alleged abduction, the prosecutor's office said. It said the police investigation is looking at an array of possible criminal charges, including kidnapping "with torture or a barbaric act." In January, police said a co-founder of French crypto-wallet firm Ledger, David Balland, was also kidnapped with his wife from their home in the region of Cher of central France. Police said that they made 10 arrests and that the alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency from another of Ledger's co-founders. A raid by France's National Gendarmerie Intervention Group unit that specializes in hostage situations freed Balland the next day. The day after that brought the liberation, again by the GIGN, of his wife, found tied up in a vehicle, police said. Brazilian police said Sunday that they had thwarted a plot to detonate a bomb at Lady Gaga's concert the night before in Rio de Janeiro. The event, the biggest show of her career, drew some 2 million fans to Copacabana Beach. Rio de Janeiro's state police said they worked with the Justice Ministry to disrupt an attack planned by a group that was spreading hate speech against the LGBTQ community. Police said the group sought to radicalize and recruit teenagers to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives, the AP reports. A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international airport on Sunday after its impact on open ground within the perimeter left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. Israel's military said several attempts to intercept the Houthis' missile were unsuccessful. It left a crater near Ben-Gurion International Airport's access road. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover in footage shared by Israeli media, the AP reports. Officials said air, road, and rail traffic were halted for about an hour. Israel's paramedic service reported that four people were lightly wounded. Israel's army confirmed this was the first time a missile struck the airport grounds since the war against Hamas began, though fragments of missiles or interceptors have struck nearby. The Houthis, who said they fired a hypersonic ballistic missile, have targeted Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were to vote on whether to intensify military operations in Gaza. The army began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation, officials said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would respond to the Houthi attack "at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters." Six months after its presidential election was thrown out over accusations of Russian interference favoring the far-right winner, Romania held a rerun on Sunday. Russia's presence was felt again, Politico Europe reports, when hacker groups hit government and candidate websites while voting was being held. The election is a test of the influence of the President Trump-style nationalism, per Reuters : The leader in exit polls, George Simion, is critical of the EU, opposes aid to Ukraine, and says he's in sync with the MAGA movement. Simion, the new right-wing candidate, was running at better than 30% in the exit polls, with two centristsformer senator Crin Antonescu and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Danpulling just over 20%. If no candidate receives more than half of the vote, which appears nearly certain, the top two will meet in a runoff on May 18. "This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory of Romanian dignity," Simion said after the exit polls were announced. "It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country." Calin Georgescu won the December election but was barred from running again. He went to the polls on Sunday with Simion, his replacement. "George Simion equals Calin Georgescu, he gets my vote," said a retiree. Political analysts warn Simion's election could isolate Romania and destabilize NATO's eastern flank, where neighboring Ukraine is fighting off a Russian invasion. The sites attacked Sunday included those of Antonescu and Dan, local media reported. The hackers claimed responsibility for the denial of service attacks on Telegram, per Politico, and the government said all of the sites were back up by mid-afternoon. Trains came to a halt, cars pulled to the side of the road, and no planes arrived or departed in the Netherlands for two minutes on Sunday, as the country went silent to remember victims of war. Thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam to watch as Dutch King Willem-Alexander laid a wreath at a war memorial, 80 years and a day since the country was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945. The first speaker during the nationally televised event was 14-year-old Marijn van der Wilk, who read a poem he wrote about resistance during the war. "They were brothers, sisters, neighbors. Just people, like you or me. In a time when doing good could be life-threatening. And yet they did it," he said. Prime Minister Dick Schoof discussed the grief his family felt over the death of his grandfather, who was executed by Nazi soldiers for his work in the resistance. "On this day, in the two minutes of silence, that echo sounds extra loud. When we think of all the people who were murdered for who they were. Who died of hunger or exhaustion. Or who fought for peace and freedom. Our peace and freedom," Schoof said. The national day of commemoration, at which flags fly at half-staff throughout the country, honors military personnel and civilians killed in conflicts around the world since the outbreak of World War II. It is followed Monday by celebrations to mark the country's liberation from Nazi German occupation at the end of the war. Not everyplace in the country observed the remembrance, per the AP. Some predominantly Christian areas honored the dead on Saturday, as to not disrupt the Sunday sabbath. In The Hague, a few hundred people gathered for an alternative commemoration. A group of civil servants organized an event to remember all victims of conflict, frustrated with the Dutch government's response to the attacks on Gaza. Later Sunday evening, two veterans will light a Liberation Fire to launch a day of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of German occupation of the Netherlands. Mervyn Kersh, a 100-year-old veteran from Britain, and Nick Janicki, 101, from Canada, will light the flame in Wageningen, where German officers signed the official surrender in 1945. The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. May 04 (Japanese Food Craftsman) - He was homeless for 10 years and through hard work build Okinawa's #1 favorite hamburger joint and a favorite of the local military personal stationed in Okinawa. Having fled an abusive home at the age of 8, he spent a decade homeless from 15 to 25, surviving on scraps, going days without food, and suffering physical hardship that included losing all his fingernails due to extreme sunburn. Despite this, he always dreamed of having a family and building a life filled with purpose. Today, his humble stand is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Every customer is greeted with enthusiasmWelcome back, dear customer!and given detailed, hands-on guidance for ordering. He prioritizes cleanliness in the kitchen, ensures food safety, and remembers regulars preferences with care. Locals and tourists alike return not just for the food, but for the genuine conversations and gestures of kindness they receive. Beyond running a business, he works with volunteers to feed children in orphanages and the elderly in Naha Park. Any profits go toward helping those in need. He and his wife buy tables for local grandmothers, hand out popsicles to kids, and quietly support single mothers. He believes that if someone is clearly struggling, you helpthats a given. Originally from Louisiana, he came to Japan 35 years ago. At first, he admits, he was arrogant and selfish. A young Japanese persons blunt words changed his perspective, pushing him to study the language and embrace Japanese values. Since then, Japan has become his home. While he still faces discrimination, especially from mainlanders who call him a foreigner, he remains committed to his adopted community. He values the relationships hes built, especially with neighborhood children who call him Uncle as they pass his stand. He doesnt see himself as kind or strongjust someone who understands what hardship feels like. That understanding fuels his mission: to serve others not for money, but for dignity, connection, and love. 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 this weekend. 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: Today to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. Additional information: Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### 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. YAMAGATA, Japan - People seeking to melt away their stress at one of Japan's famous hot springs are instead finding themselves immersed in throngs of tourists and cars jamming the streets. Ginzan Onsen has become such a hotspot that it has begun restricting visitors amid concerns about overtourism. Once a busy silver mine, and later acclaimed for its Western-style wooden inns, Ginzan Onsen in northeastern Japan's Yamagata Prefecture is now struggling with being too popular. The influx of selfie-seeking tourists has led to serious overcrowding. The community wants to protect its cultural heritage and architecture from the Taisho period (1912-1926), when nostalgia for Japanese tradition grew amid rapid societal change and Westernization. Fans liken the quaint, snow-covered townscape to the hidden "swordsmith village" in the popular manga "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," which debuted in 2016. It's also known as a filming location for the 1980s NHK television drama series "Oshin," and it may have inspired scenes in the 2001 hit animated fantasy film "Spirited Away." Ginzan Onsen, which literally means "silver mine hot spring," grew due to the mining and production of silver, primarily in the Edo Period (1603-1868). After mining declined in the Meiji era (1868-1912), the town transitioned to hot spring tourism by building several resorts and ryokan along the river in the early 20th century. According to the city of Obanazawa, some 334,000 tourists visited the 13 ryokan and restaurants in Ginzan Onsen in fiscal 2023 -- about 25 times its population of approximately 13,000. Foreign tourists accounted for some 20,000 of these visitors, and the number is expected to increase. Challenges such as congestion, in particular, have caused headaches for locals. On the one road leading into the resort, cars are often caught in traffic jams, sometimes blocking the passage of emergency vehicles. Visitors flood the narrow alleyways, and crowds gather at photo spots. Locals complain of having to clean up after foreign tourists who leave a mess. For the first time ever, the city and the hot springs association collaborated to implement admission restrictions for day-trippers from December 2024 to February of this year. Visitors were required to leave their vehicles at the tourist information center, about 1 kilometer from the resort, and ride a paid shuttle bus the rest of the way. Tickets to the onsen district had to be purchased in advance, and the number of visitors at the resort was limited to about 100 per hour from early evening to night. On one day in February, tourists were soaking in footbaths and munching on Ginzan's famous curry buns. As the sun set, gaslights lit up the boulevard, creating a magical atmosphere. "I have come here many times to see the snowy scenery," said a 53-year-old man visiting from Taiwan. Many welcome the limits on tourism. Mitsutoshi Terauchi, 75, from the central Japan city of Hamamatsu, said he was glad he and his wife could take their time sightseeing without massive crowds. With a record number of foreign tourists visiting Japan last year and overtourism countermeasures under consideration at popular tourist spots nationwide, Ginzan's conservationists are watching closely to see whether the new measures will preserve the serenity of the cherished hot spring resort. They have improved congestion, officials say. Based on a survey of visitors for about two weeks through January, road congestion dropped compared to previous years. Only 43 percent of day-trippers felt that the hot spring resort was crowded. Moreover, 95 percent of respondents supported the admission restrictions, saying they were "acceptable" or "unavoidable." However, there was an unexpected loophole. Just before early evening, when paid admissions to the hot spring area began, many tourists gathered in advance to slip in before being charged, in effect causing the area to become even more crowded. "We have found some new issues to deal with," said Eiji Wakimoto, 46, head of the hot spring association. "We will continue to make corrections and aim for an improved format." Officials are considering implementing the visitor limits throughout the year. "The main purpose is to control congestion and prevent accidents and trouble," said Kentaro Koseki, 41, who runs a long-established ryokan. He also believes it is important to preserve the town's atmosphere. "I want people to spend a quiet time in Ginzan Onsen, where you can even hear the snow falling," he said. Related coverage: Japanese-style inn operator eyes U.S. expansion after N.Y. listing Hoshino Resorts to open Japanese-style hot spring inn in New York state FEATURE: Condemned manor house gets reprieve as important cultural property Teachers can find several deals and freebies on food during Teacher Appreciation Week. Canva/Katherine Rodriguez Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is May 5-9. The origins of Teacher Appreciation week started in the early 1940s, when Mattye Whyte Woodridge, a teacher from Arkansas, lobbied political and educational leaders to advocate for a day that honored teachers, according to the nonprofit TCEA. Eventually, the idea reached First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and she pushed Congress to create a National Teacher Day in 1953. READ MORE: Stanley just revealed a secret 40% discount for Teacher Appreciation Week: Heres how to get it However, there was no consistent national observance of the day until the 1980s, when the National Education Association lobbied Congress to recognize National Teacher Day as a yearly event. In 1984, another group called the National Parent Teacher Association decided to extend the celebration, and it was designated to honor teachers in the first week of May ever since. Fast forward to the present, and youll find that many businesses use the celebration to honor teachers for their hard work by offering freebies and deals. Here is what you need to know about the restaurants and shops offering freebies and deals all week. The dates of the exact deals and freebies can vary by location. Most places usually require teachers to show a school ID to participate, so it is best to check with your local store on promotions. Teacher Appreciation Week Deals & Freebies 2025 Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers get 20% off orders during Teacher Appreciation Week. This deal is available for dine-in and takeout orders when teachers show their school ID. Burger King: Teachers who show their ID can get free fries with any purchase. Chipotle: Chipotle is giving away $1 million in free Chipotle entrees to teachers. All teachers have to do is enter their name and email for the chance at a free Chipotle e-Card that will have a promo code to redeem for a free entree. Freddys Frozen Custard: Teachers can get a free mini sundae when they show a valid school ID. Insomnia Cookies: Teachers can get a free Classic cookie from May 5-9 when they shop in-store. No purchase is necessary for this deal, but teachers must show valid ID. Potbelly Sandwich Shop: From May 5 through May 11, teachers can get a free cookie or regular-sized soft drink when they buy an entree. Must show ID to redeem the free cookie or drink. Shake Shack: Show your work ID badge and enjoy a hand-spun shake when you order during Teacher Appreciation Week. Sonic: Teachers enrolled in Sonics Teachers Circle Rewards program will get access to rewards on food from May 5-9 when they order online or from the Sonic App. Teachers and faculty must get verified before May 5 to receive the deals. Tim Hortons: If youre a Tim Hortons rewards member, you can buy one donut and get one free or buy 12 donuts and get six free. 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. The New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) is offering a range of summer internship programs for students in grades 3 through 12 who are interested in exploring careers in cybersecurity. Applications for all programs are due by 5 p.m. on May 9. For middle school students in grades 6 to 8, the 2025 NJCCIC Middle School Summer Cyber Safety Cadet Program will be held remotely from July 23 to 25, from noon to 3 p.m. each day. Participants will learn about the field of cybersecurity and how to spread awareness about its importance. Selection criteria include being a current New Jersey school student in grades 6 to 8 for the 2025/2026 academic year, having an interest in cybersecurity, submitting an application by May 9, and obtaining parent/guardian consent. Elementary school students in grades 3 to 5 can participate in the 2025 NJCCIC Cyber Safety Patrol Program, which will be held remotely on July 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn about cybersecurity and how to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe online. To register a child, click here. Selection criteria are similar to the middle school program, but for students in grades 3 to 5. To register a child, click here. High school students have two options for summer internships. The High School Cybersecurity Basics Internship Program is a one-week virtual program from July 14 to 18, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions. To register for the Basics Internship, click here. The High School Advanced Cybersecurity Internship Program is for students with prior cybersecurity experience and runs from July 21 to October 2025, with meetings on Mondays at 10 a.m. until Aug. 25, and September and October meeting times to be determined. To register for the Advanced Program, click here. Selection criteria for both high school programs include being a current New Jersey high school student in grades 9 to 12 for the 2025/2026 academic year, having an interest in cybersecurity, submitting an application by May 9, and providing a letter of support from a parent, guardian, mentor, or teacher. For the advanced internship, students must also demonstrate prior cybersecurity experience or participation in a previous NJCCIC internship. * * * Submit Middlesex County community news to middlesex@njadvancemedia.com. Questions about this post may be directed to Linda OBrien at lobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. Gov. Phil Murphy blasted the recent rash of flight delays at Newark Liberty International Airport in a post on X Saturday night, calling the disruptions completely and utterly unacceptable and advocating for a reversal in staffing declines at the Federal Aviation Administration. The governors post was in a response to recent reports about a major shortage of air traffic controllers that has caused dozens of flight disruptions at Newark Airport, one of the nations busiest airports. Officials have voiced concerns the flight disruptions could last for weeks. The flight delays and cancellations over the past few days at @EWRairport have been completely and utterly unacceptable, Murphy posted on X. I know @SecDuffy is committed to addressing our nationwide air traffic controller shortage by supercharging hiring. The past few days have shown us exactly why we need to reverse the decades of staffing decline at the FAA. The flight delays and cancellations over the past few days at @EWRairport have been completely and utterly unacceptable. I know @SecDuffy is committed to addressing our nationwide air traffic controller shortage by supercharging hiring. The past few days have shown us exactly https://t.co/cEUkWlV2dJ Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 4, 2025 Hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed at Newark airport Monday due to a staffing issue, authorities said, and the issues persisted into the evening. An equipment and telecommunications outage at the airports troubled air traffic control center in Philadelphia was blamed for the issue. The FAA issued a two-hour ground stop, causing hundreds of flights around the country to be canceled or delayed. The outage was fixed by Monday afternoon. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the problem compounded as 20% of air traffic controllers walked off the job later in the week. United then announced Friday it was cutting nearly three dozen round-trip flights from its daily schedule in and out of Newark starting this weekend. Kirby attributed the decision to Newarks continuing air traffic control staffing issue, as well as the technological problems that snarled airport operations this week. Its disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers, Kirby said. NJ Advance Media staff writer A.J. McDougall contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please consider subscribing to NJ.com. Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook. You will need a Real ID card in order to fly domestically in the United States beginning on May 7, 2025. Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance Going to the airport for a domestic flight Wednesday? May 7 is the start of enforcement of the federal Real ID act, intended to combat the security lapses that let the 9/11 terrorists board airplanes in 2001. What is Real ID? By Jennifer M. Coffey We just closed a month of celebrations for Earth Day and I am outraged. Members of New Jerseys congressional delegation and the state Legislature have engaged in peddling the obvious delusion that New Jersey can escape the devastating toll on our economy, environment, and the very safety of residents impacted by the climate crisis by ignoring science. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., has asked the Trump administration to interfere with New Jerseys right and responsibility to protect the livelihood and very lives of residents. Members of the Legislature promoted scientific skepticism and outright denied climate facts as they questioned New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette during budget proceedings in April. The controversy is all over a set of proposed regulations named NJPACT REAL New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats, Resilient Environments and Landscapes. These rules are designed to keep people from drowning to death in their homes just as 25 New Jerseyans died in Hurricane Ida. More than 15 years ago, I met with scientists and policy experts asking the same question: How can we accurately predict the flooding that we know is going to happen so that we can write regulations that build new homes and businesses in ways that are more resilient and protect public health and safety? It took more than a decade, increased computing horsepower, and enhanced models such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Atlas 14, but we did it. We now have data and modeling that analyze the collapsing Arctic vortex (thats why we sometimes get Arctic blasts in New Jersey now) and the collapsing Gulf Stream ocean current that holds major influence over weather on the East Coast of the U.S. and West Coast of Europe. We now have a very accurate understanding of the increase of both precipitation and sea level rise for New Jersey through the year 2100. The NJPACT REAL regulations simply require new development and redevelopment standards to prepare for the flooding that is happening and that we know will happen through the year 2100. The NJPACT REAL rules will require that new development be elevated above the areas that will flood. States like Florida have already passed similar regulations. When Van Drew and local lawmakers come wielding false accusations about the validity of the science and emotional appeals crying financial hardship for millionaire and billionaire friends saying that these rules will cost too much money they are asking everyday New Jerseyans to put their very lives and livelihoods on the line for other peoples profits. When elected officials cast doubt on the science, its either because they dont understand it or they want to ignore it. The truth of the matter is: New Jersey experiences a $1 billion weather event on average every 32 weeks. From 1980 to 2024 (as of Sept. 10, 2024), there have been 72 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in damages each to affect New Jersey communities, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. New Jersey residents know we have flooding problems. The NJPACT REAL rules are a commonsense approach that says we simply need to build new development above and out of the way of flooding. The data that informs the flood elevation levels in the NJPACT REAL rules are moderate rather than an extreme approach as Rep. Van Drew claims. What he doesnt understand or rather doesnt want you to understand is that the extreme scenario for climate flooding impacts New Jersey predicts nine feet of sea level rise, and NJPACT REAL takes a moderate approach and plans for five feet. Climate change is not a belief system. Its science. Now is the time we in New Jersey need to activate our resistance to the anti-science agenda. Gov. Phil Murphy needs to stand up and fight back. New Jersey needs the NJPACT REAL rules to save lives. We need the NJPACT REAL rules so we can be both Jersey strong and Jersey smart. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster. Jennifer M. Coffey is executive director for the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she forcefully rebuffed President Donald Trump on a suggestion that U.S. troops help Mexico on Mexican soil. (AP Photo | Marco Ugarte, File) AP Then again, what would you expect from an American president who has no clue about history or foreign affair norms or territorial sovereignty? Who embraces enemies and insults and alienates allies? Donald Trump, who has all but signaled to Russia to take what it wants in Ukraine while threatening Canada, Greenland and Panama with occupation, wanted to send American armed forces into Mexico you know, to help those inept Mexican officials. No thanks, said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. This is Trumps second recent high-level smackdown. Last week, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said Trump retreated from comments of making Canada the 51st state when the two spoke. Trumps tough talk on Canada, it seems, is only bluster that he cant muster in person. Sheinbaun said Saturday that she had declined an offer by Trump to send troops to fight drug cartels on Mexican territory. Speaking during a public university inauguration in Texcoco, Sheinbaum confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that Trump had made the offer saying it was mentioned during some of the calls the two have shared. He said: How can we help you to fight against drug trafficking? I propose that the U.S. Army come in to help you. And do you know what I told him? No, President Trump. The territory is inviolable. Sovereignty is inviolable. Sovereignty cannot be sold. Sovereignty is cherished and defended, Sheinbaum said. She added: Its not necessary. We can collaborate, we can work together, but you on your territory, and we on ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the US Army on our territory. According to WSJ.com: Tension rose toward the end of a 45-minute telephone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on April 16 when Trump pushed to have U.S. armed forces take a leading role in battling Mexican drug gangs that produce and smuggle fentanyl to the U.S., the people said. Sheinbaum told Trump her administration would cooperate on matters such as intelligence sharing but not accept a direct military presence, the people added. Trump has said publicly that the U.S. would take unilateral action if Mexico doesnt dismantle cartels. Mexico is very, very afraid of the cartels, Trump told the Spanish-language network of Fox News shortly after the April 16 conversation. We want to help her. We want to help Mexico, because you cant run a country like that. You just cant. Trump and Sheinbaum have said their call was productive. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said robust bilateral cooperation is delivering results and creating a historically secure border. But Mexico still must do more to protect Americans from dangerous foreign terrorist organizations and the drugs and violence they flood into communities on both sides of the border, she said. This isnt the first time Sheinbaum has beaten Trump. Trump walked back his tariff threat against Mexico last month after he said he had a friendly conversation with Sheinbaum. He announced that he would be imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on China. Trump said that Sheinbum would immediately supply 10,000 Mexican soldiers on the southern border between the two countries that will be tasked to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. He also said the agreement included pausing the antiquated tariffs for a one-month period as the two countries negotiate a deal. But multiple pundits pointed out Monday that Trump may have been outfoxed by Sheinbaum, noting that former President Joe Biden secured the same deal at the beginning of his term without the tariffs. President Biden got this exact deal -- 10,000 troops deployed to the border -- at the start of his term without tanking the market, Democratic strategist Zac Petkanas wrote on social media platform X. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan's child population falls for 44th straight yr to new record TOKYO - Japan's estimated child population has shrunk for the 44th straight year to a new record low, government data showed Sunday, as the country struggles to reverse the declining trend of births. The number of children under 15, including foreign residents, was 13.66 million as of April 1, down 350,000 from a year ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications before the national Children's Day holiday on Monday. ---------- Japan, Sri Lanka agree to enhance cooperation of defense forces COLOMBO - Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Sri Lankan Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation between their countries' defense forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani's visit to Sri Lanka, the second by a Japanese defense minister, underscores the importance Japan places on ties with the island nation, which sits along key shipping lanes, amid China's growing economic and military influence in the region. ---------- China rebuts Japan's assertion of airspace intrusion near Senkakus BEIJING - China on Sunday rejected Japan's claim that a Chinese coast guard helicopter entered its airspace near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea the previous day, instead blaming the incident on the activities of a Japanese civilian aircraft at the time. Liu Jinsong, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, lodged a protest with Akira Yokochi, chief minister at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, over what he called the "intrusion of Japan's right-wing civilian aircraft" into the airspace over the Senkaku Islands. The islets are administered by Japan but claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu. ---------- Xi to visit Russia from May 7 to attend WWII Victory Day ceremony BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia for four days starting Wednesday to attend a ceremony in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which Russia observes as Victory Day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Sunday. Xi will engage in "strategic communication" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invited him to the war anniversary event next Friday, on the development of bilateral ties and major international and regional issues, the ministry said. ---------- Over half of major Japanese firms not using AI in hiring: survey TOKYO - More than half of major Japanese companies do not use artificial intelligence in recruiting fresh graduates, a recent Kyodo News survey showed, highlighting a cautious stance toward relying on AI for hiring despite its growing use in the workplace. Of the 117 companies surveyed across various industries, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., 64 said they do not use AI in recruitment, while 36 reported using it in some form, with 19 citing application form analysis as the most common use. ---------- Rugby: Eagles drop out of playoff contention with loss to Steelers TOKYO - The Yokohama Eagles' slim hopes of a Japan Rugby League One playoff berth flickered out Sunday with a 47-29 loss to the Kobe Steelers. Starting the day in seventh place, head coach Keisuke Sawaki's Eagles needed a bonus-point win to keep alive their bid for a place in the playoffs involving the top six regular-season sides. ---------- Baseball: Reyes, Fighters stop Lions' winning streak at 6 KITAHIROSHIMA, Japan - Franmil Reyes homered and drove in all three runs for the Nippon Ham Fighters as they beat the Seibu Lions 3-2 on Sunday, halting the visiting side's season-best winning streak at six games. Reyes hit his fifth home run of the season with one runner on in the opening frame and had an RBI double to push the Fighters' lead to 3-1 in the third inning at Es Con Field Hokkaido near Sapporo. ---------- Boxing: Inoue reveals plan to win 5th division ahead of Cardenas bout LAS VEGAS - Japan's undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue revealed plans to conquer a fifth weight division Saturday on the eve of his world title defense against American Ramon Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Inoue and 29-year-old Cardenas briefly faced off after both cleared the 122-pound (55.3-kilogram) limit at a flashy weigh-in ceremony conducted in front of around 200 fans. Video: "Awa Odori" dance event at the 2025 World Expo The Get Down Your weekly go-to show for all things happening in New Orleans. BEIJING - China on Sunday rejected Japan's claim that a Chinese coast guard helicopter entered its airspace near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea the previous day, instead blaming the incident on the activities of a Japanese civilian aircraft at the time. Liu Jinsong, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, lodged a protest with Akira Yokochi, chief minister at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, over what he called the "intrusion of a civilian aircraft operated by Japan's right-winger" into the airspace over the islands. The Senkakus are administered by Japan but claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu. Liu urged Japan to "immediately stop illegal activities" and "take concrete measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. According to the Japanese embassy, the exchanges between Liu and Yokochi were held over the phone. In response, Yokochi reiterated Tokyo's protest over the violation of Japanese airspace by a helicopter from a China Coast Guard ship, strongly demanding measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again, the Japanese embassy said. According to the Japanese Defense Ministry and coast guard authorities, the helicopter took off from one of the four Chinese coast guard ships that entered Japan's territorial waters around the uninhabited Senkaku islets on Saturday afternoon. Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels spotted the helicopter flying above the territorial waters for about 15 minutes, prompting the Air Self-Defense Force to scramble two jet fighters, according to the defense ministry. The ministry is looking into any possible connection to a small Japanese civilian aircraft that was flying in the area around the same time. Saturday's incident marked China's fourth intrusion into Japanese airspace, three of which occurred near the Senkaku Islands, according to the Japanese ministry. Liu told Yokochi that China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the Chinese ministry said. Senior Col. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China's Defense Ministry, said Sunday in a statement that its coast guard's action to drive away the civilian aircraft was "completely legitimate and legal." "China urges the Japanese side to strictly restrain its citizens' activities and stop provocative acts that complicate the situation" in the sea and airspace around the islets, Zhang said. Related coverage: China Coast Guard helicopter enters Japan airspace off Senkakus Japan defense vessels stop at China-funded naval base in Cambodia U.S. forces to deploy large reconnaissance drones in Japan's Okinawa A community project in North Devon which brings together independent businesses, artists and musicians is celebrating its 10th anniversary and its founder expects this years events to be better than ever. Connect and Create began in 2015, the brainchild of Chay West, owner of The Cove retro clothing store in Barnstaple. It is now one of the biggest independent events in North Devon, and its spring event, Blossom, took place in the town at the Pannier Market on Sunday, April 27, with a further event in May. Chay explained: I thought there was a gap in the market and that we needed to build a bit of a network with small businesses and independents. So I just took it upon myself to try and acquire the market for a day and see how we could put on a collective of small businesses, which marked the first Connect and Create, in 2015. Fast forward 10 years, which is obviously the anniversary year this year, and I think we're on about our 16th Connect and Create Festival. During this time, Connect and Create has showcased nearly 600 small businesses and independents. The events are designed to provide a platform and network for small businesses, creatives and musicians, so that they can both support each other and reach a wider audience. The emphasis is on traders who create their own products, rather than just buying in items and selling them on. So far, creative people aged as young as nine have taken part, selling craft items of their own creation. Chay adds: I give free spots for youngsters, just to give them a bit of an avenue into the independent world. So that's been really cool to see. We've got so many different demographics coming on board with it because of that. There's a wide spectrum of people who are doing it. This latest festival will offer a wide range of crafts from illustrators, clothing and jewellery through to homewares. There will also be street food, drinks, and a live music stage in what was formerly the Rabbit Hole courtyard behind the Pannier Market, run in partnership with the Pickwell Foundation, (the North Devon-based charity which supports displaced people and refugees). More than 160 creatives signed up to take part in the two-part Blossom event, a record entry, and later in the year there will also be Nirvana, a two-part summer event in August, and autumn/winter events which will be called Invierno, (Spanish for winter). Connect and Create will also have a presence at Oceanfest, the music, surf and lifestyle festival taking place at Croyde. This is the second time the festival has hosted a marketplace area, with an expanded presence this year. Its great to see that there's so many different things happening throughout the North Devon area, says Chay. And for me, its another opportunity for the traders and creatives to take part in something. We're also starting the Connect and Create Flea Markets this year as well. These will begin in the summer, and are small-scale events happening outside. We'll be taking them all across North Devon. There'll be a number of events happening, probably from July through to September. Chay says that small independent traders in North Devon can face particular challenges, one of which is exposure. I think there's always that struggle with getting the right promotion out. And whether that is having areas where we can actually promote ourselves, that would be a massive start, to build maybe an area where people can have that advertising space, which seems to be lacking throughout North Devon. Social media is a massive tool right now, and it's helped me build my business, but it can only take you so far within that side of things. Indeed Connect and Create was conceived to address that need for exposure, and in turn help give small traders in North Devon opportunities similar to those in Bristol and Exeter. A new innovation at last years Connect and Create events was the Gold Standard award. The winning trader receives a certificate, and a free stall at the next event. Ive just seen the winners we picked last year, and they've stepped up in how they've pushed their own businesses, says Chay. It was just a massive confidence booster. And I look into each individual and try to pick people who I feel probably need that bit of a push. I feel like we have seen a lot of people flourish after these events. Thousands of people are expected to visit the two Blossom events, which it is hoped will benefit not only the stallholders taking part but also neighbouring businesses, such as the independent shops in Butchers Row. Looking to the future, Chay has ambitions to broaden the event, possibly at an outdoor venue, although this would need much broader support. You want it to be a thriving hub of culture. I feel because we've got a modern approach on how we do things, whether that be the branding, the way we look after people, the look of our festivals, the style of it, I feel like we've probably got a little bit more of a head start than others right now. And the fact that we've been doing it for 10 years. I feel like we've got a body of work to showcase. BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia for four days starting Wednesday to attend a ceremony in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which Russia observes as Victory Day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Sunday. Xi will engage in "strategic communication" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invited him to the war anniversary event next Friday, on the development of bilateral ties and major international and regional issues, the ministry said. The ceremony will commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in what Moscow calls the Great Patriotic War. Xi and Putin are expected to sign a number of bilateral accords during the Chinese president's visit, Russia's Tass news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying. On Sept. 3, China will hold an event to mark the 80th anniversary of what it calls its victory in the 1937-1945 War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Xi and Putin have agreed that they will jointly remember history and safeguard the achievements of World War II victory, the postwar international order, international fairness and justice, the ministry said. Russia and China have been strengthening their ties in recent years, with Beijing opposing Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022. In 2024, the two leaders met in person three times. Related coverage: China eyes teaming up with Japan, South Korea to denuclearize North Korea Putin agrees to halt Ukraine energy site strikes but no cease-fire Public radio and television stations across Indiana, including Lakeshore Public Media in Merrillville, are reeling after state lawmakers abruptly cut funding from the state budget at the end of the recent legislative session. The cut, one of the wide-ranging reductions prompted by a forecast that showed sharply declining state tax revenue, came amidst talk in Washington of eliminating federal funding for the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio. Lakeshore Public Media faces a steep cut of about 30% of its annual operating budget as a result of the recently passed biennial state budget, President and CEO Chuck Roberts said. It's been cutting costs, including reducing services and renegotiating contracts. "Lakeshore Public Media faces serious financial challenges," Roberts said. "Rising costs, including a 20% increase in PBS dues, have forced the organization to look for new sources to maintain operations. Lakeshore Public Media is actively pursuing collaboration grants, corporate sponsorship opportunities and support from our community foundations to ensure continued services while investing in community relationships and content that highlight the Regions diversity, culture and local pride." The 17 public broadcasters across the Hoosier State are largely funded through pledge drive donations, charitable giving, grants and sponsorships but are also given state and federal funding. PBS television stations and NPR affiliates across Indiana have been receiving $3.675 million per year in state support. Earlier in the legislative session, Indiana lawmakers approved the normal amount of funding for the public broadcasters, which collectively reach an estimated 95% of the state. But when confronted with a projected $2.4 billion budget shortfall, the legislature zeroed out all state funding for public broadcasting stations for 2026 and 2027 amongst a variety of other cuts, offset to some degree by an increase in the state cigarette tax. Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations Executive Director Mark Newman warns the cuts will take a toll, including potential loss of children's educational programming, community news and programming that allows artists and historians to share the state's cultural heritage. Moreover, Newman warned it would mean fewer resources to broadcast public safety information, such as emergency alerts. This is not just a line item cut, Newman said. This decision has real consequences for our ability to provide timely local news, life-saving emergency alerts and proven educational content that supports children, families and seniors across Indiana. It will affect Lakeshore Public Media, which has broadcast a PBS affiliate on WYIN Channel 56 since 1987 and an NPR affiliate since 2009. It's the only over-the-air television station in Northwest Indiana, which is part of the larger Chicago market. "Lakeshore has expanded our local efforts tremendously over the last 18 months with the creation of several new local productions, the launching of new local resources and the coordination of numerous local events," Roberts said. "We have invested in a Lakeshore mobile app and launched initiatives like the Volunteer Hub. This hub is for individuals and non-profits who are looking for opportunities to get involved and give back to their community. Its a central place to go to find volunteer opportunities and be alerted when new opportunities arise. Not to mention, Building Blocks is an early childhood development project that is dedicated to exploring the science of early childhood development, addressing challenges faced by mothers and families with young children and identifying resources that are available to all caregivers, underscoring our role as both media provider and community resource." Public broadcasting stations across the state are now putting together plans for how to adapt. Newman said the cuts would result in less stability for local media stations who could be forced to cut staff or look at mergers. "It was a complete surprise when it happened," Newman said. "(Continued funding) was in the budget plan and passed unamended through the House and the Senate. Everything seemed to be fine. Then they released the revenue forecast and it showed a $2.4 billion projected gap. We still thought we were in fine shape and didn't have much reason for concern. We had no prior indication or advanced warning of what would happen. We didn't even get to talk about it." With larger stations like WFYI in Indianapolis, the state funding amounts to less than 5% of the budget. "It can be significantly more with smaller stations like Lakeshore Public Media," Newman said. The state has nine public radio stations and eight public television stations. The NPR affiliates each share the funding equally. Television stations are more expensive to operate and have a formula for sharing so the exact amount varies from station to station. "The impact will be felt," Newman said. "Stations have relied on that funding for many, many years. They will have to figure out ways to fill that gap. It could include cost-cutting or finding other sources of revenue." The hope is that public broadcasters will be able to preserve jobs, Newman said. "Public service media are nonprofits not designed to generate large profits like commercial enterprises," he said. "They're there to serve the public good. It's conceivable there could be job cuts, but stations will consider other ways they could possibly cut costs. The hope is that no jobs are lost and there's some other path forward. There are smart people leading our stations." The cuts could affect the ability to produce local programming, Newman said. Lakeshore Public Television produces local shows like "Eye on the Arts," "Friends and Neighbors," "Building Blocks" and "Lakeshore Classic Movies." Lakeshore Public Radio puts out shows like "Regionally Speaking," "Game Night," "Midwest Beat," "Midwest Beat Blues," "Sundays with Shep" and "Let's Eat With Chef Nick." "The impact will depend on the station, but they could produce less local programming," he said. "They may utilize more programming with national distribution or rerun old programming than potentially program new documentaries." Most stations will likely keep popular programs like "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!," "Austin City Limits," "All Things Considered," "Frontline," "American Experience" and "PBS Newshour." "Our station managers understand what programs are popular and are really sensitive to the needs, interests and desires of the listening and viewing audience," Newman said. "Super popular shows audiences have grown accustomed to likely would stay on the schedule." But federal funding is also at risk. Stations will have to scramble to close the gaps, such as potentially by restructuring, merging or joining forces with nearby stations, he said. "It's important to keep public medias on the air," Newman said. "The stations are here to serve the public with local and trusted journalism. The 'Building Blocks' program in your region of the state is a crucial lifeline for raising young children." Previously, the average Indiana resident paid 53 cents a year to support public media. The hope is that funding will be restored in future years, Newman said. "They had to identify cost savings and made some tough decisions," he said. "It was presented to us as a fiscal decision. We want to make it clear that this is not just quality of life. It's necessary for many people around the state." Hoosiers living in rural areas could be most affected, Newman said. "Our state is composed of rural communities and many are information deserts," he said. "We're the only source of information and the lifeline in many of those less populous areas." The hospitality giant Bruce White left a lasting impact on Northwest Indiana and the nation. White founded White Lodging, became Marriott's largest franchisee and built more than 225 hotels, including 30-story tall skyscrapers that changed skylines. He built hotels in Chicago, Indianapolis, Austin, San Antonio, Louisville, Denver and Charlotte. Many are landmarks, like the Big Blue in Indianapolis, which was the largest JW Marriott in the world when it was built and that saved Indy's Super Bowl bid by ensuring Indiana's capital city had enough hotel capacity downtown. White died at the age of 70 in 2023. Hes being inducted posthumously into the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame. Bruce White was an amazingly successful business leader, said Bill Hanna, executive director of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. He was one of those guys who was filled with a comprehensive view of life that transcends what you know. I learned so much from him. White often repeated the catchphrase, Be a learner. Be a leader. Be a friend. He was always learning in every environment he was in, Hanna said. He was leaving things that were bigger than him. He wanted to have a multiplier with everything he did, so it would have an impact that went beyond business. Weve tried to bring along the mindset with all of our efforts with his philanthropic foundation. A focus on hard work and excellence White was the son of billionaire Dean White, who built a national billboard and hotel empire. Bruce White built his own national hospitality business, which grew from 25 hotels in 1995 to more than 100 properties by 2004. In 2006, he opened the first dual-branded hotel in the United States, a combination Courtyard and Residence Inn in downtown Austin, according to the forthcoming Mike Rowe-narrated biographical documentary "Bruce: Begin with the End in Mind." In 2013, White opened the first tri-branded hotel: an Aloft, Hyatt Place and Fairfield Inn and Suites in Chicago. That year, White Lodging also built a JW Marriott in Austin that surpassed the Indianapolis hotel and became the largest in the world. He was a big name in hospitality and the Marriott family. He developed this company White Lodging and built it from the ground up, Big Shoulders Fund Executive Director Dan Kozlowski said. People who dont know the story of the White family just assumed that he inherited a bunch of money. He actually built something that didnt exist. He did that himself. It was incredible. He built something from nothing. He built a hospitality empire and that story needs to be told. White was a successful entrepreneur who hailed from a family of entrepreneurs, Kozlowski said. His family was certainly generous to the area. His entire family is just as involved, Kozlowski said. His legacy is one of hard work and rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. He was focused on hard work, excellence and doing the things to be successful. Commitment to hospitality White Lodging built hotels at a rapid clip, as many as 10 properties a year. The company was pulling in $1.5 billion a year in revenue by 2017. It sold off its suburban motels to focus on upscale urban hotels with restaurants and rooftop bars in downtowns across the country. The company now has more than 60 hotels with more than 14,600 rooms. He was really the best of what the Region can produce, Hanna said. He had a national impact. He learned a strong work ethic here in the Region. He believed in team building and identifying the best talent where they are. When he looked at a property, he could envision what it would be. He could envision what the people would experience, how you are received, what is your experience and what you would take away from it. He focused on the consumer. That was his talent. If you walked into one of his hotels, you know the difference. Its a vibe. Its how youre treated. Its an experience. White funded a number of community causes, such as the Southlake YMCA in Crown Point, the new Hammond Family Destination YMCA and the 84,000-square-foot Dean and Barbara White Community Center on Broadway in Merrillville. He gave heavily to K-12 education, the Big Shoulders fund, Purdue University and the MAAC Foundation, which provides first responder and public safety training for northern Indiana law enforcement, Hanna said. The foundation continues to support those causes. He had a deep sense of making the environment around him better, Hanna said. White funded Purdue University Northwest's White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the White Lodging-J.W. Bill Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University West Lafayette. He renovated the Union Club Hotel on the Purdue campus. His legacy isnt just the buildings you can see, Hanna said. Its also the organizations inside those spaces. You can build a lot of things, but he wanted them to run well. He wanted to impact the people, help the teachers and the students, help people take control over their own health. Its at the heart of what he wanted to do. Creating a lasting impact When supporting charitable causes, White sought sustainability in order to have a lasting impact, Hanna said. He would see something going on and see where the gap might be, he said. He would look for community partners to help feel those gaps. He wanted to be impactful in the world. He wanted people to be able to execute on their dreams, which stimulates them to give back to Northwest Indiana when they become successful. White was a major backer of the Big Shoulders Fund, which provides scholarships to students and supports the operations, staff and program development at Catholic schools. It was an important cause to him, Kozlowski said. He saw the impact it could have. White was not Catholic himself but had faith in the mission. The Big Shoulders Fund just uses Catholic schools as a vehicle for high-quality education for the populations we serve of socioeconomically challenged children, Kozlowski said. White gave Big Shoulders Fund $150 million, enough to allow the nonprofit to expand from its home base of Chicago, where it mainly served kids on the south and west sides, to Northwest Indiana. The 20 Catholic schools in the Gary Diocese serve a population of 6,400 students. Enrollment has increased by 20% since Whites donation in 2019. Bruce was a great supporter of education in general and saw the quality education work we do in Chicago, Kozlowski said. He saw those outcomes and thought we needed that type of programming to give kids more opportunities. He saw education as a great equalizer." A legacy for generations The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation continues to carry on his legacy today. Were all blessed with the commitment he had to the next generation, Hanna said. He had an extremely high-quality heart. He was here for the Region. It was a place he invested in." "It was the opportunity of a lifetime to spend time with Bruce," Hanna said. "It was getting to know someone driven by values and to see his decision-making process. He focused on people and had a huge impact. He had fearless courage and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It was the blessing of a lifetime to be around Bruce and learn from him. White remained committed to Northwest Indiana, keeping the White Lodging headquarters in Northwest Indiana, Kozlowski said. He will be remembered for generations to come, he said. His work with students, faculty and kids will continue his legacy for generations. John Diederich has been a fixture of the banking and nonprofit sectors in Northwest Indiana for nearly a half century. Diederich started at The Commercial Bank in Crown Point in 1974, led his team through five mergers and eventually became a leader at Bank One and then JP Morgan Chase, which was then the Region's leading commercial bank. Diederich helped countless Region entrepreneurs grow their businesses over the course of his 47-year career. He ended his banking career as an executive vice president at Peoples Bank, helping it grow across Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland. I started with a small bank in Crown Point thats no longer around and had the opportunity with a number of acquisitions to be able to continue to serve our clients through five different mergers all the way up through J.P. Morgan Chase, Diederich said. At a string of community, regional and national banks, he worked in commercial lending, providing financing to help business owners across Northwest Indiana open or expand their operations. What motivated me most was helping customers, he said. I helped people buying other businesses or expanding their businesses. It gives you a great feeling of satisfaction to help them and see them prosper. When we would drive past a business, I would tell my kids, 'I helped that guy right there.' Diederich said he tried to have a personal touch with clients. I was leaving work when I got a call from a customer I had been calling on for years but was unsuccessful with, he recalled. I stayed in touch until he called me on my cell phone when he was ready to switch banks. That was a huge win for me and for the bank. Diederich has also been a prolific volunteer, known for his civic engagement. He helped lead 11 nonprofits, including the Crisis Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, the Northwest Indiana Forum and the John W. Anderson Foundation, which distributes the windshield wiper magnate's fortune to nonprofits around the Region. Some of my proudest moments were that I survived five mergers and was able to provide help to so many nonprofits by serving on their boards, he said. I remember when I was the second chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, I was doing a fundraiser with Bob Welch, who was one of the greatest businessmen in Northwest Indiana and a great fundraiser. My team at the bank got behind me and we were able to raise more money than him. It was really the team behind me. A focus on customers Diederich served as controller and retail manager of The Commercial Bank, as a commercial lender at Gainer Bank, and as a division manager of commercial lending at NBC Bancorp, where he maintained more than 20 of the bank's largest customers with more than $70 million in credit. He was the manager of private banking and investments, where he managed a departmental budget of $3 million and restructured a department into a wealth management group serving people with a net worth of more than $2.5 million. At Bank One, he managed all commercial lending from small businesses up to middle-market ones. Then Chase acquired Bank One in 2004. As regional president, Diederich served as the liaison to the transition of more than 100 clients from Bank One to Chase, and helped grow the loan portfolio from $200 million to more than $650 million. Our team was focused on customers, he said. During an acquisition, we reached out to make sure there were no issues. One of the goals of the team was let's not lose anybody here. In 2008, the year he left Chase, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest honor. Diederich started as executive vice president at Munster-based People Bank in 2009, overseeing retail banking areas, facilities management and the solicitation of commercial, retail and wealth management customers until he retired in 2022. I was a good fit. I met with the CEO, heard the vision of what he wanted to do and discussed staying there for five years. I ended up staying there for 12 years, he said. They have adopted the technology but are still big on face-to-face and personal conversation. The banking industry changed dramatically during his 47 years in the sector. Its clearly so much different. Debit cards werent even around when I started, Diederich said. You used to have to go into a bank lobby on payday on a Friday night. There were cars lined up of people cashing checks on Friday night at our bank in Crown Point, which is now a Chase. Now the paycheck goes right into the account. Mergers that once took two years to complete now take six months. The integrations became smoother over time. The banking industry saw a significant amount of consolidation over the course of his career as community banks got gobbled up by regional banks and regional banks were swallowed up by national banks. It didnt bother me much at all until the end of my career, he said. The customer-facing interaction was considerably reduced with technology. Texting or sending an email is the predominant communication. Its not my style. I liked walking through or manufacturing and meeting with people. Improving lives in the Region Since 2011, Diederich has served as one of five trustees of the John W. Anderson Foundation, which was created by the inventor of the replacement windshield wiper blade and had Anco factories in Gary, Valparaiso and Michigan City. Anderson's wife and child preceded him in death, so he donated all his company stock to charitable causes. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not even have a website. Diederich has helped the $300 million foundation award grants to more than 250 nonprofits in Northwest Indiana and across the Hoosier State, as well as to medical research outside the state. Its a large foundation that fits very well into my civic desires, he said. During my career in banking I always felt I was going to be part of the community. I worked with a number of organizations in Northwest Indiana. I only wanted to be involved in nonprofits that would affect the lives of children or economic development in Northwest Indiana. Diederich has also volunteered his time for many boards, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Crown Point Community Foundation, the Diocese of Gary, the Regional Development Company, Tradewinds and Southlake YMCA, now Crossroads YMCA. He served the longest for the Crisis Center, a youth service bureau that helps those in crisis 24 hours a day. He had to leave that board, the Boys and Girls Club and Tradewinds after joining the Anderson Foundation board as it provides funding to all those groups. Im super honored to be part of it, Diederich said. Its a great position with all the nonprofits we help. We dont raise money; we invest the money. We distribute the money to worthy organizations that help Northwest Indiana or help the state. Theres been growth in all of them. Its fun to be part of that board and see the outcomes. Working with the Anderson Foundation and the nonprofit sector has been hugely impactful with less stress than in banking. Diederich could have retired long ago but chooses to remain active. He said he always did what he liked, which kept him motivated. I enjoyed all of it, whether on the banking side or with the volunteer work, he said. Thats probably why I worked for 47 years. I clearly could have retired. But I enjoyed what I was doing. I enjoyed the people I met. When I think back on the people I got to know, it was just amazing. I just did it for the enjoyment of it. CROWN POINT The email came less than a week before Dr. Michael McGee's nonprofit was scheduled to begin programs for National Youth Violence Prevention Week, an annual initiative that encourages students to strategize how to prevent youth violence throughout the country. In the email, McGee learned a grant from the Department of Justice providing funds for violence intervention programs for his organization Project Outreach Prevention would be terminated, effective immediately. POP was awarded $3 million to be distributed throughout three years to fund the organizations' in-school programs that teach students positive coping skills, conflict resolution, healthy decision making and social-emotional learning in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago and Merrillville. The nonprofit will not receive the remaining $1 million that has yet to be used. "The DOJ said they were terminating it because it's not effective," said McGee, who serves as the medical director of the emergency room at the University of Chicago Medicine's Crown Point location. "But I don't know how they would even quantify that. Community violence intervention programs are making a difference in the number of people who are dying or are injured from guns." Three of the staff positions will no longer be funded without the grant. POP will have to rely on fundraising efforts and donations to continue its programming, McGee said. He fears the nonprofit will struggle without the reliability of the federal funds. "You have to have consistency and persistence to help these kids," McGee said. "I worry that all the strides we have made are going to go away. I don't know where we go from here." The grant is one of 365 slashed as part of President Donald Trump's goal to reduce federal spending. The nearly $811 million in total grants were for various groups around the nation that provide a litany of services, such as substance abuse counseling, crime victim services, domestic violence survivor programs and other community violence intervention initiatives, according to data from the DOJ published by Reuters. West Side Leadership Academy Principal Carl Scott said his students have benefitted from the conflict resolution skills and peer mentoring programs facilitated by POP. Since 2022, between 60 and 80 students identified as more susceptible to involvement in gun violence have attended weekly sessions for eight to 16 weeks where they meet with a therapist to work on various social and emotional skills. "This partnership has been instrumental in making sure our students have resources and outlets to handle some of the barriers they may face in their communities," Scott said. "It encourages students to follow the right path so they don't succumb to some of the behaviors they might be at risk for." Scott said the majority of students who have been a part of the programs have gone on to graduate and have not encountered the criminal justice system. Some of his students who had faced juvenile gun charges have been able to articulate the dangers of weapons to their peers and become leaders in the anti-violence movement. "It is vital for our students that are at risk to have resources and support in their community," Scott said. "School is that safe space and we have them for the majority of the day, so providing resources there is essential." The grant has also helped facilitate a program at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center led by POP Program Coordinator Corey Walden for teenage boys between ages 12 and 18 who faced gun-related charges. According to data from the juvenile detention center, there have been 61 total participants since its inception in fall 2023 and 59 successfully attended the entire program. After the program, six participants were later arrested on non-firearm-related charges, eight participants were later arrested on firearm-related charges and 45 have had no further arrests. "We try to show them options instead of telling them what to do and what not to do," Walden said. "We want them to know what is possible." McGee and Dr. Reuben Rutland founded the group in 2014 to create safer communities through action and intervention among young people in the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana. This week, high school students in Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville and Gary had the chance to attend their Peace, Love & Unity tour in support of anti-violence initiatives for young people who grow up in "high-risk" environments to show them they have the potential to lead a life without violence. Students watched performances from local rappers and dance troupes, and they listened to speeches from motivational speakers and poets who promoted messages of anti-violence. None of this would be possible without the federal grant money, McGee said. Scott said the administration has not discussed alternatives to POP's programs, but he stressed the need for community partnerships and the role anti-violence initiatives play in helping many of his students. "In the community we serve, there's not many other resources for students," he said. "If you don't have those resources in place, it's very difficult to support students when they're trying to change their behaviors. I worry a lot about our at-risk students without proper support, they fall victim to what's out there awaiting them." After initially being thwarted by a chicken fingers ban, Raising Canes is again coming to Lake County. The southern-style chicken finger restaurant, whose menu is laser-locked on chicken fingers, originally tried to locate in the Crossings of Hobart across from the Southlake Mall, until the McDonalds there enforced an agreement it had with a past landlord giving it the exclusive right to sell fried chicken in a drive-thru there. Raising Canes pulled out of that location, where a no burger restriction sign now advertises the real estate. Now Raising Canes, which since then has opened in Michigan City, plans to open at the former TGI Fridays on Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville. The chain still needs approval from the town, including to add drive-thrus to that location, town manager Jim Gorman said. They plan on demolishing the existing structure and building the Cane's, he said. Coming soon Donut Depot and Bakery plans to roll into downtown Griffith. The train-themed donut shop is coming to the railroad hub thats so criss-crossed with train tracks railfans sometimes congregate there to take photos. It will serve donuts, sweets, loaves of bread and coffee. Owners Elizabeth Pucher and Leoncio Ortiz III say the exact location is still to be determined since theyre still finalizing a lease. We will mainly be doing traditional donut flavors and a few with a more modern twist for those who want a little extra on top. We will also be doing cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies and bread, they said. Perhaps more depending on demand. Open One of the most iconic Chicago street food restaurants has arrived in the Region. Maxwell Street is now grilling up Chicago-style hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polishes and its famous pork chop sandwiches in downtown Lake Station. Owner Jim Iraci opened the local franchise at 700 Central Ave. Its open 24/7 along a downtown stretch packed with bars like the He Aint Here Lounge. Not just drunk food, its known as a purveyor of Chicagoland classics like pizza puffs and Mother-in-Laws, a tamale topped with chili in a hot dog bun. Maxwell Street proved so popular when opening in Lake Station it sold out of food and had to close early during its grand opening. Relocated Bam Pizza Company relocated to a new spot in Portage, where it expanded to a significantly larger space. We will be forever grateful for our first location and the 11 years we had there but very excited about the future, the owners posted on social media. We will now have plenty of dining tables and Super Scoops will be coming with us and will be located inside the same store. Bam Pizza makes pizzas to order, including build your own, individual and specialty pies. Offering thin crust, stuffed and deep dish, it has toppings like ham, hamburger, bacon, green olives, garlic, anchovy, giardiniera and pepperoncini. Specialty pies include Italian Beef and The Big Meaty. Theres a monthly special, a pizza of the month and sandwich options like stromboli, Italian beef, Italian sausage, and hot ham and cheese. Theres a wide range of appetizers, salads, desserts and other menu items available for dine-in or delivery. Open Something new is percolating in Hammond. 219 Grounds opened at 2205 169th St. Hammond. The coffee shop serves craft coffee, espresso, pastries and hot paninis. We said SHUT UP FEAR & turned on the OPEN sign, the owners posted on social media. We hope your first experience here was a good one and that our place will become a place of rest and escape for every one that visits us. If something was not right, please DM us with your feedback so we can make it better. We truly believe that mistakes are opportunities for growth, and growing is what we long to do. 219 Grounds offers a full range of espresso drinks as well as not coffee beverages like golden ginger tea, luminous chamomile, an immunity booster, a chai latte and hot cocoa. Relocating After closing in downtown Hammond last fall, Foreign Local Brewing found a new spot in the city. The craft brewery closed on a building in Hessville. Foreign Local plans to open at 6718 Kennedy Ave. just north of the Borman Expressway. This has been a long and grueling process, and we are ecstatic to show the hard work we've been putting in, the brewery posted on social media. This dream of mine has become a reality entirely from our fans, and that is something I will always be eternally grateful for. Foreign Local brews beers with Indiana grain and Michigan fruit, making rustic beers like farmhouse ales, saison and lagerbier, as well as more modern styles like pastry stout, pastry sour and milkshake India Pale Ales. Its known for creative beers like a Krispie Fruity Rice Pebble Treats Astral Confection, a Tangerine Marshmallow Kush, a Barrel-Aged Blueberry Breakfast Dead Forever and a Ghostchant Imperial Berlinner Weiss. Open Freaky fast delivery is coming to Cedar Lake. Jimmy Johns is opening this summer at 7936 Lake Shore Drive in Cedar Lake. The sandwich shop is now hiring. It serves gourmet subs like the Turkey Tom, Totally Tuna and the Italian Vito, as well as free smells with dine-in. It recently added Toasted Subs to its menu. Were a family-owned and operated franchise, and this will be our 8th location across Northwest Indianaall thanks to your incredible support, spokeswoman Christina Vlamakis-Hernandez said. Open Lines backed up for hours after 7 Brew opened on U.S. 30 in Dyer, prompting much discussion on social media if it was worth the wait when Starbucks and the Daily Drip were nearby. The coffee stand proved popular as a cheaper alternative to Starbucks that offers discounts to first responders, teachers and other groups. It also has an extensive secret menu, offering more than 20,000 flavor combinations. Many are sugary concoctions like Amaretto, Angel Food, Black Licorice, Golden Pear Latte, Pecan Pie Latte and the Beyonce that combines caramel, hazelnut and vanilla. Police had to initially direct traffic at the 510-square-foot coffee stand at 900 Joliet Street. Commercial real estate agents believe its likely to open more Region locations. 7 Brew differentiates itself from other chains with barista-made energy drinks, infused sparkling water and flavors like Cinnamon Roll and German Chocolate. Closed Region Ale poured its last craft beer after a nine-year run in Schererville. The craft beer bar doubled as a restaurant and music venue. It showcased a variety of local craft brews and had a Region Ale wall highlighting local history, featuring factories, schools and Sauzers Kiddieland. People flocked there to watch sports, like the Cubs 2016 World Series run and Purdues push to the NCAA title game last year. It also was a popular spot for local music, spanning genres like jazz, rock, polka and tamburitza. It hosted regular events like Jazz Sundays and Polka or Lamb and Tamb Saturdays, as well as bingo nights and trivia nights. The owners said in a post they tried to keep Region Ale going for as long as they could but couldnt sustain the operation in the end. KUMAMOTO, Japan - The southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto has recently launched a two-day bus trip to tour 10 bronze statues depicting characters from megahit comic and animated TV series "One Piece," installed as part of efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two deadly earthquakes in 2016. The sculptures of Monkey D. Luffy and his nine crew buddies -- a creation by manga artist Eiichiro Oda hailing from Kumamoto Prefecture -- are scattered across nine municipalities, making the tour a chance to remember the disaster and see the progress of reconstruction. The tour, which will be held once a month through September and five times during the school holidays in August, has been organized for domestic tourists. But the prefectural government will consider translation services if the tour draws many visitors from overseas, an official has said, with the One-Piece series also popular abroad. The storyline of the cartoon centers on Luffy, who dreams of being the king of pirates, as he travels the seas with his buddies in search of the treasure called "One Piece." Oda has served as a cheerleader for the recovery of Kumamoto, having sent a message to encourage locals in the immediate aftermath of the quakes with an illustration of Luffy saying, "Hang in there" and "I will definitely come over." On April 14, 2016, a magnitude 6.5 quake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, followed by a M7.3 temblor two days later. A total of 278 people died in Kumamoto and adjacent Oita Prefecture and about 43,000 buildings were damaged. Kumamoto Castle, a major tourist attraction, saw stone walls crumble and roof tiles fall off the castle tower. Starting with the statue of Luffy installed in front of the prefectural office building in Kumamoto in November 2018, all 10 figures of the "Straw Hat Pirates" were installed by July 2022. The sculptures include that of Sanji, the crew's cook, in the hardest-hit town of Mashiki, and archaeologist Nico Robin in the village of Minamiaso, where a 200-meter-long bridge collapsed. The tour is priced at 28,000 yen ($200) per person including two lunches but excluding accommodation fee. The tour will also take participants to a quake memorial museum and a disaster-hit local railway. Related coverage: Giant Evangelion appears in Hamamatsu city hall through early 2026 Japanese anime wins 2nd prize at Berlin film festival Ghibli Park to exhibit anime director Hayao Miyazaki's beloved car 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 Every week, hundreds of Region residents make the same pilgrimage to the Manna for Hammond Soup Kitchen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown Hammond. Most are poor, and many are homeless. However, they all share a hunger to feed their souls. We have people who walk here from East Chicago, Whiting and other communities besides Hammond, said Armando Corpus, the 64-year-old manager of the soup kitchen. One man told me he walked here from Sauk Village in Illinois. The soup kitchen serves hot lunches every weekday to anyone who shows up. No questions asked, no judgment, just love, said Tiffany Ortiz-Simpson, a devout parishioner who volunteers with her 24-year-old son, Zachary. This parish is our home. Were dedicated to the city of Hammond and our community. This soup kitchen is completely focused on caring for people. Many of these people depend on this soup kitchen like believers depend on their faith. For quite a few, it's the only meal they'll have that day, said Mark Taylor, who regularly volunteers at the kitchen. Most volunteers make a similar pilgrimage to the church to live their faith through acts of kindness and charity by following Jesus lead. Unfortunately, because the soup kitchen is open during lunchtime, most core volunteers are retirees, many of who 70 and older, with a few in their 80s and 90s. These are remarkable, caring people who take Christ's words of Feed the hungry to heart, Taylor said. They take great satisfaction in helping people in need. Corpus explained how the volunteers view their work here as an intrinsic part of their faith and spiritual path. This kitchen really feeds all the folks who are involved, not just the guests, he said. Its a fulfilling experience for everyone. Sunday marks the 40th anniversary of Manna for Hammond, established in 1985 when the churchs pastor and concerned volunteers came together in an effort to feed the hungry in downtown Hammond and surrounding communities. Volunteers have included members of other Catholic parishes in the Gary Diocese, as well as from other denominations, faith communities and civic groups. Since then, we have seen social and economic climates rise and fall. But the need to help our less fortunate neighbors remains, its website states. The success of the soup kitchen could not be possible without the support of the community at large, who aids us in providing food donations and monetary donations to keep the soup kitchen going year after year. Ortiz-Simpson, who was born and raised in Hammond, noted, We feed over 135 people daily and receive no state or federal funding. As Easter approached, volunteers learned their beloved church was on a diocesan list of possible closed parishes in this Region. This is the difficult reality for dioceses across the country as parishes shrink, coffers empty and tough decisions must be made by Catholic officials and local bishops. Once the decision is made, it's pretty hard to reverse, Taylor said. If our church closes, we close. If we close, more than 100 local homeless and poor people will lose possibly their only meal of the day. Colleen McGinty-Rabine, director of communications for the Diocese of Gary, said the North Lake County parishes are still in the discernment phase of a parish planning process. If at the end of the discernment process the recommendation includes any consolidation, signature ministries would continue, McGinty-Rabine said. Planning recommendations might include relocating ministries to best serve the North Lake community. This news instantly upset parishioners and volunteers who responded to my social media post about this issue during Holy Week. Praying this doesn't happen! one parishioner wrote. God knows so many people depend on the soup kitchen, another one added. St. Joseph is the most beautiful church in all of Northwest Indiana, a former member noted. Theres so much history in this building that if it goes then Hammond goes. It represents the last bastion of hope and civility left in Northwest Indiana. Corpus, who grew up in East Chicago, outlined the bigger picture at hand involving a professional analysis by the diocese with thorough details, exact costs and related issues to this possibility. This includes expenditures for building maintenance, insuring stained glass windows, federal budget cuts for U.S. Department of Agriculture surpluses and the need for accessible, Spanish-speaking parishes, among other considerations. I am terrified of our parish closing and losing my spiritual home, Ortiz-Simpson said. And the effect it will have not only on my family, but the families who rely on us for their survival. Parishioners are literally praying that a direct appeal to the diocese can save their church. They also hope Region residents and former congregants will rally around their cause through donations, volunteering or public appeals. This is part of what it means to be a whole Catholic and a whole person, Corpus said. Its something that Pope Francis would have said. Tullamore based radio station, Midlands 103, has helped a newly married couple celebrate their special day in an unique way. Alison and Kian Dean got married in Las Vegas and sent in a request to Tony Christie on The Late Shift to have a song played for their first dance. The couple are living in Mayo, and Alison is originally from London. Kian is a truck driver and one night Alison was out with him on a run and they picked up Midlands 103. Alison became a fan of the Late Shift with Tony Christie and would listen online in London before she moved here. READ NEXT: Popular Offaly couple celebrate milestone wedding anniversary When the couple got engaged in Rome, they sent Tony a photo and he mentioned their engagement on the show. So when they got married they asked Tony to be part of their special day by playing the song for their first dance live on air. The couple filmed the moment and shared the video with Midlands 103. Abuse of Power and Extortion The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats is the simple definition of Extortion. When a President withholds funds from universities until they comply with his demands, that is clearly extortion and an abuse of power. When the president directs the Department of Justice to investigate former government employees because he doesn't like what they said about the 2020 election, that is an abuse of power. You can believe elections are fair only when you win, but it's a false belief! Senators stood on the Senate floor and said, "Donald Trump lost the election, and he was responsible for the attack on the Capitol on January 6. Later, the same Senators told us not to believe our lying eyes." How is that even possible in the name of all that is holy? When a president threatens law firms with lawsuits unless they give him millions in free legal services, that is an abuse of power and extortion. When a president threatens news outlets with lawsuits unless they refuse to write anything negative about him, that is an abuse of power. The freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment, is critical to a democracy in which the government is accountable to the people. A free media functions as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government wrongdoing. When a president calls the media the enemy of the people, he forgets to read the First Amendment. When the government can deport anyone without due process, we are all at risk. No one wants criminals running around the streets of America. The American people understand and agree with deporting criminals. However, even criminals are entitled to A Writ of Habeas Corpus and due process before being deported. That is America! Pastor Martin Niemller said, "First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and no one was left to speak out for me." The men and women in Congress who were complicit in supporting President Trump's abuse of power and the men and women who remained silent while President Trump told the most damaging lie ever told by a president (that he won the 2020 election) need to go home. It is time for some of our elected leaders to go home and contemplate how and why they sold their souls in support of an abusive president with his petty attacks on those he doesn't like and vengeance against all those who didn't bend the knee to him. Many Trump voters had legitimate concerns about the cost of living and the struggle to find an opportunity for a good job. Many Trump voters believed President Trump was going to make America affordable again but the first thing he did (while prices on everything went up) was insist on a tax cut for the wealthy and cuts to social programs that help the neediest among us. The American citizen has the power to stop the abuse of power. It takes speaking-up and speaking-out for fairness and respect for the rule of law. It is time for the American people to demand from their government honesty, ethics and a sincere effort to do what is right for all the American people. Fred Flanagan Andrew Wiederhorn, CEO of Fat Brands, at their corporate offices in Beverly Hills, California, on Sept. 19, 2017. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/TNS) TNS LOS ANGELES A former burger chain CEO under federal indictment on gun and fraud charges now faces another accusation: Allegedly spreading smears that reached the White House through conservative pundits, leading to the prosecutor who was handling his case getting fired. The latest claim was leveled by Adam Schleifer, formerly an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, in a filing last week with the Merit Systems Protection Board, which handles wrongful termination appeals from federal workers. Schleifers filing called his dismissal unlawful and alleged it was motivated in part by his prosecution of Andrew Wiederhorn, the former chairman and chief executive of Fat Brands, which owns the Fatburger and Johnny Rockets restaurant chains. Wiederhorn has maintained his innocence in the criminal cases, and his lawyers declined to comment on Schleifers allegations. Schleifers recent filing included a one-line email in March, sent to him on behalf of President Trump, notifying him he was being removed from his job. Schleifer, who had publicly criticized Trump in years past when he was not employed as a prosecutor, claims he was fired for his engagement in constitutionally protected political activity. His firing, first reported by The Times, came an hour after right-wing activist Laura Loomer publicly called for it a timeline Schleifer cited in his filing. The claim by the former prosecutor who declined to comment when reached this week drew a line between how the events unfolded and his work on the Wiederhorn case. Wiederhorn was indicted last May on federal charges alleging a $47-million sham loan scheme. He was also charged with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition after being previously convicted of a felony. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. In his filing, Schleifer said he was fired on the basis of smears, which originated with and were promoted by Mr. Wiederhorn, his defense team, and that of his codefendant FAT Brands, Inc. Lawyers representing Fat Brands did not respond to a request for comment. The White House and the U.S. Department of Justice did not respond to inquiries. Who is Andrew Wiederhorn? Originally from Portland, Wiederhorn graduated from USC and, at age 21, founded the investment firm Wilshire Credit Corp. Billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad was one of his first financial backers, investing $300 million, according to a 2013 Times article. In 1990, Wiederhorn moved back to Portland, where he founded investment company Fog Cutter Capital. According to The Times, Wiederhorn was worth an estimated $140 million by the late 90s. In 2000, after Magic Johnson took an interest in Fatburger, Fog Cutter helped finance the change of ownership for the company, then bought a controlling stake three years later for $7 million. Federal authorities began investigating Wiederhorn in the 2000s, allegedly for taking out shareholder loans without intending to repay them, according to an April government filing in the Central District of California opposing Wiederhorns efforts to obtain evidence in the ongoing case. The recent indictment against Wiederhorn alleged that he caused Wilshire Credit Corp. to issue him approximately $65 million in shareholder loans. Prosecutors have stated they plan to introduce evidence at trial later this year regarding those loans. The government investigated those loans in the early 2000s, and ultimately concluded it could not charge Mr. Wiederhorn with any crime because of overwhelming evidence he relied on at least two different tax advisors when reporting the loans on his tax returns and thus lacked the requisite intent to defraud, Wiederhorns attorneys said in a recent pretrial motion. Wiederhorn ultimately pleaded guilty in 2004 to charges of paying an illegal gratuity to his associate and filing a false tax return. He spent 15 months in prison and paid a $2 million fine. The day before Wiederhorns plea, Fog Cutter awarded him a $2 million bonus and agreed to keep paying him during his incarceration. The arrangement prompted New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof to bestow on Wiederhorn his inaugural award for greed, writing: I cant think of a board that has ever so disgraced the principles of corporate governance by overpaying a CEO even as he sits in prison. Wiederhorn previously told The Times that his attorneys had advised him that his actions were legitimate business deals. Upon his release from prison in 2005, Wiederhorn became chief executive of Fatburger. He went on a public relations campaign to restore his and his familys reputations, including an appearance on Undercover Boss at a Fatburger restaurant in Mesa, Ariz. Ive always adamantly denied doing anything wrong intentionally, Wiederhorn told The Times in 2017. Im very grateful for it. I felt like I paid the fine. I did the time. I did everything I was supposed to do to make this go away and put it behind me. What are the latest charges? The latest federal investigation into Wiederhorn began around 2021 and involved a dawn raid on his home that December. Based on an affidavit alleging the CEO had engaged in tax and wire fraud, authorities searched the residence and found a pistol and ammunition in his closet, according to court filings. Wiederhorn is banned from possessing firearms because of his past conviction. At a court hearing last month, Wiederhorns defense team told the judge the gun belonged to one of his sons. In 2023, Wiederhorn publicly announced he was stepping down as CEO, framing it as a way to eliminate the distraction of the ongoing federal probe. Weeks later, according to federal authorities, Wiederhorn removed every director other than himself from the board of Fat Brands and reconstituted a new board with directors under his control. The board now includes three of Wiederhorns children. Last year, in May, a federal grand jury indicted Wiederhorn over an alleged $47 million sham loan scheme, which prosecutors say dates to 2010. Authorities accused Wiederhorn of evading millions in taxes by hiding his true income. Company money categorized as shareholder loans was allegedly disbursed to Wiederhorn and his family for their personal benefit, according to the indictment. Some of that money went toward private-jet travel, ski trips, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and other luxury automobiles, a jewelry collection and a baby grand piano, federal prosecutors say. According to the indictment, Wiederhorn had no intention of repaying these sham loans. The indictment cited a September 2020 email, in which Wiederhorn said that in addition to his disclosed annual salary of approximately $400,000, he received $3m-4m of distributions from my company as loans, then periodically the company forgives those loans. Mr. Wiederhorn consulted and followed the advice of world-class professionals in all of his business dealings, Nicola Hanna, Wiederhorns attorney, previously told The Times. We look forward to making clear in court that this is an unfortunate example of government overreach and a case with no victims, no losses and no crimes. Wiederhorn was allegedly assisted by the companys former chief financial officer, Rebecca D. Hershinger, and his outside accountant, William J. Amon, who were also charged in the 22-count indictment. Both have pleaded not guilty. Fat Brands has also been charged. Brian Hennigan, counsel for Fat Brands Inc., previously told The Times the charges were unprecedented, unwarranted, unsubstantiated and unjust. Who is Adam Schleifer? Schleifer, whose father is the co-founder and chief executive of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, started with the U.S. attorneys office in 2016. He prosecuted drug trafficking and fraud cases before quitting in 2019 to run for an open congressional seat in New Yorks 17th District. During his congressional bid, in which he finished second in the Democratic primary, Schleifer on social media attacked Trumps tax policies and behavior toward federal investigators. In one 2020 tweet, Schleifer accused Trump of eroding constitutional integrity every day with every lie and every act of heedless, narcissistic corruption. In his filing last week contesting his firing, Schleifer referred to his postings on social media as First-Amendment-protected political advocacy. According to the filing, it was Wiederhorns lawyer Hanna then serving as U.S. attorney appointed by Trump who rehired Schleifer in 2020. After his return to the federal prosecutors office in L.A., Schleifer was assigned an ongoing investigation of Wiederhorn and others. In the recent challenge to his firing, Schleifer accused Wiederhorn and his defense team of commissioning a tabloid news article attacking his work and urging officials to remove him from the case and his job as a prosecutor. Schleifer also alleged in his filing a March 17 meeting held between the U.S. attorneys office and Wiederhorns counsel, including Hanna, in which the latter allegedly sought Mr. Schleifers removal from the cases on the mistaken, unethical, and improper grounds that his and the Offices work on those cases reflected a woke, DEI, and Biden bias. At the meeting, according to the filing, the defense team brought up Schleifers critical comments about Trump on social media. Schleifer accused Wiederhorn and his defense team of providing those same social media posts to White House officials and other tabloid and citizen journalists. Schleifer alleged he was removed from his position on the basis of these smears. Where do the Wiederhorn cases stand? Wiederhorns securities fraud trial is scheduled for Oct. 28. His lawyers successfully argued for a continuance in the firearms case, citing the fact that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing a ruling on gun rights for nonviolent convicted felons. The trial is set for Jan. 20, 2026. Raiden Pham, 5, poses with Star Wars characters at the Portland International Airport on Sunday before taking off for a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney Aulani. Portland area volunteers dressed up to surprise Pham, who has a rare genetic condition. Courtesy of Make-A-Wish Oregon Mandalorians, Rebel pilots and a lone Stormtrooper carved a swath through the busy terminal at Portland International Airport early Sunday, their iconic cosmic gear drawing attention from even the groggiest travelers. The Star Wars enthusiasts, nearly 20 in all, gathered by the terminals wood stadium-style seating waiting for their guest of honor: Raiden Pham, a 5-year-old Beaverton boy diagnosed with an extraordinarily rare and severe genetic disorder known as UBA5. Adelaide Tovar, a postdoctoral geneticist at the University of Michigan, prepares cell samples in a science laboratory on campus. Tovar is one of about 200 young scientists who will lose research funding because the Trump administration abruptly ended the National Institute of Healths MOSAIC grant program. TNS Adelaide Tovar, a University of Michigan scientist who researches genes related to diabetes, used to feel like an impostor in a laboratory. Tovar, 32, grew up poor and was the first in her family to graduate from high school. During her first year in college, she realized she didnt know how to study. But after years of studying biology and genetics, Tovar finally got proof that she belonged. Last fall, the National Institutes of Health awarded her a prestigious grant. It would fund her research and put her on track to be a university professor and eventually launch a laboratory of her own. I felt like receiving the award was a form of acceptance, like I had finally made it, Tovar said. But I think many of us now fear that this is going to poison the rest of our careers. Tovar is one of nearly 200 young scientists across the nation whose research and job prospects have been jeopardized by the sudden termination of the NIHs MOSAIC grant program, one of many ended by sweeping cuts across the federal scientific agencies. The grant was created by the first Trump administration to foster a new generation of diverse scientists in biomedical research, then defunded in the second Trump administrations ongoing purge of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In interviews with KFF Health News, Tovar and three other grant recipients worried that the loss of funding coupled with President Donald Trumps crusade against diversity programs may transform a grant that was supposed to jump-start their careers into a blemish on their resumes that could cost them the jobs and funding that make their research possible. We might end up blacklisted by the NIH because of having this award for who we are, said Erica Rodriguez, 35, a grant recipient at Columbia University who conducts brain research that could lead to a better understanding of psychiatric disorders. Because not only is it for people with diverse backgrounds, she said, but its for people who advocate for other people with diverse backgrounds. The MOSAIC program short for Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers was created in 2019 to provide early-career support to promising scientists from underrepresented backgrounds with a long-term goal to enhance diversity in the biomedical research workforce, according to NIH grant documents. The five-year grant was awarded to scientists who have finished their doctorates and work in research laboratories at universities across the country. In the first two years, scientists generally receive $100,000 to $150,000, which is largely used to pay their salaries. By the third year, the scientists are expected to have been hired as a professor, likely at a different university, where the grant funding helps them launch their own research lab. In the final three years of the grant, funding increases to about $250,000 a year, which is used to buy supplies and hire other young scientists to work in the lab, completing the cycle. MOSAIC awardees were chosen using a broad definition of diversity beyond race, gender, and disability. It includes those who grew up in poor households or rural areas or were raised by parents who do not have college degrees. Many of those chosen for the grant also have a history of supporting other budding scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. MOSAIC funds research on cancer, Alzheimers disease, spinal cord injuries, cochlear implants, fentanyl overdoses, stroke recovery, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more. But in recent weeks the NIH has notified most MOSAIC recipients that the program was terminated and their funding will end by this summer, regardless of the years left on their grant, according to NIH emails reviewed by KFF Health News. Other awardees have received no official notification and only learned through word of mouth that their funding was canceled. Vianca Rodriguez Feliciano, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed in an email statement to KFF Health News that MOSAIC had been defunded. She said the grants no longer align with agency priorities or the presidents executive orders eliminating wasteful, ideologically driven DEI initiatives. Trump signed one of those orders on his first day back in the White House, instructing the entire federal government to end programs that promoted diversity, referring to them as shameful, immoral, and an immense public waste. Diversity programs have been slashed across the government, including at the NIH and other HHS agencies, which have canceled hundreds of grants worth billions of dollars since March. On April 21, the NIH issued a notice that banned recipients from receiving grants if they have DEI programs and said the agency could recover all funds from those that do not comply. At HHS, we are dedicated to restoring our agencies to their tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science not one driven by political ideology, Rodriguez Feliciano said. We will leave no stone unturned in identifying the root causes of the chronic disease epidemic as part of our mission to Make America Healthy Again. Many MOSAIC scientists are focused on chronic diseases. Tovar, for example, researches specific genes that make people more susceptible to diabetes, which affects about 38 million Americans. We have a lot of treatments for diabetes that are great for the people that they work for, Tovar said. In my research, I use genetics to help find better drug targets so we can find medicines for people who dont already have therapies that work. In interviews, Tovar and the other MOSAIC recipients described how the sudden loss of funding will throw research and careers into upheaval: Some postdoctoral researchers may lose their current jobs when funding runs dry in months; awardees competing for professor jobs will lose research funding that made them stronger candidates; and those already hired will have less money for salaries and supplies in their research labs. Ashley Albright, 32, who grew up poor in rural North Carolina, is now a scientist at the University of California-San Francisco, where she studies Stentor coeruleus, a large single-celled organism with regenerative abilities. She plans to start applying for professor jobs this fall. Albright said MOSAIC funding would have given her a better shot at my dream, which was to give other scientists from diverse backgrounds opportunities to work in her research lab. I feel crushed, she said. I feel like someone is stepping on half of my life. Ive spent the last 10 years in grad school and my postdoc working toward this so I can do science, but also help other people do science. Hannah Grunwald, 33, a grant recipient at Harvard who studies eyeless cave fish to better understand complex genetic traits, said one of her worst fears was that universities wont hire MOSAIC awardees at a time when the White House is ordering schools to abandon DEI programs and withholding billions from those that do not bend to the Trump agenda. There has been an enormous debate in our community about what we should say on our resumes, Grunwald said. I just dont know if having my grant canceled because it had to do with diversity is going to limit my ability to get funding in the future. The termination of MOSAIC drew quick condemnation from several scientific organizations that receive grant funding to work closely with the awarded scientists, with some calling it short-sighted and a significant step backward. Mary Munson, president of the American Society for Cell Biology, who has mentored awardees since MOSAIC began, became choked up and covered her face with her hands as she considered the possibility the grant could end up holding them back. Taking this grant away now does not take away the fact that they won this competitive award. It doesnt take away that they are amazing scientists, Munson said. I hope that institutions will still see that nonetheless. Stefano Bertuzzi, CEO of the American Society for Microbiology, which also mentors grant awardees, said the mass termination of MOSAIC and other NIH grants may have a cumulative effect that will stifle scientific innovation for decades. Bertuzzi, who immigrated from Italy in the 90s because of Americas robust funding for science, said scientists will not stay in or flock to a nation where research funding vanishes on a political whim. We are going to be losing a full generation of scientists, Bertuzzi said. Other countries in the world will thrive. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism. A slab of wall art, The "Battle to Survive a Broken Heart,' created by the artist Banksy, sits on display inside the Brookfield Place atrium, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in New York. The nearly four-ton piece will be auctioned off on May 21. AP NEW YORK When the enigmatic street artist Banksy spray-painted a heart-shaped balloon covered with a Band-Aid on the wall of a Brooklyn warehouse, the nondescript brick building was instantly transformed into an art destination and the canvas of an unlikely graffiti battle. Almost as soon as Banksy revealed the piece back in 2013, an anonymous tagger brazenly walked up and spray painted the words Omar NYC in red beside the balloon, to the dismay of onlookers. Days later, someone stenciled is a little girl in white and pink beside Omars tag, followed by a seemingly sarcastic phrase in black: I remember MY first tag. Some think it was Banksy himself who secretly returned to the scene to add the rejoinder. The apparent graffiti battle didnt end there. Another tagger also attempted to leave his mark but was stymied by security guards. Today the phrase SHAN is still visible in light purple paint. Maria Georgiadis, whose family owned the now-demolished warehouse and ultimately removed the section of wall to preserve the artwork, says the graffiti pastiche is quintessentially New York. It looks like a war going on, she said recently. Theyre literally going at it on the wall. Artwork up for auction The preserved wall, dubbed Battle to Survive a Broken Heart, will be going up for sale May 21 at Guernseys, the New York auction house. Georgiadis, a Brooklyn schoolteacher, says the sale is bittersweet. Her father, Vassilios Georgiadis, ran his roofing and asbestos abatement company from the warehouse adorned with the balloon. He died four years ago at age 67 from a heart attack, which is why some of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the American Heart Association. Its just very significant to us because he loved it and he was just so full of love, Maria Georgiadis said on a recent visit to the art warehouse where the piece was stored for more than a decade. Its like the bandage heart. We all have love, but weve all went through things and we just put a little Band-Aid over and just keep on moving, right? Thats how I take it. The nearly 4-ton, 6-foot-tall wall section is one of a number of guerrilla works the famously secretive British artist made during a New York residency in 2013. At the time, Banksy heralded the work by posting on his website photos and an audio track recorded partly in a squeaky, helium-induced voice. Banksy may not have painted response to tagger Guernsey auction house President Arlan Ettinger said it is impossible to know for certain because Banksy works clandestinely. But he said the neat stenciling and wording strongly suggest that this was a gentle way for Banksy to put the other artist in his place. Ulrich Blanche, an art history lecturer at Heidelberg University in Germany, called the piece a very well executed stencil notable partly because of Banksys decision to place it in Brooklyns port area of Red Hook. This part of NYC was not easy to reach at that time, he said by email. Banksy wanted people to go to places in NYC they never have seen and love them as well. But Blanche questioned whether the additional stenciled text was truly the work of Banksy, saying the word choice and design dont appear to comport with the artists style at the time. To call a graffiti guy a girl is not something Banksy would do in 2013. This is misogynic and immature in a sexist way, he wrote. Three different fonts that do not match and three colors why should he do that? Too unnecessarily elaborated without reasons. So I think this was added by someone else. Blanche also said he is ambivalent about the pending sale, noting Banksy usually doesnt authorize his street pieces for sale. At the same time, he understands the burden placed on property owners to protect and maintain them. Banksys works should be preserved, but for the community they were made for, he said. They should not be turned into goods. They are made and thought for a specific location. Not portable. Not sellable. Spokespersons for Banksy declined to comment Friday. Difficult to determine price Maria Georgiadis brother, Anastasios, said his father had also hoped to keep the piece in Red Hook after having cut it out of the wall and framed in thick steel for safekeeping. The elder Georgiadis, he said, envisioned the work as the centerpiece of a retail and housing development on the property, a dream he didnt realize. The property has since been sold off by the family. Ettinger said it is difficult to say what the piece might fetch. There is little precedent for a sale of a Banksy piece of this size, he said. In 2018, a canvas that was part of Banksys Girl With Balloon series sold in London for $1.4 million, only to famously self-destruct in front of a stunned auction crowd. Maria Georgiadis said she hopes whoever buys the Broken Heart finds the same beauty and meaning her father drew from the piece. When Banksy painted it, the family business had been recovering from destructive floods caused by Hurricane Sandy the prior year. Georgiadis recalls her father had no idea who Banksy was but was moved by the simple image. My dad had it in his head that Banksy knew what we went through, she said. He goes, Can you believe it Maria? Its a heart. TOKYO - Nearly 30 percent of people in common-law relationships in Japan have chosen not to marry because they do not want to change their own or their partner's last name, as required by Japanese law, a recent private survey has shown. The survey by Asuniwa, a nongovernmental organization advocating for separate surnames for married couples, found the rate was higher among people in their 20s at around 40 percent, with more than 60 percent of that group saying they would switch to legal marriage if separate surnames were allowed. The Justice Ministry says Japan, to its knowledge, is the only country that requires couples to adopt the same surname upon marriage. While the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan calls for introducing the option of separate surnames, conservative members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party oppose the move, fearing it would affect traditional family values. The NGO and Yuichiro Sakai, an associate professor at Keio University specializing in family sociology, conducted the online survey in March, covering 1,600 people aged 20 to 59, with 532 of them in common-law marriages, 538 legally married and 530 single. Using the survey results and government population data, they estimated that about 1.22 million people in their 20s to 50s are in common-law relationships in Japan, with 587,000 of them wishing to marry if separate surnames are allowed. Common-law couples do not have access to the same benefits legal couples have, such as spouse tax deductions and the statutory right to inherit their partner's estate. Related coverage: Nearly 60% of Japanese believe election social media needs regulation Japan main opposition aims to break ruling party majority in election Over 40% of Japanese want to use old surnames at work after marriage From protests to advice columns, readers have comments and questions. I answer a few that have recently crossed my desk. Comment: There was an article in The Oregonian that bothers me. This is something that comes up periodically and it grates on me. The headline reads Freak accident seriously injured a great-grandmother on daily walk. The article repeats that the injured person is a great-grandmother. There is nothing about this story that makes identifying her as a great-grandmother germane to the story. The fact that she has progeny is irrelevant. You could replace great-grandmother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or any other form of relation with elderly or senior. Response: The reader is correct that the subjects familial status should be mentioned, or highlighted in a headline, only when clearly relevant to the news article. For instance, if the woman had pushed her great-grandchilds stroller out of harms way, that might make the relationship relevant. Thats not what occurred here. Its true that headline writers want to write a clear, specific headline that intrigues the reader to want to know more. But, as the reader intimates, this descriptor likely was chosen as a shorthand for elderly, a label that also sometimes draws wrath from readers if they do not agree the age of the person qualifies them as elderly. The next reader comment is in a similar vein, questioning why a woman would be identified by her relationship to a man. If you look in our archives, many articles up until the 1970s identified women entirely by their husbands name, such as Mrs. Joe Smith. Comment: I have noticed that when identifying a married man and woman, The Oregonians common practice seems to be to name the man and then refer to the woman as his wife e.g., John Doe and his wife, Jane Doe. I have seen this occur even when the woman is the primary focus of the article. I have never seen Jane Doe and her husband, John Doe. I suggest that it would be more up-to-date to give them equal billing, such as husband and wife John and Jane Doe. The most recent example I noticed is in an article about Sergey and Galina Lebedenko (the chauffeur couple who stole money from their patron). The photo caption and the second paragraph identify them as Sergey V. Lebedenko, 53, and his wife, Galina A. Lebedenko, 48. Response: Again, I think the reader is spot on. There is no reason in this case to define her solely based on her marital status. A side note: A question sometimes comes up in warzone coverage as to why news organizations identify casualties as women and children. Some readers think that indicates they are less important. Rather, it is intended to convey they are non-combatants. Question: There has been virtually no coverage of any anti-Trump demonstrations in Oregon; no coverage of any demonstrations at Tesla dealerships; no coverage of large and agitated crowds at congressional town hall meetings. WHY? Response: This question came in before the large demonstration April 5 on Portlands waterfront and numerous May Day protests. The April 5 march was larger than usual, and that one and May Day received front-page display. While there have been many more marches and protests, including several at Tesla dealerships, we dont cover each one as they become very similar over time. News is rarely made at most gatherings. Contrary to this readers note, we have focused our weekend reporters on congressional town halls, which tend to be more substantive. However, after the April 5 march, I received several complaints we undercounted the crowd size. My general response is that no agency reports official crowd counts. Crowd estimates are part art, part science -- and always controversial, which is why many police departments stopped providing them years ago. The art is having experience covering events in areas with known crowd capacities, such as arenas or public squares. The science might be taking a 10 foot by 10 foot square and multiplying or making similar estimates based on arithmetic. Neither is precise. Crowds also can fluctuate depending on when and where the person doing the counting is. If precise estimates are not possible, we give general numbers, understanding that advocates will tend to inflate sizes and detractors will tend to minimize them. And we often publish photographs, which give readers a sense of scale as well. Question: What happened to Miss Manners? I love her column and her very dry sense of humor. Response: The Miss Manners etiquette column, written by Judith Martin with her children, Nicholas and Jacobina Martin, appears at oregonlive.com/advice. Fans can sign up for our free Advice for Life newsletter at oregonlive.com/newsletters to receive by email each day. The column did not make the cut for the newspapers pages. Question: It has been over 25 years since the last new Peanuts strip was published. Dont you think its time for Charles Schulzs creation to be laid to rest, just as he was? Response: Good grief! No, I wont be the editor who cancels Charlie Brown. Classic Peanuts made the cut of the comics included in daily and Sunday editions. Reach me at tbottomly@oregonian.com. QSA would like to invite you to our End of Year Achievement celebration! Well be honoring the queer students graduating in May and this summer. The event is on May 4th from 35 pm at Beaird Lounge in the Oklahoma Memorial Union (2nd floor). Therell be a keynote speaker, inspiring words, and some refreshments.Graduating students: If you want to be part of the celebration, please fill out the form on Engage (https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/682159) so we know who to honor and how many rainbow cords to bring. If you cant make it but still want a cord, you can grab one later.Feel free to wear your regalia (its optional)! Hosted by: Office of Student Life, Queer Student Association, What To Do Additional Information can be found at: https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11285705 As a Druid who is a member of ADF (Ar nDraiocht Fein) I am happy to spread the word that we have a new Archdruid: Rev. Jan Avende, who was elected by popular vote and began their service on May 1. Ive gotten to know Jan at several ADF events over the years and Im very happy about this. From the ADF press release With nearly a decade of priestly service under their belt, and nearly two decades of involvement with ADF, Rev. Avende has a depth of work to bring to the table. They have served several positions within ADF, including Vice Archdruid, Initiate Program Preceptor, Regional Druid for the Heartland Region of ADF, Chief of the Bardic Guild, and many other roles serving our international membership. Adding to their resume include two years of work as a prison chaplain, a year as a hospital chaplain at OhioHealths Grant Medical Center (Level 1 Trauma Center), and they are nearing completion of work for eligibility to become a board-certified chaplain. On the local level, Rev. Avende has also been a Grove Priest of Three Cranes Grove, ADF, in Columbus, Ohio, for nine years, managing much of the day-to-day liturgical and spiritual needs of their local community, both in the Grove and beyond. Their M.A. in Education has also served them well on this journey, leading to the publication of three books on ADF Druidry: The Spiraling Sun, a Winter Solstice Liturgy; Kindling Sparks: A Religious Education Program for Young Pagans; and co-authoring ADFs free-to-the-public training program, The Hearth Keepers Way. Rev. Avende is also the first person to serve as ADF Archdruid who is not a cisgender man; when asked about this, they stated, We all know the face of modern Paganism is changing; I hope that I can be part of showing that modern Druidry is open, welcoming, and inclusive. We have a long way to go, but every new face, every different person, every connection is meaningful, especially to those who havent experienced that connection before. My interview with Rev. Avende What brought you to ADF in the first place? I actually found out about ADF before I started college at The Ohio State University, and was looking for Pagans to meet in person once I moved away from home. This was in the early internet days, and I ran across the LiveJournal community for ADF dedicants. I ended up chatting with ADF members there, and finding out that several of them belonged to The Ohio State Universitys Pagan Student Association, including Rev. Michael J Dangler (an ADF Priest and founding member of Three Cranes Grove, ADF, the ADF grove in Central Ohio). I joined and eventually ending up leading the Pagan Student association through the end of my undergrad, and it was a really formative experience for me. I met lots of different flavors of Pagans that way, and really expanded my worldview of what kinds of spirituality exist under our umbrella. My own path began from a Hellenic Recon perspective, but throughout my time with the Pagan Student Association, and getting to know the Three Cranes Grove community, I settled in and found that ADF-style Druidry really dovetailed with my personal beliefs, values, and practice. Even more than that though, I found community with the Cranes, and cant imagine life without them now. What inspired you to pursue leadership roles within ADF? I already had experience in leadership outside of ADF, and so when I joined, my grove encouraged me to get involved with small positions first, as well as taking on leadership roles within the grove. I served as the Chief of the ADF Bardic Guild for awhile, and as the Secretary for Three Cranes Grove. A little later, when I began serving as the Heartland Regional Druid, was when I really felt myself called to do more for the organization. Being a Regional Druid allows you to travel and meet people beyond just your local community. It wasnt long after serving as a Regional Druid that I pursued Initiation and Ordination in ADF, because I realized this was well and truly my home, and I wanted to be a part of serving these people. Leadership has always been about people and reciprocal relationships for me, and with hospitality and ghosti (reciprocity) being so integral to ADFs practice of religion, it makes sense to me why Im drawn to serve as a leader here. I want to be in the places where I can help people feel like theyre part of something bigger than themselves. In some cases we experience that as the divine or the sacred, but in other ways its also what unites a community. Paraphrased from what I wrote in the ADF Hearth Keepers Way manual: When we join this community of ADF, we become one of the many flames that feed its hearth fire. That fire within each of us becomes a star, lighting up the night sky we share. With our fires burning strong together, we each burn brighter in our practice and our faith. Which I hope not only answers the question of why leadership? but also the question of why ADF leadership? This is my home. These are my people. And I want to do all I can to grow and tend and care for this community. One of your primary goals is to help ADFs membership feel more connected to the organization. Can you talk about one or two things you think will move us in that direction? #1 Get the new website off the ground and released. I know, I know, weve been trying to hype up this whole new website thing for almost as long as Ive been part of ADF, and Ive seen its progress through many iterations, so I totally get the skepticism, but Ive now also seen and explored around the beta site and it is freaking amazing! It will be our own self-contained social media and learning management system all rolled into one, without having to worry about our data or our money going to anyone except ADF. Having a place like this that feels modern and private, and already uses an interface that many people are comfortable with, I think will help us by leaps and bounds to deepen our connections to each other and to the organization as a whole. Were a diverse group, spread across time zones and continents. If we can connect with videos and pictures and status updates all internally, in addition to our regular email list communications, I think that can only help bring us together. #2 A culture of trust. All organizations have turbulence, and they all have to go through very common phases of development (I am heavily informed by Tuckmans model). In the grand scheme of things, were still a young religious movement, meaning that though we may have worked through the Forming stage, and weathered a lot of the Storming stage, we still have little pop-up storms as we work into the Norming stage. This is not a one-person problem, and it cant be a one-person solution. Acknowledging this process without judgement, and as a normal progression of groups, will allow us to solidify our Norming stage, and move into Performing, where leaders are actively involved and the group is focusing on common goals. We need to build rapport and trust with each other to make that happen. All that being said, my skill set, values, and philosophy lead me to want to help our members feel motivated, trusted, and involved in the group theyre a part of. Through our own surveys sent to members, weve found that most people join because they want to be part of a group of like-minded people learning to do similar things. I plan to explicitly encourage that by creating bite-sized, low-stakes volunteer roles that allows each member the opportunity to share their unique knowledge and talents and be a living part of what makes us a community. What other goals do you have for your time in office? The other goals I have are more to do with administrative streamlining. Ian Corrigan likes to say that ADF started a religious hobbyists club, but out of that weve really grown into a fully functioning non-profit religious organization. Some of our processes still reflect the club mentality (and no shade, thats where we started, and its true to our roots. But to become a thriving tree, we need to tend the growth weve had since we were a small sapling), and Id like to see us really examine non-profit best practices, especially as they relate to religious governance. Im not exactly sure what this will look like yet, but I think its time we start having those conversations and doing that research. Again, we have a lot of talents and knowledgeable people in our organization who can help with this process, and we owe it to our predecessors, ourselves, and our descendants to make sure ADF thrives. Survey after survey shows that Christianity continues to decline in the United States. But most people who are leaving arent converting to another religion. Instead, theyre becoming spiritual but not religious or none of the above maintaining some high-level beliefs and practices but not actively participating in any religious group. How can ADF best respond to this trend? ADF has long walked the line between this is our firm identity and your practice can fit here too, which I still think is a good place to be: we should be inclusive of peoples identities and practices, but also be able to say this is what makes us ADF. Part of this is shifting the language we use when speaking. We need to talk about what we are, rather than what we arent. I dont want people to get the impression that were at odds with other faith traditions, especially other traditions also fall under the Pagan and polytheist umbrella. Now more than ever our communities need solidarity, and to understand that we dont have to practice and believe exactly the same way in order for us to work together to ensure our safety and continued existence as a movement. I think the best way to approach this is through each person (but especially our more visible and public members) authentically doing whatever their practices are in a way that others can see, follow, and resonate with. Ive done this myself with the #PrayerADay Project. As a former English teacher, I firmly subscribe to the idea of show me, dont tell me. People will seek meaning as they are called to, and if they see us in ADF doing things that bring us meaning, they may want to give it a try. And if they do, we can be ready to welcome and teach them, and help them find the meaning they seek, even if were only a stop on their spiritual journey. And also, what can ADF do to demonstrate that there is still value in being part of a local religious community? I think your local religious community can be your village. Theyre not just who you celebrate huge rites of passage and milestones with, but theyre also who you have consistent interactions with: who you share weekly or monthly dinners with, whose mail you check when someone goes on vacation. Your religious community is something that if you support it with the gift of your presence, it will support you in turn when youre in need. ADF is a religion with reciprocity as a core value. We are all, always, in relationship with each other and the world around us. Our local community can help keep us rooted in that place, even as our pocket friends and far-flung communities help keep us flexible to meet the changing times. I think there is definite value in a local community (and Im not just saying that as an extrovert), but its a both/and kind of situation. My local community feeds my soul in a very different way than my online community does, and I need both of them to thrive. ADF with its in-person groves, hybrid groves, and virtual groves helps to feed us on all those levels. You are the first Archdruid not directly connected to the founding of ADF over 40 years ago. How does this perspective help you plan for the future of the organization? It really resonates with one of our common liturgical phrases: As our ancestors did before, so we do now, so our descendants may do in the future. I think being in the middle section, doing now, really helps give me the perspective that this can and will outlive me, but that I have work to do to make it so. I may be a convert, as many Pagans still are, but Im raising my children in this religion. Im creating and publishing Pagan religious education materials for families. Im trailblazing to become a board certified chaplain that will actually be endorsed by a Pagan organization. My goal, my vision, is to make the path for others as clear and smooth as I can. I hope to never raise barriers behind me, but only work to break them down in front of me. When you found something, its hard to know if it will survive, and truly the best indicator of that continued existence is when it moves beyond you. I am that indicator for ADF, and that gives me great joy and hope, but also great responsibility and obligation that this progress doesnt stagnate with me. With every step I take, and each point of change and progress, Im documenting and planning so that when I eventually hand off to the Archdruid who comes after me, theyll be ready to help us fly. Finally, whats your big, long-term dream for ADF? When you look forward not just to the end of your time as Archdruid but to the time when your generation of leaders has completely passed the sickle to the next generation (and the generation after that) what do you see? I see us as a thriving community that knows we can operate with our ethos of shared practice and values binding us together. I see us as a place where Pagans of all paths can come to get training that is recognized by governments and professional organizations. I see us working on an interfaith level with other large Pagan and polytheistic organizations. I see us growing in numbers so that you wont have to worry about being without local community where you live, because there will be a grove wherever you are. If you want your kids to be given a foundation in values and encouragement to use those values to discover their own beliefs, youll find it in ADF. If you want the training to become a military faith group leader, or chaplain, or professor of religion, or counselor, youll find it in ADF. If you want a to find a grove in any new city you move to, youll find it in ADF. If you find yourself marginalized, and you need a warm-hearted and inclusive community to stand up for your human rights and dignity, youll find it in ADF. Israeli security forces inspect the site where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) AP By Ohad Zweigenberg and Tia Goldenberg, The Associated Press BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Sunday briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israels main international airport after an impact left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. The Houthi rebels have been striking Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before top Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the countrys military operations in the Gaza Strip. The army, meanwhile, began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation in Gaza, officials said. The missile launch Sunday set off air raid sirens in multiple parts of Israel. A plume of smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. It was not immediately clear whether the projectile, which landed in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, was the missile or its fragments, or an interceptor from Israels air defense systems. It left a deep crater in the ground and a nearby road was littered with dirt. Israel vows to respond to the airport attack Police said that air, road and rail traffic were halted following the attack. The traffic resumed after about an hour, Israel Airports Authority said. Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Houthi rebels have been firing at Israel since the war with Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, and the missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israels missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen and the U.S., Israels top ally, also launched a campaign of strikes in March against them. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the airport attack: Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold. Palestinians look at a house targeted by an Israeli army strike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) AP Israeli ministers will vote on expanding the war in Gaza An Israeli official said the influential security Cabinet would meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting. A military official said the country was calling up thousands of reserves. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a powerful expansion of the war, but did not disclose details as to what the new plans would entail. We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory, he said. He demanded that Israel bomb the food and electricity supplies in Gaza. As part of its efforts to pressure the militant group Hamas to negotiate on Israels terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. In another confrontation over international efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, the prime minister of Malta, Robert Abela, said his country had offered to send a marine surveyor to look into the nature of the damage caused to a ship that was said to be carrying aid to Gaza and organized by pro-Palestinian activists. Abela said the captain of the ship had refused the offer. The activists said Friday their vessel was struck by drones, blaming Israel. They have accused Malta of blocking the ship entry and denying assistance. The Israeli military has not commented. An 8-week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought a lull in fighting, flooded the territory with aid and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. Fighting in Gaza drags on At least seven Palestinians, including two parents and their two children, ages 2 and 4, were killed in Israeli airstrikes early Sunday in southern and central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics said. Asked about the strikes, the Israeli military had no direct comment. The Israeli military said Sunday that two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number of soldiers killed since fighting resumed in March to six. Israeli security forces inspect a crater at the site where the Israeli military said a projectile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) AP The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although roughly 35 are said to be dead. Israels offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. The fighting has displaced more than 90% of Gazas population, often multiple times. Hunger has been widespread and the shortage of food has set off looting. Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Kevin Schembri in Birkirkara, Malta, contributed to this report. Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war FILE - President Donald Trump holds a document with notes about Kilmar Abrego Garcia as he speaks with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, April 18, 2025, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP By Aamer Madhani, The Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. President Donald Trump is circumspect about his duties to uphold due process rights laid out in the Constitution, saying in a new interview that he does not know whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike deserve that guarantee. He also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the 51st state and played down the possibility he would look to run for a third term in the White House. The comments in a wide-ranging, and at moments combative, interview with NBCs Meet the Press came as the Republican presidents efforts to quickly enact his agenda face sharper headwinds with Americans just as his second administration crossed the 100-day mark, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Trump, however, made clear that he is not backing away from a to-do list that he insists the American electorate broadly supported when they elected him in November. Here are some of the highlights from the interview with NBCs Kristen Welker that was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday. Trump doesnt commit to due process Critics on the left have tried to make the case that Trump is chipping away at due process in the United States. Most notably, they cite the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned without communication. Trump says Abrego Garcia is part of a violent transnational gang. The Republican president has sought to turn deportation into a test case for his campaign against illegal immigration despite a Supreme Court order saying the administration must work to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. Asked in the interview whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, Trump was noncommittal. I dont know. Im not, Im not a lawyer. I dont know, Trump said when pressed by Welker. The Fifth Amendment provides due process of law, meaning a person has certain rights when it comes to being prosecuted for a crime. Also, the 14th Amendment says no state can deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Trump said he has brilliant lawyers ... and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. He said he was pushing to deport some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth, but that courts are getting in his way. I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it, Trump said. Military action against Canada is highly unlikely The president has repeatedly threatened that he intends to make Canada the 51st state. Before his White House meeting on Tuesday with newly electedCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump is not backing away from the rhetoric that has angered Canadians. Trump, however, told NBC that it was highly unlikely that the U.S. would need to use military force to make Canada the 51st state. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP He offered less certainty about whether his repeated calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland from NATO-ally Denmark can be achieved without military action. Something could happen with Greenland, Trump said. Ill be honest, we need that for national and international security. ... I dont see it with Canada. I just dont see it, I have to be honest with you. President bristles at recession forecasts Trump said the U.S. economy is in a transition period but he expects it to do fantastically despite the economic turmoil sparked by his tariffs. He offered sharp pushback when Welker noted that some Wall Street analysts now say the chances of a recession are increasing. Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say, Trump said. Well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that were going to have the greatest economy in history. He also deflected blame for the 0.3% decline in the U.S. economy in the first quarter. He said he was not responsible for it. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because hes done a terrible job, referring to his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump doubled down on his recent comments at a Cabinet meeting that children might have to have two dolls instead of 30, denying that is an acknowledgment his tariffs will lead to supply shortages. Im just saying they dont need to have 30 dolls. They can have three. They dont need to have 250 pencils. They can have five. Trump plays down third-term talk The president has repeatedly suggested he could seek a third term in the White House even though the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution says that No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Trump told NBC there is considerable support for him to run for a third term. But this is not something Im looking to do, Trump said. Im looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward. Trumps previous comments about a third term sometimes seem more about provoking outrage on the political left. The Trump Organization is even selling red caps with the words Trump 2028. But at moments, he has suggested he was seriously looking into a third term. In a late March phone interview with NBC, Trump said, Im not joking. There are methods which you could do it. So JD Vance in 2028? Marco Rubio? Not so fast. Trump said in the interview that Vice President JD Vance is doing a fantastic job and is brilliant. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Trump last week tasked to simultaneously serve as acting national security adviser, is great, the president said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives a joint news conference with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the office of the prime minister in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP) AP But Trump said it is far too early to begin talking about his potential successor. He is confident that his Make America Great Again movement will flourish beyond his time in the White House. You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, whos fantastic, Trump said. You look at I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here. No, I think we have a tremendous party. And you know what I cant name? I cant name one Democrat. A picture of steel at the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Steelton. June 04, 2024. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com Sean Simmers Steelton Mayor Ciera Dent on Saturday issued a statement regarding the temporary, indefinite idle at the Cleveland-Cliffs plant that will result in over 500 layoffs. The statement, posted on Dents Facebook page, said the following: Not all LGBTQ+ Christians belong to congregations that support that aspect of their identity. D-Keine/iStock via Getty Images Plus Kai found Jesus as a teenager. A person of white and Hawaiian descent, Kai now goes by gender-neutral pronouns and identifies as mahu, the traditional Hawaiian term for someone in-between masculine and feminine. But when they first became Christian, the high-schooler identified as gay and was committed to celibacy. Kai a pseudonym to protect their privacy embraced their churchs welcoming but not affirming teachings about LGBTQ+ people, agreeing that same-sex intimacy was incompatible with being Christian. It felt good to be sacrificing for the Lord, Kai recalls. But they eventually realized they were harming themself. I found myself unconsciously shutting down connection, Kai told us. Inside, I was crumbling in every moment because I was so fervently policing myself. Kai believed and their church taught that Gods own love is a gift, freely given. Nevertheless, they still felt that to be worthy of that love, Kai had to surrender their orientation and need for emotional connection, even with friends. It took me a long time to be able to look back on that and say, Those were days when I hated myself, Kai said. I hated myself for the sake of demonstrating how much I loved God. Kai began to reflect on what it meant to be Christian and concluded that Jesus didnt have a problem with same-sex marriage, or gender beyond clear ideas of male and female. Christian friends quietly cut Kai out of their lives. As a sociologist and a philosopher, weve worked together to understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ conservative Christians. Kais story illustrates a dynamic that in our 2025 book, Choosing Love, we call sacramental shame. In Christianity, the word sacrament often refers to a particular rite, like baptism, that provides a tangible sign of Gods presence. Many of the LGBTQ+ Christians we spoke with felt that conservative congregations expected them to demonstrate shame for their identity to prove they hadnt turned their backs on God that God was still present in their lives. Weight of shame Some Protestant denominations fully affirm LGBTQ+ identities, same-sex marriage and gender transition, and other churches are split. But when we learned that LGBTQ+ people and their allies were advocating for change in conservative churches, we wanted to hear their stories. In interviews and fieldwork, LGBTQ+ evangelicals told us that their churches often treated being cisgender and straight as though it were more important than the Ten Commandments. In some congregations, being LGBTQ+ is treated as an especially grave sin. But since people cant change their sexual orientation or gender identity at will, treating these things as sins creates an experience of endless shame. In the sacramental shame dynamic, churches require LGBTQ+ people to feel and display shame as the sign that they have not rejected God. Their churches, families and friends more or less require them to act as though their very capacity to love others, and to recognize the truth about themselves, is a danger to the people they love. As one person recalled, there were a lot of [friends] that I cut off. And I thought I was endangering them. I thought that I was going to poison them. Feeling unworthy of the love of God and other people can make people feel like their lives are not worth living. We heard about countless struggles with addiction, depression and suicide attempts and sometimes even physical symptoms, like unexplained asthma attacks or autoimmune disorders that developed as LGBTQ+ people wrestled with the stress of trying fervently to be worthy of love. Queer Christians of color Sacramental shame isnt easy for anyone, but often it can be more complicated for Black or Indigenous Christians and other Christians of color. In part, thats because centuries-old racist tropes often depict minority groups in a sexualized way, as promiscuous or exotic. Not wanting to affirm those stereotypes can make it harder for LGBTQ+ Christians of color to navigate life. Kai, like many Christians, was drawn to the faiths message of love and justice for the oppressed. Religion can offer support and strength for dealing with the realities of racism. But that can sometimes turn into a pressure to disprove racism by behaving as respectably as possible. A Black, bisexual pastor well call Imani grew up in a church that quietly supported LGBTG+ people, but she never knew it. As a young person, Imani worried that her own sexuality might cause trouble for her mother, who had already been through a lot: I was scared of embarrassing my mother. All I could think about was the swirling doom that would be, if people found out. I never even thought for a second that it was an option. Some white respondents, too, feared that coming out would embarrass their parents. But for Imani, silence about her sexuality seemed necessary to protect the Black communitys respectability, as well as her familys belonging in the church. We also met Darren Calhoun: a Black, gay man who was urged to try to fight being gay. His pastors ideas about how to fix Darren involved having him live in an out-of-state church building for four years, sleeping on the altar and fasting two days a week. It ended when Darren heard Christ telling him to stop hiding from life. So he went home, and his pastor told the church not to talk to him. Shifting views Some conservative Christians, including allies who arent LGBTQ+, are starting to change the conversation and their own views. In 2024, New Testament scholar Richard Hays and his son Christopher Hays drew ire from some fellow evangelicals by publishing a book arguing that Gods mercy creates room in the church for LGBTQ+ people. Before them, evangelical leaders such as Tony Campolo, David Gushee and James Brownson had also changed their minds. Leaders or laypeople who have rethought the issue often pointed out to us that Jesus said all of the Ten Commandments come down to loving God and your neighbor. Some said their views began to shift when they remembered to exercise humility, realizing that they might not know everything about gender, sexuality and Gods plan. For example, the Book of Genesis says that God created male and female; it also says God created day and night, and sea and dry land. But as transgender Bible scholar Austen Hartke writes in his 2018 book Transforming, recognizing night and day doesnt preclude sunsets. The fact that there are seas and dry land doesnt mean marshes are abominable. As Kai tried to share Gods love with other LGBTQ+ people, Kai came to realize that their churchs expectation for all LGBTQ+ people to be celibate wasnt just hurting me; it was hurting other people. Kai decided that As holy as this feels, its not the spirit of the Jesus I fell in love with when I became a Christian. Humility is not the opposite of pride; it is a realistic awareness of your gifts and your limitations. When LGBTQ+ people celebrate pride, they are celebrating the often hard-won knowledge that they are human beings, worthy of love. Dawne Moon, Professor of Social and Cultural Sciences, Marquette University and Theresa Tobin, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Marquette University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. ZAGREB, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 31 injured in a serious accident in the early morning, Croatian Minister of Health Irena Hrstic confirmed at a press conference on Sunday. A bus and a passenger car collided on the A3 Bregana-Lipovac motorway between the Popovaca and Kriz junctions, some 60 km southeast of Zagreb. According to local police, the traffic accident happened at around 3:10 a.m. (0110 GMT) on Sunday. Among the injured, 29 were hospitalized due to serious wounds. "Several people are currently undergoing surgery, but none of them are in a life-threatening condition," Hrstic said. The Croatian health system has been fully engaged after the accident, and nine emergency medical service teams have been dispatched to the scene. "We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to those who are receiving treatment in our hospitals," Hrstic said. How Foreign Travelers to the 2025 WSOP Will Be Impacted by Trump's Executive Order Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link President Donald Trump signed an executive order his first day back in office that shouldn't stress non-American citizens traveling to the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP). But those coming to Las Vegas from foreign nations should be aware of what an EO dubbed "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" entails. The 2025 WSOP begins May 27 and runs until the Main Event final table concludes on July 16. All 100 live bracelet events will take place inside Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. Thousands of poker players from outside the U.S. descend upon Southern Nevada each summer to compete in the WSOP and various tournaments and cash games around town at casinos such as Wynn and Venetian. Few instances, if any, have occurred involving poker players being deported or detained over their immigration status during previous summers. But if those entering the country for over 30 days aren't aware of new laws, issues could arise. Potential Impact on 2025 World Series of Poker Executive Order 14159 was signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025. The former owner of the shuttered Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, a once prominent poker destination, heavily ran on an anti-illegal immigration agenda during the 2024 campaign. As such, he signed a measure that is intended to ensure that foreign visitors "comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302), and ensure that failure to comply with the registration requirement is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority." The INA requires that, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and to be fingerprinted. - United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCSIS) Section 8 of the executive order states that "the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized by law to assess and collect from aliens unlawfully present in the United States, including aliens who unlawfully entered or unlawfully attempted to enter the United States, and from those who facilitate such aliens' presence in the United States." The consequences for those staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer on a visa without applying for registration and fingerprinting could be stiff, and may include civil and criminal penalties. Many non-citizen poker players in the U.S. for an extended time have already gone through the process. But those who haven't and are planning to stay for the entirety of the 2025 WSOP should register. To do so, visitors should fill out form G-2354R, Biographic Information, online at UCIS.gov. The Immigration and Nationality Act requires all foreign visitors to apply for registration and fingerpringing if they are over the age of 14, plan to remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, and were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a U.S. visa. It is also required that those who've gone through the proccess must carry proof of registration in their possession at all times. Why This Matters Trump, in the executive order, trashed the previous administration and wrote that former President Joe Biden "invited, administered, and oversaw an unprecedented flood of illegal immigration into the United States." The president's decision could have some impact on the 2025 WSOP as many of the top pros come out to Las Vegas for the entire summer each year from countries all around the world. And even some recreational players could decide to shorten their trip. Will Trump's executive order and overall immigration and economic policies have an impact on attendance at the WSOP this summer and other tournaments around town? That question will be answered in a few weeks. There are, however, some early signs that aren't so positive for summer poker in Las Vegas. Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) shows that the tourist hotspot had nearly 8% fewer visitors in March than the same month last year. Many experts have argued that the decline is due to a number of factors, including cost and the economy. But there are some positive signs that could indicate another monster year for attendance at the WSOP. While visitation was down in March, international travel to Las Vegas remained steady. Steve Hill, CEO of the LVCVA, told Las Vegas' ABC affiliate KTNV that the March numbers "didn't move enough to be really indicative of a trend." "What we're looking at right now, we think, is just a downturn in business for a period of time. Used to be a pretty normal thing. It does not mean that the public should extrapolate that into being COVID-like or Great Recession-like. We do not see that right now. There's no evidence that it'll turn into something like that," said Hill. There will likely be a few non-U.S. citizens who normally attend the WSOP staying away due to Trump's immigration stance. But with Bitcoin and the stock market rebounding recently, and the allure of competing in the World Series of Poker always being there, as Gus Hansen famously said, "it's going to be a great summer." Share this article You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Charleston, SC (29403) Today Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 74F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. JUBA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The international medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Sunday strongly condemned the deliberate bombing of its hospital early Saturday in Old Fangak, South Sudan's Jonglei State. Mamman Mustapha, MSF head of mission in South Sudan, said the attack began at around 4:30 a.m. local time when two helicopter gunships first dropped a bomb on the pharmacy of the MSF hospital, burning it to the ground, then went on firing at the town of Old Fangak for around 30 minutes. Mustapha said that at around 7:00 a.m., a drone bombed the Old Fangak market, killing at least seven people and injuring 20 others. MSF said it received around 20 wounded people at its hospital in Old Fangak, including four in critical condition, amid reports of more fatalities and wounded in the community. "We call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure -- this includes health workers, patients, and health facilities. Hospitals must never be targeted and the lives of civilians must be protected," Mustapha said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. According to the charity, one patient and two caregivers, including one of the staff members, who were already inside the hospital, were injured in the bombing. Patients who were not in critical condition ran from the facility. It was not clear why the facility was targeted, but the charity said the bombing of the hospital resulted in significant damage, including the complete destruction of the pharmacy. "This is where all our medical supplies for the hospital and our outreach activities were stored, severely compromising our ability to provide care," Mustapha said. "We are still assessing the full extent of the damage and the impact on our ability to provide care, but this attack clearly means people will now be even further cut off from receiving lifesaving treatment." Old Fangak Hospital is the only hospital in Fangak County, serving a population of over 110,000 people who already had extremely limited access to health care. This is the second time an MSF hospital has been impacted in the past month, following the armed looting of its hospital and premises in Ulang, Upper Nile state, on April 14, which led to the entire population of Ulang County being cut off from accessing secondary health care, according to the charity. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain late. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch. PR-Inside.com: 2025-05-04 03:07:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / May 3, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilMay 5, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ("ELF" or the "Company") (NYSE: ELF), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 25, 2023 and February 6, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of ELF and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-elf/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court byMay 5, 2025 .About the LawsuitsELF and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 20, 2024, Muddy Waters Research reported that the Company had materially overstated revenue over the past three quarters; that in Q2 FY24, it realized its growth narrative was in trouble as its inventory built; that it then began reporting inflated revenue and profits resulting in its reported inventory also appearing materially inflated; and that the Company concealed 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. On this news, the price of ELF's shares fell $2.71 per share, or 2.23%, to close at $119.00 per share on November 20, 2024. Then, on February 6, 2025, the Company released its fiscal Q3 2025 results and provided fiscal 2025 outlook that confirmed the weaknesses identified in the report previously issued by Muddy Waters, including softer consumption trends and slower new product launches. On this news, Elf's stock price fell $17.36 per share, or 19.62%, to close at $71.13 per share on February 7, 2025.The first-filed case is Rottman v. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-2316. A subsequent case, Boston Retirement System v. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-3167, expanded the Class Period.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-05-04 00:12:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 395 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 3, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Ibotta, Inc. (NYSE:IBTA) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded Ibotta securities pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with Ibotta's April 18, 2024 initial public offering.CASE DETAILS: According to the filed complaint, defendants made false statements and/or concealed that they did not properly warn investors of the 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 Walmart, 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.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Ibotta stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/ibotta-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=146768&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP The federal government has pledged to address the N4 trillion debt owed to Power Generation Companies (GenCos) in the country. In a statement Sunday evening, Bolaji Tunji, special adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said this commitment follows high-stake talks between the minister and chairperson of GenCos. The federal government has vowed to urgently address the N4 trillion debt crippling Nigerias power generation sector, following high-stakes talks between Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and Chairmen of Generating Companies of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday. The move aims to avert an imminent collapse of the power infrastructure in the country, the statement said. Last month, GenCos warned of imminent shutdown due to a N4 trillion debt owed by the Nigerian government for electricity generated and supplied to the national grid. The firms said the debt, which includes N2 trillion for 2024 and N1.9 trillion in legacy debts, is threatening the continued operation of their power generation plants. Mr Adelabu assured GenCos executives that the government would prioritise immediate payment of a significant amount out of the N4 trillion debt while the balance would be defrayed through other debt instruments. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said this would be proposed in a meeting being planned between President Bola Tinubu and GenCos leadership. There is a need to pay a substantial amount of the debt in cash. At the minimum, let us pay a substantial amount, then ask for a debt instrument in promissory notes to pay the rest, Mr Adelabu was quoted as saying. According to the statement, Mr Adelabu assured of the payment of the outstanding balance within six months through financial instruments such as promissory notes. We recognise the urgency of this matter. The government is committed to resolving this debt to stabilise the sector and prevent further crises. President Bola Tinubu would meet with GenCos leadership to fast-track the process, he said. The minister acknowledged the governments role in the sectors struggles, pledging to not only clear the debt but also implement reforms to ease operational bottlenecks. He emphasised the need to fully liberalise the power sector, urging Nigerians to embrace cost-reflective tariffs. The minister outlined plans to transition the sector toward sustainability, including regulatory reviews to reduce levies and enhance market stability. He also urged GenCos to collaborate on advocacy efforts to educate Nigerians on efficient electricity use and tariff realities. Citizens must pay the appropriate price for the energy consumed. The federal government will continue to provide targeted subsidy for economically disadvantaged Nigerians. We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely, the minister said. The Chairperson of Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited, Kola Adesina, said This is a national emergency. Everything hinges on powerindustries, homes, hospitals. We cannot afford to let the sector fail. The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Joy Ogaji detailed systemic challenges undermining GenCos, including chronic payment defaults, erratic gas supply, and foreign exchange volatility. She noted that the nairas plunge from N157/$1 in 2013 to N1,600/$1 had devastated maintenance budgets and loan repayments. GenCos have borne unsustainable risksfrom grid failures to unproductive taxeswhile remaining patriotic, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A health expert, Adebola Adeyemi, has highlighted the dangers that some everyday beauty products, such as cosmetics and body sprays, pose to womens health. Ms Adeyemi, a licensed and board-certified natural medicine practitioner, told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview more about her findings. The founder and Chief Naturopathic Physician at Khasmal Holistic Naturopathic Health Centre explained that cosmetics and body sprays can contribute to hormonal disruptions in women beyond the pleasant scents and flawless finishes. Hormonal imbalance occurs when too much or too little of one or more hormones are in the bloodstream, leading to various health issues. In May 2024, researchers at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 40 Prague, Czech Republic, analysed ten popular perfumes for their potential influence on the endocrine system. In the study Interaction of Perfumes with Cytochrome P-450 19, all ten randomly selected products showed significantly inhibited aromatase activity, especially when the perfume was exposed to UV light. 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 Therefore, all perfumes tested in the study met the endocrine disruptors criteria, the researchers said. Also corroborating Ms Adeyemis assertion, another recent study published on the Future Woman website revealed that many personal care and household products containing synthetic fragrances harbour potentially harmful xenoestrogens, chemical compounds that mimic oestrogen in the body and disrupt hormonal balance. According to the report, most synthetic fragrances contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which can significantly interfere with hormonal systems by disrupting hormone production, transport, and metabolism. Bad habits Ms Adeyemi said, Women engage in many habits that alter their hormones. The cosmetics. Cosmetics, body spray, and cleaning agents. So, we are exposed to many things that mimic our (women) hormones. Yes, so once you (a woman) keep doing that, it throws your hormones off balance, and then you are exposed to toxins. Our environment has a lot of pollutants from generators and then from gas cooking. And people do all sorts of things; the heat from the kitchen affects the hormones in ways you cannot comprehend. They affect the brain, too. We have different types of toxins. We have lead, we have cadmium, we have mercury, we have arsenic that you can even get from eating rice. So basically, ensure that you detoxify as regularly as you can. Solution Speaking on ways to balance hormones, she emphasised the importance of alternating between raw and cooked foods. If you eat cooked food for five days, try two days of uncooked food. Im talking about fruits and vegetables more. Do you still cook vegetables? No, you dont have to; you can juice them, make carrot juice, or make cucumber juice, or eat cucumber, slice, and eat because those raw foods contain the enzymes we need. Those cooked ones, any food you cook, once you cook it, thats all. And then, for some food, you steam them to retain the nutrients; like yam, you steam to retain the nutrients. And then some vegetables you steam, you dont cook, you dont boil, you just steam, and then eat to get the nutrients, Ms Adeyemi noted. She further stated that the significant health conditions commonly affecting men include fatty liver and high cholesterol. They (men) have kidney issues; even without knowing, kidney issues could be silent. That is not true because people have diabetes. They are not metabolising sugar. And then, by the time you are having blood sugar issues, you are killing your nerves, you are killing your organs, your pancreas. So, we see that a lot, she said. Holistic Naturopathy Furthermore, Ms Adeyemi encouraged Nigerians to embrace natural medicine, emphasising that it is effective because it is derived from nature, the form of healing created by God for humanity. She advised individuals seeking natural remedies to consult qualified practitioners, stressing that natural medicine extends beyond herbs alone. So in China, they dont use pharmaceutical products; they have their own medicine, which is their own conventional. The one we have as conventional is the one they use as an alternative. Yes, so traditional medicine works. Its more than herbs. We have different aspects of natural medicine, just like I told you. We have herbs. We have herbal medicine. We have naturopathy. We have nutrition on its own. We have energy medicine. We have acupuncture. So, we combine all these to reverse chronic diseases and ailments. So, most of the time, people have issues with herbs. And thats because people go to those that dont have the right training. They are not practitioners, said Ms Adeyemi. According to her, herbs have specific dosages, and excessive use could result in toxicity. She also cautioned that herbal remedies should not be combined with conventional medicine, noting that doing so may have adverse effects. So when people do that, thats when issues start. Some road sellers put paracetamol inside theirs, and some people will go to them and say I want malaria herbs. I want typhoid herbs. Meanwhile, they put in paracetamol. So imagine the effect of such on the kidneys. So the kidney can shut down by the time anybody takes, like how many cutting sessions. So thats where the problem is. So, if you go to people with the proper knowledge of herbs and how to make them, they understand because there are different ways of extracting them. So you can do protein. You can do tincture. You can do decoction. And then, if you know the one that works for you, there is no one-size-fits-all. The human body is designed so that what works for you may not work for me. And then we have different deficiencies, she added. According to her, natural medicine focuses on identifying and addressing root causes and underlying issues rather than merely treating symptoms as conventional medicine often does. So someone is having a headache. Why am I having a headache? Is it from stress? Is it from anxiety? So, a headache is not just a headache. Sometimes, theres a tension headache. There are also people. So you have to know which one. So thats why I prefer natural medicine: natural medicine deals with the root causes of ailments, whereas conventional medicine deals with symptoms. So, Im not saying convention is bad. We need each other. Thats why were now advocating for integrative medicine. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa has unveiled a far-reaching cultural diplomacy and tourism rebranding campaign titled Destination 2030. This ambitious initiative aims to position Nigeria as a premier global destination for art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy. The initiative was officially launched and approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in February 2025. The programme has since been adopted as Nigerias official Global Soft Power and Tourism Brand. Following the launch, the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy recently hosted a Destination 2030 Strategic Stakeholders Retreat at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre in Ekiti State. The retreat, which PREMIUM TIMES attended, gathered policymakers, private sector partners, data specialists, and tourism experts to fine-tune implementation plans, mainly focusing on destination branding, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships. 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 Ekiti State Partnership While speaking at the retreat, Ms Musawa reiterated the importance of anchoring the initiative on Nigerias most compelling tourism spots. We want to shift from selling Nigeria as one large, undefined brand to positioning specific locations like Ikogosi as globally desirable destinations. Think of what Bali is to Indonesia or what Santorini is to Greece. Ikogosi can be that for Nigeria, she said. During the retreat, the minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with the Ekiti State Government, signalling a new era of intergovernmental collaboration to make Ikogosi a flagship tourism destination. According to her, the Mou is designed to improve infrastructure, promote joint marketing campaigns, and attract sustainable private investments to the region. She said: We are working with the Ekiti State Government to ensure Ikogosi becomes a national treasure and a global magnet for tourists. We aim to establish strong, results-oriented partnerships between federal and state governments to elevate our tourism offerings. Ikogosi, known for its rare natural phenomenon of warm and cold springs flowing side by side, represents the unique attraction the ministry hopes to spotlight under the Destination 2030 banner. This unique feature sets Ikogosi apart and makes it a must-visit destination. The Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, represented by Rasaki Ojo Bakare, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, hailed the partnership as a timely boost for the states emerging tourism industry. I wasnt just playing politics when I said Ekiti is the fastest-developing state in arts, culture, tourism, and the creative economy. You can now see it for yourself. This sector, the next oil for Nigeria, will create wealth and jobs and tackle poverty when driven through meaningful federal-state collaboration, Mr Bakare said. He praised the federal government for choosing Ekiti as the initiatives pilot location and pledged the states full support. Presidential Villa The minister also commissioned the newly constructed Presidential Villa at the resort, an infrastructural highlight representing the governments renewed commitment to enhancing visitor experience at tourism hotspots. Nobody should have to leave Nigeria to experience peace, nature, and luxury, she said. Ikogosi offers all of that in one place. We must market our destinations with confidence and intention, she said. The minister acknowledged that poor infrastructure remains a longstanding challenge in the tourism sector and confirmed that discussions are ongoing with aviation authorities and the Ekiti State Government to enhance road access and explore the possibility of direct flights to Ado-Ekiti. We want tourists to land in Ado-Ekiti and drive a short, scenic route to Ikogosi. Access is everything. Without it, even the best destinations remain hidden, Ms Musawa noted. She added that the initiative is one of eight key pillars in the Renewed Hope Cultural and Tourism Agenda, which is designed to harness Nigerias soft power assets to boost GDP, attract investment, create jobs, and reposition the country on the global tourism map. Destination 2030 The Destination 2030 project is underpinned by five strategic goals: enhancing national image, promoting investment opportunities, increasing tourism arrivals, expanding Nigerias cultural footprint, and empowering local communities through sustainable tourism development. The Ministry outlined key performance indicators, including tourist arrivals, digital engagement, tourism-generated revenue, and global brand visibility. In addition to the efforts at Ikogosi, the ministry has identified other iconic sites such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State, Zuma Rock in Niger State, the Nok Terracotta Trails in Kaduna, and the Ogbunike Caves in Anambra, as part of its Phase One Destination branding rollout. These sites are expected to receive tailored marketing, infrastructure investment, and international exposure. We are telling the world: Nigeria is everywhere. Not just in music charts or fashion weeks, but in breathtaking destinations, rich heritage, and stories worth sharing, Ms Musawa said. To bring the vision to life, the ministry is partnering with private sector players, including Cavista Holdings, the parent company of Glocient Hospitality, and the concessionaire managing the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. We cannot do this alone. Government will create the enabling environment, but we need visionary investors, creatives, tour operators, and the media to make this dream real, she said. Tourism stakeholders at the retreat explored the integration of data platforms, sustainability practices, and digital infrastructure into destination development strategies. The minister also stressed the role of content creation, storytelling, and branding in tourism promotion. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print GAZA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of journalists held a protest in southern Gaza's Khan Younis on Saturday, urging the international community to protect media workers from repeated Israeli targeting. The protest was organized by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate to mark World Press Freedom Day. The journalists gathered at the Nasser Medical Complex in the city and held up signs reading "Stop Killing Journalists." In a speech during the protest, Tahseen Al-Astal, the syndicate's deputy head, accused Israel of committing "a crime against Palestinian journalists by directly killing them and destroying their homes." Al-Astal considered the media situation in Gaza to be among "the most dangerous in the world, given the complete absence of any safety guarantees, the destruction of press institutions, and the deprivation of the most basic work tools." Saying the Israeli occupation is fully responsible for these crimes, he called on international institutions to take serious action to "hold the killers accountable." Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 212 journalists, injured 409, and arrested 48 others, the Hamas-run media office reported on Saturday. A pharmaceutical firm, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited, has launched a national online portal to engage secondary and tertiary school students in Nigeria in a health competition aimed at combating malaria. The portal, unveiled in Abuja over the weekend, is part of activities commemorating the 2025 World Malaria Day. The initiative, which seeks to harness the creativity and passion of young Nigerians in raising awareness and developing innovative strategies for malaria prevention, is being done in collaboration with CEO Africa. With over N1 billion committed to the programme, the organisers said N400 million will go to student prizes, while N600 million will be used for educational materials and gifts for participants across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Emmanuel Umenwa, described malaria as a major public health threat in Nigeria. Mr Umenwa cited the World Health Organisation data indicating that Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of related deaths. He stressed that combating malaria demands innovation and youth-driven ideas beyond funding and access to healthcare. 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 Our target is also to reignite our passion for the battle against malaria. This will involve rejuvenating our collective commitment to the cause, especially among our youth, who are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the change-makers of today, he said. We do this by motivating them to take action. We will be empowering them to become champions of public health, who will assist to spread the message of prevention and awareness in their communities. He added that the initiative aims to empower young people to champion public health causes by using their creativity to promote malaria prevention within their communities. Timely initiative Also, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said malaria remains a major challenge with emotional, economic, and infrastructural impacts. Mr Pate, represented by the Director of Public Health, Godwin Ntadom, commended the organisers for the initiative, describing it as laudable and impactful. He said the project is strategic in the ongoing battle against malaria. Cletus Ilobanafor, the managing director of CEOAfrica, explained the competition format and said it would be conducted nationwide and structured as a quiz competition between the Junior Secondary School, the Senior Secondary School, and the Tertiary Institution. Mr Ilobonafor said the first round will be online at the state level, after which winners will proceed to physical regional-level contests. From there, winners progress to the regional stage and then to the national finals. Only the top participant in each stage moves to the next, he said. He said the competition will run on a one-year cycle, with registration starting 1 June. He added that a 14-member College of Assessors from various healthcare sectors will oversee the process. Malaria burden At a recent event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, warned that malaria continues to strain Nigerias economy and health system. Mr Salako stressed that malaria remains often underestimated and referred to as ordinary despite its devastating impact on individuals and communities. In Nigeria, malaria continues to be a major public health issue, with children under five years of age and pregnant women being most at risk, he said. This disease not only causes suffering and death, but it also disrupts the economic ecosystem by hindering productivity and increasing healthcare costs. World Malaria Day is marked every year on 25 April to raise awareness about the global effort to control and eradicate the disease. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed Metas claim that it may exit Nigeria after being fined by the West African country, calling it a calculated move to force the commission to reconsider its stance on data privacy regulations. reports that Meta stated in court documents that it may have to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures. The BBCthat Meta stated in court documents that it may have to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures. In a statement on Saturday, the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said Meta has faced similar penalties in the European Union and countries like the United States, India, South Korea, France, and Australia, without threatening to exit those markets. Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process, Mr Ijagwu wrote. According to him, threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of its liabilities following a ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal. The recent affirmation of FCCPCs final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards, and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices. For the avoidance of doubt, the FCCPC remains committed in its pursuit of consumer protection and data privacy towards ensuring a fairer digital market in Nigeria, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The FCCPC had investigated Meta (owners of Facebook and WhatsApp) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). The commission found that Meta engaged in multiple and repeated infringements, including denying Nigerians control over their data, transferring user data without authorisation, and discriminating against Nigerian users. Metas threat to exit Nigeria has sparked concerns, particularly among entrepreneurs and small business owners who rely heavily on its platforms for customer outreach and sales. According to Statista, Nigeria has a significant user base on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. While WhatsApp has 51 million active Nigerian users, Instagram has over 12.6 million users, and Facebook had about 36.75 million users as of January 2024. $220 million fine In 2020, the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) began a joint investigation into the privacy practices and consumer data policies of Metas platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. At the end of its years-long investigation, the agencies found that Meta engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, which is in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). In 2024, the FCCPC slammed Meta and Whatsapp with a $220 million fine for its infractions. Meta challenged the FCCPCs penalties at the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, but its appeal was unsuccessful. The tribunal dismissed Metas objections. It also found that the FCCPC followed due process and afforded Meta ample opportunity to respond to allegations of violating Nigerian data protection laws. The tribunal affirmed the FCCPCs authority to regulate competition and consumer protection, including in data privacy matters. While the tribunal set aside one of the FCCPCs orders for lacking sufficient legal basis, it upheld the commissions conclusions that Metas privacy policy contravenes Nigerian law. Meta penalised in USA, European Union Meta has faced intense scrutiny over data privacy, with governments and regulators worldwide investigating its handling of user data. In July 2024, Meta settled a $1.4 billion lawsuit by the Texas government that accused the company of using the personal biometric data of Texan residents without their permission. The states 2009 data privacy law protects residents biometric data like fingerprints and facial scans. Meta also faced heavy penalties in the European Union. In April, Meta was fined 200 million for breaching the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that businesses give consumers a service that uses less of their personal data. However, Metas Consent or Pay advertising model was not compliant with the DMA. In contrast to its stance in Nigeria, Meta chose to comply with penalties in other countries where it faced similar data privacy issues, rather than threatening to exit those markets. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, has addressed a report alleging he was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr Kyari, in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday night, explained that he is currently taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the NNPC Ltd management and board, of which he was a part. He reflected on his service to the NNPC and NNPC Ltd for 34 years, with 17 of those years in management roles and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under two administrations, those of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu. Mr Kyari said he is committed to accountability, stating that he served with the fear of God, knowing that he would be answerable not only to human institutions but also to God. He expressed his willingness to account for his stewardship during his tenure at the NNPC. I served not only my country but also God. I am happy to account for my stewardship. Over the past few days and in particular in the past 2 hours, I have been inundated with calls from concerned family and friends over claims by an online newspaper that I was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This is clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only them know. At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It should be stated that having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years, and 17 of those in management roles and especially the last 5 years and 9 months, I had little time for leave of even two weeks. So, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under their Excellencies Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I must emphasise that I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world, Mr Kyari said. He said the resort to disinformation does not serve any purpose, adding that it has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community. It is in this regard that I urge the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories or matters that are subject of further validation by relevant organisations. I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries, he said. Last month, President Tinubu sacked the board of the NNPC Ltd, including Mr Kyari, and board chairperson Pius Akinyelure. The president also approved Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO of the NNPC and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman. On Friday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the EFCC has initiated an investigation into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds by former top officials of the NNPC Ltd, including two former chief executives, Mr Kyari and Abubakar YarAdua. A letter, with reference number CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/SDC.2/NNPC/VOL.1/698, dated 28 April, addressed to the NNPC Managing Director, showed that the EFCC is seeking certified records of salaries and allowances paid to 14 officials, including those who have retired. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives member for Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun, and Oke-Ero federal constituency of Kwara State, Tunji Olawuyi, has donated medical equipment to the General Hospital, Omu-Aran. Mr Olawuyi also extended the donations to the ECWA Hospital, Oke Igbala, and some individuals in the constituency to support the mobility of people with special needs. At the presentation ceremony on Saturday, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, thanked the lawmaker for his dedication to the community and urged beneficiaries to use the donated items wisely. Also, Lasisi Abidoye, former President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, lauded the gesture, highlighting the importance of health in society and encouraging others to follow suit. Shuaib Olanrewaju, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, commended Mr Olawuyi for continuing the legacy of community development in the state. The Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Omu-Aran, Lekan Oguntoye, noted that this was not the first time the lawmaker had contributed to the hospital and commended his continued support. 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 Oguntoye also lauded the lawmakers efforts in backing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaqs initiatives to improve healthcare in rural areas, emphasising the positive impact of such contributions. In his speech, Mr Olawuyi emphasised the need to use the donated items responsibly and cautioned against selling them, stressing their purpose in improving healthcare delivery. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the ceremony, a medical emergency involving a pregnant woman was swiftly addressed using one of the donated items, showcasing the immediate impact of the donation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside other African leaders, joined thousands of Gabonese citizens on Saturday to witness the inauguration of the newly elected President of Gabon, Brice Nguema. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Nguema emerged as the President of Gabon on 12 April 2025, after beating seven others to win the countrys recent presidential election. Mr Nguema had been the interim president for 20 months following a change in government and ouster of former President Ali Bongo. The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Stade de lAmitie sino-gabonaise in Libreville, Gabon, saw military parades, a march past and a display of Gabons rich cultural heritage. In his inauguration speech, Mr Nguema thanked citizens of the country for their overwhelming support, which led to his emergence as a democratically elected President of Gabon. He pledged to work hard for Gabons development and to empower the youth to secure the nations future. 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 further promised to address the challenges of insecurity and criminality that are troubling the country, adding that the lack of adequate water supply will also be tackled. Mr Nguema, who recognised the role of the United Nations, pledged to work with them and called for peaceful coexistence among African nations. Other Heads of State present at the event included President Teodoro Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Mahama of Ghana, Faustin-Archange Touadera of Central African Republic, Adama Barrow of Gambia, among others. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print From 3 to 10 May, former US News Executive Stacia Philips will visit Nigeria for a US Speaker Programme on Journalism Innovation and Sustainable Media Business. The US Speaker Programme, organised by the Channels Academy, with support from the US Mission in Nigeria, aims to equip media leaders with the skills to foster resilient, financially sustainable newsrooms across Nigeria. An award-winning former senior media executive with over 30 years of experience, Ms Philips played a pivotal role in shaping the editorial, strategic, and creative cross-platform direction at ABC News, where she served as executive vice president. While at the outlet, she also oversaw business development and operations for their radio division. Prior to that, Ms Philips worked at CNN as the director of news planning and coverage. She is currently the President and CEO of Philips Strategic Insights. During her weeklong visit, Ms Philips will lead intensive two-day workshops in both Abuja and Lagos, sharing insights from the US media industry with leading media CEOs, managing directors, editors-in-chief, and executive editors. Workshop topics will include how to lead through disruption, explore innovative business models, grow engaged audiences, diversify revenue streams, and plan for effective leadership succession. Through panel discussions, breakout groups, and interactive sessions, the US Speaker Programme will equip 100 Nigerian media leaders with the practical tools needed to navigate the dynamic media landscape in an era of changing business models and operating environments. Reflecting on the upcoming visit, Ms Philips said, I couldnt be more excited about my first trip to Nigeria, especially as we gather to tackle the critical issues shaping the future of our industry. No matter where we are in the world, no matter the size of our newsroom or the medium we work in, were all facing many of the same challenges from rapid technological shifts and the rise of AI to the disruptions of a digital-first world and the ever-evolving media landscape. 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 US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Julie McKay noted that a free and independent media is vital for a healthy and resilient democracy. She explained that the overarching goal of the programme is to advance ongoing efforts aimed at improving access to credible, accurate, and reliable information for citizens by promoting the business sustainability of independent newsrooms. Were honoured to welcome a seasoned US media leader like Stacia Philips to Nigeria, said Ms McKay. Her expertise comes at a critical time, as media leaders around the world are exploring opportunities to innovatenot only in how they report the news, but in how they sustain their business operations. This programme is about equipping Nigerian media leaders with the tools to lead confidently in a fast-changing global media landscape. The General Manager of the Channels Academy, Kingsley Uranta, highlighted the timeliness of the workshop and how it aligns with the Academys mission to strengthen the editorial independence of Nigerian news outlets. READ ALSO: US Embassy issues new requirements for Nigerian visa applicants As media executives face growing pressure from operational and commercial pain points, this workshop offers timely and strategic guidance on how to navigate the challenges, Mr Uranta noted. At Channels Academy, we are committed to equipping leaders with the knowledge to safeguard editorial independence and preserve journalistic integrity and survival. The US Speaker Programme on Journalism Innovation and Sustainable Media Business is the latest example of the US Missions longstanding engagement with and support for the Nigerian media. Through our longstanding commitment to press freedom, the US government has trained hundreds of Nigerian journalists on themes from health, national security, and elections to prioritising truth, investigative journalism, and media ethics. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has called on the Nigerian government to uphold press freedom. It made the call in a statement on Saturday to mark World Press Freedom Day. Read the full statement below. As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) joins journalists in Nigeria and worldwide in commemorating this important occasion. We urge our colleagues to reaffirm their commitment to professional journalism. Call to Action We call on the federal and state governments, as well as their agencies, to uphold press freedom by removing all obstacles to journalism practice in Nigeria. Specifically, we urge security agencies to refrain from using the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate and harass journalists. Instead, they should protect journalists and press freedom, as a thriving press is essential for a better society. 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 Supporting Journalists We commend journalists who continue to work professionally despite threats and challenges. We also urge employers to provide fair remuneration, as unpaid salaries and poor pay threaten press freedom. Celebrating Press Freedom May 3rd every year marks a global celebration of press freedom principles, assessing media freedom worldwide, and honouring journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. IPI Nigeria remains committed to defending media freedom and supporting independent journalism wherever it is threatened. Tobi Soniyi Legal Adviser, IPI Nigeria & Chairman Advocacy Committee Ochiaka Ugwu Secretary, Advocacy Committee Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Sunday, some farmers in Ondo State protested the alleged takeover of their farmlands in Oluwarotimi Forest Reserve (OA3A) Odigbo Local Government Area of the state by a private agro-allied company. The farmers, who blocked the Lagos-Ore expressway, disrupting the traffic flow, claimed that the firm SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, in collaboration with the state government, was destroying their plantations. They branded leaves and carried placards bearing inscriptions such as Ayo Sotinrin Is Using Govt Power on Poor Farmers, Tinubu Save Farmers from Sotinrin, SAO Belongs To Ayo Sotinrin, MD, Bank of Agric, Rotimi Wemimo Must Go, and Farmers Have Rights to Life, among others. The displaced farmers also accused Rotimi Akinsola, the senior special assistant on agriculture and agri-business to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of aiding the firm. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, one of the farmers, Musafiu Irewolede, alleged that the company stormed their farmland and began to evict them from the forest reserves by destroying their plantations. Mr Irewolede described the action as illegal, saying that the firm claimed it had bought the farmlands measuring over 10,000 hectares from the state government. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He noted that the development was against the court order, restraining the state government and the private firm from evicting them from the forest reserves. To our chagrin, on the 28th of April, 2025, while our leaders, including Mr Abayomi Isinleye, were lured to Akure for a supposed peace meeting by Mr Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited drove its bulldozer into the farm to resume the destruction of our cocoa farms under the pretext that it had purchased 10,000 hectares of the State Forest Reserve from the Ondo State Government, the same government that is collecting rents from us every year, he said. Since 2019, we have been paying N20,000 per rope to farm here, and the truth is that we have been in court to challenge this act of illegality, and we got an injunction stopping the destruction of farmland. But they never desisted as they continued to flout the court order. The government sold our farmlands to SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, and we were surprised when we saw bulldozers inside the farm destroying our crops and plantation last week. They came with bulldozers to destroy the farmland. President Bola Tinubus appointee, Ayo Sotinrin, bought the farmland from the state government, and he is being aided by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwas senior special assistant, Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola. Mr Irewolede added that the state government has been collecting multiple levies, such as rent fees, security money, and identity cards, from the farmers for over 20 years. Yet, they are not too satisfied with that level of taxation. They came with force to evict us from the land. We are not going to take this, and we shall fight against this injustice, he stated. Another farmer, Felix Adeniyi, lamented that the forceful takeover and eviction from the farmland could worsen their condition. Mr Adeniyi, who observed that the development would displace at least 15,000 farmers, said the farmland had been a source of living for many families and households. So, we are calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to remove Mr Rotimi Wemimo as he is self-serving, an enemy of the farmers in Ondo State and is not serving the interest of the government but that of private investors for his own gains, he said. We also demand the immediate resignation of Mr Ayo Sotinrin as the MD of the Bank of Agriculture for conflict of interest. We call on President Bola Tinubu to remove him if he refuses to resign. Efforts to obtain Mr Akinsolas reactions were unsuccessful. At the time of writing, a message sent to his mobile telephone had yet to be delivered. But when contacted, Mr Sotinrin denied that SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited was dispossessing farmers in the state of their farmland. He explained that the company had processed the land allocation, paid all necessary fees, and obtained a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). Stating that the company had tried to engage with the farmers by offering them compensation, Mr Sotinrin said they proposed giving them 3000 hectares of land to cultivate. We want to put the records straight. We are doing large-scale commercial agriculture and need to have our records very straight. Whatever land we want to use, we need to have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the government authorities on the land, he added. However, The managing director added that upon accessing the land, the company encountered farmers he claimed were on the land illegally. Not first protest This is not the first time farmers have protested the destruction of their tree crops by private investors. The contention started as soon as the state government allowed the investing companies to commence operations. Controversies over the displacement of farmers in the government forest reserves have become recurring issues since the state government launched its Red Gold Project in 2021. The project is an oil palm development initiative inaugurated by the late governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Mr Akeredolu inaugurated the Red Gold Project by inaugurating a privately owned Gas Inland LPG Terminal and Oil Palm Mills in the Ore Industrial Park in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. The Red Gold Project is a partnership between the state government and the National Oil Palm Producing Association of Nigeria (NPPAN). It was gathered that the government initially planned to use 60,000 hectares of land for the project and create 500,000 jobs. But in 2022, when the governor inaugurated another farm in Ore by JB Farms Limited, he said over 70,000 hectares had been allocated to six companies under the Red Gold Project. He said 10,000 hectares were approved for JB Farms in Ore. This is a farm that we are projecting to stand on a total land area of 10,000 hectares and more, and this is just the first one, and I believe it will be more than this, Mr Akeredolu had said. As of today, we have given out 70,000 hectares to investors, about five or six of them. PREMIUM TIMES reported that by the end of 2022, the state government had expanded the project to 80,000 hectares. Mr Akeredolu died on 27 December 2023, and since then, the farmers have been crying out against the land sales to the companies whose bulldozers were deployed to bring down every tree standing on the land to pave the way for the projects. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, has been honoured with the HLF-Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism in the Media at the 2025 Hallmarks of Labour Awards. The event held in Lagos on Saturday was an annual event, organised by the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF), celebrating distinguished Nigerians for exemplary leadership, ethical conduct, and service across various fields. Mr Olorunyomi was recognised for his established track record in advancing media independence, promoting accountability journalism, and upholding ethical standards in the Nigerian press. The award also acknowledges his leadership in building one of the countrys most respected investigative newsrooms. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Mr Olorunyomi described the award as a reminder of the vital role of journalism in a democratic society. Of course, it is a reminder of the important role that journalism plays in a democracy, he said. People who walk into our society will get better, but we really have to invest more in consequential journalism. 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 Younger journalists are facing the most burden in the history of the world and our country. Theres no time in history when it has been more difficult to do good journalism. Other honourees PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the 2025 ceremony would recognise several other distinguished individuals for their contributions to public service, science, education, and philanthropy. The awardees include Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, who received the HLF-Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award as Nigerias outstanding international icon. Retired General Theophilus Danjuma, Chairman of the TY Danjuma Foundation, was honoured with the HLF Lifetime Achievement Award for Exemplary Philanthropy and Charity. Other awardees include Olufunmilayo Adebambo, Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, for her work in food security and agricultural innovation and Mariam Katagum, former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, for excellence in leadership and governance. The rest of them are: Babajide Alo, Professor of Chemistry, and Kalu Onuoha, Professor Emeritus of Geology, for outstanding contributions to science. Abdullahi Ribadu, Professor of Veterinary Reproduction, received the HLF-Umaru Shehu Lifetime Achievement Award for advocacy in higher education reform. Akinlolu Olujinmi, former Attorney-General of the Federation, for advancing the rule of law in Nigerias justice system. Adele Jinadu, Professor of Political Science, is recognised for his contributions to democratic development and education. Olufemi Adelowo, Consultant Rheumatologist, and Isaac Adewole, former Minister of Health, are both honoured for excellence in medical practice and public health leadership. Remarks and tributes In their opening remarks, HLF chair Emeka Anyaoku and Executive Secretary Patricia Otuedon-Arawore welcomed guests and praised the honourees for their lifelong dedication to national development. Mrs Otuedon-Arawore, in a wide-ranging tribute, described the honourees as real models whose legacy would inspire younger generations. The more we do this, the more I wonder why people say Nigeria is not a good country, she said. Every year, we discover more and more role models across different fields. That should tell us that Nigeria is full of good people doing great things. She also conveyed a message from the HLFs Chairman Christopher Kolade, the awards namesake, who could not attend due to illness. In his remarks, he congratulated the awardees and encouraged young Nigerians to emulate their dedication and values. Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, speaking at the event, praised Mr Danjuma, a retired general, as a worthy example for the younger generation. He is an example in moral astuteness, in courage, and in service, the governor said. The event drew prominent figures from the media, civil society, politics, academia, and the diplomatic community. About Olorunyomi Mr Olorunyomi is the publisher of Nigerias leading investigative news platform, Premium Times, and the CEO of the Centre for CJID. Previous to this, he served as pioneer policy director and chief of staff at Nigerias leading anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In 1995, Mr Olorunfemi founded Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. In 2014, Mr Olorunyemi established West Africas first journalism innovation and development center the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (formerly Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism). He is often referred to as the father of investigative journalism in Nigeria and many awards are testament to his phenomenal work and great legacy in the history of Nigerian media. The most recent award is from the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2020, which also announced him co-recipient of its 2020 International Human Rights Award. He was educated at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; the Washington College of Law, American University, Washington DC; the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and a Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation and Design Thinking by MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School Executive Education, and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, USA. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Heavy rainfall accompanied by windstorms on Friday wreaked havoc in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, damaging houses and electricity poles and injuring a student. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the downpour affected several communities in the area, including the Control Post along Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, Uruk Uso community, and houses along Abak Road. The Chairperson of the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Aniefiok Nkom, visited the affected areas on Saturday to sympathise with the people. A statement from the chairpersons office, posted on Facebook on Saturday, indicated that the heavy rainfall resulted in widespread destruction, flooded streets, and displaced residents in several communities across the area. This is a very unfortunate incident. My heart goes out to all those affected, Mr Nkom, a former commissioner in the state, told residents during the visit and promised the councils assistance to the affected persons. According to the statement, properties affected include residential buildings, commercial structures, and public institutions. 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 media office also posted the picture of Mr Nkoms visit to a hospitalised student of the Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, who was injured by the rainstorm. Akwa Ibom and rainfall Mainly a coastal state, Akwa Ibom is characterised by a long wet season and a shorter dry season. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean contributes to high humidity and substantial precipitation. The heavy rainstorm is likely to continue as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a federal government agency responsible for providing weather and climate information and services to the public, has listed Akwa Ibom as one of the states to witness more rainfall this year. Seven days ago, the agency predicted heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, and many other states in the southern part of the country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to pay a state visit to Russia and attend the Great Patriotic War Victory celebration in Moscow, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Sunday. This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, and also the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations. Xinhua News Agency will release on Sunday a feature story on Xi's vision for world peace and China's contribution to building a more just and equitable international order, and promoting global peace and development under his leadership. The headline of the feature story is as followed: -- Xi Jinping: A visionary architect of world peace and development The police in Kebbi State have detained three officers for alleged murder of a suspect arrested in connection with stealing. The police spokesperson in the state, Nafiu Abubakar, made this known in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday. On April 15, based on a complaint of stolen rims of trailer truck reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Jega, one Abubakar Auwal was arrested in connection with the case. On April 16, at about 6:a.m while the investigation was ongoing, the suspect collapsed in detention. He was rushed to the general hospital, Jega, for treatment, but died on the same date at about 10:p.m, he said. Mr Abubakar said based on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, directed the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said three officers were found culpable and were being detained at the SCID for further investigation, while the divisional police officer in the area has been queried and transferred with immediate effect. Mr Abubakar said the police were committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in discharging their duties. The wrong actions of few officers do not reflect the values of the Nigeria Police Force, prompt and disciplinary measures are always taken against erring officers to ensure accountability and justice. The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to maintaining discipline, protecting the integrity of its operations and fostering the trust and confidence of the people it serves, the spokesperson said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, has arrested two suspects trafficking 500 kilos of pangolin scales worth N25 million from Cameroon to Nigeria. The Commanding Officer, Aliyu Abdullah, stated this while handing over the suspects and the items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ibaka on Saturday. Mr Abdullahi said that the suspects were arrested on routine patrol around Tom Shot Island on Thursday. The arrest was made during routine-stop-and-search of boats transiting from Cameroon to Nigeria, he said. He stated that pangolins are a critically endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Mr Abdullahi noted that smuggling of products derived from endangered animals, such as pangolin scales, across International maritime borders constituted a serious violation of both International and domestic legal frameworks. 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 They play a vital role in their ecosystem. However, their population has been decimated due to high demand for scales and meat, particularly in black markets across Asia and Africa, Mr Abdullahi said. The commanding officer said the shipment of scales was believed to be destined for a port in Lagos for smuggling out of Nigeria to markets in Asia. It breaches the convention on CITES, which prohibits the commercial trade of endangered species and their derivatives. Both Nigeria and Cameroon are signatories to this convention. Mr Abdullahi said that the Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, would continue to tackle all forms of illegal activities within the waterways, thereby improving Nigerias international image. Receiving the suspects, items and boat, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Dada Fagbola, said that the suspects would be investigated for necessary prosecution. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Security operatives have rescued nine abducted persons in Enugu State, Nigerias South-east, an official has said. The victims, including two Catholic reverend sisters, were abducted by gunmen on 26 April at Eburumiri, Ibagwa-Aka, a community in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of the state. The Chairperson of Igbo-Eze South Council Area, Ferdinand Ukwueze, announced this in a statement on Friday. Mr Ukwueze, a lawyer, said the victims were rescued on Thursday during a joint security operation in the area. Following the incident, a quick response was immediately initiated through superlative coordination from the Enugu State Government. Our boundary neighbours of Nsukka Local Government Area and those of Kogi State communities were of immense help as they offered cooperation to the multiple security formations that participated in the rescue operations, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later As of today, the 2nd day of May 2025, all nine persons have been rescued and are now undergoing necessary medical evaluation and psychological support, reunited with their families. The chairperson said that beyond the rescue of the victims, further security operations were ongoing in the area to track down the abductors. There shall be no hiding place for criminals in Igbo-Eze South. Our intelligence network has been activated, and collaboration with state formations remains robust and uncompromising, he said. He praised Governor Mbah of Enugu State for assisting in mobilising security resources for the rescue operation. Equally deserving of recognition are the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and more intimately, our Igbo-Eze South Neighbourhood Watch operatives as well as the members of the Forest Guards; gallant local men who risk their lives daily to safeguard our communities, he said. Zero tolerance for criminality Mr Ukwueze vowed that, going forward, his administration would not tolerate criminality in the council area. He said he would immediately carry out a comprehensive overhaul of local security architecture in the council area. This will include the retraining and reequipping of our Neighbourhood Watch personnel, deepening collaboration with state security services, and launching new community vigilance frameworks at ward and village levels, he stated. The chairperson said there were plans to strengthen community intelligence systems by encouraging residents to participate in local safety efforts through confidential reporting and surveillance volunteer networks. A secure feedback mechanism will be instituted to ensure responsiveness without exposing informants to danger. In the coming weeks, my office will be convening a local security and stakeholder summit, bringing together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations, and security agencies to evolve sustainable community-based strategies to secure our future, he added. Meanwhile, a video clip obtained by PREMIUM TIMES showed Mr Ukwueze addressing the rescued victims while relatives hugged them. Armed personnel of the Nigerian Army, police, and vigilante members were seen guarding the rescued victims. Police speak Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, did not respond to calls and WhatsApp messages seeking his comments. However, a top police officer in the state confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday. READ ALSO: Police detain three officers for alleged murder of suspect Yes. It is true. It was a joint security operation with our sister security agencies, said the officer who asked not to be named because he was not permitted to speak on the incident. Abduction for ransom Like other states in the South-east, cases of abduction-for-ransom in Enugu State have been on in recent times, particularly within Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas of the state. Civil servants, business owners, politicians and even students have become targets of such attacks in the state. Meanwhile, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, although a separatist group, IPOB, has been blamed for the frequent attacks in the South-east. However, the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. IPOB is seeking the secession of South-east and some parts of the South-south from Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has called for a shift in the directive that prohibits the public parade of criminal suspects. He argued that the restriction hampered effective prosecution and the delivery of justice. Mr Jimoh made the assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. He noted that although the commands crime-fighting strategies had led to the arrest of numerous suspects and the recovery of locally made firearms, legal limitations prevented the public parade of those apprehended. NAN reports that there is no specific law in Nigeria that explicitly forbids the parade of suspects, but the practice has been widely criticised and considered a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the presumption of innocence guaranteed under the law. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 does not provide for the parading of suspects, and legal experts argue that the practice is inconsistent with its provisions on fair trial and due process. 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 NAN further reports that courts in Nigeria have ruled against the parade of suspects in several cases, describing it as unconstitutional and a form of media trial. Mr Jimoh said, We have brought in several suspects, but we cannot parade them because of the perceived public trial. This slows down their prosecution and delays justice for the victims. According to him, public identification of suspects can bolster victims confidence to testify in court and provide additional investigative leads. When we parade suspects, victims of the crimes, people they have injured or hurt, can identify them. It often encourages them to come forward and pursue justice in court, Mr Jimoh explained. He added that public awareness of the consequences of criminal behaviour could serve as a deterrent. When the public sees the faces behind these crimes, it can reduce the rate of such offences. We must balance human rights with the need for justice, he said. According to the CP, while respect for human dignity is paramount, individuals who violate the rights of others must be held accountable. READ ALSO: Police detain three officers for alleged murder of suspect Human rights exist for everyone, but those rights end where another persons rights are violated, he said. Citing a real-life example, Mr Jimoh recalled a case in which a child identified a suspect on television after a crime scene was broadcast. The identification provided critical evidence that helped secure the suspects conviction. That singular act gave the police more clues and strengthened the case in court, he noted. He therefore urged the relevant authorities to revisit and reconsider the current ban on parading suspects. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, says rape cases are among the easiest crimes to investigate and prosecuteprovided they are reported promptly. He made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. According to Mr Jimoh, technological advancements have greatly aided the investigation and prosecution of rape and defilement cases. He, however, noted that timely reporting was key to gathering evidence and securing convictions. It is very easy to prove either a case of defilement or rape; it is very scientific and easy to prove. If a woman or girl is violated, she should report immediately. Prompt complaints make all the difference, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He stressed the importance of preserving the crime scene and seeking immediate medical and forensic examinations to strengthen the evidence in court. The scene of the crime must be preserved, and medical and forensic examinations are critical, he added. The commissioner, however, lamented that fear of stigma often prevented survivors from speaking up, thus allowing perpetrators to remain free and continue harming others. Survivors begin to suffer mental and health challenges when they see their violators roaming free, he said. He urged survivors not to be discouraged, saying, Speak up. When cases are reported late, evidence gets destroyed, and the crime scene is compromised. But with technology, we can crack the truth quickly, he said. He also reiterated the commands commitment to deterring potential offenders. Let us put a stop to this jointly, he added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Medical professionals have called for increased research and improved access to clinical services to ensure effective treatment outcomes for children suffering from cancer. The call was made on Sunday during the 2025 virtual Dear Doctor annual series organised by the Okapi Childrens Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event aims at raising public awareness of childhood cancer and addressing common questions about the disease. The Managing Director and CEO of the Centre for Clinical Care and Research, Ayodotun Olutola, emphasised that research and clinical services are crucial to improving treatment outcomes for children with cancer. Mr Olutola, a doctor, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care in ensuring better outcomes for young patients. He further stated that investing in these areas would enhance treatment success and provide hope to children and their families. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his presentation, Adewumi Oyesakin, Senior Paediatric Consultant at the National Hospital, Abuja, explained that childhood cancer typically affects children and adolescents. Represented by Juliet Okpala, Mrs Oyesakin identified leukaemia, brain and spinal tumours, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumour as some of the major cancers affecting children. She also noted that cancer symptoms vary, but common signs, such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, persistent pain, and swollen lymph nodes, should prompt immediate consultation with healthcare professionals. Early detection, she stressed, significantly improved treatment outcomes. A Consultant Paediatric Haemato-Oncologist at the FMC, Abuja, Ifeoma Ezeukwu-Orogade, highlighted the importance of advocacy and public awareness in the fight against childhood cancer. Ms Ezeukwu-Orogade called for greater education of communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the challenges families face in accessing care for childhood cancer. At the event, Abidemi Omonisi, president of the Nigerian Cancer Society, reaffirmed the societys commitment to prioritising childhood cancer care. Mr Omonisi, represented by Tessy Ahmadu, said there were plans to establish a childhood cancer registry in Abuja to help improve care and treatment for affected children. In her opening remarks, Oluwakemi Adekanye, OkapiCCF Chief Volunteer and Founder reiterated the organisations dedication to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer. Ms Adekanye emphasised the need for awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, encourage early detection, and provide continuous support for survivors navigating their post-recovery health journey. The session also featured inspiring stories from cancer survivors and their advocates, who expressed gratitude to the foundation for improving access to treatment. Adekemi Oyewusi, a 25-year childhood cancer survivor, shared her personal journey and reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for better treatment options and support for children battling cancer. NAN also reports that the 2025 edition of the Dear Doctor series focuses on educating the public about childhood cancer, its challenges, the importance of early diagnosis, advocacy, and ongoing support for affected families. The event attracted more than 60 participants, including healthcare professionals, cancer survivors, patient advocates, and members of the general public, who engaged in an insightful discussion on childhood cancer. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, convicted Folake Adeoti, an ex-convict, of hawking the naira. She was convicted alongside Modupe Adewuyi, a press statement on Sunday by the prosecuting agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge, Yellin Bogoro, sentenced the duo to one year imprisonment after they both pleaded guilty to one count of hawking naira notes. However, while Ms Adewuyi was given the option of paying N500,000 fine in lieu of imprisonment, Ms Adeoti, the ex-convict, was sentenced to one year jail term without an option of fine. EFCC said Ms Adeoti and Ms Adewuyi were arrested on 21 March along Jobi Fele Way, Ikeja, Lagos, while hawking naira notes to the tune of N3,850,000.00 and N1,600,000, respectively. The offence violates Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, and is punishable under the same Act. 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 Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 stipulates that it is an offence to hawk naira notes and anyone caught is liable to imprisonment to a term not less than six months or an option of fine. They pleaded guilty to their charges, following which prosecution lawyer, Z.B. Atiku, tendered their confessional statement as well as the money recovered from them in evidence. The prosecution informed the court that Ms Adeoti was an ex-convict, having been prosecuted by another judge of the court, Ibrahim Kala, and convicted of the same matter of naira abuse. She then urged the court handling the latest case to convict and sentence them accordingly The judge sentenced Adeoti to one year imprisonment without an option of fine. In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of her POS machine as well as the money recovered to the federal government. The judge also sentenced Ms Adewuyi to one year imprisonment or payment of N500,000 fine. Similarly, her POS machine and money recovered from her were also forfeited to the federal government. Other cases of naira hawking Despite the legal provision, illegal hawking of naira is becoming prevalent. In March 2024, PREMIUM TIMES reported the arraignment of one Azubuike Obasi in Rivers State for currency racketeering. A witness also told the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, that Mr Obasi had sold N20,000 worth of new banknotes, comprising 100 pieces of N200 notes, to Emeka Daniel at a cost of N35,000. In February, Nwachukwu Ifeanyi also received a six-month sentence in Imo State for selling new naira notes from his shop. In March, a man was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment for hawking new naira notes at Villa Dome Event Centre, Okotie-Eboh Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ride on Traore. But, just as Samora Machel said, [t]he day you hear the Whites speak of me in good terms I have betrayed you already. So Traore, please, know the day France and other Western powers speak good of you, that day, we, Africans in Africa and in the Diaspora, will know you have sold out to Western imperialist forces. Africans and progressive activists in the continent and the diaspora, including the United States (US), Canada, the Caribbean, Western Europe, and Russia, took to the streets on 30 April. The marches were in support and solidarity with the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, his government and the people. They were joined by democratic, anti-imperialist, and peace-loving peoples of other races. The protest was triggered by the continuous destabilisation of Burkina Faso by Western powers, especially France, which has been financing and arming some extremely retrograde and deadly terrorist elements of the Boko Haram type. But, why are France and Western powers so desperate to eliminate Traore and overthrow his government? What are French military warships, carrying hundreds of troops, helicopters, and military vehicles doing in neighbouring but hostile Cote dIvoire, three months after the latter claim to have expelled French forces? Why did the African-American General, Michael Langley, tell a US Senate Hearing that Burkina Fasos gold reserve goes for Traores personal security rather than the nations benefit? So the US said of Muammar Gaddafi before killing him and destroying Libya. 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 first reason is that Burkina Faso is a largely driven agriculture and mining country. It produces gold, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphate and limestone. And, it has significant reserves of diamonds, bauxite, vanadium and nickel, etc., which are presently unexploited. These materials, hitherto exploited by Western multinationals, have been nationalised by Traores government; an act generally seen by the Western powers as dangerous to their interests. Secondly, Traore is widely seen as the political reincarnation of a predecessor, Captain Thomas Sankara, assassinated by a French marionette, Blaise Compaore, in 1987. Like Sankara, he rode to power, as a Captain, through military coup detat, in his early thirties. Sankara at the age of thirty-three, Traore at thirty-four. Both fought commendably against Western-backed terrorists operating and destabilising Burkina Faso. Like Sankara, Traore is a nationalist, patriot, and professional but politically conscious military officer. Both are people-oriented leaders, passionately committed to the defence of the homeland, and the all-round development of Burkina Faso. To Western powers, a Sankara born-again must not be allowed to shine, flower and flourish, as it will fertilise the grounds for the reincarnation of African leaders like Patrice Lumumba of Congo, Sylvanus Olympio of Togo, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Amilcar Cabral of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, Augustino Neto of Angola, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Gadhafi of Libya, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and, Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe, and Chris Hani of South Africa. Thirdly, Western powers are opposed to Traore because he is a strong believer and practitioner of development. Like Cabral, Traore sees development as greatly involving but radically transcending modernisation. Development, to them, means improving their citizens material, spiritual, welfare, and security conditions; continuously ensuring peace and progress; increasingly humanising their citizens lives and conditions, and guaranteeing the future of their children. From the Western powers perspective, such development will negatively affect their economic interests, and counter their political domination. To Traore, pursuing development means simultaneously continuing the independence struggle to its logical conclusion. This informs his stand that, [w]e are not in a democracy, we are in a revolution, as the struggle involves breaking every tie that kept us in slavery. Fourthly, the reality, however, is that Traore believes in democracy. But democracy, to him, is more than the principles, ingredients, and rituals of liberal democracy. By his words and actions, he is out to create the basis for practicing popular democracy. After all, as Cabral said, the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyones head. They are fighting for material benefits, to live better and in peace Fredrick Engels had earlier said the same thing, that, [m]ankind must first of all eat, have shelter and clothing before he can pursue politics Popular democracy is one that involves the masses in the administration of the state, the society and the economy; meets their ever-expanding material, spiritual and cultural requirements and, addresses the contradictions within the people. It is equally directed towards restricting the powers of the ruling and governing classes; confronting the dominance of Western imperialist forces in the country; consolidating national independence; transforming the neo-colonial economy; and enthroning the working people in the affairs of the political economy. Popular democracy, therefore, is a democracy in which the masses of people are dominant, and in which their interests and well-being supersedes, and overrides, the powerful interests of externally forces. As Traore said, We have been receiving French aid for 63 years, yet our country has not developed, so cutting it off from us now will not kill us, but motivate us to work and rely on ourselves. Fifthly, Traore is a Pan-Africanist. Like Nkrumah, he believes in the unity of Africans. But he is equally conscious that Pan-Africanism can never be attained if the African masses are relegated to the background. Therefore, the major task of Pan-Africanist leaders is to create the favourable conditions for the attainment of the ideals of Pan-Africanism. Traore believes that while Burkina Faso comes first, its development and liberation is dialectically connected with Africas development and liberation. Together with General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger Republic, and General dArmee Goita of Mali, Traore established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), to counter the hostilities of the pro-West Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). AES is confronting Western sponsored terrorism and economic sanctions. Members have adopted concrete measures to neutralise French control over their natural resources, political and diplomatic affairs, as well as economic and trade relations. They have withdrawn from the International Organisations of Francophone States, and downgraded French language in their countries. AES members have stopped French military operations in, and expelled French military forces from, their countries. They have renamed their streets after their national heroes and heroines, as against the names of racist and fascist colonial rulers. Sixth, Traore embarked on projects that undermine the interests of French and Western forces in Burkina Faso. Within two years, local and foreign debts, including those of IMF and World Bank, have been paid. He has embarked on agricultural mechanisation, and the industrialisation of the country. All these, amongst others, are economically injurious to Western interests, as they drastically cut their monopolistic capital accumulation. But these progressive actions equally endanger Traore. Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, Nigerias minister of Economic Planning, warned Africa as far back as November 1961, that: if we want to go very quickly in our economic changes, we cannot easily do it without creating a certain amount of trouble The imperialists have got various means to defending their monopoly. They have got their newspapers and televisions and they can go to any extent to tell lies. If we want to set about improving the economy of our country in a particular way, they may say we are Communists. They can make our countrymen suspect our every move. If they do not succeed by false propaganda, by calling us all sorts of names, if they fail to make us unpopular in order to win their case, they can arrange assassination. They can go to any extent without discrimination. Ride on Traore. But, just as Samora Machel said, [t]he day you hear the Whites speak of me in good terms I have betrayed you already. So Traore, please, know the day France and other Western powers speak good of you, that day, we, Africans in Africa and in the Diaspora, will know you have sold out to Western imperialist forces. Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Administration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Is there morality in politics? Or, should there be morality in politics? Governors of Akwa-Ibom and Delta States, Umo Eno, Sheriff Oborevwori and ex-governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, are of the opinion that there isnt. Or, there shouldnt be. They made this known last week in epistles that should be fittingly entitled, An ode to betrayal and betrayers. Like blabbering kid thieves caught stealing from a pot of soup, Eno and Okowa waffled pitifully, in a manner that beggars belief, on why they abandoned/abandoning the PDP, a faithful political kin, which threw them up from obscurity to prominence and redoubtable wealth. They seem to be oblivious of emeritus professor of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia, Julie Fitness quip in her, Betrayal, Rejection, Revenge, and Forgiveness: An Interpersonal Script Approach that, Throughout recorded human history, treachery and betrayal have been considered among the very worst offences people could commit against their kith and kin. When the discourse is about betrayal and betrayers, my people walk a profound path. They recourse to an allegory which carves an imperishable place of pride for a faithful animal, the pigeon, eyele. With this, they paint the distastefulness and horrid colour of betrayal. In the ode to this evergreen bird, they hold aloft her fidelity to an unwritten bond of friendship. So, my people say, the eyele, which daily eats and drinks from the House Owner in time of plenty, will not break that bond even when the House Owner faces lifes existential travails. Unlike the eyele, Eno, Oborevwori and Okowa would seem to have chosen political harlotry for which Nigerian politics/politicians are known and are so audacious enough to flaunt it in the peoples face. Political Iscariotism has become a punishing phenomenon in Nigerian politics. On a national television last week, former PDP presidential running mate, Okowa sought all manner of ways to legitimize why a pigeon should abandon the House Owner in his autumn, hi moment of decline. Asked what he found in the pot of soup that made him cup his hand suggestively, Okowa said the move was in the best interest of Delta State, the need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that resource thats in Abuja of which Delta State is a large contributor. For once, forget this oesophagus politics of connect, one of Okowas lines of defence for his adulterous political acrobatics was that ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had earlier trodden same path, a case of my adultery is lesser than yours, if you like. In the same way, Pastor Umo Eno, governor of a state whose successive governments have repeatedly mouthed their wedge to PDP as the states religion, found ideology as the 30 shekels to collect for betraying the PDP and his people. He found a troubling anecdote to tell about a traveler and two airlines for a reinforcement of his blabbering thesis. At a Town Hall meeting held for the Ukanafun Federal Constituency last Tuesday, speaking in Ibiobio, Eno put his duplicity in perspective: You are about to board a flight to Lagos from Uyo, and you see Air Peace and Ibom Air. Ibom Air develops faults while trying to take off and disembark its passengers. But Air Peace is ready to fly to Lagos, would you cancel your flight to Lagos because you do not want to use Air Peace and wait till Ibom Air is fixed before you travel to Lagos? Would you do that? the Political Iscariot asked the crowd. In replying his own rhetorical question, Eno came across as seeing politics as indistinguishable from prostitution. He said Board a flight, disregard the name of the plane. Go to Lagos if you have business you want to do. When Ibom Air is fixed, and you want to fly another day, you can fly with them. But if you have an important business, board the available plane and fly. Apparently seeing the need to reify his betrayal epistemology, Eno thereafter appeared on a radio station programme where he attempted to demonize ideology in Nigerian politics. The bible, which Eno reads, is very profound in telling the story of betrayers and betrayal. Bible scholars say in that holy book are 50 verses about betrayal. It runs from the story of the patron-saint of betrayal, Judas Iscariot, Delilah and the Philistines, Davids betrayal of Saul, the Absalom story and repeated pronouncements like Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents If the bible were to be re-written today, with Enos betrayal in mind, his unkind cut of betrayal of a party that brought him from obscurity to limelight would make the 51st story of betrayal. Traditional African society abhors betrayal and perceived betrayers as lepers. In an ancient aphorism, my people ask that the tree that is leaned upon for support should be magnanimous enough to warn one off if it would suffer a fall. Modern relations also scoff at these twin leprosies. Dragos Avandanei, writing in Literatures Loyalty to Betrayal (2018) plotted the graph of how, in ancient and modern literature, writers have always engaged the concept of betrayal and see betrayers as scoundrels. Citing Karin Altenbergs quip which says that Betrayal seeps through literature like a dark stain in his Top 10 Books About Betrayal, (2015) Avandanei submitted that, betrayal (has been) a fundamental theme or motif in literatureliterature in general, from the first known such work, Gilgamesh, through Greek and Roman mythology, fairy tales and folk tales, medieval romances, Dante, Cervantes and Shakespeare, to Goethe, Tolstoy and Joyce, to Anne Sexton and Philip Levine. 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 Literature, continues Avandanei, is riddled with thematic occupation of betrayal and its synonyms like treason, treachery, deceit, dishonesty, duplicity, perfidy, infidelity, crime, trickery, cheat, hypocrisy, cunning, backstabbing, conspiracy, disloyalty, more than literature has ever dealt with themes of betrayals positive antonyms like trust, loyalty, honesty, truthfulness, devotion, fidelity, innocence, friendship and the rest. Greek literature is pockmarked by betrayals at every turn. You had Aeneas betray Dido, Clytemnestra betrays Agamemnon and Ephialtes betrays the Spartan in how he helped the Persians at the battle of Thermophylae. In The Epic of Gilgamesh for instance, which has come to be known as a great work of literature, a story of the god-hero of Uruk, Mesopotamia, we learn the importance of loyalty and friendship as depicted by Gilgamesh and Enkidu, as well as consequences for violating implicit trust. This was revealed in Hierodules seduction of Enkidu or Gilgameshs betrayal of the goddess of love, Ishtar. In virtually all Shakespeares books, themes of betrayal are eminent in them as he examined tragedies that come from betrayals. Whether in literature, politics or everyday life, betrayal provides no variation. Betrayal signifies the breaking or violation of presumptive contract, trust or confidence. This break produces moral and psychological conflict in a relationship. It could be between organizations, individuals or vice versa, but its common denominator is that, support is rendered to a rival group, in violation of support for the previous. Whatever sphere it is recorded, betrayal results in extreme social distress and disrupts established mental model. Betrayal also ruptures trust and contaminates relationships. But politicians, trying to be clever by half, say that in politics, unlike literature or our everyday relations, betrayal isnt an anomaly but the water with which they bathe. To escape from the damnation awaiting betrayals, they make a distinction between betrayal and what is called political compromise. Politics, they say, is an art of compromise, give-and-take, if you like. In the end, politicians leave us with a paradox, especially in their saying that, what is politically expedient, though may not be morally admirable, is not immoral. With this, Nigerian politicians have drawn a different world for themselves, a world where there are no standards of political excellence, while leaving us to idealise political integrity as Utopian. That is why in Nigerian politics, loyalty to a cause is as scarce as a hens teeth and loyal politicians as rare as snakes in Ireland. Against what Angadipuram Appadorai taught us in his Substance of Politics (1968), Nigerian politicians have redefined moral integrity as different from political integrity. However, while political Iscariotism of the kind of Umo, Oborevwori and Okowa is selfish, self-serving and greed-propelled, the ones of pre-independence Nigeria was ideological. The first documented case of cross-carpeting, or decamping, a Nigerian word for switching of political party allegiance, was recorded in 1941. It was at the feisty contest for a vacant seat in Nigerias Legislative Council vacated by Dr. K.A. Abayomi. The contest pitted Ernest Ikoli, an Ijaw, against Samuel Akisanya, with the former emerging victorious, though Akisanya polled 108 votes as against Ikolis 60 votes. This incensed the Eastern and Southern supporters of Akisanya and especially his Ijebu Yoruba kin who, in 1941, pulled out of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) Nigerias first genuine nationalist organization founded in 1934, in protest against the announced victory of Okoli. Nnamdi Azikiwe was one of them, who left NYM to join forces with Herbert Macaulay in forming the NCNC. The second case of decamping happened in 1951. With Nnamdi Azikiwe of the NCNC ostensibly coasting home to victory, having won 42 out of 80 seats to produce the highest number of members in the Western Regional House of Assembly, the Action Group infiltrated Azikiwe party members and succeeded in securing their decamping. Within 24 hours, 20 NCNC members decamped to the AG, ultimately halting Azikiwes majority needed to become Premier and giving the AG enough membership leverage to secure majority in the parliament. Another very epochal case of decamping happened during the First Republic. As a result of the political tiff within the AG, the Western Region Premier, Chief Ladoke Akintola, and his rump of party faithful moved over to form the United Progressive Party, (UPP) which later formed an alliance with the NCNC to become the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). In the same vein, a political clash between Azikiwe and Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe also resulted in Mbadiwe breaking away from the NCNC to form the Democratic Party of Nigeria Citizens (DPNC). In the short-lived Second Republic of 1979 to 1983, a gale of political defections also occurred. The most epochal of them was the shifting of alliance from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) to the to the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) by Ondo State Deputy Governor, Chief Akin Omobioriowo with allies like Olaiya Fagbamigbe. The other was that of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, governor of Kano State. Elected on the platform the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) Rimi was bold, courageous and never shied away from upsetting established orthodoxies. He formed the first All Graduates Cabinet comprising the likes of Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma. He was credited with abolishing the personal tax called haraji and cattle tax, jangali which were inherited colonial taxes. He also suspended the Emir of Kano, a decision that led to the Kano riots of July 1981 and the murder, on July 10, of his Political Advisor, Dr Bala Mohammed Bauchi, and the burning of the Triumph Newspapers, Radio Kano, and several ministries. Rimi however fell out with his political mentor, Mallam Aminu Kano in May 1983 and decamped from the PRP, under whose banner he became governor, to the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) to contest the 1983 elections. As an underscore of the political morality obtainable at this time, Rimi resigned his position as Kano State governor since he was leaving the party under whose banner he vied for the governorship ticket and was subsequently replaced by his deputy, Abdu Dawakin Tofa. But, progressively, the colour of virtuous politicking in Nigeria waned, leading to shameless harlotry as a political credo. Okowa, Oberevwori and Enos epistles on leaving their political parties were hollow, feckless and irritating. Even among sex workers who change partners at the dictate of their thirst for cash, there is honour. Yes, today, the PDP, like the anecdote of eyele and the House Owner, is facing its most harrowing political time ever, due to mismanagement, greed and power recklessness. Like mortal man who never learns, the APC is embroiled in same hubris, relishing its own self-proclaimed power immortality. Virtually all the PDP eyele, who supped and dined with it at a time of plenty, have abandoned the House. One of them, a tempestuous and vile character, was even made the Sheriff of Abuja as his own 30 shekels of Silver payoff, in exchange for agreeing to be the undertaker and pallbearer of the party. The dearth of ideology in Nigerian politics is reputed to be the culprit of the political vagrancy that is worn shamelessly by politicians on their lapels. Though when it catches their fancy, especially in their manifestos, Nigerian politicians revel in superficial classifications and inappropriate self-labeling of their political stands as progressive and conservative, and left and right, there are no ideological commitments in Nigerian politics. This is worsened by a chronic identity and money politics in Nigerian party politics, gross indiscipline, parochial and selfish politics, high turnover and mortality rate of political parties and their leaderships, as well as death of internal democracy. These are the identifiers and hallmarks of Nigerian politics. Yet, if we continue to be drowned by these ills and do not get party politics right, no meaningful development can be made in Nigeria. Not only are parties one of the most complex and critical institutions of democracy, many scholars have referred to them as makers of democracy. The sacral place political parties enjoy in the quest for democracy is such that some scholars claim that democracy and democratic societies existences are unthinkable without political parties. As divorcees consistently blame individual spouses for their marital fatality, Eno and Okowa hold ideology responsible for their harlotry. However, central to the existence of political parties is the place of political ideology. Talking of its importance, Anson D. Morse (1896) argued that ideology is a durable conviction held in unison by party members, a bargaining chip for party unity, while Okudiba Nnoli (2003) describes it as a mirror with which a party looks at society. Ideology is a political partys vehicle, its moral lens/mirror/compass with which it sees the outside world. It may sound scary but the truth is, we can never get Nigerian development right unless morality and ideology return to Nigerian politics. You may disparage PDP as I do; you may not even be able to stand the cantankerous Labour Party as I cannot. The truth, however, is that, if Nigerian opposition parties do not get their acts together, we may be doomed to stagnation. We then will have more Enos, Oborevworis and Okowas whose politics is indistinguishable from prostituting, who invariable give the APC and its Leviathan opportunity to fertilize the ground for the building of a cult of personality. It is the first step towards a totalitarian state. Tinubus Ajantala son Through its ancient mythology, Yoruba had a counterpoise of the western Frankenstein monster. Its is a negatively phenomenal child called Ajantala. In folklore and as a cultural signifier, the Ajantala was a misbegotten child, a product of his fathers disobedience to the un-science of, though life-shaping, ancient epistemology and practices. Ajantalas hunter father had disobeyed widely held myth that when hunters wives were pregnant, they should cease hunting. The belief was that, if they shot a cantankerous game, it may, in anger, displace the foetus inside their wives and become a perilous child. This was the process that birthed Ajantala. In the Amos Tutuola version of Ajantalas story (Ajantala, the noxious child, 1986), the baby spent 23 years inside his mothers womb. A few days before he was born, as his mother walked the bush path, the child began a conversation with her, even cavalierly suggesting its name at birth. Tutuola quoted Ajantala, as he emerged from the bloodied mass surrounding him from the womb, as saying, Ha! Ha! Ha! This is how the world is! What did I come for then? I thought this world would be as beautiful as the heaven from where I came! Look at everything how it is very dirty! Of course, I will not keep long before I will go back to heaven! At his naming ceremony, the 8-day old child disrupted the proceedings, gluttonously consuming every food in sight and causing huge pains to his parents and all his naming ceremony attendees. As he grew, Ajantala manifested malevolent streaks, whipping his parents at intervals and beating to stupor a Babalawo, who was engaged to provide spiritual succour to his raving-mad Satanic theatrics. When his mother, tired of his wiles and the social stigma he caused the family, decided to trickily dump him in the forest, Ajantala encountered and became a family of the Goat, Ram and Lion and the discord he caused among them was phenomenal. Two misbegotten children in the bible, Hophni and Phinehas, also manifested streaks that resembled Ajantalas. They were the two sons of the high priest at the sanctuary of Shiloh in Jerusalem called Eli. The Bible described these children as good-for-nothing priests because they were not only corrupt and immoral, they brought their revered father huge shame. They did this through their abuse of priestly positions. The two went round wherever there were sacrifices to Yahweh and demanded excessive portions of the sacrifices. They were also renowned for sexual perversion and misconduct which brought dishonour to their fathers priestly office. At the apogee of their irresponsibility, these two Ajantalas not only, by so doing, ended their lives in a tragic fall but were the ones who brought Ellis priestly line to its doom. Perhaps drawing its muse from these three disreputable children, a 1980s Ifa Olokun Television drama series created a character called Omolokun. Omolokuns notoriety rivaled Ajantala, as well as Hophni and Phineas. A product of undue haste for childbirth by a barren couple, Omolokuns parents were eventually handed a child by a deity. This child then acted in every way like Ajantala, demanding every impossible thing under the earth, including Odidi eni a human being. His thirst for the imponderables eventually led to his and his parents deaths. My musical idol, Ayinla Omowura, late Yoruba Apala musician, while pillorying his truant first son, Akeem, also dwelled on the theme of Ajantala. He warned that an Ajantala child who lives a life of borderless splendour, misbehaviour and societal nuisance would soon lose all when his mother goes fetching water and his father, to the farm, a metaphor for an unscheduled forever-trip. Ayinla was soon to be killed after this Nostradamus prophecy. Son of the Nigerian president, Seyi Tinubu, must be a pain to his father and to responsible parenting. In Nigerias history, I am not aware of any presidents child who has threatened public peace, public decency and the public space as Seyi. His name has come out in every socially distasteful national issue. You will recollect that this same young man was one who, but for his fathers peremptory scold, would probably have been attending Executive Council meetings with ministers. Seyi has no fog about precis in behaviour, so much that he outperforms himself in irresponsible behaviour. He is reputed to have nominated ministers and behaves in socially anomalous manner that baffles. Perhaps, the children of Muhammadu Buhari, who went watching the Durbar in presidential aircraft and shooting photographs with our national craft; the son of Sani Abacha, who commuted in Nigerias presidential aircraft like one taking peremptory trips in a Molue, can outperform Seyi in national irresponsibility. He causes so much stir with his long convoys of glittering automobiles and is chaperoned to occasions by Nigerian security apparatuses. The latest about him is the allegation by the NANS President that Seyi ordered him tortured, beaten and his nude pictures taken for his voyeuristic pleasure. Though Seyi has denounced this, why would the presidents son always be associated with such shameful actions? In the APC, the youth wing is literally comatose with Seyi being alleged to have taken over the works of its executive. If President Tinubu is not embarrassed by the activities of his son, parents all over the world are. Seyi acts like a product of irresponsible parenting and upbringing. The Yoruba say if ones yam farm posts bountiful harvest, a wise man would cover the heaps from prying eyes. Apart from the raw power to browbeat and be kowtowed to, illicit funds and majesty associated with being the presidents son, what does Seyi have up his medulla oblonganta? From the little I hear from him, it is absolutely empty. As Seyi paints Nigeria in crimson as this, its reverberating effects bounce back on his father. Dont Yoruba say it is the over-ripe orange that invites throwing of stones at its mother tree? By the way, on Tuesday, 6 May, Ayinla Omowura would be marking the 45th anniversary of his murder in a barroom feud. Famous podcaster and broadcaster, Edmund Obilo, held me to an almost three-hour interview as I discussed the life and times of this bohemian musician. Please, watch out for the podcast. Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print These latest dispositions by the NJC are worse than slaps on the wrist of errant judges. Far from discouraging judicial misconduct, the Council consecrates a ninth Beatitude: blessed are the crooked judges for they shall be entitled to a sabbatical. Put differently, the NJC seeks the beatification of judicial corruption into high virtue for which recidivist judges like Inyang Ekwo or rampant ones like Jane Inyang receive a year-long sabbatical. Judges who prize fidelity to their judicial oaths must wonder why they bother. When he was a Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Port Harcourt Division, during the tenure of Mohammed Bello as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alloysius Katsina-Alu was the subject of allegations of serious misconduct, which ended up before the Advisory Judicial Committee (AJC), the predecessor to the National Judicial Council (NJC). Upon finding the allegations established, the AJC determined that Katsina-Alu would be denied elevation beyond the Court of Appeal. Less than one decade later, he was a Justice of the Supreme Court. In 2009, he assumed the office of CJN. On 30 April, the NJC, this time under the leadership of a different CJN, announced that it would similarly ban from elevation for a period of five years, Inyang Ekwo, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Additionally, the Council decided to place him on a watch list for five years and to suspend him from judicial functions for one year. According to the NJC, these measures became necessary because in a 2023 case, Inyang Ekwo delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties and ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties. These, the Council found, violate Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers in Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, Rule 3.1 of the Judicial Code of Conduct requires judges to be true and faithful to the Constitution and the law and [to] uphold the course of justice. Nigerias 1999 Constitution guarantees fair hearing in judicial and legal proceedings as a fundamental right. Accordingly, Rule 3.3 of the Judicial Code of Conduct requires all judges to ensure that they afford to all parties in proceedings before them a full right to be heard according to law. A judge holds office under the constitution. Before assuming office, the judge publicly swears to an oath to uphold that constitution and to do justice to all persons in accordance with it. Put differently, Inyang Ekwo violated the most basic expectation and entitlement of litigants before a court and a judge. 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 Inyang Ekwo became a lawyer in 1991, after graduating with a degree in law from the University of Cross-River State. Following a career spent mostly as a staff of the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja, he was transitioned to the bench of the Federal High Court on 3 January, 2008. His path to this judicial sinecure was smoothed in no small measure by family networks, which lock-in closely with the founding military administrator of the South-Eastern State (the legacy state of both Cross-River and Akwa Ibom states). By 2023 when the facts of his latest mis-conduct arose, Inyang Ekwo had been a judge for over 15 years. Judicial inexperience was not one of his liabilities. what would it take to persuade the NJC that a person is too crooked for judicial office? This last question is at the heart of the problem with what the NJC claims to have done in this latest instalment of a pattern of decision-making that enables judicial corruption, instead of curbing it. The measures announced by the NJC against Inyang Ekwo this past week were the second in eleven months. On 16 May 2024, the same NJC found the same Inyang Ekwo guilty of abuse of discretionary power of a judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order. He was therefore barred from being elevated to a higher Bench for a period of two years. That decision of the NJC had not spent its first year when they found the same judge guilty of even more egregious violations this time. This suggests that Inyang Ekwo is a compulsive recidivist in judicial misconduct. Even now, there remain other serious complaints against the same judge still under investigation with the NJC and many more questions besides to resolve. First, it is not clear whether the Council reminded itself of the subsisting punishment when it decided on its dispositions in the latest one. Second, if the NJC determined last year to preclude Inyang Ekwo from elevation for two years; and this year, in another case, to do the same thing for five years, are these to run concurrently or consecutively? Third, its not exactly clear what placing a judge on an NJC watch-list means or why anyone would consider the proposition anything other than absurd. Fourth, what would it take to persuade the NJC that a person is too crooked for judicial office? This last question is at the heart of the problem with what the NJC claims to have done in this latest instalment of a pattern of decision-making that enables judicial corruption, instead of curbing it. Inyang Ekwo was one of three judges suspended by the NJC this time. Jane Inyang (no relation of Inyang Ekwo) was appointed a justice of the Court of Appeal in September 2023, after eight years as a judge of the Federal High Court. According to the NJC, while a case was still pending before her at the Federal High Court, Jane Inyang issued inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of a petrol station and other businesses in dispute in the case. This was the same kind of mis-conduct for which the Council issued Inyang Ekwo with a letter of caution in May 2024. In the case of Aminu Baffa Aliyu, another judge of the Federal High Court to whom the NJC applied similar measures, they found that he unlawfully restrained the security services from performing their statutory functions and, even worse, effectively overruled the Supreme Court in order to do so. The NJC decided, in addition to suspending him without pay for one year, to preclude him from elevation for three years. This time, however, the NJC decided to suspend Jane Inyang from judging for one year and without pay. Like Inyang Ekwo, she will also be denied elevation for five years. That means that after five years and with this record, she could find herself a justice of the Supreme Court. The fact that a judge with this kind of record was promoted to the Court of Appeal, while the complaint against her mis-conduct was in all likelihood pending, says all that anyone needs to know about the state of disrepute into which judicial appointments in Nigeria have fallen. In the case of Aminu Baffa Aliyu, another judge of the Federal High Court to whom the NJC applied similar measures, they found that he unlawfully restrained the security services from performing their statutory functions and, even worse, effectively overruled the Supreme Court in order to do so. The NJC decided, in addition to suspending him without pay for one year, to preclude him from elevation for three years. In August 2017, when the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) issued a joint report naming the Nigerian judiciary as the second highest receiver of bribes in the Country after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the NJC bristled, dismissing the conclusion as not only subjective but speculative. The NPF is the oldest institution in the country and also the largest employer. A standard cover-up procedure in the Force is to transfer out-of-station officers, against whom serious allegations of misconduct subsist, granting them a cooling off sabbatical, during which they are reported as unaccounted for. A not-too-dis-similar practice occurred in parts of the Catholic Church in the past to cover-up for priests caught in allegations of clerical abuse. Academics sometimes also take sabbaticals with or without pay to enable them recharge their intellectual batteries or pursue other interests for the advancement of knowledge. These latest dispositions by the NJC are worse than slaps on the wrist of errant judges. Far from discouraging judicial misconduct, the Council consecrates a ninth Beatitude: blessed are the crooked judges for they shall be entitled to a sabbatical. Put differently, the NJC seeks the beatification of judicial corruption into high virtue for which recidivist judges like Inyang Ekwo or rampant ones like Jane Inyang receive a year-long sabbatical. Judges who prize fidelity to their judicial oaths must wonder why they bother. This institutionalises cover-up under cover of judicial ceremony. Two words describe what the NJC now does on judicial discipline: complicit scandal. It is a tendency that deserves close attention and study as a model of how the judiciary accomplishes its own evisceration. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print KHARTOUM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese army announced on Sunday that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched drone attacks on a military airbase, a cargo warehouse, and civilian facilities in the eastern city of Port Sudan, amid reports of the suspension of flights at the city's international airport. "This morning, May 4, the enemy targeted Osman Digna Airbase, a cargo depot, and some civilian facilities in Port Sudan with suicide drones," Spokesman of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Nabil Abdalla said in a statement. "Our ground defenses successfully intercepted several drones, though some managed to cause limited damage, including those targeting an ammunition depot at Osman Digna Airbase that triggered scattered explosions. Fortunately, there were no casualties among personnel," he noted. Meanwhile, a source at Port Sudan International Airport told Xinhua that authorities had temporarily suspended flights at the airport. The source said five suicide drones targeted the airport but fell outside its perimeter, while videos shared on social media showed thick smoke rising from the vicinity of the airport. According to the local newspaper Al-Sudani, the flight suspension at the airport is temporary, with authorities currently assessing the security situation before resuming normal air traffic. This marks the first time RSF attacks have reached the coastal city of Port Sudan. Since May 2023, Port Sudan has served as the country's interim capital, housing the government and diplomatic missions, while its international airport has been the main hub for flights to and from the country. Recently, the RSF has intensified drone attacks on military sites and vital facilities within army-controlled areas. Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people both inside and outside the country. The future of education is not just in infrastructure or innovation, as vital as those are. It lies in how a society cultivates the inner life, how it teaches its people, from childhood, to sit with complexity, to ask questions, to listen for meaning beyond noise. In an age of algorithms and instant answers, reading remains one of the last forms of sustained attention we have left. A society that does not read cannot dream collectively; it loses the imagination needed to govern wisely, to create boldly, to disagree without violence. As Nigeria pursues long-overdue reforms in classrooms, connectivity, and human capital investment, we must also reckon with a quieter but more enduring challenge, namely our diminishing relationship with books, and the gradual erosion of reading as a cultural habit, a form of self-formation, and a gateway to deeper thinking. It is in this widening gap, between what we build and what we nurture, that the loud silence around reading in Nigeria becomes most deafening. Books are still seen by many as an academic requirement rather than a personal or societal asset. Reading, for too many children, and indeed adults, is something one must endure to pass an exam, not a practice to be nurtured, enjoyed, or claimed. In this, the crisis is not just educational. It is cultural. One cannot reform education without reforming the place of books in daily life. This is not simply about publishing policy or school libraries. It is about how families engage with books, how parents model curiosity, and how communities respond to the slow work of building minds. That work does not begin with devices or tests. It begins with attention what we give it to, and what we take it away from. At one of Nigerias airports recently, I saw two children sitting at a boarding gate, calmly reading. Real books. Not screens. Not devices. Just reading. It was striking and rare. When I approached their mother to express my admiration, she replied, almost matter-of-factly, I just made books a normal part of their lives. She had made that choice, which has, with repetition, become a habit. When I asked the children if they were thankful to their mom for encouraging the habit, the boy, confident and clear, said, Its not my mom. Its me. Ive loved reading since I was born. I smiled and asked, Who buys the books? My mom, he answered without hesitation. And with that, the story was complete. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It was a simple moment, but it stayed with me. It reminded me that the reading culture we often long for doesnt begin with national campaigns or school policies. It begins in small, consistent acts comprising in what parents normalise, what teachers reinforce, and what society rewards. A childs relationship with books is shaped long before exams, syllabi, or report cards come into view. The value of reading has long been recognised across civilisations. Ancient scholars regarded books as vessels of wisdom. Cicero called a home without books a body without a soul. In our own religious traditions, both the Bible and the Quran are revered as not just texts, but pathways to enlightenment. In many Nigerian households, children are raised to memorise verses and recite chapters of Holy Texts from an early age an extraordinary display of discipline and intellectual memory. It is tempting to place the blame solely on social media and digital distractions, and no doubt, they have compounded the problem. But Nigerias reading crisis predates the digital age. The decline began long before smartphones; it began when books stopped being present in our homes, our conversations, and our sense of what matters. The value of reading has long been recognised across civilisations. Ancient scholars regarded books as vessels of wisdom. Cicero called a home without books a body without a soul. In our own religious traditions, both the Bible and the Quran are revered as not just texts, but pathways to enlightenment. In many Nigerian households, children are raised to memorise verses and recite chapters of Holy Texts from an early age an extraordinary display of discipline and intellectual memory. And yet, outside sacred settings, we have not allowed that reverence to shape our general culture of reading. We memorise holy texts, but we do not often read for meaning. We honour the written Word in prayer, but we abandon it in everyday life. We treat those Books as spiritual tools, but not as instruments for self-discovery, nation-building, or global understanding. This dissonance has consequences. There is a quote, often attributed, perhaps apocryphally, to Carter G Woodson, that says, If you want to hide something from a Black man, put it in a book. It was never meant as a curse, but as a provocation a painful mirror held up to systems that once denied (black) people access to literacy and the tools of thought. But if we are to reclaim our narrative, we must also reject the permanence of that quote. It need not define us. It should awaken us. Because the power to reverse it lies not just in policy, but in parenting, in community, and in a culture that teaches reading not as punishment, but as possibility. Philosophers have long warned of such decline. Descartes believed that reading deeply, especially books written in earlier centuries, was akin to engaging in conversation with the greatest sages of all time. Simone Weil crystallised it, Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity. And what is reading, if not the cultivation of attention over time? At its best, reading stretches the soul. It slows us down so we can think clearly, connect widely, and choose wisely. When a society loses the habit of reading, it does not merely fall behind, it begins to forget what it means to be fully human. Nigerias current education reforms, particularly those being advanced by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), recognise this foundational gap. Through initiatives like the Smart Schools Programme, digital learning hubs, and HOPE-EDU, UBEC is helping to rebuild the ecosystem around basic education. More than 50 Smart Schools have been commissioned; over 18,000 public schools are receiving support, among other laudable initiatives. These are important steps. We can start by making books normal again, in our homes, in our pulpits, in our classrooms, in our public spaces. Because where books are absent, shallow thinking takes over. And when shallow thinking dominates, even the best policies falter The rest will only follow if we first make reading matter. Not just for tests. But for life. But even the best reforms will struggle to take root in a society that does not actively value reading beyond the classroom. A national reading culture cannot be outsourced to government alone. It must be echoed in homes, sustained by communities, and reinforced by institutions, from religious centres to local media. And yet, how many state governments can point to functioning, accessible public libraries? How many churches or mosques preach the importance of reading not just Scriptures, but literature, history, philosophy, and thought? How many communities actively nurture curiosity as a virtue or build libraries? It is worth asking, too, what the unfinished headquarters of the National Library of Nigeria says about our national priorities. Construction of the building began in 2006, yet till this day, it is still not fully functional. In the early years of Abujas development, the National Mosque and the Ecumenical Centre rose quickly symbols of faith and moral authority. But nearly two decades later, the very institution that should stand as a temple of knowledge, civic memory, and intellectual pride remains under scaffolding. What message does that send to our children? The future of education is not just in infrastructure or innovation, as vital as those are. It lies in how a society cultivates the inner life, how it teaches its people, from childhood, to sit with complexity, to ask questions, to listen for meaning beyond noise. In an age of algorithms and instant answers, reading remains one of the last forms of sustained attention we have left. A society that does not read cannot dream collectively; it loses the imagination needed to govern wisely, to create boldly, to disagree without violence. It cannot build with care because it no longer remembers how to think slowly. And without that, even the most sophisticated reforms will fail to reach the human spirit they were designed to serve. We can start by making books normal again, in our homes, in our pulpits, in our classrooms, in our public spaces. Because where books are absent, shallow thinking takes over. And when shallow thinking dominates, even the best policies falter. The rest will only follow if we first make reading matter. Not just for tests. But for life. Chinedu Moghalu is the senior special adviser on Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has expressed warm gratitude to the people of Katsina State for their overwhelming turnout during President Bola Ahmed Tinubus two-day working visit to the state, even as he thanked the Nigerian leader for gracing his daughters wedding. The governor commended the people for their warm reception and exemplary display of Katsinas hospitality, which contributed largely to the success of the Presidents visit. During his stay, President Tinubu commissioned two key infrastructure projects: the Katsina State Agricultural Mechanisation Centre and the strategic 24-Kilometre Eastern Bypass. The massive turnout of our people to welcome President Tinubu signifies our unity and commitment to the development of our dear state. Your enthusiasm and support have sent a clear message about Katsinas readiness to partner with the Federal Government for accelerated growth and development, Governor Radda said. The governor assured the people that the newly commissioned roads are just a tip of an ice berg, adding that the coming months would witness the inauguration of more developmental projects. Mr Radda further extended special appreciation to President Tinubu for honouring his invitation and for attending the wedding Fatiha of his daughter, Aisha Dikko Umaru Radda, to Ahmed Usman. 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 described the Presidents attendance at the ceremony as a profound gesture of goodwill that his family will forever cherish. We are deeply honoured that President Tinubu stood as Waliyi for my daughter during this significant occasion. His presence added immeasurable value to the celebration and demonstrated the strong bond between our families, the governor stated. Furthermore, Governor Radda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his fellow governors, distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives as well as ministers, presidential appointees, business leaders, and well-wishers who traveled from far and near to grace the events. Your presence has strengthened the ties that bind us as a people and as a nation. The solidarity shown by leaders across political divides reflects our shared commitment to Nigerias progress, Governor Radda added. He reaffirmed his administrations dedication to implementing people-oriented projects that will improve the quality of life for all residents of Katsina State, in line with his development agenda. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kaduna State Chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) has disclosed that it is enjoying a harmonious working relationship with the Governor Uba Sani administration. The chairman of the congress, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, made this known while reflecting on the recent Workers Day celebration which took place at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna. The unionist said that Governor Sani is open-minded and extends goodwill to Kaduna State Workers, particularly, the leadership of the two labour centres (NLC/TUCN) and our affiliates. The chairman recalled that Governor Sani had sponsored leaders of the two labour centres to a seven day training workshop on Sustainable Leadership Skills for Good Governance at the prestigious International Training Centre (ITC/ILO) of International Labour Organisation in Turin, Italy, from 15th to 22nd April, 2025. According to Mr Suleiman, the governor also intervened when the Kaduna State Chapter of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity Workers (SSAEW) embarked on strike. He recalled that the strike action had plunged the North West states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara into darkness, owing to the decision of Kaduna Electricity management to disengage over 400 staff. 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 swift intervention of His Excellency, the Governor, brokered a deal and provided the platform for social dialogue that facilitated the amicable resolution of the industrial fracas, he recalled. The NLC chairman also recalled that staff of Kaduna State Water Corporation experienced almost three years of instability, turbulence and industrial disharmony, to the level that the Corporation was unable to pay their staff salaries for more than 11 months. The intervention of His Excellency, brought to an end the lingered situation, the Staff of the corporation are now reabsorbed into Kaduna State Civil Service Salary Payment Platform as agitated and demanded by their unions, he added. Mr Suleiman expressed gratitude for the release of the NUT Endwell Contribution and the reinstatement of head teachers as well as the administrative staff of SUBEB that were sacked by the previous administration in the state. The chairman also referenced Governor Sanis commitment towards the full implementation of Consequential Adjustment to the 2024 Minimum Wage in the State. He equally commended the governors efforts in ensuring the regular payment of monthly pensions and retirement benefits to senior citizens that diligently served Kaduna State. Mr Suleiman praised Governor Sani for the recent release of N3. 8 billion for the payment of death benefits and accrued rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme. According to him, Governor Sani has disbursed a total of N10.4 billion in the two years of his administration. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, has announced the detailed selection criteria for the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, designed to honour outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigerias oil and gas sector. Scheduled for 21 May, 2025, at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024. The ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation. The 12 award categories are: *Nigerian Content Icon of the Year *Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award *Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the 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 *Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the Year *Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year *Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year *Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year *Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year *Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year *Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year *Nigerian Content Media Organization of the Year *Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment Objective Evaluation Metrics Ensure Credibility According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks like Production output (crude oil and gas volumes). Compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs). Adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian Content Performance Reports and Employment & Training Plans. Similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organisations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process. Winners for the Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Women in Leadership Award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators. Advisory Committee of Industry Titans to Oversee Process To uphold the awards prestige, an Advisory Committee of distinguished experts have been set up to oversee nominations and validate winners. Members include: Dr Ernest Nwapa (Pioneer Executive Secretary, NCDMB). Dr Omar Farouk (Secretary General, African Petroleum Producers Organization). Mr Wole Akinyosoye (Former Zonal Operations Controller, DPR). The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe emphasised that the awards aim to become the oil and gas sectors equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation. This recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content, he stated. Event Details Date: 21 May, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM Venue: NCDMB Conference Hall, Yenagoa. With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards is poised to set a new standard for excellence in Nigerias energy sector. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has stated that traditional leaders play a key role in the success of the non-kinetic approach in tackling insecurity in Kaduna State, by sharing intelligence with security agencies. The governor also declared that Kaduna State is now one of the most peaceful sub-nationals in the country adding that there has not been any record of ethno-religious or communal clash in the last two years. Mr Sani who spoke at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, where 23 vehicles were distributed to traditional leaders on Sunday, stressed that his administration holds the royal fathers in high esteem. They have been working day and night, sharing intelligence with security agents and ensuring that they are always close to our people at the community level and that is the reason why our non-kinetic approach towards addressing insecurity is working. Without the support of our traditional leaders, we would not have achieved security stability in Kaduna State. That is why today, we are not only supporting but encouraging you, he said. According to the governor, the vehicles are to motivate you because we cannot achieve much without synergy between the traditional institution, religious leaders, community leaders and the relevant security agencies in Kaduna State and the key to success is intelligence gathering and sharing. 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 Governor Sani who commended the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas for facilitating the distribution of the vehicles, emphasised the need for synergy and collaboration amongst political office holders. The governor recalled that when he was at the senate, he brought intervention worth over N20 billion to the state, adding that the Faculty of Engineering at the Kaduna State University will be more than N12 billion when completed. Despite the fact that we couldnt complete it before we left the Senate, but one of the sons of Kaduna State, Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Mohammed Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, is working closely with the Right Honourable Speaker to ensure that the project is completed. That is the synergy we are talking about, he added. Governor Sani recalled that when the Speaker started distributing the first tranche of vehicles, he reminded him that he should extend the goodwill to every local government in Kaduna State. Im happy that today, every local government is benefiting from the benevolence and support of the Right Honourable Speaker. That is governance. We have relegated politics, he pointed out. He further said that the House Speaker has been intervening in many areas on behalf of Kaduna State, especially in infrastructural development, health care, education and social development. Speaking earlier, the House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Abbas said that the distribution of vehicles is part of a broader collaboration with the governor, which aims to strengthen the role of traditional rulers in peace building and governance. This event is a fulfilment of one of those discussions and shared commitments between myself and the governor to interact with, and provide tangible support to, our traditional leaders, he said. According to him, the vehicles were provided by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), adding that the latest tranche marks the fourth phase of a wider distribution plan. He added that a total of 23 vehicles have now been allocated, following an initial phase which was done during Ramadan, when vehicles were distributed to emirs, district heads, and senior traditional figures in Zaria. These vehicles are not just for ceremonial purposes, Mr Abbas said, adding that they are meant to serve as essential working tools vehicles to aid our traditional rulers in reaching every part of their chiefdoms and emirates. This is critical in helping them maintain peace and ensure security throughout Kaduna State. The speaker also announced that the initiative has been captured in the 2025 federal budget, with plans to extend vehicle support and renovation of palaces across all three senatorial districts in the state. Starting with the emirates covering 11 out of the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, such renovation projects have already been initiated. Not less than 10 district heads and emirates have benefitted within the past year, he revealed. Mr Abbas further disclosed that the ongoing constitution amendment would include provisions to grant traditional rulers a formal role in Nigerias governance structure. I want to assure you that the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to carve out a prominent role for our traditional rulers beginning from 2026, he said Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has hailed the appointment of Maryam Idris Bagiwa as the Commercial Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The Governor stated that Mrs Bagiwas appointment is a recognition of her outstanding professional competence, integrity, and dedication to excellence. Her elevation not only brings honour to Katsina State but also reinforces our long-standing tradition of producing exceptional leaders who contribute significantly to national development, Governor Radda stated. The governor expressed confidence that Mrs Bagiwa will bring her wealth of experience and innovative thinking to bear in her new role. He commended the NNPCL leadership under Mr Bayo Ojulari for recognising excellence and merit by appointing our distinguished daughter of the soil to this strategic position in Nigerias foremost energy company. Governor Radda wished Mrs Bagiwa tremendous success in her new national assignment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani has challenged suspended Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide proof of her sexual harassment allegation against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio. Mr Sani stated this in a Facebook comment. Allegations of sexual harassment are a serious issue that destroys the reputation of the accused person and traumatises their family. Therefore, it cannot be credible without concrete evidence or proof. If the Society comes to accept any of such allegations without asking for proof or evidence, no man or woman is safe. Its a historical fact that many women have fallen victim to GENUINE sexual harassment, and its also a historical fact that many men have fallen victim to FALSE allegations of sexual harassment. If whatever a man or a woman says about you is true even without evidence, then no one is safe. 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 statement made by Barister Olisa Agbakoba SAN (Mr Akpabios lawyer) in demanding evidence is in the right direction. Whatever you see happening to someone can happen to you, Mr Sani wrote on Facebook. On 6 March, the Senate slammed a six-month suspension on Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan based on the recommendations of its ethics, privileges and public petitions committee. The committee found her guilty of breaching the Senate rules through her conduct in the chamber on the day she rejected a new seat allocated to her. She later accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment, though the Senate president denied the allegation. She claimed she was being persecuted for making the allegation against him. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River chapter, came out in large numbers on Saturday in a road walk to mark World Press Freedom Day 2025. The road walk, tagged Freedom Walk, was led by the chapters chairperson, Archibong Bassey, who rallied journalists in a peaceful procession across Calabar. Participants held placards with messages like The Nigerian Media Deserves Freedom, Not Fear and No True Democracy Without a Free Press. Other placards read Fake News Thrives When the Press is Gagged, underscoring the call for media independence and ethical journalism. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Press Freedom Day, established by the United Nations in 1993, is observed annually on 3 May. It honours press freedom and pays tribute to journalists who lost their lives while performing their duties. 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 2025 theme is Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. Ms Bassey urged all tiers of government to ensure a safe and supportive environment for media professionals to operate effectively. She emphasised the importance of an unfettered press, stating that societal ills flourish when journalists are silenced or restricted. Ms Bassey also highlighted the mutual responsibility between the press and society in safeguarding truth and accountability. She called on journalists to remain focused, in spite of distractions, and uphold truth as a fundamental value of the profession. As part of the Freedom Walk, journalists visited the Mother Elizabeth Redeemed Orphanage and the Medium Security Prison, Afokang. They donated food and toiletries to both the orphanage and inmates as part of the days outreach efforts. Nsa Gil, chief press secretary to Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, addressed the press during the event. He cautioned journalists against premature politicking, stressing that the current focus should be on governance, not elections. Mr Gil urged media practitioners to embrace evolving tools, especially Artificial Intelligence, to enhance their reporting skills. He noted that while AI can support journalism, it must not replace core journalistic values or ethical practices. It is wrong to copy and paste AI content without verification. Journalism still demands accuracy and accountability, he added. Mr Gil appealed for accurate media coverage, announcing that the state government will soon present its two-year performance report. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Binance , the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, and the National Agency for Investments under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at creating a long-term, sustainable foundation for collaboration in advancing the rapidly growing digital-asset sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. The signing of the memorandum took place during a first meeting of the Council for the Development of Digital Assets with the participation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov. The MoU sets the stage for collaboration between the National Agency for Investments and Binance on several fronts. The partnership will see the introduction of crypto payments to the Kyrgyz Republic through Binance Pay, simplifying transactions for visitors. This initiative is set to revolutionize cross-border payment solutions across Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), paving the way for smoother and more efficient transactions across the region. The agreement also emphasizes educational initiatives. Binance Academy, one of the world's largest educational hubs for blockchain and cryptocurrency, will assist the National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic in creating comprehensive educational programs designed to raise awareness among government agencies and financial institutions. Most importantly, these initiatives will focus on enhancing Kyrgyz citizens' financial literacy and supporting domestic Web3 projects, ultimately elevating the knowledge and skills that the people of Kyrgyzstan will need to thrive in the era of digital finance. "We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Binance, which marks a pivotal step in advancing the crypto-assets sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. This collaboration not only underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth but also highlights the importance of embracing digital transformation in today's global economy. Together, we aim to create a robust framework that supports the development of crypto-assets, enhances financial literacy, and opens new avenues for cross-border payments, ultimately benefiting our citizens and the broader region." Farhat Iminov, Head of National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic. "Binance is excited to partner with the National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic to drive forward the development of crypto-assets in the region. This Memorandum of Understanding represents a shared vision for leveraging blockchain technology to create sustainable economic opportunities, improve financial inclusion and advance the freedom of money in Kyrgyzstan. We look forward to working closely with our partners on all levels of the Kyrgyz government to implement innovative solutions and educational initiatives that will empower individuals and institutions alike." Kyrylo Khomiakov Regional Head of CEE, Central Asia and Africa at Binance. About Binance Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 260 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com . About National Investments Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic The National Investments Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic is a governmental agency promoting foreign investments and assisting international companies in finding business opportunities in the Kyrgyz Republic. The primary objectives of the National Agency are to attract and promote investment inflow to the national economy, to assist existing and potential exporters in promoting their products to overseas markets, as well as to develop mechanisms for public-private partnership. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Binance Laba poses for a photo on a street in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016. Laba braves daily challenges inflicted by thin oxygen along with long and freezing winters in Nagqu, a city with an average altitude exceeding 4,500 meters. It takes both high skills and great perseverance for one to ride electric tricycles on slippery roads amid blizzards or rainstorms year-round. That said, Laba remains dedicated to his role, winding through Nagqu's streets and alleys day after day to bridge the "last miles" between the delivery stations and his customers. "I must excel at my job to live up to the trust of every customer," Laba said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba (L) and a colleague sort parcels at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) Laba (rear) checks parcel information at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba (C) and his colleagues pose for a group photo at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) Laba (4th L) packs a parcel at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba (R) registers a parcel for delivery from a customer at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) Laba sorts parcels at a delivery station in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba delivers parcels in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) Laba checks traffic condition through the rearview mirror before going out to deliver parcels in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba prepares to deliver parcels in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Laba is seen on his way to deliver parcels in Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, April 24, 2025. Laba, a 30-year-old courier has delivered more than 200,000 parcels without a single customer complaint due to personal negligence since he joined SF Express' Nagqu branch in 2016.(Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) This year's theme for the National Day of Prayer came from Romans 15:13 which is Paul's prayer to the Romans that reads, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (NIV). "I can think of few better things for our country, our fellow citizens, and ourselves than to take a few moments to petition our Lord for wisdom and strength. There is no greater force on earth than the power of prayer." said Dr. David Jeremiah. In March Dr. Jeremiah filmed a new series on prayer in front of a live studio audience at the newly opened Turning Point Media Studio located at the Turning Point headquarters in San Diego. He was joined by Sheila Walsh as they discussed various aspects of prayer and Dr. Jeremiah shared lessons the Lord has taught him about prayer over his forty years in ministry. "What a privilege and an opportunity it is that we have the ability to stay in communication with the Lord of the heavens and to ask for His blessing and favor on our country and one another," shared Dr. Jeremiah. The series will premiere late this summer and will be accompanied by a new book from Dr. Jeremiah entitled Everything to God in Prayer, a collection of guided prayers based on prayers Dr. Jeremiah has prayed at the end of his messages. Dr. David Jeremiah is a renowned Bible teacher, New York Times bestselling author, and founder/host of Turning Point Broadcast Ministry. With forty years of ministry and "just getting started," his teaching has led to the creation of the Prophecy Academy , OVERCOMER, Airship Genesis , PassagesTV, Why the Nativity? , and PerhapsToday , to name a few. About Turning Point Turning Point Ministries was founded in 1982 as Dr. David Jeremiah's broadcast ministry to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. More than four decades later, with a multimedia network featuring radio, television, online programming, magazines, and books, Turning Point reaches people around the globe with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Turning Point is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization wholly supported by patrons and not underwritten by any church or organization. SOURCE Turning Point Ministries 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 Gaza, May 4 : The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have released a new video showing a hostage, who appeared to have been injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. The footage released on Saturday showed masked militants inside an underground tunnel, shouting at the distressed-looking hostage. "I am hostage number 24. We were bombed after the ceasefire ended, and we escaped death. That's why we went down into the tunnels. We were bombed again while underground," the captive said in the video. The hostage criticised the strategy of the Israeli government, which he blamed for his current ordeal, Xinhua news agency reported. "My health is critical. There's no access to medication, and seeking medical help is impossible. I don't know what happened to my colleague," he added. The individual urged Israelis to protest and pressure Netanyahu's administration to agree to a prisoner swap for his release and the other Israeli captives. Israeli public broadcaster Kan identified the hostage as Maxim Herkin, who has been held in Gaza. This is the second video of Herkin released by Hamas. Herkin also appeared in a previous video released by Hamas in early April, wearing a small bandage on his right wrist and a bandage on his cheek and ear. In that video, he appeared alongside a second hostage Israeli media identified as soldier Bar Kuperstein. A truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas came into force on January 19, largely halting more than 15 months of fighting. During the six-week ceasefire militants handed over 33 hostages, eight of them dead. Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over next steps in the ceasefire. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 2,396 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,495. The Israeli government has said its renewed offensive aims to force Hamas to free the remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. Since the end of the truce, Hamas has released several videos of hostages. The latest images come as efforts by mediators to broker a new truce have stalled. Herkin, had emigrated to Israel from Ukraine with his mother. Aden : , May 4 (IANS) Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Finance Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik as the country's new Prime Minister, following the resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak. The decision, reported by state-run Saba news agency on Saturday, came just hours after bin Mubarak stepped down, citing constitutional constraints and obstacles that hindered his reform efforts. Bin Braik, who has served as the Finance Minister since 2019 and Vice Finance Minister prior to that, has held several key financial and administrative roles throughout his career, Xinhua news agency reported. The official statement clarified that all current Ministers would retain their positions, with bin Mubarak being appointed as an advisor to the PLC President. The second article of the decree states that "the members of the government shall continue to do their jobs in accordance with the decision about their appointment". Bin Mubarak, in his resignation statement, highlighted the "numerous difficulties" he faced, including an inability to reshape the government and implement critical reforms due to limited constitutional powers. Bin Mubarak, who took office in February 2024, had previously served as Yemen's Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the US. Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014 when Houthi forces took control of the capital Sanaa, continues to drive instability, with the internationally recognised government operating from Aden. Mubarak said that he had faced many challenges during his tenure, "most notably being denied the ability to exercise my constitutional powers in making necessary decisions to reform several state institutions, as well as being prevented from carrying out the overdue cabinet reshuffle." The resignation comes amid a worsening economic crisis in Yemen. The Yemeni rial is experiencing an unprecedented collapse, deepening the suffering of citizens in a country the United Nations has described as facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Yemeni government has said it is struggling with a severe financial shortfall due to the ongoing halt of oil exports, which has been in place since October 2022 following Houthi attacks on oil facilities. The Houthi group has tied the resumption of exports to an agreement on how revenues would be distributed and used to pay public sector salaries nationwide.aaaaaaa Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country from the internationally recognised government. Canberra, May 4 : Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party has won a second term in power in Australia's federal election. Labor Party on Saturday night retained power in a landslide election victory that is set to deliver the party its most seats in the lower house of the federal parliament, where the government is formed, in history, according to projections from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It makes Albanese the first leader of either major party to win consecutive elections since 2004, Xinhua news agency reported. Delivering his victory speech at a Labor event in his native Sydney, Albanese described serving as Prime Minister as the "greatest honour" of his life. "Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future," he said. Albanese pledged to "govern for all Australians" and said that the re-elected government would spend "every day" of the next three years repaying voters' trust. "We take out this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination. Together we are turning a corner and together we will make our way forward," he said. "This is a time of profound opportunity for our nation. We have everything we need to seize this moment and make it our own, but we must do it together." As of 10:45 p.m. local time, the ABC projected that Labor Party was likely to win at least 87 of the 150 seats in the lower house of the 48th Parliament, surpassing the party's record-high of the 86 seats it won in the 1986 election. The official count conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission put Labor ahead of the conservative Coalition of the Liberal and National Parties 56.4-43.6 on a two-party basis as of Saturday night, with voters swinging towards the government across the country. Among the seats won by Labor was that of Dickson in Brisbane's north, which had been held by Opposition leader Peter Dutton since 2001. It makes Dutton the first Opposition leader to lose his seat at a federal election in Australian history. The ABC said that the opposition Coalition was likely to win at least 39 lower house seats, with 12 going to minor parties and Independents and the remaining 12 still in doubt. Addressing supporters at an election night event in Brisbane earlier, Dutton said that he had called Albanese to concede defeat. "We didn't do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility," he added. Dutton's defeat in Dickson means that members of the Liberal Party, the senior partner in the coalition, will have to elect a new party leader to serve as the Opposition leader in the 48th Parliament. On Saturday, polls opened at more than 7,000 locations across Australia, with voters set to decide if Albanese's centre-left Labor Party will govern for a second term or if the conservative Coalition of the Liberal and National Parties, led by Dutton, will win power. Voting in the election is mandatory for all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over who are registered on the electoral roll maintained by the Australian Electoral Commission, with those who fail to do so facing small administrative fines. When Australians vote in federal elections, they fill in two ballot papers, one for the lower house of the federal parliament, the House of Representatives, and one for the upper house, the Senate. All 150 seats in the lower house will be filled at the election, as well as 40 out of 76 seats in the Senate. Each lower house seat represents an electorate, geographic divisions that each contain nearly the same number of voters, while Senators represent their state or territory. Singapore, May 4 : Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won 87 of the 97 seats in Parliament in Saturday's general election, according to local media reports. The country's main opposition Workers' Party (WP) secured 10 seats. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, whose party won the election, thanked supporters. A total of 209 candidates from 11 political parties and coalitions, along with two independents, contested 97 elected seats in the Parliament. This election marks the first time Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has led the PAP into a general election, after succeeding Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024, following Lee's two-decade tenure. About 82 per cent of the voters, 2,164,593 people, have cast their ballots by 5 p.m., CNA reported, citing the election authorities. Sample counts showed 10 seats for the Workers' Party (WP), according to The Straits Times. A total of 211 candidates from 11 political parties are competing for 97 seats in Parliament. Earlier, the polling began at 8 a.m. and continued till 8 p.m. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also cast his vote at his constituency at Evans Road in the Bukit Timah area in the city. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is aiming to extend its uninterrupted hold on power since independence in 1965. Voting is compulsory in the city-state where average turnout since 2001 has reached 94.2 per cent, according to official data. The PAP, which has won all 13 general elections since independence, is the only party fielding candidates in all constituencies. Its main challenger, the Workers' Party, is competing for 26 seats. Only six parties are running for more than 10 seats each. The election will decide the seats in 33 constituencies, 17 of which are multi-member group representation constituencies (GRCs) and 15 single-member constituencies. Most races remain straight fights, with only five constituencies seeing more than two parties competing. The brief nine-day campaign followed the official announcement on April 15. The PAP is widely expected to retain its majority, although opposition parties are hoping to make modest gains, particularly in urban districts where cost-of-living concerns have been rising. Singapore's electoral landscape is shaped by strict campaigning rules and a centralised political culture, with the PAP emphasising stability, economic growth, and social order in its campaign messaging. Final results are expected late Saturday, though official declarations may follow after all votes are counted and reviewed, including overseas and postal ballots. Jerusalem, May 4 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his planned visit to Azerbaijan, said a statement from his office. Netanyahu's visit was scheduled to begin on Wednesday and last five days, Xinhua news agency reported. "In light of developments in the Gaza Strip and Syria, and due to a tight political and security schedule, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided to postpone his visit to Azerbaijan to a later date," the statement said on Saturday. "The Prime Minister thanks President (Ilham) Aliyev for his invitation, and appreciates the warm relations between the two countries." However, Israeli news website Walla and other Israeli media outlets reported that the reason for the cancellation was Turkey's refusal to allow Netanyahu's plane to fly over its territory en route to Azerbaijan's capital, Baku. Citing sources close to Netanyahu, the website said that his office had examined the possibility of flying via alternative flight routes. However, that would have almost doubled the flight duration, and it was decided to cancel the flight. According to the report, the Prime Minister's Office examined the possibility of travelling to Baku on an alternate flight route, namely over Greece and Bulgaria, but decided against doing so as the flight time would almost double. This would not mark the first time that Turkey's increasingly sour relations with Israel have reportedly interrupted senior officials' travel plans. In November 2024, President Isaac Herzog canceled his planned visit to the United Nations COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan at the last minute, citing "security considerations" as the reason. Reports at the time suggested, however, that the real reason for the cancellation was because Turkey had refused to allow Israeli President to fly through its airspace. Direct flight routes from Israel to Azerbaijan are limited, as most require flying over Turkey, or alternatively, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated, resulting in the recall of ambassadors and the severance of trade relations. Israelas security cabinet is slated to convene on Sunday so Ministers can vote to approve the military plans authorised by Netanyahu. In Syria, Israel has attacked hundreds of military sites since forces led by Ahmed Al-Sharaa deposed longtime leader Bashar Al-Assad in December. Citing potential danger following the ouster, Israel sent troops into the Syrian side of the demilitarised zone that separates the two countries. It has also pledged to defend Druze communities in Syria from attack by jihadists and government forces. Netanyahu was scheduled to take off for Azerbaijan on May 7 and return on May 11. He was set to meet with Aliyev to discuss talks between Turkey and Israel over Syria, which Azerbaijan has mediated. They were also meant to discuss plans to formally connect Azerbaijan with the Abraham Accord framework and various initiatives, and to strengthen bilateral ties as well as trilateral ties with the US. Azerbaijan also sits on the border of Israel's archenemy, Iran, and access to the border is widely believed to represent a key enabler of Israel's campaign against Iran's nuclear weapon program. Tehran has repeatedly expressed concern that Azerbaijani territory could be used for a possible attack on Iran by Israel, a major arms supplier to Baku. However, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Azerbaijan earlier this week, in the latest sign of warming relations between the neighboring countries. Relations between the two countries have been strained for years, largely due to Baku's close ties with Israel and a January 2023 attack on Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran. In a recent sign of thawing ties, Iran and Azerbaijan held two days of joint naval exercises in the Caspian Sea in November, according to Iranian media. New Delhi, May 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Anthony Albanese on being re-elected as the Prime Minister of Australia as well as his "resounding victory" in the general election. PM Modi also said that he was looking forward to working together with Albanese to further boost the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to advance the shared vision between the two countries for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Taking to Social media platform X, PM Modi wrote: "Congratulations @AlboMP on your resounding victory and re-election as Prime Minister of Australia! This emphatic mandate indicates the enduring faith of the Australian people in your leadership. I look forward to working together to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific." Albanese claimed victory in the polls earlier on Saturday. In a post on X, he said, "Thank you, Australia." Anthony Albanese has become the first Australian Prime Minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in 21 years. Albanese won the country's federal election and is all set to retain his majority government as his centre-left Labour Party swept the polls, local media reported. Albanese's return to office is historic as this made him the first Australian Prime Minister to win a second term since 2004. The incumbent Prime Minister walked into the election day, expressing confidence in his party's return to power with a majority, having performed better than Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, during the five-week campaign. Meanwhile, Albanese addressing supporters in Sydney, struck a defiant and independent tone in his victory speech. "Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future," he said. "We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration overseas. We find it right here in our values and in our people." His center-left Labor Party appears to have increased its majority in the 151-member House of Representatives, defying the historical trend of Australian governments losing seats in a second term. If confirmed, it would bolster Albanese's ability to pass key legislation. The rival conservative coalition, led by Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, conceded defeat on Saturday. Dutton, who had represented his seat for 24 years, also lost his own constituency. The Labor campaign had portrayed him as aligned with former US President Donald Trump, dubbing him "DOGE-y Dutton" and accusing the opposition of adopting a Trump-style governance model. Press Release May 4, 2025 Pimentel urges oversight review of road safety law after deadly NAIA crash Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Sunday called for an urgent oversight review of Republic Act 10916, following back-to-back fatal road crashes, including the recent tragedy at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. "I call on the Senate to exercise its oversight function and conduct a thorough review of how RA 10916 is being implemented -- or not implemented -- by the Department of Transportation," said Pimentel, who is now running for representative of the first district of Marikina. "One of the lives lost was that of a child, simply accompanying her father, an overseas Filipino worker, to the airport," Pimentel said. "No parent should have to bury a child under such horrific circumstances." Pimentel said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has failed to fully implement the Speed Limiter Law -- a measure Congress enacted in 2016 to prevent high-speed road accidents. "If only the Department of Transportation implemented this law -- RA 10916: An Act Requiring the Mandatory Installation of Speed Limiter in Public Utility and Certain Types of Vehicles -- then many lives could have been saved from all of these unnecessary road accidents," he said. "Hindi dapat nangyari ito kung sineryoso lang ang pagpapatupad ng batas. Batas ito, hindi mungkahi lang. Kailan pa tayo kikilos. Araw-araw na lang may namamatay sa kalsada?" RA 10916 mandates the installation of calibrated speed limiters in public utility vehicles such as buses, trucks, and designated commercial vehicles. Non-compliance carries penalties. Although the SUV in the NAIA crash was not confirmed to be a public utility vehicle, Pimentel stressed that the government's failure to enforce safety laws across both public and private transport sectors -- particularly in high-traffic areas like airports -- has made the country's roads increasingly perilous. He also pointed to another deadly accident just days earlier, when a passenger bus slammed into several vehicles at an SCTEX toll gate, killing ten and injuring 37 others. Pimentel called on the DOTr to conduct a full audit of nationwide transport compliance and to require all private contractors in major terminals to strictly observe road safety laws. "If all public vehicles followed the speed limiter law, we would see fewer tragedies like this," he said. "This law exists for the protection of every Filipino." BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- China celebrates its annual Youth Day on Sunday, honoring the legacy of the patriotic May Fourth Movement of 1919 that shaped modern Chinese history. Around this time, President Xi Jinping usually sends greetings to young people and champions the inseparable bond between youth empowerment and national progress. Still fresh in the public's mind is Xi's visit to an AI incubator in Shanghai on Tuesday. During the inspection of the AI industry in the eastern metropolis, Xi spent some time engaging with young entrepreneurs participating in an innovators' salon. "AI is a nascent industry, and it's also an industry that belongs to young people," Xi said, encouraging the younger generation to demonstrate their talent and capabilities at a time when "China is advancing the great cause of building a strong nation and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts." Xi urged the young people to cherish a deep love for the country, set their sights on serving the nation, and strengthen their capabilities. The youth should "closely link their personal endeavors with the country's future," he said. Xi has on multiple occasions stressed the necessity for young people to have unwavering dedication to the nation and the people, a conviction forged from his early experiences. In the late 1960s, as part of a national movement, millions of urban youth went to rural areas to work and live alongside farmers, aiming to foster resilience through hard labor. Among them was 15-year-old Xi, who arrived in a remote village in Shaanxi Province. Taking on farming, hauling coal, and building dams, Xi's resilience, thirst for knowledge, and reputation as a "learned problem-solver" won the trust of villagers, who elected him as their Party branch secretary. As a young man toiling on the barren Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi, Xi's aspiration at that time was to ensure that all fellow villagers could have enough to eat. It was there that Xi forged a conviction to dedicate his life to the country and the people. Now, as China's top leader, Xi frequently urges the younger generation to devote themselves to national development. Ahead of the Youth Day 2023, Xi penned a reply letter to students from China Agricultural University. For over a decade, the university has been operating the "science and technology backyards" program, sending postgraduate students specializing in agriculture to rural areas to assist in solving practical problems. In his letter, Xi expressed the hope for the students to closely integrate textbook knowledge with practices in rural areas, and devote their youth and strength to speeding up rural and agricultural modernization and the construction of a modern socialist country. In an article published on Thursday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Xi again underscored the importance of strengthening the ideals and convictions of the younger generation. Young people should serve as pioneers and vital forces in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, and national defense, the article noted. In his latest Youth Day greetings, Xi commended a group of volunteer teachers working in a remote border school in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In the reply letter to the volunteer teachers, Xi noted that more young people have chosen to serve as volunteers in the country's western regions and rural areas over the years, demonstrating their spirit of dedication and sense of responsibility. "Contribute to the country's modernization drive by serving where the nation and the people need you most," he urged. New Delhi, May 4 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov telephonically and held discussions amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. While speaking to Russian Foreign Minister, the External Affairs Minister also discussed about the bilateral cooperation activities between India and Russia and added that the "perpetrators, backers and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack must be brought to justice". In a post on social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar on Saturday wrote: "Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with FM Lavrov of Russia yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice. Also spoke about our bilateral cooperation activities." According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two Ministers also discussed the schedule of upcoming contacts at the highest levels. On April 22, gunmen attacked on innocent tourists who were there to enjoy the scenic beauty of "mini Switzerland". The attack, the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, targeted mostly tourists and was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). The TRF later denied involvement in the attack. Both the Ministers discussed issues of Russian-Indian cooperation and the aggravation of India-Pakistan relations following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. On May 2, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke with India's EAM Jaishankar. "Sergey Lavrov called for settling disagreements between New Delhi and Islamabad on a bilateral basis by political and diplomatic means per the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999," the Russian Federation said in a statement. Following the terror attack in 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. The Indian government also cancelled all types of visas granted to Pakistani nationals and ordered them to leave by April 30. India also closed its airspace for flights operated by Pakistan Airlines. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan and barred Indian airlines from using its airspace. Pakistani forces have also been violating ceasefire along the border for ninth consecutive day, opening small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in five Jammu and Kashmir districts. At a key security meeting on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the armed forces have full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India's response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. "It is our national resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism," PM Modi said, according to sources in the government. Tehran, May 4 : Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned a drone attack, allegedly carried out by Israel, on a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. He referred to an incident reported by the international non-governmental organisation Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which said on Saturday that its Gaza aid ship "Conscience" was bombed by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta early on Friday, blaming the strike on Israel. In a statement released by his Ministry, Baghaei said the attack on the ship was carried out in line with Israel's plan against the Palestinians and to ensure the continuation of the Gaza aid blockade, calling it "a clear crime against Palestinians and a terrorist action against maritime security and safety". He stressed that depriving Gaza residents, particularly children, women, and the wounded, of food, water, and medicines was considered "a clear instance of war crimes and crimes against humanity". Baghaei also described the US and other supporters of Israel as accomplices in "these crimes," voicing Iran's solidarity with the "oppressed" Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, Xinhua news agency reported. The blockade also constitutes a breach of the principles of international humanitarian law, he added. Reiterating Iran's solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the international community and Islamic countries to firmly condemn Israel and hold the regime's officials accountable for their actions. On Friday, Malta's government confirmed that maritime authorities had received a distress call from a vessel outside the country's territorial waters and offered immediate assistance. Local media said the vessel's crew members were rescued, with no injuries reported. The media reports noted that an Israeli military aircraft hovered around Malta hours before the vessel was attacked. Israel has not officially commented on the incident or related reports so far. In March, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, banned aid deliveries into Gaza in a move he said was meant to pressure the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas into accepting an extension of the first stage of the ceasefire deal, which Israel broke. The Israeli Minister in-charge of military affairs, Israel Katz, recently said no preparations were being made to bring supplies into the strip. He added that the Israeli government would not allow any humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, confirming that food is being used as a tool of pressure against Hamas. Israel has blocked the entry of food, medicine, and other critical supplies to Gaza for weeks. Aid agencies say there are concerns of a full-blown famine taking hold across the blockaded Palestinian territory. Jammu, May 4 : For the 10th consecutive day, Pakistan Army violated ceasefire on the Line Of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday as the Indian troops retaliated proportionately, officials said. Defence Ministry statement on Sunday said, "During the night of May 3 and May 4, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir." "Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately." Tensions reached a new high between the two countries after Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists sponsored and aided by Pakistan killed 26 innocent civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, on April 22 in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. The entire country was outraged by the cowardly act of terrorists as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first reaction to Pahalgam killings that the terrorists, their handlers and backers would he chased and hunted down to the ends of the earth. India announced a slew of measures against Pakistan including deportation of its nationals from Indian soil, closing of Attari-Wagah border crossing, throwing the Indus Water Treaty into abeyance, closing its airspace for Pakistani commercial flights and cancellation of all trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi has given operational freedom to the armed forces to avenge the Pahalgam killings. This decision came after the PM met the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Prior to that meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a 40-minute-long meeting with Prime Minister Modi on April 28. The Defence Minister met the PM after he received a detailed briefing by the CDS General Anil Chauhan on the preparedness of the country's Armed forces to meet any eventuality. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha had a security review meeting with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar a few days ago. The L-G asked the Army to use whatever force is required to hunt down the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. Meanwhile, to send a powerful message to terrorists, their overground workers and sympathisers, security forces continue demolition of the houses of terrorists. On April 25, two houses belonging to Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were demolished in the Tral and Bijbehara areas. Both these terrorists were part of the LeT terrorist group involved in the Pahalgam killings. Security forces have so far demolished the houses of 10 terrorists, who are reportedly still active in the Kashmir Valley. On April 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously condemned the dastardly terrorist attack and passed a resolution on it. Badrinath, May 4 : The sacred portals of Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were opened to devotees on Sunday at 6 a.m. amid traditional Vedic rituals and chants of "Jai Badri Vishal", with the Garhwal Rifles band of the Indian Army enhancing the spiritual atmosphere through melodious music. As the revered shrine welcomed pilgrims, helicopters showered flower petals over the devotees, adding a divine touch to the auspicious occasion. The event marked a significant moment in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, considered one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus. The Char Dham Yatra includes the high-altitude shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year. With the final leg now open at Badrinath, the Char Dham Yatra has entered full swing. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Shri Badrinath Dham to offer his prayers, engaging with devotees and locals and warmly shaking hands with pilgrims. Taking to social media platform X, CM Dhami wrote, "The doors of 'Bhu-Vaikunth' Shri Badrinath Dham, one of the Char Dhams, the centre of faith for crores of devotees, have been opened today for the devotees with full rites and rituals, amidst the divine sound of Vedic chanting." "With the opening of the doors of Shri Badrinath Dham, the Char Dham Yatra has been fully started. Our government is fully committed to making the journey of the devotees coming to Uttarakhand from the country and abroad smooth, safe and full of pleasant memories," he added. In another post, Dhami described the spiritual aura of the region: "Shri Badrinath Dham is the land of devotion, penance and salvation. Here, every particle is full of divinity, and every rock has the shadow of Shri Hari. You must also visit 'Devbhoomi' Uttarakhand this time in the Char Dham Yatra and become a part of this divine experience full of faith, devotion and spirituality." The pilgrimage route, followed in a traditional clockwise direction, is steeped in deep spiritual significance in the Sanatan Dharma. This year, the Char Dham Yatra officially commenced on April 30 with the ceremonial opening of the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. On Friday, the doors of Baba Kedarnath temple were thrown open amid elaborate Vedic rituals and religious fervour. A sea of devotees had gathered for the grand opening, creating a spiritually charged environment. With all four shrines now accessible, the Char Dham Yatra is underway in full spirit, continuing to draw thousands of pilgrims into the lap of the Himalayas for a journey rooted in devotion, tradition, and the quest for salvation. Chennai, May 4 : Four people from Kerala were killed and three others seriously injured in a tragic road accident in the early hours of Sunday at Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. According to police, the victims were travelling in an Omni van that collided head-on with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus near Koradacheri around 4 a.m. All seven occupants of the van were from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and were en route to the Velankanni Mother Mary Church on a pilgrimage. Four passengers, Rajinath, Rajesh, Sajith and Rahul, died instantly on the spot, while the remaining three sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Tiruvarur Government Hospital. The hospital authorities confirmed that the injured were in critical condition and receiving intensive care. The injured were identified as Rajinas, Sabi and Sunil. Dr. S. Manoharan, duty medical officer at Tiruvarur Government Hospital, said, "We received three patients with multiple fractures, head injuries, and internal bleeding. Our team is providing continuous monitoring and treatment. Their condition remains critical, and we have alerted their families." Eyewitnesses reported that the van appeared to lose control before veering into the path of the oncoming bus, which was travelling towards Thanjavur. "The impact was massive. Locals rushed to help, but the van was completely mangled," said R. Kannan, a local resident who assisted in the rescue operation. Police said preliminary investigations suggest that driver fatigue or drowsiness may have contributed to the crash. A detailed inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to Tiruvarur District Hospital for post-mortem examination. The Velankanni Basilica, located in Nagapattinam district, is one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage centres in South India, attracting lakhs of devotees annually, especially from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The route to Velankanni often witnesses heavy traffic, particularly during weekends and festival seasons, and has seen a rise in road accidents in recent years. According to official data, Tamil Nadu records one of the highest numbers of road accidents in India each year, with fatigue and overspeeding listed as major causes. Further updates are awaited. Mumbai, May 4 : Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for vacationing in Europe with his family while the nation was mourning the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident, which saw four heavily armed terrorists linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) -- an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba -- emerge from Baisran Valley and kill 26 civilians, has drawn national and international outrage. According to reports, Thackeray left for Europe on the same day the terror attack occurred, triggering strong reactions from political opponents and leaders across the spectrum. Taking to X, Deora wrote, "From sons of the soil to tourists of India -- how far the Thackerays have fallen. While bullets flew in Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe." "On Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word. No statement. No solidarity. No shame." Calling it a glaring example of "luxury politics", Deora compared Thackeray's absence to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's active participation in mourning the victims and honouring security personnel. "In contrast, DCM Eknath Shinde led from the front, stood with victims & honoured our heroes. Maharashtra needs warriors on duty, not part-time Netas on holiday," Deora stated. The timing of Thackeray's foreign trip has become a major political flashpoint, particularly as it coincided with Maharashtra Day celebrations. Uddhav Thackeray's absence from the 65th Maharashtra Foundation Day event has drawn criticism from the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which has questioned the commitment of the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader to the state's cultural pride. BJP Mumbai chief and Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar accused Uddhav Thackeray of failing to uphold the Marathi identity he so often invokes. Thackeray also came under fire from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who remarked, "When it's the time to pay tributes to those who lost their lives, the Thackeray family is vacationing abroad." While Uddhav Thackeray remained absent, leaders from across the political spectrum attended the tribute ceremony at Hutatma Chowk to honour the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. Among those present were senior NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, and Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad. Dharamsala, May 4 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday congratulated Anthony Albanese on his re-election as Prime Minister following his party's victory in the Australian parliamentary elections. "It has been a privilege for me to have been able to visit Australia several times over the years," the Dalai Lama wrote in a letter to Albanese. "The friendship and affection that Australian brothers and sisters have shown me have touched me deeply. I have also been encouraged by their enthusiasm and interest in my efforts to promote the human values of loving kindness, compassion, a sense of oneness of humanity and closer inter-religious harmony. I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the Australian government and its people for their interest in and support for the Tibetan peopleas freedom and dignity. I wish you every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the Australian people," he said. The Dalai Lama ended his letter by offering his prayers and good wishes. Left-leaning PM Albanese claimed victory in the general election on Saturday. He vowed to steer the nation through global uncertainty. "Couldn't do this without the support of my incredible local community in Sydneyas Inner West. Grayndler, thank you for everything. Weall keep working every day to make you proud," PM Albanese wrote on X. Opposition leader Peter Dutton conceded defeat and had called Prime Minister Albanese to congratulate him on the win. "We didn't do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that," Dutton said. There is no indication at this stage whether he will form a majority government or need to rely on minor parties and independents. New Delhi, May 4 : Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who is currently in London for ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, visited the International Centre for Sustainability and praised its efforts to promote India's sustainability initiatives and strengthen bilateral ties. Taking to the social media platform X, Goyal shared his appreciation after meeting Sachin Nandha, the founding trustee of the Centre. The Minister expressed his delight in learning about the Centre's work to enhance global understanding of India's environmental efforts and to deepen cooperation between India and the UK. "Very pleased to hear from Sachin Nandha, the founding trustee, about the work being done by the Centre to enhance the understanding about India's sustainability efforts and to strengthen India-UK ties," Goyal posted on X. This visit is part of the Minister's broader engagements in the UK, where he is meeting with stakeholders across various sectors to bolster economic and diplomatic relations. Earlier, Goyal met representatives of Indian organisations based in the UK and acknowledged their contributions to cultural and economic collaboration. "Met with representatives of various Indian organisations based in the UK. Highlighted the growing strength of the India-UK partnership, with both countries actively working to deepen collaboration across diverse sectors," Goyal said. "Commended their valuable contributions and conveyed my best wishes as they continue to play a vital role in strengthening cultural, political, and economic ties between the two nations," he stated on X. He also engaged with the India Global Forum, appreciating its role in promoting the India-UK partnership and encouraging its continued efforts. The Minister's visit comes at a crucial time as India and the UK continue to advance discussions on a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Recently, Minister Goyal met with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds to further the negotiations. Both sides have reiterated their commitment to finalising the deal, which is expected to boost trade, investment, and innovation. Mumbai, May 4 : Choreographer-director Farah Khan recently had a reunion with her "2 Chinese directors". Farah took to the Stories section of her Instagram recently, and shared a picture in which she could be seen in the company of Hong Kong-born filmmaker, Peter Chan, and Stanley Tong. Mumbai, May 4 (IANS) Choreographer-director Farah Khan recently had a reunion with her "2 Chinese directors". Farah took to the Stories section of her Instagram recently, and shared a picture in which she could be seen in the company of Hong Kong-born filmmaker, Peter Chan, and Stanley Tong. She wrote on the picture, "Reunion with my 2chinese directors peterchan (PerhapsLove) & Stanleytong(kungFu Yoga) thank u @minimathur @kabirkhankk for making this happen". The intimate party was hosted by director Kabir Khan and his wife Mini Mathur. 'Perhaps Love' was submitted by Hong Kong as its official entry for the 78th Academy Awards, and saw Farah serving as choreographer on the film. Farah also choreographed a song for Jackie Chan in the movie 'Kung Fu Yoga'. Earlier, Farah reflected on her journey in Hindi cinema as she spoke about working with the next generation of stars. Farah revealed the emotional connection she shares with the children of some of the biggest stars she once worked with. Speaking about choreographing Junaid Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, daughter of the late actress Sridevi, Farah shared, "It was a surreal experience because literally, I think I was working with Aamir in 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' and after that Junaid was born. We all had gone to his house with Mansoor and everybody to congratulate him. Same with Sridevi also, I was quite close to her, Boney, and the whole Kapoor family. For me, it was very wonderful". She continued, "It just feels weird that I've been around for so long. I don't feel it. It's just that when I shoot with these guys, I realize that, oh my god, I started my career with Aamir and now I'm choreographing his son". Earlier, Farah celebrated her birthday this month in Mumbai. On the occasion, Bollywood couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha shared a joint post on their Instagram handles. The post showcases many heartwarming moments featuring them with Farah. They wrote in the caption, "Happiest Birthday to our dearest @farahkhankunder ma'am. Wishing you only the best in life..We love you to the moon and back". The couple and Farah are known to be best of friends. New Delhi, May 4 : Renowned spiritual guru and yoga practitioner Baba Shivanand, a Padma Shri awardee, passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi due to health complications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the Baba's demise. New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Renowned spiritual guru and yoga practitioner Baba Shivanand, a Padma Shri awardee, passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi due to health complications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the Babaas demise. Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, "It is extremely saddening to hear about the demise of Shivanand Baba Ji, a yoga practitioner and resident of Kashi. His life dedicated to yoga and sadhana will continue to inspire every generation of the country. He was also awarded Padma Shri for serving the society through yoga. Shivanand Baba's departure to Shivaloka is an irreparable loss for all of us Kashi residents and millions of people who draw inspiration from him. I pay my tribute to him in this hour of grief." Baba Sivanand, who passed away on Saturday night, was admitted to BHU Hospital on April 30 after experiencing health issues. A resident of Kashi (Varanasi), Baba Sivanand was known for his disciplined lifestyle centred around yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice. His dedication to holistic wellness and traditional Indian values earned him national recognition when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022 for his exceptional contribution to society through yoga. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid his respects. In a post on X in Hindi (loosely translated), he wrote, "The demise of Kashi's renowned yoga guru 'Padma Shri' Swami Shivanand ji, who made an unparalleled contribution in the field of 'Yoga', is extremely sad. Humble tribute to him! Your spiritual practice and life of yoga is a great inspiration for the entire society. You dedicated your entire life to the expansion of yoga. I pray to Baba Vishwanath to grant salvation to the departed soul and give strength to his bereaved followers to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti!" Baba Shivanand was born on August 8, 1896, in the Sylhet district of present-day Bangladesh. Orphaned at the age of six after his parents died of starvation, he was taken in by Omkarnand, who became his spiritual mentor and guided him in yogic and ascetic disciplines. His long and disciplined life, marked by simplicity and devotion, made him a revered figure. Disciples stated that his body has been kept at his residence in Kabirnagar Colony for the public to pay their last respects. His last rites will be performed later this evening. JERUSALEM, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday it issued call-up orders to tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for an escalation of its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. During a security briefing on Friday, the IDF outlined its expanded operational plans in Gaza to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The security cabinet is expected to meet on Sunday to vote on formally approving the plans, which Netanyahu has already greenlit. Israeli media reported that the stated objective of the current campaign is to increase pressure on Hamas to agree to a hostage release deal, rather than to eliminate the Palestinian military group. Israeli authorities have consistently cautioned that if no agreement is reached soon, a full-scale assault aimed at dismantling Hamas could begin. The forthcoming phase of the offensive will include IDF activity in additional areas of the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, the reservists being called up Saturday evening are expected to report for duty starting next week. Many of them have likely been mobilized multiple times for the conflict. Chandigarh, May 4 : Amid the tension at the international border with Pakistan, two persons have been arrested for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar, said the Punjab Police on Sunday. The two persons were identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih. They were arrested in a significant counter-espionage operation by the Amritsar Rural Police. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav wrote on X, aPreliminary investigation reveals their links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, established through Harpreet Singh, alias Pittu and alias Happy, currently lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail. They were arrested on Saturday. A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, and the investigation is ongoing. Further critical revelations are expected as the probe deepens," he said. "Punjab Police stands strong with the Indian Army, remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action," he added. Last week, Amritsar Commissionerate thwarted a potential grenade attack on a police establishments with the arrest of five members of a Pakistan's ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module linked to foreign-based gangster Jiwan Fauji. Those arrested were identified as Naresh Kumar alias Babbu, Abhinav Bhagat alias Abhi, Ajay Kumar alias Ajju, and Sunny Kumar, all residents of Haripura in Amritsar and a 17-year-old juvenile. Police teams had also recovered a hand grenade and a country-made .32 pistol along with five cartridges. DGP Yadav had said gangster Jiwan Fauji, currently operating from abroad, has been running a terror module in border districts of the state with the help of the arrested accused, who were recruited and radicalised to execute criminal activities. The probe had also revealed that the arrested people were provided with motorcycles and tasked with retrieving weapon consignments from the Ajnala sector. The DGP said the arrested were actively plotting to target police establishments with grenades. Ranchi, May 4 : A standoff has emerged between the central and Jharkhand governments over the post of the state's Director General of Police (DGP). While the Centre has declared 1990-batch IPS officer Anurag Gupta retired, the state government continues to retain him as DGP, citing its own recently notified rules. Ranchi, May 4 (IANS) A standoff has emerged between the central and Jharkhand governments over the post of the stateas Director General of Police (DGP). While the Centre has declared 1990-batch IPS officer Anurag Gupta retired, the state government continues to retain him as DGP, citing its own recently notified rules. This unusual situation -- possibly the first of its kind in the country involving a post as important as the DGP -- has sparked a legal and administrative tussle between the central and state governments. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has now sent a second letter within nine days to the Jharkhand government, reiterating that Gupta stands retired as of April 30, 2025, having reached the age of 60. Citing Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, the Centre has termed his continuation in office "illegal" and in violation of a Supreme Court directive. The first communication from the Centre, dated April 22 and signed by Sanjeev Kumar, Under Secretary in the Home Ministry, had directed that Guptaas retirement will take effect from April 30. In response, the Jharkhand government informed the Centre via email on April 30 itself that it had notified the Selection and Appointment of Director General of Police Rules, 2025, under which Gupta had been appointed DGP for a fixed two-year term starting February 2, 2025. The state cited a Supreme Court judgment mandating a minimum tenure of two years for a DGP, arguing that Gupta's continuation was in accordance with that ruling and the state's new rules. However, the Centre, in its second letter, rejected the stateas arguments and deemed the appointment and continued tenure of Gupta as invalid. It reiterated that any extension beyond the age of retirement violates service rules and the Supreme Court order. It is noteworthy here to mention that the Hemant Soren-led cabinet had approved the new Selection and Appointment Rules of Director General of Police on January 8. Based on these rules, a committee headed by a retired High Court judge was formed to oversee the DGP selection. On its recommendation, Anurag Gupta was appointed as the DGP from February 2, with a fixed tenure of two years. The state's official notification had made it clear that Guptaas tenure would be governed by the provisions of the new rules. Chamoli, May 4 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday offered prayers at the sacred Shri Badrinath Dham as its doors were ceremonially opened for the summer season at 6 a.m. with traditional Vedic chanting and rituals. The Chief Minister performed the first Mahabhishek Puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praying for the happiness and prosperity of the nation and the state, his office said in a statement. He also offered prayers at the Lakshmi Temple, Ganesh Temple, and Adi Guru Shankaracharya Gaddi within the temple complex. Sharing the spiritual experience on social media, CM Dhami wrote on X, "I had the good fortune of participating in the inauguration of Shri Badrinath Dham, the sacred land of Shri Hari Vishnu. In the lap of the Himalayas, I felt the divine energy and unwavering faith that have drawn devotees for ages." Approximately 15,000 pilgrims from across India and abroad were present for the auspicious opening, according to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). CM Dhami also interacted with pilgrims, reviewed travel arrangements, and emphasised the state government's commitment to ensuring a safe and smooth Char Dham Yatra. "We appeal to all pilgrims to support efforts for a green and clean Char Dham Yatra," the CMO said. Later, the Chief Minister reviewed progress on the Badrinath Master Plan with District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari and inspected ongoing construction near the temple. He directed officials to ensure the timely and high-quality completion of all works. He also assessed preparations for the upcoming Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra, instructing the administration to improve pilgrim amenities and complete the under-construction bridge over the Alaknanda River at Govindghat ahead of the pilgrimage. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt, Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj, MLA Lakhpat Butola, and senior officials of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). As the revered shrine welcomed pilgrims, helicopters showered flower petals over the devotees, adding a divine touch to the auspicious occasion. The event marked a significant moment in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, considered one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus. The Char Dham Yatra includes the high-altitude shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year. With the final leg now open at Badrinath, the Char Dham Yatra has entered full swing. Latehar : , May 4 (IANS) In a fresh incident of Maoist violence, an armed squad targeted a mining survey site of Coal India's associate company, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), in Jharkhand's Latehar district. The Maoists set fire to eight vehicles and machines, including two drilling rigs, causing extensive damage, officials said. Latehar (Jharkhand), May 4 (IANS) In a fresh incident of Maoist violence, an armed squad targeted a mining survey site of Coal Indiaas associate company, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), in Jharkhandas Latehar district. The Maoists set fire to eight vehicles and machines, including two drilling rigs, causing extensive damage, officials said. The attack took place late Saturday night in a remote forested area of Torisat village, under Chakla Panchayat in the Chandwa police station limits. According to preliminary reports, the Maoists opened fire to create panic and then torched two drilling machines, two pickup trucks, two cars, and two heavy trucks -- all reduced to ashes. CMPDI had identified the site for an underground coal reserve survey, and preliminary drilling work was underway. Several workers were present on the site when the attack took place, but no injuries to workers have been reported so far. The attackers reportedly remained at the location for about an hour before retreating into the forest. Following the incident, Latehar Superintendent of Police (SP) Kumar Gaurav dispatched a police team, led by Balumath DSP Vinod Rawani, to the spot early Sunday morning. Security forces have launched intensive search operations in the surrounding areas to trace the attackers. Multiple Maoist factions, including CPI (Maoist), TSPC (Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee), and Jharkhand Jan Sangharsh Mukti Morcha, are known to be active in Latehar, and initial suspicion points toward one of these groups. The attack comes just days after another Maoist strike in Orsapath village, under Mahuadanr police station, where insurgents torched two vehicles at a road construction site and shot dead a worker, Munshi Ayub Khan. Police believe these back-to-back incidents are part of a strategy by Maoist groups to instill fear and disrupt development activities in the region. New Delhi, May 4 : Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced on Sunday that Angola has officially signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an organisation in which India is spearheading global efforts to promote green energy. "The signing took place during the State Visit of the President of Angola to India, marking a pivotal moment in global efforts to promote solar energy," Union Minister Joshi said. The minister said that an African country joining the ISA represents a significant move to strengthen international collaboration on renewable energy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco at Hyderabad House in the national capital, announcing a $200 million defence credit line to Angola and expanding cooperation in public infrastructure, defence and space technology. The leaders engaged in discussions aimed at deepening cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, traditional medicine, diamond processing, fertiliser and critical minerals. The two sides also agreed to start a Youth Exchange Programme as Yoga and Bollywood are quite popular in Angola, a country which has a sizeable Indian diaspora. Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco has termed his first state visit to India historic and timely, since this year India and Angola are celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It also comes in a year when President Lourenco has assumed the Chair of the African Union. It was during India's G20 Presidency that the African Union was included as its full member. PM Modi, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, extended best wishes to Angola for its chairmanship of the African Union. "It is a matter of great pride for us that the African Union was granted permanent membership of the G20 during India's G20 presidency. India and African countries raised their voices in unison against colonial rule, inspiring one another in the process. Today, we stand united in advocating for the interests, hopes, expectations, and aspirations of the Global South," PM Modi said. The two leaders also agreed that terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity and need to take firm and decisive action against the terrorists and those who support them. The Prime Minister also thanked Angola for its support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism. Guwahati, May 4 : Spearheading the campaign for the BJP in the Panchayat polls in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will hold two public rallies in Kahikuchi and Morigaon on Sunday. Taking to X, he wrote, "I look forward to addressing two packed rallies for #AssamPanchayatPolls in Kahikuchi and Majirgaon today." Earlier, while campaigning in Dhubri district, CM Sarma trained guns on the Congress party and said, "People of Dhubri have blessed the Congress MP with a huge margin of votes in the previous year's Lok Sabha election. However, once the polls were over, people could not find the MP for any public interactions. In Golakganj also, people elected one Congress MLA to the Assembly. He also failed to deliver any election promises." The CM argued that the Dhubri district has seen development since the BJP came to power in Assam nine years ago. "The BJP government has taken up large-scale initiatives for the development of the Dhubri district. For the progress of Assam, it is important that Dhubri must become a developed district," CM Sarma said. The first phase of voting for Panchayat polls was held on May 2, while polling for the second phase will be on May 7. Chief Minister Sarma announced that the BJP-led NDA in the state has secured as many as 325 seats unopposed in the upcoming Panchayat elections. CM Sarma mentioned, "As per reports received so far, the NDA has already secured 37 Zila Parishad (35 BJP and two AGP) and 288 Anchalik Panchayat (259 BJP and 29 AGP) seats unopposed." According to the Chief Minister, this is a massive and unprecedented mandate in Assam's political history and reflects the immense trust and overwhelming love that the people of the state have for the NDA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, "We are confident that when the final election results are declared, this tally will grow even more impressive. The NDA is all set to sweep the Panchayat elections in Assam. My heartfelt gratitude to the people of Assam and deep appreciation to our dedicated karyakartas for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment." London, May 4 : In a major development, the UK's counter-terrorism police arrested eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, during multiple raids carried out across different parts of the country, the Metropolitan Police announced on Sunday. According to the authorities, five individuals -- four of whom are Iranian nationals -- were taken into custody on Saturday on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to an alleged plot to target specific premises. The fifth suspect's nationality remains unconfirmed. The arrests took place in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said, "The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter." "We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today, and I'd like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support," he further added. In a separate operation on the same day, three other Iranian nationals were arrested in London as part of another counter-terrorism investigation, the Metropolitan Police said in a different statement. These arrests are not related to the earlier detentions of the five men. All three are currently in custody and searches are ongoing at three different addresses in connection with the operation. The police have refrained from disclosing specific details about the suspected plot due to operational sensitivities. However, the developments come amid growing concerns over Iran-linked activities within the United Kingdom. Since 2022, British authorities have reported thwarting more than 20 such plots and have imposed sanctions on a Swedish-based criminal network allegedly connected to Iran. This group has been accused of targeting Israeli and Jewish interests across Europe. The Iranian Embassy in London has not issued any statement or responded to media queries regarding the arrests as of now. Seoul, May 4 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a tank factory and expressed satisfaction over the upgraded structural design of indigenous tanks, while emphasising the need to modernise the military with advanced tanks, the North's state media reported on Sunday. Kim inspected the factory's production status, modernisation and progress in implementing research tasks related to core tank technology, Yonhap reported, quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not disclose the name or location of the factory or the date of his visit, describing it only as an "important" tank factory. "To replace the armoured weapons of the last century in our army with the latest tanks and armoured vehicles is the most important issue in the building of armed forces and modernisation of the army," the KCNA quoted Kim as saying during the field guidance. "It is impossible to build the armoured force properly" unless the military role and developmental direction of tanks in modern warfare are correctly defined and the viewpoint in tank design is reconsidered, Kim said as he presented the direction of tank modernisation and related tasks. He also emphasised the need to build large-scale capacity for producing cutting-edge tanks and self-propelled guns and to upgrade the overall armoured weapon systems in a short span of time, describing it as an important task for the governing party in bringing about "the second revolution in armoured force." The KCNA reported that Kim expressed "satisfaction" with the upgraded structural design of indigenous tanks and the composition of their firepower system, saying that they demonstrated scientific accuracy and reliability for a high-thrust engine. Kim noted that a "more development-oriented prospect" has opened up in the tank industry, and the party's policy of "further perfecting" core technologies for the main battle tank is being pursued through steady development and production success, according to the KCNA. Last week, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to Russia to support Moscow's war on Ukraine, with South Korea's spy agency assessing that Pyongyang has gained real-world combat skills over the deployment. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said North Korea appears to be focused on modernising its conventional weapons. "The war in Ukraine has shown that nuclear weapons are primarily for deterrence and are difficult to use in practice, while conventional weapons such as artillery and missiles, along with advanced weapons like drones, determine the success or failure of modern warfare," Yang said. Srinagar, May 4 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday flagged off the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Srinagar International Airport to Saudi Arabia and wished the pilgrims a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present at the airport. The Lieutenant Governor interacted with the pilgrims and extended his greetings and best wishes for a safe pilgrimage and a fulfilling spiritual experience. Manoj Sinha also recognised and appreciated the support of all the stakeholders for the successful organisation of the holy pilgrimage. CM Omar Abdullah spoke to some pilgrims and asked them to pray for the peace and prosperity of the country during their Hajj pilgrimage. This year, around 3,622 pilgrims from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Srinagar International Airport is scheduled to operate 11 flights between May 4 and May 15, facilitating approximately 3,132 Hajj pilgrims from the union territory, and 242 from the UT of Ladakh. The Hajj pilgrims will be received by the Consulate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, at Jeddah. CM Omar Abdullah, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IGP Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Akshay Labroo, and the members of the J&K Haj Committee, senior officers of the Airport Authority, Civil and Police administration, were present on the occasion. Earlier in the morning, the first batch of this yearas Hajj pilgrims left the Hajj House on Sunday for the Srinagar International Airport to board the special flight for Saudi Arabia. The first batch of 178 pilgrims, comprising 96 men and 82 women, reached the Hajj House in the Bemina area of Srinagar city in the morning. The pilgrims were asked to reach the Hajj House between 5 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. for final preparations and departure to the airport. Authorities have kept special buses to carry the pilgrims to the airport, but no relative or friend of the pilgrims will be allowed to accompany them to the airport. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, chief executive officer of the J&K Hajj committee, said the first flight carrying pilgrims will leave from the Srinagar International Airport. Senior officers, including the divisional commissioner (Kashmir), V.K. Bidhuri, visited the Hajj House on Saturday to take stock of the final arrangements being made for the pilgrims. All the Hajj pilgrims from the union territory, including those from the Jammu division, will have to report at the Hajj House in Srinagar for their onward journey to Saudi Arabia. Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Hajj House as families bade farewell to their members leaving on the pilgrimage. It was a mix of joy and sorrow as relatives expressed joy for their family members leaving to perform the pilgrimage and some sadness for the separation, as the two-way journey takes over a month on average. In contrast to the last many years during which lots were drawn to fill the seats, for the last three years, the number of applicants for the pilgrimage has been less than the allotted seats. This has made undertaking the journey easy for those who can afford it. Kannauj, May 4 : A woman aged around 40 years was murdered and her body dumped in a farm in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj, a police official said on Sunday. "The body bore injuries on the face and other parts, suggesting that the victim was physically assaulted," said senior district police official Vinod Kumar. The body was spotted in the morning by a farmer, Ramvilas, in his maize field in Tahsipur Thatia village, Kumar said. A forensic team was called in to collect evidence, but prima facie it appears to be a case of murder, he said. The police said blood stains were found at two separate spots, and the victim's bangles were also found to be broken, indicating the use of violence against her. An official said only a post-mortem examination would be able to confirm if the victim was sexually assaulted before being murdered and dumped in the field. Kumar said an investigation is also being conducted into the motive behind the murder. "We are investigating the case from all possible angles. The probe team will try to find out if the murder is linked to a family dispute, a property controversy or something else," he said. The police said the victim's saree has not been traced yet, but her blouse and petticoat were there on her body, suggesting that an attempt may have been made to disrobe her. Some villagers claimed that there were signs that the woman's earrings had been pulled away, but police said it was not possible to say at this stage if robbery was the motive behind the crime. Earlier, the Thatia police station area attracted media attention over the honour killing of a teenage girl by her father in Asare village. On Friday, the victimas father, Mahendra Jatav, admitted to killing her daughter to implicate her lover. He was arrested after his confession. He told police that he had killed his daughter with two relatives and burnt her body in a jungle in Karsah. He even paid Rs 70,000 to two persons from a neighbouring village to dispose of the body. Jatav had filed a missing complaint for her daughter in February to mislead the police into believing that she was killed by her lover. JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The withdrawal of South African peacekeepers deployed to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along with their military equipment, has begun, South African Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga announced on Sunday. "This announcement follows extensive regional diplomatic engagements, high-level consultations with several role players, and the progress in peace efforts within the eastern DRC," the minister noted. Briefing the media in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, about the phased withdrawal of forces, including those of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), Motshekga said the peacekeepers being withdrawn were part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC, who were deployed on December 2023 with others from Malawi and Tanzania. "The withdrawal of SANDF troops from the eastern DRC marks a new chapter in our regional peacekeeping efforts. This reflects confidence in the DRC's quest to manage its internal security challenges with reduced external military presence, supported by ongoing diplomatic and development partnerships," Motshekga said. The minister said the first group of South African soldiers and equipment are now in Tanzania, but she could not confirm when they will arrive in South Africa. The withdrawal came as peace talks between the DRC government and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group are underway. The talks followed the killing of 14 South African soldiers in January, as M23 rebels continued making inroads and capturing several towns and cities in the eastern DRC. It was confirmed at the briefing that troops injured in the DRC are still receiving medical care in South Africa following their repatriation. SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya provided details about how the withdrawal is being carried out. He said the movement would proceed by road from the eastern DRC, through Rwanda, to Tanzania. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of May. "As part of this process, SADC is withdrawing its troops, together with their military equipment, from Goma and Sake through a designated route via Rwanda," he said. Maphwanya added that the soldiers will be kept for assessment and given the necessary support before being allowed to reunite with their families. New Delhi, May 4 : With Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming a key part of modern businesses, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Sunday released a new guidebook to help company boards adopt and govern the technology responsibly. Titled 'Guidebook on Effective Adoption and Governance of AI for Board Leaders', the publication aims to support board members in understanding how to manage AI's opportunities and risks effectively. As AI continues to transform industries by improving products, services, and processes, it also brings new challenges. The guidebook stresses that while AI can drive innovation, it must be handled carefully due to risks like bias, lack of transparency, and ethical concerns. According to CII, company boards have a vital role in ensuring AI is used in a responsible and ethical way. The guidebook covers basic AI concepts and explains how AI is being used across different business functions. It discusses the importance of AI governance, outlines the risks involved, and highlights the legal responsibilities of board members. It encourages boards to align AI strategies with business goals while keeping accountability and transparency at the core of AI deployments. The publication recommends a balanced and structured approach to AI governance. It urges boards to set clear values and standards -- such as integrity, responsibility, fairness, and security -- to guide decision-making and ensure AI use aligns with legal and ethical obligations. CII emphasises that board leaders must actively guide their organisations toward ethical AI adoption. The guidebook also explains how effective governance can build trust with stakeholders, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. It encourages regular audits, risk management protocols, and collaboration between AI experts, legal teams, and business leaders to ensure safe and beneficial AI use. New Delhi, May 4 : In a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential figures in business, Apple CEO Tim Cook on Sunday shared his admiration for Warren Buffett, the legendary investor who built Berkshire Hathaway Inc. into a $1.16 trillion empire. Cook took to social media platform X to express how Buffettas wisdom has inspired countless individuals, including himself, calling it a great privilege to have known him personally. "Thereas never been someone like Warren, and countless people, myself included, have been inspired by his wisdom. Itas been one of the great privileges of my life to know him. And thereas no question that Warren is leaving Berkshire in great hands with Greg," Cook wrote. The tribute came shortly after Buffett, 94, made a significant announcement at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. After six decades of shaping the conglomerate, Buffett revealed that he would step down at the end of the year. Buffettas successor, Greg Abel, the Vice Chairman for non-insurance operations, will take the reins of Berkshire Hathaway. Though Abel had long been viewed as the likely successor, the announcement still came as a surprise -- even to him. Buffett casually informed the audience of the change. "Thatas the news hook for the day. Thanks for coming," he said, as the meeting came to a close, catching the board and Abel himself off guard. Buffettas leadership, alongside his trusted Vice Chairman, Charlie Munger, who passed away in 2023, transformed Berkshire Hathaway into a diversified powerhouse. Under his guidance, the company acquired a broad array of businesses, from insurance to railroads, establishing itself as a reflection of the broader US economy. Buffett often described investing in Berkshire as a bet on Americaas strength and resilience. In his 2015 annual letter, Buffett famously said: "The world is Berkshireas oyster -- a world offering us a range of opportunities far beyond those realistically open to most companies." New Delhi, May 4 : Renowned investor Warren Buffett, at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting where he announced he would be stepping down at the end of the year, shared his opinion on a wide range of important topics, including tariffs, artificial intelligence (AI), currency depreciation, the company's vast cash reserves, and investments in real estate. The 94-year-old investing legend criticised tariffs, calling them a "big mistake" and warned that trade should never be used as a weapon. Buffett emphasised the importance of global trade, stating that the United States has risen from humble beginnings to become the world's most significant country. He pointed out that America should focus on trading with the rest of the world, excelling in areas where it is best, while other nations should do the same in their respective strengths. Buffett also addressed the issue of currency depreciation, describing it as a natural tendency of governments to gradually devalue currency over time. He called it a "scary" phenomenon and admitted that the US dollar is expected to weaken against foreign currencies in 2025. However, he made it clear that Berkshire Hathaway is not taking any specific steps to mitigate the impact of currency depreciation on its income. "We don't do anything about the impact of currency devaluation on quarterly and annual earnings," Buffett remarked. He added that he could not recall any board meeting where he suggested any action to address this issue. Buffett further emphasised that Berkshire Hathaway avoids focusing on short-term metrics, as the company does not consider them in its decision-making process. Turning to the company's large cash reserves, which exceed $300 billion, Buffett defended Berkshire's cautious approach. He reassured stakeholders that the company remains optimistic about the future. "We don't just emphasise capital investment to show that we are doing something," he said. He mentioned that Berkshire was recently close to making a $10 billion investment, and when the right opportunity arises, the company would not hesitate to spend "100 billion dollars". Asked about AI, Buffett passed the question to Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's Insurance Operations. Jain acknowledged that AI is a game-changer, particularly in transforming how the company assesses and prices risks, as well as how it handles claims. However, Jain also stated that Berkshire Hathaway has never been a leader in emerging technologies and, so far, has not found any compelling opportunities in AI to pursue. Kolkata, May 4 : The West Bengal government failed to curb the communal violence in the state despite successfully handling the Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) terror in the past, observed West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in a report that he recently forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The report was about the communal violence in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district last month during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. His report has been penned on the basis of his on-field observations during his trip to Murshidabad district last month, an insider from Raj Bhavan in Kolkata said. In the reports, sources said the Governor has also highlighted the shortcomings in the police infrastructure in West Bengal, shortage of manpower and that too inadequately equipped, which often prompts the deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in crisis-like situations like the one that erupted in Murshidabad. In his report, sources added, the Governor has especially stressed on immediate completion of the barbed fencing at the international borders in those districts of West Bengal that share borders with Bangladesh. In the report, sources added, the Governor has also expressed concerns over excessive polarisation, especially in those districts and pockets where the Hindus are now in the minority. According to him, the cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh is a major concern for the security of the state. In the reports, the Governor has called for establishing a statutory judicial commission of enquiry on the Murshidabad strife, as well as the intervention of the Union government in such cases where the state government fails to take prompt and effective action. He also called for the setting up of CAPF camps in sensitive areas, especially the minority-dominated and Bangladesh-bordering Murshidabad and Malda districts. Most importantly, he has suggested that the Union government consider the use of Article 356, if necessary, to maintain the law and order situation. Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh has described the Governor's report as biased and meant to serve the political agenda of the BJP. New Delhi, May 4 : BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has announced that a grand "Shiv Puran Katha" will be held in Hastinapur from May 21 to May 27 in Delhi's Burari region under the banner of 'Manav Seva Shiksha Sansthan,' aiming to spread the spiritual and cultural message of Hinduism to every household. Speaking to IANS, Tiwari emphasised the scale and intent behind the initiative. "By 'Manav Seva Shiksha Sansthan,' a very large event is being organised in the Burari Lok Sabha constituency. A Shiv Puran Katha in Hastinapur will be organised, and we take a pledge to send Ramcharitmanas' message to every home so that everyone knows about Lord Ram," he said. Encouraging mass participation, he added, "We are here to appeal to people to come and join. Everyone who attends the programme will be given a copy of the Ramcharitmanas. Even if one crore people come, we will distribute Ramcharitmanas to all. We will ensure the sacred text reaches every home in Delhi." Manoj Tiwari also took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of harbouring a bias against the Hindu Sanatan faith. "Rahul Gandhi has some serious jealousy with the Hindu religion," Tiwari remarked, alleging that the Congress MP frequently makes statements against Sanatan Dharma out of a lack of genuine faith. "We are promoting that people should come to Burari from May 22 to May 27. But they are campaigning that people should not attend such events. Those who oppose Sanatan Dharma, oppose Lord Ram and oppose values and righteousness, such as Rahul Gandhi. As for us, we are committed to our path, and we will ensure that the Ramcharitmanas reach every household in Delhi," he added. He further added that Rahul Gandhi only shows off his religious beliefs, but his actions prove otherwise. Now that the caste-based census is on the agenda, even his caste identity will be revealed, and people will know which caste he belongs to." New Delhi, May 4 : Days after Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) along with its Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar shifted blamed on India for the terror incidents of its soil, it has emerged that the rouge nation and its state machinery invented a series of lies, to deflect blame for Pahalgam terror attack and also to hold India accountable for the chaos and turmoil in its own territory. A series of damning disclosures by an X user, in response to ISPR's charges, points to various machinations and stratagems by Pakistani agency ISPR in pushing an anti-India propaganda. Finding itself on the backfoot post Pahalgam attack, Pakistan and its agencies resorted to an array of forgery, fabricated screenshots, fake audio, invented stories and laughable theatrics in building an anti-India narrative, it said. Notably, Pak's DGP ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry held a press conference on April 29 and alleged India's role in terror attacks on Pakistani soil. The accusations were reiterated a day later by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He not only echoed ISPR's baseless claims but also publicly invited independent experts to analyse and verify the claims. The X user spotlights multiple flaws in Pakistan's forensic exercise and also goes to rebut 'every piece of evidence', as claimed by Pakistan's ISPR and foreign minister. "Basic rule of digital forensics is use of cloned, non-active devices to preserve data integrity. ISPR's 'forensic investigation' was conducted on a live, active phone with dual SIMs. This alone should have disqualified the entire exercise. Live device = dead forensic," the user said. The user further tears apart its claims and charges in broadly five points: "An alleged Paki Terrorist (Majeed) was captured by Pak security forces on April 25 and ISPR also produce WhatsApp call recording from his phone from a year ago. There are two aspects behind it Given education level of the terrorist, it is impossible that he knew to install specific apps for WhatsApp voice/ call recordings. Alternately, the ISPR might have planted malware in terrorist's phone since beginning," it said. Questioning the chat screenshots evidence as presented by ISPR, it says that every screenshot was taken immediately after a message was sent. "ISPR says Majeed was arrested on April 25, so how did they manage to time travel in past to take screenshots. As per DG ISPR, the conversation below was in 2024, but the timing of screenshot (taken from phone timing) is within couple minute after the message was sent! Not only that, even the alleged handler was online when ISPR was taking screenshot," it says. In another case, a screenshot was allegedly taken at 3:08 AM again, within seconds of the message being sentlong before the accused was arrested. "Unless again, the terrorist was collecting evidence himself for ISPR," the user said. Shredding the 'Evidence 3', where the ISPR claimed that a drone found at the accused's residence was of Indian origin. However, the user performed a reverse Google image search and revealed that the drone in question was a Chinese DJI model. "Does that mean it's a Chinese-sponsored terror attack in Pakistan?" the user asked. On the money trail, the ISPR claimed Indian handlers paid money to operatives in lesser amounts to avoid coming under the ISI lens. Again, this so-called evidence doesn't hold water because it's beyond comprehension as to why anyone would use Pakistan payment gateways to fund the accused. The DG ISPR reportedly named serving Indian Army officers while blaming India. Dismissing this charge as mere rhetoric with no reality, the user said, "DG ISPR didn't provide any evidence as to how they identified 'Indian handlers'. They couldn't show a single Indian number; call metadata; ISP logs; or contact trail proving communication with India." Notably, Pakistan has a history of dishing out fake propaganda to save its skin when besieged from all quarters. The hurried presser at 2 a.m. in the wake of the Pahalgam attack is also nothing but a conspiracy to falsely accuse others without any justifiable evidence. In short, the ISPR didn't uncover any conspiracy directed against Pakistan, rather, it made a desperate attempt to stage and fan its pre-fabricated propaganda. Utrecht, May 4 : The Baloch National Movement (BNM) organised a protest and a photo exhibition in the Dutch city of Utrecht, urging the Netherlands and the international community to publicly condemn what it termed as grave atrocities committed by Pakistan against the Baloch people. The protest, led by the BNM's Netherlands chapter on Saturday, aimed to amplify the voices of the Baloch people and draw attention to Pakistan's ongoing human rights violations, including the controversial "kill and dump" policy, enforced disappearances, and the systemic "abuse of ethnic and political minorities" in Balochistan. "Amplifying Baloch voices, BNM appeals to the Netherlands to publicly condemn atrocities against Baloch people by Pakistan. Regularly, events are held in Balochistan to raise awareness of Pakistan's 'kill & dump policy,' which has instilled fear & uncertainty among the Baloch people. Thousands of families forcibly disappeared are left in the dark about the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones, while widespread poverty continues to affect the local population," read an official statement from the BNM. According to the organisers, the event also aimed to raise international awareness about the illegal detention and continuous physical and psychological torture of key leaders from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) -- including Mahrang Baloch, Shah Jee Baloch, Beebo Baloch, Bibagar Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch. The protest saw participation from BNM members, supporters, and human rights activists, who gathered in large numbers holding banners and placards bearing slogans such as 'Stop Baloch Genocide,' 'Enforced Disappearances Are Unacceptable,' and 'Free BYC Leaders'. A photo exhibition was also held at the venue, capturing the dire situation in Balochistan through images of cultural identity, the sacrifices of 'martyrs', and portraits of enforced disappeared individuals. The display sought to convey the pain and suffering endured by the Baloch people over decades of repression. The BNM activists spoke about the Pakistan Army's alleged violence in the region and called for urgent global action to address the crisis. The protest highlighted the Netherlands chapter's resolve to raise the Baloch issue at international forums and press the global community into taking meaningful action. "This protest and exhibition reflected BNM Netherlands' unwavering resolve to raise the voice of the Baloch nation on every global platform and to shake the conscience of the international community into taking effective action against the ongoing state atrocities in Balochistan," the statement concluded. Mumbai, May 4 : In the light of actor Babil Khan's emotional breakdown video on Instagram, which led to several speculations of bullying in the Hindi film industry, the actor team has now issued a statement thereby tendering a clarification on his part. While the actor named actors like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, Arjun Kapoor, his team has said that he was merely appreciating the good work put up by these actors in the Hindi film industry which seems to be bleeding commercially, of late. The statement shared by the actor's team read, "Over the past few years, Babil Khan has earned immense love and appreciation for his work, as well as for his openness about his mental health journey. Like anyone else, Babil is allowed to have difficult days, and this was one of them. We want to reassure all his well-wishers that he is safe and will be feeling better soon. That said, a video of Babil has been widely misinterpreted and taken out of context". It further read, "In the clip, Babil was sincerely acknowledging a few of his peers whom he believes are making meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. His mention of artists like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, Arjun Kapoor, and Arijit Singh came from a place of genuine admiration, for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry. We respectfully urge media publications and the public to consider the full context of his words rather than drawing conclusions from fragmented video clips". The video concerned Babil's fans and netizens who said that the actor is going through a difficult time, and is not in the right frame of mind. After he shared the video of himself breaking down in front of the camera, Babil went on to delete his Instagram profile. The web search of the actor's Instagram profile doesn't yield any result, and shows the webpage wired to Instagram account as non-existent. Earlier, Babil, who is the son of the late Indian acting legend Irrfan Khan, shared a video (which was later deleted), where he appears visibly upset and in tears as he speaks about feeling alienated in the film industry. Quetta, May 4 : A major attack by the Fateh Squad of the proscribed terrorist outfit - the Baloch Liberation (BLA) in Balochistan's Mongochar area of Kalat district, has resulted in vandalism of several government buildings, and blocking of the Quetta-Karachi highway. Quetta, May 4 (IANS) A major attack by the Fateh Squad of the proscribed terrorist outfit the Baloch Liberation (BLA) in Balochistan's Mongochar area of Kalat district, has resulted in vandalism of several government buildings, and blocking of the Quetta-Karachi highway. Security sources said that the BLA militants blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway, halting the traffic and searching several vehicles, including passenger buses. They said that the armed militants entered the Mongochar market, taking control of several government buildings, including the offices of NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority), Judicial Complex, and National Bank of Pakistan, setting them on fire. "The buildings suffered major damage due to the fire. The militants fled the area before the security forces arrived," sources said. The attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Fateh Squad, stating that the operations are part of what they claim as the "struggle for liberation". Meanwhile, the security officials said that an operation was launched in the area, while the traffic on the National Highway (N-25) has been restored. The attack was followed by another major attack in the same area of Mangocher, after BLA terrorists intercepted a police vehicle transporting prisoners to Quetta from Gadani jail. Sources said that the BLA terrorists freed at least 10 prisoners and took at least five policemen captive. They said that the police officials were using a private van to transport prisoners, adding that the driver and the vehicle were released by the terrorists. "The terrorist used the same tactic to stop and intercept the van by blocking the main highway," sources said. The incident was also confirmed by the police officials, who said that at least 10 prisoners were being shifted from Gadani jail to Quetta and the central jail in Mach. "When the wagon reached the Mangocher area of the Kalat district, the terrorists were blocking the national highway and inspecting every vehicle, including buses and trucks. After they came across a prison van, they freed the prisoners and kidnapped five police personnel, who were guarding the van, along with their official weapons. The two policemen in plain clothes remained safe," said a police official. Senior political analyst Kamran Yousaf said that the way these terrorists blocked the highway, searched vehicles and passengers' vans before going towards the market and setting government buildings on fire, suggests that they were looking to find the prisoner van and free their people. "Once they didn't find them in the stranded vehicles on the highway, they went ahead searching in government buildings in Mongochar, and in the process of searching kept setting the buildings on fire," Yousaf said. He added that the attack certainly raises concerns over the security situation in Balochistan and the challenges Pakistan's security forces face with the hidden but widespread support groups like the BLA. "These terrorists know about the movement of prisoners, the presence of security officials on trains and buses. They plan and carry out their targeted attacks," Yousaf said. Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 : Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and senior leader K. Sudhakaran said on Sunday that he will not relinquish his post until the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is removed from power. Speaking to reporters, Sudhakaran, a former minister in the AK Antony-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, said, "I will step down as KPCC president only after we succeed in ousting the LDF government. This is my clear political stand, and I have already communicated it to the party leadership." His statement comes amid reports that the Congress high command is considering a leadership change ahead of the Nilambur by-election. According to party insiders, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and Peravoor MLA Sunny Joseph are being considered as potential successors. However, Sudhakaran refrained from commenting on the possible candidates. "I enjoy the full support of the people and Congress workers. At the same time, I am committed to accepting any decision made by the High Command," he added. Addressing speculation about his health, Sudhakaran dismissed the rumours outright. Citing his recent participation in public events across Palakkad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, he asserted, "I am perfectly healthy. The reports about my health issues are baseless." The KPCC chief also criticised sections of the media for allegedly spreading misinformation about both his health and the possibility of a leadership change. He revealed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had recently met with him for discussions. "If the leadership intended to remove me, they wouldn't have invited me for talks. Rahul Gandhi even greeted me warmly with a hug. I am healthy and will continue to work for the party," Sudhakaran said. Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and MP Shashi Tharoor have publicly expressed their support for Sudhakaran, affirming that he should remain as Kerala Congress chief. Meanwhile, posters mocking the potential KPCC candidates appeared in the Ernakulam district, reflecting discontent within certain party circles. Former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan also weighed in, stating there was no valid reason for Sudhakaran to step down at this juncture. This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 27, 2025 shows Chinese doctor Zhang Haifeng (R) and her patient at Vaiola Hospital in Nukualofa, Tonga.(Xinhua) SUVA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese medical team has made a significant breakthrough in Tonga by completing the country's first laparoscopic gynecological surgery at Vaiola Hospital in Nukualofa, effectively removing an ovarian tumor from a patient. The 31-year-old patient, Salote, was diagnosed with a pelvic cystic mass during a free clinic conducted by the fifth batch of the Chinese medical team in Tonga, and required surgical intervention. However, as a woman who has not yet given birth, and with limited access to advanced medical care locally, Salote was initially resistant to undergoing an open surgery. After fully assessing the patient's condition, Chinese doctor Zhang Haifeng decided to perform a laparoscopic exploration on her, during which Zhang found that the mass was an ovarian tumor. "Traditionally, similar surgeries would require travel to Australia or New Zealand, as local medical capabilities only support open surgeries. Although there is donated laparoscopic equipment in the surgical rooms here, local doctors are not trained in its use. Given the patient's situation, laparoscopic surgery was the most appropriate treatment option," Zhang explained. Utilizing laparoscopic techniques, the Chinese doctor successfully removed the tumor in a procedure that lasted one hour. Team leader Lu Qingyang told Xinhua that the follow-up of the patient showed that the treatment was effective. The groundbreaking operation has garnered attention from Tonga's Minister of Health Ana Akauola, who praised the achievement and expressed hope that the Chinese medical team would share this technology with local doctors to reduce the pain of surgery for more female patients in the island country. The fifth batch of medical personnel, comprising six members, was dispatched to Tonga in July 2024 by China's Shandong Provincial Health Commission. Since their arrival, the medical team has treated over 3,000 patients in Tonga and provided high-quality medical services to local people through a number of free clinics. Chennai, May 4 : Police have dismissed any suspicion of foul play in the recent road accident involving the vehicle of the Madurai Adheenam near Ulundurpet in Tamil Nadu and issued a stern warning against people spreading rumours on social media about the incident. According to Kallakurichi Police, the SUV, carrying the Adheenam, was en route to Chennai when it collided with another car near the Salem roundabout at Ulundurpet. A police team was dispatched immediately after receiving information about the incident. However, by the time police reached the scene, both vehicles had left. CCTV footage from the area revealed that the SUV had taken the service road in Ajees Nagar, Ulundurpet, instead of the flyover. The accident occurred when the speeding SUV brushed against a car passing through a barricaded stretch. Police confirmed that the incident took place at around 9.45 a.m. on Friday and that both vehicles sustained only minor damage. An argument reportedly broke out between the occupants of the two vehicles, but they left the spot without filing any complaints. In the aftermath, social media was abuzz with claims that an attempt had been made on Adheenam's life. The Adheenam himself alleged there was a conspiracy behind the accident. However, preliminary police investigations found no evidence to support these claims. Officials clarified that the accident was due to the gross negligence of the driver of Adheenam's vehicle. No complaint has been lodged so far by Adheenam or his associates regarding the incident. "Strict legal action will be taken against those spreading fake news and rumours about this accident," the police warned in a statement. The Tamil Nadu government sparked controversy by banning the 'Pattina Pravesam' ritual at the Dharmapuram mutt a few years before. Later, Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Swamigal, head of the Madurai Adheenam, claimed that his life was under threat due to his outspoken criticism of the DMK-led government's actions. The Adheenam accused the government of encroaching upon Hindu temple rights, alleging that officials had taken control of temple lands and constructed houses on temple property without paying rent. "I have been threatened for raising questions. They told me I cannot enter the town or perform my rituals to God," he said. The Adheenam further announced plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey his concerns about the threats to his life and to seek protection. New Delhi, May 4 : Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has strongly criticised the Congress party for attempting to take credit for the caste census initiative, asking how the party can claim credit for what it never did. "I'm surprised they are demanding credit for something they never did," Yadav remarked, taking a direct dig at the opposition party. Yadav emphasised that the caste-based census is a historic and transformative move initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Caste census is not just about recording caste. It includes aspects like gender, education, and other social indicators, which are essential for policy-making. It's about understanding the intricate structure of our society to create more inclusive and effective governance," he said. Hitting back at the Congress, Yadav stated, "The Congress is seeking credit for a task it never did. I'm astonished at this claim. The caste census is a historic initiative led by the Prime Minister himself." On Wednesday, the Central government announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a "transparent" manner. While making the announcement, the government criticised the opposition parties for using caste surveys as a "political tool". Speaking on the newly passed Waqf Act, Yadav recalled how the Congress had altered Waqf Board regulations several times during its tenure. Referring to the K. Rahman Khan Committee, he said, "The committee, formed during the Congress era, had recommended digitisation of Waqf property records. But even after the 2013 amendment, Congress failed to implement those suggestions." He added that the current government has taken concrete steps for transparency and efficiency in managing Waqf properties. "The Home Minister has clarified that Muslims will continue to manage Waqf properties. However, to address long-pending disputes and decisions, a judicial tribunal has been formed. This tribunal will help resolve cases faster and in the community's interest," Yadav said. "As someone who chaired the Joint Parliamentary Committee, I can say that this law has been passed after extensive study and preparation. Its implementation will benefit the Muslim community greatly," he added. New Delhi, May 4 : On World Hand Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 5, Saima Wazed, the Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia, emphasised that hand hygiene is not a luxury but a vital element of safe healthcare. This important day, which started with WHO's Global Patient Safety Challenge in 2005, aims to promote the practice of hand hygiene, particularly in healthcare settings, to reduce infections associated with medical care. "Hand hygiene plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of health workers, patients, and their families during every healthcare encounter," Wazed said. According to Wazed, it contributes directly to achieving universal health coverage and supports the global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) agenda. "Additionally, it is a key measure in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is a growing global health threat," she mentioned. "The infection prevention and control (IPC), which includes hand hygiene, is the foundation of safe and effective healthcare systems," Wazed stressed. To assist countries in improving IPC, WHO has provided evidence-based guidelines and a structured framework called the WHO Core Components of IPC. This helps healthcare systems develop their national programmes, enhance infection control, and train healthcare workers. WHO has also developed a Global IPC Strategy, Action Plan, and Monitoring Framework to help countries effectively implement these standards. This year's World Hand Hygiene Day theme, 'It might be gloves. It's always hand hygiene,' serves as a reminder that disposable medical gloves can also become contaminated, and hand hygiene remains essential even when gloves are used. Wazed highlighted the importance of this message, noting that clean hands are crucial to preventing the spread of infections, whether or not gloves are worn. The Regional Director also referred to the latest Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control, which shows significant progress in many countries in the South-East Asia region. Most countries now have active national IPC programmes, with several supported by national guidelines that comply with WHO's core component standards. Many countries have also allocated dedicated budgets to IPC programmes, ensuring the continued success of these essential initiatives. Wazed urged health professionals, healthcare managers, and all people involved in the care process to embrace the message of World Hand Hygiene Day and spread the word that clean hands save lives. Mumbai, May 4 : Celebrated actor Anupam Kher indulged in a fruitful discussion about optimism, the power of failure, and his film "Tanvi The Great." He used social media to share a couple of glimpses from the discussion, along with an appreciation note that read, "Such a pleasure to talk to the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of the organisation #LadiesWhoLead founded by dynamic #AabhaBakaya! We talked about #Optimism #PowerOfFailure and of course my upcoming film #TanviTheGreat! Thank you Ladies for your love, warmth and appreciation!" On Monday, Kher explained why he chose Shubhangi from his acting school for the lead role in his directorial "Tanvi The Great". He revealed that he saw great potential in her and believed she was the perfect fit to bring the character to life on screen. Lauding Shubhangi's acting prowess, Kher said, "She has given her all to portray Tanvi a story very close to my heart. I hope audiences embrace her with the love and encouragement she truly deserves. I cannot wait for the world to witness the magic she has brought to Tanvi The Great. I am deeply grateful to Kajol for her support and for giving Shubhangi so much love on this important occasion." Talking about her acting debut, Shubhangi added, "I am immensely grateful to Anupam Kher Sir and Actor Prepares for giving me this opportunity to be the face of such a special film. My joy had no limits when I got to know I will be playing the role of Tanvi. Embodying the character of Tanvi has been an overwhelming yet an enriching experience. Working alongside so many legends in the film has strengthened my foundation, and I am determined to continue working even harder." Kher recently introduced Shubhangi as the leading lady for his next during a grand event, while Kajol officially unveiled the future star of Indian cinema. "Tanvi The Great" will be making its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival as part of the Marche du Film. New Delhi, May 4 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear, on Monday, a plea filed by the United Doctors Front (UDF) challenging the National Board of Examinations (NBE) decision to conduct the NEET PG 2025 examination in two shifts. The petition demands that the examination should be conducted in a single and uniform session across the country. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan will take up the matter for hearing on May 5. The plea, filed through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, said the conduct of NEET PG in two shifts with different question papers leads to inevitable variation in difficulty levels, thereby subjecting candidates to unequal standards of evaluation. "This violates Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and the right to fair opportunity," it said. The petition added that the statistical normalisation process adopted by NBE lacks transparency, public consultation, or expert scrutiny, and the normalisation formula operates on the "flawed presumption that difficulty levels across shifts and the ability of candidates are identical". It sought the top courtas intervention to conduct NEET PG 2025 in a single and uniform session, apart from seeking an interim stay on the examination scheduled for June 15. In relation to the NEET PG 2024, which was also conducted in two shifts, several petitions were filed before the Supreme Court challenging the lack of transparency in the conduct of the examination. NEET-PG aspirants had challenged the NBE's practice of not disclosing question papers, answer keys, or response sheets of candidates, apart from questioning the introduction of two shifts, the normalisation method, and the change in the tie-breaker criterion. New Delhi, May 4 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), scheduled to take place in Italy's Milan from May 4 to 7, according to an official statement issued on Sunday. The meetings will be attended by official delegations of the Board of Governors of ADB, official delegations of ADB members, and international financial institutions. The Finance Minister will participate in the Annual Meetingas focal events like the Governorsa Business session, Governoras Plenary Session and as a panelist in the ADB Governorsa Seminar on "Cross-Border Collaboration for Future Resilience". On the sidelines of the ADBas 58th Annual Meeting, Sitharaman will also hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, in addition to meetings with President of ADB, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the statement said. The Union Finance Minister will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan, besides meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs, and participating in a Plenary Session of the NEXT Milan Forum at the Bocconi University on "Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience", the statement added. Cross-border collaboration is seen as crucial for building future resilience by enabling countries to share resources, information, and best practices to address challenges like pandemics, disasters, and economic instability. This cooperation strengthens borderland resilience, fosters mutual learning, and promotes sustainable development. The collaboration allows countries to learn from each other's experiences and implement effective strategies, fostering a more resilient and sustainable future. It promotes sustainable development by sharing best practices in areas like infrastructure, resource management, and environmental protection. Establishing mechanisms for sharing information, intelligence, and best practices can improve preparedness and response to crises. Sharing resources, infrastructure, and expertise can enhance the ability of countries to address shared challenges. Countries can also align their policies and regulations to facilitate cross-border cooperation in areas like trade, investment, and environmental protection. Bhubaneswar, May 4 : Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday said the Odisha government will write to Bengal over naming the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham'. Speaking to media persons here, Minister Harichandan said, "I will apprise Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, after his return to Odisha, about the issue and a letter will be written to the West Bengal government informing that there is no justification or reason for naming the Jagannath temple at Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'. "The Jagannath Temple of Puri, its culture and system should remain untouched, and the state government will do whatever is required for this," he said. The Law Minister said the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri, has already held meetings with representatives of the Chhatisha Nijoga (Chief of the traditional 36 categories of servitors or Sevayats) and other servitors concerned with rituals of the deities. On Saturday night, the temple administration made some decisions regarding this issue. Minister Harichandan said that the government is handling the issue with a firm approach to stop the recurrence of any indiscipline related to the services offered by servitors, temple rituals and culture. The temple administration has been permitted to take appropriate action on the issue. The Law Minister also targeted the opposition Biju Janata Dal, referring to incidents of "mismanagement" in the Jagannath temple at Puri during the 24-year rule of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government. He also blamed the previous BJD government for the increase in incidents of "indiscipline and mismanagement" in temple affairs. Earlier, BJD launched a scathing attack on the West Bengal government over naming Digha Jagannath Temple as 'Jagannath Dham'. The party also asked the Odisha government and temple administration to "come clean" on the issue regarding the claims by one senior Daitapati servitor about making the idols in Digha temple from the remainders of the sacred Neem trees (Daaru) used in the construction of deities in Puri temple during the Nabakalebara in 2015. On Friday, Minister Harichandan had ordered an investigation into the controversy surrounding the Digha Temple in Bengal. New Delhi, May 4 : Air India announced on Sunday that it has suspended all its flights to and from Tel Aviv, with immediate effect, till May 6, following the missile attack near the city's airport in the morning. "Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our colleagues on the ground are assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements," Air India said in a statement. The airline also stated that passengers holding valid tickets for travel between May 4 and 6 will be eligible for a one-time waiver. This includes either rescheduling their travel without penalty or opting for a full refund upon cancellation. Customers have been advised to check the Air India website or contact customer service for updates and further information regarding their bookings. Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv was on its way to Israel when a missile, launched by the Houthi rebels from Yemen, landed near Ben Gurion Airport. The attack occurred less than an hour before the flight was scheduled to land. The Air India plane, which was flying over Jordanas airspace, was diverted to Abu Dhabi to skirt the danger. The aircraft then flew back to Delhi, and its return flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi was cancelled for the day. Air traffic at Tel Avivas Ben Gurion Airport was suspended in the morning following the missile strike. Other global airlines such as German carrier Lufthansa also suspended its flights to the Israeli city due to the incident. A missile fired from Yemen landed near the main terminal of the Ben Gurion airport on Sunday morning, Israeli authorities said. Four people were injured by the blast, while another two people were injured on their way to a shelter, Israeli media reported. Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, vowed to avenge the attack. Imphal, May 4 : Five organisations of Manipur's Meitei and Thadou tribal communities have offered support for the Ministry of Home Affairs' efforts to ensure free movement of all communities across Manipur, including the National Highways in both the valley and hills. The five organisations, including Meitei Heritage Society and Thadou Inpi Manipur, also demanded firm action against any entities that block the free movement of all communities, as this is a constitutional right of all people and groups. The Manipur government recommenced bus services on March 8 on four routes connecting five districts -- Imphal, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Bishnupur and Churachandpur. A large contingent of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel escorted the vehicles belonging to the government-owned Manipur State Transport Corporation (MSTC). Though the buses were escorted by the CAPF, activists of the tribal organisations attacked the buses in different places, including in Kangpokpi district, leading to massive violence. On March 8, at least 43 people, including 27 security personnel, were injured, and a protester identified as Lalgouthang Singsit was killed during the clashes in Kangpokpi and a few other districts as the Kuki-Zo tribal organisations protested against the resumption of the bus services between Imphal and the hill districts to alleviate public inconvenience and as an initiative to bring back normalcy in the state. These organisations in a joint statement have also demanded to introduce an Assam-like National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise to identify "illegal immigrants" through an updated process. "We reaffirmed to safeguard the integrity, unity, and interests of Manipur as a multi-ethnic state. All parties also recognised the significant roles and contributions of the Thadou people for the protection of the collective interest of Manipur people and the state's integrity," the statement said. The statement said that all parties jointly resolved to appeal to the competent authorities for the deletion of the "unconstitutional and ambiguous category Any Kuki Tribes (AKT)" from the Scheduled Tribes' list of Manipur. This unclear designation is being exploited by illegal immigrants to obtain undeserved Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, propagating a deadly ideology of "Kuki Supremacism" that endangers communal unity in Manipur and poses a direct threat to national security, the statement said. These organisations claimed that AKT was incorrectly added to the list of ST of Manipur in 2003 for political reasons, paving the way for the (mass) influx and legalisation of illegal immigrants. "The parties agreed that the term 'Kuki' is neither an ethnic nor a cultural identity, but rather a faulty colonial construct that was later exploited by the power-hungry activists and vested interests with separatist and political ideologies to gain control over local indigenous communities and separate from Manipur. None of the 29 originally recognised tribes of Manipur identify as Kuki or AKT. Therefore, the use or reference to the term 'Kuki' must be discontinued in all academic, research, and official settings." The statement said that to preserve and protect the authentic identities of the indigenous people of Manipur, the names of the recognised ST listed under Article 342 of the Constitution of India, each with its own distinct and independent ethnic identity, should be used only when referring to that specific tribe or community and not under any blanket, colonial, or imposed label. Bhopal, May 4 : Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh continue to face extreme weather conditions as thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds wreak havoc across multiple districts. The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for several regions, warning of high-speed winds and hailstorms. The turbulent spell of storms, heavy rain, and hailstorms continues to grip Madhya Pradesh. A weather alert remains in effect across 45 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Ujjain, and Jabalpur. The relentless downpour, accompanied by thunder and fierce winds, has drenched Bhopal, Indore, and Khandwa, with Indore experiencing an especially intense deluge since 5 p.m. According to local weather department, heavy rainfall and drizzle across the state accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning continues to affect multiple regions, including Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Indore, Ratlam, Agar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Maihar, and Pandhurna. These weather conditions have led to waterlogging in several areas, disrupting daily activities. The weather department has predicted rainfall or drizzle, with thunderstorms and lightning likely to occur in the districts including Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat and Pandhurna. These districts have already experienced intense thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning strikes. Wind speeds reaching 50-60 km per hour are expected at isolated places of all these districts. Hailstorms have also been reported in these areas, adding to the damage risks. While storms with moderate gusts at 40-50 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Agar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, and Maihar. The weather department predicted scattered rainfall at select locations in Sehore, Ujjain, Dewas, and Shajapur. These districts will experience isolated showers. According to experts, weather patterns to three cyclonic circulations and two atmospheric troughs traversing the region. These factors are expected to sustain the current conditions, with storms and rainfall likely to persist across the state until May 7. In Bardwaha village of Chhatarpur, according to reports, the raging tempest led to the collapse of a long-defunct BSNL tower on Saturday evening. Further south, nature unleashed its fury in Pipalhela village of Rajgarh, where a bolt of lightning struck a tree late on Saturday night. The tree ignited instantly, reduced to ashes by the storm's intensity. Villagers acted swiftly, dousing the flames with water to prevent the fire from spreading, reports said. The Meteorological Department forecasts the continuation of these volatile conditions over the next few days. Bhopal, in particular, is bracing for a dust storm, similar to the one that shrouded the city on Saturday. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh remains in the grip of shifting weather due to the effects of a Western Disturbance. For the past several days, evenings have heralded strong winds and rainfall, with Saturday witnessing widespread showers and hailstorms in various locations. Wind speeds surged between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour. Tragically, a teacher lost his life to a lightning strike in Surguja, further underscoring the severity of the conditions. The meteorological outlook suggests little relief for the state, with the turbulent weather expected to persist until May 6. Sunday's forecast of Chhattisgarh weather department suggested cloudy skies, sporadic showers, and thunderstorms, with daytime temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius and night-time temperatures dipping to around 23 degrees. In Raipur, sudden weather shifts on Saturday afternoon ushered in intense winds, rain, and localised hailstorms, cooling the atmosphere by nightfall. In the past 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall was recorded at many places. The maximum temperature in the Raipur division was below normal, and in the remaining divisions, it was appreciably below normal. The highest maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius was recorded in Bilaspur, and the lowest minimum temperature of 18.2 degrees Celsius was recorded in Pendra. Storm-driven rains continued to lash the Bilaspur division, with hailstorms striking Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of this weather spell. Authorities remain vigilant as residents brace for further atmospheric disturbances. BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from May 7 to 10 and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday. With a historic vision and from a strategic height, President Xi and President Putin have guided China-Russia relations in the new era to always forge ahead despite a complex external environment and demonstrate the relations' defining features of everlasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson introduced that during the upcoming state visit, President Xi will have strategic communication with President Putin on China-Russia relations under new circumstances and on a series of major international and regional issues. "We believe the important common understandings between the two presidents will further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, add new substance to strategic coordination, promote practical cooperation in various fields, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute more stability and positive energy to the international community," the spokesperson said. Noting this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, the spokesperson said that as the two main theaters of Asia and Europe in World War II, China and Russia made immense sacrifice and major, historic contributions to secure the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, save their respective nations from demise, and also save the future of mankind. President Xi and President Putin previously agreed that the two sides will jointly remember history, honor the martyrs, foster a right view of the World War II history, defend the outcomes of the victory in the war and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice, the spokesperson said. At this special historic juncture, President Xi's attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow upon invitation is an important part of his visit, the spokesperson said, adding that it is also reflective of support by China and Russia to each other's commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, the spokesperson said, noting that China and Russia, as founding members of the UN and permanent members of the UN Security Council, shoulder special and important responsibility in safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core. "The two countries will further strengthen their close coordination in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, rally the Global South, shape global governance in the right direction, unequivocally oppose acts of unilateralism and bullying, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization," the spokesperson said. New Delhi, May 4 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a favourable atmosphere has emerged across the country for the resurgence of Sanskrit. Addressing the closing ceremony of 1,008 Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivirs in the national capital, HM Shah said that around 18 projects have been implemented under the Ashtadashi scheme, and the Central government provides financial support for the publication, bulk purchase, and reprinting of rare Sanskrit texts. He also credited PM Modi for a hike in the honorarium for distinguished Sanskrit scholars. HM Shah emphasised that one of the most significant initiatives of PM Modi-led government is a nationwide campaign with a budget of approximately Rs 500 crore aimed at collecting scattered manuscripts in Sanskrit and Prakrit. He said that PM Modi has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission with a foundational corpus of Rs 500 crore dedicated to manuscript preservation, with allocations planned in every budget going forward. He further said that over 52 lakh manuscripts have already been documented, around 3.5 lakh digitised, and 1,37,000 made available online at namami.gov.in. To support this massive effort, a team comprising scholars from various disciplines and languages has been constituted to translate and preserve these rare manuscripts. HM Shah praised Sanskrit Bharati for its remarkable and courageous initiative in organising 1,008 Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivirs. He noted that the decline of Sanskrit began even before the era of colonial rule, and its revival will require time and sustained effort. The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. HM Shah said that since 1981, Sanskrit Bharati has been working to present the vast knowledge available in Sanskrit to the world and to train and enable millions of people to speak and learn Sanskrit. He highlighted that many renowned global scholars have acknowledged Sanskrit as the most scientific language. Emphasising a forward-looking approach, he said that rather than dwelling on the history of Sanskrit's decline, efforts should now focus on its resurgence. Gurugram, May 4 : The Gurugram Police have arrested a man for allegedly calling the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Electricity Board, posing as a fake OSD of the Chief Minister of Haryana, regarding the removal of an electricity pole, police said on Sunday. Sandeep Kumar, Spokesperson of the Gurugram Police, identified the accused as Amit Chaudhary (49), a resident of Nathupur in Gurugram. He said that the accused was arrested in Nathupur. He said that a complaint was received on May 1 regarding the matter at the Sector-56 police station, Gurugram. "During the investigation, a team from the Sector-56 police station collected necessary evidence against the accused and nabbed him. The accused disclosed to the police that he presents himself as a politically influential person in society. Due to this, one of his acquaintances asked him to remove the electricity poles near one of his plots," he said. The spokesperson added that to show his political influence, the accused threatened the SDO of the Electricity Department by making a fake call by introducing himself as the CM's OSD. "The accused had created a fake profile on Truecaller for this fraud," he said. He said that the police investigation also revealed that the accused had earlier been arrested and sent to jail in Panchkula for cheating a person of Rs 57 lakh in the name of getting a petrol pump by introducing himself as politically influential. "Two separate cases of cheque bounce are also pending against the accused in the court. The police team has recovered the mobile phone used in the crime from the possession of the accused," Kumar said. Meanwhile, Kumar said that the police have also arrested an accused with an illegal possession of over 3 kg of ganja. "The accused was identified as Jai Kumar, a resident of Maharani Bagh in New Delhi," he said. Kumar said that a crime branch team of the Gurugram Police nabbed the accused from near Gurjar Chowk, Sector-67-A, Gurugram. "During police interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he procured the ganja from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh and sold it to Gurugram in small packets," he said. Kumar added that a case under relevant sections of the NDPS has been registered against the accused at the Sector-65 police station in Gurugram. Begusarai : , May 4 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme is proving to be a boon for city farmers as the monetary assistance under the programme has come as a big respite for them in tackling many challenges, including financial hardships and dependence on money lenders, particular during seed sowing and harvesting of crops. The monetary aid under the scheme is helping farmers in their needs on time and they now don't have to wait for sale of crops to fulfill their basic needs. Many beneficiary farmers of Begusarai district in Bihar, while speaking to IANS, also expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for this scheme. Vidyanand Singh, a resident of Sihma village in Matihani block of Begusarai, said: "Earlier I had to take loan or credit for farming. But, since Prime Minister started giving Rs 6,000 under PM-KISAN, we do not have to take loans and now we are able to buy fertilisers and seeds on time." Fifty-year-old farmer Amar Kumar of Sihma village said: "I have started receiving three installments of Rs 2,000 in a year from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. This has benefited us a lot. We don't have to depend on others for small things." Fifty-five-year-old farmer Shyam Sundar Singh, a resident of Sihama village of Matihani block, said that he is a small-time farmer and does farming to earn his living, for which he sometimes had to take loans for fertilisers, seeds and other small works. "After I started getting money under PM-KISAN, I have stopped taking loans and I am able to save some money too. I am grateful to the Prime Minister as he thinks a lot about farmers," he said. Chandan, another villager, echoed similar views and said: "Farmers had to face a lot of difficulties, particularly during floods and droughts, but ever since we started getting money under PM-KISAN, we are very happy." "We are eternally grateful to PM Modi, who thinks so much about the farmers," he added. Mumbai, May 4 : Actor Babil Khan is back on social media after leaving everyone worried with his meltdown video. The 'Logout' actor has clarified that his video was extremely misinterpreted, and he was just trying to show support to the actors mentioned in the clip. Sharing his team's official statement on his Instagram stories, Babil penned, "The video was extremely misinterpreted, I was trying to show support to @ananyapanday @shanayakapoor02 @gouravadarsh @arjunKapoor @ragahbajuval @arjitsingh. I genuinely don't have the energy to indulge more but I do this as responsibility for my peers that I truly admire." In another Instagram update, the 'Friday Night Plan' actor wrote, "@raghavjuval bhai you are my icon, my idol, and my elder brother that I never had," with a red heart emoji. Calling Siddhant Chaturvedi his brother, Babil said "@siddhantchaturvedi I love you brother." Ananya Panday, who was also named during the video, re-shared Babil's post on her IG Stories. Sending good energy towards the 'Qala' actor, she stated, "Only love and good energy for you Babil, always in ur corner." Before this, Babil's team issued an official statement claiming that Babil was having a difficult day. "In the clip, Babil was sincerely acknowledging a few of his peers whom he believes are making meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. His mention of artists like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, Arjun Kapoor, and Arijit Singh came from a place of genuine admiration, for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry. We respectfully urge media publications and the public to consider the full context of his words rather than drawing conclusions from fragmented video clips". After the video surfaced, while most showed their concern for Babil, some claimed that he was intoxicated. A few of the comments read, "Ooo ooo ganja ganja", "Saying truth in Fully intoxicated condition", "Doesn't seem to be in senses - don't want to loose another actor", and "Feel like he's not in a condition stand also." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, May 4 : Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held a productive meeting in Brussels with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of the Flanders region Matthias Diependaele to strengthen the India-Belgian partnership across trade, technology, investment, and innovation, according to a Commerce Ministry statement issued on Sunday. The meeting also reviewed progress in EUa"India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with both parties recognising the need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access. Goyal reiterated Indiaas position as a trusted and long-term economic partner for Europeas growth, remarking: "India is not just a market of the future - it is a collaborator of trust." The talks, held on Friday, follow the visit of Princess Astrid of Belgium to India, in March this year, where her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the shared ambition to unlock new avenues for collaboration in trade, technology, defence, agriculture, life sciences, innovation, skilling and academic exchanges. The over 300-member Belgian Economic Mission, led by Princess Astrid, infused fresh momentum into this dynamic bilateral relationship. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building on this momentum to forge resilient, future-focused ties that enhance mutual growth and contribute to a more integrated global economic framework. The discussions highlighted growing economic synergies and focused on scaling bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals. The Flanders region, recognised as Belgiumas economic engine, was highlighted as a critical partner with its advanced manufacturing ecosystem, R&D infrastructure, and its strategic role as a European gateway. With India already the worldas fastest-growing major economy and widely expected to remain so over the next two decades ahead - driven by a young, aspirational population and a dynamic reform-oriented environment, the growth story presents an unprecedented opportunity for India and Belgium. During Commerce Minister Goyal's visit to Brussels, the two countries reaffirmed their shared vision of mutual prosperity and resilient economic cooperation amidst evolving global challenges. Goyal reflected on Indiaas transformative economic journey over the past decade, emphasising reforms that have empowered citizens and entrepreneurs alike. "The last eleven years have not only been about economic upliftment, but about enabling aspirations," he stated. Belgium remains one of Indiaas most significant economic partners in Europe. It is Indiaas 5th largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $15.07 billion in 2023a"24. Belgian FDI in India has totalled $3.94 billion from April 2000 to September 2024, including a remarkable 39 per cent growth - $1.1 billion - in the past year alone. Bilateral cooperation spans a wide array of sectors, including defence manufacturing, green hydrogen, nano-electronics, nuclear medicine, and pharmaceutical R&D, reflecting the expanding depth and strategic nature of the Indo-Belgian economic relationship. Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level engagements and facilitate regular visits by business delegations to accelerate trade and investment outcomes. Amaravati, May 4 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday that the state needs to follow the Gujarat model. Stating that Gujarat has been witnessing rapid growth due to a stable government, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president stressed the need for the state too to follow the same model. During a teleconference with all the party MPs, MLAs, and the members of various party committees, Chandrababu Naidu appreciated the efforts of party leaders and workers for successfully organising the programme for the re-launch of Amaravati state capital. He claimed that with the re-launch of the capital works, the national and global focus is now on Amaravati. He asserted that the works were relaunched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a strong message about the necessity of Amaravati and to regain the past glory of the capital. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the construction of Amaravati will move at a faster pace without any hurdles. He termed Amaravati as the symbol for the self-respect of five crore people of the State, which will get transformed into a global city that will provide employment and great opportunities to the youth. Stating that he is giving equal importance to the party as well as the government, he said the visible transformation achieved in just one year has instilled confidence among the people. He claimed that, as promised during the elections, the state has been brought back on track. "After managing successfully to get funds for Polavaram, we are working with the aim of completing the project by 2047. Also, we have given life to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which was almost on the verge of closure and secured Rs 11,400 crore funds for the steel plant," Chandrababu Naidu said. He pointed out that the Railway Zone, which was the dream of the people of North Andhra, too, has been realised. Funds on a large scale are being brought to the State besides getting the giant units like BPCL, ArcelorMittal and Green Energy plants in Rayalaseema along with Orvakallu and Koparthy industrial parks, the Chief Minister said. Pointing out that pensions are being paid on the 1st of every month, he said that the DSC notification has been issued to fill 16,347 vacant teacher posts. Under the Deepam-2 scheme, free cooking gas cylinders are being supplied to over one crore beneficiaries, while Rs 20,000 has been paid to each fisherman family under the Matchyakarula Sevalo (in service of fishermen) scheme, the Chief Minister observed. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the Annadata scheme will be launched this month itself, and Rs 15,000 for each child will be paid under Talliki Vandanam scheme, much before the schools are reopened. "Besides implementing the Super-6 promises, we are also resolving the financial and non-financial issues," Chandrababu maintained. He told the party leaders that the majority of nominated posts, including the posts of chairmen of various corporations, directors of cooperative and AMC chairmen, have already been filled and promised to fill the remaining posts will be filled soon. The TDP president directed the party leaders to constitute all party panels except the state committee by May 18. He announced that the partyas annual conclave, Mahanadu will be conducted at Kadapa on May 27, 28, and 29. The state committee will be constituted after Mahanadu. Kerala, May 4 : Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday handed over the keys of an ambulance to the Wildlife Warden in Kerala. "Priyanka Gandhi handed over the keys of an ambulance worth Rs 15 lakhs, funded under MPLADS, to Varun Dalia IFS, Wildlife Warden," said a party press release. It added that the handover and flag-off ceremony took place at the Sultan Bathery Forest Division Office. It said that the Wayanad MP engaged in a detailed discussion with forest officials on the operational challenges faced by the department and the environmental issues affecting tribal areas. "The dialogue covered key topics such as wildlife department projects, human-wildlife conflicts, the challenges faced by tribal communities, and the increasing instances of man-animal confrontations," the release said. Priyanka Gandhi also emphasised the need for adequate support for the proposals submitted by the forest department and called for central funding, considering the unique requirements of the region. "Forest officials highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements, such as roads connecting tribal colonies, rapid response units for conflict situations, and better access to healthcare facilities," the press release said. Priyanka Gandhi is on a visit to her constituency in Kerala's Wayanad. She was scheduled to visit the Wayanad Wildlife Division's Warden's office and participate in two events: the handover ceremony of an ambulance for sick and injured animals at Wayanad Wildlife Division, and the handover ceremony of a Mobile Dispensary vehicle along with the inauguration of Robotic Physiotherapy equipment at Noolpuzha FHC in Sultan Bathery. New Delhi, May 4 : Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday stressed that the pain of farmers cannot be ignored under any circumstances, while underlining that Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan understands the problems of farmers. The Vice President's latest remarks assume significance as he, in December last year, questioned why there was no dialogue with the protesting farmers, and also asked Shivraj Singh Chouhan about the promises made to them earlier. Vice President Dhankhar on Sunday addressed the students and faculty members during a programme at Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Gwalior. "The greatest need for democracy is expression and dialogue, which is called 'Anantvaad' in the Veda philosophy. But in the case of farmers, if there is any laxity or negligence in the conversation, or if any diplomacy is brought in, then it is not right. And I am very happy that your former Chief Minister, current Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, is doing this very well. He has understood the pain of the farmers and has started a dialogue," he said. The Vice President also said that in the case of farmers, he expresses his thoughts. "I know that sometimes we have to keep what's inside our minds to ourselves. There are some challenges which we do not discuss due to the system or other reasons, but in the case of farmers, I do not follow this. Whatever be the pain of the farmer or any way to bring change in the life of the farmer a" it is my utmost duty to suggest that, and it is important to feel their pain and share it with you," Jagdeep Dhankhar said. The Vice President also referred to one of his previous observations he made during a programme organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Mumbai. I had said that "it is our duty to embrace the farmer. We cannot ignore the farmer under any circumstances. It is not right that the farmer himself has to make us feel his pain. We should understand the pain of the farmer." "We have to be extremely sensitive to the welfare of the farmers... and I had also mentioned one more thing -- we must have dialogue with the farmer," the Vice President said. Praising Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the government's move to hold dialogue with the farmers, the Vice President said: "I have no doubt now that there will be talks with the farmers and the farmers will understand the good and positive policies of the Central government." Mumbai, May 4 : One of the episodes of the show "House Arrest" on the Ullu app has been embroiled in controversy. After objection was raised that obscene content was shown in the show, a case was registered at the Amboli police station in Mumbai. In the latest update, the Amboli police recorded the statement of the manager of the Ullu app on Sunday. It is also believed that summons will soon be issued to the owner of the Ullu app and the show's host, Ajaz Khan. One of the contestants of the show, Gehana Vasisth, urged the government to file a case against Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, and Radhika Apte as well for exposing themselves on the screen. Sharing a video, Gehana said, "I request you all, especially Priyanka Chaturvedi mam, and Chitra Wagh mam to please make it equal for everyone. Just like you have filed a case against Ajaz (Khan), the Ullu app, and the producers of the show "House Arrest", similarly please file a case against Priyanka Chopda, Radhika Apte, and Ranveer Singh." "They are also the citizens of our respected country and are equally responsible for what they are showing to the public. They have fans in millions and the youth looks up to them. So kindly consider my request," she added. The controversy erupted after a video from "House Arrest" went viral on social media. The clip featured host Ajaz Khan asking the contestants to enact sex positions in front of the camera. Upset by the content in the video, the National Commission for Women (NCW) issued summons to Ajaz Khan and Vibhu Agarwal, CEO of Ullu App. Taking to their official X handle, the commission wrote, "Viral clips show women being coerced into intimate acts on camera. NCW slams the platform for promoting vulgarity & violating consent." New Delhi, May 4 : Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women and National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, voiced strong condemnation on Sunday against the online abuse directed at the wife of a slain Navy officer who lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack. Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a young officer from Haryana's Karnal, was among the twenty-six victims of the horrific assault carried out in Jammu and Kashmir. He was singled out and killed after being questioned about his faith, a cruel act that has left the nation in mourning and fury, she wrote on her X handle. The aftermath of the tragedy has seen an unfortunate wave of vitriol directed toward Narwal's wife, Himanshi Narwal, over remarks she made in the wake of her husband's death. Rahatkar expressed dismay at the social media and other micro-blogging criticism, stating that while grief and anger are natural responses to such atrocities, any discourse must be conducted with dignity and within the bounds of constitutional principles. "No one should be subjected to character assassination or online abuse simply for expressing an ideological stance or personal grief. The honour and respect of every woman must remain inviolate," she asserted on her X handle. Narwal and his wife had been on their honeymoon in Pahalgam when the terrorists struck, killing the twenty-six-year-old officer at close range. Amidst the turmoil, Himanshi Narwal spoke publicly for the first time since the attack, making a heartfelt appeal to the nation. In her statement on Thursday, she urged people to refrain from harbouring animosity towards Muslims or Kashmiris. "I want the entire country to pray for him (Vinay), that wherever he is, he has found peace. That is all I ask," she said. "There is something else I wish to say. I see hatred growing, directed at Muslims and Kashmiris. We do not want this. We only wish for peacenothing else," she added. Alongside her plea for harmony, she called for justice to be served against those responsible for her husband's murder, demanding that the perpetrators face due punishment for their crimes. NEW YORK, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A promotion conference on China's Yunnan health products gathered more than 50 local pharmaceutical leaders, health industry entrepreneurs, wellness product developers and medical professors in Flushing, New York, on Saturday. Co-hosted by the General Association of Dian Entrepreneurs and the Yunnan Pharmaceutical Circulation Industry Association, the conference featured top-selling Yunnan health products in the U.S. market. Located in southwestern China, Yunnan Province is widely recognized as a major hub for authentic medicinal herb production. Due to its unique climate, diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, the province is home to most traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and supports the country's herbal medicine industry. Ruan Hongxian, president of the General Association of Dian Entrepreneurs, expressed his hope that more high-quality Chinese medicinal materials and health products would enter the U.S. market, while more American nutritional and wellness products would also be sold in China. He cited the YXT Healthy Living Experience Center, a traditional Chinese medicine healthcare showroom in Manhattan, which features a wide range of health products from across China, with a special focus on those originating from Yunnan, as an example, saying that it has been offering New Yorkers an immersive introduction to traditional Chinese wellness practices. Michael Wong, vice President of A&Z Pharmaceutical Inc., who has over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, said at the event: "We should bring the finest, highest-quality ingredients from China to the world. That means connecting premium raw materials from regions like Yunnan and many others with global markets." Bhubaneswar, May 4 : The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar, has arrested six cyber criminals from Odisha's Balangir district who duped an LIC officer of Rs 78 lakh, promising high returns through investment in the share market. The accused were identified as Bijaya Kumar Meher (28) and Bishwambhar Kharsel (27) from Belpada; Rajesh Tandi (20), Anil Naik (21), Sritam Meher (19) and Dipak Dharua (24) from Patnagarh area of Balangir district. The police on Sunday revealed that the victim on April 24 lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime and Economic Offence Police Station in Cuttack in which he alleged that he came into contact with a trading company named Spreadex Global Ltd through a Telegram ID: @good_priya operated by a person identifying herself as Priya Bajaj in February this year. The alleged fraudster convinced the LIC officer to invest in the stock market by promising high financial returns. As a result, the complainant initially transferred Rs 12 lakh from his Kotak Mahindra Bank account to a DBS Bank account. The complainant deposited a total of Rs 78 lakh in different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters between February and April this year. "Based on the data provided by banks and the telecom authority, the cops initiated a technical analysis to identify the individuals involved in the cybercrime. Although the WhatsApp and Telegram numbers used by the fraudsters were VPN-based and their IP addresses were traced to foreign locations, the investigation team successfully retrieved login details and obtained ATM/Cash withdrawal footage from the banks," said police sources. Police also managed to identify the mobile numbers linked to the fraudulent accounts, leading to the apprehension of the accused persons from Balangir district. The Commissionerate Police also revealed that the fraudsters' group gathered bank accounts and phone numbers of individuals across India, and used these details to route and collect the defrauded funds. They duped the gullible targets through fake Telegram profiles and used them to join and operate fraudulent investment groups, where they encouraged people to invest in USDT (Tether cryptocurrency) with promises of high returns. Dharamshala, May 4 : Prabhsimran Singh continued his great run in IPL 2025 by hitting a sublime 48-ball 91 while left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh stood up with the new ball to blow away Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) top-order, as Punjab Kings' (PBKS) moved to second place in IPL 2025 points table with a 37-run win at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday. Dharamshala, May 4 (IANS) Prabhsimran Singh continued his great run in IPL 2025 by hitting a sublime 48-ball 91 while left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh stood up with the new ball to blow away Lucknow Super Giantsa (LSG) top-order, as Punjab Kingsa (PBKS) moved to second place in IPL 2025 points table with a 37-run win at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday. Though Prabhsimran missed out on hitting his second IPL century, his exhilarating boundary-hitting a" 60% of his runs coming through off-side, propelled PBKS to 236/5, their 11th 200-plus total in the tournament. He was well-supported by cameos from Josh Inglis (30), Shreyas Iyer (45), Nehal Wadhera (16), Shashank Singh (33 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (15 not out), as PBKS amassed 75 runs off the last five overs. For LSG, left-arm pacer Akash Singh was the only standout bowler - bowling his four overs on the trot to pick 2-30 and managed to keep his economy rate below 10. In reply, Arshdeep removed Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran inside the powerplay to all but virtually set the deal in PBKSa favour. Ayush Badoni (74) and Abdul Samad (45) sharing an 81-run stand for the sixth wicket ensured LSG finished at 199/7, which meant their net run rate didnat suffer much, as PBKS got those crucial two points to boost their playoffs chances. The result also means PBKS secured an IPL win in Dharamshala after 12 years. Pushed into batting first, PBKS were dealt an early blow when Priyansh Arya sliced an away swinging ball from Akash Singh to deep third man. Inglis took a liking to Mayank Yadavas pace and short balls by smacking him for three sixes a" including being given a reprieve by Avesh Khan at square leg in the second over. Prabhsimran then orchestrated Mayankas takedown by slashing, clubbing and slicing to collect two sixes and a four. Akash struck again in power-play by having Inglis pull straight to square leg and dismiss him for 14-ball 30. After being given a reprieve when Nicholas Pooran dropped his catch at mid-off on 22, Prabhsimran took charge by muscling Avesh, Digvesh Rathi and Prince Yadav for boundaries, before getting his fifty off 30 balls. From the other end, Iyer continued his good runs by hitting boundaries at will a" with his sixes off Prince and Digvesh being the standout shots. But against the run of play, Iyer looked to slice off Rathi, but was caught by point. Prabhsimran made up for a mini slowdown by slog-sweeping Digvesh for a brace of sixes, before pulling Prince for another maximum. Prince, though, had something to cheer by uprooting Wadheraas leg-stump with a pin-point yorker. Shashank joined the run-scoring party by smacking Mayank for four and six, including sending the ball outside the stadium. While Prabhsimran pulled and lofted Avesh for a brace of sixes apart from a lucky edge flying for four, Shashank scooped and edged for his two boundaries, as 26 runs came off the 18th over, with PBKS crossing 200-mark. Just when it looked like he would get a century, Prabhsimranas attempt to reverse-sweep Rathi ended up in extra cover taking a diving catch, as he fell for a brilliant 91. Stoinis lofted Avesh for six, before Shashank picked a four via scoop to end a power-paced PBKS innings laced with a whopping 34 boundaries. PBKSa had a bright start to their defence a" Arshdeep took out openers Marsh and Markram in the third over. While Marshas flick was caught by an attentive deep backward square leg, Markram chopped on to his stumps. Arshdeep again struck in power-play when his inswinger went past Pooranas stumps and hit him on the back leg, thus trapping him plumb lbw, as LSG made 38/3 in the power-play, their lowest score in this phase of the ongoing season. Rishabh Pant hit three boundaries in his 18 off 17 off balls, before flashing so hard against Azmatullah Omarzai that he lost control of the bat, while the ball was easily caught by deep cover in the eighth over. LSGas slide continued as David Miller sliced to deep cover, giving Omarzai his second wicket. Samad and Badoni brought out some big-hitting blitzkrieg a" smashing 21 runs off Vyshak Vijaykumaras first over, before the former dispatched Yuzvendra Chahal for two sixes in the 13th over. Samadas blitzkrieg continued when he whipped Marcus Stoinis for four and six, before he hit a slower ball from Jansen back to left-arm pacer and fall for a 24-ball 45. Badoni went on to bring up his fifty off 32 balls by lofting Vyshak over long-on for six, and followed it up with an incredible whip and sweep fetching him more boundaries. But Chahal had other ideas a" forcing Badoni to miscue to short third man and fall for a 40-ball 74, as PBKS began their crucial home stretch with a complete win. Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 236/5 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 91, Shreyas Iyer 45; Akash Singh 2-30, Digvesh Rathi 2-46) beat Lucknow Super Giants 199/7 in 20 overs (Ayush Badoni 74, Abdul Samad 45; Arshdeep Singh 3-16, Azmatullah Omarzai 2-33) by 37 runs Instagram / Bret LaBelle By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/04/2025 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Bret LaBelle and his longtime partner Chris Stanley have called it quits on their relationship.Bret recently took to Instagram and announced that he and Chris have split after four years of dating."Sometimes love means letting go. Chris and I have shared so many memories, laughter, and growth together, and I will always be grateful for that," Bret captioned a photo of the pair walking arm in arm down the street."While our paths are now going in different directions, the care and respect remain. Wishing him nothing but happiness, love, and success on his journey. Thank you for the memories."Bret, 51, and Chris, 25, began dating in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic when Chris had sent the alum a DM on Instagram, Us Weekly reported Bret and Chris reportedly hit it off immediately, and then they became Instagram official three years later.Since Chris is more than 25 years Bret's junior, the pair received a lot of criticism for dating.However, Bret and Chris never seemed to care about their age gap, and they often posted about their love on social media."Sometimes people think he's actually my dad. Other people think I'm just with him for money," Chris told The Advocate in August 2023. "They think he's my sugar daddy, which obviously isn't true."Chris added at the time, "Sometimes people make the outrageous claim that I was 'groomed' or something, which not only isn't the case [but] in reality, I am the one who pursued him. They think we're both weird."About four years before Bret got romantically involved with Chris, Bret publicly came out as gay in a conversation with fellow castaway Zeke Smith on 's 33rd season, which was dubbed : Millennials vs. Gen X.During that same season, Zeke was outed by Jeff Varner as transgender."I didn't grow up in a time when it was normal to talk about being gay, and the millennials do not care," Bret reportedly shared in a confessional."Zeke finds comfort in being himself, and I think that's great. And I'm hoping that as my life goes on, from here on out, I can be that way."Bret was a 42-year-old police sergeant from Dedham, MA, when he competed on .Bret subsequently teamed up with his pal, Chris Hammons , for The Amazing Race's 31st season in 2019. They were eliminated during the ninth leg in Split, Croatia.Bret talked to Reality TV World about his experience here , as well as his The Amazing Race journey here Disney/Christopher Willard By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/04/2025 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. winner Chock Chapple has explained why wedding planning is still "on hold" with Joan Vassos Chock and Joan, whose engagement aired on finale in November 2024, previously said they would "likely" get married in 2025 , but according to Chock, that's not going to happen."Her son's getting married in the summer, and then another [son of Joan] is probably going to get engaged, so we're like, 'Let's just put [a wedding] on hold for now,'" Chock told Parade in a recent interview.Joan welcomed four kids with her late husband John Vassos, who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer in 2021."Nick, her oldest, is getting married, and then she's waiting, but she thinks Luke's going to get engaged. I think they've been looking at rings, so it's all good," Chock revealed.Chock shared of his fiancee, "She's like, 'I don't want to compete with my son's wedding and a lot going on.' Our schedule's booked through October, so it's just crazy busy."Chock said he'll definitely be Joan's date to Nick's wedding, adding, "They've got the invitations out. We're very much looking forward to it."In terms of his own wedding, Chock said fans are asking him all the time when he's going to marry Joan."As you get older, it's really not that important," Chock said with a smile. "We want to get married, but the timing just needs to be right."Chock also assured fans that he and Joan are in constant communication and love each other dearly."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]... for a bunch of birthdays," Chock shared.He added, "So we see each other at least every other week and it's going very well. She's a great lady!"Joan previously told Parade that she's very confident her romance with Chock will last forever."Everybody looks at this like... 'There's no way this can work because you're not together every minute.' We don't feel the same way about it," Joan explained."We feel like we both have pretty rich lives in our 60s. You find somebody [in their golden years] and chances are they have stuff going on. They have family or they have jobs or they have friend groups, or they have hobbies."star therefore concluded, "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."Joan told Parade in February that the idea of planning a wedding seemed "overwhelming" to her, especially since she and Chock were still getting to know each other's family and friends.But Joan insisted her relationship with Chock was strong and thriving "I fall more and more in love with him every day," Joan gushed of her fiance."He has a great sense of humor. He's an easy person to be around. He's funny. My kids adore him. My grandson, [the] last time Chock was leaving, he said, 'I don't want that guy to go.' He requires nothing."Joan added how Chock is "very kind" and is good at expressing his love."He's literally the easiest person to have around. He requires nothing. He is just go with the flow, he doesn't get mad about anything, he stresses about nothing, which is so weird to me because I'm a little type A and I stress about everything," Joan said.Joan and Chock are still hunting for an apartment in New York City, and it's possible they may wed in 2026 Joan recently threw shade at The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist for tying the knot in January 2024, just a few months after their marriage proposal aired on ABC, and then filing for divorce in April 2024.Joan said during the January 22 episode of the "Two Jersey Js" podcast, "I think that we all kind of maybe learned a lesson from Gerry and Theresa that maybe that was too quick and they probably don't want to make that mistake again.""I certainly am not in any rush to get married. I am actually really happy right now, just not having anything to do," she added.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group The final countdown is here. For many, it is not just the end of exams, but the end of an era. Whether you are packing for a big move, preparing to walk across a stage or simply wrapping up the semester, this week marks a powerful turning point. Let the stars guide you into this next chapter. In an unexpected move, the government has terminated services of K V Subramanian as the executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) six months ahead of his three-year tenure. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters The move comes days before the IMF executive board is to consider financial aid for debt-ridden Pakistan. Post-Pahalgam terror attack last month, India is making efforts to corner Pakistan diplomatically and at various global fora as New Delhi believes its involvement in the attack that led to killing of 26 tourists. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has terminated Subramanian's services effective April 30, 2025, sources said on Saturday. The reasons for Subramanian's exit have not been officially announced. The sources said the government would soon find his replacement to be nominated to the IMF board as executive director. According to the sources, Subramanian is learnt to have raised questions about the IMF's datasets, which did not go down well in the corridors of the multilateral agency. In the past too, the IMF has been unhappy with some of the statements made by Subramanian, especially related to India's debt situation. Besides, the sources said, concerns were raised over an "alleged impropriety" relating to the promotion and publicity of his latest book, 'India@100: Envisioning Tomorrow's Economic Powerhouse'. Subramanian was appointed as the executive director (India) at the IMF with effect from November 1, 2022 for a period of three years. Prior to this, he served as the chief economic adviser to the government. The executive board of the IMF is composed of 25 directors (executive directors or EDs) elected by the member countries or groups of countries. India is in a four-country constituency, along with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan as members. The IMF Executive Board will meet on May 9 to discuss Pakistan's staff-level agreement for a new $1.3 billion arrangement under a climate resilience loan programme, along with the first review of the ongoing $7 billion bailout package. The Washington-based multilateral lender announced that this will be the first review "under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF)", along with a request for an arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). India has also reportedly begun efforts to bring Pakistan back under terror funding watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF)'s 'grey list'. Pakistan was on the 'grey list' earlier, between June 2018 and October 2022, and faced increased monitoring. Being on FATF's grey list adversely affects foreign investments in the country. Responding to a question on the 1984 riots and the Congress' relationship with the Sikh community, Rahul Gandhi has said a lot of the "mistakes" the party committed happened when he was not there but added that he was "more than happy" to take responsibility for everything wrong it did in its history. IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge during the Congress Working Committee meeting, at party headquarters, 24 Akbar Road, in New Delhi, May 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Gandhi pointed out that he had publicly stated that what happened in the 80s was "wrong". The remarks by Gandhi were made on April 21 during an interactive session at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University in the US. The video of the interaction was uploaded on the YouTube channel of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs on Saturday. A Sikh student asked a question as to what attempts he was making to reconcile with the Sikh community and referred to the 1984 Sikh riots in his lengthy poser. The student also referred to Gandhi's remark during an earlier visit to the US in which he had said the battle he was fighting was about whether Sikhs would be allowed to wear a turban in India or not. In his reply, Gandhi said, "I don't think that anything scares the Sikhs. The statement I made was, do we want an India where people are uncomfortable to express their religion?" "As far as the mistakes of the Congress party are concerned, a lot of those mistakes happened when I was not there, but I am more than happy to take responsibility for everything that the Congress party has ever done wrong in its history." "I have publicly stated that what happened in the 80s was wrong, I have been to the Golden Temple multiple times, I have an extremely good relationship with the Sikh community in India and a loving relationship with them," the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. Tagging that segment of the interaction, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said on Saturday, "'You haven't reconciled with the Sikhs', a young man tells Rahul Gandhi to his face, reminding him of the unfounded fearmongering he engaged in during his last visit to the US." "It is quite unprecedented that Rahul Gandhi is now being ridiculed not just in India, but around the world," Malviya said. The BJP also attacked Gandhi for calling Lord Ram "a mythological figure" at the same interaction. During the interaction, Gandhi had said, "All great political thinkers, social reformers and you go back 3,000 years -- Buddha, Guru Nanak, Basava in Karnataka, Narayana Guru in Kerala, Phule, Gandhi, Ambedkar, and you see one stream. None of these are bigots." "None of these people were saying - 'we want to kill people, we want to isolate people, we want to crush people, we believe that things should be done in one particular way'. All these people, the voices of whom are in our Constitution, are essentially saying the same thing, that carry everybody along (and emphasising on) truth and nonviolence," he had said. "This, to me, is the bedrock of Indian tradition and Indian history. I don't know one person whom we consider great in India who wasn't of this type," Gandhi had said. He went on to add, "All our mythological figures, Lord Ram was of that kind, where he was forgiving, he was compassionate. So, I don't consider what the BJP says to be the Hindu idea at all. I consider the Hindu idea to be much more pluralistic, much more embracing, much more affectionate, much more tolerant and open." There are many people in every state and community who stood for those ideas, lived for those ideas and died for those ideas, he had said at the interaction in the US. "And Gandhiji is one of those people, probably the best in modern times but there are many of them. To me, hatred and anger against people come from fear. If you are not scared, you don't hate anybody," he said. Further, Gandhi also slammed the BJP and called it a "fringe group". "I don't view the BJP conception as a Hindu conception. In terms of thinking, they are a fringe group, they are not mainstream. Now that they have captured political power, they have got a huge amount of wealth and they have got power, but they don't represent the large majority of Indian thinkers by any means," Gandhi had said. Reacting to Gandhi's remarks, Malviya said on Sunday, "Bhagwan Ram is not a mythological figure, he embodies the values, culture, and spiritual essence of Bharat. He represents 'maryada', sacrifice, and righteous leadership, which have shaped our civilisation for thousands of years. He is the soul of Bharat and central to who we are as people." "Rahul Gandhi and the Congress should stop ridiculing the beliefs of billions of Hindus around the world. People like him and political parties will come and go, but Bhagwan Ram will forever remain a timeless symbol of dharma and an inspiration for generations to come," Malviya said. At the April 21 interaction, Gandhi also spoke about his demand for a caste census and asserted that he had got a massive "pushback" over the issue. A couple of days later, on April 30, the Centre announced that caste enumeration will be part of the next population census. "When I push for the caste census, I get massive push back which says this is divisive... if we are talking about building a country, if we are talking about India becoming a powerful country and a rich country, we simply can not tell the bulk of the population that you cannot participate," he had said in the US. "So to me, caste census is putting the truth on the table. Many people in India just don't want to hear the truth." The people of India need to know exactly the amount of discrimination that is taking place, he had said. "I don't believe that you should simply exclude the energy and the attention of the 90 per cent of your population. I don't understand how a country grows and prospers with that strategy," Gandhi had said. He described the caste census as a very powerful weapon, "the first step that will transform the way we think about development and the way we think about politics in India." "If you look at the work that the Telangana government and Karnataka government are doing, particularly the caste census, those are revolutionary ideas. We feel that is a very very powerful instrument for empowering lower castes," he had said. After the government's announcement on the matter last week, Rahul Gandhi told reporters that he welcomes the government's "sudden" decision to include caste enumeration in the next census after "11 years of opposing it" but said it should give a timeline for its implementation. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is understood to have discussed the security situation arising out of the rising tensions between India and Pakistan over the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. IMAGE: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh leaves the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, May 4, 2025. Photograph: ANI on X The meeting came less than 24 hours after Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi apprised the prime minister of the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. The Air chief held a meeting with PM Modi, sources said without giving further details. There is no official word on the Modi-Singh meeting yet. Citing "cross-border linkages" to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike. In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Modi on last Tuesday gave the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Modi also emphasised the national resolve to deal a "crushing blow to terrorism". A day after the attack, India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties. In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. In fresh punitive measures, India imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect on the grounds of national security and public policy. New Delhi also suspended all postal services from Pakistan and banned entry of Pakistani-flagged ships at Indian ports. A third-year BTech student of IIT Kharagpur was found hanging in his hostel room on Sunday, an official said. IMAGE: A view of Kharagpur IIT campus. Photograph: ANI Photo The body of Mohammad Asif Qamar was found hanging in his hostel room in Madanmohan Malviya Hall in IIT Kharagpur campus, the official said. The institute in a statement said, "It is with deep sadness that the IIT Kharagpur condoles the untimely demise of Md Asif Qamar a third year under graduate student in the department of civil engineering at around 2:53 am on May 4." The statement said "A call came at the security emergency number from an external source that Mohammed Asif Qamar has committed self-harm. The security response team rushed immediately to the Pt M M M Hall of Residence (Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Hall) where the student was found dead in his room." "The team of doctors, administration, and the police also reached the spot. The family of Qamar has also been contacted about the incident," it said. An investigation is currently underway by the police to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. And the institute is fully cooperating with the authorities, the statement added. Cops from the police outpost on the campus were informed and they broke open the door to find him hanging, an institute official had said earlier. Qamar was from Seohar district in Bihar and was expected to visit home on Sunday. A senior police officer confirmed the death. He said the police have got some leads and the investigation was proceeding on that. He said prima facie it was a case of suicide but investigations were on. He did not elaborate if there was any phone call from outside alerting about the condition of Qamar. The institute further said, "IIT Kharagpur community stands united in mourning the tragic loss of our student Qamar. We offer our deepest condolence to his family and friends." "We are committed to providing them with unwavering support and assistance during this challenging time. We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of the 'well being support services' available at the institute," an institute spokesperson added. On April 20 Aniket Walkar, a fourth-year student in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, was found hanging in his hostel room. On January 12, the body of a third-year undergraduate student Shaon Malik was found in his hostel room. In June 2024, Devika Pillai, a fourth-year student of biotechnology and biochemical engineering had died by suicide. IIT Kharagpur authorities said the institute has counsellors 247 hours to help students fight any stress and depression. After April 20, the institute put up barcodes on the door of every boarder which can be scanned by any boarder during moments of acute mental stress for immediate counselling in privacy. "A committee is being formed to explore the circumstances and reason behind such tragedies and the committee will make its recommendations in three days," Acting Director Amit Patra had told PTI earlier. "The well-being, happiness and academic success of our students matter to us. They are our children," he had said. Tourists are pictured near the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, May 3, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) MACAO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic. Arthur Delaporte, a visitor from France currently residing in Hong Kong, shared his thoughts on Macao's unique blend of cultures. "It's fascinating to see European architecture around the city. The bricks on the ground remind us of Europe, which is interesting," he said. Despite the crowds, Delaporte expressed his enjoyment of the experience in Macao's old town, highlighting how the European-style architecture was a pleasant surprise. "We wouldn't have imagined finding this kind of European influence here, but it's cool," he added. Cao, a Chinese student studying in Japan, visited Macao during her holiday back in the mainland. She planned to visit iconic spots, including the Ruins of St. Paul's and Rua do Cunha, a pedestrian street famous for cuisine and the Portuguese style of architecture. "Macao gives me a sense of familiarity," she said, adding that she was particularly impressed by the food, which blends international influences while preserving traditional Chinese flavors. At the Coloane Village of Macao, Lord Stow's Bakery saw queues of visitors to buy its flagship egg tarts. Its staff told Xinhua that they expected to sell an average of over 20,000 egg tarts daily during the May Day holiday. Li Xi, executive associate dean of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, believes that the friendly and inclusive nature of the residents has become a core competitive advantage for Macao's tourism industry, contributing to its "warm" appeal. The city's overall hospitable atmosphere is key in enhancing tourists' sense of belonging, he said. From Thursday through Sunday, the Tap Siac Craft Market in Spring brought together over 200 handicraft and creative gastronomy stalls by cultural and creative practitioners from Hong Kong, Macao, and the mainland. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao SAR Government Tourism Office, noted that in recent years, the tourism office has been actively promoting "Tourism +" cross-sector integration. During the May Day holiday, events such as "Tourism + Sports" and "Tourism + Culture and Creative Industries" enriched the celebrations, creating a unique event brand and boosting community tourism vitality. According to the Tourism Office, some streets will be vehicle-free in Taipa Village during the holiday period, making it easy for visitors and locals to explore the city and indulge in various dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. Tourists are pictured near the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, May 3, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Tourists are pictured at the Senado Square in south China's Macao, May 1, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Tourists are pictured near the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, May 3, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Tourists are pictured at the Senado Square in south China's Macao, May 1, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Tourists are pictured near the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, May 3, 2025. The first three days of China's May Day holiday saw a significant influx of visitors to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), injecting new vitality into the local tourism industry. Statistics from the SAR's Public Security Police Force (CPSP) showed that from Thursday to Saturday, Macao's border checkpoints recorded entries and exits of 731,474, 837,062, and 826,273, respectively. Friday experienced the highest daily total, including 221,968 incoming visitors, marking the highest single-day record for inbound tourists since the pandemic.(Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Europe must display some sensitivity and mutuality of interest for deeper ties with India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, asserting that New Delhi is looking for partners and not "preachers". IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Angola, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco witness the exchange of MoUs between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Angola Foreign Minister Tete Antonio during the joint press statement, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, May 3, 2025. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo In an interactive session, Jaishankar said India always advocated for "Russia realism" and there is an "important fit" and "complementarity" between India and Russia as a resource provider and consumer. The external affairs minister also criticised earlier attempts by the West to find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict without involving Russia, saying it "challenged the basics of realism". "Just like I am an advocate of Russia realism, I am also an advocate of American realism," he said at the Arctic Circle India Forum. "I think the best way to engage today's America is also through finding mutuality of interests rather than putting ideological differences upfront and then allowing it to cloud the possibilities of working together," he said. The external affairs minister was broadly delving into global consequences of developments in the Arctic and how the changing world order impacts the region. In answering a question on India's expectations from Europe, Jaishankar said it has to get beyond preaching and start acting based on a framework of mutuality. "When we look out at the world, we look for partners; we do not look for preachers, particularly preachers who do not practice at home and preach abroad," he said. "I think some of Europe is still struggling with that problem. Some of it has changed," the external affairs minister said, adding, Europe has "entered a certain zone of reality check". "Now, whether they are able to step up to it or not, it is something we will have to see," he said. "But from our point of view, if we are to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, there has to be some sensitivity, there has to be a mutuality of interest and there has to be a realisation of how the world works," he noted. "And I think these are all works in progress to differing degrees with different parts of Europe. So some have moved further, some a little bit less," Jaishankar said. On India-Russia ties, he said there is such an "important fit and complimentarily" between the two countries as a "resource provider and resource consumer". "Where Russia is concerned, we have always taken a view that there is a Russia realism that we have advocated." "When passions were very high (in) 2022, 2023..if one looks back at that period, the kind of predictions and scenarios which were put forward have turned out not to be well founded," he said In the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, New Delhi remained engaged with Moscow and increased its procurement of Russian crude oil notwithstanding increasing disquiet in the West. Pakistan has banned Indian-flagged ships from entering its ports with immediate effect after New Delhi imposed fresh punitive measures, including a ban on the import of goods and entry of Pakistani vessels into its ports, against Islamabad amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo India on Saturday imposed a ban on the import of goods coming from or transiting through Pakistan and also the entry of Pakistani ships into its ports even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is committed to taking "firm and decisive" action against terrorists and their backers. In retaliation, Pakistan late Saturday ordered that any Indian flag carriers will not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port and also barred Pakistani ships from docking at any Indian port. The ministry of maritime affairs in a notification said that it took the step of banning the Indian ships in the context of the current situation, keeping in mind maritime sovereignty, economic interests and national security. Indian-flagged ships will not be allowed to reach any Pakistani port. Similarly, Pakistani-flagged ships will not visit any Indian port, the ministry said. It said that the following steps will be taken immediately. Ties between the two neighbouring countries plummeted following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. In fresh punitive measures against Pakistan that came into effect immediately amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India also suspended the exchange of mails and parcels from the neighbouring country via air and surface routes. Besides banning entry of Pakistani ships into Indian ports, India also barred Indian ships from visiting Pakistani ports, according to the directorate general of shipping. The restrictions were put into place with immediate effect, officials said. According to an Indian government order, a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan was imposed on the grounds of national security and public policy. Though the 200 per cent import duty imposed on Pakistani goods in 2019 after the Pulwama attack had effectively halted direct imports, the latest decision also prohibits the entry of Pakistani goods routed through third countries. The fresh moves came a week-and-half after India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties following the terror attack. The Pakistan Army, meanwhile, said in a statement that it has conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System -- a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km, saying it was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters. In New Delhi, people familiar with the matter said India considers the test launch of the ballistic missile a "blatant" act of "provocation". As the hunt for the Pahalgam attackers intensified, Sri Lankan police searched a flight arriving in Colombo from Chennai after being tipped off that a suspect linked to the massacre could be on board, a police spokesperson said in the Sri Lankan capital. Indian authorities have identified four terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, behind the Pahalgam carnage. A statement from the national carrier SriLankan Airlines said the aircraft was thoroughly inspected and subsequently cleared for further operations. A Pakistani Ranger has been apprehended by the Border Security Force from along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, official sources said on Saturday. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The development comes nearly a fortnight after a Border Security Force jawan was apprehended by the Rangers amid rising tension between the two countries in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The Pakistani Ranger has been taken into custody by the Rajasthan frontier of the force, they said. BSF jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw was apprehended by the Rangers on April 23 from along this international border in Punjab and they have refused to hand him over despite a strong protest registered by the Indian force. Bharat Adivasi Party MLA Jaikrishn Patel was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau of Rajasthan on Sunday for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 20 lakh for dropping three questions in the state assembly, according to a senior ACB official. IMAGE: Bharat Adivasi Party MLA Jaikrishn Patel. Photograph: Courtesy Instagram Director General of ACB Ravi Prakash Meharda said that this is the first time in the history of the Rajasthan ACB that an MLA has been arrested in a graft case. Patel, 38, is a first-time MLA from Banswara district's Bagidora assembly constituency (ST). He was elected in the bypolls held along with the Lok Sabha elections last year. "Patel had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10 crore from the complainant to drop questions related to mines. The deal was settled for Rs 2.5 crore. The complainant gave him Rs 1 lakh in Banswara at the time of verification. Today, he was trapped in MLA quarters premises while taking Rs 20 lakh," Meharda said. He claimed that the MLA handed over the bag of the cash to a man who managed to escape with the cash. The ACB officials are questioning the legislator about the man. The DG claimed the ACB has audio and video evidence to prove that the MLA had demanded and taken the bribe which will help in conviction. Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) convener and Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat said that the party will take action against the MLA if his involvement is found. "It will not be appropriate to say anything on the matter. It could be a conspiracy of the BJP government. We are looking into the matter and if the involvement of the MLA is found, the party will take suitable action," he said. BAP has four MLAs in the house of 200. The DG said that the Assembly Speaker was briefed about the case and following his permission, "the trap was executed and the MLA was arrested". The MLA had submitted three questions related to the mines owned by the complainant that are not in the Bagidora constituency. He said that the MLA was insisting that the complainant come to Banswara with Rs 20 lakh but the complainant convinced him to come to Jaipur to take the money. "The MLA called the complainant in the morning and asked him to come to the MLA quarters (in Jaipur's Jyoti Nagar) following which the ACB teams got activated. "The complainant went to the MLA quarters premises where he handed over a bag containing cash to the MLA. The MLA checked the cash and then handed over the bag to a man who was present with him," he said. As soon as the ACB team was signalled by the complainant that the cash had been given, the team present on the premises caught the MLA, he said. Before this, the man who was given the bag by the MLA managed to escape with the cash. The Bagidora assembly seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya switched to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said it is his responsibility to work with the armed forces and give a "befitting reply" to those who cast an evil eye on India, his remarks coming in the backdrop of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the gathering during the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav, in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Addressing an event in New Delhi, Singh said, "People know Prime Minister Narendra Modi very well and are quite familiar with his working style, his determination and the way he has learned to "take risks" in his life." "I want to assure you that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, what you desire will certainly happen," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said, without elaborating. His assertion, however, came as India is mulling retaliatory measures against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that has killed 26 people, mostly tourists. "As the defence minister, it is my responsibility to work with my soldiers and ensure the protection of the country's borders. And it is my responsibility to give a befitting reply, by working with the armed forces, to those who cast an evil eye on our country," Singh said. Tensions between India and Pakistan are on the rise following the Pahalgam attack. Addressing an event here on April 23, a day after the terror strike, Singh had said, "The government will take every step that is necessary and appropriate." "We will not only trace those who perpetrated this incident, we will also reach out to those who, sitting behind the scene, have conspired to carry out the nefarious act on Indian soil," he had said. Those involved in the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam will get a strong response in the "near future" and India cannot be "intimidated" by such terrorist activities, the defence minister had asserted. The terror strike has drawn condemnation from several countries and world leaders. Citing the "cross-border linkages" to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in it. New Delhi has already asserted that the "perpetrators, backers and planners" of the Pahalgam attack must be brought to justice. At a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on Tuesday, the prime minister said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror strike, according to government sources. The prime minister also affirmed that it is a national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, the sources said after the meeting. India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the only operational land-border crossing between the two countries at Punjab's Attari and downgrading diplomatic ties in view of the cross-border links to the attack. On Sunday, Singh was addressing a gathering at the "Sanatan Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav" here. Hailing the role of seers and spiritual leaders in "protecting the soul of a country", he said a soldier fights in the "ranbhoomi" (battlefield), while a seer fights in the "jeevanbhomi" (field of life). Singh asserted that India's power lines not only in its armed forces, but also in its culture and spirituality. This is a land that is known for a warrior like Arjuna, but it also gave a saint like Lord Buddha to the world, he said. "It is a nation where a sword is purified with meditation ('tapasya')," he said. Singh emphasised that to achieve the goal of "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) by 2047, the country will have to become strong in every way. "We will become truly Viksit Bharat if we become strong economically as well as spiritually and culturally," he said. BRATTLEBORO After dealing with confusion and frustration with changes to the parking system in the last six months, the town plans to reconf Aimee Parnell has been on the job at the Waypoint Center for about a month, and her enthusiasm as the new executive director of the Great Fall The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Moscow launched air strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight on May 3-4, hitting civilian sites in the capital and injuring at least 11 residents, including multiple children, according to Ukrainian officials. Moscow launched air strikes against Kyiv hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a three-day cease-fire surrounding its May 9 Victory Day remembrances -- a proposal dismissed by Kyiv as "theater." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered late on May 3 by calling for a more substantial pause in military action, saying Kyiv was seeking a 30-day "complete silencing" of arms and was ready to act immediately if Moscow reciprocated. "We are ready to move to a cease-fire as soon as possible, even from today, if Russia is ready for mirror steps -- for complete silencing, for a long silence for at least 30 days," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "This is an honest deadline when the next steps can be prepared. Russia must stop the war and stop assaults, stop shelling," he added. The comments come as Russia maintains its relentless assault of Ukrainian military and civilian sites. Shortly after midnight and through the morning of May 4, Ukraine military and government officials said a Russian drone attack damaged several residential buildings and ignited fires in the capital. Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram that falling debris from destroyed Russian drones ignited fires in homes in Kyiv's Obolonskiy and Sviatoshynskiy districts. He said at least two children -- aged 14 and 17 -- were injured in the Obolonskiy attacks. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko sent out an appeal for doctors to aid in assisting victims in the Sviatoshynskiy district. The scale of the attack was not immediately clear. Reuters said witnesses reported hearing explosions and what appeared to be air defense systems operating. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the week suggested a three-day truce to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, running from May 8 to May 10. Zelenskyy has long stated that Ukraine is ready for a 30-day truce as proposed by Washington. Speaking to reporters on May 2, Zelenskyy said Putin's offer was aimed at making international guests feel safe at the annual Red Square parade on May 9. Among those slated to attend are Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We do not recommend visiting Moscow on May 9. Don't ask us for assurances. It's your choice to go there," Zelenskyy said. In his address on May 3, Zelenskyy said, "Right now, no one sees any such readiness from Russia; on the contrary, all of their internal rhetoric is increasingly mobilizing, and Russian propagandists continue to threaten not only Ukraine but also other neighbors -- Lithuania, the other Baltic states." "This is exactly what we have been saying for a long time: Without pressure on Moscow, Russia will continue to wage war." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow wanted a clear answer to its three-day cease-fire suggestion. "We will, of course, await not ambiguous but definitive statements and, most importantly, actions aimed at deescalating the conflict over the public holidays," Peskov said. Despite the talk of cease-fire, Russia maintained the intensity of its attacks on Ukraine. The Ukrainian General Staff said 216 combat clashes had taken place at the front on May 2 and that more than a third of the fighting was recorded in the direction of Pokrovsk, with Ukrainian authorities saying they had repelled 83 attacks. The area around the strategic town of Pokrovsk remains one of the heavily contested areas at the front with the largest number of combat clashes being recorded there over the past year. Vadym Filashkin, head of Ukraine's Donetsk Regional Military Administration, said that in the town of Myrnohrad late on May 3, "the Russians killed a 56-year-old man and damaged six private houses. The second fatality was a 69-year-old resident of Komar." Also, a correspondent for the Radio Liberty Donbas Realities project reported that a Russian attack on Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region led to fires breaking out in several private homes. Local authorities have not yet commented on the attack. Ihor Taburets, governor of the Ukrainian region of Cherkasy, late on May 3 said that "since nightfall, our region has been under enemy targeting. Most of the Russian attack drones were directed at the regional center." He said initial reports indicated that an infrastructure facility was damaged but that there were no immediate reports of casualties. With reporting by Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to focus on reaching a peace deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine instead of being "eager" to show off military hardware at next week's Victory Day parade Speaking during a visit to Prague to meet with top Czech officials on May 4, Zelenskyy told a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel that Putin "is very eager to show off his tanks at the parade, but he should think about ending his war." VIDEO: Zelenskyy Says Cease-Fire Possible 'At Any Moment' No media source currently available 0:00 0:01:05 0:00 In Moscow, which is preparing major celebrations on the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Putin said Russia has the "strength and means" to bring the Ukraine war "to its logical conclusion," and that he hoped there would be no need to resort to nuclear weapons. As Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine grinds on, now in its fourth year, both Kyiv and Moscow are preparing celebrations marking Victory Day, the World War II anniversary of the Nazi defeat. Ukraine, which has suffered massive destruction and loss of life, shifted its remembrance of Victory Day to May 8, aligned with the date when Western allies mark the occasion. As it did under the Soviet Union, Moscow observes the day on May 9, since the Nazi surrender in 1945 occurred overnight in Moscow. Putin has called for a three-day cease-fire in its Ukraine invasion beginning on May 8 to coincide with Victory Day celebrations. In response, Zelenskyy called instead for a longer, 30-day cease-fire. Pavel said Putin can end the war "with a single decision," but despite recent cease-fire claims, "has not shown any willingness" to do so. Renewed Western efforts to resolve the conflict, pushed in large part by US President Donald Trump, have begun to falter, as Russia continues to press its advantage on the battlefield in Ukraine. Despite an earlier tentative agreement to limit attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine and Russia have also continued to target oil pipelines, power plants, electricity transmission lines, and other crucial sites. When asked by NBC News on May 4 as to whether Trump "misread" Putin's intentions to negotiate the end to the three-year-old war, the US leader responded: "I have no idea." "Ill tell you about in a month from now, or two weeks from now," Trump replied. The White House's lead envoy for Russia traveled to Moscow to meet with Putin last month and discuss a multipoint proposal to resolve the conflict, which included several points that Kyiv has publicly rejected. In the NBC interview, Trump said the US is "closer" with one of the conflicting parties, and "not as close" with the other, but he refused to specify which country was which. He also reiterated that the US might give up its role as mediator in the conflict, but expressed hope that an agreement would still be reached. "Well, there will be a time when I will say, 'Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting,'" Trump said. Russia Hits Kyiv With Drone Barrage Hours before Zelenskyy visited Prague, Russia launched more than 160 drones, the Ukrainian military said, claiming 69 were downed or intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. "The Russians are calling for a cease-fire... while hitting Ukraine every day," Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. In Kyiv, drones, and debris from downed drones, sparked fires in several buildings, according to emergency services. Nearly two dozen drones were also launched at the central city of Cherkasy. Emergency services said one person was wounded and several residential buildings were damaged, in part by debris from falling drones. Early on May 5, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defense units in the Russian capital had destroyed four Ukrainian drones flying toward the city. No injuries were immediately reported. Ukraine Seeks Artillery Shells The Czech government has been one of Ukraines staunchest supporters, spearheading a global effort to source and supply Ukraine with artillery shells. The Prague-led effort has already sent more 1.6 million shells in 2024. After the meeting, Zelesnkyy told journalists that Ukraine hopes to receive up to 1.8 million more shells in 2025. "The Czech artillery initiative has proven effective, and we will continue this effort," Zelenskyy said on X. In a preview released May 4 of an upcoming interview on state television, Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion." "There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons," Putin said, "and I hope they will not be required." "We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires," he said. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and the AP COLOMBO, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government will deploy around 65,000 police officers to maintain order during the upcoming local government elections, said a police spokesman on Sunday. Buddhika Manatunga told reporters that military personnel will also be mobilized as needed for the elections, which are scheduled for May 6. Manatunga emphasized strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating election laws, noting that the police are working closely with the Elections Commission and election monitors. The elections will select members for 339 local government bodies across the country, and polling will begin at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. local time on May 6. A total of 17,156,338 people are eligible to vote, and 75,589 candidates from various political parties and independent groups are contesting in this year's local government elections. Since March 15, the United States has intensified its aerial campaign against Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels, claiming to have hit more than 1,000 targets. Dubbed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign is intended to halt Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and ratchet up pressure on Tehran amid ongoing nuclear negotiations. But despite the scale of the strikes, analysts question whether the effort has made any lasting impact. The Houthis remain undeterred, said Colin Clarke, director of policy and research at the New York-based Soufan Group, an intelligence and security consultancy. He noted that, while some Houthi infrastructure has been destroyed and personnel killed, the group appears to have turned the campaign to its advantage. Any losses are likely short-term and temporary, he told RFE/RL, citing a boost in Houthi recruitment and fundraising. Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense analyst with the global intelligence company Janes, added that the Houthis continued ability to launch attacks -- particularly against Israel and US drones -- undermines US claims of degrading their capabilities. It is arguably getting increasingly embarrassing for the United States every time the Houthis launch an attack on Israel or shoot down an MQ-9, Binnie said. A recent admission by the US Navy that an F/A-18 fighter fell off the USS Harry S. Truman during a maneuver to avoid a Houthi strike has only reinforced perceptions that the group remains a potent threat. Meanwhile, the group has continued launching missiles toward Israel, claiming responsibility on May 2 for two strikes that prompted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to intercept both and activate nationwide sirens. US Central Command insists that the campaign has degraded the pace and effectiveness of the group's attacks. "Ballistic missile launches have dropped by 69 percent. Additionally, attacks from one way attack drones have decreased by 55%," CENTCOM said in a statement on April 27. "Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis. The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime." Have The Attacks Impacted Relations With Iran? Analysts warn that the strikes may be having the opposite effect on regional dynamics, driving the Houthis closer to Tehran rather than isolating them. The group -- formally known as the Ansarallah movement and designated a terrorist organization by the United States -- is a key member of Irans so-called axis of resistance, a network of nonstate actors that has faced setbacks over the past year. But since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, the Houthis have elevated their role within that alliance, claiming attacks on Israel and Israeli-linked shipping in solidarity with Palestinians. While their growing prominence has afforded them some autonomy, experts say they remain deeply reliant on Iran for weapons and strategic support. You know very well what the US military is capable of -- and you were warned, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X on May 1, addressing Iran directly. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing. Still, Clarke argues that the strikes may have only deepened the Houthi-Iran alliance. If anything, the strikes have pushed the Houthis closer to Iran, he said, casting doubt on whether a future nuclear agreement would change Tehrans behavior. Binnie echoed Clarkes skepticism. US officials might hope the campaign pressures Iran, he said, but its difficult to say if that is happening. A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States was initially slated for May 3 in Rome but has been postponed due to what Omani mediators described as logistical reasons. With weeks of sustained bombing behind it, the United States appears no closer to deterring Houthi attacks or weakening their political backing -- raising hard questions about the strategic value of the campaign. The image of President Donald Trump and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky talking with one another in St Peters Basilica, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, made the pages of newspapers around the world. It was an image that would have delighted the heart of Pope Francis. Sceptics might say that it was just another photo opportunity while the eyes of the world were on Rome as the world mourned Pope Francis, but if it is the impetus to revitalise the peace negotiations then the Popes legacy will have left a truly lasting mark. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, has left a profound and transformative legacy on the Catholic Church and the wider world. Elected in 2013 as the first Pope from the Americas, his pontificate was marked by a deep commitment to humility, social justice, environmental stewardship, and pastoral outreach. One of his most defining traits was his emphasis on mercy and compassion. His papal motto, Miserando atque eligendo (by having mercy and by choosing), reflected his focus on God's forgiveness and the Churchs duty to reach those on the margins. He was also a strong advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, repeatedly calling on global leaders to address economic inequality. He urged the Church to be a field hospital that tended to the wounds of the suffering, rather than an institution focused solely on rules and doctrine. While admired for his progressive tone, Pope Francis also faced criticism, particularly from conservative factions within the Church. His more open stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals and his call for the Church to better welcome divorced and remarried Catholics sparked both praise and controversy. Nonetheless, he consistently emphasised dialogue, discernment, and a Church that listens before it teaches. In global politics, he served as a moral voice advocating for peace, refugee rights, and interfaith cooperation. His outreach to Muslim, Jewish, and Orthodox leaders helped build bridges in a world often marked by division. Ultimately, as the world grieves his death his legacy is one pastoral care, moral courage, and a profound belief in the Churchs mission around the Gospel values of love, service, and justice. His papacy reawakened conversations about what it means to live a faith that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly responsive to the modern world. His death marks the end of an era. The next Pope, who will be chosen in the days to come, will put his own stamp on the institution. Whoever that is, in a radically changed world he must appeal to world leaders to show compassion and mercy, just like his predecessor did. Bhakra Dam Water Dispute: Punjab and Haryana fight Over Sharing of Water The BBMB had directed that a further 8,500 cusecs of water be allocated to Haryana Bhakra Dam Water Dispute: Punjab and Haryana fight Over Sharing of Water latest news: The water war between Punjab and Haryana has increased with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda attacking Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann heavily for halting the water supply of Haryana. Hooda referred to Punjab's move as "unconstitutional" and added that Haryana has not withdrawn a single drop of water allotted to it. He also noted that Punjab has already consumed nine percent more water than it was given. Advertisement The matter was raised at an all-party meeting of Haryana on May 3, where political parties gathered in favor of the state's claim to its legitimate share of water. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini reiterates that the state is grappling with severe drinking water shortages and pressed the Punjab government to release the water according to the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) directive. The BBMB had directed that a further 8,500 cusecs of water be allocated to Haryana, but Punjab turned down the decision on grounds of low water levels in the major reservoirs such as the Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar Dam. The government of Haryana has appealed for peace between the two states while continuing to urge its share of water. The dispute is yet to be resolved, and tensions between the two bordering states continue to escalate. Advertisement (For More News Apart Bhakra Dam Water Dispute: Punjab and Haryana fight Over Sharing of Water stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Punjabi Youth Dies in Moscow After Sudden Illness The victim has been identified as Sarwan Singh (34), son of Ratan Singh, who lived in Mirzajan, Batala Punjabi Youth Dies in Moscow After Sudden Illness latest news: Thousands of young people from Punjab travel abroad every year in search of a better future. Unfortunately, many of them experience troubles and tragedies away from home. In a tragic event, a Punjabi youth passed away in Moscow, Russia. The victim has been identified as Sarwan Singh (34), son of Ratan Singh, who lived in Mirzajan, Batala. He had left for Moscow approximately six months back with the desire to lead a better life. However, approximately 20 days back, he suddenly fell ill. Advertisement When the doctors admitted Sarwan Singh to the hospital, they found that a serious infection had developed in him. The medical team could not save him, and he died on April 20. The news of his untimely death shocked his family in Punjab, leaving them stunned and grieving his loss. Sarwan Singh was married only for two years. His family, which is yet to recover from the tragedy, is grappling with grief, and the local community has been shocked by this tragic news. His death is a poignant reminder of the difficulties that many encounter abroad. (For More News Apart Punjabi Youth Dies in Moscow After Sudden Illness stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) May 4, 2025 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 04.05.2025, 13:59 ELECTION 18 million people are expected to the polls in Romania today to vote for their president, the one who will be heading the country for the next five years. Polling stations opened today at 7 hours local time with 11 candidates vying for the presidential seat, four independents and seven representatives of various political parties. According to the Permanent Election Authority (AEP) nearly 19 thousand polling stations have been opened on the Romanian territory, out of which 13 thousand in Bucharest alone. The Romanians in the Diaspora have been given three days to cast their ballots in the existing 965 stations where voting abroad kicked off on Friday. The largest number of stations is located in Italy and Malta, 161, next comes Spain with 147, Great Britain, 108, France and the Principality of Monaco, 69, the Republic of Moldova, 64, the USA 50, Belgium, 29 and the Netherlands, 23. The AEP has issued 299 accreditations for observing institutions, which will this time include OSCE observers as a first. The OSCE observers will be monitoring the election upon a request from the Romanian government. We recall the first round of voting held in December last year was cancelled by the Constitutional Court, which based its ruling on documents provided by the countrys Higher Defence Council, which mentioned foreign interferences in the election process. VOTE Romanians have turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots in the first round of Romanias presidential election today; over 7 million voted until 18 hours, which accounts for 43% of the total number of voters on constituency lists, says the latest data released by the Permanent Election Authority (AEP). Roughly 850 thousand individuals cast their ballots abroad until that hour. Most of the votes have been registered in Italy, Britain, Germany, Spain and France. After casting his ballot, Romanias interim president, Ilie Bolojan, talked about the importance of the presidential election for Romania. He recalled that internally, the head of state will have to collaborate with the Parliament majority and government to reform the state and create development opportunities for the Romanians. At the same time, Bolojan went on to say, the countrys president is going to provide the major directions of Romanias foreign and defence policies, as the countrys security depends on that. Bolojan has urged the Romanians to go to the polls irrespective of their political preferences. The Romanians are going to do their best in this election round, and I am glad we are having such a good number of voters in the Diaspora and I am firmly convinced this number will be even greater with the voters here in Romania, the countrys Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, says while leaving a polling station. OBSERVER Romania has met all the democratic standards to be able to stage the present presidential election, the countrys Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, said on Saturday during the talks he held with the Vice-Chairman of the US Federal Election Commission, James Trainor. The government has nothing to do with the way in which the peoples vote is expressed, but it is strictly involved in organizational issues both in Romania and abroad, the Prime Minister went on to say. He underlined his vehement opposition to any initiative aimed at limiting, censoring or closing down any social platforms during the election campaign. Romania is a friend and a trustworthy ally of the United States. We are going to work together so that the Romanians may trust the election process, says the US official. James Trainor is heading a US delegation of observers which is monitoring the presidential election underway in Romania. (bill) May 4, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news May 4, 2025 UPDATE Newsroom, 04.05.2025, 20:02 VOTE One hour before the closing of the polling stations in Romania, roughly 9.1 million people have cast their ballots, which accounts for 51% of the total number of voters on constituency lists, says the latest data released by the Permanent Election Authority (AEP). 940 thousand Romanian nationals have so far cast their ballots abroad. Most of the votes have been registered in Italy, Britain, Germany, Spain and France. The largest number of these stations are located in Italy and Malta, 161, next comes Spain with 147, Great Britain, 108, France and the Principality of Monaco, 69, the Republic of Moldova, 64, the USA 50, Belgium, 29 and the Netherlands, 23. According to the Permanent Election Authority, nearly 19 thousand polling stations have been opened on the Romanian territory, out of which 13 thousand in Bucharest alone. The AEP has issued 299 accreditations for observing journalists, associations and institutions. The interest in this election is very high after the first round of voting held in December last year was cancelled by the Constitutional Court, which based its ruling on documents provided by the countrys Higher Defence Council, which mentioned foreign interferences in the election process. OBSERVERS A team of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe that will remain in Romania until May 25th, on Monday is going to present a couple of preliminary conclusions, which are to be followed by a final report on the presidential election in Romania the head of the observing mission, Eoghan Murphy said on Sunday. According to him every aspect related to the election process is going to be assessed along with the political background and the way campaigns are being carried out both in the media and online. The OSCE team, which has been in Romania since March 25th upon the invitation of the Romanian authorities is made up of 13 members of the main team and 22 observers covering the entire Romanian territory. Also as an observer monitoring the presidential election in Romania on May 4 is the Vice-Chairman of the US Federal Election Commission, James Trainor who on Saturday held talks with the countrys Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu. The Romanian Prime Minister gave assurances that the country meets all the required democratic criteria for staging elections and the government is being involved in all organizational activities in Romania and abroad. MAE The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest is cautioning the Romanians in France or those planning to travel to that country that trade unions in the countrys railway system have made an appeal for a one-week strike starting Monday. A series of major disturbances in the countrys rail traffic is expected and passengers are advised to visit the webpage of the French Railway Company for updates. The Romanians in France can ask for assistance by calling Romanias General Consulate in Paris as well as those in Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg. WEATHER The weather is going to be unstable in the next 24 hours in Romania, with temperatures dropping in the countrys north, while in the rest of the territory will remain the same. According to the latest weather forecasts, temperatures will be normal for this time of the year in the north-west and north, and the weather will be warm in the rest of the territory and hot in the south. The sky will be overcast with periods of clouds, showers and thunderstorms in most of the regions. The highs of the day will be ranging between 17 and 31 degrees Celsius. (bill) BUCHAREST, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Romanians headed to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the presidential election rerun contested by 11 candidates. According to the Permanent Electoral Authority of Romania, over 18 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at around 19,000 polling stations, including over 960 abroad, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time (0400 to 1800 GMT). Major contenders include Crin Antonescu of the electoral alliance Romania Forward, George Simion of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians, former Prime Minister Victor Ponta running as an independent and Mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan. Overseas voting began Friday, according to the electoral authority. Under the Romanian Constitution, if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders in two weeks. Romania's president serves a five-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms allowed. Romania's presidential election held last November was annulled following allegations of irregular campaigning practices and foreign interference. Romania Votes 1.8 million Romanians has so far taken to the polls in the first round of Romania's presidential election today www.facebook.com/The Permanent Election Authority Newsroom, 04.05.2025, 12:12 VOTE Voter turnout in the first round of Romanias presidential election today has so far been beyond expectations, with 1.8 million until ten oclock, which accounts for 10% of the total number of voters on constituency lists, says the latest data released by the Permanent Election Authority (AEP). Out of these, 1.4 million voted in Romania, whereas 400 thousand individuals have cast their ballots abroad. Most of the votes have been registered in Italy, Britain, Germany, Spain and France. After casting his ballot, Romanias interim president, Ilie Bolojan, talked about the importance of the presidential election for Romania. He recalled that internally, the head of state will have to collaborate with the Parliament majority and government to reform the state and create development opportunities for the Romanians. At the same time, Bolojan went on to say, the countrys president is going to provide the major directions of Romanias foreign and defence policies, as the countrys security depends on that. Bolojan has urged the Romanians to go to the polls irrespective of their political preferences. The Romanians are going to do their best in this election round, and I am glad we are having such a good number of voters in the Diaspora and I am firmly convinced this number will be even greater with the voters here in Romania, the countrys Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, says while leaving a polling station. Cross Country Healthcare (NASDAQ: CCRN), a leader in workforce solutions and tech-enabled staffing, recruitment and advisory services, today released its fourth annual survey, "Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing in 2025" report. In partnership with Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the study paints a sobering picture of a profession at a breaking point -- where stress, burnout and chronic short staffing continue to jeopardize the well-being of nurses and the quality of patient care nationwide. The findings are drawn from 2,600 voices across the nursing profession, including seasoned RNs, LPNs, APRNs, and students preparing to enter the field. Despite the spotlight placed on nurses throughout the pandemic and the promises of reform, little progress has been made -- and the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. "Nurses are the backbone of our health care system, yet they're still being asked to carry an unsustainable load," said John A. Martins, president & CEO of Cross Country. "This year's report is not just data -- it's a resounding cry for change. If we don't act now, we risk losing an entire generation of dedicated professionals." Key findings from the 2025 survey: 65% of nurses report high levels of stress and burnout. Only 60% say they would choose nursing again if given the choice. Top stressors: short staffing, inadequate pay, lack of leadership support and patient abuse. 67% of student nurses are already concerned about managing their workload. Despite the challenges, 82% of students express excitement about their future in nursing. Profession top demands: improved staffing levels, stronger leadership, flexible schedules and meaningful recognition. "Our data reveals a troubling paradox," said Cameron Duncan, Ph.D., dean of the FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. "While students are hopeful and eager to begin practicing as a nurse, our experienced workforce is sending distress signals loud and clear. This moment requires bold, coordinated action at every level -- from nurse educators to hospital executives to national policy makers." A Roadmap for Reinvention The report outlines five critical priorities that health care leaders must address to stabilize the nursing profession and restore hope: Staffing and recruitment: Build a pipeline of qualified nurses and ensure safe staffing ratios across all units. Competitive pay and benefits: Offer salaries that reflect nurses' essential role and address long-term retention. Work-life balance initiatives: Introduce flexible scheduling, rest spaces and dedicated mental health resources. Leadership and communication: Train managers to lead with empathy, respect and transparency. Streamlined credentialing: Remove bureaucratic hurdles that delay employment and add to administrative fatigue. "This isn't just about adding perks -- it's about rebuilding trust," Martins said. "The future of health care depends on the well-being of our nurses. We must create a system where they feel heard, valued and empowered to thrive -- not just survive." As the nation faces a growing care gap, Cross Country and FAU urge industry leaders to leverage this data to spark real, measurable change -- because supporting nurses today is an investment in the health of tomorrow. Semaglutide effectively treats liver disease in two thirds of patients, new research has found. Results from the ESSENCE phase 3 clinical trial published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows treating patients with the substance can halt and even reverse the disease. The placebo-controlled outcome trial of participants with a life-threatening form of liver disease known as Metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) was conducted at 253 clinical sites across 37 countries around the world. This is the first regulatory-level trial showing the benefit of semaglutide for people with MASH. The trial is led by two Chief Investigators, Professor Philip Newsome at King's College London and Arun Sanyal at the VCU School of Medicine, United States, and funded by Novo Nordisk. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a long-lasting liver condition caused by having too much fat in the liver. MASH is a more severe form of MASLD. It is closely linked with obesity as well as conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease. Over time, the build-up of fat in the liver can lead to inflammation, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. MASLD affects 1 in 5 people in the UK but there are no medicines licensed to specifically treat the disease. Researchers chose to investigate semaglutide as a potential treatment because this class of drug helps reduce fat and liver scarring for people with MASH. Previous smaller but positive studies by Professor Newsome, published in the Lancet and NEJM, had shown using semaglutide as a treatment for MASH would have benefit for these patients. Between May 27, 2021 and April 18, 2023, 800 participants were randomly assigned to receive once-weekly injection of 2.4milligrams of semaglutide or placebo, alongside lifestyle counselling. More than half of participants had type 2 diabetes and approximately three-quarters were living with obesity. Results from the ESSENCE trials after 72 weeks of treatment found 62.9% of participants experienced a reduction in steatohepatitis (inflammation of the liver with fat accumulation in the liver) versus 34.3% for participants who took the placebo. The results also show 36.8% of the semaglutide group had improvements of their liver fibrosis versus 22.4% in the placebo group. Researchers also found other benefits. Those receiving semaglutide also saw improvements in liver enzymes and other blood measures of liver fibrosis, as well as 10.5% weight loss. Gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in the semaglutide group, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Professor Philip Newsome, Director of the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies at King's College London, said: "I've been working with GLP-1 treatments for sixteen years and these results are hugely exciting. MASLD is a growing problem worldwide and this trial will provide real hope for patients with MASH. While these results must be treated with caution, the analysis shows semaglutide can be an effective tool to treat this advanced liver disease." The research team will close to 1,200 participants from 37 countries for up to five years to gather data on semaglutide's impact on long-term liver complications. A new study shows how damaging it can be for college students in introductory STEM classes to compare how hard they work to the extent of effort put in by their peers. Researchers studied students in an introductory chemistry class, one of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. They found that those who thought they had to work harder than others in class were less likely to believe they had the ability to succeed in science. This focus on comparative effort was bad for both men and women in the class. But women showed positive effects of thinking they tried hard in the class -- as long as they weren't comparing themselves to others. When students, particularly women, believed they tried hard, without comparing themselves to others, they even tended to do better in class. The message is clear, said lead author Hyewon Lee, who did the work as a PhD student in educational studies at The Ohio State University. "Students in introductory STEM classes need to focus on their own work, rather than comparing themselves to others, and to think about how their hard work is connected to their success," said Lee, who is now a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of California, Irvine. The study was published online recently in the journal Contemporary Educational Psychology. The difference between comparing your effort to that of your classmates (comparative effort) and simply thinking you're working hard in the course (criterion effort) is an important distinction, said co-author Shirley L. Yu, associate professor of educational psychology at Ohio State. "Criterion effort is essentially the belief that you work hard to learn -- because that effort is required to understand the course material," said Yu, who leads Ohio State's SPARKS Lab (STEM Participation, Achievement, and Resilience through Knowledge and Skills). "However, if you're comparing your effort to others and feel like you have to work harder, it can imply that you must make up for a lack of ability. That can harm your science self-concept and make it harder to succeed." In this study, science self-concept was defined as students' belief that they had the ability to succeed in science. The study involved 690 undergraduate students at Ohio State enrolled in three sections of an introductory chemistry course. Criterion effort, comparative effort, and science self-concept were measured three times during the course of the semester. Midterm and final exam scores for the students were assessed to measure achievement. Prior achievement on ACT and SAT exams, demographics, and pandemic impact (the study was conducted in the fall of 2020) were also taken into account. Findings showed that the extent to which students compared their efforts to others had a significant impact on science self-concept. Specifically, both men and women tended to interpret higher effort than others as a sign of low scientific ability. In other words, they were more likely to agree with the sentiment that they were not good at science because they had to work harder than others in science class. For women, criterion effort -- the perception of trying hard -- was related to a more positive science self-concept, but that was not true of men. The researchers believe that women students may realize that they have to work hard to overcome gender stereotypes that women are not good at science, so perception of hard work is positive for them. However, men's perceptions of trying hard did not affect their confidence in science. Instead, their confidence was more influenced by how well they had actually performed earlier. Perhaps because men already have strong and durable confidence in their science abilities, their achievement mattered more, the study authors said. The relationship between criterion and comparative effort and achievement on the midterms and finals was complex. But in general, the two types of perceived effort and achievement were related reciprocally, with more pronounced patterns among women. For example, criterion effort was linked to high midterm scores, which in turn was related to an increase in students' criterion effort. A focus on comparative effort, on the other hand, was linked to lower chemistry performance. "We found this feedback loop between perceived effort and performance that was significant," Lee said. "It shows the importance of early positive experiences for undergraduate students, particularly women, in their understanding of the effort they invest and how it is connected to success." A key contribution of the study is that it is the first, to the knowledge of the authors, to explore the relationship between the two types of perceived effort, science self-concept, and achievement in actual undergraduate classes. These findings can show how to help students in these early STEM classes, which often act to "weed out" students who don't feel they can succeed in science and lead them to switch majors. "These early classes have rigorous coursework and typically a competitive climate," said Yu. "We need to find ways to take away barriers that may keep qualified students, particularly women, from succeeding." Other co-authors, all at Ohio State, were Tzu-Jung Lin, professor of educational psychology, and Minjung Kim, associate professor of quantitative research, evaluation and measurement. A new study, led by Professor Mike Kendall from the Department of Earth Sciences, has investigated the use of a new monitoring technique for early warning of a volcanic eruption. The research team compared the earthquake signals during two eruptions of Ontake Volcano in Japan, one of which was a small eruption and the other of which was explosive. From this, they were able to identify that shear-wave splitting parameters showed differences depending on the size of the eruption. Predicting Volcanic Eruptions For communities living in the shadow of a volcano, early warning systems are a life line -- but mistrust in these warnings can have deadly consequences. To avoid false alarms, it is vital that scientists seek more reliable ways to monitor volcanoes. A new study by researchers from the University of Oxford has investigated a seismic signal known as shear-wave splitting for providing scientists and communities with an essential early warning of a dangerous eruption. Large movements of magma and rock inside a volcano causes seismic waves to be released, but these signals can be challenging to untangle. The goal of this research was to seek a useable parameter which could not only predict if an eruption was set to occur -- but also if the eruption was going to be particularly damaging. Shear-Wave Splitting Shear-wave splitting is a phenomenon where seismic shear-waves waves travel at different speeds depending on their polarisation. Cracks and fractures inside the rock can slow down seismic waves, but have a larger delaying effect on seismic waves that travel across the cracks and fractures. If the cracks are aligned in one direction, then the amount of shear-wave splitting increases. Magma and fluids moving beneath a volcano exert stresses on the surrounding rocks, causing cracks to open in certain orientations and close in others. Examining changes to shear-wave splitting through time can be really useful for scientists, as it tells them where these cracks are opening and closing. But the research team wanted to take this a step further -- and test whether the larger stress changes during an explosive eruption also caused a more significant change to the amount of shear-wave splitting. "Seismic anisotropy -- or the effect of rock composition and internal fractures on the speed of shear-waves oscillating at right angles to each other -- is a well-documented phenomenon," said Professor Mike Kendall (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford). "When we reflected on how anisotropy increases as the pressure inside a volcano builds, we were excited to explore if we could detect these changes, and if this could be a distinctive signal which could be applied to early warning systems." Observations at Ontake Volcano The research team put this theory to the test by examining seismic signals during two eruptions of Ontake Volcano, on Honshu Island in Japan. The 2007 eruption was small and had much less of an impact on the surrounding community, whereas the 2014 eruption was larger, more explosive, and sadly more deadly. They were excited to discover that during the smaller eruption, the amount of shear-wave splitting remained constant throughout, but during the larger eruption the amount of splitting doubled just before Ontake exploded. The team believe that the larger stress change during the 2014 eruption increased the observed shear-wave splitting, indicating a useful relationship between the amount of splitting and the size of the eruption. Co-author Professor Toshiko Terakawa (Nagoya University) noted: "The focal mechanisms of volcano-tectonic earthquakes changed drastically before and after the 2014 eruption. Integrating data from shear-wave splitting and earthquake focal mechanisms could provide deeper insights into conditions required for an eruption to occur." Co-author Professor Martha Savage (Victoria University of Wellington) added: "The records around two eruptions on Ontake volcano in Japan have been able to show that the method can not only show changes before eruptions, but that they can potentially help to predict the size of an eruption. This work was an example of how cooperation among people from around the globe can address important societal problems." A Valuable Early Warning System Because the change in shear-wave splitting occurred before the eruption of Ontake began, scientists monitoring the volcano will be able to use this parameter as both a vital early-warning system and an indicator of how damaging the eruption could be. This offers a new way to protect local communities from the devastating impacts of a volcanic eruption. "We expect to see these effects at other volcanoes across the globe, not just at Ontake Volcano," said co-author Dr Tom Kettlety (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford). "As changes in volcanic stress occur prior to an eruption, we anticipate that we would see changes in shear-wave splitting. This could be a valuable tool for early warning of volcanic eruptions, especially for local communities." This work is part of a vibrant research programme in volcanology and geothermal energy at Oxford. Recently published work based on the 'zombie' volcano Uturuncu has shown unique insights into the architecture of volcanoes, which complement the type of hazard monitoring conducted at Ontake volcano. NANJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China Youth May Fourth Medal honor was recently awarded to 30 individuals and 30 groups for making outstanding contributions, with sci-tech professionals accounting for a significant and growing share of recipients, showcasing the dynamism of China's young scientific talent. Recipients this year include Gui Haichao, an astronaut who served as a payload expert on the Shenzhou-16 mission, and Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Technology, who made breakthroughs in the robotic technology field. The 2025 list also features researchers such as Du Lingjie, whose team for the first time presented experimental evidence of a graviton-like particle called chiral graviton modes. Du comes from the School of Physics, Nanjing University, in east China's Jiangsu Province. The findings presented by Du and his team were published in the journal Nature in 2024, marking the first experimental substantiation of the concept of gravitons, posited by pioneering works in quantum gravity since the 1930s. As this study demanded costly and specialized equipment to operate in extremely low temperatures and strong magnetic fields, the research team once found itself in a budget crisis. A lifeline came from the Jiangsu provincial natural science foundation, which had established a special funding channel for early-career researchers. After expert reviews of his efforts, Du secured 3 million yuan (about 416,586 U.S. dollars) in project funding, resolving the team's financial difficulties. "Early-career researchers face critical funding gaps despite the transformative potential of their research," said Sun Jian, vice director of Nanjing University's Office of Science and Technology. In recent years, Jiangsu Province has significantly boosted its support for early-career scientists, increasing both project allocations and financial grants -- while eliminating application quotas in physics and applied mathematics and other fields. To incentivize innovation, a special funding channel for non-consensus research has been established, supporting projects that challenge conventional scientific paradigms. Once general objectives are approved, the funding channel grants the relevant research team full autonomy in terms of experimental design and budget execution. This mechanism minimizes the burden of operational management for scientists and maximizes intellectual freedom for groundbreaking discoveries, Sun added. While easing financial concerns faced by fundamental researchers, China has simultaneously bolstered efforts to commercialize applied research -- ensuring that laboratory breakthroughs translate into tangible societal and economic gains while guaranteeing that scientists can benefit from the fruits of their applied work. Taking drug development as an example. This process requires rigorous testing, leading-edge infrastructure and specialized industrial services. To empower medical researchers to translate theoretical achievements into tangible clinical applications, China's Ministry of Education and local governments in Jiangsu have established several biomedical innovation centers to facilitate related development. These centers provide research equipment leasing and other services, including intellectual property protection and funding applications. To further lower the risks in commercialization for research institutions and businesses, the innovation center in the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu has creatively partnered with an insurer to launch an insurance program, which covers losses arising from failed technology transfers, patent disputes, and other risks. Lin Yuhui, a 36-year-old associate professor at Nanjing Medical University, took part in this program through a stroke medication project. "Such institutional innovation empowers young scientists to focus on research and entrust commercialization to market forces, and provides financial incentives for our work," said Lin. Many local governments across China are increasing the benefits scientific researchers can derive from transforming scientific research into practical outcomes -- thereby encouraging the commercialization of research. Central China's Hubei Province has introduced a policy requiring that at least 70 percent of net income or equity from commercializing scientific breakthroughs should be allocated to the researchers or teams behind them. East China metropolis, Shanghai, aims to achieve 100 billion yuan in cumulative technology commercialization contracts across public research institutions by 2027, while also embedding tech transaction services into Yangtze River Delta integration strategy. Over the past several years, the central government has consistently emphasized support for young scientists and the need to give them important responsibilities in government work reports. As part of this push to develop young scientists, China has introduced a series of policies, such as requiring researchers aged under 40 to fill at least half of leading or core roles in major science and technology projects. Meanwhile, the government requires setting aside over 45 percent of projects in the National Natural Science Foundation of China for early-career scientists, targeting pioneering work in emerging fields and interdisciplinary breakthroughs. "While research funding and equipment have been improved, the spirit of truth-seeking has persisted across generations of scientists. Today's young researchers are not only passionate and innovative but also committed to upholding this spirit, thereby continuing to explore and pioneer new frontiers in technology," said Zhang Jingyang, a professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The intensification of existing farmland can sometimes be more harmful to local biodiversity than expanding the area covered by agricultural land, finds a new study led by University College London (UCL) researchers. They showed that neither expansion nor intensification is consistently better for biodiversity, as it varies by factors including region, crop type and local vegetation. The findings, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, challenge the conventional wisdom in favour of intensification, that encourages farmers to improve the productivity of existing farmland with techniques such as increased fertiliser and pesticide use. Lead author Dr Silvia Ceau?u (UCL Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, UCL Biosciences) said: "Feeding the global human population comes at an increasing cost for our planet's biodiversity. To mitigate this, the common assumption is that intensifying agricultural practices is always less detrimental to biodiversity than farmland expansion. "But our new research highlights that it's actually more complicated than that. We show that farmland expansion is indeed drastically changing local biodiversity. However, once agriculture is established, intensifying agricultural practices can further degrade local biodiversity, sometimes more so than by further removing natural vegetation from the area. "Our findings suggest that closing 'yield gaps' -- maximising production on existing agricultural land in a given area -- could come at a higher ecological cost than previously thought." The researchers conducted a global assessment of the impacts on biodiversity from farmland intensification or expansion, using a large biodiversity database, natural vegetation data, and agricultural yield estimates. They looked at existing agricultural areas (with varying amounts of natural vegetation near the farms; natural areas without any agriculture were excluded) producing maize, soybean, wheat, and rice, four common crops that together represent over half of the total global calorie production. To measure biodiversity, the scientists looked at species richness (how many different species are in an area), total abundance (how many individuals there are of each species) and the geographical distribution of each species, and they looked at this both in the agricultural area and the surrounding areas. The researchers found that overall, increasing crop yields by either route is harmful to biodiversity. But as for whether expansion or intensification was more or less harmful, it varied depending on the context, in terms of the region, crop type, or characteristics of the remaining natural vegetation, as well as which measure of biodiversity was used. The study authors say their findings could have relevance to global agricultural policies and trade initiatives, particularly those aimed at curbing deforestation, as some have requirements for crops to come only from established farmland, which the researchers say may be an oversimplification of the evidence. While the data is very complex to determine in which situations expansion or intensification is less harmful, they suggest that farmers could at least focus on sustainable intensification techniques, such as biological pest controls and keeping patches of natural vegetation between fields. For consumers, given the complexities involved in determining the sustainability of different products, the researchers suggest reducing food waste and meat consumption. Co-author Professor Tim Newbold (UCL Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, UCL Biosciences) said: "Finding the most sustainable way to increase crop yields is very complicated and depends on numerous factors, so simple suggestions like favouring farmland intensification over expansion are not always effective -- there's no one-size-fits all solution for sustainable agriculture." The researchers caution that their study only looked at existing agricultural areas, and does not suggest that cultivating natural areas would be appropriate. "We would not suggest expanding farmland into intact natural areas as it is vital for the planet that such unmodified landscapes are preserved," added Dr Newbold. Co-author David Leclere (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria) said: "In order to protect biodiversity while meeting food demand, we may need to rethink how we balance expansion and intensification in agriculture. There is likely a balance that can be struck between intensification and expansion in agricultural landscapes, informed by local and crop-specific data and considering the full range of environmental impacts." The study was supported by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund Trade, Development and Environment Hub. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the ever-rising number of people killed by extreme temperatures in India, say the authors of a new 19-year study which found that 20,000 people died from heatstroke in the last two decades. Cold exposure claimed another 15,000 lives. Findings published today in the peer-reviewed journal Temperature, also revealed that deaths from heatstroke are more common in men of working age and identified the states that are hotspots for deaths from heatstroke and from hypothermia and other conditions fuelled by the cold. There is an upward moving, increasing trend in terms of mortality due to heatstroke and exposure to cold in India, with glaring variation across states. "Deaths due to heatstroke is more significant, compared to deaths due to cold exposure, albeit recording an upward trend," says the study's lead author Professor Pradeep Guin, whose research at the O.P Jindal Global University (JGU), in Sonipat, India, is at the intersection of climate change, environment, health, politics and governance. Hundreds of people die from the heat or cold each year in India and many of these deaths are avoidable. Last year, Mungeshpur, in Delhi, recorded highest-ever summer temperature in India, at 52.9C (126.1F). Every summer, in India, we hear about heat-related deaths, which is avoidable. Similarly, some parts of the country -- not the traditionally colder states -- report deaths due to cold waves, which can be controlled. However, there needs to be adequate infrastructural and social safety-net support, the authors state. "With an intense heatwave forecast to hit most of the country this summer and extreme weather events becoming more frequent around the globe as the world warms, there is no time to be lost in raising awareness about the dangers of extreme temperatures and putting in place measures to reduce their impact. "Support systems exist, but more needs to be done," Professor Guin adds. There is growing recognition of the harm excessive temperatures can do to health, however previous research has focused on developed nations and one-off events, such as heatwaves, rather than looking at low and middle-income countries and extreme temperatures that are starting to recur year after year. India's size and geography make it prone to extremes of heat and cold and, when designing measures to keep the population safe, it is important to know which people and places are most at risk. To identify the people who are most vulnerable to extremes of temperature and the states with the highest death tolls, Professor Guin and a group of scholars from JGU, conducted country-level analysis assessing 19 years (2001-2019) of data, and state-level analysis with 14 years (2001-2014) data. The separate period of analysis was due to "variability in availability of data." They sourced most of their data from official data sources, such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. Analysis of temperature data from the Indian Meteorological Department and records of deaths from natural causes showed in India, between 2001 and 2019, there were a minimum of: 19,693 deaths from heatstroke 15,197 deaths from cold exposure Not all deaths are typically recorded and so the figures may be an underestimate. Nationally, maximum number of deaths due to both heatstroke and exposure to cold was reported in 2015 alone as: 1,907 deaths due to heatstroke 1,147 due to cold exposure. Contrary to global evidence, which have found that women tend to be more susceptible to extreme heat, more males in India died due to exposure to extreme temperatures. During the study period (2001-2019), male deaths compared to female were three to five times higher due to heatstroke, and four to seven times more due to exposure to cold. People in the age-group of 45-60 were most susceptible to die both due to heatstroke and cold exposure, followed by the elderly (60 and above) and those in between 30-45 years. "The higher death toll from heatstroke in working-age men may reflect the fact that men are more likely to work outdoors than women," explains Professor Guin, who is also an expert in public policy. "Even with improvements in the female labour force participation rate in India in the recent years, there are more men working outside in the open environment to meet their household needs. Physically demanding outdoor work, such as construction work, should be halted during heatwaves and those with other outdoor jobs, such as auto rickshaw drivers and gig economy workers, should be provided with adequate relief measures such as shaded parking areas with provisions for drinking water and toilets. Essentially, those who are working outside are more exposed to extreme heat, thereby the more vulnerable gender to death," said Professor Guin. "We believe that the Government should consider offering some form of social support to outdoor workers, particularly low-income workers and those on a daily wage, who may feel they have no option but to turn up to work, whatever the temperature." As to why more people died from the cold, despite winters getting warmer, this could be because the change in temperature wasn't uniform across the country. "While the average winter temperature is increasing, some parts of India are experiencing new lows," says Professor Guin. "These states are not used to cold temperatures and so likely don't have measures in place to deal with them, which could explain why the number of deaths from the cold is rising." A separate analysis of state-level data from 2001-2014, indicates that the three most vulnerable states to extreme heat are Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Andhra Pradesh, on the east coast of Southern India, had the highest death toll from heatstroke followed by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, in the north of the country. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar are the top three states in terms of cold exposure mortality. By conducting this more detailed state-level analysis -- which including monitoring other factors, apart from extreme temperature exposure, to explain mortality -- the research team was able to demonstrate in large urban populations, where more is spent on health, and other social sectors, there were fewer extreme temperature-related deaths. Professor Guin adds: "Should it be surprising that most deaths due extreme temperatures are not being reported from traditionally either the hottest or coldest regions in India? This is likely due to higher adaptative mechanisms that help residents survive the harshest of temperature. On the other hand, states which recorded more extreme temperature-related deaths are likely to have lower adaptive mechanisms and need greater infrastructural and social safety-net support." Co-author, Professor Nandita Bhan, of the Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development at the JGU, say the results show that there is an urgent need to develop and strengthen action plans for individual states. "Several states in India are developing heat action plans that can provide relief through innovative built environment initiatives, and these need study as well as scale-up, including expanding cold action plans across more vulnerable states." Local and simple language should be used to raise awareness about the danger posed by extreme temperatures. The number and quality of night shelters should be increased and living conditions for homeless people improved. Other measures include providing more shade, by for example, covering bus stops and walkways. The health system must also be better prepared and early warning systems need to be improved. "In the future, further research and analytics at sub-national levels, including districts will be able to guide district authorities to make localised intervention plans, including improved early warning systems and enhanced welfare programs," says fellow co-author Keshav Sethi, a doctoral candidate at the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy. "Collecting and collating data on temperature and mortality for a country the size and scale of India is challenging, and initiatives of state agencies to maintain these data archives is commendable. It allowed researchers like us to test our hypotheses and can lead to evidence-informed policy," concludes Professor Bhan. "We are hopeful that our work will lead to a further momentum of collaborations to understand the global and national impacts of climate change on human health." The study's limitations mainly relate to data. The analysis did not include socioeconomic data or information from hospital records and the state-level data only covered 2001 to 2014. Many mitochondrial diseases have been difficult to study and treat due to the inherent challenges in accessing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Now, researchers from Japan have optimized mitochondrial-targeted compounds that can selectively modify the ratio of normal versus mutant mtDNA in patient-derived stem cells. This technology enables the creation of research models with varying mutation loads and demonstrates potential as a therapeutic strategy for reducing mutant mtDNA in patients, offering hope for mitochondrial disease treatment. Mitochondrial diseases affect approximately 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, causing debilitating symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to stroke-like episodes. Some of these conditions result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the genetic material housed in these organelles. For patients with the common m.3243A>G mutation, which can cause MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) and diabetes mellitus, treatments remain limited. A fundamental challenge in mitochondrial disease research is that patients typically have a mix of both normal and mutated mtDNA within their cells. This condition, known as heteroplasmy, makes targeted therapies difficult to develop, as the normal-to-mutated mtDNA ratios can vary greatly from tissue to tissue. Additionally, current basic research into mtDNA mutations faces significant obstacles that stem from a lack of disease models. The complex relationship between mutation load (the percentage of mutated mtDNA) and disease severity remains poorly understood, in part because there are no tools to precisely manipulate heteroplasmy levels in either direction. Without the ability to create cellular models with different mutation loads, scientists cannot effectively study how varying percentages of mutated mtDNA relate to disease manifestation. Against this backdrop, a research team led by Senior Assistant Professor Naoki Yahata from the Department of Developmental Biology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan, has developed a technology that can modify heteroplasmy levels in cultured cells carrying the m.3243A>G mutation. Their paper was made available online on March 20, 2025, and will be published in Volume 36, Issue 2 of the journal Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids on June 10, 2025. It was co-authored by Dr. Yu-ichi Goto from the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry and Dr. Ryuji Hata from Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization. In it, they detail the engineering and use of optimized mtDNA-targeted platinum transcription activator-like effector nucleases (mpTALENs) -- specialized enzymes that can selectively target and cleave specific DNA sequences. The researchers first established cultures of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) containing the m.3243A>G mutation and then designed two versions of their mpTALEN systems: one that targets mutant mtDNA for destruction and another that targets normal mtDNA. This bi-directional approach allowed them to generate cells with mutation loads ranging from as low as 11% to as high as 97%, while still maintaining the cells' ability to differentiate into various tissue types. "Our study is the first to demonstrate an increase in the proportion of pathogenic mutant mtDNA by programmable nuclease," notes Dr. Yahata. Key innovations in their approach included the use of novel non-conventional repeat-variable di-residues and obligate heterodimeric FokI nuclease domains, which enhanced the technology's specificity and reduced unwanted degradation of off-target mtDNA. The team also employed additional techniques, such as uridine supplementation, to establish stable cell lines with different mutation loads, even those that might typically have a growth disadvantage. "Our results demonstrate that our mpTALEN optimization process created a useful tool for altering heteroplasmy levels in m.3243A>G-iPSCs, improving their potential for studying mutation pathology. This enhanced efficiency also holds promise for using mpTALENs in therapeutic strategies for treating patients suffering from m.3243A>G mitochondrial diseases," says Dr. Yahata. Overall, the study represents a significant advancement in mitochondrial medicine for several reasons. First, it provides researchers with multiple isogenic -- otherwise genetically identical -- cell lines that differ only in their level of heteroplasmy. This allows for a precise study of how mutation load affects disease manifestation. Second, it suggests that mpTALEN technology may become therapeutically valuable for reducing mutant mtDNA load in patients. "Our proposed method could be adapted for other mutant mtDNAs and may contribute to understanding their associated pathologies and developing new treatments, potentially benefiting patients with various forms of mitochondrial disease," concludes Dr. Yahata. As Europe increases its reliance on solar energy to meet climate and energy security targets, a growing atmospheric phenomenon is complicating the path forward: Saharan dust. New research presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) shows that mineral dust carried on the wind from North Africa is not only reducing photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation across Europe but also making it harder to predict. In their presentation at EGU25, The shadow of the wind: photovoltaic power generation under Europe's dusty skies, Dr. Gyorgy Varga and collaborators from Hungarian and European institutions reveal how dust-laden skies disrupt PV performance and challenge existing forecasting models. Their work, grounded in field data from more than 46 Saharan dust events between 2019 and 2023, spans both Central Europe (Hungary) and Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece). The Sahara releases billions of tonnes of fine dust into the atmosphere every year, and tens of millions of tonnes reach European skies. These particles scatter and absorb sunlight, reduce irradiance at the surface, and can even promote cloud formation -- all of which degrade PV output. The researchers found that conventional forecasting tools, which use static aerosol climatologies, frequently miss the mark during these events. Instead, the team recommends integrating near-real-time dust load data and aerosol-cloud coupling into forecasting models. This would allow for more reliable scheduling of solar energy and better preparedness for the variability introduced by atmospheric dust. "There's a growing need for dynamic forecasting methods that account for both meteorological and mineralogical factors," says Varga. "Without them, the risk of underperformance and grid instability will only grow as solar becomes a larger part of our energy mix." Beyond atmospheric effects, the team also points out to the long-term impacts of dust on the physical infrastructure of solar panels, including contamination and erosion -- factors that can further reduce efficiency and increase maintenance costs. This research contributes to ongoing efforts in Hungary and the EU to improve climate resilience and renewable energy management. It is supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (FK138692), the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and the EU-funded National Multidisciplinary Laboratory for Climate Change. Swarms of earthquakes have been jolting southern Italy with increasing intensity since 2022, threatening hundreds of thousands of people living atop a volcanic area known as Campi Flegrei, where the land experiences slow vertical movements. While authorities debate disaster responses and evacuation protocols, researchers may have found a way to thwart the cyclic unrest altogether: by managing water runoff or lowering groundwater levels, thus reducing fluid pressure within the geothermal reservoir. Through subsurface imaging and lab experiments, Stanford scientists have shown how pressure buildup from water and vapor in the reservoir under Campi Flegrei can lead to earthquakes when the caprock, or lid, seals. The research, published in Science Advances on May 2, shows that the recurrence of an overpressured reservoir was behind deformation and seismicity in the early 1980s and again over the past 15 years, ultimately leading to the identification of the underlying mechanism. The findings challenge a widely held theory that shaking is driven by magma or its gases rising to shallower depth -- when melt from a deep melt zone moves upward into the upper subsurface under the volcanic area. They also reveal how the rate at which water gradually recharges the reservoir influences the rate of deformation and changes in the height of the land. "To address the problem, we can manage surface runoff and water flow, or even reduce pressure by withdrawing fluids from wells," said senior study author Tiziana Vanorio, an associate professor of Earth and planetary sciences at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. The researchers analyzed recurring patterns and common characteristics in the imaging of subsurface structures and earthquakes from Campi Flegrei's two most recent periods of unrest. Characterized by land uplift and burst-like shaking, accompanied by rumbling sounds that have become a signature feature for the population, scientists suspect this activity signals steam-driven explosions, triggered when liquid water rapidly flashes to steam during fracturing caused by earthquakes. The study includes data from the unrest of 1982-1984 and 2011-2024. "We have been looking at something that occurred decades apart, but there are profound similarities in the imaging, which point not only to a cyclical pattern of the phenomenon but also to a common underlying cause," said co-author Grazia De Landro, a researcher at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, and visiting scholar at Stanford. "From there started the idea to work together, especially looking at rock physics. Using rock physics is the only way to say something quantitative about the imaging of the subsurface." The Campi Flegrei volcanic area hosts a capped geothermal reservoir beneath the town of Pozzuoli, west of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The area has been continuously monitored since the unrest in 1982-1984, when the land rose more than 6 feet and Pozzuoli's harbor became so shallow that ships could no longer dock. After that, a magnitude-4 earthquake and thousands of microquakes prompted the evacuation of 40,000 people from Pozzuoli. "It's been a challenge for the last three years. Many buildings have been damaged by the continuous shaking, and some people don't have homes," said Vanorio, who grew up in Pozzuoli and was forced to evacuate in the 1980s. "This project is my goal as a citizen now, not just as a geophysicist, because the study suggests that unrest can be managed, rather than just monitored, opening the way to prevention." Land that 'breathes' Campi Flegrei is an 8-mile-wide caldera, a vast depression formed by major eruptions about 39,000 and 15,000 years ago, which caused the collapse of Earth's surface. The caldera experiences uplift and subsidence, with the land rising and sinking, even without an eruption. After the unrest in 1982-1984, the area sank by about 3 feet. For subsidence to occur, mass must be released from the subsurface, which can include magma, water, vapor, and carbon dioxide. Residents of Pozzuoli note the way the caldera "breathes," emitting fumes and moving the ground, sometimes meters up or down over a short time. Historically, the uplift in volcanic areas has been widely accepted as being linked to magma-related refilling processes, which assumes magma and/or its gases are primary drivers of deformation and then earthquakes -- but this may not always be the case, according to the study's findings. While some researchers began exploring the relationship between precipitation and seismicity in the last decade, the study clarifies that it's not the rainfall itself, but rather the pressure resulting from the slow but steady accumulation of water in a sealed reservoir that leads to fracturing -- and, consequently, shaking, Vanorio said. "We know that annual variation in rainfall has been increasing over the last 24 years, so what needs to be monitored is the level of groundwater accumulating in the subsurface, or ensuring the direct channeling of water runoff," Vanorio added. A closed system One notable feature of Campi Flegrei is the fibrous nature of the caprock atop the geothermal reservoir. Fibrous materials are used in engineering for structural reinforcement, as they can deform without immediately fracturing. They can accumulate strain, which in the volcanic system could eventually be released through a sudden eruption of superheated water, steam, and volcanic ash. The researchers examined 24 years of rainfall patterns, the directions of subsurface water flow, and the process of caprock sealing to understand the recharge of the geothermal reservoir and its pressure buildup. In Vanorio's Rock Physics and Geomaterials Lab, they demonstrated how cracks in the caprock seal through interactions of the rock's minerals with hydrothermal water and steam. To test the caprock's characteristics, the study authors conducted experiments using a hydrothermal vessel that functions like a tool familiar to many Italians: a moka pot, or stovetop espresso maker. They filled the bottom chamber with brine and the top with volcanic ash and crushed rocks typical of Campi Flegrei, then heated the vessel to the temperature found in the geothermal reservoir. Within a day, mineral fibers formed, and cracks in the rock layer rapidly sealed through cementation. This creates a closed system that allows fluid pressure to build up until it fractures the surrounding rock. Fracturing from earthquakes causes a sudden drop in fluid pressure as liquid water flashes into steam and escapes. "That produces explosive bursts and booming sounds typical of the area," Vanorio said. The researchers applied multiple disciplines to reveal how Campi Flegrei operates as a closed system, including tomography of the subsurface, which De Landro carried out using earthquake records to construct images of the subsurface that can be analyzed like a CT scan. "Imaging the subsurface through geophysical methods is like an old-fashioned doorbell: It tells us that someone is ringing at the door, but it doesn't say who it is. Thus, the interpretation of tomography images must be tested in the laboratory -- that's what makes this collaboration between seismology and rock physics so powerful," Vanorio said. A new model Analyses of the tomography along with the location and reach of earthquakes contributed to the researchers' theory that recurrent rumbling may not be driven by magma refill or emission of gases from the system. During both episodes of unrest, earthquakes began within the caprock at a relatively shallow depth of around 1 mile. "After the visualization of the temporal evolution of earthquakes you can see a very clear pattern -- the earthquakes deepen over time," said co-author Tianyang Guo, a postdoctoral scholar in Earth and planetary sciences who combined earthquake data from the two episodes for visual interpretation. If magma or its gases rising to shallower depths were the primary driver of unrest, we would expect the opposite pattern -- earthquakes starting closer to the deeper melt region, about 5 miles below the surface, and progressively becoming shallower over time, according to the researchers. Furthermore, magma rising without an eruption cannot explain subsidence following the unrest, Vanorio said. A plausible explanation for subsidence is the observed discharge of water and vapor after fracturing from seismic activity, which naturally releases pressure within the reservoir. With their new model of Campi Flegrei's inner workings, the researchers hope to communicate the mechanisms that cause unrest in the simmering system to local Italian government officials. "I call it a perfect storm of geology -- you have all the ingredients to have the storm: the burner of the system -- the molten magma, the fuel in the geothermal reservoir, and the lid," Vanorio said. "We can't act on the burner but we do have the power to manage the fuel. By restoring water channels, monitoring groundwater, and managing reservoir pressure, we can shift Earth sciences toward a more proactive approach -- like preventive health care -- to detect risks early and prevent unrest before it unfolds. That's how science serves society." Davide Geremia, a former postdoctoral scholar in Vanorio's lab, is a co-author of the study. Despite a long history of traditional medicinal use in the United States, the collection, consumption and efficacy of the peculiar forest plant aptly named ghost pipe, scientific name Monotropa uniflora, remains a mystery. Now, with social media and the internet driving a resurgence in the harvest and economic trade of the parasitic species -- which appears strangely white because it is devoid of chlorophyl -- a research team from Penn State has taken the first step toward documenting its new status. "This study is the first to scientifically document use of ghost pipe in North America, along with the growing influence of social media and the internet on how and why people are turning to ghost pipe as a medicinal plant," said team leader and senior author on the study Eric Burkhart, teaching professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "As a wild harvested species, little has been documented about its use throughout the U.S. and any growing conservation needs. This study helps to inform future research and education efforts so that consumer safety and wild conservation efforts can both be appropriately targeted and aligned." In findings recently published in Economic Botany, the researchers reported the results of a digital survey they conducted within the United States asking participants whether they have foraged, consumed or prescribed ghost pipe. The results showed that social media and the internet were the primary source of information and learning for respondents. Notably, respondents overwhelmingly reported consuming ghost pipe in tincture form and for pain management. Both findings appear to be recent developments, Burkhart said, as there is limited indication from the historical record that ghost pipe was prepared and used in these ways. The survey received responses from 489 individuals. Most respondents -- 96% -- identified as a consumer of ghost pipe, and 87% identified as a forager or both. While pain management was the most commonly reported reason for consuming ghost pipe, survey respondents reported that they ingested ghost pipe for a myriad of reasons, including as a sedative to help them sleep, enhance relaxation, deal with depression or grief, ease anxiety or trauma, lessen eye irritation and reduce symptoms of alcohol or opiate withdrawal. These results suggest that the internet has emerged as an important platform not only for learning and sharing ghost pipe ethnobotany, the study of the relationship between people and plants, but also for developing new traditions and practices, according to study first author Savannah Anez, a doctoral degree candidate in plant biology. The survey results highlight the contemporary need to understand ghost pipe ethnobotany in the context of an increasingly influential digital world, she suggested. "We use the term 'digital ethnobotany' to refer to ethnobotany within a virtual environment, leveraging new technology to study the relationship between people and plants, while also exploring the development of traditional knowledge and practices within the digital spaces themselves," Anez said. Ghost pipe is a parasite to mycorrhizal fungi in forest soils -- meaning that it draws nutrients from those fungi, while those fungi in turn are connected to trees in the forest in a symbiotic relationship, Anez explained. She pointed out that ghost pipe is one of thousands of traditional medicinal plants around the world with a documented ethnobotanical use that has not had its specific biochemistry studied. Traditional medicinal plants have historically been excellent sources for drug discovery, she said, so this is a massive biochemical frontier just waiting to be explored. Anez explained that she is trying to fill that knowledge gap through her dissertation work characterizing the specific chemistry and bioactivity of ghost pipe. Her goal is to identify the specific pain-relieving compounds in the plant. One research project currently underway is a study of ghost pipe's pain-relieving effects in mice, which she said has produced promising preliminary results. She was recently awarded a F31 Predoctoral Fellowship through the National Institutes of Health that will fund her investigation of ghost pipe as a potential pain reliever through 2027. "We need to determine whether or not it has potential as a novel therapeutic or medicine," she said. "We have acquired a lot of the chemistry data already but given that plant extracts are a complex mix of thousands of compounds, we need more medicinal activity data to be able to identify the specific compound(s) responsible for pain relief -- finding the actual 'smoking gun' is the challenge. Because ghost pipe siphons nutrients from an underground fungal network it shares with trees, the question of its bioactivity and biochemistry is also more complex than a typical medicinal plant." Joshua Kellogg, assistant professor in veterinary and biomedical sciences, contributed to the study. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wild Resource Conservation Program. KHARTOUM, May 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 300 people were killed in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of Al-Nuhood in West Kordofan State, southwestern Sudan, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. A ministry statement said the attacks occurred over the past two days and accused the RSF of committing "crimes against humanity," with the killings "carried out on an ethnic basis." The ministry also reiterated its call for the United Nations Security Council and other international actors to end what it called "leniency" toward the RSF's actions. Preliminary Committee of the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate, an independent humanitarian group, also confirmed the death toll of over 300, including 15 women and 21 children. The RSF has not yet commented on the allegations. On Friday, the RSF announced it had taken control of Al-Nuhood, seizing the headquarters of the Sudanese army's 18th Infantry Division in the city after clashes between the two sides. The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF, which started in mid-April 2023, has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 15 million people, and left Sudan facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations. The country's healthcare system has collapsed, and UN agencies warn that Sudan is on the brink of famine. Accurate casualty figures are difficult to verify, with war monitors estimating the death toll between 30,000 and 150,000. SANAA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel in the morning. "We targeted Ben Gurion Airport, using a hypersonic ballistic missile that successfully hit its target," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "American and Israeli defense systems failed to intercept the missile," he said. In the statement, Sarea noted that the group also launched a drone attack Saturday night aimed at a "vital target" in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel. He stressed that the Houthi group would launch more attacks against Israel until "the war against the Gaza Strip stops, and the humanitarian aid is allowed back into the Palestinian enclave." On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces reported on the social media platform X that sirens sounded across central Israel after a projectile was fired from Yemen. The attack prompted millions of residents to flee to shelters and safe rooms in the morning hours. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service reported that a man sustained moderate-to-light injuries in his limbs during the incident, while two women and another man suffered light injuries. According to a video released by the Israeli police, the explosion caused by the Houthi missile left a crater measuring several meters in depth and width in the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport. Israel's Airports Authority said takeoffs and landings were suspended for about an hour before operations resumed. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced the arrest of a man on Staten Island who faces charges of sex crimes in Queens. Uzbekistan national Ulugbek Davronov, 21, was apprehended in the borough on April 28, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The suspect lives on Oberlin Street in South Beach, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. The agencys New York City Fugitive Operations officers and Homeland Security Investigations special agents were among the participants in the targeted operation, according to the news release. U.S. Border Patrol encountered Davronov on Dec. 28, 2022, near Lukeville, Arizona, after authorities allege he illegally entered the United States from Mexico, according to the news release. Border Patrol officials arrested him and began removal proceedings. On July 28, 2023, an immigration judge ordered Davronov removed in absentia from the United States. Davronov was arrested on Feb. 19 and initially processed in the 112th Precinct in Queens, according to the news release and public records. ICE New York City identified Davronov as a criminal alien amenable to removal and lodged an immigration detainer with Queens Central Booking that same day, the news release stated about proceedings on Feb. 19. The following day, Queens County Central Booking released him without honoring the request or notifying ICE of his release. The defendant pleaded not guilty on Feb. 20 in state Criminal Court in Queens to charges that included rape in the third degree, sexual abuse in the third degree, attempted assault in the third degree, and sexual misconduct. He was released on non-monetary conditions and is due back in Criminal Court in Queens on May 22, according to public records. An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dozens of Travis residents lined up along Victory Boulevard on Saturday, hoisting signs, banners and the American flag while voicing their concerns over a battery energy storage system proposed for construction in the middle of their mostly residential community. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Dozens of Travis residents lined up along Victory Blvd. on Saturday, hoisting signs, banners and the American flag while voicing their concerns over a battery energy storage system proposed for construction in the middle of their mostly residential community. New York State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa and artist and political activist Scott LoBaido rallied the crowd. I will join you every step of the way, Sliwa shouted. You must fight, fight, fight. Not on Staten Island. Not in your backyard. Artist and political activist Scott LoBaido rallies the crowd at the protest as mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa looks on. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- They didnt break ground here yet, LoBaido chimed in. Thats why we must be vigilant and keep making noise. Dont give up, dont give in. The protest, organized by Pirozzolo, a Republican serving the Mid-Island, focused on a $300 million project planned for an eight-acre plot of land at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Ridgefield Avenue. Called Swiftsure and developed by utility-scale energy storage operator Hecate Energy, the battery storage site would be capable of storing enough energy to power 500,000 homes. Rozina and Javier Vasquez, who live within a few blocks of the proposed battery energy storage site, hold signs in protest of the facility. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- It is slated for construction at 3861 Victory Blvd. on the site of a vacant lot located within an M1-1 zoning district a multiple use area containing manufacturing, commercial and community facilities so no zoning actions are required to facilitate its construction. And residents are fearful of the environmental dangers associated with the project. A technology that uses a group of batteries to store electrical energy, allowing the energy to be released later when needed, the storage system sites commonly referred to as BESS essentially act as backup power sources for homes or the grid, particularly during peak demand or power outages. They are often used in conjunction with renewable energy sources like solar power. This does not belong here, said Gina Cambria, who lives just a few blocks from the site. If theres a fire, the pollutants in the air will be toxic. This is too close to our homes. Travis residents who came out for the protest said they are fearful of the environmental dangers associated with the project. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- Hecate Energy, which announced its intentions for the site in 2023, was recently denied an extension to submit a legally required decommissioning plan after missing the filing deadline by approximately 200 days. According to a letter issued by the secretary of the New York State Public Service Commission, Hecate must now present the request directly to the commission itself. The project was originally co-developed with Hecate Grid now Fullmark Energy but according to a rep for Fullmark, that company stepped away from the project nearly two years ago and is no longer involved. Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, in white shirt holding the banner, helped organize the protest. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- We have to make enough noise so that this project is stopped in its tracks, said Pirozzolo, who noted that he is in the process of setting up a meeting with the commissioner of the Public Service Commission. Thats why were all gathered here today. The project is just one of many lithium-ion powered storage sites planned for the borough. Im involved in stopping these sites in Queens and Brooklyn and when I tell residents there that Staten Island is slated to get 38 of them, no one can believe it, Sliwa said. But its no big surprise because the city has treated this borough as a literal dumping ground for years. Traffic crawled along Victory Boulevard as mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa spoke to the crowd. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- And while Sliwa admits hes not opposed to the sites themselves, saying there is a need for them, his concerns are focused on their placement in residential zones. You see what happened in Moss Landing, he said, referencing a major fire that erupted at a battery energy storage site in California this past January. Those fires burned for days, and entire towns had to be evacuated,' he said. Were setting ourselves up for a mini-Chernobyl here thats what these BESS sites are. Sliwa was referring to the catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in the Ukraine in 1986. Dozens of Travis residents lined up along Victory Boulevard on Saturday, hoisting signs, banners and the American flag while voicing their concerns over a battery energy storage system proposed for construction in the middle of their mostly residential community. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- Developers and green energy proponents tout the lithium-ion structures which started popping up in several NYC neighborhoods in 2022 as quiet neighbors that are a necessary agent for renewable change. They are designed to remove pressure from the citys stressed grid. "Please don't make Travis a trash heap." Residents waved signs and chanted "not in my backyard" during the protest. (Advance/SILive | Jessica Jones- But over the past two years, borough residents and local officials have voiced their concerns about their siting. Community Boards voted against their proximity to bakeries and storefronts and elected officials issued a moratorium on applications filed within residential districts. In one instance, an energy developer retracted plans to place batteries in a Bulls Head church parking lot. by Xinhua writer He Fei BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- In the stately Conference Building at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, a 65-inch-tall resplendent bronze vessel gleams under soft light, its cloisonne enamel blazing in vibrant Chinese red. The "Zun of Peace," presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2015 as a special gift for the United Nations' 70th anniversary, is not merely a delicate artifact. It embodies the aspiration and conviction of the Chinese people to seek peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes, Xi said at its unveiling. A decade later, as the top Chinese leader travels to Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, his presence both carries the weight of history and reaffirms a vision of the future. Leading a nation always aspiring for peace and harmony in its long history and further strengthened by its battles against militarism, imperialism and fascism in its recent past, Xi commands a unique insight into the value of peace, and has steadfastly championed the building of a peaceful world, a cause of great urgency given the tensions and conflicts on the global landscape today. ASPIRATION FOR PEACE Xi sees history as a mirror from which humanity should draw lessons to avoid repeating past calamities. This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in what is commonly known in China as the World Anti-Fascist War or, more globally, as World War II. Almost every part of the world was involved, and more than 100 million were killed or wounded in what was described as the most destructive conflict in human history. The bravery and tremendous sacrifice of the Chinese people played a decisive role in defeating Fascist Japan and offered strategic support to the Allies on the European and Pacific battlefields. "History has told us to stay on high alert against war, which, like a demon and nightmare, would bring disaster and pain to the people," Xi once said. "History has also told us to preserve peace with great care, as peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when people are benefiting from it, but none of us can live without it." This historical observation features prominently in Xi's unrelenting pursuit of peace. He has repeatedly reiterated China's commitment to peaceful development, pledging that China will never seek hegemony, expansion or any sphere of influence, no matter how strong it may grow. During a 2014 visit to France, Xi reshaped Napoleon's metaphor of China as a "sleeping lion" that would shake the world upon awakening. "Now China the lion has awakened. But it is a peaceful, amicable and civilized lion," Xi said when illustrating the peaceful dimension of the Chinese Dream. Xi's philosophy stems from the millennia-old Chinese culture. An avid reader of traditional Chinese classics, he once expounded how ancient Chinese wisdom views war and peace by quoting "The Art of War," a Chinese classic written more than 2,000 years ago. The book's key message "is that every effort should be made to prevent a war and great caution must be exercised when it comes to fighting a war," Xi said when delivering a keynote speech in the UN Office at Geneva in 2017. Xi's view on prudence in warfare is also reflected in his exchanges with foreign leaders and officials. "It has long been known that the real experts on military affairs do not want to employ military means to solve issues," he quoted a Chinese aphorism when meeting with then U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Beijing in 2018. A clear manifestation of Xi's reflection is to cherish history and honor heroes. "A nation of hope cannot be without heroes," Xi once said. Every year since 2014, Xi has paid tribute to China's fallen heroes on Martyrs' Day, which falls on Sept. 30, a day ahead of the country's National Day. In 2015, when China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its victory in World War II, Xi presented medals to Chinese veterans and representatives from Russia and other countries who assisted Chinese soldiers on the battlefields. Nikolai Chuikov, the grandson of Soviet General Marshal Vasily Chuikov, was among those who received a peace medal from Xi. "Of all the honors I have won, I hold the highest regard for the peace medal," he said. TORCH OF MULTILATERALISM Under Xi's leadership, China has adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace, played an active role in UN peacekeeping missions, and solidified its friendships and partnerships with countries worldwide. As hegemonism and protectionism once again rear their ugly heads, the world is gripped by an increasingly intricate array of challenges and uncertainties. In Xi's eyes, the only way out is to practice true multilateralism. He once compared multilateralism to a torch that can light up humanity's way forward. The Chinese president has consistently urged the international community to safeguard the UN-centered international system forged in the aftermath of World War II and anchored by international law. "We must promote multilateralism, the core essence of which is that international affairs should be decided through consultation among all countries, rather than by one country or a few countries," he said. Xi, a staunch champion of true multilateralism, has guided China over the years in taking a proactive and constructive role in addressing regional and global hot-button issues. To end the Ukraine crisis at an early date, Xi has put forward a four-point proposal, emphasizing that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected; the purposes and principles of the UN Charter observed; the legitimate security concerns of all countries given due regard; and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis supported. Under Xi's leadership, China has conducted shuttle diplomacy and mediation efforts to promote peace talks and initiated the "Friends of Peace" group with Brazil and other Global South countries on the Ukraine crisis at the United Nations. Regarding the Middle East, the Chinese president has promoted peace and stability in the volatile region. With China's mediation, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed in March 2023 to restore diplomatic relations after a seven-year hiatus. In the lead-up to the negotiations, Xi talked separately with the leaders of both countries. During a phone call with Xi soon after the breakthrough was achieved, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud applauded China's increasingly important and constructive role in regional and international affairs. In face of the gathering gloom of conflict on the horizon, Xi has championed a transformative approach to collective security. In May 2014, he articulated a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security for Asia. Eight years later, he presented the Global Security Initiative to the world. "We, as humanity, are living in an indivisible security community," he said, advocating dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win outcomes over zero-sum approaches. "GOLDEN KEY" OF DEVELOPMENT Lasting world peace remains one of humanity's greatest aspirations. For Xi, peace and development are inseparable. He once observed that the tree of peace does not grow on barren land, and the fruit of development is not produced amid flames of war. In view of the interlocked relations, Xi insists that the "golden key" to a secure and stable future is to advance sustainable development. Since assuming China's presidency, Xi has positioned development as a pillar of his vision of building a better future for humankind. The initiatives he has proposed in this regard, notably the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, serve as bridges to foster common development through broader collaboration. China has provided development aid to over 160 countries, and Belt and Road cooperation has involved more than 150 countries. Under the Global Development Initiative, China has mobilized nearly 20 billion U.S. dollars of development funds and launched more than 1,100 projects, fueling growth and modernization drives in many countries, particularly developing ones. "China is sharing its development experience with other countries through its development initiatives, which have helped to promote common development," said Straton Habyarimana, a Rwandan economic analyst. "Since these initiatives are people-centered, they address key challenges such as food insecurity and poverty" and have helped ease tensions among countries, he added. UPDATE OF WORLD ORDER Nestled by the Huangpu River in Shanghai, the New Development Bank was founded by five BRICS countries in 2014 to provide financing support for member countries to bolster transport infrastructure, clean energy and digital infrastructure. When Xi visited the bank a few days ago, he saw more than a mere financial institution. He described it as a "pioneering initiative for the unity and self-improvement of the Global South," underscoring an enduring commitment to building a more just and equitable international order. BRICS countries stand at the forefront of the Global South. Xi has personally pushed for the BRICS' historic expansion in 2023 to create stronger unity among the Global South. The expansion, he said, would further strengthen the forces for world peace and development. Developing countries remain underrepresented in the global governance system, which the West has long dominated. China maintains that only when the rise of emerging markets and developing countries is reflected in the global governance system will global development be more balanced and global peace more firmly based. During the 2022 Group of 20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Xi vocally supported the African Union in joining the leading multilateral mechanism, making China the earliest and most vocal champion for amplifying Africa's voice in global governance. In recent years, Xi has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative as key global public goods to create a more just and equitable global governance system. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who received the "Zun of Peace" from the Chinese president on behalf of the United Nations 10 years ago, said China's initiatives to promote global peace and development are inseparable from Xi's foresight. "China is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage, and Xi has demonstrated proactive and crucial leadership," Ban said. "He always believes that China can only do well when the world is doing well, and when China does well, the world will get even better." In Xi's own words, "every increase of China's strength is an increase of the prospects of world peace." Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a man for questioning in relation to a pellet-gun assault of a woman with a baby on Friday, May 2, in South Beach. (Courtesy of the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying an individual sought for questioning in connection to the Staten Island pellet-gun assault of a woman as she carried a baby. On Friday, May 2, at around 7 p.m., an individual discharged a pellet gun from inside a silver sedan in the vicinity of Jerome Road and Benton Avenue, in Dongan Hills, striking the 42-year-old female victim in the back as she held a 2-month-old female baby, according to the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The unidentified individual fled westbound on Evergreen Avenue, according to police. The victim refused medical attention and is in stable condition, police said. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. Days before giving him the heave-ho, President Donald Trump last week forced a final humiliation on National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The diss came as Trump was getting set to board Air Force One to fly to an event in Michigan, the Daily Beast reported. Waltz had just visited Joint Base Andrews in Maryland with the president when they landed in the Marine One presidential helicopter. But video shows that as Waltz moved toward the stairs to board Air Force One with a briefcase in his hand, he was prevented from doing so. The soon-to-be-ex NSA is then seen speaking to a Trump aide who pointed him in a different direction, the suggestion being that Waltz would not be flying aboard the presidential jet. The video then shows Waltz looking on as other Trump staffers boarded Air Force One. Citing White House sources, the Daily Beast reported that it was odd that Waltz had been left stranded on the tarmac. But the White House told CNN that Waltz had not been scheduled to go with Trump to Michigan in the first place. After being let go as national security advisor, Waltz has now been nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The Waltz firing is the first major shakeup of the second Trump administration. Waltz was fired amid controversy over the Signalgate scandal. Waltz had accidentally added a magazine editor to a highly sensitive, top-level group chat on the Signal app about military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen last month. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily serve as national security advisor in addition to his other administration duties. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! The Japanese call it wabi-sabi, the art of imperfection. Architect Oliver Du Puy has perfected a touch of that sensibility in a gutted apartment in Sydneys trendy Surry Hills. Theres beauty in imperfections that creates a sense of timelessness, says Du Puy, pointing out some of the finishes, such as the micro cement, in the walls of the two-bedroom pad. Having worked in Japan, Du Puy acknowledges his views are shaped by architect Kazuo Shinohara, who declared a house is a work of art. Before being gutted, the space was used by a creative agency which carved up the original detailing and internal areas with a series of partitions. Credit: Tom Ross Set across an entire 220-square-metre level, the residence sits below the award-winning Droga apartment, a sinuous structure clad in aluminium tiles designed by Durbach Block Jaggers and completed in 1997 that is now considered a landmark in the hood. Du Puys footprint, occupying the early 20th-century building below, is far more recessive, with steel-framed windows set into the brown bricks. The building itself has a colourful history, including being used as a squat for a number of years and, from what Im told, this apartment was scene to a number of rave parties, Du Puy says. The boys at upstart pollster Redbridge Group, whove never met a microphone they didnt love, have become a staple of election night coverage. The bipartisan one-two punch of former Labor hack Kos Samaras and the Liberals ex-deputy director in Victoria Tony Barry were among a seemingly endless gallery of experts called on to grace the ABCs election night coverage. The public broadcaster loves the pairs psephological insights. Barry, it seems, does not love the public broadcaster back. After the dust settled, Barry fired up Facebook to post a happy snap on set with the ABCs uber-industrious Patricia Karvelas, followed by comments lashing Auntys election night broadcast. Tony Barry (right) on the ABC election night panel with Kos Samaras and Patricia Karvelas. Credit: ABC The ABCs coverage was beyond woeful, just 6 hours of shallow analysis, Barry wrote. My brother in Christ, you were the ABC coverage! Parents are being cautioned against falling for the myth that eye exercises can treat children struggling with reading, as experts warn the unproven treatments are a waste of money that could harm students academic progress. Eye and vision exercises, using coloured lenses, wearing weak glasses and even hopping on one leg towards a target are among the therapies advocated by a branch of optometry known as behavioural optometry, which links eye tracking issues to reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Eye tracking problems have nothing to do with reading disorders, ophthalmologists say. The claims have prompted the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists to warn that the unfounded theory could lead to a delay in accessing evidence-based treatments for children with dyslexia, and compromise their capacity to learn to read. Sydney-based paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Maree Flaherty undertook a review of literature following concerns raised by college members that parents were receiving incorrect advice and that their children were participating in unproven treatments. Flaherty found the eye tracking theory was not supported by evidence. Two of Sydneys most prestigious private schools will phase out co-education in their junior campuses, bucking the trend of independent schools shifting to having girls and boys taught together. Eastern suburbs school Kincoppal-Rose Bay, which is co-ed in primary and a single-sex girls school from year 7, told parents last week it will stop accepting boys in its junior school. In a letter to families, principal Erica Thomas said the school had for years struggled to secure significant numbers of boys at its primary campus, known as Barat-Burn, despite offering kindergarten scholarships. Kincoppal-Rose Bay told parents last week it will phase out co-education in its junior school, Barat-Burn. Credit: Louie Douvis Kincoppal, an independent Catholic school, first enrolled boys in its junior school in 1914. Thomas said the final intake of boys entering kindergarten will be in 2028. TEHRAN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Saturday condemned a drone attack, allegedly carried out by Israel, on a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. He referred to an incident reported by the international non-governmental organization Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which said its Gaza aid ship "Conscience" was bombed by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta early on Friday, blaming the strike on Israel. In a statement released by his ministry, Baghaei said the attack on the ship was carried out in line with Israel's plan against the Palestinians and to ensure the continuation of the Gaza aid blockade, calling it "a clear crime against Palestinians and a terrorist action against maritime security and safety." He stressed that depriving Gaza residents, particularly children, women, and the wounded, of food, water, and medicines was considered "a clear instance of war crimes and crimes against humanity." Baghaei also described the United States and other supporters of Israel as accomplices in "these crimes," voicing Iran's solidarity with the "oppressed" Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. On Friday, Malta's government confirmed that maritime authorities had received a distress call from a vessel outside the country's territorial waters and offered immediate assistance. Local media said the vessel's crew members were rescued, with no injuries reported. The media reports noted that an Israeli military aircraft hovered around Malta hours before the vessel was attacked. Israel has not officially commented on the incident or related reports so far. Anthony Albaneses stunning victory on Saturday night propels him into the empyrean of all-time Labor heroes. Since World War II, Australians have voted to change the government eight times. While every new government was re-elected, it always lost ground at the subsequent election. Albaneses first-term government not only increased its majority; it won in a landslide. Albanese is only the fourth Labor prime minister to have won two elections: he is now in the company of Andrew Fisher, Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke (who won four). But this win was bigger than any of theirs: Labors majority over the Coalition will be about 50 seats. Anthony Albaneses election win is bigger than any of Bob Hawkes four victories. Credit: Marija Ercegovac By the end of the new parliament, Albanese will have become Labors second-longest serving prime minister one election away from overtaking Hawke as its longest. After this win, his authority within his party will be greater than that of any prime minister since John Howard. In the zero-sum game of politics, the magnitude of Labors success is the measure of the Liberal Partys failure. As polling day approached, however, two things became clear to voters. Firstly, that some economic indicators showed the country was on the cusp of cost-of-living improvement and that its incumbent government was taking the problem seriously. A Reserve Bank rate cut helped with that. Australia would follow the path of other nations such as the US, or so the theory went, and expel the ruling party to send a message to those in power about their priorities. In the lead up to the election, the commentariat collectively wondered whether the incumbent government could survive the wrath of an electorate fuming about the cost of housing, groceries and essential services. The opposition and others in this campaign appear to have forgotten a basic truth about Australian voters: they reject divisive politics, they will not be fooled by culture wars, they do not endorse hatred or division. They are people of reason who consistently shun extremes. They do not allow political parties to enter the mainstream unless they demonstrate they can conform to the cliche of governing from the sensible centre. In seeking their new leader and charting a new course, the Liberal Party must take heed of this fact. By re-electing the Albanese government with a much larger majority and all but expelling the Liberal Party from the nations largest cities, Australians have sent an unmistakable message to the Coalition. It says that a mirroring of the Trumpian approach is not something they want in their country. They do not want a prime minister so easily distracted by fear and division as Peter Dutton was during this election campaign. They will not be fooled by a leader who overstates Melbournes crime wave by suggesting the simple act of going to the shops has become a perilous journey. They see through tough talk on immigration that comes without detailed explanation. They do not want a leader who engages in culture warfare against Welcome to Country ceremonies and public servants who work from home. At the time of writing, the Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was set to be returned with a sizeable majority of at least 85 seats in the nations 150-seat lower house, leaving the Coalition with less than half of that in electorates around the country, some of which are Nationals seats in rural areas. Although some results may not be decided for days, it is possible the Liberal Party could be left without a single seat in metropolitan Melbourne. Senior Labor senator Murray Watt has praised the leadership of Anthony Albanese and the success of the party in Queensland, as the government is on track to gain at least seven seats in the state. Loading Labor beat the Greens in the electorates of Brisbane and Griffith, with Stephen Bates and Max Chandler-Mather expected to lose their positions. Challenger Ali France unseated Peter Dutton in his home seat of Dickson too. People did really focus on the federal issues and the federal leaders we recognised that we needed to make a bigger contribution to the federal caucus, and frankly to retain government federally we needed to win seats in Queensland, Watt said on ABCs Afternoon Briefing. Watt compared Labors success on Saturday to the 2007 win under Kevin Rudd, saying there are probably even more seats to be added to the governments majority. I think this is the best federal campaign Labor has run since 2007, and it looks like the result might be stronger still than then, Watt said. A terrific result. Full credit to the prime minister for his leadership. Its taken a lot of hard work. It hasnt been an overnight success. The Coalition would also win back Curtin from a teal independent and two inner-city Brisbane seats from the Greens, the MP predicted. OK, the MP conceded, the Coalition could lose a single seat. This result, a net gain of 18 seats, would amount to a stunning repudiation of Labor and put Dutton in the box seat to form a minority government. Seats we will win, the MP texted a press gallery journalist as he rattled off 19 electorates the Coalition would pick up on May 3. Among them, a handful of previously safe Labor seats such as Gorton and McEwen in Melbourne, Werriwa in Sydney and Whitlam on the NSW South Coast. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Coalition frontbenchers feeling pleased with themselves during the final question time of the 47th parliament. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Sitting behind Dutton on the opposition backbench, a Liberal MP was feeling bullish about the chances of a Coalition victory. The prime minister has caused a lot of pain to Australian families over the last three years, Dutton said. Looking down at Albanese from across the dispatch box, he dared him to match the Coalitions fuel excise promise. Cleverly, his team had released its big policy a pledge to halve petrol excise for a year that morning so it didnt get overshadowed by news of Albanese launching the campaign. Peter Dutton was full of bravado as he rose to grill Anthony Albanese on what everyone in Parliament House knew would be the final question time before the election. It was March 27, and the opposition leader was a few hours away from delivering one of the most important speeches of his life: a budget reply address on the eve of an election being called. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. But not everyone was in the thick of it. The topic would need to be addressed some time before the election, but some shadow ministers believe the timing reeked of overconfidence. Adding to the argument, some Coalition frontbenchers were already talking about getting rid of particular departmental secretaries. Brash texting was not the only sign of hubris. At the first shadow cabinet meeting of the year in late January, Dutton and his frontbenchers began discussing their statements of expectations. These are the letters new ministers send to their departments outlining policies and directions. As for Anthony Albanese, it was a comeback from poll doldrums that will secure his place in Labor legend as the first prime minister to win back-to-back elections for the party since Bob Hawke. The cocksure MP held on to his seat on Saturday night, but at least a dozen of his colleagues did not as the Coalition flamed out in its worst-ever defeat . Among those who will not return to parliament: Peter Dutton, who lost the Brisbane seat of Dickson he had held since 2001. At best, three of the MPs predicted 19 gains will prove correct, but they will be swamped by Liberal losses that few saw coming. By February, reputable polls showed the Coalition on track to win 73 seats and possibly as many as 80. A majority of Australians were predicting a Dutton prime ministership, and rich-listers were courting him. In February, they thought they were going to win based on the numbers, so they decided to go small target, says Andrew Carswell, Scott Morrisons former media boss. Backbenchers and other MPs felt there were two personas to the Dutton operation: the man himself, who would always respond to a text and hear out an idea even from a more moderate Liberal, and his office, which many found stand-offish, controlling and unwilling to collaborate. Duttons team became known in some quarters as the f--- em crew for its propensity to brawl with a perceived enemy, be it the media or moderate forces in the party. Shadow ministers were regularly left in the dark about timing and tactics, with only the leadership group of six MPs in the loop alongside Duttons chief of staff, Alex Dalgleish, and media boss Nicole Chant. MPs and candidates across the country, including some shadow ministers, said the circle of trust around Dutton was always small and narrowed as the term went on. The Coalitions apparent political dominance had a Wizard of Oz quality. Pull back the curtain and there wasnt much there. As they soared in the polls, the Dutton teams policy platform was stuck together with Blu Tack and sticky tape. Coalition and Labor insiders agree that the Coalitions disastrous result was a catastrophe months in the making. Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says the party let expectations of victory spin out of control. Enthusiasm gets ahead of history when people believe youll have a one-term government. Weve only had one in the history of Australia, Joyce says. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Michaelia Cash and Dutton at the Mount Pleasant Bowling Club in Perth one of the few sightings of Price during the opposition leaders campaign. Credit: James Brickwood On January 25, four days after Trumps inauguration, Dutton appointed Jacinta Nampijinpa Price the Coalitions shadow minister for government efficiency, a role with an unmissable link to Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) razor gang. A week later, shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash praised Trump as a man of action, promising Australians theyll get the exact same attitude under a Peter Dutton government. In a dire sign for Albanese, centre-left governments were swamped by a rising tide of conservative populism a trend exemplified by Donald Trumps remarkable return to the White House after winning the popular vote. The other side saw Trump and thought this is where the world is going, a Labor insider says. They got complacent. The global winds seemed to be blowing the Coalitions way. Governments around the world were being turfed from office as incumbency became a curse. Even the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed for almost the entire period since World War II, lost its majority in October . The trend continued this year with the defeat of German chancellor Olaf Scholz . Dutton spruiked the policy for the first week of the campaign but faced relentless questions about details from the press pack. Each day, Dutton teased that it was coming. Details had been revealed only two days earlier by Duttons office to key shadow MPs, including Angus Taylor, Ted OBrien and Susan McDonald. The policy previously agreed on by shadow cabinet, and briefed out to energy companies, was to force gas companies to reserve gas only from future projects, minimising sovereign risk. The policy that was announced, requiring gas producers to divert up to 20 per cent of existing export supplies, sparked a furious reaction from industry over a lack of consultation. Some shadow ministers had major issues with the new plan. The MP continues: We cautiously trusted them at the time. But it became obvious nearer to the campaign that that work was not actually done and that we believed we could win the election without a proper economic agenda. Another Coalition MP offers: We had party room meetings in the back end of last year when we were assured the work had been done and the policy was there waiting to be announced. Dutton was saying we were at various points ready to announce things, but it made more sense to allow Labor to keep f---ing up. We didnt do the work, a Coalition MP despairs, summing up a widely held view among colleagues. We havent had a serious small business or industrial relations policy. Or tax policy. Or anything on investment or cutting regulation. The reason the modelling was late is because it didnt exist, an exasperated Coalition MP explains. It was effectively retrofitted. Campaign chaos Throughout the campaign, Dutton insisted that the partys internal polling showed a closer result than polls published in the mainstream media. Three days out from election day, the Coalitions pollster recorded a national primary vote of 37 per cent. The election results show the party currently languishing on a primary vote of just 32 per cent. In the lead-up to polling day, former Liberal MP turned Dutton adviser Jamie Briggs was confidently telling associates that, based on internal polling, there was no need to worry about marginal Liberal-held seats such as Sturt in Adelaide. In the end, Labor picked up the seat easily with a 7 per cent swing. It was definitely wrong, a Liberal frontbencher says of the partys polling. We spent millions of dollars on it and will be keen to know what went wrong. Filling his cup: Peter Dutton kept going back to service stations during the campaign. Credit: James Brickwood Tough questions are being asked about the Coalitions shambolic candidate-vetting process. The partys 2022 review identified this as a flaw, but the problems were as bad three years later. The Liberals had to jettison their candidate for Whitlam in week one of the campaign because of problematic remarks about women in combat roles. Labors dirt unit continued to dig up embarrassing stories about Liberal candidates, but little mud was hurled the other way. We were preparing for a deluge of shit that never came, a shocked Labor insider says. Duttons economic woes were apparent with his first big offering of the year: a policy to allow small and medium businesses to claim $20,000 of meals for staff each year on tax. The sop to the small business lobby was hardly a major reform and did not address workers cost-of-living worries. Loading Albanese and Chalmers could barely contain their glee as they ridiculed the oppositions long lunch policy. The opposition refused to release costings for the policy for weeks, allowing the government to use Treasury resources to produce inflated estimates of its impact. The slapdash approach to policy formulation continued to hobble the Coalition throughout the campaign. In January, this masthead reported that Dutton would go to the election without a policy to cut income taxes because the budget could not afford such generosity. He held firm when Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced a modest tax cut for all Australians in the budget, vowing to repeal the measure if elected. It was a remarkable move for a party that prides itself as the party of low taxes and aspiration. Chalmers would reflect on election night that he could not believe the Coalition had handed Labor such a political gift. In the words of his hero Paul Keating, he had been hit in the arse by a rainbow. Aware that Labor had outplayed the Coalition on tax, Dutton announced a one-off $1200 tax offset in his election launch speech on April 13. This involved spending $10 billion of taxpayer money on a single year of relief. Yet the details of the policy were formulated on the fly. Critical details such as the amount of the offsets and cost to the budget were finalised in the hours before the announcement was sent to journalists. Hugely expensive, the policy essentially vanished from the Coalition campaign after a few days. The Labor Partys research found it sank without a trace. The economic team let us down, a Liberal MP says. Theyve been hopeless. Angus [Taylor] had three years to do a tax policy and never came up with anything. Loading Another MP agrees: Very little was coming out of the economic team of Angus and Jane [Hume]. We had far too little focus and MPs without requisite firepower in health, education and other key domestic areas. The Coalitions gyrations over public service policy created the most confusion. Nationals leader David Littleproud declared in August that the first thing well do is sack those 36,000 public servants in Canberra, indicating the move would produce $24 billion in savings. By March, the Coalition was talking about culling 41,000 public servants, but the savings were revised down to $10 billion. It was then clarified that there would be no forced sackings just a hiring freeze and natural attrition. Days later, campaign spokesman James Paterson said voluntary redundancies were also included in the Coalitions costings. When the costings came out on Thursday, however, there was no mention of redundancies. This came on top of the policy to force public servants to return to the office full-time. Announced by finance spokeswoman Jane Hume in a speech to a Liberal-aligned think tank at the start of March, this would be such a fiasco it had to be dumped in the second week of the campaign. Even more so than the proposal to build nuclear power plants, the policy proved radioactive with voters especially professional women, who have become accustomed to the flexibility of working from home sometimes. Even Labor MPs admit they did not initially realise how much the issue would resonate beyond Canberra. It developed organically, a senior Labor operative says. Our candidates were hearing it on the doors and it started showing up in our research. The narrative spread throughout the community that the Liberals were against working from home. No defence Then there was defence policy, supposedly a Coalition strength. Dutton could not match Labors tax cuts because the Coalition had committed to spending substantially more on the nations military as China flexed its muscles in the Indo-Pacific. The plan to boost defence spending to 3 per cent of gross domestic product within a decade had been in the works for at least five months, yet was only released in the penultimate week of the campaign. The press release, distributed to journalists as newspaper deadlines approached, was a flimsy document with no plan for what the extra money would be spent on or a cogent rationale for why it was required. Liberal MPs were shocked to be asked to sell $21 billion in extra spending over five years without telling voters what they would deliver. The late release of the policy shone a spotlight on the dysfunctional relationship between Dutton and his defence spokesman, Andrew Hastie. The former special forces troop commander had spoken openly to confidantes about his desire to serve in a different portfolio to broaden his image beyond defence. Dutton, however, kept him in place a move, some Liberal MPs believed, was aimed at thwarting Hastie as a potential leadership rival. Dutton and Andrew Hastie announce the Coalitions defence promises very late in the campaign. Credit: James Brickwood Dutton has fallen out with Taylor, with Hastie. Sussan Ley is frozen out, a Liberal MP says. Dutton has been very distant from his colleagues. The party never managed to broaden Duttons image from the one-dimensional hardman reputation he had developed as immigration, home affairs and defence minister. A Liberal social media attack early in the campaign showed Albanese wearing three different outfits in a day including a suit and some more sporty and less formal ensembles and asked how he could be trusted. Our people should have been looking at that and learning! an angry Liberal MP says. All Peter wore for the entire campaign was boring blue suits. He started to take off his tie only later in the campaign at fuel stops. Duttons softer side never came through, as he focused on blokey environments like breweries and manufacturing plants. Liberal MPs, past and present, are in shock about the political incompetence on display throughout the campaign. The lack of message discipline has been remarkable, a former Liberal MP remarked on the eve of the election, despairing at the absence of simple stop the boats soundbites Tony Abbott deployed. Ill be f---ed if I know what the Coalition message is, Im baffled. It took until the seventh day of campaigning for Dutton to visit a service station to highlight his fuel excise policy. He tried to make up for this with 17 petrol station visits before polling day, but crucial time had been lost. A major week one announcement on funding for a rail link from Melbourne Airport to the city was in a scene worthy of Veep announced at a bucolic winery nowhere near the airport or railway. The Coalition wasnt ready to campaign, let alone to govern. Born ready On the day after Duttons budget reply speech, Albanese walked into the prime ministers courtyard to prorogue the parliament and launch the election campaign. Before the cameras started rolling, one of the reporters asked if he was ready. I was born ready, Albanese replied, displaying the swagger he would display throughout the campaign. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made Medicare key to his re-election pitch. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen It was confidence born of preparation. Labor insiders trace their comeback to the end of October, when Labor boss Paul Erickson addressed a meeting of the ministry at Melbournes Commonwealth Parliament Offices. Despite Albaneses insistence the government would serve a full term, a January election was a real possibility and Labor wanted to be ready to campaign. Erickson presented research showing voters believed Dutton was reckless and arrogant even though he was riding high in polls. Key to flipping the script, he argued, would be to turn Medicare into a cost-of-living argument, and using healthcare to portray Dutton as a risk to living standards. The strategy had been set. By early January, Albanese had unfurled Labors Building Australias future slogan and launched a campaign-style blitz of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia as a test run. Loading The prime minister all but gave up alcohol at the beginning of the year, besides a rare beer, to keep his mind sharp for the gruelling months ahead. And while Dutton began the year with his work lunches policy, Albanese was determined to turn Labors traditional advantage on health into an election-winning issue. Labors headquarters made a call to go early with its centrepiece Medicare spending announcement in February, a month before the election was called. The strategic call from the leadership and from the party was: youve got to get out, a senior Labor source says. You cant release your forward offer, your platform for re-election, during the campaign. Its too late. People will need to digest it and in this era its much harder to communicate with voters; communication is so atomised. Political professionals use the phrase the grid to describe the issues they want to campaign on. We staked out our ground early and stuck to our grid relentlessly, a Labor operative says. We knew they would try to talk about culture wars and immigration to blow us off course, but we were disciplined. Albaneses first stop of the campaign was an urgent care clinic in Dickson; his final site visit before voting day was to one in Longman. He whipped out his Medicare card countless times during the campaign, when he announced the election, and in delivering his victory speech. Paired with this positive message was a relentlessly negative campaign to brand Dutton as unelectable. In workshopping meetings in the weeks leading up to the election, one Labor operative suggested Cuttin Dutton as a campaign slogan. This was wisely rejected for the He cuts, you pay line, which allowed Labor to highlight both Duttons nuclear power policy and potential cuts to government services. Labors campaign stretched the boundaries of truth to the limit, including the false claim that the Coalition would cut existing Medicare urgent care clinics. Coalition MPs are now bemoaning that they took too long to call out Labors lies, but this attack line had been coming for months, indeed years. An attack on Duttons health record was not just foreseeable but inevitable given he tried to introduce a GP co-payment when he was health minister. Although few would notice it until the campaign began, Albanese made a concerted effort to sharpen up his rhetoric and cut back on the woolly, long-winded answers he had become known for. While Dutton engaged in pointless sparring with the press pack, Albanese masterfully conducted his campaign doorstops. Labor insiders stress Albaneses campaign was not a cult of sycophants. On Labors morning campaign strategy call, senior ministers such as Penny Wong and Tony Burke would challenge Albanese in robust conversations. Loading Ministers such as Wong, Jim Chalmers, Don Farrell and Katy Gallagher travelled with Albanese during the campaign to provide counsel, alongside veteran operatives such as principal private secretary David Epstein and media chief Fiona Sugden. By election day, Albanese was confidently predicting Labor would pick up Dickson, a call many dismissed as bluster. After watching the early vote returns at Kirribilli House with a small number of staff, his partner Jodie, son Nathan and Wong, he headed to the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, where the faithful cheered as it became clear Labor had dramatically expanded its majority. Albanese soaked up the atmosphere for hours with Labor staff, party boss Paul Erickson and Ericksons wife, Dimity Paul, a senior ministerial adviser who had just had the couples first child. After months of near sobriety, Albanese allowed himself to relax and enjoy some beers. The discipline, the grind, the travel: it had all been worth it. Duttons parliamentary career was over, and Albaneses prime ministership was about to begin again. Read more on Labors landslide election win Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. A wave of red and teal has recast the NSW electoral map, with the Liberals and Nationals set to hold fewer than a third of the states federal seats. The Coalition parties could be reduced to just 12 of the states 46 federal electorates six Liberal and six National after Labors victory on Saturday. Independent Nicolette Boele is ahead in the seat of Bradfield. Credit: Steven Siewert The ALP snatched the Liberal seats of Banks and Hughes while teal independent Nicolette Boele is ahead in the north shore electorate of Bradfield, once considered a Liberal stronghold. The Nationals lost the regional seat of Calare to former National-turned-independent Andrew Gee. Saturdays electoral earthquake has effectively banished federal Liberals to Sydneys outer suburban pockets. Instead, he is now the first Labor prime minister to be elected to a second term this century. He is the first Australian PM of any stripe to win a second term since John Howard. Loading More particularly, he has dispatched Liberal leader Peter Dutton to the political graveyard and reduced the Liberal Nationals coalition to what, when all the counting is done, may be the most catastrophic election defeat suffered by any party since Federation. This is more consequential than Paul Keatings sweetest victory of all in 1993, when Keating surprised just about everyone including, possibly, himself when he defeated the Liberals surging John Hewson. It was a stunning result, but it was Keatings only election win as prime minister. Saturdays triumph for Albanese and his team cannot be dismissed as freakish. It comes three years after Albanese vaulted to the prime ministership after delivering to the government of Scott Morrison what the Liberal Partys own review judged to be the partys most serious loss in history. Two crushing defeats of the Liberal Party in a row, then. That record alone lifts Albanese high on the pantheon of all-time Labor heroes. We might reasonably note, of course, that Morrison and Dutton didnt help themselves or their party. Morrison was not much more than a showman propped up by arrogance. Dutton was a servant of a range of perceived grievances from those who thought the anti-woke populism of Donald Trump would be his map to power. It should not be forgotten that in 2018, Duttons colleagues had doubts about his leadership qualities: they chose Morrison over him when he challenged for the leadership. Now Australias voters, in the space of three years, have passed their own harsh judgments on both of them. They were duds, the tally board shows. Meanwhile, Albanese was clearly judged the more secure leader in insecure times despite a political environment poisoned by a cost-of-living and housing crisis and a trade outlook promising only Trump-induced volatility. Albaneses two election victories have killed stone dead the Liberals old boast that the voters accept that only they, the Liberals, know how to run an economy. Duttons choice not to match Albaneses slim tax cuts has also put to bed the other boast that the Liberals are the champions of lower taxes. Those cost-of-living and housing crises remain serious problems for the Albanese government, but the opposition has dealt itself out of the solutions for now way out into the political wilderness. Bob Hawke won four elections on the trot, partly because his winning ways caused the Liberal Party to squirm through leadership turmoil, chopping and changing between Andrew Peacock and John Howard. Senator Michaelia Cash says Canning MP Andrew Hastie is a future leader of the Liberal Party but that it was ultimately up to him whether he wanted to put his hand up. As the dust settles on the Coalitions extraordinary election defeat, the party will need to elect a new leader following its former leader Peter Duttons defeat in his own seat of Dickson. Dutton and Hastie at a campaign press conference last week. Credit: James Brickwood Hastie has been named a contender but has not revealed his intentions. Speaking upon her return to the state, Cash said leadership discussions will take place over the next few days. West Palm Beach, Florida: US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated photo showing himself as the pope ahead of this weeks gathering of cardinals to choose a new leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church, and just days after he joked he would like to be pope. Trump, who is not a Catholic and does not attend church regularly, posted the image on his Truth Social platform late on Friday, Florida time, less than a week after attending the funeral of Pope Francis, who died at 88 last month. The White House then reposted it on its official X account. The image shows an unsmiling Trump seated in an ornate chair, dressed in white papal vestments and headdress, with his right forefinger raised. The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christs vicar on earth. We have read your recent and passionate condemnation of the deeply offensive and racist remarks made by Dutch MP Thierry Baudet. We commend your courage in speaking out so clearly against colonial rhetoric, demographic engineering, and the degrading idea that the Caribbean is still up for repopulation or exploitation. What you now condemn as a colonial fantasy for St. Maarten has been the lived, painful reality for Bonaire since 2010. Baudets statements are not a new threatthey are simply a blunt expression of a policy direction that has already been silently executed in Bonaire, with devastating consequences. Since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles and the forced annexation of Bonaire as a territorial public entity of the Netherlands, we have endured: -A 400% rise in immigration, with Dutch Europeans granted voting rights in local election and referendum after 90 days after arrival - The displacement of the native Bonairean population, reduced from approximately 80% in 2010 to less than 30% today - Loss of land, economic access, political voicelessness and cultural identity, as Dutch law overrides local governance. A process that amounts to ethnic and cultural erasure, framed as modernization. While the world hears your strong words against recolonization, we have been living the outcomes of it for over a decadenot as speculation, but as everyday reality. In 2015, the people of Bonaire overwhelmingly rejected this imposed status in a democratic referendum. Yet that clear voice of self-determination was ignored. Our democratic will was dismissed. Instead of being treated as partners in the Kingdom, we were expelled from the Kingdom Charter aka Statuut framework, left with no protection or recognition under its legal or political structure. Shockingly, this exclusion from the Statuut was agreed upon not only by the Netherlands, but with the cooperation or acquiescenceor silenceof our Caribbean partners: St. Maarten, Curacao, and Aruba. While they continue to operate as autonomous countries under the Charter, Bonaire was effectively cast out of the Statuut and subjected to the full force of unilateral Dutch rule. Silence becomes complicity? Prime Minister Mercelina, we must also address what many across the Caribbean witnessed with concern: your role last October as Chair of a United Nations session during the "Pact of the Future" summit. We, with UN ECOSOC Consultative Status, witnessed firsthand how your presence was used to project an image of Caribbean inclusion and harmony in the Kingdom yet while you chaired that meeting, Bonaire and its people were being systematically erased its people displaced, its democratic will denied, under policies that mirror Baudets ideology in practice, if not in language. This creates confusion and even false legitimacy in the eyes of UN Member states, experts and the international community. When a Caribbean Prime Minister appears to endorse the image of a harmonious Kingdom, while sister islands are being recolonized and depopulated, the result is misrepresentation of the truth and undermines our struggle. We urge you to extend your voice to those already suffering under the very policies Baudet now dares to say aloud. Acknowledge the human rights crisis in Bonaire, and use your position to speak the full truth for all Caribbean peoples in the Kingdom. Sincerely, with respect and hope, as a native Bonerian who has survived three assassination attempts and unlawful imprisonment, I call on St. Maarten, Curacao, and Aruba to unite with us in the name of justice. James Finies, Bonaire Human Rights Organization Bonaire Human Rights Organization Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar 26 Kralendijk, Bonaire PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM);--- On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Government of Sint Maarten will observe National Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) like the other countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. During this National Commemoration Day, all Dutch victims civilians and soldiers who have been killed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War (WWII) are commemorated. This years theme is 80 Years of Freedom as the year 2025 marks 80 years since the ending of WWII. The regular commemoration ceremony, taking place at the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg, will feature several key elements including an opening prayer by Reverend Astrigt Hermelijn and the official wreath laying ceremony by His Excellency the Governor Ajamu Baly, the Honorable President of Parliament Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, and the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina. Following the wreath laying, the Last Post will be played, succeeded by two minutes of silence after the tolling of the bells. This segment will conclude with the Dutch Anthem and Sint Maarten Song. Additionally, the top management of various uniformed troops Police, Marines, Sint Maarten Voluntary Corps (VKS), and the Marechaussee will jointly lay a wreath in honor of the fallen. As has become tradition, two distinguished guests, Mrs. Elsje Bosch and Mrs. Bernadine van Veen, wife of the late Mr. Gerard van Veen, have been invited. Both Bosch and Gerard van Veen experienced World War II during their childhoods. The two ladies will lay a wreath on behalf of all the children affected by the fight for freedom over the years. This year Mr. Jahfier Marlin, student at the Milton Peters College and a member of the Youth Parliament, will present a poem written by drs. Mrs. Egstorf-Pantophlet from her book A different Stick o Fire, World War Two in the Caribbean, fragments of a forgotten Legacy. Pathfinder Ms. Moriah Steward will read an excerpt written by Mrs. Elsje Bosch, describing her personal emotions and experiences during World War II. Trumpetist Wilfred Phelipa will accompany the ceremony with his musical performances. Furthermore, all invited guests will have the opportunity to lay a single flower at the War Memorial Monument, which bears the names of World War II victims primarily from Sint Maarten. The public is encouraged to attend to attend the ceremony, which will commence with a march by uniformed law enforcement and military groups beginning at the front of the Courthouse to the Captain Hodge Wharf. The event will also be rebroadcasted on social media. Special thanks go out to the Port Sint Maarten Group of Companies (PSG) for annually facilitating this event. Business owners are reminded to fly their flags at half-mast and each citizen is encouraged to honor a period of two minutes of silence, which is considered throughout the Dutch Caribbean at around 6:00 p.m. The general public that wish to attend can do so by latest 5:30 p.m. before the official start of the ceremony at 6:00 p.m. The public is hereby notified that the roads leading to and the access to the Captain Hodge Wharf will be closed off for vehicles in the late afternoon of Sunday, May 4, 2025. SANAA/JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday claimed responsibility for a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel in the morning. "We targeted Ben Gurion Airport, using a hypersonic ballistic missile that successfully hit its target," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired live on Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "American and Israeli defense systems failed to intercept the missile," he said. Sarea warned international airlines against sending flights to the Israeli airport, declaring it "no longer safe for air navigation." In the statement, Sarea noted the group also launched a drone attack Saturday night aimed at a "vital target" in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel. He stressed that the Houthi group would launch more attacks against Israel until "the war against the Gaza Strip stops, and the humanitarian aid is allowed back into the Palestinian enclave." On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said on the social media platform X that sirens sounded across central Israel after a projectile was fired from Yemen. The attack prompted millions of residents to flee to shelters and safe rooms in the morning hours. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service reported that a man sustained moderate-to-light injuries in his limbs during the incident, while two women and another man suffered light injuries. According to a video released by the Israeli police, the explosion caused by the Houthi missile left a crater measuring several meters in depth and width in the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport. Israel's Airports Authority said takeoffs and landings were suspended for about an hour before operations resumed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to retaliate strongly shortly after the attack, warning in a statement, "Whoever strikes us will be struck sevenfold," without elaborating. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a security assessment meeting to discuss the attack, his office said. Senior security officials told Israel's state-owned Kan TV News that following the Houthi strike near Tel Aviv, Israel intends to respond with force, adding that Israel had refrained from attacking the Houthis at the request of its ally, the United States, which has been leading intense airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-March. "After the strike on Ben Gurion Airport, we no longer consider ourselves under any limitations," an unnamed Israeli official said. Yemen has conducted a series of missile and drone launches toward Israel over the weekend, most of them intercepted. However, Israeli and American missile defense systems failed to intercept the missile fired at Ben Gurion, the busiest airport in the country. Several international airlines canceled or diverted flights following the incident. Air Europa, SWISS, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, and Brussels Airlines have canceled all inbound and outbound flights to and from Israel. The Houthis have intensified missile and drone launches toward Israel in recent weeks, amid renewed U.S. airstrikes on their positions in Yemen. The Houthi forces, who control much of northern Yemen, have been targeting Israel since November 2023 in what they describe as an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. The group has repeatedly said it would halt its attacks if the U.S. hostilities cease and Israel ends its military campaign and blockade against Gaza. OHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- International Firefighters Day (IFFD) is observed on May 4 or the first Sunday in May to honor firefighters for their service, remember firefighters who lost their lives during service to their country. Fire Chief Clive Richardson would like to wish Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin firefighters the community fire service department and the airport fire service - Happy International Firefighters Day, and to thank them, and honor them for their dedicated service to the community as emergency service workers. Firefighters dedicate their lives to protect life and property within the community. I would also like to recognize firefighters who have retired and served their community to the best of their ability while in service promoting public safety first, Fire Chief Clive Richardson said on Sunday. Fire services around the world observe the day by sounding off at noon where they stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by firefighters and fire sirens sound for 30 seconds followed by a minutes silence in memory of, and respect for, all firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty or passed on before us. The date chosen for International Firefighters Day was linked to the feast day of St Florian (the patron saint of all firefighters). St Florian was the first known commander of one firefighting squad in the Roman Empire. He lost his life, as well as those of his colleagues, for protecting the same humane ideas which firefighters all over the world share even today. Firefighters in most of the European countries celebrate their day on 4th of May as a Day of Fire Service as well as St. Florians Day. This date is also known as St Florians Day worldwide and has been a tradition for more than 150 years in Europe. Those seeking information can contact the Fire Department at 542-1215, 542-1217, 542-6001 or in case of an emergency call 919. The Fire Department falls under the Ministry of General Affairs. Japan, China accuse each other of airspace 'violation' near disputed islands Beijing, May 4 (AFP) May 04, 2025 Tokyo and Beijing exchanged diplomatic protests, each accusing the other of "violating" national airspace, after a Chinese helicopter and coast guard vessels faced off with a Japanese aircraft around disputed islands. The islands in the East China Sea -- known as the Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan -- are administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing and are a frequent hotspot in bilateral tensions. China's foreign ministry said in a statement Sunday it had lodged "solemn representations" with the Japanese embassy's chief minister after "a civilian aircraft intruded into the airspace of the Diaoyu Islands", calling it an "illegal infringement activity". A day earlier, the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement that its vice minister lodged "a strong protest" with the Chinese ambassador to Japan "over the intrusion of four China Coast Guard vessels into Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands". The vice minister also protested "the violation of Japan's territorial airspace by a helicopter launched from one of the China Coast Guard vessels, strongly urging (China) to ensure that similar acts do not recur". Japan's defence ministry said the helicopter flew within Japanese airspace for about 15 minutes on Saturday near the Senkaku islands. "The Self-Defence Forces responded by scrambling fighter jets," the ministry said. Public broadcaster NHK and other local media reported that this is the first time a Chinese government helicopter violated the Japanese airspace off the disputed islands. China's coast guard on Saturday announced it had used a helicopter to "expel" a Japanese aeroplane from airspace around the disputed islands. Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China's coast guard, said a Japanese civilian aircraft "illegally entered" the airspace of the islands at 11:19 am (0219 GMT) and left five minutes later. Beijing frequently announces it has driven Japanese vessels and aircraft away from the islands, but Japanese officials have told AFP that Chinese authorities sometimes announce expulsions when none have occurred. Unnamed Japanese officials told local media that Beijing was possibly reacting to a small Japanese civilian aircraft flying near the islands. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea have routinely staged dangerous face-offs around disputed islands. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have driven Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. GAZA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a new video on Saturday showing a hostage who appeared to have been injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. The footage showed masked militants inside an underground tunnel, shouting at the distressed-looking hostage. "I am hostage number 24. We were bombed after the ceasefire ended, and we escaped death. That's why we went down into the tunnels. We were bombed again while underground," the captive said in the video. The hostage criticized the strategy of the Israeli government, which he blamed for his current ordeal. "My health is critical. There's no access to medication, and seeking medical help is impossible. I don't know what happened to my colleague," he added. The individual urged Israelis to protest and pressure Netanyahu's administration to agree to a prisoner swap for his release and the other Israeli captives. Israeli public broadcaster Kan identified the hostage as Maxim Herkin, who has been held in Gaza. This is the second video of Herkin released by Hamas. Responding to Ms Hendersons concerns about lifting her eldest daughter and her buggy up and down the stairs, an issue she stated would be made worse once she had her baby, the officer wrote: Issues such as the buggy being too heavy have to be resolved as you reside at the address and as circumstances change over time. You have stated that you feel it is unsafe to leave your daughter at the top or bottom of the stairs while you arrange to take the buggy up but there remains the option to securely place your daughter in one of the rooms while you go back to retrieve the buggy. Asked about possible links to the Iranian state, she said: These are major operations that have taken place and the ongoing investigation is immensely important, and of course it involves Iranian nationals in both investigations and we are supporting the police and the security agencies in the investigations that they are taking and the security assessments that they are doing. If anything happens, its a very worrying thing for the whole world, not just for us, because if anything happens, they are both holding nuclear weapons. Mr Montgomerie, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK in December citing frustration over immigration policies, highlighted broader issues during the debate, stating: "One good thing about having a new party is it will ask difficult questions. There's no legacy of vested interests, and there is a real issue. I think Britain is one of the most tolerant countries in the world, and there always needs to be more progress on racial issues, there always needs to be more progress. But it's not so much the amount of money that is spent on employing diversity officers. You talk to a lot of civil servants, the amount of time they now have to spend monitoring this issue, above all others, is [extraordinary]." 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 BAGHDAD, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Two Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and an Iraqi security member injured on Sunday in clashes north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a security source said. The clashes erupted when a joint force carried out an operation to hunt down IS militants in the Tarmiyah area, some 40 km north of Baghdad, Major Essam Yahya of the Baghdad Police Command told Xinhua. Yahya said the clashes resulted in the killing of two IS militants and the injury of a security member, adding that the operation continued as forces searched for the remaining militants. While Iraq declared victory over the IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. 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 for the next 2 days. A heat event is expected this weekend. 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: Today to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. Additional information: Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### 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. 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The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said the latest incident is yet another escalation and a setback to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, which has suffered from repeated gross violations in recent weeks. "RJMEC, therefore, urges the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to expeditiously and thoroughly investigate the incident," the monitors said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. According to the MSF, the Saturday aerial assault resulted in the loss of at least seven lives, multiple injuries, and the destruction of infrastructure and crucial medical supplies. The RJMEC urged the warring parties to respect the peace deal, which explicitly prohibits any attacks on unarmed civilians and humanitarian agencies. "Such violent actions not only breach the terms of the agreement but also undermine ongoing efforts to build lasting peace and stability through constructive and inclusive political dialogue," it said. Meanwhile, the RJMEC appealed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to provide logistical support to the CTSAMVM to complete the investigation. The prefect of Bucharest, Mugur-Mihai Toader, declared that he voted for Romania and its future, for a democratic president, who will take the state forward on the Euro-Atlantic path, informs Agerpres. "I voted for Romania, I voted for a deeply democratic president, a president who will have the desire, the will, the ability to empower the votes of all Romanians in the country, from outside the country (...) therefore, to empower Romanians to lead Romania (...) forward on the European path, on the Euro-Atlantic path, which is, in fact, the only option that can guarantee our development from all points of view and on all levels: economic, social, including national security", Mugur-Mihai Toader said on Sunday for AGERPRES. He mentioned that he opted for a "calm and politically experienced" president. "In a word, I voted for Romania and for the future of this country," added the prefect of the capital. Those who expressed their choice at the ballot box sent a gesture of hope, the candidate of the ''Romania, Forward!'' Electoral Alliance, Crin Antonescu said on Sunday evening after exit polls, informs Agerpres. He said that victory in the election is not decided by exit polls. "We are waiting to count every vote", he stressed. Crin Antonescu thanked the Romanians who voted, describing this right as "a gesture of responsibility, a democratic gesture and a gesture of hope". At the same time, the candidate of the ''Romania, Forward!'' Electoral Alliance stressed the need for unity. "Democracy means a battle, sometimes taken to the maximum, but it is a battle of ideas, in which we must never forget that we are fellow citizens, that we are sons of the same country and that at the end of a battle we will all have to move forward together", Crin Antonescu pointed out. The Minister of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Simona Bucura Oprescu, stated on Sunday, after leaving the polls, that she voted with the children of Romania in mind, informs Agerpres. "I voted with the conviction that Romania's path can only be forward, in Europe and in the Euro-Atlantic space, while preserving its roots, traditions, values. I voted with our children in mind, vote too!", the minister of Labor wrote on Facebook. Simona Bucura Oprescu specified that she voted at home, in the village of Valea Popii in Arges County. Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church (BOR) voted on Sunday afternoon in the first round of the presidential election rerun, informs Agerpres. Daniel arrived around 17:30hrs ay the polling station set up at the Ienachita Vacarescu Secondary School in Bucharest, where he exercised his right to vote, he Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate reports. As of 18:00hrs EEST on Sunday, 7,813,254 voters voted in the first round of the presidential election rerun, making up 43.44% of the voters on the electoral rolls, according to data provided in real time by the Standing Electoral Authority (AEP). Who and where: From left: Jean Siudzinski of Barnhart, Bill and Barb Winston of Washington, Missouri, Jayne Siudzinski of St. Louis, and Jeff Siudzinski of Barnhart in Taormina, Sicily, with Mount Etna in the background. The trip: They traveled to Sicily for the Siudzinskis sons wedding. Travel tip: Be sure to visit the town of Castelmola. Its a small, quaint town thats known for its almond wine. Its highest point gives you a beautiful 360-degree view of Sicily. Contribute: Email your photo to stlpost@gmail.com. Include the full names of everyone in the photo, including where they are from and where you are standing in the photo. Also include your address and phone number. Please also tell us a little about the trip and a travel tip. Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today As the names and scholarships flashed across the screen, two words kept drawing my attention: Bright Flight. Thats the name of the Missouri higher education scholarship my daughter and other Lafayette High School seniors earned. It was senior awards night in the high school gymnasium, and students finishing their K-12 education were being honored for various accomplishments. My thoughts turned to Ken Jacob. This is an occupational hazard that often annoys my wife. Well be at an event and my attention will seem to shift elsewhere, with my face glazed over as I ponder an idea that popped into my head. Shell poke me and ask: Youre writing a column, arent you? So it often is. Back to Ken Jacob. In 1986, he was a Democratic state representative from Columbia, home of the University of Missouri. University leaders were worried about a trend: many of the highest-performing high school students in Missouri were heading out of state for college. The Bright Flight scholarship was created to counter that trend. At its inception, it awarded up to $2,000 to the top 3% of Missouri graduating seniors, based on ACT or SAT scores. When Jacobs bill was passed, and signed by Gov. John Ashcroft, a Republican, it had an immediate impact. In 1985, the year before the bill was passed, about two-thirds of the states highest-performing students left Missouri for college. In 1987, the first year the Bright Flight scholarships were awarded, 62% of those students chose to stay in the state. But back then, tuition at any of the in-state public schools in Missouri was less than $2,000. The scholarship covered the full cost of tuition. In the nearly four decades since, state support for higher education in Missouri, as a percentage of the overall state budget, has gone down. And tuition has gone sky high. In 1990, for instance, just four years after the Bright Flight bill was passed, the University of Missouri-Columbia received 70% of its funding from the state. The student share of revenue, measured by tuition, was 27%. In the decades since, those numbers have flipped. In 2022, tuition made up 62% of the universitys revenue; state funding was only 30%. This isnt just a Missouri problem. Nationally, the student share of the cost of higher education doubled from 20% to 40% between 1980 and 2023. Unfortunately, Missouris historically poor per-capita support for higher education between 47th and 49th in the nation, depending on whos doing the counting makes the problem worse than in other states. What that means in practice is that all of Missouris scholarship programs, those for academics and those for financial need, dont produce nearly as much bang for the buck as they used to. Bright Flight, Access Missouri and the A+ program all suffer from underfunding, meaning the promises made when the Missouri Legislature created those programs are no longer fulfilled. A year ago, Fred Hall, a former curator at Mizzou, called me to lament the situation. Government should be the great equalizer by giving those with fewer resources equal opportunity, Hall said. Instead, low funding with higher tuition means a denial to those who currently have dreams but no means. Every year, the Republicans who control the General Assembly seem to celebrate minor bumps in higher education funding while also talking about further diminishing the states tax base, so that there will never be an opportunity to reverse Missouris race to the bottom. A Bright Flight scholarship that once covered full tuition at a state university now offers up to $1,000 for students like my daughter, which is less than 10% of the yearly tuition at a state institution. Mizzou now costs more than $14,000 a year for a full-time student (not including housing expenses) while the states scholarship program is stuck in 1986. Its no wonder that student debt in the past two decades has more than doubled, with parents and students owing more than $1.6 trillion because loans are the only way many people can fund higher education. As I sat in the gymnasium applauding the accomplishments of my daughter and her friends, many of whom will attend college out of state, I took a break from the parental pride to lament Missouris new reality. Bright Flight has become just two words on a screen rather than a promise made from one generation to the next. ST. LOUIS Police on Sunday identified a man found dead last week in north St. Louis as 22-year-old Anthony Conner of north St. Louis County. Conner, who is said to have lived in the 9800 block of Glen Owen Drive, was one of two people found dead in the College Hill neighborhood on Tuesday morning. The first body, a woman yet to be identified, was found at about 7:50 a.m. inside an abandoned building in the 2100 block of East Grand Boulevard, police have said. The building once housed a church. Then, about an hour later, police officers investigating her death fanned out to talk to neighbors and found Conners body about two blocks away, in the 1900 block of East Obear Avenue. He had been shot multiple times. Someone in the area had called 911 about 6:45 a.m., saying a woman was possibly being followed or attacked in the 2100 block of East Grand. But when patrol officers responded, they didnt find anything. Then, about an hour later, someone called to report the womans body in the old church. An investigation into the deaths remains ongoing. This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows a cordoned-off area near Ben Gurion International Airport after a missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said two people were injured due to the blast and a third person was hurt while running for shelter. Two others were treated for anxiety, the service said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. "Several attempts were made to intercept the missile," a military spokesperson said. "A fall was identified in the area of Ben Gurion Airport." Footage circulating on social media showed the missile hitting a road leading to Terminal 3, the airport's main terminal for international travel, with a large cloud of black smoke rising overhead. Other media reported that the missile created a crater dozens of meters wide and deep. The Israel Airports Authority said all departures and landings were temporarily suspended, but airport operations were expected to resume "shortly." Train services to the airport were also halted. Police blocked access to the airport area, citing concerns about unexploded ordnance. The Houthis have intensified missile and drone launches in recent weeks amid renewed U.S. airstrikes on their positions in Yemen. This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows a cordoned-off area near Ben Gurion International Airport after a missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Police officers operate in a missile-hit area near Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Police officers operate in a missile-hit area near Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) This video grab shows smoke rising after a missile hit Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows a cordoned-off area near Ben Gurion International Airport after a missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) This video grab shows smoke rising after a missile hit Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Xinhua) Damaged vehicles are seen near the Ben Gurion International Airport following a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) A worker removes missile debris near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Damaged vehicles are seen near the Ben Gurion International Airport following a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 4, 2025. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows the site of a missile strike near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows the site of a missile strike near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows the site of a missile strike near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows the site of a missile strike near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 4, 2025 shows the site of a missile strike near the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. A missile launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring two people and causing damage, the Israeli military and local authorities said. The military said in a statement that aerial defense systems attempted to intercept the missile but failed. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) ST. LOUIS Police on Sunday identified a 16-year-old shot and killed in south city late last week as Aeyion Barnett, of the Walnut Park East neighborhood. Police have described Barnett as part of a group of thieves who were breaking into cars in the Carondelet neighborhood early Friday when a homeowner interrupted them. The thieves then fired multiple shots at someone, police said, and Barnett was hit. Police said Barnett's accomplices dropped him off at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he died. The shooting happened in the 6300 block of Vermont Avenue. An investigation is ongoing. CLAYTON St. Louis County will have a new tool to manage vacant properties after St. Louis County Executive Sam Page signed legislation last week creating a new land bank to manage and sell abandoned real estate. Councilwoman Shalonda Webb and Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, both Democrats representing north St. Louis County districts with the highest concentrations of vacant properties, sponsored the county legislation authorizing the new land bank, which Pages office called a landmark action. The county bill seeds the new land bank with $1 million in operating funds using Rams settlement money, and fees on its land sales and delinquent property tax collections are expected to pay for its operations going forward. St. Louis County is the first in Missouri to use the new authority outlined in a state law passed year that was pushed by former state Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale. Ive watched homes in our community sit empty for years windows shattered, roofs caved in, and hope slipping through the cracks, Windham said in a statement distributed by the St. Louis Realtors, which also backed the legislation. The unanimous council vote is more than just policy its a promise to neighborhoods like mine that we havent been forgotten. This land bank ordinance is a step toward restoration, toward dignity, and toward the future our communities deserve. In 1971, Missouri lawmakers created the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority, the first land bank in the country, in an effort to mitigate the effects of the citys dramatic population loss and the thousands of houses abandoned by former residents. The LRA takes ownership of tax delinquent properties, clears their title to better market them to new owners and offers to sell them for less than their back taxes. And while it has sometimes struggled to keep up with an inventory that currently hovers just under 10,000 properties, the LRA is at least an organization that can respond to neighbor complaints to better manage abandoned properties. Until now, St. Louis County had no such entity despite many neighborhoods increasingly facing many of the same vacancy issues as the city. Currently, there are around 5,000 properties at some stage in the countys delinquent tax process, many in North County. Experts on vacancy issues and the states tax foreclosure process have warned the countys growing vacant property problem was becoming untenable. Under the countys existing tax sale process, outlined in a state law used mostly by smaller, rural counties, it can take years before properties are made available for sale year-round rather than at an annual tax auction held in August. In the meantime, they continue deteriorating, driving down neighboring property values that can cause a feedback loop and destabilize entire neighborhoods. Among the main benefits of the countys new land bank law, proponents say, is it will clear title so new buyers can purchase them free and clear of other debts. Right now, the few investors willing to buy and rehab vacant properties in the county have to hire lawyers to file quiet title actions in the courts. It can also wipe away tax bills that often cost more than the property is worth. And a county-managed board will now be in charge of some of the thousands of vacant St. Louis County properties, which often languish for years under long-gone private owners. The county executives office called the new land bank a transformative new agency. Vacant lots and abandoned buildings hurt everyone, Page said. This land bank will help us turn eyesores into assets creating safe, affordable housing, vibrant green spaces, and stronger neighborhoods for generations to come. Both Webb and Days, the bill sponsors, are likely to each get to appoint a member of the new St. Louis County Land Bank board, while Page will select two and the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis will also get one. Existing board members will choose another two members. The St. Louis County Land Bank wont immediately take ownership of the countys thousands of vacant properties. The state law allowing its creation allows the St. Louis County Collector to choose which tax delinquent parcels are transferred to the land bank after its annual tax sales in August, letting the new entity get up and running without inundating it with a glut of real estate. A Guatemalan woman who gave birth in Tucson on Wednesday days after entering Arizona through the desert and getting arrested by border agents is facing rapid deportation proceedings under Trump's "expedited removal" policy, which could put her and her baby's health and safety at risk, according to an immigration attorney. But Department of Homeland Security officers, who are posted outside the woman's Tucson Medical Center hospital room, are refusing to let the new mother speak to a lawyer, as she's requested, the Tucson attorney, Luis Campos, told the Arizona Daily Star on Thursday. After days walking through the Southern Arizona desert, the woman was apprehended by Border Patrol earlier this week and put into detention, until agents transported her to the hospital to give birth on Wednesday, Campos said. Campos said an advocate who became aware of the woman's situation contacted him Thursday and conveyed that she'd requested to speak to an attorney. But when Campos attempted to visit her at TMC, DHS officers who appeared to be with Customs and Border Protection blocked the entrance to her hospital room, saying he needed a signed G-28 form identifying him as the woman's lawyer before he could see her, Campos told the Star. Campos had the form with him and just needed the woman's signature, but CBP officers said neither he, nor a hospital official, would be allowed to take the form to her so she could sign, he said. "She is clearly subject to removal, but she may have viable defenses to assert if given the opportunity," he said. "Im asking them to put her in deportation proceedings and to release her. They have the discretion to do that, so that she can be with her baby and find accommodations" as her deportation case proceeds. Soon after his Jan. 20 inauguration President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring an "invasion" at the southern border and suspending the physical entry of migrants until he decides the invasion is over. The order also suspended migrants' ability to request asylum protection in the U.S. The ACLU sued the administration in February over the asylum restrictions, saying they are illegal and put at risk the safety of vulnerable people fleeing harm, the Associated Press reported. Humanitarians have warned the restrictions will prompt more people to try to evade border agents, instead of surrendering to request asylum, which could lead to more migrant deaths in the borderlands. CBP spokesman John Mennell confirmed Thursday that the woman at TMC faces expedited removal, a rapid deportation process without the ability to see an immigration judge first. The woman will be given the choice of whether or not she wants to take her baby with her once she is deported, Mennell said. As a U.S. citizen, the newborn cannot be deported, he said. "It is the mother's choice whether the child stays with the mother, or remains in the United States," he said. Asked if the woman could be placed into normal deportation proceedings for humanitarian reasons, Mennell said, Those determinations are made on a case-by-case basis." President Donald Trump has vowed to end birthright citizenship in the U.S., which under the 14th Amendment automatically grants citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Three U.S. District Courts have halted Trump's January executive order ending birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children whose parents are in the country unlawfully. But the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the issue in May, the Associated Press reported. "Urgent" situation Campos said the woman could be discharged from the hospital any day, and returned to expedited removal processing, making the situation urgent." He hopes public attention to the case will pressure DHS to act in a more humane way. Campos said he believes Border Patrol should have taken the woman directly to the hospital after her arrest, instead of detaining her for processing, considering her advanced pregnancy and her time spent exposed to the elements while traveling through the desert. Even if she ends up not being eligible for release on humanitarian grounds, nor being eligible for an immigration hearing, "she still has the right to a lawyer," Campos said. "Family, and friends of family, have asked me to represent her." Tucson Medical Center spokesman Tim Bentley said in a Friday email that the hospital would not comment on the situation. The Star spoke Thursday with a Tennessee-based friend of the woman, who said he met the woman a few years ago while traveling with his parents, who are pastors, as they ministered in Guatemala. The Star is identifying the friend only by his last name, Gaspar, because he said his parents who are lawful permanent residents are still in the process of attaining their U.S. citizenship. Even immigrants with legal status have been targeted by the Trump administration amid its mass-deportation campaign. Gaspar, who is a U.S. citizen, stayed in touch with the woman over the years through Facebook, and he said they last corresponded a few weeks ago. Gaspar said if the woman were to be released, pending her deportation proceedings, he and his wife are willing to host her, and her baby, in their home as she waits for her immigration case to proceed. He said his parents raised him to give back to the community, especially because they needed that help themselves after they first immigrated to the U.S. decades ago, from Guatemala. "A good friend of ours helped out my parents when they came here 30 years ago," he said. "Were willing to help. We help out a lot of Americans who are homeless, too. We help out anyone in need." Guatemala is experiencing high levels of violence now, Gaspar said, and that's why his friend left her home country. He has spoken with her parents in Guatemala to tell them their daughter gave birth in Tucson and is okay; her parents said they're also planning to leave their country due to the violence, Gaspar said. Gaspar said his biggest fear is that his friend will be sent back to unsafe conditions in Guatemala with her newborn. "Maybe theyd deport both of them back, and they don't have anywhere to go. The violence over there in Guatemala, it's really peaked," he said. He said he's "really sad" and also angered by DHS officials' refusal to let her speak to a lawyer while in the hospital. "That makes me feel awful," he said. "Honestly, she has the right to an attorney and theyre taking that right away from her." Campos said the CBP officers said the woman is in their custody and they're not allowing any visitors here, even if it were family, friends, if theyre not a necessary hospital employee. The legal issue is, who exercises control at that point?" Campos said. "Because the government says 'we have custody over her'. But shes in a hospital facility, where the hospital also has a say in custodial matters. Its an interesting legal question and I don't know how it gets resolved. A Yemeni soldier inspects the damage reportedly caused by U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) A U.S. airstrike in Yemen on Monday appears to have killed at least three dozen people in a Houthi-run compound that human rights researchers say has been used for years as a detention center and at times for military purposes, according to images of the aftermath reviewed by The Washington Post. Houthi rebels say at least 68 people were killed and dozens more were injured in what they said was a U.S. strike on a prison holding African migrants. The Posts analysis of visuals found at least 38 people who appeared to be dead and 32 injured, numbers that are almost certainly an undercount given the limited available imagery. It is not clear from the videos who among the dead are civilians; no military equipment or garb is visible in any visuals reviewed by The Post. Visuals could be located from only one of the two buildings that were destroyed in the attack. The Houthis have targeted American military forces in the Red Sea, as well as commercial vessels and Israeli military sites to protest the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed many thousands of civilians. In mid-March, the Trump campaign launched Operation Rough Rider, targeting Houthi rebel leadership and infrastructure. Central Command, which oversees U.S. operations in the Middle East, has not said what it was targeting in the recent strike but is aware of the claims of civilian casualties and is assessing them, a defense official has said. The U.S. military has said its Yemen operations are executed with detailed and comprehensive intelligence to minimize risk to civilians. The current functions of the compound in northwest Yemen could not be independently determined. The United Nations has described it as having once included a military barracks and more recently as a migrant detention center. One human rights researcher told The Post that it ceased serving military purposes a decade ago, while another said it is used by the Houthis for other purposes and the migrants are only a front. Analysts and current and former U.S. officials said the strike appears to add to mounting evidence that the Trump administration has not prioritized minimizing civilian casualties in its ongoing air campaign against the Houthis. The Defense Department is moving to dismantle efforts focused on reducing civilian harm in U.S. military operations, The Post has reported, so commanders can focus more on lethality when conducting military strikes. This strike in particular and the campaign in Yemen in general clearly show a higher tolerance for civilian casualties than previously seen in Yemen and even in the wars against ISIS, a U.S. official familiar with the campaign said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. The same official confirmed that Mondays strike was carried out by the United States. The videos provide a graphic view of the carnage. Im dying now, one man tells the person filming the video, his body pinned between two slabs of concrete. Dozens of people are crushed by debris, their limbs protruding from the dust. Some are dismembered in the blast. Other remains are likely buried or in parts of the building not visible in the imagery. Emergency workers sift through the debris, looking for survivors among scattered mattresses, clothes and plastic bowls. The videos and photos were released either by Houthi-owned channels or journalists subject to strict Houthi oversight. Satellite imagery taken after the strike in the southwest outskirts of the city of Saada shows two large buildings destroyed inside a walled compound occupying about 50 acres, known as Saada City Remand Prison. Both buildings are similar in design and about 120 feet long and just over 500 feet apart, separated by a road. Other buildings in the same compound were struck in January 2022 by Saudi forces, killing at least 91 detainees and wounding at least 236, according to the U.N. human rights office. At the time, the compound held 1,300 pre-trial detainees and 700 migrants, the U.N. said. It was one of the deadliest strikes of a years-long Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis, which received substantial U.S. assistance. After the 2022 attack, a Saudi military spokesman said the site was a legitimate target because it was used by the Houthis for military purposes. Houthi militants used the detention center in northwestern Yemen for military purposes up until 2015 or 2016, when it was converted to a prison, said a Yemen human rights researcher who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. The other Yemen-based researcher, Adnan Al-Gabarni, called the compound an important site and said much is unknown about it. Representatives from the International Committee for the Red Cross have conducted regular visits to the prison complex since 2018; they declined to comment on the internal conditions of the facility. Visiting the site after the Saudi strike, U.N. human rights representatives said in a report that they saw no signs the compound had a military function. The Saudi bombing had catastrophic results for vulnerable migrants being detained by the Houthis, said Christopher Le Mon, former deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor in the Biden administration. Speaking about the U.S. military, he said, Its just inconceivable that the military wouldnt have anticipated a serious risk of civilian casualties. An ICRC delegation visited the site on Monday following the strike. The ICRC said teams from the Yemen Red Crescent Society had evacuated wounded migrants to two hospitals nearby. Travelers from African countries have transited through the desert corridor for decades, according to a 2023 Human Rights Watch report, which estimated that more than 90 percent of those en route to Saudi Arabia come from Ethiopia. They have been routinely detained by Houthi forces, who are under increasing pressure from Saudi authorities to stop illegal migration, and often subjected to torture and abuse while detained at centers like the one in Saada, according to the rights monitor. African migrants locked up in a prison in northern Yemen are not a lawful military objective, said Brian Finucane, a former legal adviser at the State Department, noting that the U.S. military has not publicly identified what its target was or whether it was a mistake. The number of civilians killed in Yemen has exponentially increased in the weeks since the campaign began. According to Airwars, a Britain-based watchdog organization, U.S. strikes were estimated to have killed 27 to 56 Yemeni civilians in March. The nonprofit Yemen Data Project estimates that at least 97 strikes in March killed 28 people and wounded 66. The casualty toll in April to date is believed to be much higher. The Houthis said more than 70 people were killed by an airstrike on a Houthi-controlled oil port on April 18. After Mondays strike, video released by the Houthi-owned al-Masirah television channel showed remnants of munitions and what appeared to be at least two craters where the building once stood. The visual evidence indicates multiple U.S.-manufactured GBU-39s were dropped, said Trevor Ball, a former Army explosive ordnance disposal technician. The guided munitions are designed to be capable of reducing risk to civilians with precision targeting and a relatively small size. There are no clear signs in the images that the damaged building had any military use, Ball said. The foundation is basic concrete, and the inside appeared to be sleeping quarters. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Tuesday the U.S. has struck 1,000 targets, or about 23 per day, since March 15. That pace has raised questions among some experts about whether commanders and analysts can properly assess targets. Theyve had some questionable strikes already, and with the operation tempo, chance of mistakes and shortcuts are just going to increase, Ball said. Democratic lawmakers last week said they were alarmed by what they called an apparent serious disregard for innocent life following reports of deaths in other strikes. Abbie Cheeseman and Mohamed El Chamaa in Beirut and Warren Strobel and Meg Kelly in Washington contributed to this report. PYONGYANG, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), visited an important tank factory, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday. Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs, stressed that replacing the armored weapons of the last century with latest tanks and armored vehicles is the most important issue in the building of armed forces and modernization of the army, the KCNA reported. The Academy of Defense Sciences and the workers and technicians of the factory have made remarkable progress and success in developing tanks and armored weapons and improving their combat performance, said the KCNA. The traveling and different mobile characteristics of tanks were improved through the integrated power transmission device. And the new-type active protection complex, passive protection means and the electronics warfare complex were updated in a more innovative way. All these successes mean great progress in the core technology of DPRK tanks, Kim was quoted as saying. Offaly church stops publishing online videos after legal letter Church took down video as soon as complaint was received The owners of a church have been ordered to pay 14,400 to a man who alleged he was defamed by his teenage daughter during a baptism ceremony that was streamed live on Facebook. Warren Walsh issued defamation proceedings against Cornerstone Slieve Bloom Church in Tullamore, Co Offaly, and its pastors, Gavin Von Mollendorff and Wendy Von Mollendorff. Seven people were baptised at a ceremony on May 14, 2023, including electrical contractor Mr Walshs daughter, who was 15 at the time. Around 80 people attended the service, and it was also live streamed on the churchs Facebook page. During the ceremony, Mr Walshs daughter made a three-minute speech that included a number of remarks about her father. She claimed that her dad left me at a very young age and all I had was my mom and dad fighting all the time. She also claimed her father called her names and that she wasnt allowed to hang out with friends. Mr Walsh told Tullamore Circuit Court the statements were defamatory and he was devastated that someone he loves would go online and spread lies about him. He said he cried when he saw the video and it spread like wildfire, resulting in people approaching him on nights out to discuss it. When asked why he issued proceedings against the church and not his daughter, he said it would be very difficult to sue his own child. The video had been viewed 192 times, the court heard. Cornerstone is described as a vibrant, spirit-filled, Bible-believing church whose desire is to share the heart of God in the heart of Ireland. Mr Von Mollendorff said he never intended to cause offence and has not live streamed a service since The Cornerstone global network consists of 150 churches, as well as a number of Bible schools, primary schools and orphanages worldwide. Mr Von Mollendorff said he and his wife moved to Ireland from South Africa 22 years ago. They decided to start their own church after identifying a need for Christian evangelical expression in Tullamore. The church has a congregation of around 200 people. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they started live-streaming services because people could no longer attend in person due to restrictions. After they received a legal letter from Mr Walsh, they stopped publishing videos online. Mr Von Mollendorff immediately took the video of the service down after he was contacted by Mr Walshs solicitors. He said he did not know the plaintiffs daughter very well. She started attending the church in 2022 with her uncle and mother. The pastor told the court that baptism is a public display of faith and involves an opportunity for people to explain their choice to be baptised. He said there was no consultation with the plaintiffs daughter before she gave the speech. After Mr Walshs daughter spoke, the pastor congratulated her, saying: You did great, well done, powerful. Amen. Church took down video as soon as complaint was received Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 4th Under cross-examination, he said he did so because a young person had done something that took courage. He was not agreeing or disagreeing with the content of what she said, but he believes God can restore relationships. Mr Von Mollendorff said he never intended to cause offence and had not live-streamed a service since. Michael ODoherty BL, who represented the plaintiff, submitted that his daughters statements were untrue. The defendants had argued the statements were not defamatory. Judge Meehan said he had no doubt that the number of people who viewed the comments was very small In his written judgment, Judge Gerard Meehan said he did not accept this. He said he was satisfied that the statements were defamatory and injured the plaintiffs reputation. Mr ODoherty said the defamatory comments were published on two occasions. First, to those present at the ceremony, and second, on the churchs Facebook page. Judge Meehan said the defendants operated the church, organised the baptism ceremony and voluntarily invited the plaintiffs daughter to speak. However, he ruled that the defendants could avail of the defence of qualified privilege in respect of the church ceremony. Regarding the Facebook live stream, he took a different view. Judge Meehan said the defendants operated and controlled the churchs Facebook page and organised the live stream. They knowingly made the video available for a period of 20 days, he said. While he accepted that they had no advance knowledge of what the plaintiffs daughter would say, he said they encouraged her to be baptised and to testify as to the reasons for her choice. Mr ODoherty said the video had been broadcast to the world at large. Shane English BL, for the defendants, argued that the majority of the 192 clicks would have been the plaintiff and connected parties, including his legal team. Judge Meehan said he had no doubt that the number of people who viewed the comments was very small. On the other hand, Tullamore is a relatively small town, he said. Many of those who did view the video are likely to have been local. Judge Meehan said the defamatory statements are serious and amount to an assertion that the plaintiff was a bad father Judge Meehan said that although the defendants could avail of qualified privilege in relation to the ceremony, that defence was not available in respect of online publication. He said for every person who phoned or approached the plaintiff to discuss the video, there would have been many more who judged him from afar. He said the statement during the ceremony could have been and almost certainly was repeated and spread by some of those present. He decided to attribute 40pc of the total damages to the first occasion of publication. Judge Meehan attributed 60pc of the total damages to the publication of the video. Mr English had argued that the plaintiffs daughter, as author of the defamatory statements, was liable. The judge said that while the plaintiffs daughter made the defamatory statements, she did not have any involvement in the video being posted online. He said he found the defendants 80pc responsible and Mr Walshs daughter 20pc responsible for the online video. Judge Meehan took into consideration the fact they removed the video immediately when contacted, the video was not widely circulated and that some viewers may not have accessed the part of the video that included the statements. Judge Meehan said the defamatory statements were serious and amounted to an assertion that the plaintiff was a bad father who fought with his wife and caused upset to his young daughter. They included an allegation of verbal abuse and perhaps controlling behaviour that caused his daughters mental health to suffer, he said. The judge said he was of the view they were defamatory and would undoubtedly have injured the plaintiffs reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of society. He said the damage was exacerbated by the online publication. Mr Von Mollendorff was contacted for comment. Mr Walsh did not wish to comment on the case. Spanish citizen Francisco Mateo moved to Ireland in 2016 A paediatric nurse has been jailed after pleading guilty to depraved child abuse offences A paediatric nurse was sentenced to jail at Galway Circuit Court this week after pleading guilty to depraved child abuse offences. Francisco Valverde Mateo (38), of Ashfield Road, Greenfields, Newcastle, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to secretly recording a naked child in the changing room of a leisure centre. Mateo, a qualified paediatric nurse, also pleaded guilty to the possession of 3,999 images and 1,163 videos of child sexual abuse material. The Spanish citizen, who moved to Ireland in 2016, also pleaded guilty to one count of distributing and one count of producing child sexual abuse material. Detective Patrick Costello told Judge Brian OCallaghan that gardai were alerted by an international police force to suspicious activity linked to Mateo. After obtaining a search warrant, gardai raided a property in a town in Co Galway and seized seven devices linked to Mr Mateo. A forensic examination found four of the devices contained child sexual abuse material. On one device, gardai found a surreptitiously recorded video of a naked child standing on a towel in a changing room of a leisure centre. Gardai established Mateo had shot the video as he had briefly shown his face. The incident happened in a town in the jurisdiction of the Western Circuit Court. The child and his family were subsequently traced. In their victim-impact statement, the parents of the child, who was aged under 10, said the incident left them feeling their world had fallen apart. In the immediate aftermath, they were gripped by overwhelming fear and panic that images of their child had been distributed on the internet, the parents said. Gardai do not believe this to be the case but the parents said the fear is always in their minds. The parents decided not to tell the child at this point in their life about the crime committed against them. In their statement read to the court by Det Gda Costello, they urged Judge OCallaghan to impose a custodial sentence on Mateo as he had plunged them into a real-life horror story. Judge OCallaghan said the crimes before him were deeply disturbing. In relation to the production charge involving the child, Judge OCallaghan said the paediatric nurses actions shattered the innocence and pleasure of so many people. This was planned. There was nothing spontaneous about this, he said. In effect what you did was not just an assault on that young kid but a most grievous assault on his family. Judge OCallaghan said Mateo, through his profession, would know the worries parents have. Prosecution counsel, Conall MacCarthy BL, said the offence of knowingly producing or facilitating child pornography carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years. The court heard the offences happened between February and May 2023. Judge OCallaghan accepted defence arguments that Mateo was remorseful, had made admissions and had shown commitment to being rehabilitated by attending counselling. A probation report found he was at medium risk of reoffending. Giving him credit for his guilty plea and co-operation, Judge OCallaghan jailed him for two years and six months on the most serious count of producing child abuse material. He then suspended the final year on strict conditions. On the remaining two counts of possession and distribution, he was sentenced to one year each, with both suspended in full. Dylan West (28) of Shannon Close, Excise Street, Athlone, Westmeath was jailed for a total of 17 months A recovering drug addict went on a crime rampage by smashing the windows of 12 different vehicles before carrying out four burglaries and a string of thefts within the space of a matter of days, a court has heard. Dylan West (28) of Shannon Close, Excise Street, Athlone, Westmeath was jailed for a total of 17 months after he pleaded guilty to a total of 28 charges of theft, criminal damage and burglary at a sitting of Athlone District Court. West, who already had 43 previous convictions caused 5,000 of damage to the cars he targeted, a number of which had been rifled through by the accused. All 12 criminal damage incidents took place over the course of a six day period between January 30 and February 4 with the four burglaries occurring at various retail outlets over the course of February 22 and March 12. West similarly accepted his role in a series of thefts, one of which was termed as very serious by Judge Bernadette Owens when it was revealed the Athlone man had snatched a handbag from a woman in broad daylight on February 7 as she walked along the Church Street area of town. Sgt Sandra Keane, for the State, provided a detailed breakdown of each offence, stating how the most significant of the thefts before the court came on February 3 at St Marys Square. She told of how Wests victim had parked his car overnight only to return the next morning to find a laptop worth 2,000, rucksack, bottle of champagne, a suitcase full of clothes and a kindle all missing. Less than 24 hours earlier, Sgt Keane said West caused 250 worth of damage when he smashed the window of a 12-D registered car to grab a wallet containing 30 before fleeing the scene moments later. Wests flurry of thefts were likewise aired, a series of which took place at Daybreak, Garrycastle, Athlone over the course of six days between March 8 and March 14. Dylan West caused 5,000 worth of damage after admitting smashing the windows of 12 different vehicles while carrying out four burglaries and a succession of thefts during a crime rampage in Athlone. Sgt Keane said there were no aggravating factors involved in the four burglaries committed by West, a number of which were opportunistic in nature and involved the accused tendering change before reaching across and taking various sums of money from tills. In charting Wests criminal past, Judge Owens was informed how 10 of Wests 43 prior transgressions had come courtesy of theft related offences. The remaining 33, Sgt Keane added, consisted of offensive weapons, public order, road traffic, criminal damage and robbery with a further seven convictions for burglary. In defence, Patrick Carthy confided how both he and Wests family were quite concerned for a man who was struggling to deal with a recurring drug problem and accommodation insecurities. Dylan West outside Athlone Courthouse. He was receiving methadone and (he has) not really in a proper and organised way dealt with his addition difficulties and unfortunately he fell back into this pattern of offending, he said. Mr Carthy described some of his clients behaviour and succession of offending as practically insane given how in one of the burglaries West chose to enter a premises and target a shopkeeper who had known the accused for several years. In that respect, Mr Carthy stopped short of requesting a probation report, adding how West was keen to serve whatever sentence the court deemed appropriate. Some of these offences were practically insane, he said, when referencing the raid at Griffiths along the midlands towns Northgate Street. The shopkeeper there tells me she knows Dylan all his life and that they were near neighbours. Of course he was going to be recognised. There was zero chance of that not being an offence that was not going to be prosecuted. There was no rationale to it. Mr Carthy said whatever about Wests crime-fuelled irrationality, there was a real and pressing need for his client to learn the error of his ways or potentially run the risk of spending much of the remainder of his life behind bars. The time is fast approaching that if something doesnt happen for him and he doesnt grasp the nettle or opportunities that are given to him he may be ultimately ending up serving a great deal of time in custody and not having very much to come out to, he said. Time is ticking on, he is not as young as he once was and a worrying pattern is developing but its up to him to break that cycle. Judge Owens said while West deserved credit for his guilty pleas, the court could not ignore a number of relevant previous convictions in handing down its sentence. She consequently handed West a six month prison term for the handbag theft, backdating it to March 19 when West first went into custody. A concurrent six month term was issued for one of the criminal damage incidents which West carried out on The Quay. Two further sentences of seven months and four months, both of which were ordered to run consecutively were also handed down for two burglary charges. The remaining charges, Judge Owens, indicated would be taken into consideration by the court. Their solicitor, Carol Slattery, said that her well-educated clients were from India and came to Ireland about five years ago THREE ambitious software engineers have pleaded guilty to stealing more than 3,500 worth of goods during a series of thefts from IKEA in Dublin. Monnisha Nimma, 27, Sai Radhika Kavuri, 32, and 34-year-old Sri Ravikiran Garimella, each with an address at Station Walk, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to stealing from the furniture chains Ballymun outlet on three dates in January. Detective Garda Anthony Galbraith told Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court that on January 11th, 18th and 25th, the trio and two others, who have not been identified, took a large quantity of materials and failed to pay for same. They left the store twice with 1,350 worth of property and goods valued at 852 the next time. On another occasion, the store recovered 1,323 worth of stock. Following enquiries, the detective went to their shared home on February 16 and searched the property, recovering a significant portion of the loot. One person was arrested and made full admissions. Stock image Detective Garda Galbraith said the other two later came to Ballymun station with more stolen goods. The detective said most of the property, valued in total 3,526, was recovered and in a saleable condition. He added that they were cooperative, held their hands up and made admissions, and he said that was unusual. Judge Cronin noted that the three defendants, who did not address the court, had no prior convictions and had never come to Garda attention before. The court heard that, but for the quantity, the three housemates could have been eligible for an adult caution instead of a court prosecution. L-R: Monnisha Nimma, Sai Radhica Kavuri, and Sri Ravikiran Garimella. Photo: Collins Their solicitor, Carol Slattery, said that her well-educated clients were from India and came to Ireland about five years ago. The court heard the defendants, who are on bail, had work visas and were full-time software engineers. Ms Slattery described them as young and ambitious with good future job prospects who wished to become Irish citizens, and this case could have a severe impact on that. The solicitor said they realised the seriousness of their situation and the consequences they faced, were apologetic and would take any opportunity to rectify this wrong. Ms Slattery said that they had no reasonable explanation other than "foolishness of the highest order". However, the solicitor submitted that they were unlikely to reoffend and pleaded with Judge Cronin to consider a restorative justice approach given their lack of previous convictions, the guilty pleas and their cooperation. L-R: Monnisha Nimma, Sai Radhica Kavuri, and Sri Ravikiran Garimella. Photo: Collins Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 4th The detective confirmed he had already discussed that with IKEA; the firm was agreeable to participate, having previously engaged in the restorative justice process in similar prosecutions. Detective Garda Galbraith said IKEA was more than happy to do so again in this case. Judge Cronin remarked that that was helpful because few victims wish to be involved. She adjourned the case until July for a probation report on their suitability for inclusion in the programme, which, if completed, can spare first-time offenders a criminal conviction. McGregor legal team suggest bruising on his accuser Nikita Hand may be linked to fight seen by neighbours This is the couple at the centre of Appeal Court claims the severe bruising Nikita Hand said she sustained while being raped by Conor McGregor could have occurred during a row with her then partner. Former mixed martial arts fighter McGregor wants to introduce new evidence from Ms Hands former neighbours Samantha OReilly and Steven Cummins in his appeal against a civil jurys finding that he raped Nikita Hand. Ms Hand has described the content of the couples affidavits as lies. My ex-partner Stephen Redmond [known as Ste] did not assault me on the night of December 9/10, 2018, and never assaulted me in the course of our relationship, or since, Ms Hand said. Samantha OReilly with reporter Patrick OConnell I dont want to speculate on why Samantha and Steven are making up these lies. Similarly, its understood Ms. Hands former partner Stephen Redmond will deny the claims. Approached by the Sunday World at their home in Ballyfermot for comment yesterday, Steven Cummins said: I wont comment. Ms OReilly then emerged from the couples home and asked: Why can you come to my house? Can you mind just leaving? No, I dont want to talk and I dont ever want to talk. Leave the house, thank you! No comment and you wont be coming back onto this road again. Samantha OReilly and Steven Cummins Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 4th The Court of Appeal heard on Friday that Ms OReilly, a carer, and Mr Cummins, a plumber, came forward after seeing reports on TV about the trial, in which a jury awarded Ms Hand close to 250,000 after it found McGregor assaulted her in the hotel. The trial judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, said the jury had determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. The Court of Appeal was told that Ms OReilly and Mr Cumminss house was in close proximity to the home Ms Hand shared with Mr Redmond. Heated During a directions hearing, Mr Justice Noonan said Ms OReilly had claimed she was looking out of her upstairs bedroom window on the Sunday night/early on the Monday morning when she witnessed a heated row between Mr Redmond and Ms Hand in their house across the road. Conor McGregor and Nikita Hand (below) . Her affidavit infers Mr Redmond assaulted Ms Hand in a bedroom by punching her and kicking her after pushing her to the floor. Ms OReilly says she could not see any blows landing on Ms Hand, but believed she was being punched and kicked based on the movement of Mr Redmonds arms and hips. The suggestion appears to be that this explains the bruising, Mr Justice Noonan said. The judge said the bruising was a significant issue in the trial because McGregor had been unable to provide a plausible alternative theory as to what caused it. Ms OReilly said she later witnessed Mr Redmond speeding away from the house in his car. Mr Cummins does not claim to have witnessed the alleged row but has claimed he was woken by his partner and heard screams and shouting coming from Ms Hands house. In her affidavit, Ms Hand said she and Mr Redmond had a verbal argument downstairs when she returned home that night, a recording of which was heard by the jury. We never went upstairs while the argument was going on, as our daughter was sleeping upstairs and we didnt want to wake her, she said. The volume of the argument was not so loud that it could conceivably be heard in Samantha and Stevens house across the road. Ms Hand said she went upstairs to check on her daughter only after Mr Redmond left the house. She denied a claim by Ms OReilly that she came out of her house in a distraught state or that she spoke to Ms OReilly on the street. I did not come out of the house screaming after Ste left, and I did not see or interact with Samantha on the night. I had no conversation with Samantha or Steven about the night at any stage, she said. Windows Ms Hand also said she was familiar with the layout of Ms OReilly and Mr Cummins house because her daughter had been there on play-dates. Conor McGregor with his mother (centre) and partner Dee Devlin (left) I know Samantha and Stevens bedroom was upstairs at the back of the house looking on to the back yard. The windows upstairs at the front were kids rooms, she said. Ms Hand was taken to the Rotunda Hospital on the morning of December 10. GP Dr Emma Quinlan testified that internal bruising on her neck 10 days later was consistent with Ms Hands account of being choked. On Friday, Mr Justice Noonan said the affidavit of Ms OReilly was clearly relevant evidence, but there would need to be an assessment of its credibility. Ray Boland SC, for Ms Hand, told the court his client had described the claims as lies. He said his side may need to get Mr Redmond to swear an affidavit to rebut the claims. The admissibility of the new evidence might substantially decide the appeal and whether there should be a retrial Mr Justice Noonan set July 1 as the hearing date for McGregors appeal and directed that his motion seeking the admission of the new evidence be heard at the same time. The judge said he was doing this because the issue of the admissibility of the new evidence might substantially decide the appeal and whether there should be a retrial. Ms Hands side will be able to cross-examine Ms OReilly and Mr Cummins about the claims they have made. Mr Boland said the credibility of the claims was not the only ground his side had for opposing the introduction of what he described as alleged new evidence. Affidavit He said there was also an issue over whether the evidence existed at the time of the trial. Mr Boland said Ms OReilly had averred that she had sent McGregor an Instagram message, but had not said when she did so. In her affidavit, Ms OReilly indicated she and her partner no longer lived in the area. She said she had not been aware Ms Hand had made a complaint against McGregor, and that the first time she realised the row she claims to have seen had anything to do with the case was when she saw reports of the trial. The 41-year-old was shot dead by the UFF at Dunluce Avenue in Belfast in April 1991 Winston Rea was widely named as the leader of the loyalist terror group, The Red Hand Commando. Late loyalist terror chief Winston Winkie Rea confessed his part in the sectarian murder of taxi driver John OHara in an interview for the Boston Tapes project. The Sunday World first revealed his confession as far back as 2015 when it emerged police were attempting to gain access to the tapes. This week the Police Ombudsman released a damning report on the RUC investigation into Mr OHaras murder in which they found the handling of the case to be ineffective and not capable of bringing the perpetrators to justice. The 41-year-old father of five was shot dead by the UFF at Dunluce Avenue in Belfast in April 1991. He had been lured to collect a bogus fare when he was approached by two masked men. In her report, the Police Ombudsman said complaints from the OHara family about the RUC probe were legitimate and justified. Marie Anderson said: Although the initial police response was comprehensive and of a good standard, the subsequent murder inquiry was not capable of bringing those responsible to justice. Rea, who died in 2023 after years of deteriorating health, had been due to stand trial on charges in relation to the OHara murder and that of another Belfast man, John Devine, who was killed in 1989. The wheelchair-bound terror chief, who for years headed up UVF sister organisation the Red Hand Commando (RHC), made several court appearances but died before the trial started. In 2015 the PSNI issued a fresh appeal for information on the murder of the two men, both of whom were taxi drivers, amid speculation they were attempting to retrieve Reas recorded interview with Boston College. The Troubles legacy project involves taped interviews with republican and loyalist paramilitaries in which they detailed their involvement in the Troubles on the condition it would only be made public after their deaths. However, police secured access to Reas tapes after a lengthy legal battle. Winston Winkie Rea Detectives sought access to the tapes on the grounds they contained significant information about serious crimes. The ex-RHC boss argued such a move would be a breach of his privacy and took his cases to the European Court of Human Rights. It was the final stop in a desperate campaign to keep the contents secret which took the case to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in London. Mr Devine was shot eight times in the head and chest when loyalist gunmen burst into Fallswater Street home off the Falls Road as he sat reading a newspaper. Despite claims by his killers that he was an active republican, it was accepted the father of three was the victim of a sectarian murder. Rea was among dozens of loyalists and republicans who provided testimonies to Boston College staff compiling an oral history of the Northern Ireland conflict. Assurances that the contents would remain confidential until death were dealt a blow in 2013 when detectives investigating the abduction and murder of Belfast mother-of-ten Jean McConville back in 1972 secured the transcripts of former IRA woman Dolours Prices account. Speaking to the Sunday World in 2022, months before he died, Rea refused to be drawn on his role in the OHara and Devine murders. Whats the point in dragging all that up now? he said. It wont bring them back, I was a player in the peace process, I helped deliver the loyalist ceasefires, is that not more important? The OHara family have long suspected that a person or persons involved in the killing were under the protection of the security forces. The report also revealed that two guns used in the murder have disappeared from police evidence stores. Solicitor Padraig O Muirigh, for the family, said the findings are a damning indictment of the RUC investigation. He added: The breadth and nature of these failings cannot be explained by mere incompetence. The OHara family have a long-held view that those involved in the murder were protected from prosecution by the RUC. That view has been reinforced by these findings. Despite a UFF claim taxi drivers were being used by republicans to target loyalists, police stressed Mr OHara had no connection to any organisation. The report identified a series of alarming failings by the RUC. It found one suspect was not arrested despite being connected to the murder by four separate pieces of intelligence one of which suggested that he had been a gunman. The weapons used were a 9mm Browning pistol, recovered in Moira in January 1992 following another murder, and a .32 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, recovered in Belfast in 1995. Both have gone missing. I am of the view that weapons used ought to have been retained by police for evidential purposes in respect of unsolved murders, including Mr OHaras, Ms Anderson said. Next door neighbour sent sex letters to primary school principal McGachey served just six months for sending the anonymous letters to Ms Kilmartin This is the moment poison pen pervert Philip McGachey walked free from prison having served just six months for targeting his neighbour with a series of disgusting anonymised sex letters. Our pictures show creep McGachey (49) as he walked out of the Midlands Prison at around 10am on Tuesday carrying two plastic bags filled with his belongings. As he approached the gates, he was embraced in a hug by a younger male relative, whose car McGachey then got into before he was driven from the scene. Disgraced former An Post worker McGachey was jailed for three-and-a-half years on October 14, with the final two years and nine months suspended, after a court heard howd he relentlessly targeted his neighbour and local school principal Nicola Kilmartin in a vile letter writing campaign that lasted more than five years. Philip McGachey is welcomed out of the prison by a younger male before being driven away The pint-sized sicko was told by Judge Keenan Johnson that the court wanted to send out a clear message, not only to punish the accused but to deter others from engaging in such activity. Garda Joanne Martin of Birr Garda station, led by prosecution counsel Kevin White B.L., said the letters were sent to St Marys National School in Cloghan, Co Offaly between October 1, 2016 and March 21, 2022. The first letter was addressed to the former school principal, Valerie Daly. The correspondence, purporting to be from a woman, falsely complained that Ms Kilmartin had made sexual advances towards her husband. A second and more sexually explicit letter was years later directly addressed to Ms Kilmartin, again purportedly written by a woman, proposing that school teacher take part in a threesome with her and her husband. A third letter was sent on December 3, 2021 and requested that she have sex with the author and described certain clothes she had worn in school. The same month, on December 22, a fourth letter was received, again containing the proposal they meet for sex. . A line in the letter read: Can you wear your black tights and high heels, they give me such a hard-on when I see them! A fifth letter was sent in January 2022, which again mentioned a skirt and tights and outlined various sexual fantasies. The sixth letter followed in March 2022 stating that the author had seen Ms Kilmartin at the school wearing black tights and a skirt. In the letter, Ms Kilmartin was referred to as the sexiest teacher in Cloghan. A final letter, which took a darker tone was received on March 21, 2022 in which Ms Kilmartin was referred to as a whore and a slut. The court heard Ms Kilmartin attended Birr Garda Station in December 2021 and gave a statement to officers in which she said she had been employed by the school since 2016. She told gardai the letters, including the third one which was addressed to her in her then role as acting principal and which mentioned she was living in Athlone, had left her badly shaken up. She said she was paranoid someone in the school or community was responsible for sending them. School head Nicola Kilmartin Garda Martin said the letters were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA testing and fingerprinting. She said gardai also contacted An Post in an effort to trace where the stamps had been bought. One stamp used was purchased in Emyvale in Co Monaghan and gardai obtained footage which showed a male purchasing it. McGachey was identified when a DNA sample obtained from one of the letters came up as a match with a profile on the DNA database. Having obtained the match, gardai made inquiries and ascertained that the person responsible was a man living next door to the injured party, Philip McGachey. Gardai arrested McGachey on March 1, 2023 and detained him on suspicion of harassment. During interview, he said he couldnt explain what he had done and added: Im extremely upset, embarrassed and ashamed and I want to apologise to Nicola. During an emotional victim impact statement, Ms Kilmartin said McGacheys continued presence next door had left her living in a constant nightmare beside the man who invaded and took control of my life, terrorising me. Ms Kilmartin said: I thought when I found out the identity of the person writing these vile letters that my life could begin to improve as I would have closure I mistakenly thought my home environment would have brought me solace. But after learning the identity of the person involved, my fear has intensified and the safety of my home invaded at the realisation that the person involved is my next-door neighbour. There is no escape, no refuge and no hope of ever being able to enjoy the comfort of my own home with my young son. The fear, intimidation and terror remains the same as it did when I opened each letter in the post. There is nowhere to hide, no privacy and no hope of moving forward with my life as this mans presence haunts me every day. Ms Kilmartin said she had hoped, due to his actions and close proximity to her house, that McGachey would have given her space ahead of his sentencing hearing. Instead, she said, he continues to torment me. McGachey served just six months for sending the anonymous letters to Ms Kilmartin She said McGachey parks directly outside her house, making it difficult to exit in the mornings despite his own driveway remaining empty. I feel I am still being watched by him and my every move monitored, she said. I want to wake up from this living nightmare and to pick up the shattered pieces of my life since everything changed on receipt of the first letter, seven years ago. I want to stop looking over my shoulder, afraid of being watched, stalked and victimised every day. At his sentencing in October, McGacheys legal counsel told Tullamore Circuit Court that her client had moved out of the property next door to victim Nicola Kilmartins following his conviction in June, and moved back to Scotland. Ms Kilmartin had declined to personally accept 5,000 in compensation offered by McGachey and asked instead that it be directed to the hospice service in Athlone. Judge Johnson extended his good wishes to Ms Kilmartin going forward said he hopes that she lives a fulfilled and happy life, before adding: She deserves nothing less. Noah Laird was seven years old and gathering with other scouts to go on a trip when the accident happened "Placentia CA, USA- October 18, 2012: Close up of Boy Scout uniform shirt with Life rank patch (with red heart) on right side and merit badges on merit badge sash. Included merit badges are pathfinding, carpentry, first aid, fishing, pioneering, fingerprinting, railroading, wilderness survival, small boat sailing, archery, space exploration, leatherwork, motorboating, automoto maintenance, personal fitness, communications, electicity, citizenship in the nation, and salesmanship, The Life Rank (shown) is the second highest rank in the Boy Scouts, second only to the Eagle rank." A scout who was injured in an alleged accident with another scout as he was about to go on a trip has settled a High Court action for 75,000. Noah Laird was seven years old and gathering with other scouts to go on a trip when the accident happened at the estuary at Donabate, Dublin, the court heard. His counsel Jonathan Kilfeather SC told the court another scout was throwing stones into the water and put his hand back to throw another stone and connected with Noah. Counsel said the boy suffered a significant dental injury with three fractured teeth with one fracture going into the root and has had complex dental work since the accident happened eight years ago. Noah (now 15) of Donabate, Dublin, through his mother Susan Laird, sued Scouting Services Ireland CLG with registered offices at Larch Hill, Dublin, over the accident on September 18, 2017. It was claimed that while under the supervision, care, control and management of Scouting Services Ireland, the boy was caused to be struck on the face by a rock which was in the process of being thrown by a fellow scout. It was claimed there was a failure to supervise the group of scouts including the boy adequately or at all and a failure to protect him. It was also claimed that scouts had been allowed to throw stones and to engage in allegedly dangerous behaviour. It was further contended there was a failure to intervene in a timely fashion or at all. It was also claimed that there was a failure to ensure there was an adequate number of staff present to ensure in so far as reasonably practicable the safety, health and welfare of the boy. All of the claims were denied. Counsel told the court that liability was problematic in the case. Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the situation in relation to liability and said the incident was something that could have happened even under the watchful eye of a careful parent. He said if it went to trial there was a risk the case would be lost. He wished Noah all the best for the future. JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- An officer and a soldier were killed and four others injured in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Sunday. Captain Noam Ravid and Staff Sergeant Yaly Seror, from the Yahalom elite engineering unit, were killed when an explosive device detonated in a tunnel shaft they were inspecting inside a building in the southern city of Rafah, said the military. One soldier was seriously wounded and another moderately injured in the same blast, the military said. Both were evacuated to a hospital in Israel. In a separate incident in northern Gaza, two reservists with the Jerusalem Brigade's 7007th Battalion were wounded, one of them seriously, it added. The Israeli Army Radio reported that the two were injured after a tank shell malfunctioned and exploded. The soldiers had fired the shell from an Israeli position when the explosion occurred. The incidents came as the military was preparing to expand its operation in the Gaza Strip, saying on Saturday that it would mobilize thousands of reservists in the coming days. Six Israeli soldiers have been killed since Israel resumed its military operation in Gaza on March 18, according to an Israeli tally. In the same period, at least 2,396 Palestinians had been killed and 6,325 others injured, according to the Gaza health authority. The Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 52,000 people since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on Oct. 7, 2023. Jack Adair was last seen at 11.30 on the morning of Saturday 3 May in the Snugville Street area of north Belfast Jack was last seen on Saturday morning [Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph] Police in north Belfast are currently looking for a missing 12-year-old boy. Jack Adair was last seen at 11.30 on the morning of Saturday 3 May in the Snugville Street area of north Belfast. He is described as having dirty fair hair and being approximately 4ft tall. He was last seen wearing an Ashfield boys PE kit long sleeve blue top, blue shorts, black Nike trainers, and carrying a backpack. The PSNI said they didnt have a photograph of Jack to share at this time. If you have any information on Jack, or any information that could help, contact police on 101. The London Spirits Competition is one of the worlds most competitive and respected events in the industry, with entries from more than 30 countries. Gin alone makes up 28% of all submissions. This marks back-to-back wins for the young company, which also secured the same accolades in 2024 with its Clarity 2023 Gin. Distiller and co-founder George White launched Clarity with distiller and co-founder fellow distiller Stephanie Downer in early 2023, driven by a vision to do things differently. We started with just two gins, a tiny shared workspace, and a whole lot of determination, White said. Weve faced challenges from every direction recession pressures, supply costs, and even Trumps tariffs complicating our export plans but weve stayed true to making high-quality, honest spirits. Rather than using the standard industry method of distilling all botanicals together, Clarity individually distils each ingredient from berries to bark before blending them for a balanced, consistent result. Gin-making is like cooking, Downer said. Some botanicals need a delicate hand, others a deeper, slower infusion. Distilling them separately gives us control and lets each flavour shine. Since launching, the duo has earned a string of international awards, including double gold in San Francisco, best London dry at the NZ Spirits Awards, and top honours in Australia. They have also expanded their range to include vodka and navy gin, moved into a larger space, and secured national distribution across bars, restaurants and bottle stores. It hasnt been easy, Downer said. We used to buy ingredients week-to-week because we couldnt afford bulk orders. But in 2024, we finally took over our full space, upgraded equipment, and started contract recipe development to keep cash flowing. Weve been hands-on with every step even the label design. There are further expansion plans for Clarity Distilling but White said they remain focused on their founding principles. Our dream is to be a household name, White said. Not just a special occasion gin, but your go-to spirit any day of the week. A fire investigator has returned today to the scene of Saturday nights electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre. The fire, which was reported at 4.50pm, was attended by more than 20 fire fighters from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Greerton stations. Fire and Emergency NZ Northern Shift Manager Michael Anderson said a crew remained at the scene overnight. We maintained the scene until 4am, when it was given back to the owners, Anderson said. Fire fighters spent hours spraying water on the electric truck. Photo/Supplied. Anderson said an aerial fire truck from the Mount Maunganui fire station joined the other crews at 8.22pm. Our crews started heading home about 10pm and we had one remain on scene until 4am, cooling the truck. The fire is extinguished. Police safeguarding the site at Bethlehem Town Centre. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford. A fire investigator also attended on Saturday night and is returning today. The electric truck caught fire while parked at the ChargeNet charging site in the Bethlehem Town Centre carpark. Bethlehem Road was cordoned off for hours while fire crews worked at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied. ChargeNet can confirm that at approximately 4.50pm on the 3 May 2025, a fire occurred involving an EV truck at our Bethlehem charging site, a ChargeNet spokesperson said. The charger was quickly disconnected from the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely, and no injuries have been reported. ChargeNet said the Bethlehem charging site has been temporarily shut down. Emergency services responded promptly and removed the vehicle at around 4am this morning. Our technical team is working closely with emergency services and onsite personnel to support their response and undertake a thorough assessment. Fire crews working at the scene of an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied. ChargeNet said initial indications suggest the vehicle involved was a custom-built electric truck. The safety of our customers, partners, and the public is our highest priority, a ChargeNet spokesperson said. We are in direct contact with the vehicles owner and will continue to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand and other relevant authorities as needed. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The Bethlehem Town Centre carpark filled with smoke from the electric truck fire. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford. EV FireSafe director Emma Sutcliffe said electric truck battery fires are rare, with just 13 such incidents verified globally. When they do occur, the leading cause is manufacturing faults that can trigger a chemical process called thermal runaway, which is extremely difficult to control in large battery packs, Sutcliffe said. The safest response is often to allow the pack to burn out while protecting nearby structures. The electric truck on fire at Bethlehem Town Centre on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Therese Hamahona. EV FireSafe is an Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence, specialising in EV battery fire research and emergency response particularly when EVs are charging. Global and NZ data from EV FireSafe and Drive Electric Global and NZ data shared by EV FireSafe and Drive Electric show that EV battery fires are rare with 510 globally between 20102024, across ~40 million EVs. The Bethlehem Town Centre carpark filled with smoke from the electric truck fire. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford. EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol/diesel vehicles. Data from Norway shows that there is a 0.005 per cent fire rate for EVs versus a 0.03 per cent fire rate for ICE vehicles. Most EV fires dont involve the battery. Data collected from the Netherlands shows that only 38 per cent (2022) and 25 per cent (2023) involved battery ignition. Fire crews spraying water on an electric truck fire at Bethlehem Town Centre, Tauranga on Saturday, May 3. Photo/Supplied. Charging-related fires are also uncommon with less than 15 per cent of EV battery fires happening while charging. This means that charging is not always the cause. New Zealand has had six recorded EV fire incidents with no reported injuries, fatalities, or confirmed cases involving charging. Theo Morse (Raglan) and Ariana Walker (Mnt) have claimed top honours in the Under 18 Boys' and Girls' Division at the 2025 Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro. The prestigious junior event, held over the weekend at Kaiaua Bay on the East Cape, saw outstanding performances across all divisions, with surfers from around the country turning up the heat in clean, contestable 24ft conditions turning to choppy sideshore in the afternoon, said a statement from Surfing NZ. With solid swell, moments of sunshine, and strong community support, the event delivered memorable performances in every heat. Sunday morning got underway in textbook conditions with glassy, shoulder-high waves rolling into Kaiaua Bay. The Under 14 Boys' were first to hit the water, setting the tone for a high-performance day. Louis Macquet opened strong, dispatching his competition with sharp turns and confident wave selection. In Heat 2, Jaxon Pardoe impressed with a powerful single wave scoring an 8.5, the highest of the round, earning him the $100 cash prize for the biggest manoeuvre of the division. Ffeon Clifford (Mount Maunganui) and London Cockerill (Taranaki) also powered through the early rounds, advancing to what would become a tightly contested final. In the end, Clifford held his nerve to secure the win, with Cockerill finishing runner-up. Louis Macquet claimed third, and Jaxon Pardoe rounded out the final in fourth. The Under 14 Girls' showed resilience and skill in the afternoons choppier conditions. Hawkes Bays Scarlett Gray delivered a poised and technical performance to take the win, staying composed through the bigger sets. Nami Marsden surfed strongly to earn second place, while local standout Madeline Smith claimed the $100 biggest manoeuvre prize and secured a well-deserved third-place finish. Alba Clifford (Mount Maunganui) completed the final in fourth. Kyra Wallis was the undeniable standout in the Under 16 Girls', opening with a near-perfect 8.33 ride early in the day. Linking critical turns and finishing with a powerful forehand snap in a heavy section, she earned the divisions $100 biggest manoeuvre prize. Wallis maintained her form throughout the event, powering through to win the final over Indi-Lee Ruddell (2nd), Alani Morse (3rd), and Brooke Mathews (4th), cementing her status as a serious talent to watch. The Under 16 Boys' division was one of the most competitive of the weekend, with explosive surfing across both days. After a high-scoring semifinal in which Remy Sale posted a 16.00 heat total - including a powerful layback and a big closeout combo scoring a 9.00 to earn the $100 cash prize for biggest manoeuvre - the stage was set for a thrilling final. While the final began slowly, Sol Fritchley found rhythm midway through the heat with a stylish left-hander, executing two explosive turns to score a 6.83 and set the pace. Indica Corcoran answered back with a strong ride, keeping the pressure on. In the dying moments of the heat, Fritchley paddled into another wave, landing a critical 5-point ride that pushed him into the lead and secured him the title. It was pretty tricky out there - it actually picked up heaps and to be honest, at one point I didnt think I was gonna get out, said an elated Sol Fritchley after the win. I just had to paddle hard and eventually got out. The conditions made it hard to hear; I knew I needed a score but didnt know how much, so I just stayed calm and surfed - and I got the score. Im stoked! The final standings saw Fritchley take the win, with Indica Corcoran in second, Remy Sale in third, and Kentaro Mitchell finishing fourth. As conditions became more challenging late in the day, the Under 18 Girls' rose to the occasion. Ariana Walker (Mount Maunganui) and Lenka Cargill advanced through the semifinals with powerful, committed surfing, eliminating local favourite Te Waioutu Fairlie. In the second semi, Sage Fritchley (Mount Maunganui) and Grace Gundry (Northland) made the most of their opportunities to secure places in the final, while India Kennings was unlucky not to advance after struggling in the chunky afternoon waves. In a thrilling final, Ariana Walker pulled together a consistent heat, executing clean turns and holding composure under pressure to take the win. Sage Fritchley, 3rd Lenka Cargill, and Grace Gundry 4th completed a strong final that showcased the depth of female surfing talent in the country. Rounding out the weekend, the Under 18 Boys' took to the water with raw power and polished style. The division delivered some of the most explosive surfing of the event. Christian Fougere earned the $100 biggest manoeuvre prize for an early-morning critical closeout hack. The final was packed with high-energy performances, with Theo Morse (Raglan) taking the title through dynamic, high-impact surfing. Tao Mouldey finished a close second wrapping up his junior surfing career in style, finishing with an impressive 38 heat wins. Zade Pitkethly and Taimana Marupo filled out the podium in third and fourth. The Sequence Surf Shop Gisborne Junior Pro continues to be a cornerstone for youth surfing in Aotearoa, providing young athletes with vital competitive experience and the chance to shine on a national stage. The event is proudly presented by Sequence Surf Shop, with support from Creatures of Leisure, Sex Wax, Gisborne Boardriders, East Coast Boardriders, and the Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT). Their combined investment in grassroots surfing not only makes these events possible but helps foster the next generation of New Zealand surfing champions. For more information, live scores, and updates, visit www.liveheats.com/surfingnewzealand. Sunny autumn days can be expected over the next few days, while southeasterlies will cause temperatures to dip below 10 degrees Celsius at night. A ridge of high pressure is expected to move onto the North Island on Tuesday, with a northwest flow developing over the South Island, MetService said. On Wednesday, a strong moist northwesterly flow will affect the south of the South Island. "There is low confidence that severe northwesterly gales will affect Southland and Fiordland and low confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate in Fiordland," a spokesperson said. The strong northwesterly flow is set to continue affecting the South Island and central New Zealand on Thursday. "There is low confidence that severe northwesterly gales will affect Wellington. There is moderate confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate in Fiordland and the Westland District." On Friday, a low from the subtropics is likely to move south onto the North Island accompanied by a moist northeasterly flow. Rain is forecast for the Bay of Plenty on Friday. Again MetService said there is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will accumulate over the upper North Island. Tina Fey at SNL50: The Anniversary Special at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on February 16, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images) Variety via Getty Images In February, Saturday Night Live hosted its 50th anniversary special to celebrate five decades of the sketch comedy series. In the wake of this milestone, theres been one question on everyones mind: Who is going to replace the shows creator, Lorne Michaels? While on the Emmys red carpet last year, he told ET that former cast member and writer Tina Fey could easily be his successor, which has since become widely interpreted as an endorsement. But when Fey was asked about Michaels comment, she didnt have a lot to say about potentially following in his large footsteps. It was nice of him to say that, and I love him very much, Fey told The Hollywood Reporter for a piece published last month. While staying tight-lipped about whether or not she would even consider the job, she continued to praise Michaels. Hes irreplaceable, she said. His set of gifts and skills are entirely unique. His eye for talent! Hes one of the last three people in show business who actually understand everything. Ill leave it at that. Michaels, 80, launched the show in 1975 and has continued to serve as its executive producer for every season since, with the exception of Seasons 6 through 10. When he gave his public approval of Fey last year, it seemed almost as if he was warming up to the idea of retirement. However, Michaels seems to have changed his mind since. In February, he told The New York Times that he wont be making a succession plan anytime soon, saying, "I may be wrong, but I dont feel Im done. Although Michaels isnt planning his departure yet, its inevitable that hell be winding down his operations on the show within the next few years. Fey worked on SNL from 1997 to 2006, serving as a head writer and a cast member/Weekend Update anchor. She and Michaels remained close after her exit from the show. Fey went on to create and star in the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, which is based on the building where SNL takes place. Michaels served as executive producer on 30 Rock. He also worked with her on the 2004 blockbuster Mean Girls and its musical reboot, which was released last year. This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard, Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. They say, It takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes a village to grow older. As our bodies, our minds, our wishes, and our hearts age, we want and need a healthy and attentive community around us. The older adults in our village want and need to be socially connected, contribute their wisdom and experience, practice their purpose, receive care, and live out their final years with dignity. Central New York is a rapidly aging community. Onondaga Countys 65 and over population increased by 29% (19,109 people) over the past decade, even as the countys under-65 population declined by 3%. Older adults now account for 18% of the countys population, up from 14% a decade ago. The older population in Syracuse grew even faster during this period, increasing by a whopping 42.8% - the third-largest increase of any other area in the state. This growth was fueled by a 63% increase in the number of Black older people, and a staggering 250% increase in Hispanic older people. These trends will continue. Too often, an aging population is presented as a problem to overcome. When we consider our community as an intergenerational village where everyone is aging, we can see opportunities rather than limitations. We make space for older adults to stay active and relevant, contributing their expertise and wisdom as they volunteer, train up for new jobs, or provide free childcare for their grandchildren. In addition, we take seriously our responsibilities to care for our elders when they are ready for their hard-earned rest. It is time for us to consider what an aging-friendly village looks like, and what we need to do to build one. Lori Klivak, Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Healthy Aging at InterFaith Works of CNY. Syracuse, N.Y. Van Robinson, the former president of the Syracuse Common Council and longtime advocate for Syracuse and its African American community, has died. Robinson, who was 87 years old, died at Upstate University Hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to Charles Garland of Garland Brothers Funeral Home. Robinson, who called Syracuse home for 57 years, was a longtime leader of the Syracuse NAACP, serving as its vice president and president. A soft voice and patient way belied Van Robinsons immense strength and steely determination, Mayor Ben Walsh said in a statement. Syracuse is a better city because of Vans service and sacrifice. Robinson first joined the Common Council in 1999 to fill a vacant seat. He then went on to run for that same seat. In 2009, he was elected president of the Common Council, the first Black politician to hold that job. He served 18 years on the council and was president twice before retiring in 2017. Robinson helped revive the citys NAACP chapter in 1968 after moving to Syracuse from the Bronx. He had been working with a New York City-based insurance company that put him in charge of its expansion into upstate New York. Robinson also helped establish the New York State Fairs Pan-African Village and was one of the first city politicians to call for the removal of the Interstate 81 viaduct that ravaged Syracuses 15th ward when it was built in the early 60s. His determined vision was a critical factor in the decision to take down the Interstate 81 viaduct, Walsh said. In recent years as his health declined, when his presence was needed at pivotal occasions for Syracuse, Van summoned his strength to be there. Senator Chuck Schumer said in a statement Sunday that Robinson represented the very best of Central New York. He remembered always seeking Robinson out in the Pan African Village at the fair each year. He also lauded Robinsons vision for Syracuse after the removal of I-81. Future generations in Syracuse will know what it is like to live in a connected community, rather than one divided by a highway, and that is thanks to the extraordinary dedication of Van Robinson, Schumer said. He was a voice and fierce advocate for the community and thanks to his work, we are finally reconnecting communities split by I-81, Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement Sunday. Robinsons commitment and love for the city of Syracuse was seen by his political peers. In 2023, city officials approved a resolution to name the room where lawmakers debated and voted upon thousands of resolutions and laws to the Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers. Van B. Robinson was a visionary ahead of his time, Common Council President Helen Hudson wrote in support of the resolution at the time. Garland, who is also an Onondaga County legislator, posted online Saturday that Robinson was a trailblazer in Syracuse politics, a true advocate for our community, transcending racial politics, being a bridge, uniting us all for the greater good. His dedication and vision were an inspiration. George Kilpatrick, a host of a local urban radio show, posted online that Robinson was a great servant and a great man...Thank you Van for believing in the Cuse, for your vision, and your lasting legacy fighting for Justice in our community. Common Councilor Jimmy Monto, who is chairman of the city Democratic Party, posted on social media Saturday evening that Robinson had died. He is truly the reason that I believe in good government, Monto told Syracuse.com Saturday evening. Hes my greatest example of what humble, and kind looks like as a servant to the city of Syracuse. Even in Robinsons last few days, Monto said he could still go to him for a little humor and advice. Above everything else, Monto said Robinson was always brave, encouraging, wise and a gentleman. We lose that, he said. We lose his presence. But I think his lessons live on because a lot of us will govern and serve this city keeping in mind that he kind of laid the framework for exactly how to do it right. Van Robinson, former president of common council, on Aug. 14, 2023 calls for tearing down Interstate 81. (Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com) 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. Micron Technology plans to build a massive chipmaking complex in the town of Clay. This concepual rendering shows the scale of the development, which could be several times larger than the New York State Fairgrounds. Onondaga County Behind the scenes theres a tug-of-war going on between Onondaga County and syracuse.com involving Micron Technologys big report on its proposed semiconductor complex in Clay (County refuses to release Microns huge impact report. Public record experts say it should, April 21, 1025). This fight is not about paperwork. Its about the principle that government works for the people. Almost all efforts undertaken by the government to avoid transparency are bogus. They are an affront to taxpayers and voters. The county doesnt want you to see Microns draft environmental impact statement, even though you are entitled to see it, right now, under the law. Since December, Syracuse.com staff writer Glenn Coin has been asking for the DEIS, under state and federal Freedom of Information statutes, from every level of government with a hand in the project. That is the role of journalists: to find information in the public interest and report on it. It takes expertise, resources and perseverance. Coin has been denied, ignored and denied again. Sure, well all see it eventually. The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency plans to release the voluminous report in June. It is expected to contain thousands of pages of charts, data and maps detailing the plants impact on air and water pollution, traffic, emergency services, job creation and housing demand, among other things. Release of the report will kick off a 45-day comment period this summer; there is no commitment yet to hold public hearings. Once Micron responds to the comments and incorporates those responses into a final environmental impact statement, OCIDA, the U.S. Department of Commerce and several other government agencies will affix their stamps of approval. Construction can begin in the fall. Its been two and a half years since Microns big announcement. The wait for something anything! to happen is a source of frustration and cynicism. The editorial board is as eager as anyone to see shovels in the ground. We stipulate that New York states environmental review process is onerous; thats an editorial for another day. That doesnt change this fact: The public deserves to be heard about a project that depends on $20 billion in taxpayer subsidies to move forward. The countys tight timetable appears to be designed to limit public participation and thus limit public input and opposition. This will energize the opposition, not neutralize it. It also has the potential to delay the project even more, if the county is pressured to extend the public comment period beyond 45 days. Why not let people start digesting the report now? The county has thrown up all manner of roadblocks, delays and denials to keep it a secret. Coin was told he petitioned the wrong agency for it. He was told its too voluminous. Then it got really absurd: Following deadlines in the FOIL statute off a cliff, the county will hand over the report to Coin in July after its already been released in June. A request for the much shorter executive summary will be fulfilled in August two months after its public release. The county claims that the report is exempt from the FOIL law because it is intra-agency or inter-agency communication. That contradicts a ruling by the states highest court and the opinion of the state Committee on Open Government, which administers FOIL. These perverse efforts to not disclose usually dont work. In this case, refusing to release the DEIS is clearly contrary to both the plain language and the spirit of the law. Onondaga County government is a partner to Micron but it answers to you, the taxpayer and the voter. Join us in calling on County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency to stop stonewalling and release the Micron DEIS now. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a view of the ancient citadel of Bam, Iran. Bam and its Cultural Landscape of Iran was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004, shortly after it was struck by a major earthquake in 2003. In 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. (Xinhua/Shadati) This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a view of the ancient citadel of Bam, Iran. Bam and its Cultural Landscape of Iran was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004, shortly after it was struck by a major earthquake in 2003. In 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. (Xinhua/Shadati) This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a view of the ancient citadel of Bam, Iran. Bam and its Cultural Landscape of Iran was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004, shortly after it was struck by a major earthquake in 2003. In 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. (Xinhua/Shadati) This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a view of the ancient citadel of Bam, Iran. Bam and its Cultural Landscape of Iran was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004, shortly after it was struck by a major earthquake in 2003. In 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. (Xinhua/Shadati) Canelo Alvarez will aim to regain the title of undisputed Super Middlewight champion Saturday when he fights William Scull. The fight card will begin at 7 p.m. ET in Saudi Arabia. Alvarez vs. Scull is a pay-per-view event, and will exclusively air on DAZN. You can buy the PPV package for $59.99. Heres what you need to know: What: Undisputed Super Middleweight title fight Who: Canelo Alvarez (champion) vs. William Scull When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 Time: 7 p.m. ET Where: ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia What to know about the Canelo vs. Scull fight card This is Alvarezs first fight since September 2024, when he beat Edgar Berlanga by unanimous decision. Canelo has won his past five fights, his most recent loss came from Dmitri Bivol in May 2022. Alvarez is currently 62-2-2, with his two losses coming from Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. Scull is 23-0, most recently winning the vacant IBF Super Middleweight belt via unanimous decision against Vladimir Shishkin. Canelo has beaten many undefeated opponents before, and Vegas doesnt seem to think Scull will be any different. Alvarez is a -3000 favorite to win the fight on FanDuel. Jaime Munguia will fight in the second-to-last match of the night, where he is the overwhelming favorite (-1100) to beat Bruno Surace. Munguia lost to Sarace (26-0-2) in December, meaning hell be out for vengeance Saturday night. Canelo beat Munguia by unanimous decision last May. Before that fight Munguia was 43-0, hes now 44-2. Heavyweight Martin Bakole lost by TKO in February, but will return to the ring against Efe Ajagba Saturday. Despite the recent TKO loss and Ajagbas last loss coming in 2021, Bakole is the heavy favorite (-480) to beat Ajagba (+330). 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. sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,548 Times View My Garage Exploring the snows of North Sikkim It all started with the idea to celebrate the 6 month ownership of the Scorpio-N and what better place to travel than the unpredictable North Sikkim with a couple of days chipped in at Kalimpong. Enroute Yumthang/Zero Point *** Itinerary: 24-Mar-25: Kolkata - Siliguri 25-Mar-25: Siliguri - Kalimpong 26-Mar-25: Kalimpong 27-Mar-25: Kalimpong - Lachung 28-Mar-25: Lachung - Yumthang/Zero Point - Lachen 29-Mar-25: Lachen - Gurudongmar - Dzongu 30-Mar-25: Dzongu - Raiganj 31-Mar-25: Raiganj - Kolkata 24-Mar-25 Kolkata to Siliguri: We started from our Kolkata home around 12 in the afternoon. NH 34, which was fearsome monster in its heydays is now a predictable highway and it took us 11.5 hrs door to door with lunch breaks thrown in. This time we stayed at a new hotel in Siliguri The 4 Vedas. The rooms were luxurious, food was excellent but the only vegetarian fare was a dampener. However considering that it was only a transit halt, that was manageable. 25-Mar-25 Siliguri to Kalimpong: The next day we started around 11ish, with Kalimpong as our objective. We had stayed at a lovely place, Windsongs before and we were booked at the same place and the same rooms for this stay too. The idea was to laze around for a couple of days. Cherry Blossoms Breakfast at 4 Vedas, Siliguri The traffic on the Sevoke road has increased manifold and with speed cameras in place, you need to maintain a sedate pace. As we crossed the Sevoke railway line, the hills started. The idling Teesta river and blue skies keep company as one crosses the Coronation bridge. We had been on these roads only 3 months back, on the way to At Windsongs, Kalimpong And around 2 PM we enter Windsong and as you enter the gates, you can feel that the banter of the roads and traffic have disappeared and you get to hear literally the chirping of birds and winds. Being late March, the day was hot. At Durpin Monastery Stay at Windsongs is synonymous with relaxation and good food and good sleep. And in those two days the relaxation provided a much needed break from our stay. One of the days was also wifes birthday which was celebrated with a cake and some extra savouries from the owners. From the rooms, one can simply gaze at the Tarey Bhir ridge at the top and the deep Teesta valley at the bottom and on a clear day the Kanchenjunga appears over the ridge. The next day we went to the Cactus Nursery and in the evening to the Durpin monastery. Coming to the food, be it the breakfast spread of Puri subzi or the Toast/Sausages and the lunch/dinner of Dal, chicken curries or the custard seems and the icing on the cake has to be the custard.. The breakfast view 27-Mar-25 Kalimpong to Lachung: So, after spending two relaxing days at Kalimpong, we were on the road again and this time headed towards North Sikkim. The road to Gurudongmar lake, a common adventure spot in the Eastern Himalayas, was closed for close to 2 years (?) due to a Glacial Lake outburst and was reopened in January 2025. However 2 weeks before the trip we came to know that the road had closed down again due to a broken bridge and we had excluded it from our itinerary. But only the previous day we came to know that the route was reopened which was good news for us. The permit had to be done from Mangan and Rikzin, a local, had arranged for the same. We enter North Sikkim at the Dikchu checkpost We took the following route: Kalimpong Rangpo Singtam Dikchu. At Dikchu we came to know that the usual route through Mangan is closed (Google was indicating that but did not suggest any alternate route, and nor did we enquire because I felt there must definitely be some way). At Dikchu, we had the ubiquitous maggi for lunch and lost a good deal of an hour for the getting the permitsbefore we crossed over to Dzongu. I found it strange that Google map wasnt showing any route map here. It was a long detour of ~40-45 kms several sections of which were steep, narrow and broken. The road, first climbs up and then rapidly descends to the river bed at a place called Sankalang. From Sangkalang it rises again in a series of 46 switchbacks, some of which was quite steep and you can feel the altitude at times. The road is very narrow and making way for the uphill traffic is quite common till you reach the check post of Tung. Snowed out landscapes at Zero point We had started from Kalimpong at 9 in the morning and it was around 4 that we reached Tung. Lachung our destination for the night was around 40 kms away. At Chungthang we saw the devastation caused by the flooded glacial lake, so much so that the river changed its course, uprooting trees at least a 100 feet higher than its course and as we learnt later, washed away 14 bridges on the Lachen side. However, the road from Chungthang to Lachung was in top shape. It had rained sometime back and then the skies had cleared up for a moment revealing the orange glow of the setting sun that fell upon the still wet blooming magnolias and rhododendrons in the evening light. It was around 6 that we checked in to Etho Metho hotel at night. But I was worried about fuel, I had presumed that the route will take me through Mangan where there is a fuel station. But this new road alignment was a surprise. In fact I did not fuel up at Dikchu, thinking that I will any way fill up at Mangan. Anyway, thinking of Lachung now where I had been first in 2005, was a small village, but is now a series of hotels. And where there was hardly mobile networks, now has even 4G WiFi. It was rainy, windy and quite chilly in evening. However, the next morning, was bright and sunny, Vivek Gurung, the hotel manager was quite supportive and he drove me to a few places where he knew we could get Diesel but we were out of luck. In fact, whatever be my feedback on the hotel, we will always have words of appreciation for Vivek. Morning at Etho Metho, Lachung Rhododendrons have start to bloom at the lower altitudes 28-Mar-25: Lachung Yumthang/Zero Point - Lachen So, with the problematic fuel situation, we started towards Yumthang/Zero Point. The fuel situation was so bad that we we would be bound to cancel the Lachen leg, if there was no replenishment. But in that bright morning with the snow peaks glistening in the distance and the conifers swaying in the wind, the worries disappeared. We took it slow absorbing the beauty of the place. A few miles out of Lachung, the snow line started. At places the Lachung Chu came close to the road and at times it slipped away by a few miles. And there were times when we crossed over boulder zones which were probably part of the river bed. We climbed up further crossing South Yumesamdong and then further up where it was very cold and completely snowed out. The road goes further , but we stopped our journey at the place where all the cars were standing. It was a snowed out zone. The breeze sometimes increasing in intensity to a strong wind as evident from the fluttering prayer flags.The sun had disappeared by then and it was dark and cloudy - quite ominous. While we were having tea with the the worry of the low fuel in the mind and I just thought of asking the tea seller if he knows where we get diesel in Lachung or Chungthang..? He told me I neednt go any where but will get diesel here itself and then someone came with a 20 litre can. An cab driver opined that this fuel might not be good for BS6 cars. That was a risk I was prepared to take and then filled up the diesel. So with fuel in the tank and an updated range and some more tea, we drove down hill. At Yumthang we had lunch and started pondering where to stay at Lachen. We started from our Kolkata home around 12 in the afternoon. NH 34, which was fearsome monster in its heydays is now a predictable highway and it took us 11.5 hrs door to door with lunch breaks thrown in. This time we stayed at a new hotel in Siliguri The rooms were luxurious, food was excellent but the only vegetarian fare was a dampener. However considering that it was only a transit halt, that was manageable.The next day we started around 11ish, with Kalimpong as our objective. We had stayed at a lovely place, Windsongs before and we were booked at the same place and the same rooms for this stay too. The idea was to laze around for a couple of days.The traffic on the Sevoke road has increased manifold and with speed cameras in place, you need to maintain a sedate pace. As we crossed the Sevoke railway line, the hills started. The idling Teesta river and blue skies keep company as one crosses the Coronation bridge. We had been on these roads only 3 months back, on the way to Biksthang (My Mahindra Scorpio-N Z8 4X4 MT Review) . Only this time, we depart from NH 31/NH 10 much earlier at Teesta Bazaar from where the switch backs of Kalimpong start. Comparison comes immediately to the mind because I had climbed these hills in my Swift where I had to rev it high but in the ScorpioN, the climbs are not stressed.And around 2 PM we enter Windsong and as you enter the gates, you can feel that the banter of the roads and traffic have disappeared and you get to hear literally the chirping of birds and winds. Being late March, the day was hot.Stay at Windsongs is synonymous with relaxation and good food and good sleep. And in those two days the relaxation provided a much needed break from our stay. One of the days was also wifes birthday which was celebrated with a cake and some extra savouries from the owners. From the rooms, one can simply gaze at the Tarey Bhir ridge at the top and the deep Teesta valley at the bottom and on a clear day the Kanchenjunga appears over the ridge. The next day we went to the Cactus Nursery and in the evening to the Durpin monastery. Coming to the food, be it the breakfast spread of Puri subzi or the Toast/Sausages and the lunch/dinner of Dal, chicken curries or the custard seems and the icing on the cake has to be the custard..So, after spending two relaxing days at Kalimpong, we were on the road again and this time headed towards North Sikkim. The road to Gurudongmar lake, a common adventure spot in the Eastern Himalayas, was closed for close to 2 years (?) due to a Glacial Lake outburst and was reopened in January 2025. However 2 weeks before the trip we came to know that the road had closed down again due to a broken bridge and we had excluded it from our itinerary. But only the previous day we came to know that the route was reopened which was good news for us. The permit had to be done from Mangan and Rikzin, a local, had arranged for the same.We took the following route: Kalimpong Rangpo Singtam Dikchu. At Dikchu we came to know that the usual route through Mangan is closed (Google was indicating that but did not suggest any alternate route, and nor did we enquire because I felt there must definitely be some way). At Dikchu, we had the ubiquitous maggi for lunch and lost a good deal of an hour for the getting the permitsbefore we crossed over to Dzongu.I found it strange that Google map wasnt showing any route map here. It was a long detour of ~40-45 kms several sections of which were steep, narrow and broken. The road, first climbs up and then rapidly descends to the river bed at a place called Sankalang. From Sangkalang it rises again in a series of 46 switchbacks, some of which was quite steep and you can feel the altitude at times. The road is very narrow and making way for the uphill traffic is quite common till you reach the check post of Tung.We had started from Kalimpong at 9 in the morning and it was around 4 that we reached Tung. Lachung our destination for the night was around 40 kms away. At Chungthang we saw the devastation caused by the flooded glacial lake, so much so that the river changed its course, uprooting trees at least a 100 feet higher than its course and as we learnt later, washed away 14 bridges on the Lachen side. However, the road from Chungthang to Lachung was in top shape. It had rained sometime back and then the skies had cleared up for a moment revealing the orange glow of the setting sun that fell upon the still wet blooming magnolias and rhododendrons in the evening light. It was around 6 that we checked in to Etho Metho hotel at night.But I was worried about fuel, I had presumed that the route will take me through Mangan where there is a fuel station. But this new road alignment was a surprise. In fact I did not fuel up at Dikchu, thinking that I will any way fill up at Mangan. Anyway, thinking of Lachung now where I had been first in 2005, was a small village, but is now a series of hotels. And where there was hardly mobile networks, now has even 4G WiFi. It was rainy, windy and quite chilly in evening.However, the next morning, was bright and sunny, Vivek Gurung, the hotel manager was quite supportive and he drove me to a few places where he knew we could get Diesel but we were out of luck. In fact, whatever be my feedback on the hotel, we will always have words of appreciation for Vivek.So, with the problematic fuel situation, we started towards Yumthang/Zero Point. The fuel situation was so bad that we we would be bound to cancel the Lachen leg, if there was no replenishment. But in that bright morning with the snow peaks glistening in the distance and the conifers swaying in the wind, the worries disappeared. We took it slow absorbing the beauty of the place. A few miles out of Lachung, the snow line started. At places the Lachung Chu came close to the road and at times it slipped away by a few miles. And there were times when we crossed over boulder zones which were probably part of the river bed.We climbed up further crossing South Yumesamdong and then further up where it was very cold and completely snowed out. The road goes further , but we stopped our journey at the place where all the cars were standing. It was a snowed out zone. The breeze sometimes increasing in intensity to a strong wind as evident from the fluttering prayer flags.The sun had disappeared by then and it was dark and cloudy - quite ominous.While we were having tea with the the worry of the low fuel in the mind and I just thought of asking the tea seller if he knows where we get diesel in Lachung or Chungthang..? He told me I neednt go any where but will get diesel here itself and then someone came with a 20 litre can. An cab driver opined that this fuel might not be good for BS6 cars. That was a risk I was prepared to take and then filled up the diesel. So with fuel in the tank and an updated range and some more tea, we drove down hill. At Yumthang we had lunch and started pondering where to stay at Lachen. Last edited by vb-saan : 3rd May 2025 at 18:40 . Reason: Photo alignment. Thank you Forward-looking: Recent studies indicate that the widespread adoption of solar panels worldwide could significantly reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change. The United Kingdom plans to take a major step toward that goal with upcoming legislation that mandates panels on the roofs of almost all new homes. The Times has seen plans indicating that the British government will soon announce a roadmap for installing solar panels on virtually all newly-built houses. If the legislation passes this year, the requirements might come into force in 2027. According to experts, the plan will require 80% of new homes to cover 40% of their ground area with solar panels. Another 19% of new builds would have lower requirements due to factors such as roof angle, orientation, and shade. About one percent might be exempt from including panels. Although the plans would make building new properties up to around 4,000 more expensive, the panels could help families save up to 1,000 on energy bills annually, potentially paying off the extra building costs in four years. If implemented, the initiative would bring the UK closer to its goal of decarbonizing its electric grid by 2030. Part of the strategy involves installing up to 47 gigawatts of solar power capacity by the end of this decade. The government is also expected to announce government loans for installing solar panels on existing homes, but building scaffolding and rewiring old buildings for solar is far more expensive than building it into new structures. Although panels can dramatically reduce (and sometimes erase) energy bills, mass adoption can also throw power grids off balance. Although panels can dramatically reduce (and sometimes erase) energy bills, mass adoption can also throw power grids off balance. In Australia, which has adopted solar energy with remarkable speed over the last two decades, the technology sometimes generates more power than grids can withstand. Particularly sunny spring days produce excess energy during times of low demand because air conditioners aren't running as much as they do during the summer. This forces states to either export or waste power, highlighting the need for more flexible grids in the future. Britain's National Energy System Operator recently warned that excess solar energy might force power stations to shut down during periods of low demand. Meanwhile, the US significantly increased its solar investments last year, contributing 60% of new energy capacity. Late last year, Oregon approved the construction of a 1.2 gigawatt station that could power around 800,000 homes a year, making it one of the country's largest. ADEN, Yemen, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) appointed Finance Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik as the country's new prime minister on Saturday, following the resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak. The decision, reported by state-run Saba news agency, came just hours after bin Mubarak stepped down, citing constitutional constraints and obstacles that hindered his reform efforts. Bin Braik, who has served as the finance minister since 2019 and vice finance minister prior to that, has held several key financial and administrative roles throughout his career. The official statement clarified that all current ministers would retain their positions, with bin Mubarak being appointed as an advisor to the PLC president. Bin Mubarak, in his resignation statement, highlighted the "numerous difficulties" he faced, including an inability to reshape the government and implement critical reforms due to limited constitutional powers. Bin Mubarak, who took office in February 2024, had previously served as Yemen's foreign minister and ambassador to the United States. Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014 when Houthi forces took control of the capital Sanaa, continues to drive instability, with the internationally recognized government operating from Aden. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust A hot potato: A new wave of AI tools designed without ethical safeguards is empowering hackers to identify and exploit software vulnerabilities faster than ever before. As these "evil AI" platforms evolve rapidly, cybersecurity experts warn that traditional defenses will struggle to keep pace. On a recent morning at the annual RSA Conference in San Francisco, a packed room at Moscone Center had gathered for what was billed as a technical exploration of artificial intelligence's role in modern hacking. The session, led by Sherri Davidoff and Matt Durrin of LMG Security, promised more than just theory; it would offer a rare, live demonstration of so-called "evil AI" in action, a topic that has rapidly moved from cyberpunk fiction to real-world concern. Davidoff, LMG Security's founder and CEO, set the stage with a sober reminder of the ever-present threat from software vulnerabilities. But it was Durrin, the firm's Director of Training and Research, who quickly shifted the tone, reports Alaina Yee, senior editor at PCWorld. He introduced the concept of "evil AI" artificial intelligence tools designed without ethical guardrails, capable of identifying and exploiting software flaws before defenders can react. "What if hackers utilize their malevolent AI tools, which lack safeguards, to detect vulnerabilities before we have the opportunity to address them?" Durrin asked the audience, previewing the unsettling demonstrations to come. The team's journey to acquire one of these rogue AIs, such as GhostGPT and DevilGPT, usually ended in frustration or discomfort. Finally, their persistence paid off when they tracked down WormGPT a tool highlighted in a post by Brian Krebs through Telegram channels for $50. As Durrin explained, WormGPT is essentially ChatGPT stripped of its ethical constraints. It will answer any question, no matter how destructive or illegal the request. However, the presenters emphasized that the true threat lies not in the tool's existence but in its capabilities. The LMG Security team began by testing an older version of WormGPT on DotProject, an open-source project management platform. The AI correctly identified a SQL vulnerability and proposed a basic exploit, though it failed to produce a working attack likely because it couldn't process the entire codebase. A newer version of WormGPT was then tasked with analyzing the infamous Log4j vulnerability. This time, the AI not only found the flaw but provided enough information that, as Davidoff observed, "an intermediate hacker" could use it to craft an exploit. The real shock came with the latest iteration: WormGPT offered step-by-step instructions, complete with code tailored to the test server, and those instructions worked flawlessly. To push the limits further, the team simulated a vulnerable Magento e-commerce platform. WormGPT detected a complex two-part exploit that evaded detection by mainstream security tools like SonarQube and even ChatGPT itself. During the live demonstration, the rogue AI offered a comprehensive hacking guide, unprompted and with alarming speed. As the session drew to a close, Davidoff reflected on the rapid evolution of these malicious AI tools. "I'm a little nervous about where we will [be] with hacker tools in six months because you can clearly see the progress that has been made over the past year," she said. The audience's uneasy silence echoed the sentiment, Yee wrote. Image credit: PCWorld, LMG Security Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Forward-looking: As the world faces a data tsunami, with most information destined for long-term storage, one technology could offer a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative. Whether Cerabyte can deliver on its promise of millennia-long durability and ultra-low costs remains to be seen. Still, its boiling and baking tests have already raised the bar in the race for the future of data storage. Cerabyte recently conducted an experiment that seemed more like a culinary exercise than a technology showcase. The German storage startup plunged a sliver of its archival glass storage into a kettle of boiling salt water, then roasted it in a pizza oven. Despite enduring temperatures of 100C in the kettle and 250C in the oven, the storage medium emerged unscathed, with its data fully intact. This experiment along with a similar live demonstration at the Open Compute Project Summit in Dublin was not just a spectacle. It was Cerabyte's way of proving a bold claim: its storage media can withstand conditions that would destroy conventional data storage. Founded in 2022, Cerabyte is on a mission to upend the world of digital archiving. The company's technology relies on an ultra-thin ceramic layer just 50 to 100 atoms thick applied to a glass substrate. Using femtosecond lasers, data is etched into the ceramic in nanoscale holes. Each 9 cm chip can store up to 1 GB of information per side, written at a rate of two million bits per laser pulse. Cerabyte claims the result is a medium as durable as ancient hieroglyphs, with a projected lifespan of 5,000 years or more. The durability of glass is well known. Its resistance to aging, fire, water, radiation, and even electromagnetic pulses makes it a natural candidate for "cold storage." Cerabyte's tests including boiling the media in salt water for days (long enough to corrode the kettle itself) and baking it at high heat were designed to underscore this resilience. While the company has not disclosed how the ceramic layer or its bond to the glass would fare under physical shock, the media's resistance to environmental hazards is clear. Cerabyte's ambitions extend beyond durability. The startup aims to reduce the cost of archival storage to less than $1 per terabyte by 2030 a target that could transform the economics of long-term data retention. The company's roadmap includes glass slides and CeraTape, a tape format with exabyte-scale capacity designed to integrate with existing robotic library systems. Cerabyte's demonstrations have drawn attention at industry events, where the ability to retrieve data after extreme stress tests has impressed observers. Unlike other archival methods magnetic tape, hard drives, or even optical discs, all of which degrade over decades Cerabyte's ceramic-on-glass approach promises to eliminate the need for regular data migration or energy-hungry maintenance. Microsoft has announced its plans to phase out the password storage and autofill feature from its Microsoft Authenticator app starting in July 2025, with a complete phase-out by August 2025. The decision aligns with the companys goal to streamline autofill support and consolidate credential management under a single platform, Microsoft Edge, for a secure user experience. For those unaware, Microsoft Authenticator is a mobile app that provides multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Microsoft accounts and other services, allowing users to verify their identity using a secondary factor, such as a code, push notification, or biometric data (like fingerprint or face recognition), in addition to their password. It also supports passwordless sign-ins and previously offered a password autofill feature synced across devices using a Microsoft account. The Timeline for Planned Changes: Starting June 2025, users will no longer be able to save new passwords in the Authenticator app. During July 2025, users will not be able to use autofill with Authenticator, and any payment information stored in the app will be deleted from the device. From August 2025, saved passwords will no longer be accessible in the Authenticator app, and any unsaved generated passwords will be deleted. Transition To Microsoft Edge: To continue using autofill features, Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Microsoft Edge, which now integrates password management capabilities. However, payment information stored in the Authenticator app will not be transferred and will be deleted after July 2025. Your saved passwords (but not your generated password history) and addresses are securely synced to your Microsoft account, and you can continue to access them and enjoy seamless autofill functionality with Microsoft Edge, reads the announcement. Moreover, Authenticator will continue to support passkeys. Microsoft is advising users who have set up Passkeys for their Microsoft Account must keep the Authenticator app enabled as their designated Passkey Provider, as disabling the Authenticator app will also deactivate their passkey access. How To Use Autofill In Microsoft Edge To use autofill with Microsoft Edge, users will need to enable Edge as their autofill provider by following the steps for iOS and Android devices. To access passwords in Edge on a mobile device, click on the Edge icon and then tap on Settings > Passwords. Implications For Users: To avoid data loss, users dependent on the Authenticator app for password management should export their information before August 1, 2025. This aligns with Microsofts ongoing effort to unify password management under Edge, moving away from Microsoft Authenticators autofill feature. TRIPOLI, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives speaker, Aguila Saleh, called on Saturday for the swift creation of a unified government, warning that the prolonged political crisis could further destabilize the country unless immediate action is taken. In a video message released by the House of Representatives' media office, Saleh, whose chamber supports the eastern Government of National Stability based in Benghazi, stressed the importance of adhering to a political roadmap established last year. "We no longer have multiple options or solutions. We must act promptly to establish a new authority in line with the political agreement reached through consensus," Saleh stated, referring to a stalled deal between his body and the Tripoli-based High Council of State, a consultative body aligned with the western Libyan administration. Saleh also criticized recent decrees issued by the Tripoli-based Presidency Council, accusing the body of overstepping its mandate. Earlier this week, the Presidency Council, a three-member leadership body headed by Mohamed Menfi, issued decrees suspending a law passed by Saleh's House of Representatives to create a constitutional court -- a move eastern lawmakers view as a consolidation of power. Saleh denounced the decrees as an overreach of the Presidency Council's authority, accusing Menfi's panel of interfering in legislative affairs and undermining efforts to unify the nation. Saleh's remarks highlight the growing rift between Libya's rival administrations, a division that has deepened since the 2011 ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi and the ensuing civil war. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya expressed similar concerns on Wednesday, warning that "escalatory unilateral actions" by competing factions threaten to derail fragile diplomatic progress. Oil-rich Libya has struggled to establish stable governance since NATO-backed forces ousted and killed long-time ruler Gaddafi. The North African country remains divided between two administrations: the eastern government, backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar, and the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli. Jordan evacuates tourists from Petra after flood hits Amman, May 4 (AFP) May 04, 2025 Jordanian authorities on Sunday evacuated nearly 1,800 tourists from the ancient city of Petra after the area was hit by flooding, an official told state television. "Rescue teams ... evacuated hundreds of tourists from Petra after flash floods hit the archaeological site," Al-Mamlaka TV quoted local official Yazan Mohadin as saying. "The number of tourists who visited the site today recorded 1,785, and civil defence teams evacuated the majority of them," he said, adding that no casualties were recorded. Jordan's meteorological authority published a video showing flash floods hitting the ancient city. It showed tourists gathering at the entrance of the Treasury, one of the site's most iconic tombs, before being evacuated. Similar evacuations have occurred in the past, as the area witnesses increasing rains and storms. Petra, famous for its stunning temples hewn from rose-pink cliff faces, is a UN World Heritage site. It was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a 2007 online poll. TUNIS, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian Foreign Ministry on Saturday reaffirmed its "profound and steadfast commitment to multilateralism and its resolve to advance a framework that meets global aspirations for a more just, secure, sustainable, and humane world order." The announcement was made during the commemoration of National Diplomacy Day, marking the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the ministry. According to the statement, under the authorization of the Tunisian president, this year's commemoration was held under the theme of "Strengthening Multilateral Action and Reinforcing Cooperation with the United Nations System." In his opening speech at the commemoration, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti stressed the urgent need to reform the international system to ensure equitable justice for all nations without selectivity. Nafti also reaffirmed Tunisia's unconditional and steadfast support for the rights of the Palestinian people. The complex life of Mark Twain, a writer dubbed the Father of American Literature, is told expertly in Pulitzer winner Ron Chernows comprehensive 1,100-word biography Mark Twain (Allen Lane). In the years preceding Twains death in 1910, at the age of 74, it becomes a deeply sorry tale indeed. The author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was a heavy drinker, plagued by bronchial coughs and itchy piles. He lambasted the bastard human race and dismissed his fellow citizens as just tubs of rotten offal. Chernow offers a balanced, insightful view of the whole Twain package and does not gloss over the celebrated authors college-girl habits, Twains own phrase for the way he groomed young girls he creepily called his angel fish. Two lighter reads, particularly for those with a taste for quirky travel books, are Ben Aitkens witty Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities (Icon Books), and Nigel Tassells charming Final Destination: Riding Britains Trains to the End of the Line (Mudlark), which offers a guide to 16 journeys (spanning from Wick in upper Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall). The accounts will make any fan of railways want to experience these delights for themselves. A couple of recommended fiction books this month are Sarah Mosss Ripeness (Picador), an impressive story of love and belonging, spanning 1960s Italy to contemporary Ireland, and Leo Robsons engaging and smartly ironic debut The Boys (Riverrun), a generational saga set during the London Olympics of 2012. My picks for novel, non-fiction book and biography of the month are reviewed in full below: Novel of the month: The Names by Florence Knapp open image in gallery In Florence Knapps debut, events unfold with a neat unpredictability ( Orion Publishing ) The Names, in simple terms, is the story of three different versions of the same life, with a trio of wildly differing fates panning out from one simple decision: Caras choice of name for her newborn son. Spanning 35 years, Florence Knapps superb debut novel shows what happens to the same boy whether he is Bear a name chosen by his older sister Maia because it sounds all soft and cuddly and kind or Julian, a talismanic name meaning sky father, or Gordon, a replica of his fathers name and one that will tie him to generations of domineering men. Knapp breaks the action into six sections 1987, 1994, 2001, 2008, 2015 and 2022, in a time frame echoing the famous Seven-Up television documentaries and along with the varying scenarios for Bear, Julian and Gordon, we also see how the decision affects Cora herself, and Maia, and a whole cast of relatives, lovers, friends and strangers. The central brother-sister relationship is depicted beautifully in each iteration. Another constant is the sharp portrait of Gordon senior, a controlling, abusive middle-class husband. Outwardly, he is a respectable GP, venerated by the local community, at home he is vile. One of Knapps strengths is etching not only a convincing portrait of a truly menacing man but also providing a subtle picture of how society fails to keep women safe from domestic abuse, both mental and physical. Its a small quibble, I concede, but the exposition of the family origins of the doctors warped character was a touch heavy-handed. Nevertheless, Knapp builds on her clever premise, and events unfold with a neat unpredictability. The three different life stories are told with imagination and cohesion, and the author also explores wider themes such as teenage misogyny, sexual identity and the power of true friendship. And Knapp, who previously wrote a non-fiction book about quilt-making, offers gorgeous descriptions of the skills and passions of the art-makers who weave in and out of the plots. The Names is a thoroughly engrossing novel and a profound debut. The brutality and cruelty make it a difficult read at times, but Knapps tender touches rescue the reader from some of the pain. The Names by Florence Knapp is published by Phoenix on 8 May, 16.99 Non-fiction book of the month: The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii by Gabriel Zuchtriegel open image in gallery Gabriel Zuchtriegel is an enlightening guide to an amazing ancient show ( Hodder & Stoughton ) As I was reading The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii, the latest excavation of the city buried alive by the eruption of Vesuvius on 24 August 79 CE unearthed two remarkable long-lost sculptures, including one of a female priestess, which had been built into a wall of a necropolis near the main entrance gate into Pompeii. It really is a living story of the dead. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, a German-born Italian citizen who is Director General of the Archaeological Park in Pompeii, has written an illuminating, engrossing guide to a world frozen in time. He is infectiously enthusiastic about his work, and the book translated from the German by Jamie Bulloch makes you yearn to visit and see friezes and architectural wonders for yourself. Herman Melville said of Pompeii that it was same old humanity. If so, it was one brimming with sensuality and eroticism. The modern distinction between homosexuality and heterosexuality was completely alien to the ancient world, writes Zuchtriegel. Nobody had to commit themselves to a specific sexual orientation. He adds that women received a horrendous deal in ancient Pompeii. Whether a woman gave her consent or not seemed simply irrelevant in 79 CE; the author explains, and that sexual violence and rape were common. He asserts several times that the ancient world has relevant things to say to 21st-century people so make of it what you will that the towns brothel, the Lupanar, remains one of the most visited places by tourists. If (like me) your knowledge of what happened at Pompeii consists of the disturbing illustrations in primary school picture books, you will find much that fascinates in The Buried City, including the vivid, scientific descriptions of what happens when a mountain top literally explodes in a volcanic eruption. Zuchtriegel flies off in lots of interesting directions about petty academic behaviour, the misogyny faced by trailblazing female academics, the Elgin marbles, looting and the mafias part in the illegal trade in antiquities right up to the way digital technology, AI and drones are helping modern archaeologists. Pompeii is like a rip in the screen through which we have the opportunity to take a peek behind the official version of history, says Zuchtriegel, who is an enlightening guide to an amazing ancient show. The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii by Gabriel Zuchtriegel is published by Hodder Press on 22 May, 22 Biography of the month: Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife by Francesca Wade open image in gallery A deep dive into Gertrude Stein ( Faber & Faber ) Gertrude Stein, hailed by fans as the godmother of literary modernism, was certainly a world-class braggart. Among the boasts collected in Francesca Wades Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife are I have been the creative literary mind of the century; that she believed she wrote the only important literature that has come out of America since Henry James and that my books should be treated as classics. I should perhaps declare an acquaintance with Wade, a former newspaper colleague, although more relevant is my respect for her previous book Square Haunting, about the Bloomsbury set. Her Stein book has an adroit structure the first part is more traditional biography, the second is about Steins posthumous legacy and cultural afterlife and Wade benefits from being the first researcher to examine the rich archive of Stein material collected by Leon Katz. Stein is a true curiosity. Some people rave about her work, others castigated her writing (419 pages of drivel; gibberish and ghastly twaddle are among the cutting descriptions) and she seemed to want abject adulation from everyone around (it was, oddly enough, provided by lots of obsequious young male fans). Although Wade dubs Stein a megalomaniac, the author offers a balanced account of her qualities, alongside the flaws. The book is full of dynamic characters including Steins friend Pablo Picasso and much of the story focuses on Steins lover and longtime companion, Alice B Toklas. They called each other Pussy and Lovey and Toklas seemed to subsume her own life in service of Steins (It was like she was a passenger in her own life, in Wades neat phrase). Even so, there was flint within Toklas, who was a grudge-bearer with influence. She detested Ernest Hemingway, for example, and boasted: I made Gertrude get rid of him. There seems to have been a lot of score-settling at the heart of Steins private circles, and Wades account of her wholly dysfunctional sibling relationships is revealing. The biography did make me wonder how much Stein is even read nowadays (would many 21st-century readers have the appetite for her experimental prose and deliberate sabotage of syntax?), although Wade, better positioned than most, is convinced that the humour of Steins writing shines through some eight decades after her death in 1946, aged 72. Wade provides lots of incidental details in this excellent, well-researched book, including that Steins favourite sound was that of a hooting owl. That detail alone made me warm to her, far more than her literary grandstanding. Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife by Francesca Wade is published by Faber on 22 May, 20 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 Robert Harris, the author of the novel that inspired the 2024 film Conclave, has said that the process to elect a new pope is the closest thing to a real-life version of the deception game show The Traitors. The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has drawn renewed attention to the Oscar-nominated film Conclave, which was set within the cloistered world of the Vatican. It follows the days after the death of the Pope, with cardinals (under the age of 80) gathering in the Vaticans Sistine Chapel for a process to choose the next Pontiff, while the public wait outside for a decision. In Edward Bergers adaptation of Harriss 2016 novel, the election of a new Pope is depicted as a gossipy affair, full of infighting and political manoeuvring by cardinals jostling for power and leverage over their rivals. Ahead of the conclave process to elect Pope Franciss successor on 7 May, Harris has said that the process of deal-making, secrecy and private discussions has a striking resemblance to the hit BBC game show The Traitors. The programme sees contestants picked as Traitors, who must mislead the rest of the contestants in order to survive and kill, and Faithfuls, who must catch and banish. The result sees participants splinter into different factions and grow suspicious of everyone around them. [Its] the nearest analogy I can come to. Suddenly everyone swings to one person you cant see why, particularly, but it happens, Harris told the BBC of the similarities. And in a funny way, a similar dynamic does operate in a conclave, which is why often it produces a surprise. Elsewhere in the interview, Harris suggested that political parties electing a new leader could learn from the conclave process. open image in gallery Ralph Fiennes in Conclave ( 2024 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ) To lock the door and say youre not going to come out until youve come up with a result concentrates the mind and if you look back, the popes have been pretty good. 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. I didnt come away from researching the novel thinking this is a terrible idea [and that] I must write a novel to expose how awful it is. In a way, the novel shows a conclave working. In the pre-conclave process, cardinals played by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow in the film gather to elect Pope Franciss successor, and engage in a discreet dance of dinner parties, coffee meet-ups, and private conversations, all aimed at discerning who possesses the qualities to lead the Catholic Church. open image in gallery Cardinals attend the sixth Novemdiales mass held for the late Pope Francis in St Peters Basilica on 1 May ( Getty ) During the voting process, which takes place in the Sistine chapel, 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 totalled, 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 that will leave the conclave chimney. 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. 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 ET the Extra-Terrestrial star Dee Wallace has revealed that she fought director Steven Spielberg over a scene in the film she found uncomfortable, arguing that it would have spoiled the purity of the movie. Wallace starred in the 1982 classic as the mother of a young boy who befriends a space alien he dubs ET. Henry Thomas played the boy in question, with a seven-year-old Drew Barrymore cast as his little sister. In a new interview with the Still Here Hollywood podcast, Wallace recalled working on the film and struggling with a subplot in which the titular alien develops romantic feelings for her character. Theres a whole B story in ET about ET having a love affair with Mary, a love crush on Mary, she explained. And theres little bits of it left in there. There was a scene where he came in to put Reeses Pieces down on my bedside table as Im asleep. While she had no problem with the scene as scripted, she remembered that it played slightly differently on set. Mr Spielberg wanted the sheet a little lower than I was comfortable with, she said. I argued my point that this was a family film that was very pure to me. Wallace then sought support from the films screenwriter Melissa Mathison and its producer Kathleen Kennedy, with all four parties coming to an agreement on how the scene would play out with the sheet no longer pulled low on Wallaces body. We compromised and pulled the sheet up almost to my shoulder blades, which I was okay with, she said. ET in Steven Spielbergs ET the Extra-Terrestrial ( Universal/Everett/Shutterstock ) It likely didnt bother Spielberg in the end, who said in 2023 that he believes ET is the only one of his films he considers pretty perfect. In January, Spielberg revealed that the studio behind ET desperately wanted to make a sequel to the film after witnessing it become the highest-grossing movie of all time (a record surpassed 11 years later by Spielbergs Jurassic Park). It would have been set on ETs home planet. I flirted with it for a little bit and the only thing I could think about was [adapting] a book [sequel] called The Green Planet, which was all going to take place on ETs home, he said. We were all going to be able to go to ETs home and see how ET lived. But it was better as a novel than I think it would have been as a film. 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 Star Wars fans have rushed to point out a crucial detail in the latest AI-generated image of Donald Trump posted by the White House. The computer-generated picture shows a heavily-muscled version of President Trump clutching a lightsaber in front of a backdrop featuring US flags and a pair of bald eagles. It was posted to mark Star Wars Day, celebrated on May 4th as a nod to the film series catchphrase: May the force be with you. The caption posted to the White Houses official X account reads: Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. Youre not the Rebellionyoure the Empire. May the 4th be with you. However, fans of the sci-fi film and television franchise pointed out that Trumps red lightsaber marks him out as a villainous Sith Lord himself. Ummm, Red is the color of the Sith wrote one X user. Another asked: Why are you holding a red lightsaber though. Donald Trump appears with a red Sith lightsaber in the latest AI generated image posted by the White House ( X/White House ) Another wrote: Lol at least you correctly portrayed him as a bad guy as only the Sith have red lightsabers. Fake nerds. A fourth added: The lack of self awareness and hypocrisy by calling the left the empire while showing trump with a Sith lightsaber. In the film series, the heroic characters use blue, green and purple lightsabers, as another user explained: The jedi have blue and green lightsabers except for Mace Windu who has purple because Samuel L Jackson wanted one, and the Sith have red lightsabers. So the White House is making Trump look a Sith because of the red lightsaber which are the bad guys. 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. It is not the first time the White House has provoked controversy with an AI-generated image. Earlier today, JD Vance broke his silence on Trumps now-infamous AI image depicting himself as the Pope. The vice president, a Catholic, who was one of the last world leaders to meet with Pope Francis before his death on Easter Monday, said that he was fine with people telling jokes. Trump has received criticism both at home and abroad, including from former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, as well as the Catholic bishops of New York state, over the image. In it, an unsmiling Trump is seated in an ornate chair, dressed in white papal vestments and headdress, with his right forefinger raised. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice F*** me, this is so fun, says Spider Stacy, to the ebullient crowd at Londons O2 Academy Brixton. It doesnt take a body language expert to tell that they agree. When he says this, the Pogues current de facto frontman bedraggled, energetic and prone to feral whooping is halfway through a setlist comprised entirely of tracks from 1985s masterful album Rum Sodomy & the Lash. This is a very different band to the Pogues of 40 years ago, with Shane MacGowan, the bands talisman and a songwriter of rare brilliance, having died in November 2023. Only three original Pogues are here, the others being banjoist Jem Finer and multi-instrumentalist James Fearnley; the rest of the lineup (nine-strong at first, with a brass section joining partway through, and starry guest vocalists in spurts) are mostly younger. And yet, in the thick of the frenzied Irish singalong, nothing really seems to have changed at all. The worry with an event like this part of a short UK tour to celebrate the albums anniversary is that it would take on the sort of staid, respectful air of a tribute night, especially with MacGowans death still being so fresh in the memory. But it doesnt. The excellent and engaged guest vocalists dont hurt: Nadine Shahs rendition of the elegiac war ballad Pair of Brown Eyes is almost entirely drowned out by the crowds accompaniment, but her voice cuts through elsewhere, on The Old Main Drag. John Francis Flynn, meanwhile, gives The Band Played Waltzing Matilda its bittersweet due. MacGowan is barely mentioned throughout the evening, bar a dedication before a potent performance of The Parting Glass, but he is, nonetheless, everywhere. It sounds trite to say that he lives on in his music, but he really, truly does. The cumulative effect of hearing his songs, one after the other, seems to fill the room with his spirit. There is a continuity, too, in Stacy, whose ramshackle delivery renders some of the more rapid lyrics rather unintelligible a style surely befitting MacGowan, whose beautiful poetry would, on stage, usually turn to slurry in his mouth, shooting out at the microphone indecipherably. Theres always been a sort of contradiction at the heart of the Pogues music: its a paradox that manifested in MacGowan himself a hard-living rabble rouser with a soulful lyrical grace but one that also becomes obvious watching the Pogues live. Poignant words are belted out drunkenly by a crowd in full voice. People begin crowd-surfing through the wonderful slow ballad Im a Man You Dont Meet Every Day (sung terrifically by harpist Iona Zajac). Theres a strange incongruity there but that is the Pogues at their core. Shane MacGowan, of The Pogues, in 2009 the band is currently touring the UK nearly two years after his death ( Getty Images ) What negatives there are to take away from the evening are mostly technical, and not ruinous. As is often the case in Brixtons biggest music venue, the sound mixing is far from optimal the middle ranges get drowned out in a thick-sided sandwich of bass and treble. Plenty of drums, then, and banjo and tin whistle, but the guitar, harp, and even brass are often difficult to pick out. Towards the end of the gig a relentless affair, lasting nearly two hours Im struck by a truly unusual feeling. Lisa ONeill takes the microphone to perform the bands Ewan MacColl cover Dirty Old Town and MacGowans own A Rainy Night in Soho. ONeill is vibrant; the crowd is deafening. They are songs I, everyone else in the room, and indeed whole swathes of the world, will have heard dozens if not hundreds of times before. They are perfect songs, heaven-sent songs, among the greatest ever written. Now the song is nearly over, sings ONeill. We may never find out what it means / Still theres a light I hold before me / Youre the measure of my dreams. The loss of Shane MacGowan is impossible to ignore. But to see his genius living on without him is a gift. 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 Walton Goggins has shut down a question about his rumoured feud with White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood. In season three of the acclaimed HBO comedy drama, which drew to an end last month, the Fallout and Shield actor played Rick, the love interest of Woods character Chelsea. But the shows deadly conclusion arrived alongside claims that the pair were no longer speaking months after sharing gushing posts about each other. Internet sleuths highlighted the pair no longer follow each other on social media and had refrained from tagging each other in current posts discussing their time together on the series. In a new interview, Goggins, who stars in new film The Uninvited, was repeatedly asked point black whether he had fallen out with Sex Education actor Wood but he did not want to talk about the subject. Im not gonna have that conversation, Goggins told The Times, with a publicist urging the writer to move onto the next question. The interview grew increasingly tense as the writer attempted to bring up the subject of Wood once again, with Goggins reiterating: There is no conversation to be had about that. Sharing politics on social media its in a vacuum. After the journalist made one final attempt to speak about Wood, Goggins said: What the f***! Come on, buddy. Wow. open image in gallery Walton Goggins in The White Lotus ( HBO ) Rumours of a feud between the pair recently intensified after Goggins praised a controversial Saturday Night Live sketch sending up The White Lotus. Shortly after, Wood criticised the mean and unfunny skit for mocking her appearance, which saw comedian Sarah Sherman depict her character using protruding fake teeth. Goggins, who had called the sketch smashing, proceeded to delete his original praise of the sketch. The actor is set to host the show next Saturday (10 May) and, according to reports, Wood might appear alongside him in an attempt to put an end to speculation about their friendship. open image in gallery Aimee Lou Wood played Chelsea in The White Lotus ( HBO ) Its also believed the pair are working together on a new project, although rumours surrounding what that is are unclear. According to CNN correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister: There is something professionally that they are doing in the coming weeks together. So if there really is a feud, this has not stopped them. Its not like they cant be in the same room, is my point. 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 Imagine you could watch a group of strangers act out your innermost private feelings and relationships with family members with intense and uncanny accuracy. Thats what happened when I found myself sitting in an armchair, slack-jawed and bewildered, as constellation facilitator Els van Steijn, her team and my friend moved around a room in central London. In this family constellations session, my friend who joined for moral support but is now going above and beyond the call of duty by playing me says her feet are stuck in concrete and she feels dissociated, like shes off in a dream world. My mother is crouched and hiding behind me, while my dad is off staring at his own father. With every question Van Steijn puts to either the pretend me or my pretend relatives, they fast-forward through key dynamics in my family history. Some events and feelings I knew about, but there were more secretive issues even I was not privy to and Van Steijn could not have known. Yet, later, checking facts with members of my real family, they would turn out to be entirely correct. Ive tried many types of therapeutic and healing practices before, both as a journalist and enthusiast, and feel like Ive seen it all. There have beencharlatans, wishy-washy treatments packaged in new age marketing, and methods that reportedly help some and do nothing for me. But the people who served as representatives were provided with very little information: I told them in a couple of sentences what I would like help with (relationship issues, a general amorphous feeling of being unable to move forward as Id like) and a very brief topline of which family members I had known and if I liked them. So, how were they able to create such a detailed picture of my family as this intricate interconnected system or, in the language of this work, a constellation? This unique form of psychospiritual therapy, developed decades ago by the late German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger, involves many complex layers. Its not (yet) scientifically proven; we dont know how it works, thats the problem but we see countless times that it does work and has a huge impact on peoples lives, says Van Steijn, who has provided over 10,000 constellations for clients. Neither is it psychodrama, a different therapy type where you act out your emotions and concerns with others. The least generous take I could offer is that a family constellation feels like a year of talking therapy in an hour and a half. A more accurate assessment is that its eerily similar to getting a reading from a shockingly accurate psychic-medium. But by the end of the process, I found it not eerie at all, rather, comforting and life-affirming. You may have heard of constellation therapy: it was featured prominently in Netflixs Sex, Love & Goop docuseries and recently The Guardians psychotherapist columnist Philippa Perry recommended it to someone writing in with family problems. In the Netherlands it is practically on its way to becoming a national pastime. Much of this reception can be attributed to Van Steijn and her book The Fountain: Find Your Place, her re-interpretation of Hellingers work, which has remained on the Dutch bestseller list since its 2016 release. She hopes the time is now right for constellations to gain traction in the UK. Theres certainly growing momentum in these ideas with It Didnt Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn, founder and director of the Family Constellation Institute. Originally published in 2016, the book much like The Body Keeps the Score during the Covid-19 pandemic is enjoying a late bloom thanks to word of mouth and social media buzz. open image in gallery Els van Steijn, leading constellations facilitator and author of The Fountain ( Jelle Baars ) This year, Van Steijn is expanding her popular practice into the UK with the aim of helping people with problems that somehow cant be fixed using your conscious mind. Maybe you are making similar mistakes over and over, or have a feeling you cant shake that something is off. According to Van Steijn, stubborn patterns in your life are sometimes not your fault at all, which is near-thrilling for many of us. They often predate you. This echoes what Carl Jung and Aniela Jaffe wrote back in the Sixties in his influential book, Memories, Dreams, Reflections: I feel very strongly that I am under the influence of things or questions which were left incomplete and unanswered by my parents and grandparents and more distant ancestors. It often seems as if there were an impersonal karma within a family. The theory behind family constellations is that your family is a system and the system wants to be whole. The system knows no morals. Everyone in the family has to be acknowledged and recognised with respect, no matter what theyve done. If this is not the case, then descendants (ie you and I) will act out those patterns from a blind loyalty, even if we dont consciously know what they are. I enjoyed Van Steijns metaphor of the fountain when I read the book a few months before meeting her in person: imagine the family system as a fountain with your parents and great grandparents and so on above you. You are in the bottom tier and in order for your life to flow as it should, you must remain in your tier. The reason you would unconsciously ascend to a different tier is if youre trying to rescue your parents or grandparents, or youre judging them. This is mostly unconscious, rather than something you might be aware of. A family constellation brings all of this to the surface for an individual. Once its in your conscious awareness, that problem apparently seems to settle. Any logical person or you, reading this now will have to suspend your disbelief when taking part in a constellation. For the sake of my familys privacy, I wont share everything that happened in the room in mine but midway through, Van Steijn chose to represent my grandmothers first husband. He is unknown and unnamed to my family, except for having been abusive; my grandmother had to leave him, and shortly after, met my grandad and they had more children, including my mother. Id always admired that she had the strength to do that in a time when women would be expected to grit their teeth and deal with unpleasant or dangerous behaviour from their husbands but thats as much thought as Id ever really given to that first husband. If you dont grant all of your family their rightful place, as we saw with your constellation, it goes to the next generation or the next Els van Steijn As soon as he came into the constellation, my other family members reacted poorly, mostly hiding, and my friend, representing me, lit up: To me all his anger doesnt feel scary at all, she said. Im even thinking that if my grandad isnt here to block me, I would want to become this man almost. I want to merge somehow. Seeing my confusion from the armchair, Van Steijn explains, The system wants to be complete. This first partner is part of your family system. The systemic perspective doesnt take into account ethics. You are the only person who is capable of seeing the whole package deal of this person and can look in a kind way to him. I feel almost angry about this why have I chosen this man or why has this man chosen me? Van Steijn is sympathetic but finds nothing about this, or my reaction to it, out of the ordinary: It could have been your brother or sister. Its good or bad luck. We dont know. But can you observe the love you have for this person? This love will make it difficult for you to have a loving relationship with someone else. Theres hardly any place for a partner. My friend confirms that she is feeling an overwhelming sense of love for him and Van Steijns conclusion is that I have ascended in the fountain to my grandparentstier, assuming undue responsibility. If this sounds weird to you, imagine how it sounded in the room to me. We go on to look at what else might be blocking me: owing to what was going on with my family system, Van Steijn points out that the feeling of being stuck in concrete and constant daydreaming began at about age 10. As a survival tactic, she says, I had to abandon part of my child self there, at that age. This was no life as a child it was too confusing and complex. If youd been present for everything that was happening, from the point of view of the survival mechanism, that would not have worked, so you split the ability to be present off into that child component as well. I have no way of verifying if what shes saying is true but I do strongly recognise that I have always seemed to dissociate and daydream, to my detriment. When I was invited to participate in the constellation, my friend representing me said she felt the heaviness starting to lift and she could move her legs. open image in gallery A spiritual centre: Theres something magical about how the practice works ( s1llu - stock.adobe.com ) After Ive hugged my 10-year-old self in the body of my friend, she and I spontaneously walk over to the window to stand looking out of it. Van Steijn gives me sentences to say to individual family members, which are along the lines of: I leave with you what is yours and accept what is mine. Van Steijn tells me shes worked with both victims and perpetrators of the worst crimes imaginable. You dont have to have a family member in your life if theyve done you wrong or its not safe to but through family constellations, you are urged to change your inner stance towards them. If you dont grant all of your family their rightful place, as we saw with your constellation, it goes to the next generation or the next, she tells me. The moment you really see your fate and embrace it even a heavy fate and see that its yours, you will feel lighter and gain strength. Since family constellations deal with deep emotional issues, including trauma, Van Steijn advises those with severe trauma or mental health challenges to consult their therapist or psychological practitioner before participating. She also notes that constellations may be less effective for people on antidepressants, as these can dull emotional responses. Choosing an experienced facilitator is crucial; her team recommends first attending as a representative (as my friend did, acting as a second critical and objective eye for me) to observe the process and assess the facilitator before joining as the person whose personal constellation is explored. Were more porous and connected than we understand ourselves to be Nicola Dunn, constellations facilitator I was fascinated by what my friend had experienced acting as me and my 10-year-old self, so decided to attend a constellation day held by London-based facilitator and psychotherapist Nicola Dunn. Dunns method involved the person whose constellation was explored picking out theindividuals they wanted to represent them and their family members, rather than the facilitator doing it, as Van Steijn had. We were a small group of people bringing in their own questions, those who had chosen just to be representatives, and a few people in training with Dunn to be constellation facilitators. Fascinatingly, every time I was picked to represent someone, it turned out that I struggled with or had been affected by that exact specific problem (on one occasion, I was picked not to be a specific person but a physical representative of a persons block to receiving love, which couldnt have been more on the nose and I actually had to muffle a laugh at myself). Dunn said that part of the constellations magic is that the issue holder unconsciously knows when picking that you will relate to this issue. When I was representing people or this block to love it was even more powerful than being part of my own constellation. I cant explain how, but like my friend had with me, I knew what to do, what I was feeling, where in the room to move to, and exactly what the persons problem was. It came as naturally as going into autopilot when you drive a car or cross the road. At one point, I felt my whole stomach expand dramatically and knew that the person I was representing was pregnant. After the fact, I spoke to Dunn about how bizarre and emotionally moving this had been. I admitted that at the start Id been concerned that I would be making it up and ruining someone elses constellation. Apparently most people feel that way. Its similar to a search engine where someone has put in the ancestors name and the information becomes available to us, as strange as that sounds, Dunn says. Were more porous and connected than we understand ourselves to be. Its instinctual even head-centred people who wouldnt think of themselves as instinctual generally find it as easy as everyone else. I spent the evening after the constellation with Els van Steijn at Hampstead Heath with my friend, basking in how present I felt: still, calm, in my body. That night when I opened my wardrobe (I am notoriously, almost clinically, messy), I could suddenly see how everything needed to be ordered and went about doing it. My astonishing sense of presence sadly became more subtle, as though a few tabs had been closed in my brain. But the other day I met with a friend who has known me a long time and she said, unprompted, that I seemed so much more there and holding eye contact differently. Maybe it was nothing but I think that the fountain might have started to flow. Els van Steijn and her team offer group constellation days and one-on-one coaching. The Fountain: Find Your Place is available now. Read more here. Nicola Dunn is available for bookings here. 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 James Corden repeatedly asked the restauranteur Keith McNally to remove a withering Instagram post from his account in which he called the Gavin & Stacey star abusive and a tiny cretin of a man, McNally has claimed. In 2022, Corden was forced to publicly apologise on his US chat show after the notoriously blunt McNally the man behind legendary New York restaurants including Balthazar and Pastis lambasted his behaviour towards his staff. In the post, McNally claimed that Corden was extremely nasty to one manager, and on a second occasion screamed at a member of staff: you cant do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelette myself! McNally used the post to announce that Corden had been banned from the restaurant, something he reversed days later. Speaking to The Telegraph, McNally said that Corden texted many times asking me to take [the post] down, with McNally agreeing to remove it if Corden admitted to his behaviour. He added: I enjoyed the power I had over him too much. While Corden did hold his hands up to being poorly behaved at Balthazar, McNallys Instagram post is still online nearly three years later. In 2022, Corden initially dismissed McNallys post, telling The New York Times that barely anyone was aware of the allegations about his behaviour, saying: I havent done anything wrong, on any level I feel so Zen about the whole thing. Because I think its so silly. I just think its beneath all of us. Its beneath you. Its certainly beneath your publication. A few days later, however, Corden opened an episode of his chat show by admitting that hed made a mistake. Because I didnt shout or scream, I didnt get out of my seat, I didnt call anyone names or use derogatory language, Ive been walking around thinking that I havent done anything wrong, he said. But the truth is I have made a rude, rude comment. And it was wrong. It was an unnecessary comment, it was ungracious to the server. He also vowed to apologise in person to the staff affected. In conversation with The Telegraph, McNally said that no famous person had been rude to his staff since the Corden saga, and named Woody Allen as the most consistently charming person to dine at his restaurants. McNally also invokes Corden in his new memoir, I Regret Almost Everything, claiming that the musician Patti Smith reduced a waitress to tears in the Seventies when he ran the New York eatery One Fifth. McNally describes Smith in the book as the James Corden of her day. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The royal family is hoping to put on a united front without distractions for the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Monday, after a bombshell interview in which Prince Harry claimed his father refuses to speak to him. A tumultuous bank holiday weekend for the royals will end with a grand parade and a flypast as they are joined by veterans and large crowds to commemorate the victory of the UK and its allies in World War 2. The interview by the Duke of Sussex, which came out after he lost a court ruling related to security arrangements in the UK on Friday, sparked fury from royal circles after he said he doesnt know how much longer King Charles has left to live. But in a warning which appears directed towards the estranged royal, Buckingham Palace officials hope that nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries, the Times reported. open image in gallery Charles and Camilla will attend a series of engagements for VE Day (Chris Jackson/PA) ( PA Wire ) According to the outlet, the King is determined not to let Prince Harry and Prince Andrew overshadow the monarchy. Thousands of people are expected to flock to central London on Bank Holiday Monday to hear the words of Sir Winston Churchills 1945 victory speech performed by actor Timothy Spall - which will open the commemorations. It will be followed by displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals, a military procession, and street parties across the UK. The King will be joined by the Queen and other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, with Harry set to be a notable absence. Prince Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will also not be on the balcony. A Palace aide said that Charles looks forward to thanking a wartime generation whose selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all. But the event is likely to be overshadowed by talk of Harrys emotional interview. The duke told the BBC: I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don't know how much longer my father has. open image in gallery Prince Harry says his father King Charles no longer speaks to him ( BBC ) He was heavily criticised for the comment, including by a close friend of King Charles, who told the Times: Its not that the King wont speak to him its that he cant. How can you have a private and delicate conversation when you know it is going to end up on a news special within hours? Perhaps if he tried to earn rather than demand a reconciliation, things might go a little better for him. Its just very tragic. They added: He is like a gambler in a casino who cant walk away he just doubles down. Even when he speaks of reconciliation, it is laced with threats and anger. Former press secretary to the late Queen Ailsa Anderson also told Sky News: "Prince Harry is saying 'I don't know how long my father has' - that's going to cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward. 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 death metal guitarist has been shot dead by cops in San Francisco, reportedly after a dispute with a neighbor over a tree became violent. Possessed band member Brian Montana was killed after firing at officers called out to reports of a man brandishing a weapon on Monday evening, cops say. South San Francisco Police Department said officers who arrived at an address in Arroyo Drive at 5.55pm immediately called for backup because the suspect was shooting into an occupied home. The gunman was later identified as 60 year-old Montana. Montana moved to a neighboring driveway and hid behind parked cars while armed with a handgun, a shotgun and a rifle. A 25-minute gunfight with police ensued, police said, as Montana fired at officers from different positions on the driveway and sought cover behind the vehicles and landscaping. open image in gallery The shooting occured on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive in South San Francisco (file photo) ( Google Maps ) Officers used police vehicles as cover from the barrage of gunfire and were able to return fire, a police statement said. Officers were able to strike the suspect, effectively preventing him from continued shooting at officers and nearby residences. Once police confirmed the gunman was no longer a threat they approached him to find him non-responsive. Life-saving measures were performed and medical personnel were called to the scene, the statement continued. The suspect succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A resident at the home Montana had shot at was taken to a local trauma centre with a non-life-threatening injury, and police checked other homes to confirm no one else was hurt. No officers were injured during this critical incident, cops added. Police said Montana had become angry over tree debris from his neighbors yard, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. My understanding is they had a dispute over a tree that was hanging, this is how foolish this kind of thing is, local resident Cory David told CBS News Bay Area . A dispute over a tree that one of them cut back and then somebody decided to settle it with a gun. open image in gallery Tributes have been paid to Montana, performing here in his younger days with Possessed ( Facebook ) Montana was an early member of Possessed, which formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1980s. They are regarded as one of the first death metal bands that helped pioneer the genre, with one of their other guitarists Larry LaLonde going on to join the rock band Primus. Possesseds official Instagram page shared the news of deaths with an early photo of the band, saying: Rest in Peace Brian Montana. A longer tribute to the late guitarist from the official account added: I just feel like people should know that Brian Montana was a very nice guy. He was jovial and a gentleman. He was nothing like what Im seeing written about him. He was obviously going through some struggles and I think this is the time to be respectful towards the Montana family and friends as this is a tragic time for them. I know that I still feel this is a great loss and Im deeply saddened. South San Francisco Police Department said the two officers who fired their weapons in the incident had been placed on administrative leave as per protocol, and an investigation was ongoing. In the coming weeks, we intend to release additional information, including audio and video recordings, the police department said. KHARTOUM, May 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 300 people were killed in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of Al-Nuhood in West Kordofan State, southwestern Sudan, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. A ministry statement said the attacks occurred over the past two days and accused the RSF of committing "crimes against humanity," with the killings "carried out on an ethnic basis." The ministry also reiterated its call for the United Nations Security Council and other international actors to end what it called "leniency" toward the RSF's actions. The RSF has not yet responded to the allegations. 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 Donations are pouring in to a fundraiser for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down a healthcare executive, ahead of his birthday. Mangione, who pleaded not guilty last month to federal murder charges related to the December 2024 death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, turns 27 on May 6. In honor of his birthday, donors are contributing to the GiveSendGo fundraiser for his legal defense, which is now closing in on $1 million. As of Sunday evening, the fundraiser had garnered more than $977,000. His legal team has said that he plans to use the cash toward his defense in all three cases he faces. The Ivy League graduate has been charged in federal and New York state courts with murder and other crimes; he has pleaded not guilty to all counts in both venues. He also faces criminal charges in Pennsylvania, where he was captured by authorities in a McDonalds following a six-day manhunt; he has yet to make a plea in the state. A string of supporters in the past few days have donated $27 to the fund for his 27th birthday. In their donation messages, many included green hearts, an ode to the green-clad Mario video game character Luigi. Donations pour in for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ahead of his 27th birthday ( via REUTERS ) Happy early birthday Luigi! Our support for you remains strong and we will continue to advocate for a fair trial and your freedom! one anonymous donor wrote. Another remarked: Happy Birthday! Praying for justice and fair trials in this crazy world. From a TN nurse and survivor of chronic illness. The American justice system is truly doing you (& our country) dirty. Know that the American people are behind you! Free Luigi!! yet another said. One person contributed $100, writing: Luigi, happy 27th birthday!!! You are SO, SO loved! You are a bright, kind, and gentle young man with a huge and pure heart. We promise you that WE THE PEOPLE will get you free by your next birthday!! Scores of the birthday notes also mention donors disappointment with the Justice Departments recent decision to seek the death penalty for Mangione, with many underscoring they want to see him get a fair trial. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones attorney, in court this month denounced the unprecedented simultaneous dual prosecutions against her client and alleged inadvertent eavesdropping on calls between her and Mangione by the state prosecutors. The government had asked for recordings from his jail and gave them to the state; a paralegal listened to the call but the recording has since been segregated to prevent any further inadvertent access, federal prosecutors said this week. Something about this whole situation smells fishy. Heavy-handed tactics by the Federal, State and local are unwarranted, one donor wrote. I don't know if he is guilty or not but I do want him to get a fair trial. Another wrote: Luigi deserves a fair trial. Innocent until proven guilty AND not guilty when civil rights are egregiously violated! The People are not against Luigi - THE PEOPLE ARE FOR LUIGI! 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 community-wide search is underway for a rising Democratic star on New Yorks Long Island who went missing more than a week ago while out exercising. Petros Krommidas, a 29-year-old vying for a seat in the Nassau County legislature, disappeared on April 23, police have said. Now, an estimated 100 volunteers and first responders are searching the beach area, where he is believed to have disappeared. He parked and locked his car by the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, New York on April 23, grabbed and walked onto the beach to exercise around 10.30 p.m. just as he had done many times before, his family said in a social media post, noting that he was training for an upcoming triathlon. His family reported him missing the next day and police located his belongings towel, phone, and clothes on the beach. He is described as 62 tall, 230 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a camouflage print sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. Friends and colleagues have joined the scheduled searches, which have been underway for over a week. open image in gallery A days-long search is underway for a Democratic candidate for the Nassau County legislature who was last seen on the beach on April 23 ( Nassau County Police Department ) Those close to him have described Krommidas, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, as smart, kind, and close to his family. "I'm friends with this family and it's been nine days of heartbreak and searching and trying to find a beloved son, friend, brother," Leah Russo, a family friend, told WABC on Saturday. Russo called him "very bright, very family-oriented. Very sweet, very 'get the shirt off his back' for anybody." "He is the nicest person you're ever going to meet," Ellen Lederer DeFrancesco, a friend, told the outlet Saturday. "He is community driven, community minded. He will do anything to help anybody. He's the sweetest person, the best way, I used to like to call him my little brother. Days earlier, Nassau Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuermann praised Krommidas accomplishments and intelligence. Krommidas, who graduated from the private Chaminade High School before heading to Columbia University, has been a Democratic Party field organizer in Nassau County since December 2024, his LinkedIn profile states. Before that, he worked in private equity and investment banking. "Chaminade, Columbia, he was in finance. He could have done anything, and he is choosing to spend his time serving, at 29 years old. That calling is courageous," Scheuermann told CBS News. Adel Elbehiry, his friend and former karate instructor, said Krommidas trained with him for five years and was preparing for his blackbelt: Miracles happen, like I told his mom to hold onto the hope," Elbehiry told CBS News. The countys Democratic committee also posted on social media, asking users to spread the word in hopes of finding the 29-year-old. "We are heartbroken over the disappearance of Petros Krommidas," Nassau County Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs told NBC New York. "Petros is a bright, driven young man who has been a strong voice for Democratic values. He is well respected by the community and represents the very best of our next generation of leaders. We are keeping Petros and his family in our prayers and remain hopeful for his safe return. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman provided some insights into the investigation, telling WABC: "We are working on parallel tracks. Track number one is that he's still alive and we're looking for information about his whereabouts. Track number two is if he did have a tragic accident, that we can recover the body and make sure that the family is comforted with knowing that you'll be able to provide a proper funeral. Earlier this week, police told CBS that foul play was not suspected. Authorities have urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the police departments missing persons squad at 516-573-7347 or call 911. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Ohio deputy was run over and killed by the father of an 18-year-old who was fatally shot by a police officer the day before, say authorities. Ryan Hinton, 18, was killed during an alleged stolen vehicle incident at an apartment complex in a residential part of the city around 9 a.m. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the shooting occurred in a parking lot at the end of a long driveway. The vehicle had allegedly been stolen from Northern Kentucky earlier that day. Officers responded to the scene to apprehend four men in the car. After police arrived, the men ran in different directions, leading to an on-foot pursuit. Two of the officers chased Hinton and another individual. Theetge said Hinton was armed during the chase. In police body-camera footage obtained by NBC News, an officer is seen exiting his vehicle and aiming a firearm at the teenager as he runs away. The officer fired at least four shots, the police chief said, and Hinton fell to the ground. The footage does not clearly show whether the 18-year-old brandished his gun toward police. Authorities believe Hinton was struck by two bullets in the chest and arm. After firing the rounds, an officer can be heard instructing the teen to Get the f*** down. Footage from a second officers body camera shows the officer running toward a colleague while warning colleagues that one of the men was armed. open image in gallery A photo of the weapon recovered from the scene presented at a police news briefing ( Cincinnati Police Department ) According to the footage, the officer shouted: Hes got a gun! Hes got a gun on your right! On your right! Officers recovered the gun and a loaded extended magazine that Hinton allegedly had with him at the time. Officers also found a second magazine in the teens jacket pocket. Cops are often compelled to make split-second decisions to protect others and themselves when faced with immediate threats, the chief said at a news conference in defense of the officers actions. Let me be very direct: We cannot allow individuals to flee from officers with a loaded firearm aimed at them, she continued. When this happens, the outcome is almost always tragic. No one wins, and everyone involved is affected. The officer who fired the fatal shot said Hinton pointed his gun at him, causing him to act in self-defense. However, theres no evidence to suggest the teen fired the gun. Still, Theetge said, We do not expect the officers to wait until theyre fired upon before they feel the necessity to fire. The incident lasted six seconds. Officers attempted to administer first aid to Hinton until emergency responders arrived on scene. open image in gallery Police investigate the scene where a county deputy was struck and killed by a vehicle on Friday, May 2, 2025 in Cincinnati ( AP ) The officers involved have not been publicly identified due to privacy laws. The chief said the officers, assigned to the fugitive apprehension squad, joined the force in 2014 and 2001 The incident remains under investigation. On Friday, Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, the teens father, allegedly struck a Hamilton County sheriffs deputy with his car near the University of Cincinnati. At the news briefing, officials said the officer, who has not been identified, was retired and working as a special deputy and directing traffic near the school for graduation events. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said of the officer at the briefing: He was so well liked and so well known, we could fill this building with the law enforcement agencies that respect him, love him, his friends, his family...We are so deeply saddened. Officials are scheduling a procession to honor the fallen officer. The father has been charged with aggravated murder and appeared in court Saturday, where a judge set no bond ahead of a hearing on Tuesday, WLWT reported. Records show hes being held at Clermont County Jail. The other men allegedly involved in Thursdays stolen vehicle incident are 18-year-old Jurell Austin and 19-year-old DeAnthony Bullucks. Officials charged the men with receiving stolen property and felony obstructing official business. One suspect remains at large. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Ohio divorce attorney has been arrested for allegedly murdering a client in 2013 to avoid trying her case in court. Aliza Sherman, 53, was waiting outside Gregory Moores downtown Cleveland office when she was fatally stabbed on March 24 of that year. Moore, 51, was the womans attorney. Though security footage at the time caught a hooded man running from the scene, police didnt make an arrest until Friday, when Moore was indicted on one count of aggravated murder, one count of conspiracy, six counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping. Moore does not have an attorney assigned to his case, court records show. An indictment obtained by NBC News states Moore texted Sherman on the day she was killed and told her to meet him at his office at 4.30 p.m. and to let him know when she was leaving. open image in gallery Gregory Moore, 51, allegedly killed Aliza Sherman to avoid going to court ( Williamson County ) According to police information, Sherman waited outside the building as Moore or an unnamed conspirator approached her from behind and fatally stabbed her more than 10 times. Moore allegedly texted and called Sherman before and after her death. These texts and requests for calls were for the purpose of creating false evidence that Moore was unaware of Shermans assault, the indictment states. Moore allegedly killed Sherman to prevent her divorce trial from proceeding, according to the grand jurys indictment. The trial was supposed to start the following day. Sherman, a nurse, left behind four children. In addition to the murder, police said Moore was being investigated for bomb threats sent to the courthouse on days he had to appear in court, also to avoid proceedings he was involved with. The attorney reportedly knew cops were investigating him for the threats. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to inducing panic and falsification for giving authorities misleading statements as they investigated Shermans death. Moore is set to be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. When the power suddenly shut off for tens of millions of people across Spain and Portugal on Monday, many faced a series of unexpected conundrums. To figure out what was going on and learn whether the outage was limited to their building, street, or something much bigger some turned to their phones, only to realise that the networks were down. With no access to TV or the internet, there was soon a rush to buy battery-powered analogue radios, but even this was not simple. With digital payment systems down, the only way to pay for them was with cash, and the only way to get cash was through cash machines which were also out of order. It was a confusing and chaotic demonstration of just how deeply dependent we have become on the electricity grid. Beyond the breakdown in access to information and electronic payments, other critical infrastructure also collapsed. Entire industries seized up as factories and supply chains were forced to shut down operations, schools and universities closed, and transport systems stopped working as planes were grounded, trains were stranded and even traffic lights failed to function. There were individual traumas, with people stuck in lifts for hours, trapped in sweltering train carriages, or left dangling in gondolas high up in the mountains. There were even blackout-related casualties, with three family members reportedly dying from carbon monoxide poisoning at their home in northwest Spain after using a generator for emergency power. Another woman died in Madrid after a candle set fire to her apartment. Some clean energy detractors attempted to falsely blame the power outage on Spains reliance on renewables. But the country has one of the most enviable energy mixes in the world: on Monday, before the outage hit, Spain was running on 75 per cent wind and solar and 11 per cent nuclear. The issue appears to be a result of network connectivity issues, and nothing to do with clean energy. What clean energy can offer, however, is protection against precisely this kind of widespread failure. open image in gallery Stranded travellers spend the night at Cordoba Train Station following the blackout ( AFP/Getty ) Recent breakthroughs in renewable technology mean we are finally realising the vast potential of solar energy on a commercial scale, and could be on the cusp of transforming our homes into fully self-sufficient power stations. These technologies come in the form of products that are already widely available, like home-installed battery packs that can store days worth of energy, and roof-mounted solar panels that can charge them. Beyond residential buildings, another increasingly popular way to protect against blackouts without using noisy and polluting backup generators is the use of microgrids. Adopted by hospitals, college campuses and apartment complexes, these self-contained grids use a combination of solar arrays and massive battery storage systems to run autonomously from the main grid. Such systems are even able to provide power to surrounding neighbourhoods in an emergency. open image in gallery Spanish power grid demand graph shows huge plunge during blackout ( Red Nacional ) One key piece of support for these building-level and microgrid systems is already in place for many: electric vehicles. Through bidirectional charging capabilities, EVs can serve as mobile power stations, supplying energy back to the home during outages, or even feeding it into the grid. Models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Nissan Leaf already come equipped with vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid capabilities, allowing them to power a house for several days, or stabilise the wider grid during times of peak demand or emergency. As sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids accelerate worldwide, with numbers jumping 25 per cent in 2024, the idle energy stored in parked cars throughout a country could provide a vital backup source of power. Some projections suggest that by 2030, the combined battery capacity of EVs could even exceed that of all utility-scale battery installations. Old EV batteries are also now being repurposed for home energy systems. Batteries are typically discarded when they fall to around 75 per cent of their original capacity, which is not ideal for driving range, but is more than capable of storing plenty of energy for domestic use at a fraction of the cost of new battery packs. There are also emerging technologies that could be used to charge these batteries on a massive scale. Researchers are already exploring ways to use wonder materials like perovskite and quantum dots to create spray-on solar cells that could be used to paint and power a building. New efficiency records have also recently been achieved for photovoltaic windows, which allow windows and glass facades to be used for energy production. Combined together, they could allow all parts of a building touched by the Sun to generate power. By some estimates, the Sun beams enough energy to Earth in just one hour to power the whole planet for an entire year. This enormous potential, combined with recent advances and the rollout of renewable technologies on a domestic scale, could turn the concept of living off-grid from an alternative lifestyle choice, to a cheap and sustainable way of living that safeguards against blackouts. Combined with other relatively new technologies, like space-based internet services from Starlink, Eutelsat and Amazons newly-launched Kuiper, it will be possible to be nearly entirely self-reliant during grid failures. And while implementing these solutions might not support everything when the grid goes down, they can do enough to sustain the basic requirements for a functioning household and society during emergencies. A potential catastrophe would become a mere inconvenience and there would be no need to scramble for radios. LIBREVILLE, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Gabon's transitional Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima officially tendered his resignation on Sunday, one day after the swearing-in of newly elected President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, according to a statement from the Gabonese presidency. "The President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, today received the resignation of Raymond Ndong Sima from his duties as prime minister," the statement announced. "On this occasion, the head of state praised a man of experience and duty, whose contribution was essential to the success of the transition," it added, noting that the president expressed his gratitude for the commitment, loyalty, and strong sense of state demonstrated by Ndong Sima throughout his tenure. According to the constitution approved by referendum in November 2024, members of the government are required to step down following the inauguration of the president-elect. At Ochsner, nurses focus on what really matters -- caring for patients. For Tiffany Murdock, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, giving nurses what they need to succeed is personal and the purpose that shapes her professional journey. Learn more at ochsner.org/nursing. The husband of a woman who died in a kayak incident four years ago has been arrested in Brisbane while visiting from Thailand, with police alleging he murdered her and sought access to more than $1 million in life insurance. Graeme Davidson, 55, had returned to Brisbane and had been visiting family on Sunday when he was arrested and charged with murder, fraud and attempted fraud offences. In November 2020, Davidsons 54-year-old wife Jacqueline reportedly fell into the water and drowned while the couple were kayaking on Lake Samsonvale, north-west of Brisbane, police said. Back to shore, police said witnesses and emergency services performed CPR, but were unable to revive her. She was declared dead at the scene. Hmmm. Ratings as a riposte to a participant pointing to the poor quality of a flagship election broadcast, as if popularity is the arbiter for the ABC nowadays. We think ABC chair Kim Williams would not approve. Allans speech surprise Late on election night, Labor was ready to spring one more surprise a rare Saturday-night-in-Melbourne appearance by Premier Jacinta Allan. Allan is prone to spending Fridays and the weekend in her Bendigo electorate, but Labors landslide victory for the ages drew her to the car park behind Trades Hall in Carlton at 10.30pm on Saturday as unionists and Labor campaign volunteers commenced an epic party. Premier Jacinta Allan addresses union faithful and Labor campaign volunteers at Trades Hall on election night. Credit: Instagram Luke Hilakari, Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary, revved up the crowd with a UNION POWER war cry and some pointed jokes aimed at vanquished union hate figures Peter Dutton and Michael Sukkar. ACTU president Michele ONeil couldnt stop smiling, and secretary Sally McManus clutched a can of Mountain Goat Beer while rocking a black Dont Risk Dutton T-shirt. Later, CBD also spotted campaign wunderkind Jett Fogarty, Labor senior assistant state secretary and deputy campaign director. Hilakari bellowed at the crowd from a temporary stage in the car park: We have people power, not nuclear power, comrades. We have definitely won Dickson, he said, referring to Duttons seat. Turns out Australians like their potatoes pretty smashed. To be fair, he is not a monster. Hes also not a member of parliament, comrades! He noted there were almost no Liberal MPs left standing in metropolitan Melbourne. Looks like we are going to win Deakin, because Michaels going to sooka all day long about that! All the while hire cars from all four corners of Melbourne paused on Lygon Street outside, doors opening to dispense youthful red-shirted campaign volunteers. Hilakari then introduced his surprise guest, Jacinta Allan. We saw that Australians and Victorians had a choice, and they said no to cuts, but they said yes to Medicare, said Allan, dressed in a fiery red jacket. Anthony Albanese holds up his Medicare card on Saturday night. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer They said no to nuclear and yes to cheaper renewable being built right across the country. They said no to those blockers. They said yes to the builders. They said yes to the Suburban Rail Loop. They said yes to Airport Rail. But to be honest, the volume of cheering at this surprise statement was several decibels lower than when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proudly stated he had defended Medicare. These results are not despite what weve done here in Victoria, because we have done all we have, the premier said. McManus was so beside herself she searched for the right words to describe the fate of Melbournes Liberal MPs. Theyre all gone. We .. shredded them. And we are looking at f---ing 90 seats, she said. McManus had the highest praise reserved for Emma Kingdon, ACTU campaigns director and, like McManus, a Star Wars geek, inviting Kingdon up on stage as Emma Skywalker Kingdon. As Sunday is May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day, McManus couldnt have been happier. Price is not right Oh dear. Coalition Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was called on by the ABC to reflect on Saturday nights dire result. She instead took a spray at the media, including this very column. Loading During the campaign, CBD and others revealed Prices happy from my family to yours Christmas photo of her and her songwriter husband, Colin Lillie, decked out in special festive Make America Great Again headwear. Asked by host Sarah Ferguson whether her embrace of US President Donald Trump, and her photos with the infamous cap, helped seal Peter Duttons fate, Price hit out at the mudslinging media. Independent candidates have cemented their place as a force in Victorian politics, with teal Monique Ryan almost certainly retaining her seat in Kooyong and the major parties fighting numerous challenges elsewhere. Among the closest contests is Zoe Daniels battle to retain Goldstein after Liberal Party challenger Tim Wilson rode a surge in support from the postal vote count on Sunday to narrow his deficit to just 97 votes. Monique Ryan and supporters at her campaign headquarters on Sunday. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Independents are also taking Liberal and Labor candidates down to the wire in Flinders and Calwell respectively, while Alex Dyson failed to win Wannon from Liberal MP Dan Tehan. As of 5pm on Sunday, Ryan was ahead of Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer with 51.7 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote in the once-blue ribbon seat. London: An iconic popemobile once used by Pope Francis to greet adoring crowds around the world will now be deployed on a very different mission serving as a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza. More than a decade after it carried the late pope through the streets of Bethlehem during his 2014 visit, the white Mitsubishi pickup is being repurposed to deliver life-saving care to some of Gazas most vulnerable. A May 2014 photo showing Pope Francis en route to a mass in Manger Square next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Credit: AP The decision was one of Franciss final wishes before his death on April 28, according to the Vatican News and confirmed by The New York Times. The vehicle, originally a gift from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, was passed on to the Franciscan order following the papal visit. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the scene of a road accident near the village of Sare Thialy in Kolda city, Senegal, May 3, 2025. Two people were killed and about 20 others were injured in a road accident in southern Senegal on Saturday. (Xinhua) DAKAR, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and about 20 others were injured in a road accident in southern Senegal on Saturday. The tragedy took place near the village of Sare Thialy in Kolda city, as a truck collided with a bus carrying middle school students, said the Education Ministry. The two victims were the bus driver and a student. The students were on an educational field trip to a farm. Education Minister Moustapha Guirassy expressed his deep sympathy to the families of the victims and the entire school community. What do you see when you look at pictures of US President Donald Trumps cabinet? Were used to partisan disagreement about cabinet officials. Democrats are never going to be that impressed by a Republican cabinet (and vice versa), but as with so many things, the perception gap between Republicans and Democrats has become so vast, its as if they inhabit different universes. US President Donald Trump with (from left) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Credit: Bloomberg Trumps critics and I am one look at the line-up and see, in essence, a group of people that bears far more resemblance to a collection of North Korean generals than it does to a traditional US cabinet. And for good reason. Trumps cabinet meetings often feature the members publicly showering the president with praise, sometimes in the most absurd terms. CONFESSIONS PANIC and fear of a full-scale military conflict with a raging India after the horrific killing of 26 tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam has set the cat among pigeons in Pakistan. The countrys leader are opening a can of worms, letting out its dirty but open secrets in their own admission of Pakistan being a peddler of terrorism as a State policy. Last week, Pakistan Defence Minister Mr. Khwaja Asif had stated that his country did the dirty work of the West for decades. Close on the heels of that admission has come the statement of former Foreign Minister Mr. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that Pakistan had a history with extremist groups which has come back to haunt the country. Both admissions, though well-known to the world, serveas a premise to isolate theRogueState with debilitating punishment by the international community. For, it is an open acceptance of guilt by the biggest nursery of terrorism in the world. What Mr. Bhutto-Zardari has said while playing a victim of terrorism has been documented in various dossiers by India. There is clinching evidence of Pakistans open support to terrorgroupswhichtargetIndiainvariouscapacities.Extremists bred and brought up on Pakistani soil are regularly used by the Pakistan Army and the ISI to launch attacks on innocent civilians as well as security forces in India. The Pahalgam massacre was executed byThe Resistance Front(TRF) which is an off-shoot of Pakistan-based proscribed militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Yet, the international community still goes very soft on the perennial client State to serve its own purposes. The admission by Mr. Asif and now Mr. Zardari should be areason enough forIndia to keep aside international opinion and go for the jugular with full might. The West, especially the United States, has been tactically using Pakistan for its own benefit since ages. It has a history of ignoring Pakistans sins and allowing the country to nurture terror groups with a myopic view of serving its limited purpose. It was the US that prodded Pakistan to raise the TalibanmilitantorganisationtofightagainsttheRussianforces that had invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Pakistan used the opportunity to develop a network of terror and with theWests economic and strategic backing it started building similar groupswiththesolepurposeofwagingGhazwa-e-Hind.AntiIndia activities have remained the only agenda for Pakistan since then even as its leaders systematically milked theWest to build military resources and a nuclear bomb. Pakistanshistory is replete with many such examples when the Military-Jihadi Complex (MJC) offered a safe haven to terrorists and shielded them from punitive action from international agencies. Many of the United Nations proscribed terrorists, including Indias Most Wanted Hafeez Saeed, are still living in Pakistan. That the 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was located and killed by the US Marines in Pakistan should have been the biggest clinching proof for the world to come down hard on the terror-sponsor country. However, selfish goals of some Western nations scuttled all efforts of victims like India to draw a red line . The two statements from Pakistani leaders should make it clear for India that the neighbour enjoys tacit support from some big powers. It cannot be brought to book by a lawful process. It needs a dose of its own medicine. And India has the wherewithal and global heft to do the unthinkable. INDIA BANS ALL IMPORTS FROM PAK NEW DELHI : INDIAhas imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect on the grounds of national security and public policy, following last months terror attack in Pahalgam, according to a Government order. Though the 200 per cent import duty imposed on Pakistani goods in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack had effectively halted direct imports, the latest decision also prohibits the entry of Pakistani goods routed through third countries. Indias exports to Pakistan in AprilJanuary 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million. These imports were limited to niche items like figs (USD 78,000), Basil and Rosemary herbs (USD 18,856), certain chemicals, and Himalayan pink salt. The imports were USD 2.88 million in 2023-24. A provision has been added in Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated May 2. It added this restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition will require approval of Government of India, the order said. Inserting the provision under the heading Prohibition on Import from Pakistan in the FTP, it said: Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders. The decision follows a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. This will prohibit import of goods from Pakistan directly or through any other trade route,theCommerceMinistry said. Following the terror attack last month, India took a series of measures including immediate shutting down of the Attariland-transitpost,usedfor movement of certain kinds of goods. Besides, India has announced expulsion of Pakistanimilitaryattaches,and suspension of the IndusWater Treaty of 1960. In retaliation, Pakistan also announced suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan. Bilateral trade between the two countries nosedived after the Pulwama terror attack. Besides imposing 200 per cent duty, India had also withdrawn Pakistans Most Favoured Nation trade status. NEET UG 2025 today, heavy security in place Staff Reporter Candidates reaching late and not carrying required documents will not be allowed to enter examination centre. National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) 2025 for admissions to Under Graduate Health Sciences courses will be held on Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Considering last years fiasco, the National Testing Agency that conducts the examination with the help of Ministry of Education has arranged heavy security at all the exam centres. Last year NEET was in news for wrong reasons. Most centres witnessed paper leak. Many students scored more marks than what they actually would have scored. The marks of the toppers were in question. Later on the top scorers had to write examinations again. These all issues were taken into account while planning UG NEET-2025. Candidates are required to adhere to strict guidelines regarding personal documents, dress code, and prohibited items to avoid any last-minute issues at the exam center. The entry of candidates will start at 11 am and the final time limit to enter the centre is 1.30 pm. The Union Ministry of Education is directly monitoring the examination arrangements due to which the secrecy about the examination has been maintained. Candidates are expected to carry the printed copy of the Admit Card. The candidates should carry passport-size photograph pasted on the admit card. Candidates should possess any one of PAN card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, or Class 12 admit card with a photograph and PwBD certificate (if applicable). The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category candidates need to carry the certificate issued by the competent authority to get the facilities and relaxation given to them. The NTA has made it clear that students those reaching late and those not carrying the required documents wont be allowed to enter the examination centre. NTA rules have specified the dress code also for the candidates. They should wear light-colored, casual clothes with half sleeves. Heavy clothes and long sleeves are strictly prohibited. Shoes are not allowed inside the exam hall. Candidates should wear slippers or sandals with low heels. Candidates wearing customary or religious attire must reach exam center one hour in advance so that their inspection and frisking can be done in a proper manner. Girl candidates wear brooches, flowers, badges, or jeans is prohibited also they should come without any jewelry and other accessories. Watches, bracelets, any metallic items, any printed or written notes, bits of paper, or any form of study material is not allowed inside the examination hall. PM Modi announces USD 200mn for modernisation of Angolan Armed forces NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a USD 200 million defence credit line for Angola and expressed commitment to act firmly and decisively against terrorists and their backers, an assertion that came days after the Pahalgam terror strike. Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Laurenco that focused on ramping up overall bilateral ties, including in areas of digital public infrastructure. In his media statement, the Prime Minister said Laurencos visit to India not only gives a new direction to the bilateral relations but also strengthens the India-Africa partnership. I am pleased to announce Indias USD 200 million defence credit line to support modernisation of Angolas Defence forces, he said. The Prime Minister also said that there was a discussion on repair, overhaul and supply of defence platforms as well. India will also share its capabilities with Angola in the areas of digital public infrastructure, space technology and capacity building, Modi said. We have also decided to further strengthen our relations in areas of healthcare, diamond processing, fertiliser and critical minerals. The Prime Minister also said, We are committed to takingfirm and decisive actionagainst terrorists and those who support them. Highlighting the importance of ties between India and the African Union, he said, We are partners in progress, We are pillars of the Global South. Vids 2 officers excel in 100-day action plan Dr Praveen Gedam Dr Vinod Mohitkar By Vikas Vaidya : As Nagpur division performed well in the 100-day Action Plan for Regional Offices, a brainchild of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, two persons from Vidarbha too excelled in the campaign. One is Divisional Commissioner of Nashik Dr Praveen Gedam, who hails from Nagpur; and second is Director of Technical Education Dr Vinod Mohitkar from Chandrapur. Dr Mohitkar topped the category of Commissioner/ Director while Dr Gedam excelled in the category of Divisional Commissioner. With the vision of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the 100-day Action Plan was undertaken with the aim of bringing discipline to Government offices in the State, completing citizens' work quickly and increasing trust between the Government- administration and citizens. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), has done an important job by balancing many aspects such as digitalization, student orientation, transparency in work procedures. This directorate has been awarded the honor of the best director's office in the state. The DTE scored 77.72 percent marks out of a total of 100 marks. It has made an impression in this campaign among other departments that are always at the forefront of discussions. This office has demonstrated a blend of innovative ideas in management, emphasis on technology, efficient method of delivering services directly to citizens and students, effective interaction with the Central Government and departmental offices, and visionary use of artificial intelligence. The website of the Directorate was made more accessible and accessible to the disabled. Special efforts were made for the effective implementation of the new National Education Policy of the Central Government. Centers of Excellence in cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, 3D Printing were established. Skill-based courses were implemented under international level agreements under the National Skill Development Corporation. It was observed that there has been a significant increase in the participation of girls in scholarship schemes. Through the campaign of discipline and cleanliness in office procedures, 2,360 kg of waste was destroyed in the offices. Old items and vehicles were deregistered. All complaints on Aaple Sarkar and PG portal were resolved in time. Waiting rooms for visitors, clean toilets and drinking water facilities have made civil services more accessible. We tried to provide services in technical education online to students and institutions. Innovation in work management, transformation of technology, efficient way of delivering services directly to parents and students led to success. The appreciation from the government for the efforts made on transparent governance, harmony and emphasis on digitalization is more motivating for us, Dr Vinod Mohitkar, expressed. Dr Praveen Gedam remained a bright student right from school to MBBS. When he took over as Divisional Commissioner of Nashik the first major challenges before him were pursuing the proposals against the backdrop of Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela-2027. The proposals include expansion and development of infrastructure of Ojhar airport, highway widening, creating multimodal transport hub at Nashik road railway station which he did successfully. He has developed a good rapport with Central Government. Nashik stood first in PM Kisan beneficiaries, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, Rashtriy Gram Swaraj Abhiyan. Dr Gedam also monitored the cleanliness in terms of removing pendency of work. As per the aim of this plan, I focussed mainly on redressal of peoples grievances for which we upgraded. The use of e-office system has made the work more dynamic and transparent. Several thousand files have been prepared and letters have been sent to the departments concerned. I personally saw to it that the comlaints would be well taken care of. The visiting hours of the officers were decided and I ensured that people didnt have any obstacles during these meetings, pointed out Dr Gedam. Apart from these, the use of Artificial Intelligence was increased, the training of officers and employees was given momentum. The financial and industrial investment are given boost by various ways. DTE speeds up scholarship schemes Scholarship schemes have been simplified and the Directorate has taken care of online applications of 1.16 lakh students and direct contact with students through special camps. Through the School Connect initiative, 4.41 lakh students were guided about technical education by visiting 9,332 schools. The evaluation also considers the emphasis on various aspects such as separate digital module for staff management, repairs in 40 institutions and security cameras in 46 institutions. YANGON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Golden Pagoda in Myanmar, attracted over 2.5 million visitors in the first four months of this year, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua on Sunday. Of these, over 28,000 were foreign visitors, with the most coming from China, Thailand and Vietnam, he said. The Shwedagon Pagoda is open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Chandannagar commemorated the 75th anniversary of its Independence from French rule, which it achieved on 2 May 1950. At the time, Chandannagar was a French colony, even after India gained Independence from British rule on 15 August, 1947. Three years later, in 1950, Chandannagar gained its own independence following a referendum in which the majority voted in favour of joining India. Advertisement To mark the platinum jubilee of this historic event, Chandannagar College and the Chandannagar College Alumni Association are organising celebrations. Advertisement Debashis Sarkar, principal of Chandannagar College, stated that both the college and its alumni association have submitted a written request to Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chairman of the Heritage Commission, seeking heritage town status for Chandannagar. While several landmarks, such as the Chandannagar College building and the Chandannagar Strand, have already been declared heritage sites, proponents argue that the towns unique cultural legacy justifies broader recognition. Chandannagar is renowned for its world-famous Jagadhatri Puja, its distinctive decorative lighting, and the presence of the Indian Council of Social Science Research Centre. These are considered significant cultural assets bolstering the case for heritage status. During British rule, Chandannagar served as a refuge for many revolutionaries. Several residents have preserved items used by these freedom fighters and have voluntarily donated them to the Chandannagar Museum for public display. As part of the celebrations, residents aged 75 and above were honoured. The Chandannagar College alumni have also previously contributed to the publication of a book detailing the history of Chandannagar and the historic Duplex College. Their involvement continues with the current platinum jubilee festivities. Mr Sarkar added that last Thursday, Chandannagar College, in collaboration with Salboni Government Degree College and Khidirpur College, submitted a project proposal worth Rs 2 crore to the Indian Council of Social Science Research in New Delhi. The proposal outlines plans for establishing a heritage research centre. SINGAPORE, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) secured a stronger mandate in Saturday's general election, winning 65.57 percent of the popular vote, a notable rise from 61.24 percent in 2020, according to official results released early Sunday. The PAP captured 87 of the 97 elected seats in the parliament and will govern 30 of the city-state's 33 constituencies. The opposition Workers' Party (WP) retained its 10 seats, holding on to its three constituencies in eastern Singapore. No other opposition party won any seats. The PAP, the ruling party since Singapore's independence in 1965, was widely expected to win again. Much of the focus was on the margin of victory, following a decline in the PAP's vote share from 69.86 percent in 2015 to its lower share in the previous election. The election also drew attention as it marked the first time Prime Minister Lawrence Wong led the PAP into a general election, following his succession of Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024 after Lee's two-decade tenure. Analysts say the PAP's performance, including victories in several high-profile races and commanding wins of over 80 percent in some wards, reflects a strong mandate, particularly amid heightened global uncertainty following sweeping U.S. tariffs. Both Wong and Lee had warned that external shocks could have lasting impacts on Singapore's open economy. Meanwhile, while the WP did not expand its footprint, it is seen to be gaining momentum. The party increased its representation from six seats in 2015 to 10 in 2020. This year, it retained its strongholds in Hougang and Aljunied, and secured 56.31 percent of the vote in Sengkang, up from 52.12 percent in 2020, when it won the constituency in a closely contested race. In several other constituencies it contested, the margin between the WP and the PAP was narrow. In Saturday's general election, Singapore recorded a turnout of 92.47 percent, with 2,429,281 votes cast, including 42,829 rejected ballots, the Elections Department said in a statement early Sunday. In an effort to safeguard Bengali migrant workers allegedly facing harassment across multiple states, Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam has submitted a strongly-worded letter to Union home minister Amit Shah today, demanding immediate intervention to protect Bengali-speaking citizens working outside West Bengal. He is the second TMC parliamentarian to raise alarm on violence against Bengali workers in BJP-ruled states. Yesterday, Berhampore Trinamul Congress MP Yusuf Pathan had sought immediate intervention from the home ministry regarding the assault of Bengali migrant workers in Odisha. Advertisement The TMC RS member has proposed a three-point intervention programme, including directing all state governments to ensure the safety of Bengali-speaking citizens, mandating thorough verification before taking action against individuals claiming origin from West Bengal, and enforcing coordination with the Bengal government in cases where Bengali-speaking persons are found in distress. Advertisement Islam, who chairs the West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board, has highlighted a disturbing pattern of targeted hostility against Bengali workers, particularly in BJP-ruled states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha. His letter details reports of wrongful detentions, assaults, and harassment of Bengali migrant workers despite them possessing valid identification documents. Many of these individuals, despite possessing valid identification documents such as aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and passports, have been unlawfully held some for several days without substantiated cause. Several cases involve residents from various districts of West Bengal being detained in Gujarat, despite presenting multiple valid forms of identification, Islam wrote in his letter. The Trinamul MP also highlighted how targeted hostility against Bengali-speaking workers has been escalating since 2014 and has intensified in recent months. He specifically pointed to reports of entire Bengali-speaking settlements being targeted and set ablaze, resulting in destroyed identification documents and displaced families. It is a grave contradiction that, even after Bengali was accorded classical language status by the central government, its speakers are now being criminalised for using it, Islam stated, emphasising that the pattern of violence has been predominantly reported from BJP-governed states. Islams letter pointedly contrasts the situation with West Bengals treatment of migrants, stating: In stark contrast, West Bengal continues to welcome millions of migrant workers from across the country, without a single reported incident of linguistic or regional discrimination. The department of media science of Techno Main Salt Lake, in collaboration with the Press Club, Kolkata hosted the third edition of its flagship annual media seminar Media Central 3.0, aligning with the global observance of World Press Freedom Day. The event commenced with a formal inauguration in the presence of prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, co-chairperson, Techno India Group, followed by addresses from eminent dignitaries. This years central theme, Press Freedom In The Age Of Misinformation, was explored through a dynamic panel discussion featuring prominent voices from journalism, academia, and media fraternity including Mr Barun Chanda, actor, author & ad guru, Ms Rita Bhimani, author & PR guru, Jimmy Tangree, head, 91.9 Friends FM and others. The session was moderated by Mr Debanjan Banerjee, dean media science department, Techno Main Salt Lake. Advertisement Adding to the academic discourse, the department of media science co-chairperson formally inaugurated a unique exhibition chronicling the history and evolution of Indian and global print media. This exhibit will be housed in the main hall of the Press Club and remain open to visitors until 5 May. Advertisement Visitors will experience a curated collection of landmark newspapers that shaped media landscapes across eras. The Union government has responded positively today to Trinamul Congress MP June Maliah, who raised serious concerns in Parliament over the twin threats to Indias wildlife: rampant poaching and large-scale destruction of forest habitats. In a strong plea made during the recent Budget session, the Midnapur MP called for urgent amendments to the decades-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, highlighting how outdated provisions are allowing perpetrators to escape unpunished. Speaking under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, Maliah had said: Despite growing incidents of animal abuse, offenders often walk free due to the antiquated and bailable nature of the law. I strongly urge that amendments be brought in at the earliest. Her call for reform has now received a formal response. Union minister for animal husbandry and dairying, Rajeev Ranjan Singh, in a letter to the MP, confirmed that a draft of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022 has been prepared. The ministry is currently engaging with animal welfare organisations, legal experts, environmentalists and the public to fine-tune the draft. All aspects of the proposed amendments are being scrutinised in detail, the minister wrote, adding that the final version of the Bill will be placed before Parliament following due procedure. The development has drawn praise from several quarters. Advertisement Vijay Kumar Singh, senior representative of Asian Fronts of Human Rights (AFHR), in a letter to the ministry, underscored the growing man-animal conflict in India. Unchecked deforestation and human encroachment are fuelling tensions, Singh noted, lauding Maliah for raising the issue at a national forum. He called not just for legal reforms, but for a coordinated, all-party discussion on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and reviving forest ecosystems. Singh also flagged concerns over the mushrooming of resorts in North Bengals forest belts. You cannot cut down trees to build luxury accommodations in core forest areas and then talk about conservation, he warned. Advertisement The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, enacted in 1960, has seen little to no revision in over six decades. With increasing instances of brutality against animals from illegal hunting to habitat destruction activists and lawmakers alike are calling for an overhaul. The proposed amendments, currently in consultation, are seen as a long-overdue step towards ensuring meaningful penalties for wildlife crimes. Maliah, a film actor-turned-politician, has emerged as a rare voice for voiceless creatures in Indian politics. Her consistent advocacy, cutting across political lines, has rekindled hope among conservationists that the system may finally be listening. With the increasing number of unsuccessful candidates this year in the Madhyamik Examination organised by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), teachers attached with government-aided schools have raised serious concerns with the issue. This year, 1,20,881 out of 9.69 lakh candidates who appeared in the exam failed, showing a sharp increase in the number of unsuccessful students. Advertisement In 2024, the number of unsuccessful candidates were 1,17,447, according to WBBSE sources. Advertisement While expressing deep concern with the future prospects of such a huge number of failed candidates Chandan Maiti, general secretary of the Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistress (ASFHM) said, A staggering number of about 1,21,000 students have been declared unsuccessful this year. However, the WBBSEs announcement was prominently silent on them, with no words of encouragement, concern or guidance from the board. I think such a massive number of students, who fail to clear the examination, fall into despair and get directionless. The reasons: Prolonged summer break of around one-and-a-half months in the name of heat, suspension of classes for long days, accommodating polling personnel and forces and setting up of polling booths in school premises every year during different elections, acute shortage of teachers and non-teaching staff and a glaring lack of planning in the education system, Mr Maiti said. He also raised serious questions saying: I doubt whether proper valuation of answer sheets has been done this year because ineligible teachers who have been segregated as tainted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the teachers recruitment scam might have evaluated the answer sheets. There has been a slight increase in the number of unsuccessful students this year. I think the government will think about it seriously, said Pintu Rit, headmaster of the Khejuri High School Jalpaiguri district across the state has the lowest 69.47 per cent successful candidates while the figure is the highest 96.46 per cent for East Midnapore that comes top of the list of 23 districts. Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman will lead an Indian delegation to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank scheduled to be held in Milan, Italy, between Sunday and Wednesday, a finance ministry release Sunday said. The meetings will be attended by official delegations of the Board of Governors of ADB, official delegations of ADB members and international financial institutions. Advertisement The finance minister will participate in the Annual Meetings focal events including the Governors Business session, Governors Plenary Session and as a panellist in the ADB Governors Seminar on Cross-Border Collaboration for Future Resilience. Advertisement On the sidelines of the event, the finance minister will also hold bilateral meetings with finance ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan as well as heads of other international organisations, besides meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs in Milan. She is also scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan and also address a plenary session at the Bocconi University on Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience. A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a double-murder case in Adarsh Nagar area of North West Delhi, following a verbal altercation over a parking dispute, the police said on Sunday. The accused, who has a criminal history spanning over 42 years, allegedly committed the murders after the altercation with the victims. Advertisement The arrest was made after a review of CCTV footage, which showed an elderly man near the crime scene. He was later identified as Nand Kishore and was apprehended based on a tip-off, an official said. Advertisement The police received information about the murders from BJRM Hospital, where medical staff reported the admission of two injured individuals, both of whom died during treatment. Based on an eyewitness account, a case under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Adarsh Nagar Police Station. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor on Sunday said that the Congress has lost political relevance in Delhi, and alleged that despite having no organizational or administrative responsibilities, the partys state unit chief, Devender Yadav, continues to make statements to stay in the news. Responding to Yadavs remarks on the BJP governments desilting efforts, Kapoor said that the rain that occurred around midnight on May 1 and 2 was not ordinary, but an unseasonal, record-breaking downpour accompanied by a storm, which caused water-logging in many areas of Delhi. Advertisement He noted that during the regimes of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, such situations were typically left to officials. However, this time, under the BJP government, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma was out on the streets by 5:30 am, inspecting and working on drainage issues. Advertisement Similarly, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was on the ground from 8 a.m., and most BJP MLAs and councillors were seen at various locations from early morning, ensuring proper drainage. Kapoor further said that the people of Delhi want the state Congress chief to answer whether, during the tenure of the Congress or AAP governments, any minister or chief minister ever stepped out onto the streets early in the morning during rainfall. The Delhi BJP spokesperson added that the Rekha Gupta government will ensure the cleaning of drains and trunk sewers well before the onset of the monsoon. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that the Delhi government is working 247 to address different issues confronting the people of the national capital and move forward towards the citys development. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Gupta said the work is not hampered as the secretariat opens everyday to clear the backlog of 27 years. Advertisement After the rainfall that broke the record of 125 years, she said the issue of unprecedented water-logging across the city was addressed within an hours time. She, along with her cabinet colleagues and the MLAs, were on ground zero monitoring the water-logging situation. Advertisement The chief minister informed that the government is working on every segment, including governance and justice delivery. The government will address issues faced by the people of Delhi due to adverse weather conditions, roads, or potholes. Earlier in the day, Gupta participated in the concluding ceremony of the 1008th Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivir organized by Sanskrit Bharati at Delhi Universitys North Campus where Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah was also present. Speaking on the occasion, she said Sanskrit is not just a language but also a vibrant expression of eternal tradition, philosophy, science, yoga, and spirituality. She further said that witnessing participation of young people in the program and their enthusiasm for the language reinforces the belief that the language is gaining popularity amongst people. On Friday, the CM took stock of the situation arising from water-logging on ground zero following unprecedented rains and the works undertaken to address the issue starting from Majnu Ka Tila in North Delhi, and also visited other areas. She has given a clear message to officials that the rain should serve as a warning for all departments as absence of concrete steps in drain cleaning and road maintenance could lead to a far worse situation in monsoons. Aiming to hand over the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card Scheme to every eligible citizen, a special Janseva Camp would be organised from May 5 to May 20 in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, who represents the seat, said on Sunday. Seniority is not just a matter of age but a symbol of experience, service, and social contribution, Verma said, adding that the scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to provide dignity, security, and healthcare facilities to senior citizens. Advertisement Verma further said, PM Modi has prioritised amenities for senior citizens. We are fulfilling his vision through this Janseva Camp. It is our duty to ensure that this card reaches every home, he added. Advertisement Besides Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, beneficiaries will also be able to access other government schemes such as Aadhaar card registration and correction, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Shram Yogi Mandhan Scheme, Old Age, Widow, and Disabled Pension, E-District Services (Residence, Caste, Income Certificates), Ration Card and Electricity Subsidy Registration, Digital Health ID and Vaccination Certificates, Delhi Employment Registration Portal, and Water and Sewer Connection Solutions. Highlighting a special feature of the camp, Verma said teams will go door to door to ensure that senior citizens unable to visit the camp are provided the services so that no eligible individual is left out. The Janseva Camp will be organised at 20, Windsor Place, Janpath, New Delhi, from May 5-20 between 10 am and 4 pm. Documents required for the Vay Vandana scheme registration and other services include Aadhaar Card, Bank Passbook, Passport-size Photo, and Mobile Number (linked with Aadhaar). Verma said that the Janseva Camp is not just a service platform but a fulfillment of the governments social responsibility.Aiming to hand over the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card Scheme to every eligible citizen, a special Janseva Camp would be organised from May 5 to May 20 in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, who represents the seat, said on Sunday. Seniority is not just a matter of age but a symbol of experience, service, and social contribution, Verma said, adding that the scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to provide dignity, security, and healthcare facilities to senior citizens. Verma further said, PM Modi has prioritised amenities for senior citizens. We are fulfilling his vision through this Janseva Camp. It is our duty to ensure that this card reaches every home, he added. Besides Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, beneficiaries will also be able to access other government schemes such as Aadhaar card registration and correction, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Shram Yogi Mandhan Scheme, Old Age, Widow, and Disabled Pension, E-District Services (Residence, Caste, Income Certificates), Ration Card and Electricity Subsidy Registration, Digital Health ID and Vaccination Certificates, Delhi Employment Registration Portal, and Water and Sewer Connection Solutions. Highlighting a special feature of the camp, Verma said teams will go door to door to ensure that senior citizens unable to visit the camp are provided the services so that no eligible individual is left out. The Janseva Camp will be organised at 20, Windsor Place, Janpath, New Delhi, from May 5-20 between 10 am and 4 pm. Documents required for the Vay Vandana scheme registration and other services include Aadhaar Card, Bank Passbook, Passport-size Photo, and Mobile Number (linked with Aadhaar). Verma said that the Janseva Camp is not just a service platform but a fulfillment of the governments social responsibility. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to launch a mega sanitation drive in the city from Monday with an aim to clean roads, footpaths, alleys, parks, and other public places in Delhi as announced by Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh. The Mayor informed that councilors and social organizations would play a significant role in the drive, working together with resident welfare associations (RWAs), market associations, religious organizations, and NGOs. Advertisement Each councilor will lead the sanitation drive in his respective ward, while zonal chairman and deputy chairman will be in charge of the drive in different areas, he announced. Advertisement The drive will involve cleaning of streets, parks, schools, residential areas, and back lanes, with a focus on areas that are often missed in daily cleaning. The Mayor appealed to the citizens to participate in the drive by contributing their labour to make it a success. The sanitation drive is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the goal of making Delhi a clean and beautiful capital city, Singh said. The civic agency has planned a thorough cleaning exercise, with sanitation staff working from 6 am to 4 pm, and debris being collected and disposed of at designated locations. BELGRADE, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has been discharged from the Military Medical Academy (VMA) and has suspended his official activities until he recovers, Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali said on Sunday. "The president is feeling better. He asked me to convey this to all citizens of Serbia. Let us give him a few days of rest. Since he is prescribed a rest, he has canceled all activities for the coming days," Mali said, adding that he believed the president will recover soon. Mali noted that he has no information about any adjustment to the president's planned visit to Moscow. Vucic was admitted to the VMA in Belgrade on Saturday after abruptly cutting short his working visit to the United States due to a sudden medical issue. In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, security has been significantly intensified along railway tracks near international borders to safeguard railway assets and ensure passenger safety. As part of this heightened vigilance, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Border Security Force (BSF), has launched joint patrolling operations in sensitive areas near the Bangladesh border. Advertisement In the Alipurduar division, joint foot patrols were conducted along the New MaynaguriNew Domohani stretch in Jalpaiguri district. The patrols focused on ensuring track safety, preventing illegal crossings, and identifying suspicious activities. A similar exercise was carried out in the Katihar division, covering the Haldibari Zero Point to Haldibari railway station in Cooch Behar districtan area close to the international border that now sees round-the-clock vigilance. Advertisement These operations aim to enhance surveillance and deter any untoward incidents along railway tracks near international boundaries, said NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma. The patrolling covers various divisions, with a special focus on areas adjoining the IndiaBangladesh border, underscoring strong inter-agency coordination. As part of the initiative, a comprehensive security check was conducted at Badarpur railway station in the Lumding division. Security personnel thoroughly inspected platforms, premises, and nearby areas to prevent unauthorized activities and ensure passenger safety. Additionally, a joint motor trolley inspection was carried out between Silchar and Katakhal in the same division. Teams from RPF, GRP, and BSF closely examined railway infrastructure for signs of tampering, intrusion, or threats, and reviewed the overall preparedness of railway safety systems. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) national president and Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and termed him a political cheater. Commenting on the recent statement of Akhilesh Yadav promising to install the statue of Maharaja Suheldev near the Gomti River Front, Mr Rajbhar told reporters here on Sunday that the SP president has an old habit of cheating the backward and Dalits. Advertisement He said the decision by the Modi government at the Centre to conduct a caste census has given Akhilesh Yadav a sleepless night, and claimed that he (Akhilesh) has started fearing that the backward and Dalit vote banks might shift towards the NDA. Advertisement The SBSP chief said that as long as the SP president remained in power in UP, he had never remembered Maharaja Suheldev. Now Akhilesh Yadav is trying to woo the backwards and dalits for vote bank politics, but they will no longer come under their deception, he claimed. Mr Rajbhar taunted the SP President, saying, What happened to the others, who ditched his father and uncle? The SP president neither spared the BSP nor Jayant Chaudhary, as his nature is only to cheat. He claimed that he had stayed with Akhilesh Yadav and knew very well about his working style. Mr Rajbhar further claimed that Akhilesh Yadavs vote bank would slip after the caste census. Therefore, he is now trying to cheat the Rajbhar society in the name of installing the statue of Maharaja Suheldev. He also accused the Samajwadi Party of considering Dalits as slaves. Amid reports that the Congress high command is seriously considering a leadership change in the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), the incumbent president, K Sudhakaran, has declared that he would not step down from his position. Speaking to a Malayalam news channel on Sunday, the current Congress chief in Kerala asserted that he would continue as the KPCC chief and would relinquish his position only after the Left government is ousted from power. Advertisement I will step down as the KPCC president only after throwing the LDF out of power. This is my way of doing politics. I have already communicated this to the party leadership, Sudhakaran said. Advertisement Sudhakaran said he has nothing to comment on the names being mentioned for the post of the KPCC president, adding that he has the approval of the people and Congress workers. The Kerala Congress chief said he had met and held detailed discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi on Kerala politics. There were no discussions about removing me. If they wanted to remove me from the post, they wouldnt have met me. Rahul Gandhi greeted me with a hug, he said. The KPCC chief also dismissed reports about his health issues. I am not suffering from any ailment, he said, and accused the media of spreading false information about leadership change and his health condition. There have been reports that the Congress High Command is planning to appoint a new KPCC president before the Nilambur bypoll and that four-time Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and incumbent president K Sudhakarans confidant Sunny Joseph, MLA, have emerged as frontrunners. Meanwhile, former KPCC president K Muraleedharan said there is no need for a change in leadership now. No one has demanded the KPCC presidents removal. I am of the opinion that a change in leadership is not good for the party right now, Muraleedharan said. Sudhakaran does not have any health problems. Many people have their own interests, but the partys interest lies in winning the next election, he added. CWC member and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor backed Sudhakarans continuation as the KPCC chief, stating that there was no need for a leadership change at this juncture. With the incumbent presidents assertion that he would continue in his position, the call for leadership change in KPCC is facing a crisis. Sudhakarans statement that no one has asked him to step down from the KPCC presidents post is causing a headache for the Congress leadership. The upcoming local body and assembly elections in Kerala are crucial for the Congress. The party has not been in power in the state for the past nine years. If it remains out of power for another term, its very existence could be in jeopardy. There is a general suggestion to appoint someone from the Christian community as the new KPCC president. Amid surging tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, a source said. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi had also met the prime minister on Saturday and briefed him on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. Advertisement The series of meetings the Prime Minister had with armed forces heads assumes significance in the backdrop of Indias national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. Advertisement PM Modi had earlier last week also had a meeting with the chiefs of all three armed forces, when he said that the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of Indias response to the terror attack at Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. The meetings with heads of armed forces are also considered crucial in the wake of Pakistans test of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, known as the Abdali Weapon System, with a range of 450 km. The missile was tested on Saturday during Pakistans military drill Exercise INDUS. In a major development along the India-Pakistan international border, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a Pakistani Ranger for allegedly attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory near Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, sources said on Saturday. The incident has triggered heightened security across the border as BSF intensifies surveillance and interrogation. According to highly placed sources in the security establishment, the Pakistani Ranger was spotted crossing the International Border (IB) under suspicious circumstances. Advertisement The alert BSF troops immediately reacted and detained him before he could proceed deeper into Indian soil. Preliminary reports suggest the individual was unarmed and did not resist arrest. The development comes against the backdrop of the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Advertisement According to sources, the arrested ranger is currently under intense interrogation. While his identity and precise motive are yet to be confirmed, security agencies are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. Officials are not ruling out possibilities ranging from espionage to a deliberate probe into Indias border defences by Pakistani forces. BSF officials have neither disclosed the name of the individual nor the exact time of arrest, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. However, insiders confirm that the ranger was apprehended in the early hours and was immediately taken into custody for questioning. Following the arrest, a high alert has been declared across the Shri Ganganagar sector. Additional forces have been deployed and patrolling has been intensified, particularly during night hours. Commanders on the ground have been asked to remain vigilant to prevent any further attempts of infiltration or hostile action from across the border. This is not the first time that suspicious activities have been observed in the region. The border areas in Rajasthan, particularly in sectors like Shri Ganganagar and Bikaner, have witnessed increased attempts of narcotics smuggling, infiltration, and cross-border mischief in recent months. The arrest comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and Pakistan remain tense. Amid regular ceasefire violations in other sectors and continued threats of drone-based smuggling, BSF has been operating under heightened alert conditions. A senior officer from the security establishment said: The arrest of a serving Pakistani Ranger is a significant breach. We are examining if this was an isolated case or part of a larger plan. Intelligence inputs are being correlated, and Pakistani communication intercepts are under review. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels are expected to be activated soon to take up the matter with Pakistani authorities. If proven to be a deliberate act of violation, it may lead to a formal protest by India. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been briefed on the situation, and top-level monitoring is underway. After the Central government suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in response to the killing of 26 tourists by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pahalgam, authorities on Sunday closed the sluice spillways of the Baglihar hydroelectric project dam in Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir, affecting the flow of Chenab waters to Pakistan. Sources said that following two days of dam gate openings for desilting purposes, the gates were closed on Sunday. It may take at least three days for the reservoir to refill to the desired level. Advertisement With the IWT now suspended, authorities have reportedly advanced the annual desilting process to the summer months instead of waiting for the monsoon season. Desilting of other key hydroelectric projects is also expected to take place during the summer, sources added. Advertisement The 900 MW Baglihar project is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility on the Chenab River. Since construction began in 1999, Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns, alleging that the dams design violates the 1960 IWT. Under the IWT, India is permitted to construct run-of-the-river projects with limited reservoir capacity and minimal control over water flow, sufficient for feasible power generation. The Baglihar dam allows India to regulate water release and closure timings. Shutting the dam gates during the summer is seen as part of a broader diplomatic strategy against Pakistan following the 22 April terror attack. A similar move is being planned at the Kishanganga dam on the Jhelum River in Kashmir Valley, whose waters flow into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Due to last weeks heavy rains that caused a significant rise in the Chenabs water levels, the Baglihar dam gates were opened to prevent structural damage. Other major hydroelectric projects on the Chenab include the Salal project in Reasi district and the Dul Hasti project in Kishtwar. Additionally, several other power projects are currently under construction on the river. BJPs national council member Shone George has demanded the attachment of properties of the accused, including chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter Veena Vijayan in connection with the CMRL pay-off case. Shone George on Saturday filed a petition with the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). Speaking to the media in Kochi, he alleged that the SFIO report provided substantial evidence against Veena Vijayan in the CMRL-Exalogic case. He said Veena has now been named an under Section 212/14 in the SFIO charge sheet Advertisement As per the SFIO report, a fraud of Rs 282 crore has taken place in CMRL. Of this, Rs 2.8 crore is linked to Veena Vijayan, while the rest involves suspected money laundering through her companys transactions, Shone said in Kochi on Sunday Advertisement Veenas assets must be seized and redistributed to those affected, as she has now been named an accused under Section 212/14. This demand was already included in my complaint, he said. He said the case must be investigated by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Furthermore, since the SFIO report finds the accused guilty under Section 447 for money laundering, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) should also take up the case. Shone further said that he would approach the Kerala High Court seeking a probe by central agencies, including the CBI and ED, based on SFIOs findings in the case. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saw off the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at the Srinagar International Airport on Sunday. Around 3,622 pilgrims from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year. The Srinagar International Airport is scheduled to operate 11 flights between 4 and 15 May, facilitating approximately 3,132 Hajj pilgrims from J&K and 242 from the UT of Ladakh. Advertisement The Lieutenant Governor interacted with the pilgrims and extended his greetings and best wishes for a safe pilgrimage and a fulfilling spiritual experience. He prayed for peace and prosperity in J&K and the well-being of one and all. Advertisement I extend my heartiest greetings and felicitations to pilgrims undertaking the sacred Hajj journey. The divine pilgrimage is a call from the Almighty and a cherished and lifelong dream. The central government is committed to ensuring the best possible arrangements for the well-being of pilgrims and their sacred pilgrimage, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Consulate General of India, Ministry of External Affairs, will receive the Hajj pilgrims in Jeddah. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also accorded a warm send-off to the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir. While interacting with the pilgrims, the Chief Minister expressed hope for their well-being and a spiritually fulfilling Hajj-e-Baitullah. He urged them to pray for lasting peace, prosperity, and progress in Jammu and Kashmir, and for the protection of its people from suffering and adversity. Elaborate facilities have been made for the convenience of the pilgrims, including smooth transportation, boarding & lodging, luggage verification, security screening, refreshment, food, prayer arrangements, distribution of travel documents, and prompt issuance of boarding passes. The Orissa High Court granted bail to an undertrial, incarcerated for about five months in a criminal case, on the condition of planting 100 trees and cleaning hospital rooms on a daily basis for a month. A single bench judge of the High Court Justice Dr. S K Panigrahi, delivering the order yesterday, directed the police and concerned authorities to ensure that the court order is strictly abided by the accused person. Advertisement The accused, Bigyan Ranjan Das, has been in custody since 27 January last and had moved the High Court after the lower court dismissed his bail applications. Advertisement Without going into the merit of the matter and considering the facts and submission made as well as the statement of the witnesses; further considering the period of detention of the Petitioner (accused) in custody, this court is inclined to release the Petitioner on bail. Accordingly, it is directed that the court in seisin over the matter shall release the Petitioner on bail in the aforesaid case on stringent terms and conditions, the high court ordered. The petitioner shall plant 100 saplings of local varieties like mango, neem, tamarind etc., in the ensuing monsoon around the Dumduma area on Government land, community land or private land, if it is in the possession of the petitioner or his family members. In case of unavailability of land the Revenue Authority shall assist to identify the land for plantation, Justice Panigrahi ordered. The Petitioner shall approach to the Superintendent, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar who shall facilitate the petitioner for cleaning the hospital rooms and the ward for one month by issuing suitable instruction to his concerned subordinate staff; Violation of the above conditions shall entail the cancellation of the bail. The Inspector of the concerned police station, in coordination with the local Forest Officer, shall monitor whether the petitioner has planted the saplings or not. It has been further cleared that the petitioner shall file an affidavit after the plantation of the saplings before the local Police Station, assuring that he shall maintain those saplings for two years. The District Nursery and Divisional forest officer shall extend a helping hand by supplying the saplings to the petitioner, the order concluded. The Indian Army on Sunday said that it has responded to the unprovoked ceasefire violation of the Pakistani Army in several areas along the Line of Control (LoC) during the intervening night of May 3 and 4. According to the Army, the Pakistani side resorted to unprovoked small arms firing from across the LoC, prompting a befitting response from the Indian security personnel. Advertisement The ceasefire violations took place in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Advertisement This was the 10th consecutive day, the Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire. There have been regular unprovoked small arms firings from the Pakistani side since the night of April 25 and 26, just days after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Tensions have mounted at the LoC after the Pahalgam attack, for which India has squarely blamed Pakistan. At least 26 people were killed and several others injured after a group of terrorists led by former Pakistani Army commando Hasim Moosa opened fire at innocent tourists at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district. After the attack, India announced several punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, closure of the Attari border, suspension of Indian visas for Pakistani nationals, and downgrading of diplomatic ties. India has also banned all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also vowed to punish the terrorists, their backers, and the planners of the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan is also apprehensive of an Indian military attack after PM Modi gave complete operational freedom to armed forces to decide a befitting response to the Pahalgam attack. A formation of primary school students takes part in a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Vladivostok, Russia, May 4, 2025. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A formation of primary school students takes part in a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Vladivostok, Russia, May 4, 2025. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A formation of primary school students takes part in a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Vladivostok, Russia, May 4, 2025. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A formation of primary school students takes part in a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Vladivostok, Russia, May 4, 2025. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A formation of primary school students takes part in a "Great-grandchildren of Victory" parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Vladivostok, Russia, May 4, 2025. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) For the 10th consecutive day, Pakistan Army violated ceasefire on the Line Of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday as the Indian troops retaliated proportionately, officials said. Defence Ministry statement on Sunday said, During the night of May 3 and May 4, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. Advertisement Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately. Advertisement Tensions reached a new high between the two countries after Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists sponsored and aided by Pakistan killed 26 innocent civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, on April 22 in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. The entire country was outraged by the cowardly act of terrorists as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first reaction to Pahalgam killings that the terrorists, their handlers and backers would he chased and hunted down to the ends of the earth. India announced a slew of measures against Pakistan including deportation of its nationals from Indian soil, closing of Attari-Wagah border crossing, throwing the Indus Water Treaty into abeyance, closing its airspace for Pakistani commercial flights and cancellation of all trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi has given operational freedom to the armed forces to avenge the Pahalgam killings. This decision came after the PM met the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Prior to that meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a 40-minute-long meeting with Prime Minister Modi on April 28. The Defence Minister met the PM after he received a detailed briefing by the CDS General Anil Chauhan on the preparedness of the countrys Armed forces to meet any eventuality. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha had a security review meeting with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar a few days ago. The L-G asked the Army to use whatever force is required to hunt down the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. Meanwhile, to send a powerful message to terrorists, their overground workers and sympathisers, security forces continue demolition of the houses of terrorists. On April 25, two houses belonging to Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were demolished in the Tral and Bijbehara areas. Both these terrorists were part of the LeT terrorist group involved in the Pahalgam killings. Security forces have so far demolished the houses of 10 terrorists, who are reportedly still active in the Kashmir Valley. On April 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously condemned the dastardly terrorist attack and passed a resolution on it. In a first-of-its-kind action in Rajasthan, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has trapped sitting MLA Jai Krishna Patel of the Bharatiya Aadiwasi Party (BAP), representing Bagidora (ST) constituency in Banswara, for accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh. The money was allegedly taken in exchange for dropping three starred questions related to mining affairs in KarauliToda Bhim area. ACB Director General Ravi Prakash Maherda informed the media this afternoon that sleuths caught the legislator red-handed at his official MLA quarters in Jaipur while accepting the first installment of the bribe. Advertisement Although one of the MLAs close aides managed to escape with the bag containing the cash, this does not affect the validity of the operation. We have foolproof audio and video evidence, including detailed recordings of conversations between the complainant and the MLA, Maherda said. Advertisement The DG explained that the currency notes had been treated with dye by ACB officials. When the MLA touched the money, the dye transferred to his fingers. After being asked to wash his hands, the dye turned red, confirming he had handled the cash, he said. Maherda added that the operation was initiated following a complaint lodged by Ravindra Singh on April 4. Initially, Patel had allegedly demanded Rs 10 crore to withdraw three starred questions (Nos. 5998, 980, and 628), but the deal was ultimately settled at Rs 2.5 crore. The complainant also visited Banswara for further negotiations, during which he handed over Rs 1 lakh to the legislator as token money, the DG stated. The Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani was briefed in advance, and his clearance was obtained before the trap was laid. After the arrest, MLA Patel was taken to the ACB headquarters for questioning and legal formalities, including a mandatory medical check-up. Rajasthans Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, commented, This incident should be a matter of concern and introspection for the entire political leadership of the state. BAP chief and sitting MP from the BanswaraDungarpur (ST) Lok Sabha constituency, Rajkumar Roat, suggested the possibility of a political conspiracy. I do not yet have first-hand information from MLA Patel, but I am gathering facts. We have convened an emergency meeting of our party later today to discuss the matter, he said. If our MLA is indeed guilty of accepting a bribe, action will be taken against him, Roat affirmed. Madan Rathore, Rajasthan BJP state president, condemned the incident, calling it an ugly blot on the political image of Rajasthan, which has otherwise maintained a good and clean reputation so far. Such corrupt individuals have no right to practice politics, Rathore asserted. In a first of kind action in Rajasthan, the Anti Corruption Bureau of the state has trapped a sitting MLA, Jai Krishna Patel (BAP) from Bagidora constituency of Banswara, for taking bribe for dropping an assembly question about a mining lease Karauli -Toda Bhim area. Sleuths of the ACB caught the legislator red-handed at his MLA quarters flat here Sunday while taking Rs 20 lakh the first installment of the bribe deal. As per the deal, he was to be paid Rs 2 crore in installments for dropping the question in reference, an ACB officer of additional SP said. Advertisement The arrested legislator was later taken to the ACB headquarters here for further questioning and related legal procedures. Advertisement Rajasthan Minister of State for Home (MoS) Jawahar Singh Bedham has confirmed the arrest of the MLA. He said, This incident of trapping should be a matter of concern as well as an issue for introspection for the entire political leadership of the state. Bharatiya Tribal Party (BAP) chief and the sitting Lok Sabha member from the Banswara Dungarpur (ST) parliamentary constituency Rajkumar Roat suspected political conspiracy against the newly-emerged political entity. I still do not have first-hand information from MLA Patel, I am gathering facts. Meanwhile, we have convened a meeting of our party later in the day to discuss this issue, he added. The ruling BJPs state president, Madan Rathore, condemned the incident as ugly blot on the political image of Rajasthan, which otherwise is having a clean and good reputation so far. a grave incident reflecting persistent infrastructural neglect, the roof of the medicine ward corridor at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital in Jamshedpur collapsed, killing three patients and injuring two others. On Saturday, the tragedy struck the B-Block on the third floor, with debris crashing down through the second-floor ceiling and coming to rest on the first. The victimsidentified as Lukas Simon Tirki (61) of Gadla, David Johnson (73) of Sakchi, and Shrichand Tanti (65) of Seraikelawere crushed under the rubble in what is referred to as the hospitals abandoned patients ward. Advertisement Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued late into the night, retrieving the third body around 1 am. Two survivors 83-year-old Renu Devi and 50-year-old Sunil Kumar were rescued with injuries; Renu Devi remains in critical condition. In total, 15 patients were present in the ward when the roof gave way. Twelve were found safe. Advertisement Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal rushed to the site with officials soon after the collapse. A three-member committee, comprising the SDO, the Executive Engineer from the Building Construction Department, and the principal of MGM Medical College, has been constituted to probe the incident. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 48 hours. Jharkhands Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari, who reached the hospital around 11 pm., announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He further declared that all old and unsafe buildings within the MGM premises would be demolished and the hospital would be shifted to a new facility. Water supply for the new premises, he added, would be arranged in coordination with Tata Steel. The timing of the collapse narrowly averted a larger tragedy. Just an hour before the incident, a scientific session attended by two dozen doctors had concluded in the adjacent hall. Head of the Department Dr Balram Jha stated that most doctors had walked through the same corridor around 2:30 pm; the roof caved in at 3:20 p.m. Allegations of administrative negligence have resurfaced in light of the tragedy. Records reveal that three years ago, the same hospital building underwent repairs costing Rs 39 lakh, carried out by the Building Construction Department under the previous state health minister, Banna Gupta. However, insiders allege the repairs were superficial and amounted to little more than a formality, with structural weaknesses left unaddressed. DC Ananya Mittal confirmed that three bodies had been recovered and that the rescue and relief work had concluded. An investigation has been ordered, and the findings will be submitted to the Health Department Secretary, he said. Senior district officials, including SSP Kishore Kaushal and SDO Shatabdi Majumdar, joined the site inspection along with hospital authorities. In the aftermath, the health minister expressed anguish and firmly stated that this is not a time for political rhetoric but urgent corrective action. The MGM tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the costs of bureaucratic complacency and deferred infrastructure renewal in public health institutions. While the third meeting of the Grand Alliance held in Patna on Sunday concluded without naming a chief ministerial candidate, the alliance partners sent out a clear message that all the parties are united and former deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav would be the supreme leader of the alliance. The banner placed as the backdrop had a portrait of Tejashwi Yadav along with election symbols of all alliance partners. The presence of only Tejashwis picture on the banner is being considered a big political signal and the alliances strategy to present the RJD leader as the face of the chief minister. Advertisement The presence of top leaders of all the constituents of the alliance, including RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI Bihar Secretary Ram Naresh Pandey, Vikasheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahni proved that they had no objection to promoting Tejashwi as the CM face of the alliance. Advertisement After the meeting, Tejashwi told journalists that there was no confusion among the Grand Alliance partners. Whoever is leading the alliance now will continue to lead even after the election. He took a dig at the CM face of NDA saying, Confusion is palpable among the NDA partners. The person, who is the chief minister now, will not become chief minister again, because the BJP will not let this happen. The RJD leader announced that the Left parties have called for Bharat Bandh on 20 May, which will be supported by all partners of the alliance. Tejashwi Yadav said that the Left parties expressed concern over the current situation in the country, following which CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya made a call for Bharat Bandh on 20 May to highlight the plights of labourers. All the constituents of the Grand Alliance will support the Bharat Bandh. We will express our protest by taking to the streets, he added. The Bharat Bandh is expected to be used by the alliance to show its strength in Bihar before the elections. Apart from the top leaders of the constituent parties, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, state officials, district presidents and general secretary-level officials of these parties were also present at the meeting, where they discussed strategies to convince party workers and their supporters on the ground to remain united in the fight against the NDA. The alliance partners will organise joint meetings in every district, block and panchayat. A sub-committee will be formed which will prepare an action plan for these meetings and execute it successfully. A father-son duo among three people died while three others sustained grievous injuries in a head-on collision between two cars in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh late night Saturday. According to the police, the mishap occurred near a dhaba (roadside eatery) under the jurisdiction of the Bada Malhara police station at around 11.15 pm. According to Inspector Shraddha at the Shukla Bada Malhara police station, the deceased include Gajendra Ahirwar (35), his son Yash (2), and Amar Wadhwani (53). Advertisement The seriously injured include the wife of the deceased Gajendra, Aarti (34), and deceased Amars wife Ritu Wadhwani (51), and their son Mayur Wadhwani (29). Advertisement Two of the critically injured persons were rushed to the Gwalior Medical College hospital while another seriously injured person was admitted to the Chhatarpur district hospital. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that animal husbandry and dairy development form a vital pillar of Uttar Pradeshs rural economy, offering not just milk production but also avenues for livelihood, nutrition security, and women empowerment. The CM directed officials to take concrete steps to make cow protection centres self-reliant and advocated the use of cow dung-based natural paint in government buildings, along with scaling up its production. Advertisement Chairing a review meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department on Sunday, he called for greater use of technology, investment, and innovation to strengthen the sector. Advertisement The Chief Minister was informed by the officials that 11.49 lakh cows are currently sheltered in 7,693 Gau Ashray Sthals across the state, monitored through CCTV and regular inspections. The CM instructed officials to ensure the deployment and timely payment of caretakers, the establishment of husk banks, and an adequate supply of water, green fodder, and bran. He also emphasised regular veterinary visits to these shelters. Under the Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahyogita Yojana, the Chief Minister directed that cows be provided to poor families without livestock. The initiative aims at both promoting cow service and enhancing household nutrition through milk availability. Furthermore, the Chief Minister proposed organising divisional-level competitions for indigenous cow breeds and recognising exemplary Gau Ashray Sthals. He also suggested holding competitions for organisations producing cow-based products to encourage innovation and excellence in the sector. The Chief Minister was informed that Compressed Biogas(CBG) plants are being set up in Varanasi and Muzaffarnagar to enhance the self-reliance of Gau Ashray Sthals. Additionally, 40,968.29 hectares of pasture land have been cleared of encroachments, with 12,168.78 hectares dedicated to green fodder production. This initiative is also generating rural employment, with womens self-help groups actively involved. A total of 21,884 Gausevaks have been trained and deployed. In Bareilly, the establishment of organic manure and cow urine processing plants, in collaboration with IFFCO Aonla, is progressing at large cow conservation centres. The Chief Minister was informed that in 2024-25, milk procurement reached 3.97 LLPD, marking a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. Membership rose by 8 per cent, and 24,031 milk producers were trained. Financially, the turnover reached Rs 1,120.44 crores, reflecting a 16 per cent growth. Major milk unions in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Mirzapur, Mathura, and Basti reported a combined profit of Rs 818.22 lakh. Emphasising the need to further boost milk production, the Chief Minister directed an increase in the number of primary cooperative societies and the training of their members. Regarding future plans, it was shared that for 2025-26, the target is to establish 4,922 new cooperative milk societies and provide training to 21,922 existing ones. In a dramatic reversal of policy, the Modi government has agreed to conduct a caste census ~ an idea it once vehemently opposed. This shift, coming ahead of key assembly elections in Bihar and after the Pahalgam terror attack, appears less like a moral reckoning and more like a calculated political manoeuvre. The move is set to reshape the electoral chessboard, particularly in regions where caste remains a central axis of power and identity. The sudden shift also reveals how electoral pragmatism often trumps ideological consistency. What was once dismissed as divisive is now being recast as necessary, with little explanation for the change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which heads the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had long resisted calls for a caste-based census. The official argument rested on the potential for social division. Unofficially, it was a hedge against disrupting the BJPs carefully cultivated narrative of panHindu unity that transcends caste. Advertisement But with the ground shifting beneath their feet ~ especially in caste-sensitive states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh ~ the party now seems to be rethinking its strategy. This U-turn directly undercuts the main plank of the opposition. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has championed the cause of caste enumeration under the slogan jitni abaadi, utna haq (rights proportional to population). As Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr Gandhi has framed the issue as one of social justice, arguing that without updated caste data, policies for backward classes are shooting in the dark. His party, along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Tejashwi Yadav and the Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav, has made the caste census a rallying cry to consolidate backward class voters. Advertisement The Modi governments decision, then, is not merely an administrative one ~ it is a political countermove. By appropriating the oppositions agenda, the BJP aims to rob them of their most potent electoral weapon. It also allows the party to reframe the caste debate on its own terms: not as a left-liberal demand, but as a nationalist commitment to inclusivity. There is also a broader, long-term calculation at play. The BJPs core electoral base ~ traditionally upper castes and urban voters ~ has already been consolidated. What it now seeks is deeper penetration into the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), many of whom feel underrepresented despite their demographic heft. The caste census, if handled deftly, could offer the data needed to recalibrate welfare schemes and reservations, thereby expanding the partys social base without alienating its core. Yet, the move is fraught with risk. Once caste data is out in the open, it could spark new demands for quotas, disrupt existing reservation equations, and unleash a wave of political bargaining. The BJP, having opened a Pandoras box, must now brace for its consequences. In the end, the caste census is not just about numbers ~ it is about power. And in that pursuit, no party is above playing the long game. Following the dastardly massacre of innocent Hindu tourists at Pahalgam, India swiftly declared that it will put the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT), brokered by the World Bank, on abeyance. The IWT has survived three major wars between the two nations besides Kargil, and its suspension will certainly escalate the tension between two nuclear armed belligerent nations. However, nothing will change on the ground, at least not in the foreseeable future. The origins of the IWT date back to the Partition. Indus, which has given India its name, and its five tributaries, have sustained humanity on the subcontinent for millennia. Both India and Pakistan depend on Indus water for agriculture, irrigation, and electricity, but without the Indus system water, Pakistan would face serious existential threats. So, at Partition, the two countries signed an agreement called the Standstill Agreement to allow the flow of water across the border, and when that agreement expired in 1948, they negotiated for nine long ears, mediated by the World Bank, to sign the IWT in September 1960. Advertisement The treaty gives India access to the waters of the three eastern rivers: the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while Pakistan gets the waters of the three western rivers: the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, which account for almost 80 per cent of the shared basins water. While India can use the western rivers to generate hydel power and for limited irrigation, it cannot build infrastructure that restricts the flow of water from those rivers into Pakistan, either by storing or diverting their flows. Advertisement Despite the bellicosity between hostile neighbours, the IWT survived, even though every major terrorist violence inflicted by Pakistani state-sponsored actors had threatened to derail it. With no expiry date, the treaty also provides a standing mechanism for cooperation and dispute resolution by a Permanent Indus Commission with one commissioner from each country. One can refer unresolv ed differences to a neutral expert, and legal disputes to an international Court of Arbitration, and the World Bank can also provide mediation. The Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab are lifelines to Pakistan, as it has no alternative sources of water and relies heavily on the western rivers for its agriculture, irrigation and energy. Between May and September, these rivers carry tens of billions of cumecs (cubic metre per second) of water from melting glaciers to nourish agriculture in Pakistans Punjab and Sindh provinces. Its irrigation system depends almost entirely on the predictable timing of flows from the western rivers, when farmers plan their sowing depending on the canal schedules ~ covering almost 80 per cent of Pakistans irrigated agriculture. Even minor changes in the flow can cause significant disruptions to Pakistans largely agrarian economy, delaying wheat planting cycles, causing missed sowing windows, lower productivity and higher costs, besides further degrading an already stressed Indus Delta, 43 per cent of the arable land of which is already salinity affected, and reduced water flow may accelerate further desertification. It may also exacerbate the highly charged water sharing disputes bet ween Punjab and Sind. Pakistan has limited water storage capacity, with its major dams such as Mangla and Tarbela having a combined live storage of just 14.4 million acre feet (MAF), which is about 10 per cent of the countrys annual entitlement of 135 MAF under the IWT. When the water flow is reduced, for example, during the dry winter months, this storage shortfall makes Pakistan highly vulnerable. Reduced or controlled upstream flows can also play havoc with its power, a third of which comes from hyd l generation by water flowing through Tarbela, Mangla, and other dams. As per IWT, India can utilise 20 per cent of the western rivers without disturbing directions of flow. While it can construct hydel power projects on them, these must be run-of-the-river schemes, meaning they can hold or divert water for power generation only temporarily, but must not significantly alter or reduce the total flow reaching Pakistan. India has built several dams as reservoirs for run-of-the-river power projects in Jammu and Kashmir including Baglihar, Ratle, Dulhasti, Salal dams on the Chenub, and Kishenganga, Uri I and II on the Jhelum. Several of these projects are already operational but generate only 2.5 GW of power, as against the potential of 20 GW from the western system. Large projects like the 850-MW Ratle dam are still under construction, and work on some like the 0.3 MAF Tulbul dam on the Jhelum remains suspended. Under IWT, India can use the waters also for irrigation of up to 13.4 lakh acres in J&K and Ladakh, of which only 6.42 lakh acres are now being irrigated. After a neutral expert ruled in Indias favour in Baglihar dam which Pakistan had contested, it disputed Indias diversion of water from the Kishanganga river ~ a tributary of the Jhelum ~ into the Jhelum basin to generate power and took the matter to an international Court of Arbitration. The Court, while allowing India to continue with the project by diverting water, ruled that India must maintain a minimum flow of 9 cumecs at all times to protect Pakistans downstream uses and environment. It also put certain restrictions on the dam design. That was in 2013. Three years later, Uri happened. India immediately suspended the Indus Commission meetings, and vowed to maximise the use of its 20 per cent share ~ it was using only 4 per cent ~ and for the first time, Indian leaders publicly linked security issues to the continuation of IWT. Water was being weaponised. After Pulwama in 2019, the rhetoric bec ame even more vitriolic, but the reality hardly changed on the ground. In 2016, Pakistan again approached the World Bank for setting up a Court of Arbitration on the Ratle project, objecting to the height and design of the dam, that it alleged would give India the potential to manipulate water flow. India asked for a neutral expert, as per IWTs mechanism. While both countries remained deadlocked over the procedure, World Bank invoked both the Court of Arbitration and neutral expert processes simultaneously ~ an unprecedented step under the IWT. Meanwhile, in January 2023, India formally invoked Article XII (3) of IWT and sought modification of the treaty itself for the first time, citing climate change, national needs and Pakistans obstructions, which Pakistan swiftly rejected. In September 2024, India served a formal no tice to amend the treaty that was outdated and unfairly favourable to Pakistan. Then Pahalgam happened and India suspended the treaty. However, it is important to note that the immense volume of water flowing in western rivers from May to September is too large to significantly disrupt Pakistans agriculture without also flooding Indias upstream regions, because India lacks sufficient storage infrastructure. The western rivers derive 60-70 per cent of their flow from melting glaciers and 30-40 per cent from monsoon rains, and this natural flow will continue despite the suspension, ensuring the uncontrolled annual flow of 135 MAF of water to Pakistan. Indias run-of-the-river projects have rather limited storage capacity of only around 2.5 MAF against the full entitlement of 3.6 MAF. Regulated releases from Indias dams and barrages supplement the natural flow during dry seasons. Suspending the treaty allows India to halt these releases, but given its limited storage infrastructure, India can hardly exercise any effective control. Even if India builds out its full allowed storage at enormous cost which will take long, and coordinates releases across all its dams, it can only temporarily regulate and delay flows to Pakistan upsetting its irrigation and cropping patterns, especially during critical agricultural periods, but cannot permanently divert or consume this water. The IWT mandates real-time flow data exchange to ensure that India is not withholding water during critical periods like the pre-sowing season; its suspension would stop such exchange. There are also geographical constraints in building significant water storage in J&K, and also political risks from potential terrorists backed by Pakistan. Also, as the Tufts University academic HF Khans has pointed out, India is itself a downstream riparian on the Brahmaputra that originates in China, and creating a precedent may not be good as China may use the same strategy against India. The IWT was designed to ensure that India cannot restrict Pakistans share of the natural flow; most of the Indus systems water will continue to flow to it due to natural geography. Thus, there are physical and practical limits to the harm Indias suspension of the treaty can cause to Pakistans economy in the foreseeable future, and nothing beyond the escalation of rhetoric may be seen on the ground. India can fast-track its storage projects like the Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) and the Sawalkot (1856 MW) dams on the Chenab to increase the regulated flow. Of the eastern rivers, India only uses 90 per cent of the 33 MAF allocated under IWT, and the unutilised flow of 2 MAF from the Ravi and 5.5 MAF from the Sutlej/Beas systems are benefiting Pakistan due to inadequate Indian storage ~ and this India can certainly improve. It has already completed Shahpurkandi dam on the Ravi in 2024, which redirects its water entirely into Indian territory. The planned Ujh dam also on the Ravi can further restrict the flow of surplus water to Pakistan, which currently gets about 9.3 billion cumecs from Indias share. Pakistan had declared that it would treat the suspension of IWT as an act of war. It may only intensify diplomatic escalation, but its fragile economy, perverted polity and complete lack of peoples trust on both its government and its army hardly leave room for any other manoeuvre. (The writer is a commentator, author and academic. Opinions expressed are personal) The storm struck on a moonless midnight in May. Winds whipped up the deep dark waters of the river Muri Ganga which stretches for four kilometres from the delta island of Sagar Deep (which means sea island in Bengali) to the first port on the mainland, called Lot Number 8. The southern tip of Sagar Deep is situated at the point where the Ganges finally flows into the Bay of Bengal after having travelled for thousands of kilometres south from its source in the Himalayan peaks. The northern part of the delta island, surrounded by tributaries of the Ganges, is inhabited by villagers who live in pale yellow mud huts with bright yellow thatched roofs and who farm or fish for a living. Advertisement Though people of Sagar Deep do not have much money, the literacy rate here is as high as 90 percent, says Dibos Mondal, an islander and school teacher who lives and works in the village of Kochuberia in northern Sagar Deep. Education is given a lot of importance even in low-income households. Advertisement This keenness for knowledge can arguably be attributed to the islanders exposure to outsiders and the ensuing exchange of thoughts and ideas. While other islands of the delta remained relatively isolated, for centuries pilgrims descended at the confluence, where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal to take dips in the water, considered holy by Hindus. The sage Kapil Muni is said to have lived and attained enlightenment in this location during the Vedic Age, around the 6th century BCE. A temple dedicated to him and other saints stands at the point of the confluence. The original temple is supposed to have disappeared into the encroaching sea. Says Dibos, The temple had to be shifted, that is reconstructed three times, and the present one is the fourth one. Sagar Deep has schools, colleges and other educational centres. Its people love to study and are always eager to learn new skills says Ambarish Nag Biswas, president of the West Bengal Amateur Radio Club (HAM Radio), who has started training groups of people in the radio technology. Recently, the HAM Radio club has also engaged local people in learning disaster management. As far as the islanders of this remote part of the delta are concerned, May is a month of storms and superstorms, Nag Biswas said. Every recent cyclone that ripped through this region, from Fani to Yaas to Amphan did so in the month of May. And for people living in the delta islands, announcements of approaching storms or superstorms is something that they dont take lightly. The summer months, mainly April and May have seen some of the strongest cyclones hit the delta islands. Cyclones are formed when the surface of the sea becomes so heated that it vaporizes and rises causing a vacuum to be created deep into the sea. This twirls like a whirlpool around the sea gathering momentum until it crashes into shore. People of Sagar Deep and other delta islands are only too familiar with what the summer months can bring. In 1999, the super storm Aila blew through Sagar Deep and other parts of the Sunderbans causing extensive damage and claiming lives. Aila caught the islanders by surprise, Nag Biswas points out. Those days there was less awareness about approaching storms than now. Now the government and administration has involved themselves in alerting the islanders and undertaking evacuation and rescue work. However says Nag Biswas there is a need to prepare islanders on how to deal with a storm, super storm or cyclone. Not that they do not know but cyclones are becoming more regular with each passing year. Indeed the increase in the number and intensity of cyclones have been linked to climate change. Nag Biswas says, It is important and that we train people to take on the new challenges and that is what we are trying to do. Dibos who has been a part of the training in disaster management says that the idea is to be prepared, ready. When a storm, super storm or cyclone hits, you ought not to be caught off guard. Now the islanders all follow the weather reports, he says, Prediction of rain, hail, storm, not to mention cyclones and other severe storms, have to be paid heed to. When you live in a city or on the mainland you can perhaps afford to ignore the warnings. But cyclones directly impact the islands causing severe floods, destruction of homes, cattle and even loss of lives. Part of the training entails not just evacuation and rescue but also tackling the aftereffects of a cyclone, superstorm or storm. The damage and destruction caused by cyclones can and does cause severe depression and desolation, says Nag Biswas. They lose their homes, belongings and even cattle, not to mention, very often, family members or relatives. While the government and administration is no longer as lackadaisical as they once used to be, there is need for additional assistance. Our teams are trying to provide that. One of HAM radios most positive and productive endeavours has been to try and plant trees in the region. Forests, especially the deltas indigenous mangrove jungles are known to rebuff approaching cyclones by absorbing the impact of high winds. The deep roots of mangrove plants are known to absorb flood water from the rushing deluges during storms, preventing salt water from seeping in and mixing with sweet water on land. We are trying to build up a community of locals who will be prepared to deal with storms, super storms and cyclones, says Nag Biswas. For the past decade he has led teams to different disaster-hit zones and has often confronted cyclones head-on. A spine-chilling, hair-raising account of his team members staring right into the eye of the super storm needs be told and retold. It was May 2019 and Cyclone Fani was ripping through the states of Odisha and West Bengal after crash landing off the coast of Digha. The team of boys of the HAM Radio Club, who had been deployed for rescue work, were headed in the direction of the coast. But the howling winds and pounding rain prevented them from making any progress. They were effectively cowering in their car at the side of the road which had turned into a river that was swelling every second, recalls Nag Biswas. It was too late for them to move to safety. The sky had turned completely black and visibility was zero. Rain pounded the ground and winds, blowing at over 190 kilo meters per hour, swished around the car, sweeping everything into the vortex says Ambarish Nag Biswas. Our boys just had to anchor their vehicle like a boat, bobbing up and down on the coastal street which had merged with the sea, he says. It is a miracle that they lived through the ordeal and the story they narrated on their return gives us goose bumps even today. They fell into the path of the extremely severe cyclonic storm as it was called and they saw the eye, the hollow centre of the cyclone, with their own eyes. According to one of the men who had witnessed the twister as it passed them, it was like a giant with a massive, spherical body which stretched up to the sky. We could not take our eyes off it, he says recalling the terrifying moment. It is truly a miracle that we survived and I am grateful to the heavens that I and my colleagues lived to tell this tale. The famous lines of poet T.S. Eliot recurs in my thoughts and readers would find me going back to the mysterious depths hidden in those words: April is the cruellest month. But for the people of the delta and Sagar Deep, you may want to add the month of May to it. Yes cyclones are indeed cruel, sighs Nag Biswas. That is why he is endeavouring to create a local group which can take on and weather the storm. But they are doing so silently. Like the lull before the storm. The writer is Editor, Features SACRAMENTO, United States, May 3 (Xinhua) -- California lawmakers are racing to build its own National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the U.S. administration pushed deep federal funding cuts that experts warned could cripple innovation, damage the economy, and put future medical breakthroughs at risk. The proposed California Institute for Scientific Research (CISR), aiming to protect critical research on diseases, climate change and drug safety as federal support evaporates, was set for a hearing on Monday, said California State Senator Scott Wiener, who authored the bill. The administration's latest budget blueprint, released on Friday, called for a 22.6 percent reduction, totaling 163 billion U.S. dollars, in non-defense discretionary spending for the coming fiscal year. Science and health agencies were among the hardest hit under the plan. California, which received over 5 billion dollars in NIH funding last year, felt the impact acutely. According to the Los Angeles Times, the University of California system, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California were among the nation's top recipients of NIH grants. The sudden loss of federal funding threatened to halt clinical trials, shutter labs, and lay off thousands of researchers. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), epidemiologist Beate Ritz recently told the Los Angeles Times that the loss of NIH support would force her to shut down studies on pollution and neurodegenerative diseases. Gina Poe, a UCLA neurobiologist, said her lab's indirect funding would drop from 114,000 dollars to almost nothing, jeopardizing decades of work on sleep and memory. The proposed CISR legislation would authorize grants and loans for public and private research entities while expanding California's capacity to produce and distribute vaccines. "California is a global leader on science in our own right, and we must step in to protect our scientific institutions from the new administration's anti-science, Make America Sick Again onslaught," Senator Scott Wiener said in a statement when introducing the bill in March. Wiener criticized the Department of Government Efficiency for "systematically dismantling" scientific research in the United States by slashing personnel and programs at all federal science agencies and stressed that California must step up and fill the void left by the federal cuts. "Ours is a state known as a national and global leader in life-saving biomedical research," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "I will not allow the administration to jeopardize the extraordinary work being done right now by scientists, scholars, medical professionals and other workers." Cinephiles across the globe celebrate 4 May as Star Wars Day. The film franchise, which has emerged as a phenomenon since its inception in 1977, continues to be a study of cinematic brilliance. George Lucas created his pastiche saga where his cinematic universe comes alive, a long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away. Lucas work continues to demand a prominent space in contemporary pop culture despite changing times and generations. His expansive work of art has probed countless studies, theories, and dissections over its thematic relevance, aesthetics, and contribution to filmmaking. Star Wars: A study in pastiche George Lucas did not shy away from pushing the boundaries of creativity and exploring the liberty offered by the fantastical. In a world of make-belief, everything is possible and palatable. Star Wars is not a pop phenomenon in isolation, it is a pastiche project which proudly references and fuses several artistic creations and schools of thought. Literary influences of Joseph Campbell, Flash Gordon, and Tolkiens The Lord of the Rings are palpable in the franchise. Apart from being a melting pot of references, the film franchise also blends different genres and religious beliefs. Advertisement Lucas Star Wars cannot be contextualised within the domains and subtexts of a single genre. It has traces of mythological epics and Greco-Roman lore of gods and war heroes in its characterisations, like that of Luke Skywalker, and its setting of a long time ago. The project also heavily hinges on Westerns with its salons and gun fights, elevated by Han Solos persona and fashionable cowboy hat. With its fairytale-like elements of saving the trapped heroine, the saga picks up from multiple genres while also defying their tropes. For example, Leia Organa is no damsel in distress; she is a rebel leader. More evidently, the franchise draws heavily from sci-fi and fantasy genres, curating a pulpy space opera. Advertisement Of East and West: Religion and the force Taking the pastiche further are the religious sentiments and the concept of the force. Apart from just Western beliefs, the universe of Lucas also brings together several Eastern religious beliefs and schools of thought. Star Wars finds inspiration in Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Pantheism, Gnosticism, and others. Several scholars have argued that the Jedi Order finds notable inspiration in the real history of the Knights Templar of the early 12th century. Research reveals that French knight Hugh de Payne created the Order in 1119, consisting of knights from all over Europe. These knights primarily patrolled the roads and protected pilgrims in the new Christian states in the Holy Land. In the first film, Obi-Wan Kenobi described the Jedi Order, which worked independently, For over a thousand generations, the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire. The following titles revealed how the Jedi Order also bore a resemblance to a monastic order. The Knights Templars downfall started in the 14th century after King Philip IV of France had many of the Orders members arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and declared them traitors. The influence of this history on the Jedi Order and the subsequent plot of Sith leader, Sheev Palpatine, who created the Empire and rekindled the dark order, needs no further dissection. Lucas cinematic world is driven by the Force, which is like an omnipresent energy that guides the world and the beings. Its transcendent and metaphysical, which is often personified. The force has two counterparts- the good side, which is just referred to as the force, and the eponymous dark side. The concept of the force has been studied vis-a-vis Pantheism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Several studies have compared the concept with Zen philosophy, and the concept of the Chi (the life force) and the Tao (the path). Moreover, the idea of striking a balance, while acknowledging the Yin-Yang philosophy, also goes against it. While there is an acceptance of the dark side, the meaning of balance for the Jedi is the triumph of the light over the dark. The Republic breeds the Empire: Referencing history Star Wars is inherently political. It not only references history but also expresses its dissatisfaction with the politics of the times in which it was created. Lucas first film came in line with the highly public Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Talking about how the events impacted his project, Lucas said, When I first started making A New Hope, it was during the Vietnam War, and it was during a period when Nixon was going for a third term or trying to get the Constitution changed to go for a third term and it got me to thinking about how democracies turn into dictatorships. Not how theyre taken over where theres a coup or anything like that, but how the democracy turns itself over to a tyrant. Moreover, critics also believe that the birth of the Empire in the franchise from the Galactic Republic is also a reference to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire. The cinematic world of George Lucas Star Wars opens myriad discourses, with pastiche being only a small aspect. The iconic franchise paved the way for technological advancements in filmmaking and modern sciences. Moreover, its landscape, aesthetics, and architecture continue to baffle viewers. Apart from critical enquiry, one can safely assume that Star Wars will continue to find space in popular culture, and cinephiles will continue to say, May the force be with you. Discussions in Bangladesh are swirling around the potential return of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zias son, Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who is actively considering to lead the outfit on home soil. Rahman, who has been leading the BNP from London, is also at the crossroads. Having recently been acquitted in major cases, including the August 21 grenade attack, he faces minimal legal hurdles to return. Analysts reckon that he may possibly be testing waters in the political turbulence of the Bangladeshi politics under the present Yunus administration, which is under pressure to deliver on its promised reforms and to hold elections. Advertisement BNP wants an urgent election this year and has threatened to hold street protests if they are delayed further asserting that long-term reforms should be carried out under an elected government. The core question remains whether Rahman can provide leadership in politically turbulent times in Bangladesh. Bangladesh had been seeking transition into a more prosperous and moderate Islamic nation till the collapse of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, last year. Advertisement Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to return to Bangladesh from London on Sunday or Monday, depending on the availability of a special air ambulance. Efforts are underway to arrange the air ambulance, and if successful, she will return on Sunday. Otherwise, she may fly back on a scheduled Bangladesh Biman flight the following day. According to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Zia will be accompanied by her two daughters-in-law Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi. Separately, BNP has sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) asking to ensure security of Zubaida Rahman, the wife of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, upon her arrival in Bangladesh. As per the letter, Zubaida Rahman will stay at her fathers house in Dhanmondi and there is a security threat to her life as a member of the Zia family and wife of Tarique Rahman. Signed by Khaledas private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar on April 30, the letter outlines a four-layer security arrangement. It includes armed security personnel, police escort with vehicles, a police guard at home, and the installation of archways at the residence. Political opponents say that Tarique Rahman is risking his wifes well being and using her as a human shield to check whether it will be safe for him to return to the political culture of violence in Bangladeshs party system. It may be mentioned that Khaleda Zia was sentenced to prison for seven years and fined Tk 1 million in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case on October 29, 2018. She was imprisoned at the Central Jail in Old Dhaka. After the Sheikh Hasina government was toppled by the so-called student-led mass movement on August 5, Khaleda was released by President Mohammed Shahabuddin through an executive order. The court later quashed her jail sentences, as well. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov telephonically and held discussions amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. While speaking to Russian Foreign Minister, the External Affairs Minister also discussed about the bilateral cooperation activities between India and Russia and added that the perpetrators, backers and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack must be brought to justice. Advertisement In a post on social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar on Saturday wrote: Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with FM Lavrov of Russia yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice. Also spoke about our bilateral cooperation activities. Advertisement According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two Ministers also discussed the schedule of upcoming contacts at the highest levels. On April 22, gunmen attacked on innocent tourists who were there to enjoy the scenic beauty of mini Switzerland. The attack, the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, targeted mostly tourists and was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). The TRF later denied involvement in the attack. Both the Ministers discussed issues of Russian-Indian cooperation and the aggravation of India-Pakistan relations following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. On May 2, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke with Indias EAM Jaishankar. Sergey Lavrov called for settling disagreements between New Delhi and Islamabad on a bilateral basis by political and diplomatic means per the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999, the Russian Federation said in a statement. Following the terror attack in 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. The Indian government also cancelled all types of visas granted to Pakistani nationals and ordered them to leave by April 30. India also closed its airspace for flights operated by Pakistan Airlines. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan and barred Indian airlines from using its airspace. Pakistani forces have also been violating ceasefire along the border for ninth consecutive day, opening small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in five Jammu and Kashmir districts. At a key security meeting on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the armed forces have full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of Indias response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. It is our national resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism, PM Modi said, according to sources in the government. The holy Buddha relic exposition witnessed a sea of devotees on Saturday, with lakhs of devotees lining up since early morning to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Meanwhile, Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday visited the Truc Lam Buddhist Monastery, reaffirming the deep-rooted spiritual connection between India and Vietnam through the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha. Advertisement The Minister, who led the high-level Indian delegation to the country with the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, arrived at Dalat city on Saturday. Advertisement On Friday, Rijiju, joined by Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh, monks and senior officials accompanying the Sacred Relics from Sarnath, was warmly received by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and other officials, reflecting the profound and shared spiritual values that unite both nations. Arrived in Vietnam leading the high level Indian delegation with the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha. Grand ceremonial reception was accorded by the Government of Vietnam and Vietnam Buddhist Sanghas. The Holy Relics will be in Vietnam from May 2-21 2025 for UN Vesak Day celebrations, the minister said in a post. Rijiju also paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Ho Chi Minh City commemorating the values of peace, non-violence, and unity propounded by the Father of the Nation. He said the arrival of Buddhas Holy Relics has brought tremendous spiritual joy amongst the people of Vietnam. Following ceremonial prayers, the holy relics were reverently enshrined at Thanh Tam Monastery. In a symbolic gesture of peace and friendship, a Sacred Bodhi Tree sapling from India was also planted at the Vietnam Buddhist University. A joint press conference was held by the Indian delegation and leaders of the Vietnamese Sangha, where Rijiju conveyed a heartfelt message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. The Government of Vietnam expressed its sincere gratitude for the sacred gesture, which stands as a symbol of the enduring civilisational and spiritual ties between the two countries. The holy relics are being exhibited with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the National Museum of India, and the International Buddha Confederation. They will be displayed to the public in Ho Chi Minh City until May 7, 2025, before continuing to Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam until May 21, 2025. The Philippines on Saturday slammed China for resorting to disinformation activities around Sandy Cay, emphasising that the area was an integral part of its territory. The alleged seizure of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay), an integral part of the Philippine national territory in the West Philippine Sea, was a clear example of the disinformation activities of the Chinese government, where it made it appear that China has effective control of the cay by displaying its flag and conducting waste collection, National Maritime Council (NMC) of the Philippines said in a statement. Advertisement It further stated that the Chinese government, through its state-controlled media, is sowing disinformation to mislead its people and the international community about the continuing illegality of its activities in the West Philippine Sea. Advertisement The Philippines is firm in protecting its vast maritime domain, and is unwavering in fighting false allegations that detract from the countrys lawful exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, the NMC added. The maritime council accused China of degradation of the environment around Pag-asa Island and its cays. It stated that constant illegal swarming of Chinese vessels in the area and the damaging impact of Chinas massive artificial island-building in Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), a low-tide elevation that forms part of the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island and its cays, caused environmental damages, state media Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. The Philippines will consistently pursue peaceful means for resolving disputes and constructive approaches to managing differences, while also continuing its lawful and routine activities in the West Philippine Sea, consistent with its maritime entitlements under international law, the NMC said. The Philippines claims that Sandy Cay falls within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while China lays claim to the maritime feature, calling it Tiexian Jiao. Recently, countering Chinas narrative, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group conducted a routine visit to Sandy Cay and the surrounding waters of Cay 1 and Cay 3, PNA reported. Earlier this week, the Philippines condemned the latest Chinese activities around Sandy Cay, emphasising that the area is part of Philippine territory and no Chinese provocation will change that. Chinese personnel reportedly raised a Chinese flag and conducted inspection activities on Sandy Cay. Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Philippines, Romualdez, termed the Chinese actions desperate and cheap stunts designed to mislead and bolster illegitimate claims. I call on China: Cease these reckless provocations. Respect international law. Stop these cheap stunts, he added. Chinese activities in the South China Sea have been a growing cause of concern for many Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines. China makes sweeping claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea, which has untapped natural resources, including oil and natural gas. The relations between the Philippines and China have nosedived due to Beijings growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Russia has declared a state of emergency in the port city of Novorossiysk in the Krasnodar region on Saturday, claiming an attack by Ukraine that damaged apartment buildings in a residential complex. A state of emergency has been introduced in Novorossiysk. As a result of the overnight attack by the Kyiv regime, apartment buildings in the Aurora Residential Complex and on Suvorovskaya Street sustained damage. Private property in the Eastern District has also been hit. Emergency response services are working at the site. We will establish temporary accommodation centres if necessary, said Mayor Andrey Kravchenko on his Telegram channel. Advertisement Governor of Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, said the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region was attacked by Kyiv on Friday night, damaging three residential buildings in Novorossiysk. Advertisement The report suggested that the drone attack injured five people, including two children and damaged three tanks at a grain terminal. The drone wreckage also fell in the village of Taman in the Temryuksky district, and in Yurovka and Tsibanobalka near Anapa. While private homes were hit, no casualties were reported. Speaking to the state-run news agency TASS, Sergey Altukhov, a State Duma (lower house of the Russian Parliament) member from the Krasnodar region, said that the attack on Novorossiysk, which affected children, showed that the Kyiv regime has shifted from damaging infrastructure facilities to terrorism against Russian civilians. Novorossiysk is our key transportation and logistics hub in the Black Sea. For three years, it seemed the city had grown used to living in a constant state of high readiness for emergencies. The Kyiv regime has moved from strikes on infrastructure to outright terrorism targeting civilians. As a result of tonights attack, three apartment buildings in densely populated residential neighbourhoods were damaged. People have been injured, Altukhov said. Earlier, blaming Ukraine for destabilisation in the Black Sea region, Russian Presidential aide and Maritime Board Chairman, Nikolay Patrushev, said that both Moscow and Washington are interested in ensuring the security of maritime traffic, and the next step should be made by Kyiv. The activities of Ukraines armed forces and mercenaries are the main destabilising factor in the Black Sea region, Patrushev said in an interview with TASS. At the same time, as we have already learned from practice, Kyiv has repeatedly demonstrated its total inability to negotiate with, said the Kremlin aide. Pahalgam has been avenged, partly. Only the knockout punch remains. It will be delivered at a time, spot and in a manner that India and its armed forces, or its other coercive arms, choose. Avenged, you may ask. How? On the action side, we have only sent back a few innocent Pakistani citizens, stopped trade, and threatened to choke their rivers. Whats the big deal in these? Nothing. We hit back by not doing what Pakistans mullah-generals, who have been recruiting urchins and training them to do dirty work as their defence minister admitted, wanted us to do. The generals expected usnot only the state of India but the people of India tooto get angry. Indeed we are angry; but we arent showing the anger in the way they thought we would. They thought India would get provoked over the lines of faith, and that the whole of India would turn into a post-Godhra Gujarat. Thats why they trained their unschooled boys to ask our tourists about their faith, and then chose the victims by their faith. Imaging: Deni Lal But Kashmiris themselves called the Pakistani bluff at Pahalgam. Adopting a unanimous resolution condemning the cowardly killings, the strife-torn territorys law-makers said they were mindful of the sinister design behind the selective targeting of the victims.... The rest of India, too, has been mindful. The whole of India read and heard about the selective targeting, but refused to get provoked on the lines of faith, community or kinship. Hindus didnt blame Muslims, rulers didnt blame the opposition, the rest of India didnt blame Kashmir. India has had one of its finest hours in the post-Pahalgam days. Indeed, sour notes were heard here and there, both from the ruling and opposition side, but India has largely stood as one, trusting its state, its rulers, and its armed forces. India has given the decision-makers time to think, brood, deliberate, debate, plan, and strike at the right time, in the right place and in the right manner. No pressure should be brought to bear on themnot political, not economic, and no cries for blood from us the citizens. They will strike at the time of their choosing. It could happen before this column comes out of the press, it could be after dinner tonight, before lunch tomorrow, this weekend, next month, this summer, during the monsoon, or even later. Lets wait. The later the better. For two reasons. One, that will keep the mullah-generals in suspense as long as possible. Let the suspense kill them before our boys deliver the final punch. Let them sweat it out through this summer and longer, not knowing when, where or how our men will strike. Two, let the wait make them lower their guard. The more we delay, the less vigilant they would be. That will also lessen the risks our men will be exposed to. In the meantime, we can sit assured that the mullah-generals and their cowardly crowd have been exposed. They have run out of the bombs, bazookas, and the smarter gadgets of terror that they had saved from their Afghan stint. They no longer have the dare or devilry to attack targets of strengthassembly building, army camps, convoys or even communication towers. The Pakistani terrorist has been reduced to a mere dacoit who kills unarmed wayfarers. The people of Kashmir have seen through this. They are no longer afraid of the boys who sneak in from the other side with bullets in their belts and bombs in their backstraps. No surprise why Kashmiris are out on the streets, boldly condemning the civilian-killing cowards. prasannan@theweek.in It was February 2008. The aircraft settled on to the tarmac at Changi airport. As I stepped into the terminal, it felt like entering a meticulously organised world. There was a sense of order that prevailed from the neatly arranged baggage carousels to the clearly marked pathways. This was a subtle but powerful introduction to the Singaporean ethos of efficiency and precision. Singapore was a highly sought-after location within Nestle. Accompanied by my wife Rajita and daughter Avanti, we were filled with anticipation for the adventures that awaited us in this land of palpable possibilities, brimming with promise. February in Singapore wasnt just a month. The mood was carnivalesque. In Chinatown, crimson and gold lanterns felt like embers whispering ancient blessings into the humid air. Its gastronomic landscape was a joyous siege of the senses from venerated street hawker stalls to world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants drawing food enthusiasts. Once a swampland, Singapore is home to over six million people and 95 ethnic groups, who contributed to the islands economic and social resilience. I took on the role of managing director at Nestle Singapore Pte. Ltd from 2008until June 2010. Singapore | Shutterstock As we settled into our new life, I found myself ruminating about the essence of Singaporea place that not only thrived on innovation and progress but also championed values that resonated deeply with my own. One initiative that struck a chord was the Singapore Kindness Movement. It was launched several years ago, in response to the then-prime minister Goh Chok Tongs vision of a gracious society. In a world often characterised by haste and indifference, the deliberate cultivation of kindness felt like an admirable pursuit. During my initial couple of months in Singapore, the existing organisational processes seemed to function smoothly. However, this period of relative stability came to an abrupt halt with the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the US in September 2008. The repercussions careened worldwide, leading to the greatest economic downturn in the US since the stock market crash of 1929. Sullivan O Carroll was my boss at that time.We engaged with the Singaporean government and Lam Pin Woon, from the Health Promotion Board. We worked closely with Brother Joe from the Employee Union and Tan Boon Huat, the CEO of Peoples Association, all three were very inspiring figures. Singapore, being a globally connected economy, was the first Asian economy to slip into recession in the third quarter of 2008. A sombre Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong in his speech stated that the world is caught up in a financial storm, and dark clouds fill our immediate horizon. The air in Singapore in late 2008 had a subtle shift, a barely perceptible tightening, like the pause before a downpour. Retrenchment rumours began swirling the city, like a dark malevolent glint. Despite the worldwide economic crisis, my responsibility remained to ensure growth for Nestle Singapore. At this point I made some hard-nosed assessment, perused the environment and introduced certain dramatic business changes. And we watched-on how the numbers stacked up. We engaged with the Singaporean government and the Health Promotion Board. Despite the economic gloom, we went ahead and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Nestle factory. It may have been foolhardy or courageous, but we took a decision about the future of our employees. We remained determined and not deterred. In the factory I publicly stated that no employees would be retrenched, neither from the company nor the factory and directly addressed the fundamental human need for stability and the dignity that comes with earning a living. The 40th anniversary celebration became more than just a commemoration of the past; it became a symbol of a secure future for the Nestle family. Amid the economic tempest, Nestle Singapore demonstrated consistent growth. The dedication of our team and their resilience that weathered the tempest and skilfully chartered a course towards continued growth and stability. The story of those months in Singapore wasnt just about navigating a financial crisis; it was about putting people first. Narayanan is chairman & managing director, Nestle India Many of the foreign airlines, including Air India, have cancelled flights to Israel's capital, Tel Aviv for the next several days after Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack at Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main international airport. The foreign carriers had begun to resume flights to Israel in Januaryfollowing a ceasefire deal with Hamasafter halting them for much of the last year and a half. Air India said it has suspended flights to Tel Aviv till May 6 following the attack that took place on Sunday morning. #TravelAdvisory Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our colleagues on ground are assisting customers and helping Air India (@airindia) May 4, 2025 Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff, the airline said in a statement. Our colleagues on the ground are assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements, it added. Air India further said the customers who booked flights with valid tickets between May 4 and May 6 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority, it said. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv-bound Air India flight AI139 which was diverted to Abu Dhabi safely landed at the UAE capital and would soon return to Delhi. Delta Air Lines said it had cancelled Sunday's flight from JFK in New York to Tel Aviv and the return flight from Tel Aviv on Monday. Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels and Austrian, said it had halted flights to and from Tel Aviv through Tuesday. ITA Airways has cancelled flights from Italy to Israel through Wednesday, while Air France cancelled flights on Sunday. Ryanair also suspended flights on Sunday. The missile attack happened less than an hour before the Air India flight AI139, operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, was to land at Tel Aviv. Houthis have recently intensified missile launches at Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. According to Ben Gurion airport authorities, the missile landed beside a road near a Terminal 3 parking lot. "You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep," a senior police officer told Reuters. Reports said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet security ministers and defence officials on Sunday to discuss a response. Greg Abel, a Canadian-born accountant, has been picked by Warren Buffett as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett, 94, announced his decision to retire as CEO of the company on Saturday. "The rest of them, this will come as news to, but I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the chief executive officer of the company at year end," Buffett said, putting an end to his 55-year tenure as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. What is Greg Abel's net worth? Greg Abel, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa, has nearly a billion-dollar net worth, reports Business Insider. In 2021, his estimated net worth was $484 million, according to Forbes. Warren Buffett is ending his career as perhaps the world's most famous and revered investor, saying he will step down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025, and hand over the reins to Vice Chairman Greg Abel https://t.co/Z7aghkxmvH pic.twitter.com/jf33K5nGfG Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) May 4, 2025 ALSO READ: Who will inherit Warren Buffett's wealth? Investor donates $1.1B Berkhire Hathway shares to five family foundations "At 94, it won't be long before Greg Abel replaces me as CEO and will be writing the annual letters. Greg shares the Berkshire creed that a 'report' is what a Berkshire CEO annually owes to owners," Buffett wrote in the 2024 annual report. "(Abel) understands that if you start fooling shareholders, you will soon believe your own baloney and be fooling yourself as well," he added. Abel also chairs Berkshire Hathaway Energy, praised as one of the four jewels of the parent company by Buffett in his 2021 annual shareholder letter. It was the same year when Abel was revealed to be the likely successor of Buffett, thanks to the latter's partner Charlie Munger who accidentally revealed the information. Abel, 62, has been working at the company for the past two decades. He was included in the director board in 2018, when he was made the vice-chair of non-insurance operations. It should be noted that Buffet's successor was instrumental in helping grow Berkshire Hathaway's position in five Japanese conglomerates. Abel's appointment as CEO now needs to be approved by the board of directors. LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in Southern California on Saturday, killing the pilot, local authorities said. The accident occurred around 1:51 p.m. (2051 GMT) near the 200 block of High Meadow Street in Simi Valley, Ventura County, about 64km northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, reported KABC-TV, the West Coast flagship station of the ABC network. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said that the pilot, who died at the scene, was the only person aboard the plane, according to CBS News. "Officers located a single-engine airplane down in the backyard of a residence. There are no reported injuries on the ground," said the Simi Valley Police Department. The fixed-wing aircraft crashed into two structures in the neighborhood, the Ventura County Fire Department said on social media platform X, adding that both structures caught fire and were damaged. The police department said the road was closed and the public was advised to avoid the area. Maverick actor Manoj Bajpayee is set to collaborate with producer-director Vipul Amritlal Shah for an upcoming political thriller titled 'Governor'. The National Award-winning actor will essay the titular role in the film, touted to be an intense commercially-driven political thriller, as per Bollywood news outlets. Shah has previously produced films such as 'Namastey London', 'Singh is Kinng', 'The Kerala Story' and 'Action Replay'. He will now produce 'Governor' under the banner of his production company, Sunshine Pictures Private Limited, helmed by Marathi director Chinmay Mandlekar, known for starring in films like 'The Kashmir Files' and 'Fatteshikast'. Governor has reportedly been in development at Sunshine Pictures for the last two years with another director, who later stepped away due to scheduling conflicts, paving the way for Mandlekar, whom Bajpayee recommended for the role, after having worked together in the Netflix series 'Inspector Zende', about the inspector known for capturing the notorious Charles Sobhraj. Additional casting is still underway as the pre-production work continues on schedule, with filming expected to begin in mid-2025. Vipul Amrutlal Shah is also gearing up for his upcoming directorial venture 'Hisaab', produced by Sunshine Pictures and Jio Studios. Expected to release in late 2025, the film is a heist thriller with 'Paatal Lok' protagonist Jaideep Ahlawat and 'Delhi Crime' fame Shefali Shah in the lead. Last seen in the 2024 film 'Despatch', Manoj Bajpayee now keeps a busy slate, with multiple films lined up to release this year and the next. Apart from 'Governor', the veteran actor will next be seen in Shekhar Kapur's Masoom: The New Generation, Ram Gopal Varma's Police Station Mein Bhoot, and most importantly, the third season of critically acclaimed TV series 'The Family Man'. Three soldiers died after an Army truck they were travelling in fell into a 500-metre deep gorge at Battery Chashma in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. Teams of local police, the Quick Reaction Team (QRT), the Army and the CRPF have reached the spot, and efforts to retrieve the bodies are on. An army vehicle moving as part of routine convoy on 04 May, slid off the road & fell into a gorge near Ramban. All three Army personnel travelling in the vehicle succumbed to the injuries in this tragic accident. #NorthernCommand stands firm with the bereaved families in this NORTHERN COMMAND - INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) May 4, 2025 The driver of the Army vehicle, which was part of a convoy, lost control of the vehicle, and it rolled down a gorge about 500 metres below. Three people were in the vehicle...Unfortunately, all three of them died, Ramban Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulbir Singh told ANI. The deceased were identified as sepoys Amit Kumar, Sujeet Kumar and Man Bahadur. According to officials, the crash reduced the vehicle to a mangled heap of metal. The Army truck was part of a convoy moving from Jammu to Srinagar along National Highway 44 when the accident occurred around 11.30 am. #WATCH | Ramban, J&K: SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh says, "A very unfortunate incident, an accident has taken place. Driver of an Army vehicle, which was part of a convoy, lost control of the vehicle, and it rolled down a gorge about 500 metres below. Three people were in the https://t.co/OqgwS35yls pic.twitter.com/rb4n91YMDt ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Singh said initial findings suggested that a mechanical failure might have caused the accident. "When we inspected the spot, we found a nut bolt there, which could probably have come from the steering wheels. So, I think the driver lost control of the steering wheel due to that nutbolt. This seems to be prima facie the cause of the accident. However, things will be clear only after an investigation," he told the news agency. After being diagnosed with a brain tumour last December, a three-year-old girl from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, died while undergoing a religious ritual 'Santhara'. The girl's IT professional parents chose to lead her through the religious practice after getting advice from their spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj. The spiritual guidance was taken by the parents after the surgery and treatment failure. The girl passed away on March 21. The Golden Book of World Records recorded her as the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara". After the child's death, the religious practice has been making news based on its legality. What is Santhara? Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is a Jain religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and drinks. The term 'Sallekhana' comes from the words 'sat' meaning truth and 'lekhana' meaning emaciation. It symbolises the voluntary act of physical weakening. In Jainism, it is viewed as the thinning of human passions and the body. Not everyone can practice this religious ritual just because they want to end life. Jain scriptures provide clear instructions that 'Sallekhana' can only be practiced when a person is nearing death, suffering from old age, or incurable disease, or during times of famine. A 4th-century Jain text Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, written by Samantabhadra, explains the Santhara vow and its guidelines. Individuals who take the vow must master their emotions, renounce all possessions, and detach from the world's pleasures, and mentally from their loved ones. They should express remorse for their wrongdoings and must seek forgiveness from others. Is it legal in India? Jain scholars do not consider 'Santhara' as a suicide. It is not an act of passion, nor does it employ poison or any weapons. However, the legality of the religious practice was questioned in 2015 and the Rajasthan High Court ruled that the practice was illegal and punishable under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempted suicide). The decision triggered protests in the Jain community and a petition was moved to the Supreme Court against the HC's ruling. In 2016, the SC stayed the decision and lifted the ban on 'Santhara'. The Election Commission will soon launch ECINET a single-point application to replace 40 of its IT-based services. The poll bodys move comes amid allegations by the opposition that electoral data is being manipulated to favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. In a statement on Sunday, the Election Commission said the new app, ECINET, will subsume its over 40 existing mobile and web applications. ECINET will have an aesthetic User Interface (UI) and a simplified User Experience (UX) by providing a singular platform for all electoral-related activities, the election body said in a release. The idea of a single-point platform was envisaged by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during a recent conference of Chief Electoral Officers from all states. ECINET will also enable users to access relevant electoral data on their desktops or smartphones. To ensure that data is as accurate as possible, the data on ECINET will be entered solely by the authorized ECI official. Entry by the concerned official would ensure that the data made available to the stakeholders is as accurate as possible. However, in case of any conflict, the primary data as duly filled in statutory forms will prevail, it read. According to the Commission, ECINET will replace its existing services like voter helpline app, voter turnout app, VIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham and KYC app which cumulatively have over 5.5 crore downloads. ECINET has already reached an advanced stage of development and rigorous trials are being conducted to ensure smooth functionality, ease of use, and robust cybersecurity measures, the poll body said. In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, India has cut the flow of water through Baglihar dam on the Chenab river, reports said. The move comes after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty as part of a series of diplomatic measures initiated against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. India has stanched the flow of water through the Baglihar dam on the Chenab river and is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum river, sources in the know of the development told PTI. The Baglihar hydroelectric dam, located in Ramban in Jammu, offers India the ability to regulate the timing of water releases. India is exploring similar measures at the Kishanganga hydroelectric dam located in north Kashmir. The gates of the sluice spillways on the Baglihar dam have been lowered to restrict water flow to Pakistans Punjab as a short-term punitive action, a senior official told Indian Express. By doing this, even if the choke is for a short while, we demonstrate that we will take coercive steps The Chenab river water irrigates Punjab farmlands, and Pakistan needs to realise we mean to punish them on all fronts, the official told the publication. As many as 26 persons were killed by terrorists with alleged Pakistani links in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22. A Nepali citizen, a local horse trader and 24 tourists from various parts of the country got killed in the worst attack since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has governed the use of the Indus river and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control and carried out unprovoked firing at Indian posts for the tenth consecutive night on Saturday. The ceasefire violation was reported in eight sectors along the LoC on Saturday. According to Army officials, Indian troops responded "promptly" to Pakistan's unprovoked firing across LoC in eight sectors. "During the night of 0304 May 2025, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J&K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately," an Army official said. However, no casualties have been reported in the firing carried out since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border (IB) have been very rare since India and Pakistan renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. However, in the aftermath of diplomatic actions taken by India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops have resorted to unprovoked small-arms firing at Indian posts. As a precautionary measure, villagers residing in the border areas have started cleaning their community and individual bunkers to make them habitable. As many as 26 persons were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The deceased include 24 tourists from across the country, a Nepali citizen and a local horse rider. India announced a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty in the wake of the attack. The unprovoked firing initially targeted Indian posts in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, and it swiftly expanded to the Poonch sector and subsequently to the Akhnoor sector of the Jammu region. Pakistan has been resorting to ceasefire violations despite a warning from India during a recent hotline conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. Punjab police have nabbed two for allegedly leaking images of Indias defence establishments in Amritsar to Pakistans intelligence operatives. The development comes as India is preparing to hit back at perpetrators involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. According to Punjab police, the duo were nabbed as part of a counter-espionage operation. In a post on X, Punjab police chief Gaurav Yadav said, In a significant counter-espionage operation, Amritsar Rural Police on 3rd May 2025 arrested two personsPalak Sher Masih & Suraj Masihfor their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar. The DGP said as per preliminary probe, the duo revealed their links with Pakistans intelligence operatives and they established contact through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu alias Happy, currently lodged in Amritsar central jail. A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, and the investigation is ongoing. Further critical revelations are expected as the probe deepens, the police chief said. Punjab Police stands strong with Indian Army, remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action. Nation first always, he added. The development comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. As many as 26 persons including 24 tourists, a Nepali citizen and a local horse rider were killed in the attack. Pakistan has been resorting to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control in the aftermath of the attack. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a favorable atmosphere has emerged across the country for the resurgence of Sanskrit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday. Terming Sanskrit as the mother of almost all Indian languages, Shahs said the government, the public, and the collective mindset are all firmly dedicated and committed to the revival and promotion of this language. He was addressing a gathering at the closing ceremony of 1008 Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivirs in New Delhi. Shah claimed that many renowned global scholars have acknowledged Sanskrit as the most scientific language. Rather than dwelling on the history of Sanskrit's decline, efforts should now focus on its resurgence, he said. Highlighting various initiatives launched by the Modi government to promote Sanskrit, Shah said around 18 projects have been implemented under the Ashtadashi scheme. The Government of India provides financial support for the publication, bulk purchase, and reprinting of rare Sanskrit texts, he added. Noting that the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has been elevated to the status of a Central Sanskrit University, the home minister mentioned that under the Sahasra Chudamani Yojana, the government has facilitated the appointment of retired eminent Sanskrit scholars as educators. One of the most significant initiatives of the Modi government is a nationwide campaign with a budget of approximately Rs 500 crore aimed at collecting scattered manuscripts in Sanskrit and Prakrit, he said. Also, the government has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission with a foundational corpus of Rs 500 crore dedicated to manuscript preservation, with allocations planned in every budget going forward. There is no opposition to any language, but no one can be distanced from their mother tongue and Sanskrit is the mother of nearly all Indian languages, said Shah. The Supreme Court has granted relief to PhD scholar and student activist Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, who was suspended for two years by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, for alleged misconduct and activities deemed not in the interest of the nation. TISS suspended Ramadas on April 17, 2024, and barred him from entering any of its campuses following his participation in a protest at Delhis Jantar Mantar against the Union government and for organising a documentary screening on the Ayodhya dispute. Ramadas is a former general secretary of PSF at TISS. He is a member of the central executive committee of Students Federation of India (SFI). In March this year, the Bombay High Court rejected Ramadass plea to revoke the suspension, accepting TISSs claim that he had used the institutions name in a politically motivated protest. Calling the verdict shocking, the Dalit scholar told THE WEEK it could derail his PhD journey. A two-year suspension means Ive already lost 11 months. I was seeking a permanent solution through legal action, but in vain, he said back then. Following his suspension, Ramadas also lost his government fellowship. He later remarked that the core issue surrounding his suspension was the dangerous notion that students receiving government fellowships must refrain from criticising the government. If this logic is upheld, it implies that all fellowship recipients must remain silent, effectively stifling dissent and critical thought in Indian academia, Ramadas had said. The Supreme Court bench, without delving into the merits of the case, ruled that the two-year suspension be limited to the period already undergone and directed TISS to reinstate Ramadas. TISS having suspended the petitioner on 18th April, 2024 and [with] more than a year having lapsed since, the interest of justice would be best served if the order of suspension is not continued further and he be permitted to pursue the PhD course in TISS, the order stated. The court also directed Ramadas to adhere to the institution's code of conduct for the remainder of his time as a student. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami dismissed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalins claims that the formers party was intimidated by the Bharatiya Janata Party to join the National Democratic Alliance. Palaniswami said his party was not afraid of Central agencies. Rubbishing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams (DMK) claims, Palaniswami said AIADMK had nothing to fear and it was not afraid of Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department, PTI reported. Palaniswami charged it was DMK ministers who were afraid of the Central agencies as they had hidden loot money and did not know how to handle it. That was why the Central agencies were monitoring them and as a result, the DMK ministers spoke out of fear, PTI reported quoting Palaniswami. In a meeting of DMKs district secretaries on Saturday, Stalin charged the BJP was misusing Central agencies against opposition-governed states. The party passed a resolution against the Centre and said, "This meeting of the district party secretaries strongly condemns the Union BJP government, which is creating an undeclared Emergency." Accusing the BJP of "vendetta politics", DMK leader Stalin charged while the CBI, ED and the Income Tax department should function impartially, the BJP government has made these institutions receive flak at the hands of courts for using such institutions for the sake of political vendetta, PTI reported. DMK alleged that the Union government misused its agencies to intimidate parties such as the AIADMK to sign up for an alliance with the BJP. The DMK said it would legally face the vendetta action against them. NEW YORK, May 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett announced Saturday that he would retire as Berkshire Hathaway CEO by the end of 2025 at the firm's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. Aged 94, Buffett has been working as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970. Buffett said he would recommend Greg Abel, the company's vice chairman for non-insurance operations, as his successor. "I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the chief executive officer of the company at year-end," said Buffett. He said the transition process would take a few months and that he anticipates unanimous support from all 11 board members for his proposal. "I would still hang around, and conceivably be useful in a few cases, but the final word would be what Greg said, in operations, in capital deployment, whatever it might be," said Buffett. The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, even as protests continue in several parts of the country against its controversial provisions. The pleas, including that of AIMIM chief Asadudding Owaisi, will be heard by a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan. While taking up the matter last month, the top court had raised some pertinent questions to the Centre, after which the government paused two central aspects of the contentious law. The government had assured the court that it would neither denotify Waqf properties nor make any appointments to the Central Waqf Council and boards till May 5. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, had requested the court not to stay the law without hearing the government. Following this, the bench granted a week's time to the Centre to file a preliminary response to the pleas. In its affidavit, filed on April 24, the government informed the court that the law respects the essential religious practices of Muslims by leaving matters of faith and worship "untouched". It also alleged blatant misuse of the law amended in 2013. "Right before even the Mughal era, pre-Independence era and post-Independence era, the total of wakfs created was 18,29,163.896 acres of land in India. Shockingly, after 2013, the addition of wakf land is 20,92,072.536 acres, the affidavit said. Those who moved the Supreme Court against the law included DMK, YSRCP, AIMIM, the Left parties, civil society groups such as NGOs and some Muslim bodies. The law passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha got President Droupadi Murmu's assent on April 5. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), unveiled during the G20 Summit in September 2023, represents a landmark geoeconomic initiative with the potential to re-define connectivity and commerce between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Proposed as a strategic counter to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), IMEC proposes a corridor traversing through continents involving a network of ports, railways, roads, and digital systems. This infrastructure would span from India to the Middle East extending into Europe. The aim of this connectivity corridor is to reduce trade times, increase economic integration, and stabilise regional supply chains. However, despite the promising prospects, the feasibility and realisation of IMEC, particularly from India's standpoint, comes with significant strategic and logistical challenges. For India, IMEC presents a historic opportunity to strengthen its role as a global economic player. Its location at the southeastern end of the corridor gives it a critical advantage, enabling direct access to West Asian markets and beyond to Europe. India could reduce its reliance on traditional maritime routes like the Suez Canal by utilizing the proposed IMEC routes, which aim to cut cargo transportation time between Mumbai and Europe by 40%. This aligns with India's 'Act West' policy and ongoing efforts to deepen economic and strategic engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Furthermore, as a growing hub for manufacturing and services, India could channel exports more efficiently, enhancing its competitiveness in international trade. Nonetheless, India must overcome notable hurdles to realise these gains. One of the primary challenges is domestic infrastructure development. Although India has made significant strides in upgrading ports and logistics through initiatives like Sagarmala and Bharatmala, gaps remain in ensuring seamless multimodal connectivity. The approval of the $9 billion Vadhavan port project near Mumbai is a positive step, but full integration with IMEC will require synchronised development of roads, railways, and digital infrastructure. Bureaucratic red tape, land acquisition issues, and policy delays can hinder timely execution. Moreover, regional geopolitics poses a major challenge to the corridors feasibility. The Middle East, a key transit region for IMEC, continues to face instability. The war in Gaza, Irans assertive posture in the region, and maritime threats in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz can disrupt logistical flows. These uncertainties increase project risk, deter private investment, and raise insurance and security costs. The involvement of Israel and Arab countries in the same framework adds another layer of complexity, especially if diplomatic or security crises escalate. Therefore, political risk mitigation mechanisms and diplomatic engagement will be crucial for maintaining the corridors viability. Another concern is the competitive environment posed by alternative infrastructure initiatives. Chinas BRI, despite facing criticism and economic fatigue, still dominates much of the Eurasian connectivity landscape. Simultaneously, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), involving India, Iran, and Russia, offers an alternative route to Europe. For IMEC to attract investment and stakeholder commitment, it must demonstrate that it offers a faster, safer, and more economically viable path compared to these existing corridors. Despite these obstacles, the potential benefits for India are substantial. First, the corridor enhances Indias connectivity with Europe and West Asia, reducing dependency on congested sea lanes and facilitating faster movement of goods. Second, it promotes energy security by enabling smoother and more reliable supply chains for oil and gas imports from the Gulf. Third, IMEC can generate significant economic spillovers, including job creation in logistics, construction, and digital services, particularly in India's western coastal states. Fourth, it reinforces Indias geopolitical positioning as a reliable and non-coercive partner in the broader Indo-West Asian strategic landscape, contrasting Chinas more assertive approach. The Middle Eastern countries involvedparticularly the UAE and Saudi Arabiaalso stand to gain significantly from IMEC. The project fits squarely within the economic diversification agendas of these nations, notably Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAEs strategy to transition into a global logistics and investment hub. By serving as a central transit node in IMEC, Gulf states can leverage their geographic position to enhance their strategic relevance in global trade. This could attract foreign direct investment, stimulate job creation in infrastructure and logistics, and encourage technological transfer through joint ventures. The anticipated increase in cargo traffic and data flow can also support the development of regional free trade zones and smart logistics centres. To make IMEC operational and sustainable, Middle Eastern nations must proactively undertake several measures. First, they need to strengthen political coordination among corridor participants. A dedicated multilateral governance bodycomprising representatives from India, Gulf countries, the EU, and supporting partners such as the UScould ensure consistent implementation, policy harmonization, and conflict resolution. Second, regional stability is essential. Efforts to de-escalate conflicts, support peace processes, and strengthen maritime security are prerequisites for uninterrupted trade flow. This includes countering threats in maritime chokepoints such as the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz. Third, massive investments in infrastructure are needed. This includes upgrading port capacity in cities like Jebel Ali, Dammam, and Haifa, improving rail connectivity across the Arabian Peninsula, and digitizing customs and logistics management to facilitate seamless cross-border movement. Fourth, regulatory frameworks across participating countries must be harmonized. Differences in trade tariffs, customs procedures, digital protocols, and transport standards must be minimized to avoid delays and reduce transaction costs. Finally, Middle Eastern countries should encourage public-private partnerships and engage global logistics firms, infrastructure companies, and financial institutions to share the financial and operational burden of building and maintaining the corridor. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) differs from the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in both geography and strategic intent. While INSTC connects India to Europe via Iran, the Caspian Sea, and Russia, IMEC bypasses Iran and Russia, linking India to Europe through the Arabian Peninsula and Israel. Strategically, IMEC is backed by the US and EU as a counter to Chinas BRI and aims to enhance Indias ties with the West and Gulf states. INSTC remains more regionally focused and susceptible to geopolitical frictions involving Iran and Russia, whereas IMEC aligns with emerging global economic and political realignments. Beyond route and political alignment, the IMEC and INSTC also differ in infrastructure models and strategic objectives. IMEC is a multimodal, digitally integrated corridor emphasizing high-speed freight movement, clean energy, and smart logisticsaligned with Western-backed connectivity standards. It positions the Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as central nodes in global supply chains. In contrast, INSTC is older, slower to develop, and more reliant on traditional shipping and rail through geopolitically volatile regions. While INSTC enhances Indias Eurasian outreach, IMEC aims at deeper integration with Western economies, diversifying Indias trade routes amid global power shifts and sanction-driven realignments. In conclusion, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is a visionary initiative that, if implemented effectively, can reshape the dynamics of transregional trade and connectivity. For India, it offers enhanced economic reach, supply chain resilience, and geopolitical influence. For the Middle East, it promises economic diversification, infrastructure development, and a strengthened position in global trade networks. However, the corridors success depends on overcoming substantial political, infrastructural, and strategic challenges. It requires sustained multilateral cooperation, smart investments, and a stable regional security environment. With shared political will and institutional mechanisms in place, IMEC can emerge as a cornerstone of a new economic architecture bridging Asia, the Arab world, and Europe. The author is assistant professor, Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Amity University, Noida. Israel is preparing to escalate its military campaign in Gaza, with local media reporting on May 3 that tens of thousands of reservists are being called up. This mobilisation coincides with rising tensions both domestically and internationally, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticised Qatar, a key truce mediator in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Currently, three Israel Defence Forces (IDF) divisions are operating inside Gaza. Although the military claims the campaign is intended to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a hostage release deal, Israeli officials have signalled that further action is likely if negotiations fail. They have warned of a major new offensive in additional areas of the Gaza Strip, with the aim of degrading Hamass military capabilities. The IDF said pressure on Hamas would increase steadily, with the latest mobilisation forming part of a staged operational plan. The reservists may not be sent directly to Gaza. Instead, many are expected to reinforce Israels northern and eastern fronts, including Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, enabling active-duty soldiers to be redeployed to the Strip. The IDF insists the mobilisation is driven by operational needs, amid growing public pressure to resolve the hostage crisis. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir presented a new military plan to Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant two days ago. The proposal reportedly includes the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from northern and central Gaza ahead of a renewed ground offensive, echoing tactics previously used in Rafah. The Israeli security cabinet is expected to approve the expansion of operations soon. Meanwhile, Gazas humanitarian crisis has deepened further with Israel blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel since early March. Many Palestinians remain displaced, living in makeshift shelters or the rubble of destroyed homes. UN agencies have warned of an impending disaster if aid access is not restored. Despite declaring the destruction of Hamas and the return of hostages as its twin goals, Israel has yet not fully achieved either after year of war. Hamas continues to resist with a persistent insurgency, and is still believed to be holding up to 24 living hostages. Most were taken during the groups deadly October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the current war and has since resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths. International mediation efforts involving Qatar, Egypt and the United States have so far failed. Israel demands Hamas disarm, while Hamas insists it will not release additional hostages without a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to hostilities. Netanyahu, under pressure from his far-right coalition partners, has intensified criticism of Qatar, accusing it of siding with Hamas barbarism. Netanyahu was enraged by Qatar's statements at the International Court of Justice debate, in which it termed Israel's actions in Gaza a crime. Dohas lawyers also accused Israel of starving civilians and carrying out a "colonialist campaign. Netanyahus office called on Qatar to choose a side. Qatar has rejected the claims as inflammatory and accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as political leverage. "The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari posted on X early today. Meanwhile, dissent is growing within Israels own ranks. Thousands of reservistsmany of whom have served repeated tours during the conflicthave voiced frustration over the wars prolongation. A group of Air Force veterans and retired officers recently signed a public letter urging the government to prioritise a deal to bring the hostages home, even if it means halting the fighting. Protests in Tel Aviv and other cities continue, with demonstrators demanding that saving lives take precedence over military escalation. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed retaliation after Yemeni Houthis's missile strike near Ben Gurion airport. Absolutely INSANE footage of the impact from a Houthi missile on Israels Ben Gurion airport. What would happen if this was JFK or Heathrow - do you think the Houthis would exist tomorrow? How about their Iranian backers? pic.twitter.com/Qbv5BeGxWG Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 4, 2025 "We have acted against them in the past and we will act in the future, but I cannot go into detail... it will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs, said Netanyahu in a video on the Telegram platform. Several flights including Air India cancelled flights for the next few days after the attack targeting the airport. While claiming responsibility for the attack, Houthis's military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Israel's main airport was "no longer safe for air travel". Houthis have recently intensified missile launches at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Ben Gurion airport, the country's main international airport, is situated near the major city of Tel Aviv. A big crater was caused by the impact of the missile attack near the Terminal 3 parking lot of the airport. "You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep," Israeli police commander Yair Hetzroni said. Netanyahu is set to meet defence officials and security ministers to decide on the retaliatory strike after the Houthi attack. Most attacks from Yemen have been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems, apart from a drone strike that hit Tel Aviv last year. Several airlines including Lufthansa, Delta, ITA Airways and Air France said they had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv. Reportedly, the strikes came as Israeli ministers were close to signing off on plans to expand the military operation in Gaza, which resumed after the two-month truce in March. Efforts to revive the ceasefire have not heeded any results. Recently, US President Donald Trump ordered a large-scale strike against the Houthis to deter them from targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The US strikes have killed many people in Yemen. Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted and Tel Aviv intensified its attacks in the Gaza Strip in 2023, Houthis have been targeting Israel and vessels in the Red Sea. A ballistic missile fired by the Houthis in Yemen landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, following which air traffic was halted. Following this, an Air India flight heading to Tel Aviv from Delhi was diverted to Abu Dhabi. Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv of 3 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning," stated a spokesperson for Air India. BREAKING: This is footage of a Houthi ballistic missile landing at Israels main airport just half an hour ago. Its time we unleash hell on Yemen. pic.twitter.com/sS8Ci3WJNl Vivid. (@VividProwess) May 4, 2025 The missile attack occurred within an hour before Air India's flight AI139 was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport. Israel police said air traffic to Ben Gurion airport was briefly closed after the missile attack. Reports suggested that the missile struck a road that connected the busy airport in the Israeli capital. Passengers at the Ben Gurion airport shared videos that showed thick black smoke spiralling into the sky behind the airport buildings and parked aircraft near Terminal 3. A man and a woman suffered light injuries and were taken to hospital. The flight landed safely in Abu Dhabi and is expected to return to Delhi in some time. Air India announced that flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv will be suspended till May 6, saying the move is to ensure safety of its staff and customers. The spokesperson said the airline is providing assistance to customers to make alternate arrangements. Passengers who booked Air India flights between May 3 and 6 will be abled to get a one-time waiver to reschedule their flights or get full refunds for cancellation. "We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority, the spokesperson added. Iran has announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Pakistan on Monday, which Tehran claims is "part of regular consultations with neighbouring countries". The statement comes as Araghchi announced he is visiting India next week, which New Delhi claims was scheduled long before the Pahalgam terror attack happened. According to Tehran, he will meet with high-ranking officials of both countries. Earlier, Iran had expressed willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan following rising tensions calling both nations "brotherly neighbours of Iran." "India and Pakistan are brothers and neighbours of Iran, and their relations have deep roots in cultural and civilizational ties that date back hundreds of years. We consider them, as we do with other neighbours, our top priority," Araghchi stated. Pakistan had then welcomed Araghchi's statement while India has not responded to it. After the terror attack in Pahalgam, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rang up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express condolences and offer his support to combat terrorism. His offer to mediate came as a surprise as Iran doesn't enjoy deep-rooted ties with India, unlike the Gulf countries, including the UAE, which earlier had held mediations between the nations. Despite this, Iran's offer to mediate was seen as a reflection of its view that a conflict in South Asia would not be beneficial for the region. Experts believe Iran's perspective is that an open conflict would have global repercussions. According to Iranian state media, Tehran's role as a mediator would be a good choice as it seeks to remain neutral, not directly engaging in the internal disputes of its neighbours, but providing a space for dialogue. However, while mentioning Araghchi's visit to India, Tehran made no mention of the mediation, stating that he would be in India to "promote dialogue and explore avenues for cooperation in the region." However, for Iran to be a successful mediator, it would need to maintain a delicate balance, which involves agreeing with India's demand to respond to the attacks. Though New Delhi says Araghchi's visit was planned long back, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will still brief him about the Pahalgam attack. The duo are expected to hold detailed discussions. Araghchi will also hold a meeting of the bilateral joint commission. It will also be Araghchis first visit to India since he was appointed the Foreign Minister last August. A Dubai-based Indian business tycoon has been jailed for five years over charges of money laundering, according to reports. Balvinder Singh Sahni, also known as Abu Sabah, was sentenced by Dubais Fourth Criminal Court on Friday. He is the owner and chairperson of the property development firm Raj Sahni Group (RSG Group of Companies) which was one of the most profitable companies in the UAE. Sahni, known for his lavish lifestyle, was one of the big players in the Middle Eastern country and his firm had operations in the UAE, the US, India and other countries. Sahni shot to fame after he scooped up the fancy number D5 for Dh33 million (Rs 80 crore). This was then considered the most expensive purchase in the Emirate. After the purchase, Sahni reportedly said in an interview: "The car is worth $800,000 (Rs 67.66 crore) but the number plate is $9 million (Rs 80 crore). I feel proud of myself!" He also revealed his lavish lifestyle on his Instagram page, which does not exist now. At that time, he had over one million followers. Sahni grew up in wealth as he father had migrated to Kuwait in 1951 from Delhi. He claims he joined his father's business at the age of 18, convincing him to start a company selling spare parts and tyres. Already an established name in Kuwait, Sahni shifted to Dubai in 2006, calling the move risky. "It was a very hard decision," he recalled in an early interview. "In Kuwait, I was respected. Dubai was a different ballgame," he added. Sahni also gained limelight in Kuwait when he paid Dh600,000 for the countrys most expensive mobile number. However, Sahni's empire collapsed after a case was filed against him at the Bur Dubai Police Station in 2024, according to Gulf News. Following an investigation, the case was referred to the Public Prosecution on December 18, 2024. The first court session was held on January 9, 2025, which revealed Sahni and 32 others engaged in a complex money laundering operation that used shell companies and illicit transactions, according to The Gulf News. Sahni's son was also a defendant in the case while some of the defendants in the case were tried in absentia. Their assets were seized. The court also seized belongings, including phones, in addition to $40 million (AED 150 million) in funds from Sahni. It also ruled that Sahni be deported following the completion of his jail sentence. Besides Sahni, another group of 10 people involved in the reported crime have been handed a fine of $54,450 and one year in jail, followed by deportation. Three companies linked to the group were fined $1.3 million (AED 5 million). Pakistan is reportedly stocking up food, especially wheat, in villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) fearing Indian incursions, according to reports. The authorities are reportedly replenishing wheat flour for at least two months in vulnerable areas along the border areas fearing Indian incursions. PoK head Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has reportedly issued instructions to stock up wheat in six LoC villages in Pakistan, including Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli and Bhimber. "In light of the prime ministers instructions and the uncertain situation, we are now increasing our storage capacity to meet a two-month demand," a senior official told Karachi-based newspaper The Dawn. The officials have also decided to shift food depots from areas which they claim could come under shelling or military activity to relatively safer zones. #EXCLUSIVE : Video of Pakistan Army mobilization in Bhimber District of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Artillery is also on the move it seems. Video alleged to be todays. #IndiaPakistanTensions pic.twitter.com/dP5xeVq23Q Griffon Intelligence Network (@GriffonNewsX) May 3, 2025 Earlier the day, Pakistan banned Indian flag carriers in all its ports in a tit-for-tat response to India's Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibiting Indian-flagged vessels from visiting ports in Pakistan. India had claimed that the ban was to ensure the safety of Indian assets, cargo and connected infrastructure, in the public interest and for interest of Indian shipping. Soon after, Pakistan issued a notice, stating that Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port and Pakistani flag carriers shall not visit any Indian port [and] any "exemption or dispensation shall be examined and decided on case to case basis." India also banned the import of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan and suspended the exchange of inbound mail and parcels. The move is expected to be a huge blow to Pakistan's already ailing export sector as a lot of goods, including textiles and agricultural produce, used to come to India via informal or third-country routes. Pakistan now amounts to just 0.06 per cent of India's total trade. Besides, the ban on Pakistan-flagged ships will hit the country's shipping and logistics sector as they now won't have access to Indian-origin intermediaries and products used in manufacturing and exports. With Bangladesh likely to go into election soon, former Prime Minister and head of the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia will return to the country on Tuesday. Zia, who was recently acquitted in a corruption case, has been preparing for the elections post the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Head of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Dr Muhammad Yunus had recently said that the next general election could be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026. Zia will fly home from London on Tuesday. She will land at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP chairpersons media wing, told reporters. As per reports, she will fly home on a special flight (air ambulance) facilitated by the Emir of Qatar. It is said that this is the same aircraft she used to fly to London. She is expected to be accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman. It is expected that she will receive a grand welcome at the airport. According to her party men, the BNP men are ready to welcome their leader after four months. Meanwhile, speculations are rife that Zia's return might see the elevation of her son, Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the party, as the leader of BNP. Rahman, who has been leading the BNP from London, too was acquitted in major cases, including the August 21 grenade attack. Echoing the sharp rhetoric by Pakistani leaders, the country's ambassador to Russia said that Islamabad would use nuclear weapons if India attacks it. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Pakistani ambassador to Russia, said leaked documents have revealed India's plan to strike certain areas in Pakistan. "That make us feel that this is going to happen and it's imminent," Jamali told RT. NUCLEAR warning from Pakistan to India Diplomat says Islamabad could use NUKES in case of war with New Delhi Pakistan will use full spectrum of power, BOTH conventional and nuclear ambassador to Russia tells RT https://t.co/iTQWdWRQlZ pic.twitter.com/LcQXKbIjD0 RT (@RT_com) May 3, 2025 "When it comes to India and Pakistan, we don't want to get involved into this debate of numerical strength," the envoy said. Jamali then went on to threaten that Pakistan will "use the full spectrum of power, both conventional and nuclear". While the Pakistani envoy dismissed the question on numerical strength, reports have emerged that Islamabad is running short on its military supplies. Lured by lucrative weapons deals with Ukraine, Pakistan reportedly sent its 155m artillery shells that were meant for its M109 howitzers and 22mm rockets for its BM-21 systems to Kyiv. The shortage of artillery was discussed at the the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, according to ANI. ALSO READ: Pakistan sent its arms to Ukraine for quick money and now its arsenals are empty: Report Jamali's rhetoric comes after the shocking Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, when 26 people were killed by terrorists. The attackers belonged to The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In retaliation, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, revoked visas to Pakistani nationals and banned all imports from Pakistan. New Delhi has also prohibited Pakistani ships calling at Indian ports and blocked exchange of mail and parcels by land and air routes. Jamali's remarks comes after Pakistan minister Hanif Abbasi threatened to use nuclear weapons against India, saying the 130 nuclear warheads in Islamabad's stockpile are kept "only for India". He threatened that if India halts Pakistan's water supply, New Delhi should get ready for a "full-scale war". The threat, however, don't stop there. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Islamabad would target any structure that India builds to divert the water from the Indus river system. Description Award-winning author Thomas Maier is best known for his riveting biographies, including two books that were made into highly acclaimed TV series, Masters of Sex and Mafia Spies. He is also a local Long Island author. Maiers new book, The Invisible Spy, tells the story of Americas first secret agent of World War II, the little-known Ernest Cuneo. Working alongside British spies like Ian Fleming, Cuneo was part of Churchills spy ring that operated out of Rockefeller Center. Join us for a fascinating talk about the origins of U.S. intelligence, the fight against Nazis, and so much more. Followed by a book sale and signing. Books available from The Next Chapter. Indias defence prowess has grown exponentially under the Modi government, and the nation is firmly on course to become not just a developed country, but the worlds leading military power, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted. He outlined a bold and strategic vision of a powerful, self-reliant India, rapidly transforming into a defence heavyweight through sweeping policy shifts and aggressive indigenisation. Addressing THE WEEKs first Defence Conclave, Force of the Future, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Singh stated: Indias defence capabilities are like a credible deterrent, whose aim is to maintain peace and tranquillity. We also know that if we want to maintain this peace, then it is very important to keep increasing our strength continuously. Peace is possible only when we remain strong, for which we are always working to strengthen the Indian forces as a future-ready force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh | PTI Sounding a note of caution, Singh warned that future conflicts would be more violent and unpredictable, with non-state actors playing an increasingly destabilising role through terrorism. The evolving nature of warfare, fuelled by rapid technological advancements, means the battles of tomorrow will be fought not just on land and sea, but in cyberspace and outer space. Today, cyber and space domains are emerging as new battlefields, alongside a global battle over narrative and perception, Singh said, underlining the urgency with which India is preparing its forces to meet multi-domain threats through comprehensive reforms and modernisation. India is such an old civilization and such a big country that it cannot be intimidated by any such terrorist activities [like pahalgam]. The people responsible for such acts will get a befitting reply in the near future. - Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh memorial lecture on April 23 Addressing an audience of military officers, defence experts, entrepreneurs and thought leaders, Singh noted that Indias military readiness has undergone a fundamental overhaul. From the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) position to the establishment of theatre commands, the countrys armed forces are now more integrated and strategically aligned than ever. The integration that is being seen today between the three wings of the forces is unprecedented, he said. Indian soldiers, Singh affirmed, are now equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry. He said the Agniveer recruitment has infused youthful enthusiasm among the ranks and praised the increasing involvement of women across the armed forcesfrom the depths of the Indian Ocean to the heights of the Himalayas. The minister assured that India is fully capable of meeting any security challenge thrown up by the evolving geopolitical order. He credited the Modi government for a decisive shift in defence priorities since 2014. At that time, people did not even dare to think about force for the future because no preparations were visible even for force for the present. Rejecting the old dependency on foreign suppliers, Singh said: We changed the mindset that India could only rely on foreign defence equipment when needed... We worked on the defence sector with a perspective that India will reduce its dependency on imports, create a defence industrial complex that will not only meet domestic needs, but will also strengthen defence exports. Taking stock: File picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh.Following the Pahalgam attacks, Singh met Modi on April 28 to review the situation | PTI Key reforms include the corporatisation of ordnance factoriesturning loss-making arms units into profit-makersand the issuance of indigenisation lists by the armed forces and PSUs, covering 509 major items and over 5,000 components. The government has reserved 75 per cent of the defence budget for defence capital procurement from domestic companies, Singh added. Showcasing Indias industrial surge, he stated: The domestic defence production which was around Rs40,000 crore in 2014 has crossed the record figure of about Rs1.27 lakh crore. This year, our target is that defence production should cross Rs1.60 lakh crore. Our target is Rs3 lakh crore by 2029. Peace through strength: Rajnath Singh with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Singh chaired an all-party meeting to discuss the Pahalgam attacks in which Shah briefed opposition leaders about the situation | PTI To fuel technological innovation, the Technology Development Fund has backed 29 high-risk, futuristic projects. This scheme is being run by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and so far 29 such projects have been approved. Forty per cent of these projects are related to high-risk, futuristic and cutting-edge technology development. Singh warned that future conflicts would be more violent and unpredictable, with non-state actors playing an increasingly destabilising role through terrorism. Initiatives like Make in India and Defence Industrial Corridors have scaled up the production of advanced weapon systemsnot just for Indias use, but also for export. Singh underscored Indias rising competitiveness: Defence exports, which stood at a meagre Rs686 crore in 2013-14, have surged to Rs23,622 crore in 2024-25, and hit the Rs30,000 crore mark this year and will reach an ambitious target of Rs50,000 crore by 2029. Defence products made in India are being exported to about 100 countries. India now competes globally in missile technology (Agni, BrahMos), nuclear submarines (INS Arihant), aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant) and emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, drones, cyber warfare and hypersonic weapons. Singh acknowledged challenges in aero engine production but highlighted major strides under the Kaveri project: We are in talks with several companies (such as Safran, General Electric and Rolls-Royce) to develop the capability to manufacture aero engines in India, including transfer of technology with GE to manufacture engines for the Tejas fighter plane. Work is also under way to make engines for fifth-generation fighter jets. Indias naval ambitions have also accelerated, with over 90 warships built indigenously and exports reaching nations such as Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the Maldives. More than 97 per cent of the warships of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are now being built in Indian shipyards. Singh declared that India is firmly transitioning from Make in India to Make for the Worldto make India a country that not only meets its own defence needs, but can also meet the needs of the world. He also pointed to a broader shift in global defence supply models, moving from Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case, as nations rethink supply chains in response to global disruption. Today, while Indias defence sector is moving ahead on the path of self-reliance, it is also ready to play a very important role in making the global supply chains resilient. Singh concluded by reinforcing Indias global ambition: to become a defence manufacturing powerhouse, secure against disruption and vital to the worlds security architecture. Under the Modi governments strategic direction, Indias defence sector is not just growingit is asserting power on a global scale. This was the resounding message that emerged from the power-packed discussions during the Defence Conclave. FORMER CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF GENERAL MANOJ PANDE DEFENCE FORCES cannot remain isolated in the business of national security and nation building. To improve outcomes, they must reach out to other ministries, agencies, state governments and even communities. Currently, while each service interacts with various government agencies on an as required basis, [there could be]a more institutional and structured mechanism. A pathbreaking reform in human resource management has been implemented by the services in the form of the Agnipath scheme. Its planning and implementation required extensive inter-ministerial consultations and complex coordination. This process must continue. I also wish to highlight two issues of capability development. First, atmanirbharta, as a strategic imperative for meeting our requirements, has been clearly underscored by recent events. The driver for this has been the governments initiative, its policies and affirmative actions. The Indian defence industry has responded well to the demand, challenge and opportunity. While modernisation will demand speed and is the need of the hour, indigenisation will take time. Now, managing this contradiction is the key. It is time we moved away from taking incremental steps to perhaps pole vault in our quest for atmanirbharta. In this regard, the concept of national championswhere Indian businesses are selected by the government as representatives of national effortneeds serious consideration. The concept can be adopted for defence systems where dependencies exist on foreign original equipment manufacturers, and substantial investment in R&D and infrastructure is necessary. Identified industries can be encouraged through grant of special provisions to include subsidies, industry-friendly policies and assured business prospects. Second, innovation must become the cornerstone of our strategy. We need to give push to fail fast innovation models where R&D programmes are encouraged to take calculated risks. Though a good beginning has been made through the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) scheme, more needs to be done to make it more agile and responsive. The academia and research institutes need to step in to contribute to leverage niche and disruptive technologies. It is heartening to see initiatives towards reducing defence procurement and acquisition timelines and bring about changes to the DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure), just as the intended reforms in DRDO meant to address issues of defence R&D and absorption of critical and niche technologies are necessary. Defence reforms must not be seen as individual steps each service is taking. They must be part of the overall transformation effort. FORMER CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF ADMIRAL SUNIL LANBA IF WE LOOK BACK in history, any country that has been a global or regional power has been so on the back of maritime power. The Indian Navy is the largest resident navy in the Indian Ocean region, but if we dont have a focused approach on holistic maritime power, this advantage is going to slowly shift away from us. This is the primary reason we need a blue water navy to be counted in the Indian Ocean and now in the larger Indo-Pacific. Unfortunately, in all these years post independence, we still dont have a national security strategy. Its the need of the hour. Only if you have a national security strategy can you have a national defence strategy. So at least we [can] have a document on which the three armed forces can come together to work out what is the military capability required to support the national security strategy. Unfortunately, a number of drafts have been written over the years; I know the last one was written in 2018, but is yet to see the light of day. Looking at shipbuilding, the largest shipbuilder in the world is China. She has over 50 per cent of the worlds shipbuilding capacity. Indias share is 0.06 per cent and it has only gone down. As far as Indias private shipbuilding industry goes, [after a long delay], the Indian Navy was finally able to place contracts with private shipbuilders in the country. Unfortunately, in the financial crisis of 2008, all the private shipyards went belly up and not a single ship was delivered to the Navy. So, the Indian Navy is dependent on the DPSUs for shipbuilding contracts. We are captive customers. And between the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, we dont have the wherewithal to support the entire shipbuilding industry in the country. There has to be a holistic government policy on the shipbuilding industry in the country. A majority of ships are being built within the country and the indigenous content has gone up to over 90 per cent. We have come a long way regarding the indigenous content of the ships, but we need to invest more time and money to improve the productivity of shipyards. We had an ambitious target of having a 200-ship Navy by 2027, but that is running way behind schedule. I have seen the defence procurement manual being modified in my three-year tenure as the chief and chairman, chiefs of staff, twice, and now they are again talking about modifying it. The issue is not the defence procurement model. People in uniform look at timely outcomes, while the bureaucracy focuses on the process. They couldnt care about the outcome. Damn if the contract takes 15 years to sign. You can imagine the cost escalation in the 15 years and nobody is held accountable. So, if you want a force for the future, a maritime force that has to support Indias regional ambitions, we need a large blue water navy based on three carrier battle groups able to operate freely in the Indian Ocean. FORMER CHIEF OF AIR STAFF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL V.R. CHAUDHARI THE FUTURE OF ANY conflict will focus less on firepower and more on the power of information. The ability of any armed force to disrupt the chain of command in any country will emerge as the winner, and not necessarily [who has] larger firepower. The combination of inexpensive sensors along with big data analytics is going to usher in an era where persistent surveillance becomes a norm. The point here is that while these technologies give us the edge over an adversary, they will also become important targets. So, protection of such decision-making systems is also vital. Another aspect is lethality. Unfortunately, the lessons we will see coming out of the conflict in the Middle East today is that the potential of these weapons does not cater for conflicts in civilian areas. The Israeli army and the air force had equipped themselves largely with accurate weapons, but which create large amount of collateral damage. So the area we need to focus on is similar kind of weaponshigh-speed, precision attackwith minimal collateral damage. At the same time, when we look at defensive systems, it is not always economical to have kinetic weapons in defence. The rocket that costs $10,000 fired by Hamas is countered by one that costs $5 million. What we need to focus on probably is directed energy weapons. Probably laser weapons. It may not be too far-fetched to look at such kind of weapons filling our inventory in the near future. The next area, for hardware, is autonomous systems. As unmanned systems become cheaper, more capable and numerous, [we will see] the power of swarming of drones, which is going to make a huge impact on any battlefield. But just having an arsenal of new-age technology is not adequate; we need to have the stamina to be able to continue fighting with the weapons that we had in the beginning of a conflict. Here is where atmanirbharta is going to play a huge role. Not only the capability to manufacture components, but surge capacities to be able to push production at much higher rates. Here technology like 3D printing [comes in]. As for software, we may no longer require to [match] force against force if we have adequate software and adequate new technology weapons. There are certain key niche technologies. For example, we talk about drone swarming. The technology to get those drones together as a swarm is easily available within our nation, but we need to protect it at all costs. It might seem like a paradox, but in the digital era, the value of a human being is only increasing. For those in uniform, we have to realise that training, educating and honing the skills of the human beings is going to be essential. We need to make everybody digitally fluent at every level in all three services. These are definitely not daunting challenges. They will just require a rethink and understanding of what we call a professional military education in the armed forces. Selected excerpts from the speeches at THE WEEK Defence Conclave. Lt Gen D.S. Hooda (retd) ON APRIL 22, the tranquillity of the scenic meadows of Baisaran valley near Pahalgam was shattered by the sounds of gunfire, as terrorists ruthlessly gunned down innocent tourists. In the massacre, 26 lives were lost as men were singled out and shot in front of their wives and children. There is enormous anger in India, mainly directed at Pakistan and its army, which is considered the principal architect of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. There are the usual denials from Pakistan, with some politicians even claiming that it was a false flag operation orchestrated by India to justify retaliation against Pakistan. Such outrageous claims would be dismissed as laughable if the situation were not so serious. I do not wish to decode the reasons why the Pakistan army would have triggered this deliberate provocation that could lead to an armed confrontation. There are no logical explanations beyond the ideological, deep-rooted hostility to India that many Pakistan army generals develop throughout their careers. The problem is compounded by the nature of the civil-military relations in Pakistan, which has marginalised the role of the political leadership and concentrated all power in the hands of the military. This results in poor strategic assessments, as witnessed in the Kargil War. In the absence of political checks, the Pakistan army continues to make strategic decisions without fully comprehending the political and diplomatic fallout. Nuclear blackmail by Pakistan would no longer work in restraining India from conducting limited strikes. India reacted immediately, cancelling the visas of Pakistani citizens and shutting down the Attari-Wagah border. In a significant move that has long-term implications for Pakistans water security, the Indus Water Treaty has been held in abeyance. In response, Pakistan has threatened to suspend all bilateral treaties with India, including the Shimla Agreement. In addition, Pakistan has closed its airspace for Indian commercial flights. After this tit-for-tat, all eyes are now on whether India will respond militarily. References are made to the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike when India carried out cross-border operations in response to major terrorist attacks at Uri and Pulwama. In considering Indias options, it would be helpful to draw some important takeaways from the 2016 and 2019 responses. Four key takeaways can be made. First, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has a greater appetite for risk-taking than some of the previous governments when it comes to using military force to respond to terror attacks. The use of the Air Force in 2019 to hit targets that were on Pakistan territory (outside Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir) could definitely be considered escalatory, but the government went ahead. Second, there is a clear communication of intent that terror activities sponsored by Pakistan would meet a forceful response. Limited cross-border operations had been conducted by the Army in the past but were not publicised. By announcing that India had carried out operations across the Line of Control in 2016 and 2019, the government was laying down red lines, which, if breached, would invite retribution. PTI Third, India had demonstrated that it would not be intimidated by Pakistans nuclear threats. In any crisis, Pakistan immediately waves the nuclear card. Nuclear blackmail by Pakistan would no longer work in restraining India from conducting limited strikes. We must review our strategy in Jammu and Kashmir, where the unprecedented public outcry against terrorism offers a rare and precious opportunity. Fourth, the military response by India in 2016 and 2019 had overwhelming public support. Some of this support also translated into electoral success. In some ways, this has set a standard for actions by the government in responding to major terror strikes. These four takeaways suggest that the military option would be under serious consideration by the government. Whatever course of action is chosen, it must be carefully planned and precisely calibrated. Potential retaliation from Pakistan must be anticipated, with thorough deliberation on escalation management and control across a range of possible scenarios. The government should also insulate itself from the clamour on social media. The growing influence of these platforms has led many politicians to seek public approval online with increasing fervour. Strategic decisions, especially those involving national security, demand patience, clarity, and resolve, not emotional reactions to online voices. Real leadership is measured by long-term outcomes, not by the number of likes and shares. Even as the government deals with the immediate crisis, it must not lose sight of the larger strategic imperative: developing a long-term framework to deal with an increasingly antagonistic neighbour. Pakistans persistent use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy demands a comprehensive and sustained deterrence strategy. Some strategic thinkers argue that Pakistans entrenched ideology and deep-rooted hostility limit the effectiveness of conventional deterrence methods. While this argument has some merit, this cannot be the excuse for strategic inertia. Unless we look beyond reactive measures, we risk being trapped in a perpetual cycle of crisis managementlurching from one provocation to the next without altering the fundamentals of the equation. The Pahalgam massacre has brought Indias political parties together in a rare and much-needed display of unity. This moment presents a valuable opportunity to forge a coherent, long-term approach to the challenge posed by Pakistan. With its economic and diplomatic heft and a capable military, there are enough instruments with India to apply sustained pressure on Pakistan across multiple fronts. What is needed now is a farsighted strategy that transcends political cycles and remains resilient across successive governments. Unfortunately, some political fractures have started emerging because of ill-considered remarks made by leaders. Rather than exaggerating or sensationalising these differences, it is essential to play them down and focus on the national interest. In this time of a national crisis, the country and its leaders must demonstrate maturity and a common purpose, both for the people of India and for the message it sends beyond our borders. This is also the time to turn our gaze inwards towards Jammu and Kashmir. Bringing peace to this area will puncture Pakistans narrative of the two-nation theory and Kashmir being its jugular vein. However, normalcy will only come if the people of the Union territory reject terrorism and fully embrace India. And here is the only possible bright spark in the Pahalgam tragedy. People from across the Union territory turned out in large numbers, denouncing terrorist violence. There were shutdowns in towns such as Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Baramulla and Pahalgam. Mosques in Kashmir observed a two-minute silence in memory of those killed in Pahalgam. These were unprecedented scenes displaying the local aspirations to move beyond the violence that has plagued this region. In a special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, We cannot control a terrorist with a gun, but we can end militancy if people are with us. I think that time has come. Given the public outrage this is the beginning of its end if we take the proper steps. It is absolutely crucial that the Centre takes appropriate steps to create conditions where the anti-terrorist sentiment in the state is reinforced. This will require a shift in our strategy that is currently over-focused on security parameters like violence levels and terrorists killed as an indicator of normalcy. People are at the heart of any long-term resolution of internal conflicts, and their support is vital in ensuring enduring peace. We are seeing an intensification of counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, and this is an obvious reaction to the outrage of the Pahalgam massacre. However, a ham-handed approach like the blowing up of houses of relatives of terrorists might appear optically satisfying, but could increase alienation. This is just what we should be avoiding. Terrorism is a war of narratives and perceptions. The Pahalgam massacre was a calculated strike, not just against innocent civilians but against the image of a Kashmir enjoying the fruits of a period of relative calm. It was meant to reignite anxieties and provoke communal fissures. In such a conflict, the response cannot be limited to security operations alone. The battle must also be won in the hearts and minds of people by reaffirming trust, amplifying the voices of peace, and dismantling the falsehoods that terrorist groups and their backers desperately seek to propagate. The Pahalgam massacre has once again laid bare the deep-rooted hostility of Pakistans military establishment, which continues to wield terrorism as a tool of statecraft without regard for the cost to its own country. India must respond with resolve while also crafting a strategy that systematically raises the costs for Pakistans actions over the long term. We must also review our strategy in Jammu and Kashmir, where the unprecedented public outcry against terrorism offers a rare and precious opportunity. Winning this battle requires more than punishing perpetrators; it demands earning the enduring trust of the people. If India can combine firmness against external threats with compassion and foresight in Kashmir, it will not only defeat the immediate challenge but also lay the foundations for a more secure and resilient India. The author was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. JAMMU AND KASHMIR AND DELHI A BROKEN CONCRETE slab tangled with destroyed wooden planks is what remains of Ahsan ul-Haq Sheikhs house. A few steps away, his aunt Imtiazas house stands upright, but has visible damage. There was a thunderous blast, said Imtiaza, which shook the neighbourhood houses and shattered all our windows. Sheikh is one of the 13 people whose houses were razed after security forces cracked down on Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The police has cordoned off Sheikhs colonyabout 50 housesin Pulwama districts Murran village. It is about 30km from Srinagar. The neighbours have not seen Sheikh for the past two years; police claim he joined the LeT in June 2023. Sheikhs paternal uncle, Mohammad Shafi, said Sheikhs parents had left the place after he did not return. When he left, his mothers heart disease worsened, he said. God knows where they are. Sheikh, 23, had participated in protests after the killing of separatist leader Burhan Wani in 2016. His parents tried so hard to reach out to him, but they could never know where he is, said an elderly woman in the locality. Like in most such cases, the villagers know nothing moreonce a boy disappears, they assume he has joined the militants or has been killed. Police say the average lifespan of a terror recruit is six months to a year. Once he carries out a terrorist act, he is chased by security forces and many a time he is offered up by terror masters who spill blood to keep the pot boiling. Planning mode: Modi with (from left) Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, CDS General Anil Chauhan, Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh | PTI The Pahalgam attack is a classic example of the terrorist ecosystema network of militants, ideologues and handlers resorting to desperate acts, seeking attention through bloodshed rather than ideology. R.R. Swain, former director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who spent years dismantling the terror ecosystem, said the decline in local recruitment has significantly impacted terrorist operations. In 2018, 199 local boys had joined terrorist outfits, he said. After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the numbers began to dwindlealmost 138 in 2021, 113 in 2022, 22 in 2023, and nine in 2024. In 2025, we saw zero local recruitment. This collapse, Swain believes, triggered the Pahalgam attack. In a last-ditch effort, they targeted something Kashmiris hold dear: tourism. Terrorists have long thrived on narratives of resistance, but that is now eroding. They have lost the support of the local population, and they know it, said Swain. So, instead of gaining ground, they have been resorting to desperation. Terror groups have also tried to gain political acceptance over the years, but now, as their influence wanes, they find themselves increasingly marginalised. Anything that brings normalcy to the regiontourism, infrastructure, integration with Indiathreatens their existence, said Swain. Pahalgam was symbolic. The more peaceful and integrated Kashmir becomes, the more irrelevant they feel. What is new is the terrorists willingness to burn bridges with the masses to stay relevant. During an interrogation of a terrorist years ago, Swain was struck by a chilling statement: I can live with being hated, but I dont want to be forgotten. Swain believes Baisaran was targeted because it was seen as a symbol of growing peace. They had to strike where they could make the loudest noise, he said. Security officials said the attackers intentionally kept the death toll in control to avoid global backlash. They wanted to make enough of an impact to disturb the security establishment, but not so much that it would lead to major international retribution, said a senior officer. But escalation is imminent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with trusted lieutenants Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has green-lit a sharp responseNational Security Adviser Ajit Doval, along with the military chiefs, is strategising counter-terror operations behind closed doors. The decision has been taken after a deep understanding of the changing dynamics in Pakistans approach toward Kashmir. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, former Pakistan army chief, had been seeking engagement with India, but his successor, General Asim Munir, seems intent on intensifying the proxy war. The reasons are manifold. Global isolation, economic pressures and the resurgence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has been coupled with trouble in Balochistan, where the state has incarcerated peaceful activists and shut down the internet. Pakistani authorities were quick to blame India for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express on March 11, while failing to acknowledge the swelling numbers of highly educated Baloch youth taking up arms, said Prateek Sinha, a PhD in modern history from the University of Oxford. The new face of Baloch resentment is no longer confined to the tribal chieftains. It embraces cosmopolitanism and possesses a deep knowledge of Baloch history. The past few years have also seen a convergence of voices from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which question the growing militarisation and the virtual absence of civilian institutions. The resentment begs a larger question tied in with their complicated integration into Pakistan in 1947, said Sinha. As for Indias response, multiple arms of the government are on the task. The Jammu and Kashmir Police are identifying local aides of terrorists and Indian troops are swiftly retaliating to unprovoked firing on the borders. They are also keeping Pakistani forces engaged till technical intelligence agencies identify and isolate non-state actors like the ideologues and top brass of terror outfits. Once operational markers like terror coordinates are with security agencies, it is only a matter of where, when and how? It could be targeted strikes on key terror ideologues or a strike on larger terror camps of footsoldiers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Lastly, India is also ready with its diplomatic offensive to expose Pakistans continued support to terror. The LeT and its proxies are the target this time, said sources in the Jammu and Kashmir Police, while admitting that their original affiliations had been masked by the fluidity of terrorists moving between the near 40 terror launch pads across the Line of Control. There is another step to the counter-terror actiona civil society outreach by the government to unite people against terror. Whether it is Modis Mann ki Baat or small processions in states to stand in solidarity with the Pahalgam victims, the attempt is to ensure that the integration of Jammu and Kashmir is complete. With bodies of tourists reaching states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat, there is unity in rage and revulsion, said Tilak Devasher, former member of the National Security Advisory Board. Debasish Bhattacharya, a 56-year-old professor at Assam University in Silchar, recalled how one of the terrorists came menacingly towards him. These were the longest few seconds of my life, he said. After the gunshot sounds, my son tugged at my arm in panic saying he saw the manwho was shooting at tourists about 20 metres awaycoming towards us. They ran towards some trees and hid. For the next two hours or so, he said, we kept moving with no sense of direction but followed a pony track as we knew it would lead us somewhere. We had to drink the dirty water left in puddles made by the hooves of the ponies. Devasher said all right-minded nations had condemned the attack, putting pressure on Islamabad. Even the Taliban has condemned it, he said. There might be internal issues in Afghanistan, but its assertion that it will not be comfortable with Pakistans continued support to cross-border terrorist outfits has given Indias response a shot in the arm. There is an urgency in Indias assertion of its sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of Article 370, which is why a stern message to Pakistan is being calibrated. Delhis move of cancelling Pakistani visas and holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance prompted Pakistan to threaten to suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement. This indicates that tensions will not ease soon. The Simla Agreement governs the Line of Control, and any threat to it can result in serious escalation. Consequently, more questions are being raised behind closed doors about the relevance of the United Nations Military Observer Group, set up to monitor the ceasefire line. Back in the Union territory, there is growing consensus that the assembly seats reserved for PoK-displaced residents must be filled to blunt the terrorists narrative. A small match can light a huge fire. This time, it was the entry of tourists and labourers from other parts of the country to participate in building a new Kashmir. No tourist who goes to Jammu and Kashmir plans to settle down, said Swain. Even the locals know that and are happy to receive them. But the narrative that tourism was another attempt to change the demography gave a signal to the terror masterminds to fan the flame till it became a fire. In the past six months, terror attacks in Gagangeer, Gulmarg and now Pahalgam corroborate the National Investigation Agencys suspicion that it was a larger cross-border conspiracy. Local aides of terrorists need to be examined to unravel cross-border movements and identify common conspirators, said Atulchandra Kulkarni, former NIA special director general, referring to the killing of seven civilians working at a construction site in Ganderbal districts Gagangeer last October. The same month, terrorists targeted an Indian Army vehicle near Gulmarg, killing soldiers and porters. The technical evidence from terrorists killed in December shows that the Gagangeer and Gulmarg module was also active in Pahalgam, said an investigator. The NIA is retracing the steps of the terrorists to investigate the gaps they exploited. Police officers admitted that there was a lack of area domination, especially in places like Pahalgam, which was considered relatively peaceful. Area domination refers to the strategic deployment of troops across an area to maintain control, deter hostile activities and ensure immediate response in case of a security breach. When there is less intelligence or when inputs are limited, it becomes crucial to ensure more robust deployments, said K. Srinivasan, former inspector-general (intelligence) who has served in the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force. The military and police need to reinforce their presence, not only as a deterrent, but also to act swiftly if an attack takes place. Though the spiralling of tension with China after the Galwan valley clashes in 2020 saw a realignment of troops, the needs of both the western and eastern sector were being balanced well. The balance has tipped over for now, but efforts are on to restore it. Terror is on its last legs in Jammu and Kashmir, said a senior state police officer. Work is on to dismantle the terror infrastructure. It was neither built in a day nor can it be destroyed in a day. With inputs from Sanjib Kr Baruah Lt Gen S.L. Narasimhan (retd) INDIAS RESPONSE TO terrorist attacks in Kashmir has often been a mix of diplomatic and economic actions, and occasionally military. This time, immediately after the Baisaran massacre, India announced five actions, all in the political and diplomatic domain. They are: the Indus Water Treaty (1960) is held in abeyance; the army, navy and air attaches of Pakistan in its High Commission in Delhi are declared persona non grata; the visas issued to Pakistani nationals are revoked with immediate effect and visas issued under SAARC Exemption Scheme are also cancelled; reduction of diplomatic staff in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad; and closing of the Attari crossing with immediate effect. As in the cases of Uri and Pulwama, this time also there is an expectation that India will resort to a military option. The options may vary from trans Line-of-Control operations, and air strikes like Balakot and beyond. But China has an all-weather friendship with Pakistan. A look into the past will give us an indication of the likely support that China can give to Pakistan in the present. During the 1965 operations, China applied pressure on India by asking it to remove some military structures on the Sikkim border. It also moved some troops to the border. These actions ensured that Indian troops remained tied down and did not move towards the western front. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, China gave diplomatic support to Pakistan. There was, however, no movement of troops barring a few patrols on the border. In both these wars, Chinas position in the international relations played a major role. While in 1965, China was not a major player in the international arena, by 1971, it was becoming increasingly clear that China was needed by the west to contain the USSR. This was an important aspect in how China acted during the 1971 war. In 1999, China did not give any support to Pakistan. Cutting to the present, China seems to have opened several fronts. South China Sea and Taiwan figure high on its list. Its relationship with the US is still evolving after President Donald Trump came back to power and the relations with the European Union are no better after it declared China as a systemic rival. Chinas relations with Russia continue to remain good. India-China relations, though going through a thaw after the October 2024 agreement, have been slow on the mend. It is in this scenario that one has to consider what assistance China can give Pakistan in case of military action by India. The state of play on the India-China border will also have a major implication on this. China has been building infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for a while now. The pace of that has increased post the Galwan incident of 2020. In addition to a number of roads being built opposite eastern Ladakh, a new highway named G 695 is also in the works. G 695 runs closer to the LAC than the Western Highway and is very useful to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) for lateral movement of troops. China has been upgrading the airfields in Tibet and building heliports and helipads. There has been an increase in the billeting capability of the PLA. Though the first step of disengagement has been completed, the next step of de-escalation, which should pull back additional troops that came into eastern Ladakh, is nowhere in sight. Chinas reaction to the Baisaran incident has been mixed. The Chinese foreign office spokesperson and its ambassador to India said that China condemned the terror attack and all forms of terrorism. It may lend support to Pakistan on any decisions being taken in the UN which is not in Pakistans interest. However, in the conversation between Foreign ministers of China and Pakistan, it seems that China called for a swift and fair investigation, implying thereby it is in support of Pakistan. It is also likely to share intelligence on Indian reaction to the incident, both civil and military. Moreover, China has rushed PL 15 missiles to Pakistan, which can be used in JF 17 Block III aircraft. These are long-range air-to-air missiles that are claimed to be a counter to the Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force. There may be other military equipment that China may give to Pakistan. It may move troops closer to the LAC so that some Indian troops are retained away from the western front. However, China is unlikely to physically intervene on behalf of Pakistan since that will affect its other priorities. The international communitys reactions to Pahalgam massacre have mostly been in support of India. The US, the EU, Russia, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Italy, Nepal, Bhutan and League of Arab Nations have all expressed support to India. However, this is a fight in which India has to do the heavy-lifting. And all options are on the table, as the government has said. Lt Gen S.L. Narasimhan (retd) is an Adjunct Distinguished Fellow with the Gateway House, Mumbai. New Delhi, May 4 (PTI) Angola President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco on Sunday invited Indian businesses to explore opportunities that can place the African nation at the centre of their export strategies, highlighting areas for mutual cooperation, including agriculture, pharmaceutical and renewable energy. Goncalves, currently on a visit to India, highlighted Angola's strategic location with privileged access to regional markets through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He was addressing the India-Angola Business Forum here. The relationship between Angola and India is built on a solid legal and institutional foundation, developed over decades of cooperation. The existing bilateral agreements -- in areas such as health, energy, financial services, and diplomatic mobility -- reflect both countries' commitment to a structured, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership, stated Lourenco. "We invite Indian entrepreneurs to explore these logistical opportunities that can place Angola at the centre of their export strategies -- both for Africa and the wider world," said the President. He went on to talk about the various sectors for cooperation, which includes the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture sector, and renewable energy sector. "We firmly believe that this transformation will only be truly sustainable if it is supported by strong, fair, and innovative partnerships. Without doubt, India's business dynamism, technological excellence, and capacity for innovation are qualities that Angola deeply values and with which we wish to walk side by side," he said. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, said, "Looking ahead, there are several priority sectors where we can deepen collaboration. In the energy sector, we can develop oil and gas infrastructure and partner on clean energy. In the field of education and skilling, India can play an important role in education and capacity building, through high tech training and increased number of scholarships." CII President Sanjiv Puri addressed the gathering and spoke about the areas of opportunities between India and Angola. "Angola has a very strong mining sector and the third largest diamond production in Africa. The country also possesses repositories of critical minerals, including copper, gold, uranium, lead, and zinc. I truly believe that joint exploration in diamond processing and other critical minerals would develop a critical minerals value chain, potentially impacting crucial sectors like RE and EV manufacturing," he said. Singapores long-ruling Peoples Action Party won another landslide in Saturdays general elections, extending its 66-year unbroken rule in a huge boost for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who took power a year ago. The Election Department announced the PAP won 82 Parliamentary seats after vote counting ended. The party had earlier won five seats uncontested, giving it 87 out of a total 97 seats. The opposition Workers Party maintained its 10 seats. The PAPs popular vote rose to 65.6%, up from a near-record low of 61% in 2020 polls. Jubilant supporters of the PAP, which had ruled Singapore since 1959, gathered in stadiums waved flags and cheered in celebration. A U.S.-trained economist who is also finance minister, Wongs appeal for a resounding mandate to steer trade-reliant Singapore through economic troubles following U.S. President Donald Trumps tariff hikes has hit home. The government has lowered its growth forecast and warned of a possible recession. Wong, 52, said he was humbled and grateful for the solid mandate for the PAP. He acknowledged voters desire to have more alternative voices in government, but said a strong PAP team was needed to tackle challenges ahead. The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world, he said. Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University, said the oppositions failure to make further inroads after 2020 was a surprise. Singapore voters played their cards close to their chest. Today, they indicated that their trust is with a party that has delivered over the years, he said. Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong to become the city-states fourth leader. Lee stepped down in May 2024 after two decades at the helm but remained in the Cabinet as a senior minister. His retirement as premier ended a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapores first leader, who built the former colonial backwater into one of the worlds richest nations during 31 years in office. The PAP is seen as a beacon of stability and prosperity, but tight government control and the rising cost of living in one of the worlds most expensive cities also has led to growing unhappiness, especially among younger voters. Widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding and restrictions on free speech have loosened the PAPs grip on power. The opposition says giving it a stronger presence in Parliament will allow a more balanced political system and greater accountability. But they face an uphill task, often hamstrung by a lack of resources, fragmented support and a lack of unity. Critics said gerrymandering also gives the PAP an advantage. Pritam Singh, leader of the Workers Party, acknowledged it was a tough contest and vowed to continue the fight for a more balanced Parliament. The slate is wiped clean, we start work again tomorrow, and we go again, he said. Bilateral defense and security ties The United States government offered its congratulations to Singapore and Wong. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Singapore had shared a strong and enduring strategic partnership and a commitment to a secure, free, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region for almost 60 years. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the newly elected government and Prime Minister Wong to strengthen economic growth and our bilateral defense and security ties, which benefit Americans, Singaporeans, and others across the region, Rubio said. While the Workers Party failed to expand its presence, it had consolidated its support with increased share vote in some areas, said Southeast Asia political analyst Bridget Welsh. Other smaller opposition parties however, failed to make a breakthrough. Welsh said voters opted for stability amid concerns over global volatility due to sweeping U.S. tariffs. Wongs more approachable leadership in engaging younger voters and efforts to renew PAP by bringing in about a-third of new faces also helped swung votes, she said. I call this the Wong and Trump effect, she said. The issue of economic insecurity really did reinforce his mandate. (AP) Ukraine and Russia are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals, as Moscow accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of threatening the safety of dignitaries attending Victory Day celebrations after he dismissed Russias unilateral 72-hour ceasefire. Zelenskyy instead renewed calls for a more substantial 30-day pause in hostilities, as the U.S. had initially proposed. He said the proposed ceasefire could start anytime as a meaningful step toward ending the three-year war. Lets be honest you cant agree on anything serious in three, five, or seven days, he said. Zelenskyy said that Moscows announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II is merely an attempt to create a soft atmosphere ahead of Russias annual celebrations. It looks unserious, he said, so that (Russian President Vladimir) Putins guests on Red Square feel comfortable and safe. Ukraine wont guarantee safety for visitors to Russia He said that Ukraine cannot provide security assurances to foreign officials planning to visit Russia around May 9, warning that Moscow could stage provocations and later attempt to blame Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that some governments had approached Kyiv seeking safety reassurance while their delegations are in Russia. Our position is very simple: we cannot take responsibility for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation, he said. They are the ones providing your security, and we will not be offering any guarantees. Zelenskyy said he had instructed Ukraines Foreign Ministry to advise against visiting Russia during this period. We must tell those who approach us: we do not recommend visiting the Russian Federation from a security standpoint. And if you choose to do so, dont ask us its your personal decision. The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyivs military actions will remain mirror-like, responding to Russias moves. He acknowledged that implementing a complete front-line ceasefire without robust international monitoring remains nearly impossible, but emphasized that the 30-day window offers a credible start. He confirmed ongoing efforts to convene the next round of negotiations with the U.S. He also expressed hope that it could happen in Ukraine, saying it was a positive sign that such a gathering is under discussion despite recent personnel changes in Washington. Russia wants Ukraine to de-escalate In response to Zelenskyys comments, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that he had unequivocally threatened the world leaders who are planning to arrive in Moscow on May 9. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said Saturday that nobody could guarantee Kyivs safety if Ukraine attacked Moscow celebrations on May 9. In the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, no one will guarantee that May 10 will come in Kyiv, he wrote on Telegram. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia expects Kyiv to take steps to de-escalate before Victory Day. We will, of course, expect (from) Kyiv not ambiguous, but final statements, and most importantly, actions aimed at de-escalating the conflict during the holidays, Peskov told journalists. Russias ceasefire proposals, he said, were meant to test Kyivs readiness to find ways for long-term sustainable peace between Russia and Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine exchange drone strikes A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, wounded 47 people, officials said, and prompted another appeal from Zelenskyy for more decisive support from the countrys allies. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said drones hit 12 locations across the city late Friday, hitting residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and vehicles. The Kharkiv Prosecutors Office said that Russian forces used drones with thermobaric warheads. In a statement on Telegram, it said thermobaric weapons create a powerful blast wave and a hot cloud of smoke, causing large-scale destruction. The prosecutor said its use may indicate a deliberate violation of international humanitarian law. While the world hesitates with decisions, nearly every night in Ukraine turns into a nightmare, costing lives. Ukraine needs strengthened air defense. Strong and real decisions are needed from our partners the United States, Europe, all our partners who seek peace, Zelenskyy wrote on X. Russia fired a total of 183 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraines air force said. Of those, 77 were intercepted and a further 73 lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 170 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry said eight cruise missiles and three guided missiles were also intercepted. In southern Russia, five people, including two children, were injured in a drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to Mayor Andrey Kravchenko. The latest wave of attacks comes after the U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraines vast mineral resources. It finalizes a deal months in the making that could enable continued military aid to Kyiv amid concerns that President Donald Trump might scale back support in ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. (AP) Former Labor Minister and staunch conservative Kim Moon Soo won the presidential nomination of South Koreas main conservative party, facing an uphill battle against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung for the June 3 election. Observers say Kim will likely try to align with other conservative forces, such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, to prevent a split in conservative votes and boost prospects for a conservative win against Lee. In a party primary that ended Saturday, Kim won 56.5% of the votes cast, beating his sole competitor, Han Dong-hun, the party said in a televised announcement. Other contenders have been eliminated in earlier rounds. Ill form a strong alliance with anyone to prevent a rule by Lee Jae-myung and his Democratic Party forces. Ill push for that in a procedure and method that our people and party members accept, and Ill ultimately win, Kim said in his victory speech. The June 3 election is meant to find a successor to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, a People Power Party member who was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in mid-December and dismissed by the Constitutional Court in early April over his ill-fated imposition of martial law. Yoons impeachment is a major source of feuding at the PPP and a hot topic at the partys primary. Kim, who served as labor minister under Yoon, has opposed parliaments impeachment of Yoon, though he said he disagreed with Yoons decision to declare martial law on Dec. 3. Kim gained popularity among hardline PPP supporters after he solely defied a demand on Dec. 11. by an opposition lawmaker that all Cabinet members stand up and bow in a gesture of apology for Yoons martial law enactment at the National Assembly. Han Dong-hun, Kims main contender in the PPPs primary, served as Yoons first justice minister. Han leads a reformist yet minority faction at the PPP who joined the liberal opposition in voting to overturn Yoons martial law decree and later impeach him. Without the support of Hans faction members, an opposition-led impeachment motion on Yoon couldnt have passed through the National Assembly because opposition parties were eight votes short of a two-thirds majority to approve it. Shin Yul, a politics professor at Seouls Myonggi University, said that public awareness of the conservatives campaign could have risen more sharply if Han had won, as he could have appealed to moderate, swing voters more. Kim, 73, was originally a prominent labor activist in the 1970-80s but joined a conservative party in the 1990s. Kim recently said he gave up his dream to become a revolutionist after observing the collapse of communist states. He has since served as a governor of South Koreas most populous Gyeonggi province for eight years and a member of the National Assembly for three terms. Kim has said that if elected, he would push to fight corruption, overhaul financial regulations, reform pension systems and increase government spending on Artificial Intelligence infrastructure. He said he would maintain a solid military alliance with the U.S. and introduce nuclear-powered submarines as a way to increase deterrence against North Korean nuclear threats. Lee, who won the Democratic Party nomination last Sunday, is the clear favorite to win the election. But Lees campaign suffered a setback due to a recent Supreme Court decision to order a new trial on his election law charges. Its unclear if he will face a court sentence that requires the suspension of his campaign before the June 3 vote, but hell likely grapple with an intense political offensive by his election rivals. (AP) Pakistan test fired a ballistic missile Saturday as tensions with India spiked over last months deadly attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir region. The surface-to-surface missile has a range of 450 kilometers (about 280 miles), the Pakistani military said. There was no immediate comment about the launch from India, which blames Pakistan for the April 22 gun massacre in the resort town of Pahalgam, a charge Pakistan denies. Pakistans military said the launch of the Abdali Weapon System was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missiles advanced navigation system and enhanced maneuverability features. Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated those behind the successful test. Missiles are not fired toward the border area with India; they are normally fired into the Arabian Sea or the deserts of southwest Balochistan province. Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said Saturdays missile was named after a prominent Muslim conqueror of India, underlining its symbolic significance. The timing of this launch is critical in the current geopolitical context, Ali told The Associated Press. He said the test was intended as a strategic signal to India after it had threatened to suspend a crucial water-sharing treaty. Indias navy said on April 27 that its vessels had successfully undertaken anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems and crew for long-range precision offensive strike. Ashok Malik, a former policy adviser in Indias Foreign Ministry, said there was anger across the country following the gun attack. The 26 victims came from 13 different states. Internationally, there is enormous sympathy for India and little patience with Pakistan, said Malik. I dont believe anybody in India wants a full-fledged war. Even so, there is domestic pressure and diplomatic space for a sharp, targeted, and limited response. The ongoing muscle flexing by both countries troops was reflective of the tense mood and also apparent in the unremitting hostilities on the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir, he said. Kashmir is split between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety. They have fought two of their three wars over the stunning Himalayan region and their ties have been shaped by conflict, aggressive diplomacy and mutual suspicion, mostly due to their competing claims over Kashmir. The latest flare-up led the two countries to expel each others diplomats and nationals, as well as the shuttering of airspace. On Saturday, India suspended the exchange of all mail from Pakistan through air and surface routes and slapped an immediate ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from its neighbor. India has also banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering its ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting Pakistani ports. Indias military said Saturday that Pakistani troops had fired at positions across the border for a ninth consecutive night. The statement called the firing unprovoked and said Indian troops responded promptly and proportionately. Pakistan did not confirm the exchange of fire at the Line of Control. The incident could not be independently verified. In the past, each side has accused the other of starting border skirmishes. Passions ran high among the Pakistanis who traveled to the Wagah crossing with India to see the famous flag-lowering ceremony. The spectacle involves Pakistans Rangers and Indias border Security Force in a dramatic parade on either side of the crossing, with just a gate between them, their high kicks stretching skyward. Shoaib-ur-Rehman said no other experience stirred such powerful feelings of patriotism in him and that he witnessed extraordinary emotions during Saturdays ceremony. Rehman expressed his opposition to a war with India, but said he would fight alongside Pakistans military if one broke out. Sundas Batool wanted India to provide evidence about Pakistans involvement in the Pahalgam attack. The other side must have seen our energy, our spirit, said Batool, referring to the crowds on the other side of the border. My message to India is: We are ready for anything. (AP) Key Points BYD dominates China's new-energy vehicle market. BYD plans to double international sales in 2025. Ferrari's margins leave competition in the dust. Depending on who you ask, or where you read your financial news, the chances of a recession in the U.S. during 2025 sits between 45% and 60%. Obviously, this will change how some people invest, at least temporarily. But here are two stocks that could be buying opportunities even in the face of a potential recession: Ferrari (NYSE: RACE) and BYD (OTC: BYDDY). Creating a monster Little did foreign automakers know decades ago, when they were forced to team up with domestic Chinese automakers to enter the market, that they would eventually be creating a monster. With foreign automakers to learn from, and a government subsidizing automakers with a focus on developing electric vehicle (EV) technology, Chinese automakers slowly but surely became arguably the most advanced and most affordable EVs on the planet -- and one auto shines above the rest, BYD. 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 BYD already dominates China's new energy-vehicle (NEV) market, which includes hybrids as well as full battery-electric vehicles. It had nearly 30% market share in March, with the next closest competitor checking in at 11.2%. BYD is finding success beyond its home market, even without entering the U.S. market. In fact, BYD expects to double international sales in 2025 to roughly 800,000. One key to BYD's success is that it started as a battery company before moving into vehicle manufacturing. The company remains vertically integrated and uses a high percentage of in-house components. Its lower battery costs are a competitive advantage enabling it to lower prices and steal valuable market share. Short term, a recession might slow BYD down. But as the world transitions to EVs, BYD might be the best positioned to thrive. Racing ahead Ferrari is an incredible ultra-luxury automaker with respected racing heritage, a powerful brand, pricing power, and margins almost all companies dream of owning. But one key thing about Ferrari is that its demographic, the super wealthy, are less impacted by economic downturns and generally will buy Ferraris whenever the opportunity arises. That's also what makes Ferrari interesting, as opportunities to purchase the vehicle aren't always there. There's a strict ownership process, a resale rule, and the company famously will always deliver fewer cars than there is demand for. While this limits growth to some degree, it makes it more consistent and resistant to economic uncertainty. Heck, the company's wait lists for vehicles stretch to two years and beyond. YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Lipskar ztl, the longtime Rav of The Shul of Bal Harbour and founder of the Aleph Institute, who was niftar after decades of transformative avodas hakodesh and recent medical complications. He was approximately 77 years old. Rabbi Lipskar, born in 1946 in Tashkent in the former Soviet Union, was a lifelong servant of Klal Yisrael. As a baby, he was miraculously smuggled across the Soviet border and taken to a Displaced Persons (DP) camp in Germany, before eventually settling with his family in Ontario, Canada. His early life, marked by mesirus nefesh, shaped a neshama that would later inspire countless Jews across the globe. A proud talmid of the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn, he received semicha in 1968 and immediately entered the field of chinuch. In 1969, he was appointed principal of Landow Yeshiva in Miami Beach, where he helped lay the foundations for Torah learning in South Florida. But it was in 1982 that Rabbi Lipskar made his most lasting mark, founding The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside. Under his leadership, The Shul became not only a beacon of Torah, chassidus, and achdus, but a spiritual hub that drew Jews of all backgrounds. With unmatched warmth and charisma, Rabbi Lipskar built a kehillah where Yidden felt seen, uplifted, and connected. That same year, he also founded the Aleph Institute, a groundbreaking organization committed to supporting Jewish prisoners and military personnel and their families. With compassion and vision, Rabbi Lipskar championed those often forgotten by societybringing them Torah, dignity, and hope. Through Aleph, he advocated for thousands, offering rehabilitation, legal assistance, and emotional support, all in the spirit of ahavas Yisrael. Rabbi Lipskars legacy is one of towering leadership, boundless heart, and an unwavering commitment to the Lubavitcher Rebbes shlichus. He was a man of depth, action, and boundless energyequally at home giving a fiery derasha, comforting a prisoner, or inspiring a secular businessman to put on tefillin. Rabbi Lipskar is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar ybl, his children Devorah Leah Andrusier and Zalman Lipskar and many grandchildren. After passing by The Shul at 9 AM Sunday morning, the levaya will take place at 3:30 PM Sunday afternoon at the Ohel, 226-20 Francis Lewis Blvd., Cambria Heights, NY 11411. Baruch Dayan HaEmes. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A woman was killed early Saturday in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki when a bomb she was carrying exploded in her hands, police said. The 38-year-old woman was apparently carrying the bomb to place outside a nearby bank around 5 a.m., police said. Several storefronts and vehicles were damaged by the explosion. Police said the woman, whom they did not publicly identify, had a criminal record and had been involved in at least one robbery and thefts in the past. The Greek polices division for organized crime was investigating the incident, while authorities were also investigating whether the woman might have had ties to extreme leftist groups. Greece has seen occasional bombings, as well as targeted killings, attributed to various organized crime groups. The country also has a long history of politically motivated violence dating back to the 1970s, with domestic extremist groups carrying out small-scale bombings that usually cause some damage but rarely lead to injuries. While the groups most active in the 1980s and 1990s, whose preferred targets tended to be politicians, foreign businesses and diplomats, have been dismantled, new small groups have emerged. Last year, a man believed to have been trying to assemble a bomb was killed when the device he was making exploded in a central Athens apartment. A woman inside the apartment was severely injured. It was unclear what their intended target might have been. The blast had prompted Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis to warn of an emerging new generation of domestic extremists. In April, a new group calling itself Revolutionary Class Struggle claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded in central Athens near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greeces main railway services operator, and the planting of another bomb near the Labor Ministry in early February. The explosion near the train offices resulted in limited damage to the building and no injuries. It had been preceded by an anonymous call to local media 40 minutes before the blast warning about the device, leading police to evacuate and cordon off the area. The group that claimed responsibility said the bombing was part of an armed struggle against the state. The bombing at the train offices came shortly after the second anniversary of Greeces worst railway disaster, in which 57 people were killed and dozens more injured when a freight train and a passenger train heading in opposite directions were accidentally put on the same track. The deadly accident sparked widespread anger and exposed severe deficiencies in Greeces railway system, including in safety systems. Some of the relatives of the victims led mass protests against the countrys conservative government on the occasion of the accidents second anniversary. (AP) British counterterrorism officers arrested eight men, including seven Iranians, over an alleged plot to attack an unspecified target in London, the Metropolitan Police force said Sunday. Police said the attack plot targeted a single location that was not being named for operational reasons. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the arrests were serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats. The government continues to work with police and intelligence agencies to support all the action and security assessments that are needed to keep the country safe, she said. Police have not determined whether the alleged plot is connected to Iran, but Britains domestic intelligence service has warned of a growing threat from attackers linked to Tehran. In October, the head of the MI5 domestic security service, Ken McCallum, said his agents and police have tackled 20 potentially lethal plots backed by Iran since 2022, most aimed at Iranians in the U.K. who oppose the countrys authorities. He said at the time there was there is the risk of an increase in, or broadening of, Iranian state aggression in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East deepened. In March 2024, Pouria Zeraati, a presenter at a Farsi-language television station critical of the Iranian government, was stabbed in the leg outside his home in London. Two men were later arrested in Romania and charged over the attack. The U.K.s official terror threat level stands at substantial, the middle of a five-point scale, meaning an attack is likely. (AP & YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The prime minister of Yemens internationally recognized government said Saturday he was resigning due to political struggles, underscoring the fragility of an alliance fighting Houthi rebels in the Arab worlds most impoverished country. Prime Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak announced the decision in a post on social media, attaching a resignation letter directed to Rashad al-Alimi, head of the ruling presidential council. The internationally recognized government is based in the southern city of Aden. Bin Mubarak, named prime minister in February 2024, said he was resigning because he was unable to take necessary decisions to reform the state institution, and execute the necessary Cabinet reshuffle. Within hours of the announcement, the presidential council named Finance Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik as prime minister, according to the state-run SABA news agency. The council also named Bin Mubarak as an advisor to the ruling body, without addressing his claims. Ahmed Nagi, a senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, said Bin Mubaraks resignation capped months of simmering tensions between the prime minister and the ruling council over the mandate of each party. He said Bin Bubarak was in part a scapegoat for the governments failure to address the towering economic challenges in the government-held areas, including soaring prices and repeated power outages. Yemen has been embroiled in civil war since 2014, when Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital of Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition intervened months later and has been battling the rebels since 2015 to try and restore the government. The war has turned into a stalemated proxy conflict. The seven-member presidential council was appointed in 2022 with the aim of unifying the anti-Houthi block, but has since been divided into two main blocs. One is loyal to council member Aydarous al-Zubaidi, who chairs the secessionist Southern Transitional Council, an umbrella group of heavily armed militias propped up by the United Arab Emirates since 2015. The second is loyal to Saudi Arabia and includes al-Alimi and Sheikh Sultan al-Aradah, the powerful governor of energy-rich Marib province. Bin Mubaraks resignation came as the United States has increased its attacks on the Houthis in Yemen. The U.S. military has launched nearly daily strikes in Houthi-held areas since March 15, when President Donald Trump ordered a new, expanded campaign against the rebels. (AP) The Department of Justice sued Colorado and Denver on Friday for allegedly interfering with federal efforts to enforce immigration laws, the latest attempt by the Trump administration to crack down on what some call sanctuary cities and policies. The lawsuit claims the state and its most populous city, Denver, have passed sanctuary laws violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The United States has well-established, preeminent, and preemptive authority to regulate immigration matters, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Denver. There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces U.S. immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help, particularly for large-scale deportations, and requests that police and sheriffs alert ICE to people it wants to deport and hold them until federal officers take custody. The Department of Justice has filed similar lawsuits against Chicago and Rochester, New York. Justice Department attorneys argue Colorados sanctuary policies allowed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to seize control of an apartment complex in the Denver suburb of Aurora. Local officials have called Trumps claims that the gang had taken over large swaths of the city exaggerated, but acknowledged the apartment complex was terrorized, including by people linked to Tren de Aragua. Fridays lawsuit lists as defendants Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, the state Legislature, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. Polis spokesperson Conor Cahill said in an email that Colorado is not a sanctuary state and regularly works with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. If the courts say that any Colorado law is not valid then we will follow the ruling, he said. We are not going to comment on the merits of the lawsuit. Republicans in Congress have pressured officials in Democratic-led cities to cooperate with the Trump administrations immigration agenda. Lawmakers summoned the mayors of Denver, Boston, New York and Chicago to testify last month before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The mayors pushed back, defending their communities as welcoming places, not lawless danger zones, and called on Congress to pass immigration reform. (AP) The United States has given initial approval to sell $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabias fighter jets, the latest proposed arms deal for the region ahead of President Donald Trump s planned trip to the region later this month. The sale, announced early Saturday, likely will be one of several heralded by Trump on his visit to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has already said it wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, likely as a way to woo Trump to again pick the kingdom for his first formal trip as president. Trump traveled to Italy briefly for Pope Francis funeral. Trumps 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia upended a tradition of modern U.S. presidents typically first heading to Canada, Mexico or the United Kingdom for their first trip abroad. It also underscored his administrations close ties to the rulers of the oil-rich Gulf states as his eponymous real estate company has pursued deals across the region. The arms sale involves 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, guidance sections and other technical support. The missiles will be built by RTX Corp of Tucson, Ariz. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the worlds second-largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets after the U.S. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. The proposed sale now goes to the U.S. Congress. Lawmakers typically weigh in on such sales and, in some cases, can block them. Saudi Arabia has faced intense Congressional scrutiny for years, first for launching a war on Yemens Houthi rebels back in 2015 that saw the kingdoms airstrikes kill civilians. Then a Saudi assassination team killed Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The U.S. intelligence community concluded the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who likely will meet Trump on his visit this month and met with President Joe Biden in his term, ordered the operation against Khashoggi. The kingdom insists the prince was not involved in the killing. Trump maintained close ties to the Gulf states after leaving office. His second administration has already given initial approval for the energy-rich Mideast nation of Qatar to buy eight armed MQ-9B Reaper drones for its military, a purchase estimated to be worth nearly $2 billion. (AP) The White House plans to cut staffing at the CIA and other intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency, Trump administration officials told members of Congress, The Washington Post reported Friday. A person familiar with the plan but not authorized to discuss it publicly confirmed the changes to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The administration plans to reduce the CIA workforce by 1,200 over several years, and cut thousands of positions at the NSA and other intelligence agencies. The Post reported that the reductions at the CIA include several hundred people who have already opted for early retirement. The rest of the cuts would be achieved partly through reduced hirings and would not likely necessitate layoffs. In response to questions about the reductions, the CIA issued a statement saying CIA Director John Ratcliffe is working to align the agency with Trumps national security priorities. These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge, and better position CIA to deliver on its mission, the agency wrote in the statement. A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Gabbards office oversees and coordinates the work of 18 agencies that collect and analyze intelligence. The CIA and NSA have already offered voluntary resignations to some employees. The CIA also has said it plans to lay off an unknown number of recently hired employees. The new administration has also eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion programs at intelligence agencies, though a judge has temporarily blocked efforts to fire 19 employees working on DEI programs who challenged their terminations. Trump also abruptly fired the general who led the NSA and the Pentagons Cyber Command. Ratcliffe has vowed to overhaul the CIA and said he wants to boost the agencys use of intelligence from human sources and its focus on China. (AP) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu postponed his scheduled visit to Azerbaijan this week, his office announced on Motzei Shabbos. According to the statement, the visit was canceled due to security developments in Gaza and Syria. However, Walla reported that Netanyahu was forced to postpone his visit after Turkey refused to allow his plane to pass through its airspace. Efforts to find an alternative flight path that met security needs were unsuccessful. The statement from the PMOs office said: In light of the developments in Gaza and Syria and due to his intense diplomatic and security schedule, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided to postpone his visit to Azerbaijan to a later date. The Prime Minister thanks President Aliyev for his invitation and appreciates the warm ties between the two countries. Netanyahu was slated to travel to Baku on Wednesday for a five-day visit. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel) After years of defending Sen. John Fetterman through health scares, debate debacles, and questions about his fitness for office, the same media that once shielded him is now turning on him and the timing is no mystery. In a bombshell New York Magazine expose, current and former staffers paint a picture of a bizarre and erratic senator battling serious mental health challenges, facing tensions at home, and alienating his staff. But the real shock? Much of the criticism began only after Fetterman broke ranks with the progressive wing of his party and became an unapologetic defender of Israel. The hit piece, titled All By Himself: John Fetterman insists he is in good health, but staffers past and present say they no longer recognize the man they once knew, catalogs a series of incidents, including reports of Fetterman wandering the Capitol, nearly being struck by a car, and being catatonic during a conversation with then-Sen. Sherrod Brown. The account raises alarms about his mental state even claiming he hasnt had bloodwork in months and has physically stumbled into people in the Capitol complex. But these same outlets had no interest in raising the alarm during the campaign, when Fetterman fresh off a debilitating stroke could barely get through a debate against Dr. Mehmet Oz without visibly struggling to form sentences. At the time, the media rushed to assure Americans he was sharp, lucid, and perfectly capable of serving in the U.S. Senate. Now, after Fetterman emerged from his hospitalization and began pushing back against the far-left flank of his party including vocally supporting Israels right to defend itself against Hamas the knives have come out. According to the piece, internal staffers lashed out at Fetterman over his support for the Jewish state, calling it a gutting betrayal, while his wife Gisele reportedly confronted him personally, questioning: Jerusalem [is] bombing refugee camps how can you support this? Gisele also reportedly raised complaints directly with his Senate staffers. The coordinated media pivot was not lost on political observers. The backlash isnt just about health. Its about ideological betrayal or at least, thats how the progressive left sees it. Fetterman, once a darling of the populist wing, has taken an increasingly independent stance, calling for Sen. Bob Menendezs resignation, backing Israel, and refusing to parrot extremist narratives. Some now speculate this public takedown is a preemptive political hit ahead of a possible 2028 primary clash between Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvanian Gov. Josh Shapiro. Funny how they didnt run these hit pieces or question Fettermans mental health during the campaign, one observer noted. But now that hes not a deranged Trump hater, a psychotic terrorist lover, or an obedient progressive, suddenly theyre starting to question his mental acuity. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Palantir CEO Alex Karp speaks at the Hill & Valley Forum in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2025 Key Takeaways Palantir is slated to report first-quarter results after the closing bell Monday. A majority of analysts covering the company who are tracked by Visible Alpha have a "hold" rating on the artificial intelligence software company's stock. Last month, NATO acquired Palantir's AI-enabled military system. Palantir (PLTR) is scheduled to report quarterly results after the bell Monday, with analysts largely taking a wait-and-see approach on the artificial intelligence software firm. Of the 12 analysts covering the stock who are tracked by Visible Alpha, just one has Palantir rated "buy," compared with eight "hold" and three "sell" ratings. The stock has an average price target of nearly $88, well off Friday's close above $124. The Street expects Palantir to report revenue of $862.3 million, up 36% year-over-year, and adjusted earnings of $324.8 million, or 13 cents per share, up from $196.9 million, or 8 cents per share. NATO Acquires Company's AI-Enabled Military System The results are due after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization last month said it acquired Palantir's AI-enabled military system. The deal with the Brussels-based military alliance helped ease investor concerns that Europe may rely less on American defense contractors amid an uncertain trade outlook. Shares of Palantir are up about 64% so far this year as of Friday's close and some 450% over the past 12 months. Read the original article on Investopedia A lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court alleges that United Airlines diverted a transatlantic flight mid-air not because of a safety issue but because the plane was filled with visibly Jewish passengers. The April 22, 2023, flight from Newark to Tel Aviv was abruptly turned back to New Jersey after hours of flight for no valid reason, according to the suit, which names nearly 60 Jewish passengers as plaintiffs. The passengers, many of whom were traveling to Israel for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut, claim that anti-Jewish bias played a key role in the crews decision. According to the complaint, the incident began when one Jewish passenger briefly sat in a flight attendants jump seat while waiting to use the restroom. Instead of resolving the matter calmly, the ill-trained and/or unvetted United crew reportedly escalated the situation, choosing to turn the plane around and blaming the broader group of Jewish passengers for the disruption. If one person is acting bad, it doesnt mean everyone around them is responsible, said attorney Yoram Nachimovsky, who is representing the plaintiffs. This wasnt about safety. This was about prejudice. The suit claims that United staff made openly discriminatory remarks, including one instance where a passenger seeking assistance was allegedly told by a flight attendant to go ask your own kind. Upon returning to Newark, the Jewish passengers say they were offered no help or rebooking assistance, leaving many stranded and unable to make it to Israel for the national commemorations. These skies were anything but friendly toward Jews, the suit asserts. United Airlines has denied the allegations, calling the claims meritless in a statement. One passenger who was a safety and security risk caused the flight to return to Newark, United said. Our crew put safety first and exhibited professionalism in managing this matter, and we will vigorously defend against these false allegations. But the plaintiffs say the airlines response only underscores the need for sensitivity training and accountability, not just damage control. This wasnt an isolated mistake, Nachimovsky added. It was a chilling example of collective punishment based on religion and appearance and it cant be allowed to stand. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Beersheba District Court sentenced three defendants to prison terms ranging from 3.5 to 5 years for plotting several terror attacks in Israel, including a plan to assassinate National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). The three men, two Arab-Israelis and one Palestinian, received light prison sentences as part of a plea agreement in which the original charge was changed from conspiracy to assist the enemy, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment or death, to disclosure of a decision to betray. The trial of the other seven defendants, including the main defendants, is ongoing. According to the original indictment, the three men, who were part of a terror cell that included six Arab-Israelis and four Palestinians, planned to carry out attacks at the Knesset, Ben-Gurion Airport, and military and security bases. They also planned the abduction of a Jew from the Shomron and the assassination of Ben-Gvir in a large-scale attack in his hometown of Kiryat Arba, involving the planting of explosives throughout the town, followed by a shooting spree. Minister Ben Gvir said in response to the sentences: The prosecution is abandoning my blood and the blood of all government ministers. The plea deal signed with the terrorists who planned to murder me with an RPG is a disgrace. The serious charge of conspiracy to aid the enemy, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, was changed to disclosing a decision to betray a much lighter offense, in which they will serve up to only 5 years in prison. Such an arrangement sends an encouraging message to terror: continue to try to carry out assassinations and harm symbols of government, and you will get away with it cheaply. The absurdity is even more serious when you understand that no one bothered to talk to me before the arrangement, and did not receive my position, in violation of the law. This is not just a blow; it is a blow to the entire country. The public in Israel should know: the prosecution is abandoning the lives of elected officials. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The ballistic missile fired by the Houthis in Yemen that hit the Ben-Gurion Airport compound on Sunday morning, injuring six people, halted incoming and outgoing flights for about an hour. In the wake of the incident, a number of airlines canceled their flights to Israel on Sunday for the next 48 hours, including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss Air, and Wizz Air. American carriers United and Deltaboth of which had only recently resumed flights to Israelhave also canceled their flights, along with Frances Transavia and its Air France, Air Canada, Japans Nippon Airways, Spains Air Europa, and British Airways. We have canceled our twice-daily service between Newark and Tel Aviv while we closely monitor the situation, United says in a statement. We will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews. The flight route from Newark to Ben Gurion Airport is temporarily canceled at least through May 8. Delta Air Lines cancelled its flight on Sunday from New York to Tel Aviv, as well as its returning Monday flight. ITA Airways (Italys national airline) canceled four flights to Israel scheduled on Sunday and two scheduled for Monday. Passengers who had already boarded an Air France plane for a flight to Israel were ordered to disembark. Air Europa canceled a flight that was already awaiting takeoff on the runway in Madrid. An Air India flight that was en route to Israel returned to India after it had already reached Jordanian airspace. The flight cancellations led to a 6.9 percent jump in El Als share price on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Ynet reported. The Houthis military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack on Ben Gurion Airport in a televised statement and issued a warning to international airlines that Ben-Gurion is no longer safe for air travel. Senior Houthi member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti told the Qatari Al Araby channel that attacks will continue to increase as long as Israel continues its war on Hamas in Gaza. Weve proven our ability to deal blows to American, British, and Israeli prestige, he said. There are no red lines in our conflict with the Zionist entity, the United States, and Britain. Our strike on the Ben-Gurion airport is proof of our ability to hit fortified targets inside Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israeli security officials said that Israel will respond forcefully to the Houthi ballistic missile attack that hit Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday morning, Kan News reported. In recent months, Israel has refrained from attacking Yemen at the request of the United States. An Israeli source even claimed that every day since the start of the US operation, the American attacks are about 10 times what we can do in Yemen in a year. But in light of the escalation in attacks from Yemen over the weekend, including four ballistic missiles and two UAVs, including the hit on Ben Gurion Airport, Israel is no longer willing to ignore the attacks. A senior Israeli official told Kan: After the hit on Ben Gurion Airport, Israel will not have any restrictions. Anyone who harms us will be struck sevenfold in return, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement shortly after the attack. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu scheduled an urgent telephone discussion on the attack with senior government and security officials at 2:30 p.m. A change in Israels policy in responding to the Houthi missile attacks will be discussed during the meeting. The Houthis military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack on Ben Gurion Airport in a televised statement and issued a warning to international airlines that Ben-Gurion is no longer safe for air travel. Senior Houthi member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti told the Qatari Al Araby channel that attacks will continue to increase as long as Israel continues its war on Hamas in Gaza. Weve proven our ability to deal blows to American, British, and Israeli prestige, he said. There are no red lines in our conflict with the Zionist entity, the United States, and Britain. Our strike on the Ben-Gurion airport is proof of our ability to hit fortified targets inside Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In recent weeks, including Sunday mornings attack on Ben-Gurion, the Houthis from Yemen have increased their launch of ballistic missiles toward Israel at the same time as the US has been carrying out waves of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Ynet quoted Israeli officials as saying: The Americans are the ones who are acting. The fact that the Houthis are still launching missiles doesnt mean much the American operation is very effective. Ynet military commentator Ron Ben Yishai noted that Israeli security officials estimate that the recent increase in the number of Houthi launches stems from the fact that the US has improved the quality of its intelligence in Yemen and the accuracy and efficiency of its attacks, targeting Houthi launch sites and missile and UAV depots. In addition, the US has succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of UAVs from Iran to Yemen, which has led to a severe depletion of the Houthis inventory. As a result, the Houthis are rushing to use their remaining inventory before the US attacks additional launch sites and UAV and missile depots. The Houthis launch the missiles and UAVs when the sun is rising, because at night it is easier for the US to identify the launch flash and strike it with high accuracy, Ben-Yishai wrote. The Houthis are quick to launch before the system is destroyed. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas-affiliated gangs of looting humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling the theft a national disgrace during a time of immense suffering. The looting and theft carried out by criminal gangs targeting warehouses and storage facilities of humanitarian aid is unacceptable, Abbas said in remarks published Friday by the P.A.s official Wafa news agency. Abbas pointed the finger squarely at Hamas-affiliated gangs, accusing them of being primarily responsible for pillaging the aid meant for Gazas war-ravaged civilians. Palestinians will not forgive these disgraceful acts committed in such a critical time, Abbas warned, adding that the perpetrators are well known to the public and would be held accountable at the appropriate time. The remarks come amid reports that Hamas has seized and redistributed up to 60% of aid entering the Gaza Strip, often diverting food and medical supplies for its own fighters or for sale on the black market. Israel suspended its aid flow on March 2 after Hamas rejected yet another U.S.-backed ceasefire and hostage deal. The condemnation adds fuel to the long-simmering feud between Abbass Fatah party which rules parts of Yehuda and Shomron and Hamas, the terror group that violently overthrew the P.A. in Gaza in 2007. Attempts at reconciliation, including a Chinese- and Egyptian-brokered unity government proposal earlier this year, appear to have collapsed once again. Abbass outburst also took a sharp turn when, in a rare moment of public frustration, he seemed to lash out at Hamas for holding hostages. Why dont you hand over the American hostages? he asked rhetorically. Sons of dogs, release those you are holding and put an end to this story. Shut down their [Israels] excuses. End this! His comments did not clarify whether he was calling for the release of all the remaining 59 hostages from the October 7th massacre, or only the Americans among them. Ironically, Abbass own Fatah-aligned Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades took part in the October 7 attacks, and the P.A. continues to pay stipends to the terrorists involved through its notorious pay-for-slay policy. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Maybe the financial markets are right about Donald Trump's tariff war not being too damaging to the global economy and the naysayers warning of a collapse are going to be proved wrong. The big equity markets have recovered the ground they lost in the days after the US President's 'liberation day' on 2 April. America's S&P 500 index has risen 14 per cent from its April lows, though it is still down on the year. The Footsie is now up 15 days on the trot, 4 per cent higher than on January 2, while the German Dax has recovered to within a couple of per cent of its all-time high. There are two messages here. One is that big American businesses are showing themselves to be extraordinarily resilient. The other is that it looks like quiet negotiations between the various players will ensure the most important elements of world trade are preserved and maybe, just maybe, we will end up with a more durable form of globalisation than we had before. Proved wrong: Maybe the financial markets are right about Donald Trump's tariff war not being too damaging to the global economy There are all sorts of examples of big tech resilience. One came from Apple. It is moving most of the assembly of its iPhones from China to India. Clear message there for the Chinese authorities. Another was from Microsoft, which reported better-than-expected profits, and whose market capitalisation shot up 10 per cent. Meta Platforms Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and so on also saw its shares recover. As for the moves to stop tariffs destroying global trade, the most significant one was the news that China had quietly dropped its retaliatory tariffs on a quarter of its imports from the US, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace equipment and semi-conductors. The politicians will go on posturing but the grown-ups are winning the argument. After all, anyone at the top of a global corporation is used to dealing with difficult governments. These entrepreneurs and executives know they will be there, or at least their companies will still be operating, long after the politicians of the day have been ousted. There was a spat between Jeff Bezos and Trump the other day after a report that Amazon was thinking of including a separate item for the cost of tariffs on its posted prices. Cue White House fury, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying it was a hostile, political act. Amazon denied it was a serious proposition. A phone call took place between Bezos and Trump, after which the President said that the head of Amazon was 'a good guy'. So Amazon bowed to pressure? Look, Bezos is 61 and worth $212 billion on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Donald Trump is 78, and doesn't even make the cut. His wealth is estimated by Forbes at $5.1 billion huge of course, but not in the top 500 on the global wealth count. And which of the two will be around in ten years' time? As far as tariffs go, trade will continue. World trade needed reform, because many countries, including China and, let's not forget, the members of the European Union, have twisted a supposedly free trade system to gain advantage for their own producers. Is this blitz of tariffs by the US the best way of getting reform? Probably not, because smaller enterprises and countries get hurt in ways that can't be predicted and will inevitably be unfair. For Jaguar Land Rover, trying to sell cars to California, it's rough. It has had to pause exports to the US. But its parent, India's Tata Group, may end up being a net beneficiary from the tariff war if, for example, it has better access to the US for software exports. There had to be reform and this one way of getting it. Disruption is never good for an economy, and there is plenty of that here in the UK right now. On top of the trade stuff have come all the regulations and tax rises from this Government. But what is happening is nothing on the scale of the disaster that swept across the world as a result of the pandemic and the shut-down in response to that. Businesses, large and small, managed to cope. The markets are saying they will cope now. If they are right, there will indeed be some sort of mid-cycle slowdown, but a more robust world economy at the end of it. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. A.M. writes: I am 81 and my wife is 73, and we have been scammed out of our life savings. I was called by a man who said he was from Capital Group, offering investment bonds. He sent details showing the investments were safe, and on his instructions I transferred 200,000 to the bank account of Kenneth Jones Solicitors, followed by a further 300,000. When no interest arrived, I called Capital Group and they knew nothing about it. Gone quiet: Ajaz Ali, managing director at Kenneth Jones Solicitors Tony Hetherington replies: This is a real tragedy. There is a genuine investment company called Capital Group, but you have been dealing with someone who stole its name as well as the name of a real person on its staff. When you checked, you found the real company and thought you were safe. The investment bonds were decent enough, too. They came from National Grid and Tesco, and when you checked you found they existed and they offered the rates of interest you had been quoted. Sending your money to a firm of solicitors added even more reassurance that you were on safe ground. Kenneth Jones Solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent is a genuine law firm. You sent 200,000 to invest in Tesco bonds, and 300,000 for National Grid bonds. The fraudster then told you that bonds from Metro Bank would pay better interest than Tesco, so you handed over your last 30,000. Capital Group is an international company. When you called its London office to ask why no interest had arrived, it handed you over to its office in Los Angeles. Staff there realised you had been swindled and told you to call the police and to check with your bank, Lloyds. Your bank confirmed that your money had gone to the Barclays account of Kenneth Jones Solicitors, and staff at Lloyds even contacted the law firm and were told the cash had arrived. But when you called the solicitors, you were told twice that the head of the firm would call you back, but no call came. You also emailed, but they failed to reply. The law firm is headed by Ajaz Ali, a qualified solicitor. He has so far refused to tell you or me what happened to your money. You might have thought that when over half a million pounds landed in his firm's account, it would have to be accompanied by your instructions as to what he should do with it. Perhaps he followed instructions from the crook (not knowing what the truth was) who had told him what to do when the money arrived. But at the moment we just do not know. Capital Group the real one told me it would do everything it could to help. I have also been in close contact with the watchdog, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and with Staffordshire Police. The SRA says it has 'serious concerns', adding: 'We are investigating and will take prompt enforcement action if we identify misconduct.' The watchdog is now liaising with the police. The loose end in all this is Ajaz Ali and his law firm, which has said nothing. If he now decides to break his silence and reveal where your money went, I'll be happy to publish it here. Metric meter mix-up N.D. writes: In January I switched to British Gas, and in March they sent me a bill for 1,424. The problem is that they are converting the gas units into cubic feet instead of cubic metres. I have spent three days on the phone to British Gas, but I am banging my head against a wall! Confusion: British Gas are converting the gas units into cubic feet instead of cubic metres Tony Hetherington replies: British Gas offered to send an engineer to check your meter, but you knew the fault lay in the way the reading was turned into a bill, using the wrong multiplier. It was as if you had gone to a petrol station, put ten litres of fuel into your car, and then been charged for ten gallons. You told me that between March and April you contacted British Gas no less than 22 times. Two people you spoke to seemed to understand the issue and said they would sort it out, but you never heard from them again. You helpfully sent me a photo of the meter, and I pointed out to British Gas that the registration number on it did not match the number shown on the bill. This was the key to unravelling what had gone wrong. A new meter had been installed recently, using metric readings instead of your old one's imperial system. British Gas said your previous supplier failed to record the meter change. Your bill has now been slashed by about two thirds, and you will also be getting 300 from British Gas as a goodwill payment to back up its apology for not sorting this out sooner. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Many of us will be encouraged by the recent declaration that '70 is the new 50'. This assertion did not come from a cosmetics firm or health spa, but from the respected International Monetary Fund. Based on improvements in physical and mental health, the agency argues that people in their seventies today are as intellectually sharp and as strong as fifty-somethings were just a quarter of a century ago. And it looks set to continue, not least because people are increasingly conscious of their fitness and nutrition. Under-30s are in the vanguard but they are not alone. A recent survey suggests that consumers of all ages would rather spend their cash on wellbeing than almost anything else. Longer lifespans are great, but they do present society with challenges on elder care and make it even more important to build our investment portfolios so we can enjoy the extra years. Here are three shares that should profit from current trends. Fitness first: A recent survey suggests that consumers of all ages would rather spend their cash on wellbeing than almost anything else Gym Group More than 11 million Britons are members of a gym, and this is good news for low-cost chain The Gym Group. Founded by former squash champion John Treharne in 2007, it started with one outlet in West London and today has almost 250 dotted across the country. Treharne had a strategy in mind from the start low-cost, no-frills gyms that offer clean, well-equipped spaces, friendly staff and flexible membership. The formula continues to this day. Members can join from as little as 14.99 per month and average prices are less than half those of fancier clubs and chains. Times have changed since 2007, however. Fitness fads have evolved and most new members come via social media sites. When Will Orr joined as chief executive in 2023, the business had rather lost its way investors were frustrated and the shares had fallen to below 1. Orr developed a plan for growth, focused on retaining members, attracting new ones and expanding the chain, while keeping a weather eye on profits. Results for 2024 were encouraging. Sales rose 11 per cent to 226 million, underlying profits were 24 per cent ahead at 48 million and membership numbers increased 7 per cent to almost 1 million. Crucially, the financial returns are rising on new and existing gyms. Orr aims to open around 50 more gyms over the next three years, funded from cash within the business. Brokers are supportive too, expecting strong growth in sales and profits this year and next. That makes the shares seem undervalued at 1.40. Encouragingly, Orr spent 30,000 of his own cash on stock just last month, buying 22,000 shares at 1.37. Follow his lead. Traded on: main market Ticker: GYM Contact: tggplc.com Camellia Extensive research has shown that tea, in moderation, can reduce the risk of heart disease, manage blood sugar levels and boost immunity against disease. Welcome news for a nation of tea drinkers, and also for Camellia, the world's largest independent producer. Based in Kent, each year Camellia handles more than 100,000 tons of tea leaves from plantations in India, Bangladesh and East Africa. They can be found in almost every UK cuppa but are also sold around the world. The group also specialises in avocados and macadamia nuts, both of which have been credited with health benefits. Camellia's avocado estates are in Kenya, where production has soared to more than 15 million kilograms in recent years. And American and Japanese consumers are big fans of macadamia nuts, using them for salads and confectionery. Results for 2024 were encouraging. A new chief executive, Byron Coombs, has been selling non-core businesses, bolstering the balance sheet and focusing on growth. Dividends have been reinstated, with expectations of steady increases to come. Profits fell year-on-year but a plan to enhance value for shareholders is due to be unveiled later this month. Camellia is built for the long term and its choice of crops plays into global health trends. At 46, the shares should deliver sustainable rewards for patient investors. Traded on: Aim Ticker: CAM Contact: camellia.plc.uk Target Healthcare One consequence of improvements in health is longer life expectancy. In 2013 the UK boasted 10.4 million over-65s. Today, there are around 13 million. But many will be affected by conditions such as dementia and frailty in later years. Target Healthcare caters to these senior citizens, helping them to enjoy their old age rather than suffer through it. The company was founded by Kenneth MacKenzie when he discovered that most care homes did not offer private bathrooms. Appalled, he set up Target. Today there are 94 sites, with 6,400 bedrooms, almost every one of which has ensuite facilities. Target owns the properties and leases them to care home operators, mostly small businesses. MacKenzie takes welfare seriously and results suggest he is doing a good job. Rents are rising, profits are growing and brokers expect a dividend of 5.88p for the year to June, which is rising steadily. Target shares have risen more than 25 per cent to 99p since Midas recommended them 18 months ago, but the price is still low as assets have been independently valued at 1.12 a share. MacKenzie is keen to expand his business. Recent bid activity in the sector proves that predators are circling too. At 99p the stock is a buy and the near 6 per cent yield is an added attraction. Traded on: main market Ticker: THRL Contact: targethealthcarereit.co.uk The cyber attacks in the news have been aimed at Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods, but this is not just a issue for retailers. Hackers can strike almost any firm, in any line of business, at any time and anywhere in the world. The terrifying truth for business leaders and for investors is that the risk is practically universal. FTSE 100 bosses and entrepreneurs running small firms are living in fear they could be next. Cyber attacks have cost UK companies 44 billion in lost revenue over the past five years and have affected 52 per cent of firms, says insurance broker Howden. Some have called in former hostage negotiators, skilled in dealing with blackmailers and terrorists. Others have claimed on their insurance policies to pay ransom demands, fuelling concerns that the very existence of such cover encourages the criminal gangs. Typically, they find a way in through chinks in a company's cyber armour, such as the IT systems of a supplier. Under attack: Hackers can strike almost any firm, in any line of business, at any time and anywhere in the world A hacking gang known as DragonForce claimed responsibility for the attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods. Some experts said they bore the hallmarks of a group of teenage blackmailers under the name of Scattered Spider. Whichever criminals were involved, they launched the devastating assault over the Easter bank holiday. Top brass at M&S will be highly reluctant to pay a ransom, as and when a demand is made. Typically, this happens via the dark web and hackers demand payment in cryptocurrency. Experts say the retailer's case, now in its third week, is a classic 'ransomware' attack, where data systems are infiltrated, disabled and only unfrozen when a ransom is paid. The damage done to M&S is there for all to see. Shelves have been emptied. Customers have been unable to place orders via its website and app, warehouse staff have been sent home and the retailer's popular click-and-collect service remains suspended, though contactless payments in store have been restored. Even recruitment has been paused as fears grow that the cyber crisis could take months to resolve. There are concerns that working from home could be a risk factor. According to M&S's latest annual report: 'The sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks continue to increase' as the company operates 'a hybrid work model'. Outsourcing IT by using contractors is also an issue. M&S adds: 'Our reliance on key third parties for selected services and/or hosting of data also exposes us to risks from vulnerabilities in their cyber and data controls.' The Co-op admitted on Friday that hackers had been able to access a 'significant number' of its customers' personal data, including names and addresses but not passwords or financial information such as credit card details of its 6.2million members. In November last year Co-op's rival Morrisons was hit by hackers who targeted its warehouse technology supplier Blue Yonder. The NHS, the Guardian newspaper and the British Library have also been subject to ransomware attacks causing serious short-term disruption to their systems. In some cases, the damage is fatal. Foreign exchange firm Travelex collapsed six months after a ransomware attack at the end of 2019. Administrators cited the incident as a key factor. 'It's a threat to all of us,' said George Weston, chairman of Primark owner Associated British Foods. Cyber crime is 'a risk you're never fully on top of, no matter how hard you work at it'. Sleepless nights: M&S shoppers are unable to buy items online, such as pyjamas modelled by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley His views are echoed by Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, who said the bank spent 'a lot of time, attention and money on' cyber security. He added: 'This I think is for the foreseeable future close to the top of any business leader's list of things to worry about and spend time on.' Of the M&S attack he said: 'We always try to stay one step ahead but, as this incident seems to indicate, it is a very dangerous world out there so we do our best to protect ourselves, learn from others.' At Lloyds, finance chief William Chalmers said the bank had invested hundreds of millions of pounds in cyber security. The scale of the threat to businesses across the board was laid bare in a recent Government report, which said: 'For the serious and organised crime gangs behind the global fraud industry, ransomware is an increasingly lucrative part of their operations.' Ransomware attacks on UK firms 'significantly increased between 2024 and 2025', the report added, with an estimated 19,000 companies falling victim to a ransomware attack over the period. The National Cyber Security Centre reckons 76 per cent of UK businesses experienced a cyber security incident in the past year. Most were from lower-level 'phishing' attacks, where fake emails or websites are used to gain access to a user's password or credit card details to harvest cash. Smaller firms are not immune and can be seen as a softer touch. One key question is whether companies are employing enough board directors with expertise in this field. Most chairmen and chief executives are in their 50s or above decades older than the teenage hackers of Scattered Spider who grew up online. If anything, boardrooms seem to have grown weaker in this respect. In 2021, nearly 40 per cent of company boards had a director with specific responsibility for cyber security. This has fallen sharply to just over a quarter. That, says Oli Buckley, professor in cybersecurity at Loughborough University, is unsatisfactory. 'Ultimately the buck stops with the chief executive and the board,' he added. 'Boards don't need to become experts in the technical minutiae such as firewalls or encryption, but they do need to be actively engaged, ask the right questions, and ensure the right structures are in place.' The cost of ransomware attacks has led to the growth of cyber insurance. Policies generally cover business interruption losses incurred during an attack and the cost of restoring IT systems afterwards. They also pay ransom-related costs, such as negotiation or legal advice, and even the payment itself up to a set limit. 'Most of our members offer cover where they will reimburse the payment of a ransomware demand,' said Chris Mather, an underwriter at the Lloyd's Market Association. 'Ransomware claims make up a big chunk of overall cyber claims. It's a very popular cover.' But payouts are only made after sanctions and financial crime checks have been carried out. 'Payments can't be reimbursed that have been made to prescribed individuals or entities such as terrorists,' said Mather. It is unclear how many companies pay up to stop a cyber attack. Only half of businesses have a rule or policy not to pay ransomware demands. 'Cyber insurance is not a silver bullet,' Prof Buckley said. 'Insurers require organisations to demonstrate strong cybersecurity controls before offering comprehensive cover, in the same way your contents insurance depends on you having locks on the doors.' For investors, cyber-security is a key issue, given the damage it can do to share prices. M&S shares, which had been rising strongly, have been hit. The price has fallen more than 8 per cent, wiping 700 million off the company's stock market value (see chart). Susannah Streeter at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'It's a wake-up call for organisations to ensure their IT systems have fortress-like security given the determination of hackers to cause widespread disruption, and both financial and reputational damage.' The problem is that, however hard a business tries to secure its systems, it has to be watertight all of the time, whereas the hackers need only be lucky once. Additional reporting by Emily Hawkins, John-Paul Ford Rojas and Richard Marsden Apple (AAPL) reported better-than-anticipated earnings after the bell on Thursday on stronger-than-expected iPhone sales. But a murky outlook sent shares of the tech giant down 4% on Friday as the company continues to grapple with the impact of President Trumps tariffs. Trumps 145% duties on Chinese imports forced Apple to transition manufacturing of iPhones destined for the US to India, despite the fact that the president instituted exemptions on smartphones and computers. During Apples earnings call, CEO Tim Cook warned that the company would take a $900 million hit from tariffs in the third quarter. But when pressed by analysts about guidance beyond that, he declined to offer additional insights, saying he didnt want to try to predict the future. Its not as though Apples Silicon Valley peers are entirely unfazed by tariffs. Google (GOOG, GOOGL) said it was too early to tell if tariffs are impacting its business in the current quarter, and Amazon (AMZN) projected lower-than-anticipated operating income for its second quarter. But Apple is uniquely vulnerable to tariffs among its contemporaries. This is because, unlike Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), or any other tech giant, it generates the overwhelming majority of its revenue from products built overseas. And while the companys products are largely exempt from tariffs for now, the Trump administration has hinted that it could reinstate duties on computers and other devices when it makes its decision on semiconductor tariffs in the coming weeks. Apples tariff troubles Apple generated $95.4 billion in sales in its latest quarter, and all of it, besides the $26.6 billion the company made in Services revenue, is attributable to devices ranging from iPhones and iPads to Macs and Apple Watches. Thats all well and good when tariffs arent roiling markets, but its a major problem when they are. Apple is working to diversify its supply chain, saying it will build the bulk of iPhones headed to the US in India and the majority of other products intended for the US market in areas including Vietnam. But the US has placed tariffs on those countries, as well, though theyre temporarily on hold as the Trump administration negotiates potential trade deals. Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs And while the companys $900 million hit from tariffs in Q3 isnt an enormous blow to the companys finances, some analysts say its likely to get worse. CEO of Apple Tim Cook poses as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo REUTERS / Reuters We believe the Jun Q guide is the best-case scenario, assuming 1) China tariff stays at 20% (likely no need to ship more anyway for this Q), and 2) no tariffs on imports from India and Vietnam, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee wrote in a note to investors. These assumptions are unlikely to hold longer term. Female entrepreneurs still face huge barriers trying to finance ventures, a new report reveals this week. Discrimination against mid-life women is thwarting their ambition and depriving the economy of as much as 250 billion, the study found. Women starved of bank finance or venture capital funds are forced to rely on savings or remortgage. So just 19 per cent of startups are led by women. Trinny Woodall, boss of make-up brand Trinny London, is among those to speak out. 'Fundraising wasn't easy at first. I often was the only woman in the room,' she said. Some male investors could not see the potential as they were not the target market for cosmetics. Speaking out: Trinny Woodall is founder of make-up brand Trinny London Woodall set up the firm in her kitchen in 2017, selling her home to obtain funding. The brand, which focuses on mid-life women, is now pushing for annual sales of 75 million. The report was compiled for HSBC by a network for mid-life women called Noon led by writer Eleanor Mills. It found 69 per cent of mid-life female entrepreneurs got going with savings or homes loans against 4 per cent from individual 'angel' investors, 3 per cent from bank loans and 2 per cent from venture capital. Simon May not only penned the theme tune to EastEnders, but also composed the music for Howards' Way, Eldorado and Crossroads, as well as a string of hit singles, writes Dan Moore. The composer, 80, started his career, after graduating from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, as a modern languages and music teacher, before catching the eye of BBC producers with his co-written musical Smike. This led to EastEnders where he also penned the chart-topping Nick Berry single Every Loser Wins. A father of four, Simon lives with Rosie, his wife of 50 years, in Guildford, Surrey. He is currently considering new venues for his popular musical, Rick!, which is based on Washington Irving's classic story, Rip Van Winkle. What did your parents teach you about money? My father, Don, ran a furniture business. He was an altruist and philanthropist who was more concerned about his customers than making a profit. With this in mind, I'd say the best advice I got from my father and mother, Eileen, was that money is not the most important thing in the world. In a way, I wish they had felt more able to give me the experience of their lives, even when I was doing well. Advising me to save in the good years for the lean times would have been welcome, but they just didn't think like that. I've tried to make up for that with our children. Key worker: Simon May not only penned the theme tune to EastEnders, but also composed the music for Howards' Way, Eldorado and Crossroads Was money tight when you were growing up? My brother, Michael, and I had a reasonably comfortable upbringing. We weren't wealthy but we were not short of a roof over our heads, food or an education. As a child, my parents made sacrifices to send us both to public school in Wiltshire Dauntsey's School. They prioritised our education and we benefited so much. What has been your biggest money mistake? It was a massive financial mistake on my part. I personally financed a concert tour for the Simon May Orchestra through my company. We booked Drury Lane Theatre and Fairfield Halls in Croydon, among others. The result was that we lost an eye-watering six-figure sum. Have you ever struggled to make ends meet? Yes, due to that tour, and to say Rosie and I were struggling would be an understatement. It was a very stressful 12 months. We had to sell our home, a beautiful thatched cottage, when our youngest was three and the oldest 13. It was a great life lesson and I became far more budget conscious. What was the best year of your financial life? Undoubtedly 1986 EastEnders had been released and Howard's Way was massively popular. I also had a string of chart hits including Every Loser Wins, Marti Webb's version of the Howards' Way theme and Anita Dobson's EastEnders single Anyone Can Fall In Love. We had a few nice holidays off the back of our success, and we bought our home for a song as in the songs paid for it! What was your best financial decision? To invest in our children's education. They went to state and independent schools, which gave them a balanced education. What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun? An original Wurlitzer jukebox, which has pride of place in our kitchen-lounge. I bought it in 1970 for the equivalent of 10,000 in today's money, just before I met Rosie. When she moved in, 90 per cent of the records on it were my hits and recordings. Just like my wardrobe was packed with my clothes. Over time, I found that all the records on the jukebox were Rosie's and all the wardrobe space was taken up with her clothes. In harmony: Simon, centre left, with his 1970s vocal group Rain Do you save or invest in the stock market? I am a reformed spender. Rosie has Premium Bonds, while I have recently opened a cash ISA into which I deposit money each month by direct debit. I taught for many years and had a teacher's pension, but I had to cash it in one year when all four of our children were in private education. Now my pension is my copyrights for EastEnders, Eldorado and so on. Do you own property? We have just moved into a lovely two-bed apartment which overlooks the centre of Guildford, with a tiny mortgage. When we moved from the nearby village of Bramley, I went through the ceremony of cutting up all my credit cards apart from my American Express, which is handy when we go on holiday. What is the one little luxury you treat yourself to? Instead of three weeks in an average hotel, we prefer to spend one in a luxury hotel. If you were Chancellor, what's the first thing you would do? I would back off the National Insurance contributions hike and put a heavy tax on crypto dealers and investors' profits instead. Employers should not have to face a crippling NIC levy. I would also stop penalising our farmers, so we are less reliant on imported produce. The Government's policy on farming is the most ridiculous and spiteful policy, apart from putting VAT on private schools. This tax penalises parents who want the best for their children, who, in turn, will greatly benefit the economy in years to come. Starmer has done a sterling job on foreign affairs, but he needs to rethink these domestic matters. What is your number one financial priority? Now that we've moved and our lives are getting more settled, I'd like to get back to speaking publicly with NMP Live. I really enjoy entertaining, and it brings in welcome funds. Tonight we're somewhat intrigued by Alice Suki Waterhouse and her disconnected brand of fashionista celeb and disengaged music . . . And all of THAT inspires our peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Local Artsy Moment Endures . . . Brookside Art Annual returns for 39th year in Kansas City 39th annual Brookside Art Annual is the first art fair of the year in Kansas City and attracts artists and buyers from around the country. Lady Ballers Triumph 2025 U.S. women's rugby team breaks attendance record with 10,518 fans Friday night at CPKC Stadium It was a record-breaking Friday night at CPKC Stadium for the U.S. women's rugby team with 10,518 fans in attendance, a number "far and away more than before," according to organizers. Summertime Preview . . . Worlds of Fun opened Saturday for the summer. Here are some changes guests will see Kansas City's 51-year-old theme park is ready for yet another season. Consumers Railroaded?!? How rail giant CPKC is navigating Trump's trade chaos The CEO of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the first North American railway, is pitching his trains as a way for businesses in Canada and Mexico to bypass Trump's America. Will they take him up on it? Upscale Viewing Habits Exposed Where To Watch The Kentucky Derby In KC If you're looking to watch the Kentucky Derby, we've rounded up four spots offering watch parties, special Derby Day offerings and more. Pop Culture History Cont'd Suki Waterhouse Channels Anna Nicole Smith in Sexy, Cinematic 'On This Love' Video Suki Watehrouse plays an Anna Nicole Smith-esque character in the video for her new single, 'On This Love.' MAGA Deploys Classic Insults Trump brands his opponents as 'communists,' a label loaded with the baggage of American history President Donald Trump is once more calling opponents "communists" as his administration wages policy fights on trade and in the courts. Funny Man Doubts Dems Bill Maher says woke reality TV moment explains how Democratic Party will blow next election HBO host Bill Maher used a woke moment from the finale of hit reality TV series "Love Is Blind" to illustrate how the Democratic Party could lose future elections. World's Richest Man Buys Dusty Texas Town Texas residents vote to rename community near SpaceX launch site Starbase A community in Texas where a launch site for Elon Musk's SpaceX company is located voted to incorporate as the city of Starbase on Saturday. Residents of Cameron County, who are mostly SpaceX employees, voted in favor of the move in a 212-6 vote. Musk celebrated the vote in a post on his social media... War In Europe Intensifies Again Ukraine war briefing: Maritime drone shoots down Russian fighter jet for first time, says Kyiv Ukrainian military intelligence claims Su-30 destroyed over waters near Russian port city of Novorossiisk, drawing no comment from Moscow. What we know on day 1,166 Humanitarian Aid Desperately Needed In Holy Land Israel, US in talks to resume aid deliveries to Gaza as famine looms, sources say, with announcement possible in coming days | CNN United States and Israeli officials are discussing a mechanism to deliver aid to Gaza that bypasses Hamas, an Israeli source familiar with the matter and a State Department official told CNN. The official said an announcement could be made "in the coming days." Local Hard Times Cont'd Briggs & Stratton to close Lee's Summit Billy Goat, lay off 90 workers Briggs & Stratton will be laying off 90 workers and closing Billy Goat facilities in Lee's Summit, Missouri, on July 2, 2025. Hipsters Share Drinking Guide Downtown KC cocktail tour: Pitch Picks for warm weather sips Rooftop view at Percheron // Photo by Sarah Sipple Picture this: it's a beautiful day in downtown Kansas City. The sunshine is bouncing off brick buildings, patios are buzzing with energy, and there's just enough of a breeze to justify that light jacket you've been dying to wear. Pete Shares Latest Forecast Sunshine, quiet and nice for Sunday Rain chances return mid next week Suki Waterhouse - On This Love is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. We would be remiss if we didn't ask the question . . . Even for an obvious trolling move by the White House. But here's what we really wanna know . . . HOW WILL/SHOULD FAITHFUL PREZ TRUMP SUPPORTERS DEFEND THIS MESSAGE GIVEN SO MANY CATHOLICS CRITICIZING DISRESPECT AS THE CHURCH PICKS A NEW LEADER?!?! At the very least . . . We think it would be interesting to watch anybody try to spin this one as "4-D Chess" or whatever kind of online nonsense that passes for discourse nowadays. Check-it . . . As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, wrote in response to Kristol, who was an advocate for the 2003 Iraq invasion. The vice presidents defense of Trump comes as others expressed their disapproval of the post, which was also reposted by the official White House account. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Catholic leaders criticize Trump for posting apparent AI photo of himself as the pope When asked about the image, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York who is friendly with Trump, said "it wasn't good" and that he hoped Trump had nothing to do with it. Vance defends Trump's AI pope photo Vice President Vance defended President Trump from criticism regarding his Friday Truth Social post portraying himself as a pontiff days after the death of Pope Francis. "Hey, @JDVance, you fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father?" Bill Kristol, who served as chief of staff to the vice president in the Bush administration,... Developing . . . A man lugged two bags full of books to drop to the donation box outside. Inside, a woman snapped up marked-down novels while a father and his two kids were excitedly picking out a few reads. These are typical scenes at Bookends South, a small used bookstore tucked in a corner of the Toronto Reference Library. Entirely volunteer-run, Bookends has quietly served readers and raised funds for public library programs for 25 years. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Operated by the registered charity Friends of the Toronto Public Library South Chapter, the store offers gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl for as little as 25 cents. And everything from pricing books to manning the cash box is powered by volunteers like Frank Velikonja, whos been with Bookends for 20 years. When Velikonja arrives for his nine-hour shift, he restocks shelves, sorts through donations, and handles managerial tasks like updating schedules and supporting other volunteers. As the longest-serving volunteer at Bookends South, hes also served as president of the Friends of the Toronto Public Library for several years. Its always been this sense of love of operating a bookstore, of providing quality materials and being around other people who love books, Velikonja, 64, said, about his decades of volunteering. The camaraderie is extraordinary, and its an especially great and wonderful environment. Ken Popert, a retired volunteer, discovered Bookends after browsing the Toronto Public Library website. Now, he volunteers one shift per week, sorting through thousands of donated items the store receives from the public, withdrawn books from the library, and even publishers with overstock. Popert inspects the books condition, organizes them by subject, and gets them ready for the shelves. Most books are priced at $1, but rare and limited-edition titles are marked with blue dot stickers and priced higher. Popert finds his work particularly interesting, noting that sorting books offers a window into the lives of strangers such as when he finds money used as bookmarks, which he says happens often. For particularly rare finds, Bookends hosts a major treasure sale every two years at the librarys Beeton Hall. Items are sold for just 25 per cent of their market value, raising money for the organization. The funds raised through Bookends help support various Toronto Public Library programs, including literacy and literary programs at the Toronto Reference Library, and fully funding the Elementary School Outreach Program for children. Volunteer Amanda Cheung explained that the store is always looking for new volunteers. While volunteers assist with customer service and inventory management, there is an especially high need for help with sorting donations and pricing books before they make it to the shelves. Volunteers are also needed to organize curated book sales for special events at the library, as well as to fill managerial and leadership roles. Antoinette Fracassi, who has been volunteering at Bookends for three years, works one shift every two weeks. Her tasks include operating the cash register, tidying shelves, assisting customers, and checking out purchases. She first discovered the store while wandering through the library, and with 15 years of experience working in a bookstore, she felt right at home. Now retired and living nearby, Fracassi also volunteers at the University of Torontos John M. Kelly Library, making Bookends a perfect fit. Fracassi has had many memorable moments volunteering, including a couple who visited the store to purchase a few hundred dollars worth of books for a charity they worked with in Jamaica. They were donating the books to a resource centre there. Volunteering, she says, keeps you going. You get this richness when you volunteer because of the people that you meet and the people that you talk to. And its beautiful, the stories that you hear it tells you about another life that youve not lived. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Most Profitable Cheap Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) stands against the other most profitable cheap stocks to buy. US stocks rose on Friday, May 2, as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq all posted impressive gains. The S&P 500 added nearly 1.5% and this marked the ninth straight day of gains to mark the longest winning streak for the S&P 500 since November 2004. The Dow rose 1.4% to also report a ninth winning day in a row. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained roughly 1.5%. READ ALSO: 13 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best American Tech Stocks To Buy Now. The rally comes after China signaled openness to trade talks and a better-than-expected monthly US jobs report. In April, the US economy added 177,000 nonfarm payrolls, which was more than the 138,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%. This data indicated resiliency in the labor market despite stock market uncertainty in April due to tariff concerns. Investors were also encouraged by indications that the US-China trade war could be easing. On Friday, China said it is evaluating recent US proposals for trade talks to see how serious Trumps administration is about a change in policy stance. Chinas commerce minister stated that the door is open if the US would agree to pull back on reciprocal tariffs. These comments helped reduce concerns about the risk of an economic slowdown by the tariffs. Overall, hopes for improved US-China relations combined with solid job growth helped boost confidence on Wall Street. Methodology To compile our list of the 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now, we used the Finviz stock screener to find stocks with a forward P/E ratio of less than 15. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 25 cheap stocks trading at under 15 times their forward earnings as of April 29, 2025. Next, we focused on profitability and narrowed our choices to stocks that had trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income of more than $1 billion. Finally, we focused on the top 10 profitable stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 database of more than 1,000 elite hedge funds. The 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now were then ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2024. Israel's War on Journalists Deadliest in Three Decades Palestine has become the worlds deadliest place for journalists and media workers, as Israels war on Gaza targets not just lives but the truth Sunday May 4, 2025 11:51 PM , Quds News Network [Hossam Shabat - a Journalist working for Al Jazeera Mubasher, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his car in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza, on March 24, 2025.] Gaza (Occupied Palestine): Palestine has become the worlds deadliest place for journalists and media workers, as Israels war on Gaza targets not just lives but the truth dozens of reporters killed, others arrested, and media outlets reduced to rubble. Every year on May 3, UNESCO commemorates World Press Freedom Day. It is being marked today with Israels war on Gaza becoming the deadliest for journalists and media workers. When we lose a journalist, we lose our eyes and ears to the outside world. We lose a voice for the voiceless, Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement last year. World Press Freedom Day was established to celebrate the value of truth and to protect the people who work courageously to uncover it", Volker added. Press freedom is under threat in every region of the world. States harass, detain, torture and even kill media workers, simply for doing their jobs, the Commissioner said in a statement on Saturday. Worlds Most Dangerous State for Journalists Reporters Without Borders said on Friday in its World Press Freedom Index 2025 that Israeli forces killed nearly 200 journalists and media workers in the first 18 months of its war in Gaza, at least 42 of whom were killed while doing their job, adding that Palestine has become the worlds most dangerous state for journalists amid the Israeli war. Trapped in the enclave, journalists in Gaza have no shelter and lack everything, including food and water, said the Paris-based group, which is also known by its French acronym RSF. In West Bank, journalists are routinely harassed and attacked by both settlers and Israeli forces, but repression reached new heights with a wave of arrests after 7 October, when impunity for crimes committed against journalists became a new rule", RSF added. At least 212 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the start of the Israeli assault in October 2023, according to Gazas Government Media Office. The Government Media Office condemns in the strongest terms the targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation, the Office said in a statement on Saturday. We call on the International Federation of Journalists, the Federation of Arab Journalists, and all journalistic bodies in all countries of the world to condemn these systematic crimes against Palestinian journalists and media professionals in the Gaza Strip, it added. Israels genocidal war on Gaza has been considered the deadliest for journalists and media workers in the world in 30 years. The Office said that Israel targeted journalists in an attempt to suppress the Palestinian narrative and erase the truth. However, the occupation failed to break the will of our great people. Israels assault on Gaza has been the worst ever conflict for journalists, according to a recent report by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. The report, titled News Graveyards: How Dangers to War Reporters Endanger the World, said the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip had killed more journalists than the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War (including the conflicts in Cambodia and Laos), the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and 2000s, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan, combined. In 2023, a journalist or media worker was, on average, killed or murdered every four days. In 2024, it was once every three days, said the report. Most reporters harmed or killed, as is the case in Gaza, are local journalists", the report said. The Center for Protecting Palestinian Journalists (PJPS) said that the killing of journalists is part of a series of human rights violations committed by the Israeli occupation. In its annual report, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said a record number of journalists were killed in 2024, with Israel responsible for more than two-third of those deaths. The committees chief, Jodie Ginsberg, said in the statement, The war in Gaza is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and demonstrates a major deterioration in global norms on protecting journalists in conflict zones, but it is far from the only place journalists are in danger. At least 85 journalists died throughout 2024 at the hands of the Israeli military during Israels war on Gaza, the CPJ said, with 82 of those who were killed being Palestinians. The advocacy group also accused Israel of attempting to stifle investigations into the killings, shift blame onto journalists for their own deaths, and ignoring its duty to hold its own military personnel accountable for the killings of so many media workers. In a recent report, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) described 2024 as one of the worst years for media professionals. It condemned the massacre taking place in Palestine before the eyes of the entire world. Arrest and Detention Israeli occupation forces have carried out at least 180 arrests among Palestinian journalists both in the West Bank and Gaza since the start of the genocide, Palestinian prisoner defense groups said on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. Among the 180 arrests, 49 Palestinian journalists who were detained after the genocide began remain behind bars, in addition to six others who were arrested beforehand. Prisoner groups noted that the occupation continues to forcibly disappear Palestinian journalists Nidal Al-Wahidi and Haitham Abdel Wahid who were abducted from Gaza. Since October 7, the occupation has refused to reveal their fate whether they are alive or not despite efforts by numerous human rights organizations and ongoing demands for information. It is known that the occupation employed enforced disappearance broadly against detainees from Gaza. Among the 49 detained journalists, 19 are being held under the so-called administrative detention policy without trial or charge. This policy has affected thousands of Palestinians in an ongoing attempt to impose greater control and censorship, depriving them of their right to freedom of opinion and expression, and preventing them from exposing the occupations crimes that permeate every aspect of Palestinian life. Many journalists have been subject to administrative detention - some have been released, while others remain imprisoned. One such case is journalist Nidal Abu Aker from Bethlehem, who has spent nearly 20 years in occupation prisons, most of it under administrative detention. Detained journalists face all the violations endured by other prisoners, including systematic torture, severe beatings, starvation, medical neglect, and continuous humiliation and abuse. They are held under harsh and degrading detention conditions and are continuously deprived of their rights. Gazas Media Sector Devastated According to the Gaza Media Office: A total of 143 media institutions have been targeted, including 12 print newspapers, 23 digital news platforms, 11 radio stations, and 4 satellite television channels operating within Gaza. Furthermore, the offices of 12 Arab and international TV networks have been destroyed. 44 homes belonging to journalists were attacked by Israeli airstrikes, while 21 influential social media activists have lost their lives. Printing facilities have been bombed, critical broadcast and production equipmentincluding cameras and live transmission vehicleshas been destroyed, and numerous digital platforms and social media accounts have been suspended or blocked under claims of violating community standards. The estimated financial loss to Gazas media sector has exceeded $400 million, reflecting the scale of a comprehensive assault that has not only targeted infrastructure and lives but also aimed to silence the voice, image, and narrative of a people. 212 Stories: Here Are Some 1. Wafa Aludaini, a prominent English-speaking reporter who worked with international news outlets, was killed alongside her husband, Mueir Aludaini, and their two children in an Israeli attack on Septemer 30, 2024. She was mourned by many fellow journalists who praised her dedication to bringing the stories of Palestinians to the world. Aludaini was well-known among European media outlets and conveyed the suffering of our people in English, which she was a master of, Ahmed Abu Artema, a Palestinian journalist and friend of Aludaini, said. The justification for her targeting are her words and work as a journalist, he added. 2. Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami al-Rifi were killed in an Israeli air attack on July 31, 2024. The reporters were killed when their car was hit in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Days before his death, Ismail sent a message to a colleague, expressing the emotional toll of nearly 300 days of relentless war in Gaza. Let me tell you, my friend, that I no longer know the taste of sleep. The bodies of children and the screams of the injured and their blood-soaked images never leave my sight. The cries of mothers and the wailing of men who are missing their loved ones never fade from my ears. I can no longer bear the sound of childrens voices from beneath the rubble, nor can I forget the energy and power that reverberates at every moment, turning into a nightmare. It is no longer easy for me to stand before the rows of coffins, which are locked and extended, or to see the dead people more than the living who are fighting death beneath their homes, not finding a way out to safety and survival. I am tired, my friend. 3. Ahmed Mansour succumbed to burns sustained a day after an Israeli strike on a tent where reporters were known to reside in Khan Younis was set on fire on April 7, 2025. In a widely shared clip, the correspondent for the local Palestine Today news agency was seen engulfed in flames as colleagues desperately attempted to save him. Ahmad burned in front of the whole world, his wife said at his funeral. The whole world saw him as he was burning, and nobody was able to help him. 4. Among those tragically lost in Israels targeting of Palestinian journalists is Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old journalist working for Al Jazeera Mubasher. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his car in Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza, on 24 March 2025. Before Hossams death, his name was circulating on social media after he told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces were targeting journalists, threatening their families, and warning them to leave their work or face destruction. His final social media posts reveal just how dedicated he was to telling the truth. In his last message, posted after his death, he wrote: If youre reading this, it means I have been killed most likely targeted by the Israeli occupation forces. In the post, he also wrote: I fulfilled my duty as a journalist. I risked everything to report the truth, and now, I am finally at rest something I havent known in the past 18 months. Reflecting on 18 months of documenting Gazas suffering during which he often slept wherever he could, endured hunger, and risked his life to expose the truth Hossam described how his work involved taking photos, recording videos, and sharing news updates to reveal the devastation Gazas civilians were facing to the world. He once wrote, Getting out alive from this war was a miracle for my family, highlighting the danger of his work, which was driven by his love for his homeland and strong sense of responsibility. 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 Now Row Over Aligarh Muslim University Riding Club Land The Municipal Corporation of Aligarh has taken over the land of Aligarh Muslim University's riding club. The valuable land behind the V.M Hall is currently being occupied by the Aligarh Nagar Nigam Sunday May 4, 2025 11:31 AM , Syed Ali Mujtaba [The Aligarh Muslim University Riding Club has always been a distinct feature of the pride and glory of the University. (Image: AMU website)] Aligarh: Aligarh Nagar Nigam, the Municipal Corporation of Aligarh, has taken over the land of Aligarh Muslim University's riding club sparking outrage and protest. The valuable land behind the V.M Hall is currently being occupied by the Aligarh Nagar Nigam. Authorities at the Aligarh Muslim University are considering legal action after the Aligarh Nagar Nigam took over 41 bighas of prime land currently under the university's Riding Club, claiming the land belonged to the Municipal Corporation. The estimated market value of the disputed land exceeds Rs 126 crore. In an operation on Wednesday April 30, 2025, Aligarh Nagar Nigam officials asserted ownership of the land, accusing the Aligarh Muslim University of "illegally occupying" the property. The officials also installed a signboard marking the land as government property. AMU's Chief Spokesperson, Vibha Sharma, said the University promptly issued an official statement following Nagar Nigams action. "AMU acquired the land more than 80 years ago under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 through a government order. The university maintained continuous possession of the land for the past eight decades," Sharma said. The Nagar Nigam did not serve any formal notice to the University before the takeover. We are taking all necessary legal steps to re-establish AMU's rightful ownership of the land," Sharma said. Outrage, Protest The Nagar Nigam's action has sparked outrage across the AMU community while some students came on the streets in protest. The students took out a protest march on the campus on Friday against the Nagar Nigam's action. The demonstration culminated at the Sir Syed Gate, where the protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to the district magistrate to officials. "This land was not under the jurisdiction of the Aligarh municipality. The AMU acquired it in the early 1940s, an AMU alumnus said. Talking to news agency PTI, former AMU VC Lt Gen Zameeruddin Shah, "It is difficult to understand how such drastic action could be taken without following the due legal process. All the relevant documents are in place, and I am confident that they will stand scrutiny in a court of law." A senior AMU official, requesting anonymity, questioned the municipality's claim. "This land was not under the jurisdiction of the Aligarh municipality when AMU acquired it in the early 1940s. The Nagar Nigam's claim is baseless," the official said. AMU Riding Club - Brief History AMU, since its inception, has had a rich tradition of sports. Riding, a well-established Indian sport, was incorporated in the residential life of the MAO college since begining. Horse Riding became popular in the M.A.O College because it was not only a favorite of students, many of whom came from aristocratic families, but also because administrative authorities of the colleges would take rounds on horseback. The foundation of the M.U. Riding Club was laid by Nawab Mohd. Ismail Khan Sherwani, when he presented four horses. Among others who gifted horses in the initial days were the Nawab of Chattari, Nawab Faiyyaz Ali Khan of Pahasu, and the Estate of Bhikampur. J.H. Toe, Sir Ross Masood, Janab Agha Khan, and Nawab Muzammil-ullah Khan also helped the riding club financially. The Aligarh Muslim University Riding Club became a distinct feature of the pride and glory of the University. The Army's discipline and the rich traditions of the Riding Club are well known. The special powers of the Captain of the club, in all matters of discipline and proper functioning, have always been upheld. [The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a Journalist. He studied at AMU from 1978 to 1984, taking undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has officially confirmed to announce the Maharashtra HSC 12th result 2025 today i.e. Monday May 5, 2025 Monday May 5, 2025 12:02 PM , Team ummid.com Maharashtra HSC 12th Result 2025: The Maharashtra state has registered an overall pass percentage of 91.88% in the 2025 HSC 12th board exam result of which was announced today. The board declared the result at a press conference a little while ago. But, the students will be able to check their result at 01:00 PM following the steps given below and using the direct link here. The pass percentage of 91.88% this year is 1.49% less than 2024 when the board had registered a scoreof 93.37%. The board said, a total of 14,27,085 registered for the Maharashtra HSC 2025 Exams, and 14,17,969 appeared whereas 13,02,873 passed the exam. The pass percentage of girl students is 94.54% whereas that of boys is 89.51%. Analysing the toppers details, Konkan district remains the best performing district in the 2025 Maha HSC board exam as well. Maharashtra HSC Division wise result 2025 Konkan 96.74 Kolhapur 93.64 Mumbai 92.93 Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) 92.24 Amravati 91.43 Pune - 91.32 Nashik 91.31 Nagpur 90.52 Latur 89.46 12:30 AM: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has officially confirmed to announce the Maharashtra HSC 12th result 2025 today i.e. Monday May 5, 2025. Maharashtra 12th Result 2025 Date and Time According to the official announcement, the Maha HSC result will be declared at 01:00 pm Monday May 05 on the official as well as affiliate websites. "The Maharashtra HSC 2025 result will be announced at 01:00 PM on Monday May 5, 2025", the board said in a notification issued today. The Maharashtra board said 12th result of Art, Science and Commerce, all three streams, will be declared on Monday. The Maharshtra board announces HSC board exam result of all nine divisions on its official website "mahresult.nic.in". List of websites to check Maharashtra 12th result mahresult.nic.in hscresult.mkcl.org www.mahahsscboard.in results.digilocker.gov.in Candidates can also check their 12th result via Digilocker app. Steps to check Maha 12th Result 2025 Students can follow the steps given below to check Maharashtra 12th Result 2025. Click here to go to result website: " mahresult.nic.in ". ". Click on HSC Examination March 2025 Result Enter Exam Seat Number, Date of Birth and Mother's name. Click on Get Result button to check your score. Along with the 12th result, Maharashtra board will also release overall pass percentage and other result related data. Students should note that the Maharashtra board does not release Merit and Toppers list. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) had conducted the 12th HSC theory exams this year from February 11 to March 11, 2025. Class Improvement Scheme The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) will conduct three more exams under the Class Improvement Scheme. The first Improvement or Supplementary exam will be held in June-July 2025, second in February-March 2026 and June-July 2026. Online registration for June-July 2025 Improvement Exam will start from May 07, 2025. The supplementary or improvement exams are held for students who fail in few subject, or pass in all subjects but want to improve their marks and score. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is divided in nine Divisional Boards located in Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Latur, Nagpu, Amravati and Ratnagiri. The Maharashtra board declares the 12th results of all the nine dvisional boards on the same day and at the same time. Maharashtra 12th Result of Past Few Years The Maharashtra board had recorded a pass percentage of 93.37% in the 2024 12th board exam 2024 result of which was declared on May 21, 2024 . In 2023 , the Maharashtra board had recorded a pass percentage of 91.25% - a decrease by about 3% as compared to 2022 when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 94.22%. In 2022, the Maharashtra state had recorded a pass percentage of 94.22% - a decrease by 5.41% as compared to last year when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 99.63%. The board had recorded overall pass percentage of 99.63 in 2021 HSC board exam that was cancelled due to Covid 19 and result was prepared on internal assessment. In 2020, the Maharashtra board had recorded 90.66 overall pass percentage . On the other hand in 2019, the Maharashtra state had recorded a pass percentage of 85.88% - a drop by around 03% as compared to 2018 when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 88.41%. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. By Jessica DiNapoli NEW YORK (Reuters) -Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's said late on Friday that billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, who is on its parent company Unilever's board, has increased his influence over the consumer goods conglomerate, including on political issues. Unilever and the unit have been locked in a bitter legal dispute since last year over allegations that the parent is muzzling it, hurting its ability to carry out its social mission. The Vermont-based frozen dessert manufacturer made the new claims in response to Unilever's attempts last week to have the case thrown out. In a court filing, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever's edits to its social media posts, a key issue in its lawsuit against the London-based company, "mirror the political views of Mr. Peltz," who backed U.S. President Donald Trump in his election campaign last year. His increasing influence could signal broader change at Unilever, a corporate leader in environmental, social and governance policies (ESG) that Trump opposes. The maker of Cherry Garcia and other flavors was founded by counterculture members Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, though the two are no longer involved in day-to-day operations. The company has claimed that Unilever has censored it on topics ranging from Trump's immigration policies to the war in Gaza. Ben & Jerry's said in the filing that Unilever threatened to eliminate its independent board and sue its members individually if it did not withdraw its proposal that the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians receive donations from the corporate parent. Unilever said the charity was unapologetically anti-Israel and that a donation to it could threaten Unilever and Ben & Jerry's with possible sanctions, according to the filing. The filing states that Unilever relented on its position after its assessment of Medical Aid for Palestinians was discredited through various actions, including the head of the charity, Baroness Patricia Morris, saying its position was "unreasonable and unconscionable." Ben & Jerry's also said Unilever tasked one of its executives with persuading the company's founders to take its side in the dispute. Unilever, Ben & Jerry's, Peltz and Medical Aid for Palestinians did not immediately return a request for comment. Unilever has been saying its brands such as Ben & Jerry's are on a global mission to do good. Unilever's ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's, is set to operate on a standalone basis starting July 1. Eurovision host city Basel laid on a mass over-60s disco on Saturday to whip up the party mood ahead of the event's grand final in two weeks' time. Nearly 1,400 senior citizens attended the bash, an attempt to reach out to the older demographic and get them involved in the Eurovision Song Contest festivities. The Swiss border city of Basel is hosting this year's edition of the glitzy extravaganza, one of the world's biggest annual live television shows. It is staging a range of events on the sidelines to make the most of the occasion. "It's a highlight of the Eurovision for me," said Liz Gilbert, 64, who came dressed in a 1970s outfit. "Normally it's just on television, so it's great," she told AFP. "I'm very happy that my hometown can host it." Women outnumbered the men across the two dance floors, with plenty of over-70s swinging their hips to the music in the mid-afternoon. One floor played Swiss tunes in the national languages of German, French and Italian, with the other dance floor playing rock and pop classics from the 1960s to the 1980s. "We are here celebrating the disco like they used to back in the day and we are gathering people from all around Switzerland to have a good time," said Celine Koenig, spokeswoman for the Pro Senectute organisation for the elderly, which helped organise the event. The tickets cost nine Swiss francs ($11). - Having a ball - Dominique Guerdat, 67, and Carmen Deillon, 61, came with their gym group from nearby Delemont. "We're having a blast, we're dancing, we're laughing, we're seeing people, and we're drinking. Cheers!" said Guerdat. "The music is great, it's from our era." Her friend Deillon had hoped more people would have dressed up in 1970s outfits. "I was expecting everyone to be like that, but in the end, there aren't many. But it's great, and they have some great hits," she said. There were plenty of smiles as party-goers bopped away to classic hits from the Rolling Stones, the Monkees, Chubby Checker, Boney M., Wham! and ABBA. "Opportunities to socialise decrease with age," said Eurovision 2025 host broadcaster SRG. "This party is designed to give people aged 60 and over the opportunity to meet up and celebrate together. "Joy is spread through music and dance," it said. Singing "The Code", Swiss vocalist Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory in Malmo, Sweden earned Switzerland the right to host this year's 69th edition. The kitsch celebration is being staged at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena. The semi-finals are on May 13 and 15, with the final on May 17. Switzerland hosted the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, and again in 1989. elm/rjm/jj Israel was issuing orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded offensive in Gaza, Israeli media reported Saturday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked truce mediator Qatar. Several news outlets reported the military had begun sending the orders for reservists to replace conscripts and active-duty soldiers in Israel and the occupied West Bank so they can be redeployed to Gaza. A military spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but relatives of AFP journalists were among those who received mobilisation orders. According to Israel's public broadcaster, the security cabinet is scheduled to meet on Sunday to approve the expansion of the military offensive in Gaza. Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the war sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack. Qatar, which hosts Hamas's political office, brokered the truce alongside the US and Egypt that came into effect in January. Efforts to secure a new deal however have appeared to stall in recent weeks. Netanyahu accused the gas-rich Gulf state of "playing both sides with its double talk". Posting on X, he said Qatar had to "decide if it's on the side of civilization or if it's on the side of Hamas barbarism". The Israeli prime minister, under pressure from his far-right supporters, without whom he would lose his governing coalition, has been increasingly vocal in his calls to continue the war since the restart of the Gaza offensive. "Israel will win this just war with just means," he added. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari rejected the "inflammatory" comments, charging that they "fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility" in a statement on X. Israel has also blocked all aid deliveries to Gaza since March 2, prompting warnings from UN agencies of impending humanitarian disaster. - Hostage video - Hamas on Saturday released footage of an apparently wounded Israeli-Russian hostage held in Gaza as 11 Palestinians, including three infants, were killed in a strike on the territory, its civil defence agency said. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 2,396 people had been killed since Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll from the war to 52,495. Gaza militants still hold 58 hostages, 34 of whom the army says are dead. Hamas is also holding the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous war in Gaza in 2014. The militant group's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video on Saturday showing a hostage AFP and Israeli media identified as Russian-Israeli Maxim Herkin. In the undated four-minute video, Herkin, who turns 37 this month, was shown wearing bandages on his head and left arm. Speaking in Hebrew in the video, which his family urged media to disseminate, he implied he had been wounded in a recent Israeli bombardment. AFP was unable to determine the health of Herkin, who gave a similar message to other hostages shown in videos released by Hamas, urging pressure on the Israeli government to free the remaining captives. - 'Bright light' - Several thousand Israelis demonstrated outside the defence ministry in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding action from the government to secure the hostages' release. "We're here because we want the hostages home. We're here because we don't believe that the war in Gaza today, currently, is justified at all," Arona Maskil, a 64-year-old demonstrator, told AFP. The government says its renewed offensive is aimed at forcing Hamas to free its remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger. A statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum argued that "any escalation in the fighting will put the hostages... in immediate danger". In Gaza, the civil defence agency said on Saturday that an overnight Israeli strike on the Khan Yunis refugee camp killed at least 11 people, including three infants. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal say they were killed in the "bombardment of the Al-Bayram family home in Khan Yunis camp" at around 3:00 am (0000 GMT). Bassal told AFP that eight of the dead had been identified and were all from the same extended family, including a boy and girl, both one, and a month-old baby. An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed the strike, saying it targeted a "Hamas member". Rescue workers and residents combed the rubble for survivors with their bare hands, under the light of hand-held torches, an AFP journalist reported. Neighbour Fayka Abu Hatab said she "saw a bright light, then there was an explosion, and dust covered the entire area". "We couldn't see anything, it all went dark," she said. bur-jj/fec/rsc President Claudia Sheinbaum said Saturday that she had rejected an offer from US President Donald Trump to send American troops to Mexico to help combat drug trafficking. "I told him, 'No, President Trump, our territory is inviolable, our sovereignty is inviolable, our sovereignty is not for sale,'" she said at a public event, referring to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal that described a tense exchange between the leaders. During the recent call, Sheinbaum said, Trump had asked how he could help fight organized crime and suggested sending troops. She said she declined, telling him that "we will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory." Sheinbaum said she offered to collaborate, including through greater information-sharing. Trump himself said in an interview last week with conservative outlet The Blaze that he had offered to help Mexico fight the drug cartels, but that he had been turned down. Without providing details, Trump told his interviewer: "You could say at some point maybe something's gonna have to happen. It can't go on the way it is." In her appearance Saturday, Sheinbaum said she had urged Trump to stop the cross-border arms trafficking that has contributed to a wave of violence lasting nearly two decades, claiming more than 450,000 lives in Mexico. Trump, on his part, has complained repeatedly about cross-border drug smuggling and has pressured Mexico to crack down on criminal cartels. Trump angered Mexicans in early March when he said America's southern neighbor was "dominated entirely by criminal cartels that murder, rape, torture and exercise total control... posing a grave threat to (US) national security." Trump has also long complained -- and uses as an argument for imposing tariffs on the country -- that Mexico has not done enough to stop the trafficking of migrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. Those topics have been part of an ongoing diplomatic dance between the countries over the trade tariffs. Mexico, as the largest US trade partner and the second-largest economy in Latin America, is considered one of the most vulnerable to the US president's expansive import duties. sem/bbk/sst/acb Social Security is widely considered a third rail in American politics, meaning its so controversial that most politicians simply avoid touching it. But 100 days into his second administration, President Donald Trump hasnt just touched the system but taken a hatchet to it, according to former president Joe Biden. "This new administration has done so much damage and done so much destruction. It's kind of breathtaking," said Biden at a conference in Chicago. He also took aim at billionaire Elon Musk, whose team has pushed spending and staffing cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and has called the system "the ultimate Ponzi scheme of all time." "What the hell are they talking about?" Biden said. "Social Security is more than a government program. It's a sacred promise we made as a nation." Democrats and the former president are not the only ones alarmed by Trump and Musks recent moves on the nations retirement safety net. Public concerns about the systems future reached a 15-year high, according to a recent Gallup poll. If you share these concerns, here are three ways you can bolster your retirement income regardless of what happens to Social Security in the future. Don't miss Maximize retirement accounts With the social safety net at risk, it might be a good time to consider weaving an independent safety net by maximizing your tax-sheltered retirement accounts. Ramp up contributions to your 401(k) or Roth IRA plans to start creating a self-sufficient retirement fund. Take the time to learn about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and start saving for any medical bills you may have to deal with in your senior years. This is also a great time to reach out to a professional tax planner or investment advisor to understand how you can bolster your long-term savings and investment plans. Look for alternative streams of passive income Most retirees rely on a combination of dividends from stocks, interest payments from savings accounts and Social Security benefits to fund their retirement. But with the last one in jeopardy, it might be a good idea to consider alternative sources of passive income. Waterford City and County Council is advising motorists of stop/go traffic management on Youghal Bridge on Tuesday. This is to facilitate bridge parapet repairs, and drivers are asked to drive with caution. Like millions of people throughout the world, I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. It was consoling to realise that his passing was mourned by the whole of humanity. It was as if the world had lost not just an inspirational leader but a friend, someone whose heart was open to the whole world, to quote from his wonderful encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. While glowing tributes have been paid to Francis in the intervening period, the focus is now on the Conclave of Cardinals assembling to appoint his successor. However, as Francis was such an inspirational figure for me, I would like to pay a personal tribute to one of the great world leaders of the 21st century. The primary image of the Church for the late Pope was that of a field hospital. He wanted a Church that was outward-looking, responsive to the needs of the world. He called for a Church that responds in mercy to the deepest wounds of humanity, meeting people where they are at. Francis said in one of his off-the-cuff interviews that: It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds, he said. Then we can talk about everything else. He applied this pastoral image of the Church consistently in all his teaching documents. His primary emphasis was always that of mercy. Mercy, according to Francis, is the very foundation of the Churchs life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to people; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world should be lacking in mercy. He always insisted that it was not enough for Church leaders to insist on laying down laws or principles of Catholic teaching. Christian leaders must always take account of the real-life situations of those with whom they are dealing and always keep in mind the fundamental, that is, the Christian belief in the compassion and mercy of God. The priority given to mercy is the most distinctive feature of the document on the Joy of Love, which was issued after the Synod on the Family in 2014 and 2015. Francis said that he does not want pastors to apply the moral laws to those living in irregular situations (such as couples in second marriages for example) as if they were stones to throw at people's lives. His insistence on the priority of mercy led Francis to suggest that divorced people who have married again could, in certain circumstances, be allowed to receive Holy Communion. He reminded us that the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. In this respect, Francis was very challenging to us clergy. He called us to let our lives become wonderfully complicated by recognising Gods grace at work in difficult and sometimes unconventional situations families and marriages face. In this way, as in so many other areas of life, he led by example. When asked if he approved of homosexuality, he replied: Tell me, when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love or reject and condemn this person? We must always consider the person. Francis primary pastoral focus was always on the poor and marginalised. Here again he led by example. He was a regular visitor to the prisons in Rome, insisting always on the human dignity of those serving time for crimes committed. He visited the island of Lampedusa off the south coast of Italy where refugees who survived the hazardous sea crossing from Africa were impounded. He was angry at how they were being treated and how neglected they were. He publicly rebuked President Trump on a number of occasions for his treatment of undocumented migrants in the States. Francis called on the President to build bridges not walls to keep them out. He had a profound awareness of how the poor were suffering most from the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. He called on the world to take action and I believe he became a global leader on ecological issues. Francis called for an alternative model of development, which no longer sees the world entirely in terms of what benefits we can draw from it. Rather, we must respect nature and be in tune with it. I found it very moving to see political leaders from around the world coming together for the funeral of the late Pope. Mingling with hundreds of thousands of Christians, they all recognised that Francis had provided global moral and spiritual leadership at a time when it was so badly needed in a very divided world. If theres a way to describe Tim Wintons reaction to the news his 30-year-old book The Riders will be filmed starring Brad Pitt, its cautiously optimistic. Ive been around so long Im very unlikely to get excited about these things, the famed West Australian novelist says. But Id be lying if I said I wasnt curious. The novel has been published in numerous editions and translations since the 1990s. It was revealed last week production company A24 had won a bidding war over the script adapting Wintons 1994 Booker Prize-shortlisted novel. For 15 months, two dates have been looming over Albaneses head: the federal election, and his wedding to Jodie Haydon. Although the formers May 3 calendar note has been and gone, its unlikely the prime minister will confirm when, exactly, he will be tying the knot. The outcome of Australias decision has logistical implications venue choice, among other details, has been a popular debate item for any plans, existing or otherwise. Not that the couple has spent much time planning their big day recently. In fact, Albanese divulged in March he and Haydon, 46, had seriously considered eloping on Valentines Day this year exactly one year after their engagement just to put an end to the perpetual speculation over anything and everything to do with their wedding. Jodie Haydon and Anthony Albanese, pictured at the Midwinter Ball in 2024, have been engaged since February last year. Credit: James Brickwood We decided that might get some speculation back as well, so we didnt. I did think about doing it really quietly, the 62-year-old told B105 Brisbanes breakfast radio show of their decision against a secret ceremony. Loading Perhaps paradoxically, considering his apparent apprehension regarding wedding-related chatter, Albanese then gave Stav, Abby & Matts listeners more than a few crumbs to sustain the rumour mill: he and Haydon are planning to marry on an unspecified day this spring and, if they have their way, its going to be a small event. It wont be elaborate, he said, confirming the only detail that had been finalised at that time was the first dogs role on the day. Toto, of course, will be the ring bearer. A star-studded gala wedding at Kirribilli House which Opposition Leader Peter Dutton joked about being invited to in a brief well-wish in between the usual hostilities is only on the cards for as long as Albanese is in office. From what we do know about Albanese and Haydons upcoming wedding, its unlikely the couple would opt for that. What we know about Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydons wedding so far One year after their engagement, Albanese and Haydon revealed the small, intimate wedding they had been eyeing off with feeling would be in spirit only due to the brides big family. Despite their shared upbringing in the Catholic faith, Haydon told Australian Womens Weekly in February the ceremony would be possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones And you can be sure Toto will make an appearance. Divorcees are traditionally prohibited from remarrying in church unless an annulment is obtained for any previous marriages. Albanese, who was married to former NSW Labor deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt from 2000 until their 2019 separation, became the first divorcee to be appointed prime minister in 2022. Loading He told the magazine he had asked his 24-year-old son, Nathan, for his opinion before he proposed to Haydon. I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it, and then he came back to me and Nathan was supportive, Albanese said. He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well. Questions surrounding the venue persist, with arguments for The Lodge in Canberra perhaps the best place to hide away from crowds and paparazzi and prevent details leaking put on pause before Australians headed to the polls. There is always the couples $4.3 million four-bedroom, three-bathroom and three-carport property in Copacabana. Neither Albanese nor Haydon who said she plans to continue working full-time as head of strategic partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank have been doing much planning lately, Albanese told WSFM in February, weeks before Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered his fourth budget and the countdown to the federal election began in earnest. Perhaps. But were going to try it anyway. The following planes could feasibly be described as the 10 greatest passenger aircraft of all time. (Disagree? Tell us why in the comments below...) So much, so obvious. But if you were to create a fantasy league table, ranking the very big birds of commercial aviation in some sort of order, which aircraft would make the list, and how would they stack up? Can you analyse the mould-breakers of yesteryear the great leaps forward crafted by the likes of De Havilland and McDonnell Douglas alongside the contemporary feats of engineering crafted by the likes of Boeing and Airbus? And what of those splendours of the skies which went supersonic? Is it possible to compare airborne apples and oranges or do you just end up with a messy fruit salad? Where once, a 12-horsepower engine and twin propellers were enough to launch the Wright Flyer 37m at walking pace, modern aircraft have crossed half the planet at kilometres-per-hour speeds of four figures. And where the Wright Flyer could carry a single passenger (who was also the pilot), jets of the 21st century can, in some cases, hold close to 1000 people. A great deal has changed since December 17, 1903 but the basics have stayed the same. In the 122 years since Orville and Wilbur Wright soared briefly into the first powered flight taking to the air above the sandy Outer Banks of North Carolina planes have become much bigger, much more sophisticated, and certainly much faster. While clearly much more of a military mission than an exercise in passenger transportation, the Constellation (the C-121 model) was part of the Anglo-American airforce which flew more than 250,000 flights over Germany during the Berlin Airlift of June 1948 to September 1949 delivering supplies to West Berliners cut off from the rest of the world by a Soviet blockade and the first serious tensions of the Cold War. It would repeat the endeavour in the Biafran Airlift, dropping desperately needed humanitarian aid into the darkness of the Nigerian Civil War in 1968 and 1969. The Second World War was still aflame when California-based Lockheed launched the plane that would become affectionately known as Connie. The Constellation would have military as well as civilian roles, but gained its place in aviation history by being the first mass-market passenger aircraft with a pressurised cabin, enabling it to fly higher than the worst of the weather in a way that had been impossible before. Its distinctive triple tail-fin also gave it an unmistakablity and grace of shape. At the Musee de lAir et de lEspace , a superb aerospace museum at Paris s Le Bourget airport. And, in rather imaginative fashion, at the TWA Hotel the former TWA Flight Center at New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport, where a 1958 Constellation has been redesigned as a retro cocktail bar. You also find one at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, Queensland. A hideous accident on June 30 1956, when TWA Flight 2 (a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation) and United Airlines Flight 718 (a Douglas DC-7) collided above the Grand Canyon. The combined fatalities (128; 70 on the Constellation, 58 on the DC-7) made this the first commercial aviation disaster with a three-figure death toll. October 4 1958, when the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) launched the first regular jet-powered service between London and New York (albeit with a refuelling stop at Gander in Newfoundland) using a newly minted Comet 4. Together, 1953 and 1954 were disastrous for the Comet. A Canadian Pacific Airlines Comet 1A crashed on take-off in the Pakistani city of Karachi on March 3 1953; the first fatal jetliner crash. Worse was to follow. Three Comets were brought down by structural problems over the next 13 months (May 2 1953; January 10 1954; April 8 1954) a trio of accidents which did significant damage to the planes reputation. However, the subsequent investigations particularly into the thorny issue of cabin pressurisation would pave the way for the more reliable aircraft that would come after. It is easy to argue that modern passenger flight could not have existed without the Comet in its roles as both pioneer and fall guy. As the Second World War ended, engineering visionary Sir Geoffrey de Havilland answered the call for a great British leap forward in aviation, crafting this workhorse powered by four turbojet engines with one eye on the coming era of transatlantic travel. He was not entirely successful, and it would take four versions of the plane before the project was fully realised. But by the time Comet 4 was aloft in April 1958, the jet era was in motion. Life was not always easy for this workhorse of the American skies. Conceived as the successor to the similarly sturdy DC-8 with which the Missouri-based aviation firm had entered the jetliner race at the end of the 1950s the DC-10s first years were blighted by safety issues. But its reliability improved hugely as the years passed; it was only taken out of passenger service a decade ago. It retains an iconic status in retirement, partly due to the unusual placement of the third of its three engines; not beneath the wings, but above the main fuselage, at the bottom of the tail-fin. You can find examples of the Comet 1, in varying states of preservation, at the RAF Museum Cosford in Shropshire, and the De Havilland Aircraft Museum in Hertfordshire. The National Museum of Flight near Edinburgh has a Comet 4. The loss of American Airlines Flight 191 on May 25 1979, when a DC-10s left-wing engine detached during take-off from Chicagos OHare International leading to a crash less than a mile beyond the runway, with a total loss of life (258 passengers and 13 crew, plus two unfortunate bystanders on the ground). Photos of the last moments show the stricken plane flying on its side, the pilots struggling for control. Over 40 years later, the 273 fatalities still rank as the worst air disaster on American soil. Finest moment Its recovery from this tragedy. An understandable loss of confidence saw orders for the DC-10 slump in the early 1980s, but after modifications, it became one of Americas most trusted aircraft. It out-lived its parent company (McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997), and was still part of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines fleet 11 years ago (its last scheduled passenger flight was on February 20 2014). When Northwest Airlines put its final DC-10 to bed on January 8 2007, pilot Wade Blaufuss offered a tribute. The DC-10 is a reliable airplane, fun to fly, roomy and quiet, kind of like flying an old Cadillac Fleetwood, he explained. Were sad to see an old friend go. On board a United Airlines DC-10. Credit: Getty Images Where can I see one? Next to a Concorde at Manchester Airports Runway Visitor Park (see manchesterairport.co.uk). And, brilliantly, reconstituted as the centrepiece of the Gate 88 nightclub on the Indonesian party island of Bali. 7. A380 Manufacturer Airbus Airbus Commercial service 2007 - present 2007 - present Number built 254 254 Passenger capacity Up to 853 Singapore Airlines was the first airline to fly the Airbus A380, launching it on the Singapore-Sydney route. Credit: iStock The nuts and bolts Can you have too much of a good thing? This question applies to Airbuss colossal creation; the titan that, since it came into service 18 years ago, has been both the worlds largest passenger plane, and the only full-length double-decker aircraft. The Toulouse-based aerospace giant began working on its behemoth as long ago as 1988, hoping to build a rival to the 747. The project was a success in one way; merely in taking off, the A380 eclipsed Boeings greatest achievement in size and modernity. But it is so big that airlines have struggled to make it economically viable, and the pandemic when many carriers were forced to place their A380s in storage probably killed its future. Finest moment The initial buzz. The A380 arrived to considerable fanfare, and there was so much interest in its first flight a Singapore Airlines jaunt to Sydney on October 25 2007 that tickets were sold via a charity auction. One passenger reportedly paid more than $100,000 for their seat. It is tempting to snipe that this was a poor investment. The bar on board an Emirates A380. Darkest hour Its slow death. Although the A380 has a flawless safety record (leaving aside a pair of emergency landings, due to engine issues, which made headlines in 2010 and 2017), airlines have fallen out of love with the Superjumbo. Mainly due to its high operating costs; an issue only exacerbated by the pandemic. However, even before COVID, faith in the plane was failing Virgin Atlantic and Qantas cancelled significant orders in 2018 and 2019 respectively. When Emirates followed suit in February 2019, pulling the plug on its purchase of 39 A380s, Airbus was forced to bow to the inevitable. Production of the aircraft ceased in December 2021, when the last remaining order rolled off the line. Where can I see one? For now, in the heavens above you, flying for the likes of Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and British Airways. Also at the Aeroscopia museum at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport the second test model, as donated by Airbus. 6. A300 Manufacturer Airbus Airbus Commercial service 1974 - present 1974 - present Number built 561 561 Passenger capacity 281 An Australian Airlines Airbus A300-B4. January 24, 1993. The nuts and bolts Where Boeing was out of the blocks as early as 1916, Europes biggest aviation manufacturer took a while to emerge, only coalescing in 1970. So the A300 was important; a new power-players first foray into an ultra-competitive industry. It was also the first twin-engine wide-bodied (ie double-aisled) airliner in the skies ushering in the era of weary night flights where you not only find yourself in a middle seat, but a middle seat in the middle bank of seats, fighting for the armrest on both sides. Finest moment Making it big in the Far East. Launched in Air France livery on May 23 1974, the A300 had a stodgy start. Early sales were sluggish in the wider Europe, and in an America that needed to be convinced of the aircrafts charms. It would be in Asia that the plane enjoyed its first significant surge in popularity. By the end of the 1970s, it was a key element of the fleets of Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, China Airlines (of Taiwan) and Thai Airways International (amongst others). Service on board an A300. Credit: Getty Images Darkest hour The appalling circumstances in which Iran Air Flight 655 was sent to the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz on July 3 1988 shot down by a pair of surface-to-air missiles fired from the USS Vincennes during a time of (particularly) heightened military tensions in the Persian Gulf. The United States Navy pleaded a case of mistaken identity and communications failure; Iran claimed the warship had acted with, at best, extreme carelessness, at worst, with malign intention. Either way, all 290 souls on the A300 died. Where can I see one? Production of the A300 ceased in 2007. Just short of 200 (197) of the planes are still in professional service although largely, these days, on cargo duties. Remarkably, at least seven retired A300s have been converted into restaurants, including at Danialand a theme park in Agadir, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. 5. 787 Manufacturer Boeing Boeing Commercial service 2011 - present 2011 - present Number built 1111 1111 Passenger capacity 330 A Qantas Dreamliner with livery celebrating the airlines 100th anniversary. Credit: Getty Images The nuts and bolts As the 20th century neared its end and the mighty 747 began to approach elder statesman status, Boeing among other aerospace companies started to ponder life after the Jumbo Jet. One of the results born of the design meetings was the 787 Dreamliner; an aircraft which sounds as if it was named to fit a fairytale, yet has become one of the most pragmatic planes on the runway. Though smaller than the legend it has partially replaced, it has become a firm part of many fleets. A Qantas Dreamliner under construction at Boeings factory in Everett, near Seattle. Finest moment Arriving as one of the heralds of a new generation of aircraft. While boasts of extra sustainability have become part of almost every brand launch in the 21st century, the Dreamliner can plausibly sell itself as a big step forward. Lighter than some of its predecessors (Boeing states that the 787 is 50 per cent carbon composite, and only 20 per cent aluminium), it is supposedly 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than the Boeing 767. It has also been hailed as a game-changer in customer experience. On-board facilities include a gaseous filtration system which provides a higher quality of air, the largest windows on any airliner (which passengers are able to lighten and dim, according to preference), and Smoother Ride Technology, which lessens the effects of turbulence. Darkest hour As of the start of 2025, the Dreamliner has not been involved in a single fatality. But it suffered teething troubles with the lithium-ion batteries built into its systems. The initial weeks of 2013 were difficult on January 7, an overheating battery sparked a fire on an empty Japan Airlines 787 parked at Boston Airport; on January 16, an All Nippon Airways Dreamliner made an emergency landing on Japans Shikoku Island when a similar problem caused an in-flight blaze. Americas Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the 787 until the battery issue was resolved in the April. Where can I see one? All over the planet. But particularly above Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima et al the two above-mentioned Japanese airlines are the two biggest users of the 787. Indeed, All Nippon Airways was the planes earliest adopter, flying the launch flight on October 26 2011. You can also find one of the three prototypes at the Pima Air & Space Museum, amid the dust of Arizona in the southerly city of Tucson. 4. 737 Manufacturer Boeing Boeing Commercial service 1968 - present 1968 - present Number built 11,685 11,685 Passenger capacity 230 Virgin Australia is one of the many airlines that use the Boeing 737. Credit: Bloomberg The nuts and bolts There is an argument that the 737 is the most successful passenger aircraft in history. When Boeing put it into production in February 1965 (Lufthansa was the launch customer), the talk was of long-haul comfort on short-haul routes. Six decades on, little has changed. Though it has been through some 22 iterations, culminating in the 737 MAX family of aircraft, the 737 has been a relentless cog of the aviation world, flying short- and mid-range services (the 737 MAX has upped its maximum distance to 4,402 miles) without any great glamour or any particular fuss. If you have ever taken a flight of between three and five hours, there is a good chance that you were aboard a 737. Finest moment Its ongoing ubiquity. In 2013, the 737 accounted for more than 25 per cent of the global airline fleet; 5580 of the planes flying for 342 airlines in 111 countries. Darkest hour Inevitably, a plane of such enduring use has seen its share of troubles. As of the end of 2023, the 737 has been involved in 529 accidents and incidents. None caused more damage to its image than the two crashes, in quick succession, which led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX between March 2019 and December 2020. The crisis began when Indonesian low-cost carrier Lion Air suffered the loss of Flight 610 from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang on October 29 2018 the plane dropping into the Java Sea 13 minutes after take-off, killing all 189 people on board. There was a similar catastrophe with Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on March 10 2019; the aircraft coming down six minutes after departure, killing all 157 passengers and crew. Both disasters were attributed to glitches with the 737 MAXs Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which is meant to stabilise the aircraft, but inadvertently pushed both planes into nose-dives. Boeing fixed the issue promptly, but lost an estimated $60billion (47billion) via the cancellation of some 1200 orders. Where can I see one? Almost any time you fly with Virgin Australia; the 737 makes up the bulk of its fleet. The Museum of Flight on Boeings home turf in Seattle has a 737-130, N515NA; the first of the aircraft ever built. 3. A320 Manufacturer Airbus Airbus Commercial service 1988 - present 1988 - present Number built 11,918 11,918 Passenger capacity Up to 230 The best-selling plane of all time: the A320. The nuts and bolts Airbus hit upon a splendid formula when it ushered the A320 out of the design workshop in the mid-1980s. Although it suffered an embarrassing false start Air France Flight 296Q, an airshow demonstration flight for competition winners and journalists, crashed into trees at Mulhouse-Habsheim Airfield on June 26 1988, only two months after the A320s formal launch it has gone on to become one of the true reliables of modern mid-range aviation. See a plane in the sky? It could well be an A320. Finest moment Becoming the best-selling passenger airliner of all time in October 2019 (in terms of deliveries and future orders), stealing this particular crown from the Boeing 737. There are a number of members to what Airbus describes as the A320 family including, somewhat confusingly, the A318 and A319 (both shorter than the A320), the A321 (a little bit longer), and the A320neo (which, introduced in 2016, offers significantly superior fuel economy to the original). As of February this year, this family adds up to 11,918 planes on duty with airlines (or an overall total of 19,112 if you include those on order or under construction). Darkest hour The A320 has a largely admirable safety record and the biggest blot in its copybook was scarcely its own doing. The destruction of Metrojet Flight 9268 an A321-231 carrying 224 predominantly Russian passengers and crew back home to St Petersburg from Sharm El Sheikh on October 31 2015 was most likely down to a terrorist device in the hold that detonated shortly after take-off. There were no survivors. Where can I see one? At airports everywhere. Jetstar uses A320 variations on all its short-haul routes (with Dreamliners for its longer international flights). American Airlines is the A320s largest operator, with 469. 2. Concorde Manufacturer British Aviation Corporation & Sud Aviation British Aviation Corporation & Sud Aviation Commercial service 1976 - 2003 1976 - 2003 Number built 20 20 Passenger capacity 128 Concorde was capable of flying between London and New York in under three hours. Credit: AP The nuts and bolts While it certainly isnt the only plane to achieve the feat, the phrase supersonic flight mainly conjures mental images of one aircraft. Few would deny that Concorde is one of historys greatest engineering achievements. Perhaps, too, it is the greatest ever example of Anglo-French cooperation; a post-war aviation dream brought to reality by clever minds on both sides of the Channel. Certainly, it was a very graceful bird, easily capable of breaking the sound barrier in flying at speeds of up to 1,354mph (Mach 2.04). Many would suggest that its disappearance from the clouds was a step back and as long as there is no direct replacement, Concorde will remain an icon in absentia. Finest moment Cabin crew pose in front of the Concorde in 1960. Credit: Getty Images Zooming into JFK on November 22 1977, as both British Airways and Air France belatedly began Concorde services to the Big Apple. Although the plane had been in the air since January 21 1976 (London to Bahrain; Paris to Rio de Janeiro), the US had moved to ban it from its airspace, nominally on noise grounds. That embargo was lifted in February 1977, but it would take until the end of the year before that fabled nose-cone was seen heading for Queens. The trans-Atlantic dash to New York would become Concordes signature; in record-breaking style on February 7, 1996, when a BA flight managed the return leg to Heathrow in just two hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds. Darkest hour July 25 2000, when Air France Flight 4590 crashed shortly after take off from Paris Charles de Gaulle brought down by metallic debris on the runway, a burst tyre and a consequent fuel-tank rupture. The plane would continue in service for another three years, but the Concorde era effectively finished that day, on the ground in Gonesse. Where can I see one? A retired Concorde on display at the Intrepid Museum, New York. Credit: iStock Eighteen of the 20 Concordes have been preserved, and 16 of them are on display. In locations as varied as the Imperial War Museum Duxford, in Cambridgeshire, the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset, Brooklands Museum in Surrey, at Aerospace Bristol and at the Udvar-Hazy Center, an offshoot of the Smithsonian Museum at Dulles Airport, outside Washington DC, and on board the retired aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, now a museum docked in Manhattan. 1. 747 The Jumbo Jet Manufacturer Boeing Boeing Commercial service 1970 - present 1970 - present Number built 1574 1574 Passenger capacity Up to 524 The first 747 for Qantas lifts off in 1972. The nuts and bolts The greatest passenger aircraft ever built? Quite possibly. Though far slower than Concorde (it has a top speed of 614mph, in the case of the 747-8i), no plane is quite as emblematic of the development of air travel from niche luxury enjoyed by the few to a basic commodity available to all. Lovingly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet from the moment it emerged from a Boeing hangar on September 30 1968, the 747 has been a fixture in the firmament for over half a century. And while its era is drawing to a close the last one, a 747-8F, was delivered to American cargo carrier Atlas Air on January 31 2023 its iconic four-engined shape will be visible above us for a while yet. Living it up in the lounge of a Qantas plane in 1971. Finest moment Carrying the Space Shuttle on its broad back. Two 747s were extensively modified for this very high-profile purpose. Each aircraft would transport all five of the operational Space Shuttle orbiters at various points between 1977 and 2012. Excess baggage: a jumbo jet carrying a space shuttle. Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration The definition of excess baggage Credit: Getty Darkest hour Two, in particular, linger starkly in the memory. The runway collision of two 747s at Los Rodeos Airport on Tenerife on March 27 1977 a cataclysm of miscommunication in heavy fog that took the lives of 583 passengers and crew across the two aircraft (only 61 survived) remains the deadliest ever air disaster. The death toll from the downing of a Pan Am 747 over Lockerbie on December 21 1988 (270 people, including 11 on the ground) was smaller, but the image of the Clipper Maid Of The Seas cockpit, lying disembodied upon the Scottish turf, is arguably air travels most haunting. Lufthansa is one of the last airlines to still fly the 747. Credit: iStock Where can I see one? Loading Flying for Lufthansa; Germanys national carrier still has 27 747s in its fleet. At the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, Queensland, you can walk along the wing of a retired jumbo. At Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire, where G-CIVB, a 747-400 put out to pasture by British Airways when it retired its remaining jumbo jets in 2020, has been converted into event space. At the Delta Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, where the first 747-400 off the Boeing line sleeps in the sun. The Telegraph, London NATCHITOCHES - The Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will take place as part of the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the Northwestern State University campus on July 19. The Fiddle Championship will be held at 1 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall, located at 143 Centra If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Eva Osborne Leinster's defeat to Northampton in the Investec Champions Cup and the government's housing tsar mess are some of the stories featuring on the front pages of Irish newspapers on Sunday. The Sunday World reports on the couple behind the new Conor McGregor civil rape-case claim refusing to talk. The public blame Housing Minister James Browne and Taoiseach Micheal Martin for the housing tsar debacle, according to the Sunday Independent. Dozens of undocumented Irish have been quietly rounded up and deported out of America in recent weeks under a new crackdown from Donald Trump's administration, the Irish Sunday Mirror reports. The housing tsar issue also features on the front page of The Sunday Times, as does Leinster's defeat to Northampton who now go on to reach the Investec Champions Cup final. The Irish Mail on Sunday reports that more than 50,000 households and business are being hit with power outages every week. The Business Post reports on Ireland's $967 billion 'tax mirage'. We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Stocks to Buy and Hold For 10 Years. In this article, we are going to take a look at where CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) stands against the other stocks to buy and hold for 10 years. When the stock market experiences a sharp decline, as it did after the Trump administration announced tariffs on its trade partners and China responded with retaliatory tariffs, many investors start looking into buying the dip. They start talking about buying stocks at temporarily lower prices with the hope that they will recover and bring gains in the future. There is often discussion in online communities like Reddit about whether to buy the dip. READ ALSO: 13 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Now and 10 Best Electronic Components Stocks to Buy Now. However, financial advisors urge clients to stick with long-term investment plans during market volatility. While buying cheap can be a good idea, experts warn that it is nearly impossible to try and time the market and wait for the perfect moment to buy at the lowest price. Eric Roberge, certified financial planner and CEO of Beyond Your Hammock in Boston, says that it is impossible to time the market without simply getting lucky. Instead, he suggests sticking to a thoughtful, rules-based investment strategy that focuses not on short-term market swings but on your long-term goals. Jay Spector, certified financial planner and co-chief executive officer of EverVest Financial in Scottsdale, Arizona, explains that when buying assets during a market downturn, it is important to have a disciplined approach. Some people may be tempted to wait in cash while looking to buy at rock-bottom prices. However, no one can predict where that bottom is. Waiting on the sidelines could mean missing out and might not be the right strategy. Research has shown that some of the best returns can follow the biggest dips. Spector says that instead of hoping to buy at the absolute bottom, investors should consider dollar-cost averaging, which means investing a fixed amount of money at set intervals. Most importantly, experts say that investors should know why they want to invest in the first place. Sticking to your long-term goals can be key to successful investing during times of uncertainty and market panic. Methodology To compile our list of the 12 best stocks to buy and hold for 10 years, we looked for stocks with strong growth potential. We used search terms like best stocks to buy and hold for 10 years and reviewed financial media reports and various online resources to compile a list of more than 30 stocks that investors can consider buying and holding for the next decade. Next, we focused on the top 12 stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 database of more than 1,000 elite hedge funds. Finally, the 12 best stocks to buy and hold for 10 years were ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2024. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Dana Telsey reiterated a Market Perform rating on the shares of Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) and lowered the price forecast from $76.00 to $66.00. Estee Lauder delivered a strong third-quarter earnings beat, driven by improved margins and cost control, with sales at the upper end of guidance. The company updated its FY25 outlook in line with prior estimates, though fourth-quarter EPS guidance came in below expectations. While its recovery plan is yielding positive results, ongoing pressures in Asia travel retail and a softening North American market prompt a reduced price target of $66. EL is adapting to trade policy uncertainty by regionalizing its supply chain to increase flexibility. About 75% of U.S. sales are now sourced domestically or through trade agreements, while reliance on China is being reduced in favor of Japan and Europe. Also Read: Wendy's Sizzles Abroad, But US Sales Leave Investors Cold The company is also optimizing manufacturing and local sourcing to mitigate risks. No major FY25 impact is expected, but prolonged tariffs could affect FY26. More updates are expected in August, noted the analyst. Estee Lauder brands are showing positive momentum, with Clinique leading U.S. market share gains for the 11th straight quarter. The company gained market share in three of four categories, with EL ranking top two in skincare and makeup. MAC and The Ordinary also improved. In China, multiple brands saw growth across all categories. While some emerging markets faced setbacks, trends are stable overall, with stronger performance expected in FY26. Factoring in the third-quarter results and current trends in the business, the analyst expects total reported sales to decline 8.5% YoY to $14.29 billion (from down 6.8% to $14.54 billion previously). In addition, on the bottom line, the analyst raised the FY25 EPS estimate to $1.55, up from $1.36 previously. Estee Lauder CEO Stephane de La Faverie reaffirmed the company's "Beauty Reimagined" strategy during its third-quarter earnings call, highlighting early progress on five core priorities: expanding consumer reach, driving innovation, increasing marketing investments, enhancing efficiency, and rethinking operations. Price Action: EL shares closed higher by 0.85% to $59.39 on Friday. Read Next: Photo via Shutterstock Latest Ratings for EL Date Firm Action From To Feb 2022 Barclays Maintains Overweight Feb 2022 Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight Feb 2022 JP Morgan Maintains Overweight View More Analyst Ratings for EL Zelensky says talks with Trump at popes funeral were their best yet Kenyan filmmakers Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Mark Denver Karubiu, and Chris Wamae, were arrested in Nairobi May 2, for their alleged involvement with the BBCs documentary Blood Parliament. The arrests were made without formal charges or warrants, indicating that the government of President William Ruto, now in alliance with the former opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by billionaire Raila Odinga, is escalating mass repression prior to the one-year anniversary of the Gen-Z uprising. Blood Parliament (screenshot from BBC website [Photo: Screenshot from bbc.co.uk] Blood Parliament depicts the Kenyan bourgeoisies violent response to the largest youth-led uprising in the country since independence. Released by BBC Africa Eye and available on YouTube, it centres on June 25, 2024, when at least 100,000 protesters gathered in Nairobi to oppose the Finance Bill aiming to raise $2.7 billion. The bill imposed sweeping new taxes on essential goods, including bread, cooking oil, sanitary products, and fuel, amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis. State repression left at least 65 people dead across the country and hundreds injured. Thousands were arrested. Dozens more were abducted, never to be seen again. Ongoing investigations, led by the misnamed Independent Policing Oversight Authority, have never been made public and are whitewashes. Using open-source intelligence and more than 5,000 crowd-sourced images and videos, the BBC identified security personnel who opened fire on unarmed protesters outside Parliament. The investigation singles out not only the officers who pulled the trigger, killing at least three young men, but also senior commanders who issued the shoot-to-kill orders. Crucially, the documentary reveals that the first killings did not occur when protesters momentarily stormed the parliament fence, but afterward, once they had been pushed out and were retreating. Far from being acts of chaotic self-defence, it shows senior police officers ordering kuua, kuua (kill, kill in Kiswahili), as officers cover themselves with masks before firing live ammunition. Galvanised by the killings, protesters then stormed Parliament, breaching the compound and setting parts of the building alight. After just five minutes, they withdrew. As the crowds dispersed, a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) opened fire again on retreating demonstrators, killing at least one and injuring two others. This revelation implicates the military in the bloodshed, even before it was formally deployed by the Ruto government the following day. It breaks Kenyas longstanding pact of silence surrounding its military, which the ruling class protects against public scrutiny regarding its role in domestic political repression and violence abroad, particularly in Somalia. Drawing on ballistic evidence, CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony, the documentary reveals that officers were given explicit shoot-to-kill orders. This is corroborated by forensic analysis and survivor accounts, painting a picture of a deliberate and coordinated massacre. The documentary fails to explicitly indict Ruto and the government for the killings. Kenyas police have a long history of acting with impunity, repeatedly implicated in extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances, particularly against social opposition to austerity, corruption and soaring costs of living. The year before, anti-austerity protests led by the opposition were violently supressed, leaving at least 31 people dead and injured hundreds. No serious reckoning has ever taken place. It also pays no attention to the role of imperialist powers. Behind closed doors, Washington, London, and European capitals alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were working with Ruto. Their concern was not Kenyan lives, but the risk that the protests could destabilise its key regional ally and capitalist regimes across the continent. They advised Ruto to temporarily withdraw the Finance Bill and stagger the imposition of austerity measures to defuse public anger, while continuing to fund and train the military and police. Ruto (left) with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on May 9, 2023 [Photo by Haim Zach/Government Press Office of Israel / CC BY-SA 3.0 Ruto complied, while leaving the austerity agenda firmly in place, with new measures included in the 2025 Finance Bill set to be unveiled on Tuesday. The BBC has denied that the arrested individuals were involved in the production of the film, stating that they were not staff, crew, or contributors. Nevertheless, authorities detained them, seized their equipment, and subjected them to interrogations. The arrests are a naked attempt to intimidate journalists and suppress further dissemination of the documentarys findings. Just days earlier, police shut down a planned screening of the documentary and accompanying panel discussion at Unseen Nairobi cinema. Despite official censorship, Blood Parliament was viewed over five million times on YouTube within just five days of its release. The total audience is likely even larger, as many have watched it in groups. Hashtags like #BloodParliament and #FreeTheFour have trended for days, with many users demanding justice for the slain protesters, the removal of the Ruto government and an end to police brutality. Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the documentary risked inciting Kenyans to violence. Several lawmakers joined a coordinated campaign to discredit the film. George Peter Kaluma said it risked destabilising the country. John Kiarie accused the BBC of harbouring a foreign agenda, adding, We must ask whether this is BBC journalism or the voice of British foreign policy. Kenya cannot be lectured by a country whose own soldiers have committed atrocities on our soil. ODM lawmaker Peter Kaluma also condemned the BBC, calling for its Africa bureaus operating licence to be revoked and denouncing the documentary as twisted, partial, reckless, and intended to incite chaos in Kenya. That the BBC is the official voice of British imperialism, cloaked in a fiction of neutrality, is beyond dispute. But Kiarie, and the rest of the Kenyan political class, are stooges of imperialism. The politicians denouncing the BBC have signed defence cooperation agreements to maintain British military bases in Kenya, while Ruto himself paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch who presided over the brutal suppression of the anti-colonial Mau Mau uprising that left hundreds of thousands dead. Britain remains Kenyas largest European investor, a key donor of development aid, and a strategic partner in military and counterterrorism operations. ODM Senator Edwin Sifuna defended the documentary, insisting it contained no fabrications. But Sifuna remains part of a ruling coalition responsible for the very atrocities the documentary exposes. In the run-up to the one year anniversary of the Gen Z protests, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Muriu Kahariri has threatened youth protesters. Francis Atwoli, head of Central Organization of Trade Unions, has called for sweeping censorship of social media. Even schoolchildrens plays have been violently suppressed for being critical of the government. The arrest of the filmmakers epitomizes the profound crisis of legitimacy facing the Kenyan bourgeoisie, which is rapidly sliding back into the authoritarianism of the dictatorship of Daniel arap Moi under whom President William Ruto was a loyal protege. Mois 24-year rule (1978 to 2002) was marked by arbitrary detention without trial, widespread torture, surveillance, and extrajudicial killings. The notorious Nyayo House in Nairobi became emblematic of state terror, where countless journalists, students, unionists, and opposition figures were tortured or disappeared. Ethnic violence was whipped up to divide workers and the rural masses. In the horrific Wagalla Massacre in 1984, the Kenyan army rounded up thousands of ethnic Somali men in Wajir county, held them at an airstrip without food or water, and slaughtered an estimated 1,000 people. Many of the regimes leading figures, including politicians, senior police, military officers, judges, and civil servants, remained in power in the post-Moi era, some up to the present day. Confronting this descent into barbarism demands the unified mobilisation of the working class on a socialist programme. Armed with the lessons of history and guided by the principles of internationalism, workers and youth in Kenya must join their struggles across borders in Africa, in the United States, Europe, and beyond. Israel used drones to attack a humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza in the early hours of Friday, while it was in international waters just off the coast of the Mediterranean island Malta. Amid a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, in which virtually all aid has run dry, the ship, Conscience, was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international NGO. It set sail from the Tunisian port of Bizerte on Tuesday and was more than 1,600 nautical miles from Gaza when it was hit by drone fire. The attack began just after midnight Thursday, at 00:23 local time. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a statement: Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull. That there were no deaths or injuries was only down to chance. The FFC said that 30 people representing 21 nationalities were onboard the ship. The Turkish foreign ministry confirmed that Turkish nationals were among them. Speaking to CNN by phone from Malta, Yasemin Acar, the FCCs press officer, said, There is a hole in the vessel right now and the ship is sinking. This was confirmed by photographic evidence. He added, Attacking international human rights activists in international waters is a war crime. CNN reported, Footage shared on social media and verified by FCC activists shows passengers on the boat walking through smoke that appeared to have filled the inside of the vessel. Photos onboard the ship also show large holes in the structure, much of which is charred and covered in soot. Trevor Ball, a former US Army senior explosive ordnance disposal team member, told CNN that the photos are consistent with two smaller blast munitions being used. Photo showing damage to the vessel, including two large holes in the deck, caused by the drone attack [Photo: freedomflotilla.org] The FFC said the drones appeared to have targeted the generator, leaving the ship without power. Conscience put out an SOS signal, answered by a ship from Cyprus which the humanitarian crew explained was unable to provide the critical electrical support needed. The fire was only brought under control by a Maltese tugboat more than an hour after the ship was first fired upon. Forty people were waiting in Malta to be picked up by Conscience on Friday for the onward journey to Gaza. Among them were climate change and human rights activist Greta Thunberg and retired US Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright. Speaking to Reuters Friday, Thunberg said, I was part of the group who was supposed to board that boat today to continue the voyage towards Gaza, which is one of many attempts to open up a humanitarian corridor and to do our part to keep trying to break Israels illegal siege on Gaza She denounced the systematic starvation of two million people. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking to the AFP news agency the FFC said they suspect Israel was behind the attack, but cannot confirm it as fact. However, the FFCs official statement was unequivocal, demanding, Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters. There is little doubt that the attack was authorised by the war criminals in Tel Aviv, who are in the process of starving the roughly 2 million Palestinians who have survived the 15-month genocide. Evidence emerged over the weekend suggesting a highly planned operation of the type which is standard fare for the Israel Defense Forces. Numerous media outlets, including in Israel, repeated a CNN report noting flight-tracking data showing an Israeli Air Force C-139 Hercules leaving Israel early Thursday afternoon and travelling to Malta. CNN explained, The Hercules did not land at Maltas international airport, the data shows, but the cargo aircraft did fly at a relatively low altitudebelow 5,000 feetover eastern Malta for an extended period of time. The Hercules flew over several hours before the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said their vessel came under attack. The plane returned to Israel about seven hours later, flight-tracking data shows. The facts were verified by the Times of Malta and MaltaToday. The Times of Malta cited a military source speaking on condition of anonymity who said, What happened is very serious. Israel appears to have flown an unauthorised military aircraft over Malta, an EU state and in breach of our neutrality. The Israeli online daily Ynet pointed out, To strike a specific location on a ship from over 2,000 kilometers away requires the capabilities of a regional power, and that using a drone provided the attacker with plausible deniability small drones are hard to detect using the conventional radar systems employed by civilian and national aviation authorities in Europe. This points to Israel as the author of yet another crime, adding to its heinous years-long record of preventing aid ships and convoys for reaching Gaza and the West Bankincluding those operated by the FCC. In May 2010, Israel attacked six civilian ships of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. This operation involved naval commandos from the IDFs Shayetet 13 unit boarding the Turkish humanitarian ship Mavi Marmara, killing 10 aboard and wounding 30 others. Despite the flight-tracking data evidence of a major breach of international law, the Maltese authorities sought to play down the incident, claiming in a Friday statement that no aircraft or vessel, currently mentioned in local and foreign media in relation to the case of the vessel Conscience, entered Maltese Sovereign Airspace or the territorial sea the territorial integrity of Malta was never compromised at any stage. Conscience remains in grave danger, given that Malta is keeping the vessel in international waters and refusing to take it ashore to the port at the capital Valletta for critical repairs. The refusal is in breach of the right of passage for humanitarian assistance as guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions. Maltas navy is also refusing to allow Consciences support team to reach it. On Saturday, one of the members of the Freedom Flotilla steering committee made a speech outside the Maltese Parliament calling for protests on the island and at embassies in Europe. The representative, Yazan, demanded safe passage, protection and immediate humanitarian relief for those on board. The Maltese Times reported of the speech: He said that earlier that day, members of the Freedom Flotilla took boats from Malta and tried to reach the Conscience with aid. But they were intercepted by the Armed Forces of Malta and forced to turn back under threat of arrest. The newspaper reported the governments excuse that it is barring the stricken vessel entry to port based on the allegation that the Conscience is carrying no flag and has no insurance. According to the Times of Israel, Tighe Barry, an activist with anti-war group Codepink, told the Associated Press that the Pacific island nation of Palau, which has warm ties with Israel, revoked its flag from the Conscience prior to the alleged attack. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Most Profitable Cheap Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) stands against the other most profitable cheap stocks to buy. US stocks rose on Friday, May 2, as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq all posted impressive gains. The S&P 500 added nearly 1.5% and this marked the ninth straight day of gains to mark the longest winning streak for the S&P 500 since November 2004. The Dow rose 1.4% to also report a ninth winning day in a row. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained roughly 1.5%. READ ALSO: 13 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best American Tech Stocks To Buy Now. The rally comes after China signaled openness to trade talks and a better-than-expected monthly US jobs report. In April, the US economy added 177,000 nonfarm payrolls, which was more than the 138,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%. This data indicated resiliency in the labor market despite stock market uncertainty in April due to tariff concerns. Investors were also encouraged by indications that the US-China trade war could be easing. On Friday, China said it is evaluating recent US proposals for trade talks to see how serious Trumps administration is about a change in policy stance. Chinas commerce minister stated that the door is open if the US would agree to pull back on reciprocal tariffs. These comments helped reduce concerns about the risk of an economic slowdown by the tariffs. Overall, hopes for improved US-China relations combined with solid job growth helped boost confidence on Wall Street. Methodology To compile our list of the 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now, we used the Finviz stock screener to find stocks with a forward P/E ratio of less than 15. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 25 cheap stocks trading at under 15 times their forward earnings as of April 29, 2025. Next, we focused on profitability and narrowed our choices to stocks that had trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income of more than $1 billion. Finally, we focused on the top 10 profitable stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 database of more than 1,000 elite hedge funds. The 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now were then ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2024. (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs on Friday said it expects OPEC+ to announce a second consecutive increase in supply for June on Saturday, due to modest compliance from Kazakhstan, lower-than-expected OECD inventories, and Saudi Arabia's ability to handle lower oil prices. The Wall Street bank expects the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) to announce a 410,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) increase in supply for June in its meeting on Saturday, from its prior estimate of 140,000 bpd, according to a note. The OPEC+ meeting was moved up to Saturday from the original plan of Monday, three sources told Reuters on Friday. The expected increase would be three times the level agreed in December to start unwinding cuts. Goldman Sachs' prior OPEC forecast relied on a substantial rise in compliance with production cuts, but Kazakhstan's compliance has risen only modestly, it said. Moreover, inventories in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for April undershot the bank's expectations by 28 million barrels due to supply misses in Venezuela and U.S. shale. Saudi Arabia has also signaled that it can weather lower oil prices, consistent with research from Goldman Sachs' economists, the bank said in the note. "This week's drop in oil prices, and the rises in implied volatility and put skew suggest that the market's central expectation has also converged to a 410,000-bpd increase," Goldman Sachs said. Oil fell 8% this week in their biggest weekly losses since the end of March ahead of the OPEC+ meeting, with Brent crude settling at $61.29 a barrel on Friday and West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) at $58.29 a barrel. Goldman maintained its oil price forecast, expecting Brent to average $63 and WTI $59 for the remainder of 2025, and Brent at $58 and WTI at $55 in 2026. The bank estimated that a global slowdown or a complete reversal of the 2.2 million bpd of voluntary OPEC+ cuts could push Brent prices into the $40s in 2026, and below $40 in an unlikely extreme scenario. (Reporting by Noel John in Bengaluru; Editing by Marguerita Choy) Director G.W. Pabst, who briefly worked in Hollywood before returning to Austria and working with the Third Reich, inspired Daniel Kehlmann's engrossing historical fiction. (George Hoyningen-Huene / Conde Nast via Getty Images) Daniel Kehlmanns latest novel, The Director, an engrossing meditation on the exigencies of art and the dangers of artistic complicity, lands in the United States at a good time. Which is to say, a bad time, when both institutions and individuals must gauge the risks of free expression in an increasingly oppressive environment. The German novelist most recently authored Tyll, shortlisted for the 2020 International Booker Prize, and his translator, Ross Benjamin, has rendered his new historical fiction in idiomatic English prose. With a page-turning narrative that is both technically sophisticated and intellectually engaging, The Director sits at the charmed intersection of commercial and literary fiction. In his acknowledgments, Kehlmann says the novel was largely inspired by the life stories of the historical G.W. Pabst and his family. Among his inventions is a Pabst son, Jakob, an aspiring artist turned Hitler Youth member someone whose perceptions, once astute, are polluted by circumstances. The same can be said of Pabst himself, whose monomaniacal devotion to his art inclines him to ugly compromises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: A fresh look at a director who 'sinned' The politically tricky world of The Director is off-kilter in a variety of ways. (The German title, Lichtspiel, means both play of light and film.) Disorientation is a pervasive theme, beginning with Pabsts attempt to establish himself, along with other expatriate film artists, in Hollywood. But language is a barrier, and the deference he demands conflicts with the movie capitals norms. Strangers confuse him with another Austrian-born director, Fritz Lang, and Pabsts American movie, A Modern Hero, fashioned from a script he loathes, is a flop. The directors return to Austria, in part to help his aging mother, is poorly timed. (The books three sections are Outside, Inside and After.) At Pabsts rural estate, the once submissive caretaker, Jerzabek, and his family, now Nazis, hold the whip hand. The wife cooks comically inedible food; the daughters terrorize Jakob. The Pabst family is caught in a real-life horror movie from which escape proves difficult. Trapped by the outbreak of war, Pabst agrees reluctantly to make movies well-funded and ostensibly nonpolitical for the Third Reich. His professional unease is echoed by the novels gently surreal bending of time and space and its metaphorical conflation of life and film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The novels first-person, postwar frame involves another absurdist twist: Franz Wilzek, a resident of an Austrian sanatorium, is corralled into a live television interview. Formerly a director and, earlier, an assistant to Pabst, Wilzek suffers from dementia, and the interview reveals his befuddlement. It is cut short after Wilzek denies the existence of a lost Pabst film, The Molander Case, shot in World War IIs waning days. Practically nothing is known about the circumstances of its shooting, Kehlmann writes in the acknowledgments. That historical gap unleashes the novelists imagination. Most of Kehlmanns narration is in the third-person, with constantly shifting perspectives that add to the books off-kilter feel. At times we see the action through Pabsts eyes; at others, from the viewpoint of his wife, Trude; his son, Jakob; the actor Greta Garbo; and the Reich envoy Kuno Kramer. A captured British writer offers his first-person take on Pabsts 1943 film, Paracelsus. Leni Riefenstahl turns up too, as both actor and director, a collaborator in every sense. So, too, does the actor Louise Brooks, depicted as the great love of Pabsts life. Read more: G.W. Pabst: The high art of lurid lives Over time, dreamscapes, film sets and Germanys crumbling, war-ravaged cities become indistinguishable. In films, Pabst reflects, the painted backgrounds looked real and unreal at the same time, like something out of the strangest dreams. In Berlin, he observes that the edges of the houses seemed askew, while the street down below rolled away very straight into an endless distance, evoking how films had looked fifteen years earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, when Pabst visits the Nazi propaganda ministry, its geometrically baffling corridors remind him of a trick he himself had used repeatedly in long tracking shots. When he encounters the minister an unnamed Joseph Goebbels he sees him briefly as two distinct men. As Pabst moves toward the exit, the office door recedes. He finds that the room had folded over so that he was suspended from the ceiling, walking upside down. The climactic (and amply foreshadowed) blurring of nightmare, film and reality occurs in Prague, during The Molander Case shoot. A group of prisoners, gaunt and starving, are commandeered to serve as unusually cooperative movie extras. A stunned Wilzek, spotting a familiar face, reports that time had become tangled like a film reel. Kehlmann gives Pabsts self-justifications their due. The important thing is to make art under the circumstances one finds oneself in, the director says. An actor differs: One contorts oneself thousands of times, but dies only once Its simply not worth it. Later, Pabst declares, Art is always out of place. Always unnecessary when its made. And later, when you look back, its the only thing that mattered. Perception, and what one chooses not to see, is another one of the novels themes. Look closely, Jakob insists, and the world recedes, becoming a mixture in which nothing is clean and everything runs together. But is that true? Wilzek, the novels unlikely hero, does look closely, and what he sees impels him to take a moral stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehlmanns epigraph, from the Austrian Nazi writer Heimito von Doderers 1966 short story collection Under Black Stars, describes drifting along on a broad wave of absurdity, although we knew and saw it. But this very knowledge was what kept us alive, von Doderer writes, while others far better than we were swallowed up. A post facto reflection on his times, it casts a troubling light on our own. Klein is the Forwards contributing book critic. Get the latest book news, events and more in your inbox every Saturday. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Journal Star readers were invited to choose their favorite beauty and health service providers for the 2024 Communitys Choice Awards. Here are the top three eye care clinics in the Peoria area as voted on by participants: Winner: Illinois Eye Center Illinois Eye Center at 8921 Wood Sage Road in Peoria was honored with a 2024 Community's Choice Award for top eye care clinic in the Peoria area. 8921 Wood Sage Road, Peoria (309) 243-2400 illinoiseyecenter.com From the archives: Dr. Thomas Wyman marks 40 years with Illinois Eye Center Finalist: Bard Optical bardoptical.com Finalist: Vision Care Center 4727 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (309) 316-7951 1009 North Cummings Lane, Washington (309) 444-8811 vcc2020.com 'Very humbled': Local businesses honored at 2024 Community's Choice Awards This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Need help looking for eye care near Peoria? These 3 clinics are highly recommended After a lengthy drive along traffic-jammed roads from Athens, the first glimpse of Meteoras stone monasteries each perched atop fingers of sandstone rising steeply from the pancake-flat Thessaly plain is truly spectacular. A World Heritage site since the 1980s, you can do these evocative monasteries on an extreme day trip from Athens, involving a four-hour drive either way, and an afternoon spent visiting the main ones. Id chosen to stay overnight. Its the best way, especially if you want to see the monasteries at sunset, said George, my guide from local company Visit Meteors. Surrounded by hedgerows filled with crab apple blossom and the corduroy of fresh-ploughed fields, Kalambaka, the regions main town is tiny, which seems surprising for such a celebrated site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monastery-topped crags tower over the towns tangled web of streets, casting eerie shadows on the whitewashed facades. The town of Kalambaka is in the the foothills of the Meteora byzantine monasteries, which are perched on top of steep rocks - Alamy We are used to living in their shadow, but we are also imbibed with their sense of holiness. Many of us have friends in the monasteries we grew up with the monks and nuns, George told me as we sat at the terrace of family-owned Meteoran Panorama restaurant in warm April sunshine, gorging on homemade wild mushroom soup. Twenty-four monasteries were built here between the 12th and 14th centuries, but only six remain today. The late travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, who visited in the 1950s, said of the monks: Like the peregrines, Egyptian vultures and black storks that still nest on the virtually inaccessible rock faces, they became sky dwellers, at home in a world of soaring stone. Until a road was built in 1949, the only way to get up there was to climb the sheer rock face, George said, pointing to one of the monasteries standing on its rocky pillar, draped in vivid green moss. Meteora comes from the verb meteorizo, which means suspended in the air. I think you can see why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From afar we watched a long line of visitors, as colourful as Buddhist prayer flags, hiking the steep, stepped path to the largest monastery, Moni Megalou Meteorou. They are often closed in the afternoon, so you need to get here early. If you have a few days to spare, hiking is definitely the best way to see them, George said as we drove on to Moni Megalous main church, where we marvelled at the richly detailed 16th-century frescos depicting gory scenes of martyrdom. People couldnt read, so it was like a medieval comic book, but with a serious message, George whispered as we gazed at the ghostly white skull of Athanasios, the monk who founded the monastery in the 14th century. Buffeted by wild winds whisking across the terrace of the stocky-turreted monastery, George pointed out the caves that were burrowed into the cinnamon-coloured cliffs opposite by ninth-century hermits. All week theyd live alone in their caves, but on Sundays theyd come down to the valley and meet each other to gossip and exchange the latest news, he laughed. The serene Meteora clifftop monasteries have featured in Hollywood productions - iStockphoto Across from Megalou Meteorou, Agios Varvaras Rousanou is home to a community of nuns who were invited to take over the abandoned monastery in the 1980s to save it from ruin. In the convents frescoed chapel I met 20-year-old Lina from Kalabaka, who told me that shed played here since she was a child. When I broke up with my first boyfriend I even stayed here for 10 days. I felt closer to heaven here it really helped me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inevitably, Meteoras monasteries have starred in a string of Hollywood epics. Scenes from The Clash of the Titans were filmed here and digitally altered images of Meteora were used as a backdrop for the sky cells (prison cells with open walls) in Game of Thrones. Our next stop, the Monastery of the Agia Triada Holy Trinity, was the setting for the nail-biting scene in the 1970s Bond film For Your Eyes Only where Roger Moore scales the vertical cliff-face to save a secret device from falling into Soviet hands. Today, only one monk lives in this monastery, one of the most remote. Its still difficult to reach the Holy Trinity now, but until the 1920s there werent even any stairs you could only get here by climbing a 130ft rope ladder, George said. Inside 14th-century Moni Varlaam, we visited a small museum where exhibits include a striking collection of medieval manuscripts, and a net that was once used to hoist monks up to the monastery. The Monastery of Varlaam is the secon-biggest monastery of Meteora - iStockphoto George told me that the monks had a mischievous sense of humour. When nervous visitors asked how often they replaced the rope, the monks would reply, Whenever it breaks, he laughed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At our last stop, the 16th-century Monastery of Saint Nikolas Anapafsas, monks were recovering from a week of Easter celebrations. Like Christmas and New Year rolled into one, this is the countrys most important religious celebration, when Greeks return home from all over the world to be with their loved ones. It starts on Good Friday, with mournful bells; at midnight on Saturday, the Holy Fire, which is brought over each year from Jerusalem, is shared from candle to candle; this is followed by Sundays riotous feasting to celebrate Christs resurrection. The Monastery of Varlaam is an Eastern Orthodox monastery that is part of the Meteora monastery complex in Thessaly - Martin Bertrand/Alamy Can you imagine what its like to celebrate Easter in such a holy place? George whispered, as the chanting of monks swelled in the background. They might make films here, but there is nothing fake about Meteora. When you stand on one of our heavenly pillars so close to the sky, how can you not believe in God? How to do it Visit Meteora (0030 24320 23820) offers day-trips to Meteora from Athens, from 49pp. Aegean Airlines flies from London Heathrow to Athens from 157 return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Meteora Hotel (0030 24320 77707) has doubles from 119 per night, including breakfast. Heidi Fuller-Love was a guest of Discover Greece. 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. 1 person airlifted after motorcycle crash in Northeast El Paso UPDATE: Gateway North after McCombs has reopened at about 7 p.m. Saturday after a motorcycle crash closed the road earlier, TxDOT said. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was transported via helicopter after a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon, May 3 in Northeast El Paso, according to the El Paso Fire Department. The call came in at 4:30 p.m. on May 3 about a motorcyclist who lost control of the bike at the intersection on Gateway North Boulevard and McCombs Street, according to El Paso Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Fire Department, one person was transported by FireStar, the departments helicopter. El Paso Fire did not identify the person who was hurt or say how severe the injuries are. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the left lane of Gateway North at McCombs is closed and clearing time is an hour. The scene has been turned over to El Paso Police, according to El Paso Fire. This is a developing story and will update you once we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Having been on the coffee circuit for more than 40 years, java giant Starbucks has seen more than its share of product recalls. The more the brand has expanded into sectors like home goods and grocery products, the higher the probability of snafus that send the supply chain into a tailspin. When it happens, it's not just Starbucks that's impacted; it's retailers, coffee shops, and customers who end up in need of fast action to make sure everyone impacted stays safe and secure. Beyond the shady things about the Starbucks menu, there are also the dodgy -- though unintentional -- issues that arise to make recalling items a necessity for the sake of customer safety. Through the decades, Starbucks has seen its share of high impact incidents that could potentially jeopardize the health and well-being of its customer base. A quick search reveals a laundry list of scenarios that have caused operations to pump the brakes and roll the tape backwards. Whether it's due to bits of glass that could have been floating around in a bottled beverage or tainted food that might have made its way into a customer's digestive tract, some of the largest recalls in Starbucks history have put the company on its back foot and caused more than a little headache and heartache for one of the most trusted names in commercial coffee. Read more: 18 Instant Coffees, Ranked Worst To Best Bottles Of Vanilla Frappuccino (2023) bottles of Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino - HappyAngel 888/Shutterstock Grabbing a simple bottle of Vanilla Frappuccino to get yourself a little caffeine jolt sounds like a simple prospect. But when there's more in the bottle than just tasty coffee and a little rocket fuel, the possibilities for injury suddenly become much more real. Starbucks found out when it was forced to recall 25,000 cases over 300,000 bottles of Vanilla Frappuccino bottled drinks that had gone out to a number of retailers with possible pieces of glass floating around in the liquid. PepsiCo, distributor of the beverages, issued the notice voluntarily after the offending glass pieces were discovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nationwide pullback began on January 28, 2023 and ended on July 20 of that year. There were no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports of injury to consumers, which surely drew a sigh of relief from the Starbucks bigwigs. As much as starting the day without a chilled blast of your favorite bottled swig might not have been ideal for anyone impacted, inadvertently swallowing glass obviously would have been a far worse situation. Metallic Mugs (2023) metallic Starbucks mug - Nestle USA Imagine all the happy holiday revelers ripping open wrapping paper to discover Starbucks mugs and beverage mixes waiting. That happy scene was cut short after Christmas 2023 when a potential hazard was identified with a specific mug adorned with an iridescent metallic coating: The mugs were prone to breaking if filled with hot liquid or heated in the microwave, which is pretty much the core purpose of a mug. Warnings of possible lacerations and burns were issued and a massive recall was announced on March 21, 2024, long after the holiday season had ended. How extensive was this post-Yuletide product recall? A visual image might illustrate it best. Picture 40 coffee mugs sitting on your kitchen table, all marked with Starbucks' green siren logo and filled with drink packets like the perfect Secret Santa gifts they were intended to be. Now multiply that by 110,000 and see if you can fit the 440,500 pieces involved into your brain space. It's pretty wild, isn't it? The perils of accidentally overheating any of these imagined items would have been enough to inspire coffee lovers to revert to disposable Starbucks cups to avoid injury. Cans Of Doubleshot Espresso Beverages (2022) hand holding can of Doubleshot Espresso - nungky soerya/Shutterstock There's no way a corporation as responsible as Starbucks would consciously allow pre-made beverages posing a potential public health hazard into the supply chain, but sometimes it happens despite a company's best intentions. In 2022, Starbucks learned that its canned Doubleshot Espresso beverages had gone out of the factory with inadequate sealing, leading to a massive recall of product that should never have made it onto the trucks. Once the situation was discovered, a recall was enacted to remove the dubious drinks, pronto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't a modest collection of cans that were destined for return, either; over 250,000 cases not bottles, but cases were marked for pull-back to keep Starbucks fans from running into potential issues with foodborne illness. The health impact of accidentally drinking one of these beverages may have rivaled swigging the ill-advised 48-shot espresso Starbucks drink that you definitely shouldn't try. It's good to know that food safety soldiers are on the lookout for simple errors like inadequate seals that could turn your otherwise happy java experience into a stomach-turning moment you'd rather avoid. Vanilla Espresso Tripleshot (2022) can of Starbucks Vanilla Espresso Tripleshot - Walmart All any self-respecting Starbucks customer wants is a tasty, chuggable energy infusion from whichever beverage they favor. When the concoction is a Vanilla Espresso Triple Shot that comes with bits of metal included free of charge, the prospect of downing one for a bold boost becomes fraught with potential for injury. It happened in 2022, when cases sent to seven states were found to have possible contamination of metal fragments. PepsiCo issued a recall on August 15, followed by an FDA notice that arrived on September 8 in a concerted effort to get the impacted product away from markets where consumers could have been making perilous purchases. Though this situation absolutely throws up a safety alarm that shouldn't be ignored, the recall wasn't as large as some of the other Starbucks notifications. But even if the pull-back only involved 221 cases, the damage those possibly-tainted bottles could have caused was averted thanks to the accuracy of a tracking system that could hone in on the lot that may have been affected. So while this Vanilla Espresso Triple Shot recall may have left shelves empty temporarily, the benefits of not taking chances with consumer health was undoubtedly worth the trouble. Coffee Presses (2019) French press with cup of coffee - Fcafotodigital/Getty Images For Starbucks fans eager to have a more direct coffee experience, coffee presses are the perfect device. When they work properly, you can create personalized signature brews, avoiding unnecessary questions for your barista by tinkering with roasts and blends on your own. But when the products become disassembled during use, there's no question it's time to stop the presses, as the colossal coffee company learned in 2019. A partnership with coffee press creator Bodum resulted in a Starbucks French press that was prone to having its plunger knob snap off; eight reports in the U.S. and one in Canada proved that it was no one-off, but a trend that required intervention to keep other consumers safe while creating their coffee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The products had been on shelves and in online listings between November 2016 and January 2019, creating a two-and-a-half year period of movement into consumer hands. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 230,000 presses sold in the U.S. and another 33,200 or so sold in Canada, creating a recall of epic proportions that eventually extended to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Rather than issuing a refund for the faulty item, Starbucks issued instructions for customers to return the press for a store credit, though the item couldn't be returned at the store where it was purchased. The situation also resulted in Bodum suing Starbucks to salvage its reputation. Breakfast Sandwiches And Cheese & Fruit Bistro Boxes (2016) English muffin breakfast sandwich - michelaubryphoto/Shutterstock It's easy to order small bites from a Starbucks when they shine so prettily in the glass case that houses them. Not all that beauty turns out to be safe for consumption, however, as proven by a two-fold Starbucks recall from 2016, in which sandwiches and bistro boxes were rounded up for disposal due to possible contamination and food allergy dangers. The chain's popular breakfast sandwiches featuring eggs, sausage, and cheese on an English muffin, created by Massachusetts-based Progressive Gourmet, Inc., were the product under scrutiny. Having been sent to 250 Starbucks locations around Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, the sandwiches were recalled on March 4 of that year. Customers may have been a little hungrier for a while, but at least they weren't subjected to an unpleasant foodborne illness. On the same day, Starbucks issued a recall for its Cheese & Fruit Bistro Boxes due to the inclusion of almonds which may have been mixed with cashews. Since the boxes only went out with a warning for consumers with cashew allergies, the chain took action to remove the items from the Washington retailers where they had been distributed. What a day for a Starbucks recall double-whammy. Bistro Boxes (2011) Starbucks Bistro Boxes - Starbucks / Facebook Having a pastry case filled with tasty noshes to go with your caffeinated sloshes helps make a Starbucks visit a full service experience. But in 2010, the prospect of having safe and healthy food as part of that experience was called into question when it was discovered that several popular Starbucks menu items may have been tainted with listeria, that dastardly bacteria known to frequently trouble the food world. Georgia-based Flying Food Group, LLC, had issued a recall involving its ready-to-eat meats, several of which were included in Starbucks Bistro Boxes. Customers looking for a lunch nibble were suddenly in danger of contracting a nasty case of food poisoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meats in question were produced between July 13 and July 24, 2011, with Starbucks being picked up as part of the recall effort on July 19. There were no reports of illness when the recall was issued; the problem was detected during testing of the product. Starbucks chose to err on the side of caution and heeded the recall for the safety of its customers, a drawback that involved anywhere from 389 to 518 items, based on the deliveries made to the locations involved. Glass Water Bottles (2010) glass water bottle with metal lid - Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images These days, reusable water bottles usually come in the form of stainless steel tubes and tumblers that resist breakage when dropped. In 2010, Starbucks was marketing water bottles made of glass, selling the shiny vessels in stand-alone locations and coffee shops in Target and Safeway locations. It doesn't take a physicist to see the potential for breakage in such a situation. Removing the bottle's stopper could cause the stopper or the bottle itself to shatter as documented in 10 reports eight of which detailed customers cutting their hands on broken glass. If the basic function of a product is dodgy enough to cause the entire piece to break, you can guess pretty safely there's a recall looming on the horizon. Sure enough, the recall notice came on January 28. There were around 11,000 of these wonky water bottles in the U.S. and 1,200 in Canada involved in the recall. Customers were instructed to discontinue use immediately and return to their place of purchase for a refund. And for the trouble caused, Starbucks also provided customers with a free beverage of their choice in any size -- a modest compensation for the hassle caused by this tricky product. Kids' Tumblers (2007) toddler drinking from sippy cup - Marina Demidiuk/Shutterstock It may be strange to think about Starbucks as a place where kids go to get their favorite beverages, but the expansion into the family-friendly drink market has made the coffee shop a haven for younger customers over the years. Thanks to themed kiddie cups, Starbucks' littlest coffee shop visitors could carry along a beverage of their very own when accompanying their parents on a coffee run or, more likely, an apple juice run. But a 2006 run of these tricky tumblers turned out to be less-than-entirely safe for use by the intended audience, showing a tendency to break when dropped and presenting the possibility of laceration as well as a choking hazard. Considering how often these tiny drinkers throw or drop their sippy cups on the ground, there was bound to be quite a bit of breakage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks jumped into action on October 9, 2007 and recalled a whopping 250,000 units, offering customers a refund while sweeping the offending tumblers off of shelves. Unfortunately, there were seven reports -- including two that involved children who started to choke on pieces of the tumblers -- though no injuries were reported. The cute-but-dangerous cups were sold throughout the U.S., which meant the recall went nationwide, with instructions for parents to return their purchases for a full refund and a free drink Starbucks' standard apology offer. Home Coffee Brewers (2006) woman making coffee using home brewer - Lazy_bear/Getty Images With so many branded products on the retail circuit, Starbucks has run into snafus with items that take customers completely out of the coffee shop environment and let them enjoy a homebrew experience instead. A 2006 recall required the company to pull back approximately 73,000 of its sleek, stainless-steel eight-cup coffee brewers due to a wiring issue that could have resulted in a litany of fire-related kitchen catastrophes, including overheating, smoking, and plastic burning or melting. You don't need to know the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino to recognize the damper a malfunctioning Starbucks coffee machine could put on more than just your morning coffee moments. The recall was issued on October 17, after 23 reports of plastic housings melting on the brewers. These items had been sold from March 2005 through September 2006 and rang up at the register at a cool $100.00 or so. This time, Starbucks instructed purchasers to return the brewers via a postage-paid send-in for a full refund plus a coupon for a complementary pound of coffee. The coupon came with an expiration date of January 31, 2007, possibly to prompt quick action from consumers. Read the original article on Mashed. A 10-year-old girl died when a tree fell on her home after overnight storms in Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, a tree fell on a home on Mims Street in Atlanta, our sister station WSB-TV reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six people, including the child, lived in the home, according to investigators. The child was identified as 10-year-old Aerica Dixon, WSB-TV reported. Dixons mother and grandmother were taken to the hospital, but are listed as being in stable condition. A GoFundMe set up to support the family said that Aerica, who they affectionately called Tink, was in bed with her grandmother when the tree fell. The grandmothers pelvis was broken, and she is paralyzed in one leg, according to the family. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide additional support to the family, WSB-TV reported. You can donate to the familys GoFundMe campaign to help offset funeral costs by clicking here. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LIMA, Peru (AP) The bodies of 13 security guards kidnapped from a major Peruvian gold mine just over a week ago were found Sunday, Perus Interior Ministry said, their deaths coming as violence escalates in the Andean nation's crucial mining industry. The gold mine, La Poderosa, said that a search-and-rescue team recovered the staff members' remains i the mine on Sunday. The company blamed their abduction on informal miners allegedly linked to criminal gangs that ambushed the gold mine on April 26. Peru's Interior Ministry said it had deployed special police forces to locate and capture those responsible for these heinous crimes." It did not give further details about the attack or its perpetrators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement La Poderosa, a private firm based in Peru's capital of Lima, said that criminal groups fighting for control of the mine in Perus remote northwestern city of Pataz have killed 39 of the companys workers since it began operating there in 1980, including the latest 13. In a particularly brazen incident in December 2023, illegal miners attacked the same Poderosa mine with explosives, killing nine people and wounding 15. La Poderosa sent in more security guards in response to the string of attacks. A major gold and copper supplier for the world, Peru is unique in allowing informal miners to operate with some protections as long as they plan to legalize their operations. But illegal mining quickly boomed into a vast industry as the metals became increasingly lucrative, new mining techniques emerged and the government struggled to mount a response. With much of Peru awash in a wave of crime that prompted the government to declare a state of emergency last month, reports of extortion from artisanal miners and entrepreneurs in the country's northern mining area have surged in recent months. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A 17-year-old was taken to the hospital after reportedly falling into the Weber River and being swept away on Saturday. Officials said the boy was in the water for roughly 90 minutes before he was found. According to Lt. Sean Endsley with the Weber County Sheriffs Office, officials responded to a possible drowning around 5:30 p.m. on May 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2-year-old taken to hospital in serious condition after being hit by car in SLC Endsley told ABC4.com that a group of boys was playing airsoft along the Weber River near 2200 West and 1200 South in Marriott-Slaterville when two boys went into the river. Of the two boys, one remained under the water. The boy who didnt initially resurface was found around 7 p.m. and taken to Primary Childrens Hospital. There was no update on his condition as of around 8:45 p.m. There is no further information at this time. Connor Comeau contributed to this report. 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. The US government got a second chance to try to dismantle Google's (GOOG, GOOGL) stronghold over the internet in a hearing on Friday meant to sort out how best to restore competition in two online advertising markets. Judge Leonie Brinkema, a US federal district judge in Alexandria, Va., set a "remedies" trial date of Sept. 22 for the tech giant to face off against the Justice Department's effort to break up Googles ad tech monopoly. Google now has to defend that part of its empire against a breakup while also doing the same in a separate antitrust trial where the DOJ is seeking the divestment of the tech giant's Chrome search browser. Last August, in that case, US District Judge Amit Mehta found Google liable for illegally monopolizing the general search engine market and the market for general search engine text. He is now considering divestments of Googles highly valuable Chrome browser and its Android operating system, along with limitations on its implementation of artificial intelligence tools. In the ad tech monopoly case, Judge Brinkema in April sided with the DOJ and 17 state attorneys general by ruling that the tech giant used illegal tactics to block competition in markets where online advertisements are bought and sold. That ruling gave the judge discretion to permit or deny the governments request to consider divestments known as structural remedies. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Photo: REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel REUTERS / Reuters Specifically, the DOJ has argued that Googles Ad Manager suite, which includes DoubleClick for Publishers, a publisher-side ad server, and Google Ad Exchange, its exchange platform where buyers and sellers broker deals for online ads, should be spun off. Google tried to get the judge to eliminate the option of divestitures. It was "going for a kill shot, said Daniel McCuaig, a former trial attorney with the Justice Departments antitrust division, who is now a partner with Cohen Milstein. But Google didn't get its way, which heightens its business risks as it fights to hold on to multiple subsidiaries in two major antitrust defeats suffered over the past year. However, Judge Brinkema did express concern about overreaching remedies during the hearing, noting that the wrong remedies can cause additional harm. Publishers, for example, may see no benefit if Google's ad server were demolished. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's vice president for regulatory affairs, said, "The DOJs additional proposals to force a divestiture of our ad tech tools go well beyond the Courts findings, have no basis in law, and would harm publishers and advertisers." WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A 17-year-old boy has been confirmed deceased after falling into the Weber River and being swept away on Saturday, according to the Weber County Sheriffs Office. Officials said the boy was in the water for roughly 90 minutes before he was found. According to Lt. Sean Endsley, Weber County Sheriffs Office, authorities responded to a possible drowning around 5:30 p.m. on May 3. Endsley told ABC4.com that a group of boys was playing airsoft along the Weber River near 2200 West and 1200 South in Marriott-Slaterville when two boys went into the river. Of the two boys, one remained under the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORIGINAL STORY: 17-year-old boy in hospital after falling into Weber River, remaining in water for over an hour The boy who didnt initially resurface was found around 7 p.m. and taken to Primary Childrens Hospital. There was no update on his condition as of around 8:45 p.m. Further details surrounding the incident are being withheld at this time. No further information is currently available. Connor Comeau contributed to this report. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) A 19-year-old Chicago man was charged Sunday with numerous felony counts, including criminal sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping, according to the Chicago Police Department. CPD said Tymarion Averyhart was charged with eight felony counts in total: One count each of aggravated sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated sexual assault felony, home invasion sex offense, aggravated kidnapping while armed, aggravated unlawful restraint, and three counts of residential burglary. Averyhart, an Edgewater resident, was arrested Thursday in the 1800 block of West Greenleaf Avenue as he was identified as the offender who sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman in the 1800 block of West Lunt Avenue earlier that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US, state flags to fly at half staff through Sunday: Heres why CPD said he is also charged in connection to a sexual assault of a 27-year-old victim in the 6200 block of North Bell Avenue on Dec. 26, 2024, and court documents said he was charged with three burglaries that occurred sometime between Dec. 18 and Dec. 27 2024, Dec. 28, 2024 and Jan. 10, 2025all three in the 6200 block of North Bell Avenue. Averyhart is due back in court Wednesday, May 7. No additional information is available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A motorcyclist and his passenger were taken to the hospital after reportedly crashing into the back of a car on Saturday afternoon. According to Jeanteil Livingston with Lehi City, the crash occurred at the intersection of Redwood Road and Cold Spring Drive in Saratoga Springs shortly before 3:40 p.m. on May 3. Livingston said the motorcycle hit the back end of a passenger car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2-year-old taken to hospital in serious condition after being hit by car in SLC Livingston told ABC4.com that the motorcycle passenger identified as an adult female was life-flighted to a Murray hospital with serious injuries. The motorcyclist an adult male was taken to a local hospital with severe injuries, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. As of Saturday night, officials did not have a current update on the conditions of the two injured people. There is no further information at this time. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connor Comeau 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two people were injured after shots were fired during an attempted robbery at Riverfront Dog Park early Sunday morning. Officials responded to the area of 1st Avenue South just after 3 a.m. According to Metro Police, a 55-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were at the dog park when four young men approached them. The victims told authorities the suspects attempted to take drugs from them during an altercation before shots were fired. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Both the man and woman were shot and transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Officials said their injuries were non-life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was immediately released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A 2-year-old boy is in the hospital after reportedly being hit by a car on Saturday night, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. Officers responded to the scene of the incident in a residential area on North Dexter Street in Salt Lake City and found the 2-year-old conscious, alert, and breathing at around 7 p.m. on May 3. Preliminary information indicates the child was accidentally hit by a slow-moving vehicle as it exited an apartment complex, SLCPD public information officer Brent Weisberg said Saturday night. We believe the child broke free from being held and ran into the car as it turned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 17-year-old boy in hospital after falling into Weber River, remaining in water for over an hour Weisberg said the child was taken to Primary Childrens Hospital in serious condition. The driver returned to the scene and is said to be cooperating fully, police said. While early witness reports and officer observations did not indicate impairment, officials said the driver was being processed for impaired driving after further investigation. The incident remains under investigation, but at this time appears to be an accident, police said. There is no further information 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. SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KTLA) Two people and a dog are dead after the small plane they were flying in crashed in a Los Angeles-area neighborhood on Saturday. At around 1:51 p.m., about 40 firefighters responded to calls that a plane had crashed into two homes with smoke showing in the Wood Ranch community of Simi Valley, officials confirmed. The Simi Valley Police Department issued an alert at 2:40 p.m., telling the public that a plane crash near High Meadow Street had closed the road, warning residents to avoid the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ventura County Fire Department posted to X after 4 p.m., saying that preliminary reports indicated one fatality in the aircraft. At 8 p.m., VCFD confirmed two people were killed in the crash the pilot and a passenger along with a dog. Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) A Vans RV-10 crashed near High Meadow Street and Wood Ranch Parkway in Simi Valley, California, around 2:10 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 3, explained the FAA in a statement. The plane departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was heading to Camarillo Airport. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The stringer service KNN spoke with a homeowner who said he was trimming vegetation around his home when he spotted the plane, describing it as possibly disoriented or in distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went to tell his wife about it, and the plane plummeted and slammed into the exact location where he was trimming vegetation, KNN reported. The man narrowly escaped death when the plane hit and his home erupted in flames. Brinks truck drops $300K on street; driver claims 50100 people grabbed cash and fled Officials said the fire spread to two two-story, single-family homes, and that residents were inside at the time of the crash. However, they were able to evacuate, and VCFD said no other injuries were reported, but the homes sustained structural damage. The deceased victims identities were not immediately provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VCFD said the fire was knocked down as of 4 p.m. It will likely be weeks before the NTSB releases preliminary findings on the Simi Valley crash. A final report comes months later, according to the Associated Press. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 21-year-old arrested after allegedly driving recklessly in North Haven NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A Manchester man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly driving recklessly in the area of Universal Drive in North Haven, police said. 21-year-old Tyler Peek was allegedly part of a group of drivers doing donuts and burnouts on Saturday morning near BJs Wholesale in North Haven. The group dispersed as officers arrived. Norwich man accused of driving at 120 mph, engaging police in pursuit on Route 2 :CSP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A black Volkswagen Jetta was seen driving recklessly through traffic without its lights on. Tyler Peek, 21 Peek was identified as the driver and charged with the following Failure to have lights lit and devices illuminated Reckless driving Failing to stop when signaled/disobeying direction of an 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 WTNH.com. Genetic testing company 23andMe, once valued at $6 billion, has filed for bankruptcy. State attorneys general are urging concerned customers to delete their data, while experts warn that state and federal laws may not fully protect their privacy. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The fate of more than 15 million customers genetic data remains in limbo after popular DNA testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March. The data is up for sale, stoking fears about how it might be used and prompting attorneys general from more than a dozen states to warn 23andMe users: Delete your data. Your genetic data is your most personal, confidential data, and you should be able to protect who has access to it, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, said in a March statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have the power to delete your data now please act quickly. Dr. Adam Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based emergency physician and the founder of a health care strategy firm, deleted his information on 23andMe as soon as he learned of the bankruptcy filing, he told Stateline. For him, the bankruptcy begs a vital question that federal and state laws dont fully address: What happens to your genetic data when the company holding it collapses? Federal protections are flimsy. States have beefed up their genetic privacy laws in recent years, but many experts say they dont go far enough. There actually are not a lot of data privacy protections for consumers, especially for these direct-to-customer-type businesses. Dr. Adam Brown, emergency physician and founder of a health care strategy company 23andMe has said the bankruptcy will not change how it stores, manages or protects its trove of sensitive customer information. In a news release issued shortly after the bankruptcy announcement, the company said any potential buyers would have to agree to comply with 23andMes consumer privacy policy and all applicable laws. When contacted by Stateline, the company declined to comment beyond what it has published in news releases and information it posted for customers on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But once the data is in the hands of another company, that company could change its privacy policy at any time, experts noted. Once you get to the point of bankruptcy court, there may not be those same guarantees or the same ethos a new company may have around privacy protections for consumers, Brown said. I want people to understand there actually are not a lot of data privacy protections for consumers, especially for these direct-to-customer-type businesses. HIPAA doesnt help Companies such as 23andMe offer their users potentially game-changing revelations about their health and ancestry. The process is simple: Mail in a saliva sample and the company uses it to build an individual genetic profile that can reveal not only a persons family connections, but also health insights such as their risk of developing a disease like cancer or Alzheimers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This valuable personal data underpins a direct-to-customer genetic testing market that was valued at $1.93 billion globally in 2023 and is expected to grow, according to market research firm Grand View Research. 23andMe was an industry giant until its stock price plummeted following a massive 2023 data breach that affected the accounts of nearly 7 million customers. Then came the $30 million class-action lawsuit settlement. The company declared bankruptcy in late March of this year, and announced its up for sale. A flurry of alerts from state attorneys general around the country soon followed. AGs from states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Texas issued similar press releases that recommended customers ask the company to delete their genetic profile and destroy the saliva sample used to create it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have robust state privacy laws that include data deletion rights, and I would encourage any Texan concerned about their data to exercise the right to have their data securely deleted, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said in an April statement. The fear is that a new 23andMe owner could choose to use or share sensitive personal genetic data in ways the companys current privacy policy doesnt allow. Theres worry it could be used, for example, to inflate peoples life insurance premiums or expose them to employment discrimination. And there arent many guardrails to prevent that from happening. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, doesnt apply to companies like 23andMe. The landmark federal law protects patients sensitive health information when its handled by doctors, hospitals and health insurers. But direct-to-customer companies such as 23andMe or Ancestry arent considered health care providers, and their non-invasive saliva collection kit isnt considered a medical test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main federal law that protects people from discrimination based on their genetic information is nearly 20 years old. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed in 2008, long before the rise of at-home testing kits. It applies to employers and health insurers, but not to life insurance companies, mortgage lenders and other non-health entities. And it doesnt explicitly protect epigenetic information, which is information about the way a persons genes and by extension, health are affected by outside factors such as smoking, disease or stress. What states are doing In the past five years, at least 14 states have passed laws regulating direct-to-consumer genetic testing offered by companies like Ancestry and 23andMe. Theres variation, but generally the laws require companies to get customers express consent before using or sharing their data, and allow customers to request their genetic data be deleted and biological samples destroyed. Its a good start, but doesnt go far enough, said Anya Prince, a University of Iowa law professor whose research focuses on health and genetic privacy. Many of those state efforts were built around a model law developed by the Coalition for Genetic Data Protection, an industry group with two member companies: 23andMe and Ancestry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As DNA testing kits exploded in popularity and attracted increased scrutiny from lawmakers, the coalition pushed to influence legislation and set industry standards. The privacy protections in the laws mirror what 23andMe and Ancestry were already doing with their own privacy policies, experts say. They do have some really sensible privacy protections, said Prince. Its great that people can delete their genetic data, and its great that law enforcement needs a warrant to access it. But if a privacy advocate had written a model law, there would be the potential for more and broader protections. For example, she said, many of the state laws address privacy requirements just for direct-to-consumer DNA testing companies. If 23andMes data is bought by, say, a pharmaceutical company, those state laws no longer apply. The coalition now appears to be inactive, its website defunct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2020, more than a dozen states have passed some version of a genetic information privacy law, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming, based on a Stateline analysis. This year, the Indiana legislature passed a bill thats now headed to the governors desk. Bills have been introduced this year in other states, including West Virginia. Prince said state laws rely too heavily on consumers to self-manage their data privacy. Theyre expected to understand a companys policy, when studies have shown the public often doesnt read privacy notices nor fully understand how companies use their data. Further, many state laws dont address how third parties, such as law enforcement, can access and use consumer genetic data. Its also not always clear how the laws will be enforced, or whos responsible for oversight. In general, I think theres a disconnect between how people think their privacy is protected and how its actually protected, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a few states have enacted laws that are more robust. California, for example, has a genetic information privacy law, but also has a general data protection law, as well as a state version of the federal GINA law that extends genetic anti-discrimination protections into areas including housing, education and licensing. Florida has beefed up its DNA privacy laws in recent years, making the using or selling of an individuals DNA without informed consent a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Florida was also the first state to prohibit life, disability and long-term care insurance companies from using genetic information to determine coverage. How to delete your 23andMe data Log in to your 23andMe account on 23andme.com.Under your profile, click Settings.Scroll to the 23andMe Data section.Click the View button.If you want a copy of your genetic data, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.Scroll to the Delete Data section.Click Permanently Delete Data.Check your email for a confirmation email from 23andMe, then follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under Preferences. If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers using your genetic data and sample for research purposes, you can withdraw that consent from your account settings page, under the Research and Product Contents section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have concerns, you can contact your state attorney generals office. Find yours at www.naag.org/find-my-ag/. Source: Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Three people were taken to a local hospital after a car caught fire following a multi-vehicle crash in southern Utah on Saturday. According to Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene of a crash on State Route 59 just after 5 p.m. on May 3. While heading to the scene, officials learned that one of the vehicles was on fire and that multiple patients were involved. Courtesy: Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue Courtesy: Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue Courtesy: Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue Courtesy: Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtesy: Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue Upon arrival, crews initiated triage and began fire suppression efforts, Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue said on social media. The incident involved two vehicles and a total of three patients, all of whom were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. After responding, officials were able to extinguish the vehicle fire, as well as some nearby brush that had caught fire. The incident occurred near mile marker 12 on State Route 59. Several units responded to the scene, in addition to officials with the Utah Highway Patrol, UDOT Incident Management, Hurricane City Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Each of the three people involved received minor injuries. The latest conditions of the victims were not disclosed by officials as of Saturday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no further information at this time. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. CHICAGO A 33-year-old Chicago woman has been charged with three felony counts for allegedly stealing a mans vehicle at knifepoint in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the citys West Side, according to Chicago police. 19-year-old from Edgewater faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault Jisselle Lopez was arrested Saturday in the 2500 block of North Central Park Avenue after police say she was identified as the offender who took a vehicle and other other belongings at knifepoint from a 22-year-old man in the 1100 block of South Keeler Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez has been charged with one felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a weapon, one felony count of aggravated battery in a public place and one felony count of driving with a revoked/suspended license from a DUI. She was also charged with three misdemeanors, including fleeing/attempting to elude an officer. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Lopez was scheduled for a detention hearing Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 IRS lost two key directors working on crypto initiatives, Seth Wilks and Raj Mukherjee, on Friday after they accepted deferred resignation offers directed by the Department of Government Efficiency. Wilks and Mukherjee, who both went to the IRS from the crypto industry, are technically still employees with the IRS for the next few months but they are on paid administrative leave as of Friday afternoon, two people familiar with the situation told CoinDesk. President Donald Trump's administration, through DOGE, offered deferred resignations to a wide array of federal employees earlier this year. Wilks, who was previously a vice president at TaxBit, and Mukherjee, who was previously ConsenSys and Binance.US' head of tax, both joined the IRS Digital Asset Initiative in February 2024, and were tasked with helping the IRS build a better approach to crypto taxation, including leading the agencys efforts to build reporting, compliance and enforcement programs for crypto and coordinating with the industry. They worked on an updated 1099-DA tax form shared last summer to aid U.S. persons with filing taxes tied to digital asset transactions. The pair also oversaw parts of the agency's efforts to draft tax rules for the crypto industry. The IRS finalized one such rule, imposing certain data collection requirements on decentralized finance (DeFi) brokers, in the waning days of the former Joe Biden administration. This rule was overturned by Congress earlier this year under the Congressional Review Act in a joint resolution signed by Trump. Wilks was the IRS' executive director of digital asset strategy and development, while Mukherjee was the executive director of the digital assets office. Both people who spoke to CoinDesk noted that the two officials had accepted voluntary buyouts but that these deferred resignations came ahead of expected cuts to IRS staff. More than 20,000 IRS employees signed up for the deferred resignation program, the New York Times reported last month, with these employees being put on administrative leave through September. At least four people were killed and 30 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on May 4. Russia launched 165 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Air defenses shot down 69 drones, while 80 vanished from radars likely used as decoys to overwhelm Ukraine's defenses. The assault was countered with electronic warfare units, aviation, anti-aircraft missile systems, and mobile fire groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kyiv, 11 people, including two children, were injured, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said. The Dream Town shopping mall, at least seven cars, and the upper floors of a high-rise caught fire from strikes. In Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces killed two residents in Komar and one in Myrnohrad, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Two others were injured. A man was killed and four women injured in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Four localities in the region came under attack. Nine people were injured in Kherson Oblast after Russian troops hit residential areas and critical infrastructure, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Two apartment buildings, nine houses, and other infrastructure were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two police officers were injured in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast during a Russian drone attack, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Three businesses, two apartment buildings, and several houses were damaged. At least two people were also injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. "The Russians are calling for a ceasefire on May 9 while striking Ukraine every single day. This is top-level cynicism," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, commenting on the attacks. "A real ceasefire is necessary. Ukraine is ready for silence to begin on any day but for no less than a month, to bring the war to an end. If there's silence, it must be every day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks come amid Moscow's continued rejection of a complete ceasefire agreement and follow an escalation of strikes targeting civilian areas across Ukraine. Read also: If authoritarians are scared of journalists, we must be doing something right Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. For the past 40 years, the Valley Hispanic Bomberos has dedicated its efforts to provide mentorship and outreach to young adults in underserved communities throughout metro Phoenix, paving the way for more Latinos to join firefighting departments. Born out of the need to see more firefighters reflect the communities they serve, the organization has seen countless members go through its mentorship program and succeed in joining a Valley company. "And it just doesn't stop when you come on the job either. Our organization continues. You are a bombero for life," Greg Morales, president of the organization, told La Voz/The Arizona Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With notable members such as current Phoenix Fire Chief Mike Duran III, Morales said Bomberos members are represented in all ranks of Valley fire departments. A career path right across the street Morales grew up across the street from Phoenix Fire Department Station 24, off 43rd and West Virginia Avenue in Maryvale, a west Phoenix community with a majority Latino population. He witnessed his local firefighters respond to calls countless times, but he never considered he could one day join them as he navigated school in the Isaac Elementary and Phoenix Union High School districts. Morales got a job with the City of Phoenix driving a garbage truck in 1996, where he worked for five years before considering a different career path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2001, a few friends came to him and said, "hey, the fire department is hiring. Let's go take this test." And that was that. This was when Morales said he was introduced to Bomberos. "I never even realized it until I was introduced, until I had that person that looked like me and talked like me and said, 'hey, you can do this job.' And then the light bulb went off, and I was like, 'man, I can do this,'" Morales said. Get Spanish-language news in your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter here. He joined Bomberos in preparation for becoming a firefighter and fell in love with it. By 2006, he was working at a fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales said the organization provides mentorship for firefighters from when they first undergo the process to become a firefighter, which takes about five years, to when they're looking to move up within a company or department. "If you are a firefighter and you have aspirations to be an engineer, to drive the truck, we give classes and study material to help you get ready for that process, to become a captain, all the way up to becoming a chief," Morales said. A 40-year legacy The organization was officially founded in 1986. One of the founders of the organization was Bobby Ruiz, former chief of the Peoria Fire-Medical Department, with approximately 200 employees serving some 190,000 residents northwest of Phoenix, since 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruiz retired from the department in 2021 after being placed on leave due to an investigation that found he had allowed an employee to spend 12 weeks studying for a test from home, while still on payroll, instead of performing his usual duties. When Ruiz was a student at Arizona State University, he decided to apply to become a firefighter along with his friend Carlos Costa, who was visiting home one summer from Yale University. By 1980, when Ruiz was a fire captain in Phoenix, he began to hear conversations about few Latinos, people of color and women in fire departments. According to Ruiz, public information officers at departments would say this was due to the lack of qualified applicants. In response, Ruiz said he told them, "You don't know where to look. Let us find you some qualified applicants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1984, as talks of organizing were sparking, Ruiz said then Phoenix City Councilperson Mary Rose Wilcox went to former Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini and former Phoenix Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Kime about an arson issue that was plaguing the communities from the I-17 to 35th Avenue and from Buckeye Road to Van Buren Street. In three months, Ruiz, who was in charge of arson investigations at the time, said the area saw close to 100 fires started at vacant homes, sheds and other similar structures. "It was scaring the heck out of the neighbors," he said. Ruiz said he proposed a three-pronged approach to engage the communities where the fires were being started a majority Latino area. This involved having Latino firefighters hang posters, pass out flyers and talk to parents and children of those neighborhoods. The second and third parts, according to Ruiz, involved Latino firefighters becoming embedded in neighborhood schools and centers, further building relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approach involved the entire community, but focused heavily on educating kids, teenagers and gang members on the dangers of playing with fire. "And so we convinced them (the gang members), 'hey, are you going to be our friend? Then you've got to cut the (expletive) out. Go do something constructive,'" Ruiz said. "At the end of that period, we were astonished because we were expecting to make some kind of impact, but we weren't expecting to make the problem go away totally, and it did, just zero. I mean, no fires or nothing in the area," Ruiz said. With the momentum of their impact, Ruiz said he and several firefighters including Jesse Adame, Larry De La Cruz, Ray Martinez, Andy Avila and Arnie Barajas, came together to form an organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They eventually inspired the city to copy their "Bombero Formula" and create a city employee organization that promotes, develops and inspires Latinos to get into managerial positions. That organization went on to become the Phoenix Hispanic Network. A new generation of leaders Under the guidance of his mentor, then-president Ray Martinez, Morales said he was asked to serve on the Bomberos board as community involvement director in 2007. He held this position for 15 years before being appointed vice president. He currently serves as the organization's president. Having worked in the field for 19 years, Morales gives credit to Bomberos mentors who came before him for helping build a generation of leaders. Now, it's his turn to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His nephew and son have followed in his footsteps, going through the mentorship program to become firefighters and sworn members of the organization. According to the Phoenix Fire Department's 2023 Gender/Ethnicity Report, Latinos make up about 19% of the Phoenix Fire Department. Ruiz said he is very proud of the growth of the organization because "it's important to see somebody who looks like you and sounds like you." "You don't realize how much of an impact you have on someone's life," Ruiz said. How to become a Bombero Those interested in joining the organization can reach out to Valley Hispanic Bomberos via email (vhb@vhbomberos.og) or on their Facebook and Instagram for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website also provides additional information on getting involved with the organization. "Our doors are open. We're looking for good people to come on. The organizations around the valley are hiring because the valley's growing, so the opportunity is there," Morales said. Have story tips on Latino culture and cuisine in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter David Ulloa at david.ulloa@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Valley Hispanic Bomberos builds legacies of Latino firefighters NEW YORK (PIX11) Theres a lot of music in the air in Washington Heights. Thats because there was a concert celebrating the opening of a new building for a charter school for the musically gifted. More Local News Anthony McGill, the principal Clarinetist at the New York Philharmonic, attended the opening of this new $44 million Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazz Great Wynton Marsalis gave a Citizen Artistry Award to the dean of Juilliards preparatory division, Weston Sprott. And composer Kebra-Seyoun Charles performed on the double bass. But the real stars were the WHIN Students, who have two periods, five days a week of choir and Orchestra. This charter school was founded in 2016, but it hasnt received this state-of-the-art building until now. Its eight-story facade was inspired by sheet music, with the windows looking like music notes. The school aims to instill a love of music and learning in its 500 students, who attend Kindergarten through eighth grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News The goal really is to create empowered children who have the skills and ability to go out into the world however they choose, Charlie Ortiz, WHINs executive director, told PIX11 News. What we find is a lot of them are really good musicians but a lot are really good scientist or mathematicians or readers. For students, parents, and music educators, its a win-win. Were providing lessons every day through Juilliards MAP teachers, and working with staff here to provide great music education for the students, McGill, artistic director of Juilliards music advancement program, told PIX11 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz At Lincoln Center director, said, The facilities are unbelievable, and I love the Community feeling of it. Myah Serrano, 12, a WHIN student, told PIX11 News: Playing the Viola not only does it give the opportunity for high school recommendations, but it has opened another mindset on how I want to have my future continue. From here, many eighth-grade graduates aspire to attend prestigious performing arts high schools throughout the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. This week marks the beginning of REAL ID enforcement throughout the United States. Starting Wednesday, May 7, you will need a REAL ID card to board a domestic commercial flight or enter certain facilities. The deadline dates back to the passing of the REAL ID Act by Congress in 2005 following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The legislation was based on the 9/11 Commission's desire to set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. According to the Department of Homeland Security Website, people in five states might not have to worry about the upcoming deadline because their states have already offered Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDL). These states are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per The Hill, Washington only offers EDL, while the other four states also offer REAL ID-compliant IDs. "If there is a star on your drivers license or state ID card, you have a REAL ID-compliant card," The Hill writes. "The star may be black or gold, completely filled in or just the outline. Either way, youre compliant." Travelers wait in line at check-in in Terminal 2, Delta Airlines, at Los Angeles airport, on July 19, 2024. Airlines, banks, TV channels and other businesses were disrupted worldwide following a major computer systems outage linked to an update on an antivirus program. Etienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images If you're still looking to make an appointment for a REAL ID following the deadline, you'll need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security card, two proofs of address and legal status. If you need to fly post-May 7 and don't have a REAL ID-compliant ID, it's still possible to board the plane, with the TSA website providing a list of other acceptable documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. passport or passport card Foreign government-issued passport Veteran Health Identification Card DHS trusted traveler cards Department of Defense ID (including those issued to dependents) Permanent resident card Border crossing card Acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards HSPD-12 PIV cards Canadian provincial drivers license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential The new identification is also used when visiting military bases and other secure federal facilities. BIG STONE GAP, Va. (AP) An attack by inmates at a Virginia prison injured five guards, according to state corrections officials who said most of the assailants were MS-13 gang members who entered the U.S. illegally. Three guards were stabbed and were transported for medical treatment along with two others hurt Friday at Wallens Ridge State Prison in western Virginia, the state Department of Corrections said. The agency said in a press release that six inmates involved had all been convicted of violent crimes including murder and rape and that five of them were confirmed MS-13 gang members from El Salvador, who were in this country illegally. It said the sixth inmate was a U.S. citizen with ties to a different gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place, Chad Dotson, director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, said in a statement. Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety. ... This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day." Corrections officials gave no further details about the prison attack, citing an ongoing investigation. The agency said three of the injured officers were treated and released the day of the attack. The remaining two were hospitalized in stable condition. Carla Miles, a Department of Corrections spokesperson, said she did not know if the two guards remained in the hospital Sunday. It was still early in the morning when the crowd of sleepy students all in matching uniforms and identical neat hairstyles lined up for a daily gathering by the flagpole of their Bangkok high school. Eighth grader Baramee Chaovawanich was among the 3,600 students in attendance as teachers walked through each row, examining every teenager in a monthly spot check of their dress code compliance and appearances. Then, a teacher pointed at Chaovawanich, who goes by his nickname Khao Klong indicating his hair was too long. Mortified, the boy was forced to step forward and have his head partially shaved in front of the whole school, with the teacher deliberately leaving the haircut unfinished for him to wear for the rest of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a feeling of shame, like a child being singled out, made into a joke, isolated, and having their hair shaved, making them look ugly, said Khao Klong, now 20 and at university. He still vividly remembers walking back into class afterwards, where everyone turned to me and burst into laughter. It was a scene that remains stuck in my mind, and it made me really insecure, he said. The punishment may seem extreme, but for decades, these scenes were common across Thailand, with students subject to strict rules about their appearances that go far beyond the school dress codes seen in other countries. For instance, male students had to have an army-style crew cut and female students had to wear their hair in short, ear-length bobs before rules were loosened in 2013 (when boys could grow their hair to the base of their neck, and girls could grow their hair even longer, so long as it was tied up). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khao Klongs hair had only been a few centimeters over the limit, but even that was too much to allow. A Thai barber shaving the head of a student near a school in Bangkok on July 31, 2013, shortly after the government relaxed its rules somewhat on student hairstyles. - Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images But rules on hairstyles are changing in a significant way. In March, the countrys highest administrative court annulled the directive set by the Ministry of Education in 1975 declaring it unconstitutional. The rules imposed excessive restrictions on personal freedom, thus violating the Thai Constitution, read the court order. It added that the 50-year-old regulations did not align with contemporary social conditions and harmed childrens mental health during developmentally significant ages, and especially those with diverse gender identities. The court ruling has been a long time coming, after nationwide student protests in 2020 pushed the issue to the fore and prompted the education ministry to leave it to schools to decide their own rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision was met with delight by some students, who have long wanted to express themselves freely in their appearance. Things have changed, especially (regarding how) they checked hairstyles, said 16-year-old Nijchaya Kraisriwattana in April. Her school in Bangkok used to hold weekly checks to examine students appearances, and shed previously had academic points deducted for her hair being too long. The rules were so strict she even had to pin back her bangs and tuck away stray baby hairs curling around her face but these days, the rules seem more relaxed, she said. But concerns linger among others who fear some schools will continue to impose strict guidelines and harsh punishments without government intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, I was happy when I read about it, but then people started analyzing it. It seems like there are still gaps, which makes me a bit worried because it doesnt seem very different from before, Khao Klong said. He and other student activists havent seen much change happening, he added. CNN has reached out to the Ministry of Education for comment. Military past and conformist culture Though it can be hard to fathom why the rules were so rigid, they reflect Thailands conservative, hierarchical Buddhist society and a culture born from many years of authoritarian rule. The powerful militarys influence runs deep in Thailand, a constitutional monarchy that has seen a dozen successful coups since 1932 the most recent in 2014. The student dress code regulations were drafted by a military government under the decade-long dictatorship of Thanom Kittikachorn, who was ousted by a violent uprising in 1973. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the militarys conservative influence on how students are told to show up to school has persisted until today, said Thunhavich Thitiratsakul, an educational policy researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute who has previously written about the dress code policy. Its a social norm, the social value is that students have to abide by the law, and if they behave well, they become a good person, he said. In Thailand, students have to listen to their parents and follow the school regulations, he added. If (they) get a job in the future and can follow by the rules it means like, OK, youre a good person, and you tend to do well. The March court order acknowledged this line of thinking, pointing out that the hairstyle regulations had aimed to cultivate students as future responsible citizens, emphasizing the need for close supervision by parents and teachers to ensure they adhered to societal norms and laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This military-style education extended to other forms of discipline, too. Khao Klong recalled teachers beating him almost every day in middle school for lacking discipline, sometimes using a ruler until it broke. The rules are strict about uniforms too, which are similar across all public schools even specifying the types of socks and shoes students must wear. As times changed, students began pushing back. But even a relaxation of rules in 2013 stoked controversy with some parents and teachers arguing that looser regulations would encourage disobedience and distraction. That debate continued until protests broke out across the country in 2020, with a band of students deciding they had had enough. A high school student wraps a ribbon around the wrist of an elderly protester during a demonstration for educational reform and against Thailand's military government in Bangkok on September 5, 2020. - Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images Bad Students fight back That year was a monumental one. Across the nation, tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets, demanding reforms to the military-drafted constitution and powerful monarchy. The protests were remarkable because they challenged long-standing taboos against criticizing the royal family which under Thai laws is punishable by jail time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the demonstrations stretched across the summer and fall, students took action too. Middle and high school students vowed to overhaul the dress code and hairstyle regulations, and to reform what they called the abuse of power by teachers and administrators. The two movements were separate, but the students protests may have been influenced by the larger pro-democracy demonstrations, said Thunhavich, the researcher. Photos from student protests showed hundreds of teenagers adopting many of the visual cues used in the pro-democracy demonstrations, like the three-finger salute and yellow rubber ducks. Our first dictatorship is school, read one popular slogan written on protest signs. Khao Klong was one of those students. His head-shaving experience had left a mental scar that he didnt want anyone else to endure, he said so he joined a coalition of activists called Bad Students. High school students raise the three-finger salute, a symbol of resistance, during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 5, 2020. - Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Cast off the bitter, outdated uniforms! read one Facebook post by Bad Students in November 2020, urging students to dress as you please. The following month, the group organized a protest in front of the Ministry of Education, where students hung their school uniforms on the gates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests were colorful, lively affairs with students kitted out appropriately. Some put black masking tape over their mouths to represent their feelings of oppression at school; others came in inflatable dinosaur costumes, poking fun at what they called the older, outdated generation of Thai politicians dictating their uniforms. In a show of defiance, some even cut their hair at the protests. One 19-year-old, Pimchanok Nongnual, shaved her hair on the steps of the education ministry and in front of a top official, Reuters reported at the time. What about gender fluid or non-binary students? she said echoing many students who showed up in rainbow clothing to demand more gender-diverse uniforms. We felt hopeless. At that moment, it was like, if not us, then who? In the sense that if we dont speak up, who will speak for us? Khao Klong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group filed petitions and complaints with the government which eventually led to the education ministry repealing its hairstyle regulations in 2023 to ensure they do not limit students bodily freedom. Last year, the ministry also told schools and teachers to use caution when doling out punishments. A protester hangs up school uniforms on the gates of the Ministry of Education during a "Bad Student" rally in Bangkok on December 1, 2020. - Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images The recent court order appears to, at least on paper, cement these victories and by declaring the hairstyle rules unconstitutional, could give students more leverage at schools that choose to maintain stricter rules. Nijchaya, the student in Bangkok, felt the change when she arrived at school recently without her bangs pinned back. They just let it pass without saying anything, she said. When asked whether she wanted more freedom in her clothing, she emphatically answered, Yes, absolutely, and said shed like to wear T-shirts and jeans, and let her hair down loose. But Thunhavich said its too soon to celebrate. Schools now need to be held accountable and consult with their communities and school boards on how to adjust their regulations, he said. But its not clear if students will have a seat at the table. Five years after the protests swept Thailand, the students once on the front lines are also tired. Many have moved on with their educations, juggling the demands of schoolwork, jobs and daily life. The issue of student rights has faded from headlines, though obstacles linger. Still, Khao Klong said, with this court order, I hope we can return to discussing rights and freedoms in every school, issues of oppression or authoritarianism. Just because we havent talked about it doesnt mean it has disappeared; weve just forgotten to address it, he added. We feel that the desire to fight may have diminished, but everyone still remembers the feeling of being threatened when we stood up to fight for our own rights. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Six days after Joshua Manahan was shot to death in South Portland, a 42-year-old man was arrested by Portland police. Rodney Marcus Arreguin was arrested around 8 a.m. Saturday by officers from the East Precinct, officials said in a release. Manahan, 44, was shot Sunday night near the intersection of South Harbor Drive and South Harrison Street and taken to a hospital, where he died on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vancouver man shot to death early Saturday morning The details surrounding Arreguins arrest are unclear, nor is it known why and how police suspect him in the killing. Joshua Manahan, seen in undated photos, was shot to death April 28, 2025 (PPB) Arreguin was booked into the Multnomah County Jail for second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. KOIN 6 News will have more information as 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 KOIN.com. AMSTERDAM (AP) Trains came to a halt, cars pulled to the side of the road and no planes arrived or departed in the Netherlands for two minutes on Sunday, as the country went silent to remember victims of war. Thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam to watch as Dutch King Willem-Alexander laid a wreath at a war memorial, 80 years and a day since the country was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945. The first speaker at the annual event was 14-year-old Marijn van der Wilk who read a poem he had written about resistance during the war. They were brothers, sisters, neighbors. Just people, like you or me. In a time when doing good could be life-threatening. And yet they did it, he said during the nationally televised event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Dick Schoof discussed the grief his family felt over the death of his grandfather, who was executed by Nazi soldiers for his work in the resistance. On this day, in the two minutes of silence, that echo sounds extra loud. When we think of all the people who were murdered for who they were. Who died of hunger or exhaustion. Or who fought for peace and freedom. Our peace and freedom, Schoof said. The national day of commemoration, at which flags fly at half staff from buildings throughout the country, honors military personnel and civilians killed in conflicts around the world since the outbreak of World War II. It is followed Monday by celebrations to mark the countrys liberation from Nazi German occupation at the end of the war. Not every place in the country observed the remembrance. Some predominantly Christian areas honored the dead on Saturday, as to not disrupt the Sunday sabbath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In The Hague, a few hundred people gathered for an alternative commemoration. A group of civil servants organized May 4 inclusive, an event to remember all victims of conflict, frustrated with the Dutch governments response to the conflict in Gaza. According to the associations website, the official event is too restrictive. We commemorate both the victims of the past and the victims of today, regardless of where, by whom or when the war, genocide, persecution or oppression took place. We do not want to exclude anyone, all victims are given a place. A few pro-Palestinian slogans could be seen in the crowd in Amsterdam. Later Sunday evening, two veterans will light a Liberation Fire to kickstart a day of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of German occupation of the Netherlands. Mervyn Kersh, a 100-year-old veteran from Britain, and Nick Janicki, 101, from Canada will light the flame in Wageningen, the central city where German officers signed the official surrender in 1945, organizers said. Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Most Profitable Cheap Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) stands against the other most profitable cheap stocks to buy. US stocks rose on Friday, May 2, as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq all posted impressive gains. The S&P 500 added nearly 1.5% and this marked the ninth straight day of gains to mark the longest winning streak for the S&P 500 since November 2004. The Dow rose 1.4% to also report a ninth winning day in a row. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained roughly 1.5%. READ ALSO: 13 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best American Tech Stocks To Buy Now. The rally comes after China signaled openness to trade talks and a better-than-expected monthly US jobs report. In April, the US economy added 177,000 nonfarm payrolls, which was more than the 138,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%. This data indicated resiliency in the labor market despite stock market uncertainty in April due to tariff concerns. Investors were also encouraged by indications that the US-China trade war could be easing. On Friday, China said it is evaluating recent US proposals for trade talks to see how serious Trumps administration is about a change in policy stance. Chinas commerce minister stated that the door is open if the US would agree to pull back on reciprocal tariffs. These comments helped reduce concerns about the risk of an economic slowdown by the tariffs. Overall, hopes for improved US-China relations combined with solid job growth helped boost confidence on Wall Street. Methodology To compile our list of the 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now, we used the Finviz stock screener to find stocks with a forward P/E ratio of less than 15. We sorted our results based on market capitalization and picked the top 25 cheap stocks trading at under 15 times their forward earnings as of April 29, 2025. Next, we focused on profitability and narrowed our choices to stocks that had trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income of more than $1 billion. Finally, we focused on the top 10 profitable stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 database of more than 1,000 elite hedge funds. The 10 most profitable cheap stocks to buy now were then ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q4 2024. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) A one-vehicle accident took out a traffic light May 2, 2025, at the intersection of Midkiff Road and Bankhead Highway, Midland Police reported a truck didnt maneuver a right-hand turn, rolled over and hit a traffic light. The load was not secured properly, and it shifted, causing the trailer to roll, according to police. An officer inspected the truck and trailer and placed the driver out of service due to Texas Department of Transportation violations, MPD reported. The scene has been cleared and there were no reported injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has installed a temporary signal to maintain normal operations at the intersection. A normal pole will be installed May 5, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. The city is planning to put panic buttons linked to the NYPD in about 500 bodegas across the five boroughs, the mayor and police commissioner announced Sunday. Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the city will allocate $1.6 million through an emergency grant to the United Bodegas of America, as part of the city budget, to equip the bodegas with Silent Shield buttons that would link cameras in the food stores to the Police Department in real time. The move comes after a string of recent killings in city bodegas, including a fatal stabbing in Harlem early Saturday, and two slayings in a 48-hour period last month one at the Ameer Deli & Grill in Inwood, where a 24-year-old man was fatally knifed during a brawl, and the second outside the Shak Deli in Williamsbridge, the Bronx, where Sorai King, 20, was fatally shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bodegas are part of the heart and soul of New York City. They are on every corner; they are there for us at all hours, Adams said Sunday. This program will bring peace of mind to our bodega owners. Were telling these small businesses: Your city has your back. United Bodegas of America spokesman Fernando Mateo called the alarms a game changer. His organization has long asked city and state officials to fund buttons in all 25,000 of the citys bodegas. Alex Mike, the manager at the Gourmet Deli on 51st St. at Eighth Ave., told the Daily News on Sunday that a panic button would be a boon, and that hes been in situations where hes needed to quietly summon the cops to his 24-hour store. Many times. Stealing. Shoplifting. A robbery, too. We got robbed at night, he said. We just let them take whatever they want. Its not worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yousef Ali, 21, a cashier and manager at Flavor Taste at Seventh Ave. and 56th St., said his father has a panic button at his store upstate. Its safe. Beautiful. Faster, he said. You dont have to find your phone to call. According to the mayors office, United Bodegas of America will solicit competitive bids for the tech, and plans to start installing the buttons over the next several months. WHITE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Multiple agencies teamed up Saturday in Sparta to rescue a person stuck in a cave. According to the Sparta-White County Rescue Squad, crews received a call around 11 a.m. Saturday regarding a person who was not able to walk out of a cave on their own. Crews reportedly worked for nine hours to safely extract the individual. (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Sparta Rescue Squad) (Courtesy: Sparta Rescue Squad) (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) (Courtesy: Doyle Volunteer Fire Department) Putnam County Rescue assisted by sending personnel to take over operations in the White County area while the SWCRS worked. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Acording to officials, several other agencies responded, including the Doyle Volunteer Fire Department, Cherry Creek Fire Department, Piney Volunteer Fire Department, Bon De Croft Volunteer Fire Department, Cookeville Fire Department, Eastland Volunteer Fire Department, White County OEM, White County EMS, Hamilton County Cave and Cliff, Tennessee Fire Chaplains and Eastland Volunteer Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional 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 WKRN News 2. Amazon has been accused of allowing AI-authored books about ADHD to be sold on its platform. The online marketplace has been targeted by those looking to sell cheap-to-publish books written by artificial intelligence that can include unhelpful or dangerous misinformation about the condition, according to The Guardian. Originality.ai, a US company that detects content produced by AI, analysed samples from eight books obtained by the newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firm gave an AI detection score of 100 per cent to each of the samples, confirming it was highly confident that the books were written by a chatbot. Texts listed by the newspaper as possibly written by AI include Navigating ADHD in Men: Thriving with a Late Diagnosis and Men with Adult ADHD: Highly Effective Techniques for Mastering Focus, Time Management and Overcoming Anxiety. Robot-written texts Last week, AI was accused of copying a Holocaust survivors memoir. Other robot-written texts have included mushroom-foraging books, travel guides and weight-loss recipe books. Michael Cook, a computer science researcher at Kings College London, told The Guardian that it was frustrating and depressing to see AI-authored books increasingly popping up on digital marketplaces particularly on health and medical topics, which could result in misdiagnosis or worsen conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Amazons business model incentivised this kind of practice as it made money every time shoppers purchased books, regardless of whether the work was trustworthy or not. An Amazon spokesman told The Guardian: We have content guidelines governing which books can be listed for sale and we have proactive and reactive methods that help us detect content that violates our guidelines, whether AI-generated or not. We invest significant time and resources to ensure our guidelines are followed and remove books that do not adhere to those guidelines. We continue to enhance our protections against non-compliant content and our process and guidelines will keep evolving as we see changes in publishing. Threat to creative industries High-profile artists have repeatedly warned of the threat AI poses to the UKs creative industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 1,000 urged ministers to abandon plans to allow their work to be used in the training of AI models. Last month, Abbas Bjorn Ulvaeus joined the row over government plans to water down copyright laws for the benefit of big tech companies. Speaking to The Times, the Swedish musician and lyricist said: Copyright is the oxygen which creators and the creative economy depend on for their existence and survival. They cannot be sacrificed. Unfortunately, there is an alternative and, in my opinion, more dangerous view, driven by profit-seeking tech companies. That view favours a weaker rights framework and broad exceptions to copyright. 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 air traffic controller warned Friday that Newark Liberty International Airport is unsafe for travelers due to staff shortages, according to MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello. He said, It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public, Costello said of his conversation with the air traffic controller, which he described as, Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately: Dont fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs. Flights to and from the busy airport just outside New York City have been plagued by delays, which the Federal Aviation Administration said are being caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA did not immediately return the Daily Beasts request for comment on MSNBCs report. Newark Liberty International Airport has been plagued by delays, which the FAA has said are caused by air traffic control staffing issues. / Gary Hershorn / Getty Images United Airlines, which announced that it would cancel 35 of its daily flights from Newark beginning this weekend, put out a statement on Friday addressing the situation. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in the statement that more than 20 percent of controllers at the airport had walked off the job. Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, its now clearand the FAA tells usthat Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead," Kirby added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news conference on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for more Americans to become air traffic controllers. He announced new incentives for doing so, such as a $5,000 bonus for those who make it through the academy. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pleaded with Americans to become air traffic controllers during a Thursday news conference. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Youre starting to see cracks in the system, said Duffy. Its our job to actually see over the horizon what the issues are and fix it before there is an incident that we will seriously regret. Finding qualified applicants to become air traffic controllersa stressful, high-pressure job with long hourshas long been a challenge. But the crisis has come to a head over the past few months as the Trump administration has shaken up the federal government. During a closed-door Cabinet meeting in March, Duffy reportedly accused Elon Musks team at the Department of Government Efficiency of trying to fire air traffic controllers at the FAA, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk reportedly called the accusation a lie, leading to what was described as a heated back-and-forth between the two men. In response to the situation at Newark Airport, political commentator and former Barack Obama aide Dan Pfeiffer called out Musk, writing on X Saturday: Great work @elonmusk. The FAA has been a political flashpoint since Donald Trump took office, amid a string of aviation disasters and near-misses, including the mid-air crash over Washington, D.C. that killed 67 in January. In mid-February, the FAA announced that it had cut 400 employees, but Duffy said then that zero air traffic controllers and critical safety personnel were let go. ALABAMA (WHNT) Several members of Alabamas Congress have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend the STAR ID enforcement deadline. Rep. Shomari Figures, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Terri A. Sewell, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove all signed a formal request on May 2 for the Secretary of Homeland Security to extend the REAL ID (known as STAR ID in Alabama) enforcement date. The enforcement date, as it stands now, is May 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members of Alabamas Congress are requesting a six-month delay in the enforcement deadline, stating that DMVs are struggling and staffing is constrained, lines are astronomically long and appointments are limited. These difficulties are compounded by the cost burdens facing working families, many of whom cannot afford to take time off work or travel long distances to complete the required in-person process, the letter says. The members say that in addition to these constraints on getting the REAL ID, DMVs have limited capacity systems that pose a disproportionate barrier for elderly individuals, people with disabilities and those without consistent access to transportation. Without leniency, the members say that not allowing an enforcement extension puts strain on airport security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the summer travel season approaching, TSA is already preparing for record passenger volumes, with projections exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Imposing the May 7 REAL ID deadline during this peak travel period threatens to further strain an already overextended system. Without flexibility, we risk creating longer lines at security checkpoints, avoidable delays at airports, and considerable confusion among travelers, many of whom may be unaware that their licenses will no longer meet federal identification requirements for boarding flights, the letter says. Given all these reasons, the enforcement is requested to be extended until November 7. This would then give state and local agencies time to catch up with demand and help TSA prepare for a smoother implementation process. You can read the full letter Rep. Figures and other members sent to DHS below. Other questions associated with the STAR or REAL ID include: How much does it cost, and Can I get my STAR ID online? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fee for a STAR ID is $36.25, the same as for a regular Alabama drivers license or non-driver ID card. If citizens choose to wait and obtain their STAR ID at the same time they are renewing their regular license, there is no additional fee from the standard $36.25 renewal fee, The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is warning people against scammers offering an easy order online option. It is federally required that you show up in person to get a star ID, and that comes back to just simply so we can identify, we can lay hands on those documents and we can scan them in and so we can certify them, ALEA Trooper Brandon Bailey said. ALEAs website has all the required documents to get your Star ID, including where you can make an appointment. You can click here to go to the ALEA website. What if I cant get my REAL ID before the enforcement deadline? If you cannot get your REAL (STAR) ID in time for the May 7 deadline, given that the Alabama extension isnt granted, make sure to have another TSA-approved form of identification if you choose to fly domestically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TSA lists several options on its website, including: U.S. passport or passport card Foreign government-issued passport Veteran Health Identification Card DHS trusted traveler cards Department of Defense ID (including those issued to dependents) Permanent resident card and several other options If this extension is granted, it would not be the first time the Department of Homeland Security offered this for the REAL ID. The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. At the time, the 9/11 Commission found that it was too easy for people to obtain drivers licenses. This being said, the law was scheduled to be enforced in 2008, but because some states were not compliant with it, the deadline was pushed back until 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the global COVID-19 pandemic, DHS said all 50 states and four territories became more compliant with the rule. Because of this, the deadline was extended to 2023. Many state licensing agencies have extended the deadline for renewing expiring licenses due to a widespread shift to appointment-only scheduling protocols during the pandemic that has significantly limited states capacity to issue REAL ID-compliant drivers licenses and identification cards. As a result, only 43% of all state-issued drivers licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant. DHS and various states also need time to implement requirements mandated by the REAL ID Modernization Act, including changes that will streamline processing by allowing the electronic submission of certain documents, DHS said. As our country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their drivers licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. Then again, on December 5, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend the original enforcement deadline from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. This extension came due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. The extension is necessary, in part, to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID drivers license or identification card. REAL ID progress over the past two years has been significantly hindered by state drivers licensing agencies having to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic. Many of these agencies took various steps in response to the pandemic, including automatically extending the expiration dates of drivers licenses and identification cards and shifting operations to appointment only. DHS To learn more about the REAL ID and its history, you can visit the DHS website here. For more information on the Alabama STAR ID and how to obtain one, visit ALEAs website 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 WHNT.com. Ukraine expects 3 million artillery shells from its allies, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 4. "If Ukraine is strong, the war will end," Zelensky told journalists in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel. Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in the Czech Republic on May 4 for an official visit. A Czech ammunition initiative will deliver up to 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of 2025, Pavel said during the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia should know that we are expecting three million artillery shells from our allies. Not only North Korea is capable of helping in the war, we have allies who are helping Ukraine," Zelensky said. Russia has turned to North Korea for support as it wages its war against Ukraine and faces isolation from the West. North Korea has confirmed that it has sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. Zelensky warned Moscow that there are other streams of military aid in addition to the Czech ammunition initiative to help Ukraine fend off Russia's war. The Czech initiative was launched last year to combat Ukrainian shell shortages amid delays in U.S. military aid in early 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Forcing Russia to go for a full, unconditional ceasefire, especially since it was a proposal from the United States and we supported it, is also a priority task," Zelensky said. The Kremlin has shown no signs it is willing to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations brokered by 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. Zelensky has repeatedly called for a 30-day ceasefire, saying on April 23, Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine war latest: Zelensky rejects Putins 3-day ceasefire proposal as theatrical; US sanctions depend on whether Russia is behaving on peace deal, Trump says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ATLANTA (AP) It's what one historian calls an elaborate, clunky machine, one that's been fundamental to American democracy for more than two centuries. The principle of checks and balances is rooted in the Constitution's design of a national government with three distinct, coequal branches. President Donald Trump in his first 100 days tested that system like rarely before, signing dozens of executive orders, closing or sharply reducing government agencies funded by Congress, and denigrating judges who have issued dozens of rulings against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The framers were acutely aware of competing interests, and they had great distrust of concentrated authority, said Dartmouth College professor John Carey, an expert on American democracy. Thats where the idea came from. Their road map has mostly prevented control from falling into one persons hands, Carey said. But he warned that the system depends on people operating in good faith ... and not necessarily exercising power to the fullest extent imaginable. Here's a look at checks and balances and previous tests across U.S. history. A fight over Jefferson ignoring Adams' appointments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundational checks-and-balances fight: President John Adams made last-minute appointments before he left office in 1801. His successor, Thomas Jefferson, and Secretary of State James Madison ignored them. William Marbury, an Adams justice of the peace appointee, asked the Supreme Court to compel Jefferson and Madison to honor Adams decisions. Chief Justice John Marshall concluded in 1803 that the commissions became legitimate with Adams' signature and, thus, Madison acted illegally by shelving them. Marshall, however, stopped short of ordering anything. Marbury had sued under a 1789 law that made the Supreme Court the trial court in the dispute. Marshall's opinion voided that law because it gave justices who almost exclusively hear appeals more power than the Constitution afforded them. The split decision asserted the courts role in interpreting congressional acts - and striking them down - while also adjudicating executive branch actions. Hamilton, Jackson and national banks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress and President George Washington chartered the First Bank of the United States in 1791. Federalists, led by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong central government and wanted a national bank that could lend the government money. Anti-Federalists, led by Jefferson and Madison, wanted less centralized power and argued Congress had no authority to charter a bank. But they did not ask the courts to step in. Andrew Jackson, the first populist president, loathed the bank, believing it to be a sop to the rich. Congress voted in 1832 to extend the charter, with provisions to mollify Jackson. The president vetoed the measure anyway, and Congress failed to muster the two-thirds majorities required by the Constitution to override him. In 1836, the Philadelphia-based bank became a private state bank. Lincoln and due process During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus a legal process that allows individuals to challenge their detention. That allowed federal authorities to arrest and hold people without granting due process. Lincoln said his maneuver might not be strictly legal but was a public necessity to protect the Union. The Supreme Courts Roger Taney, sitting as a circuit judge, declared the suspension illegal but noted he did not have the power to enforce the opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress ultimately sided with Lincoln through retroactive statutes. And the Supreme Court, in a separate 1862 case challenging other Lincoln actions, endorsed the presidents argument that the office comes with inherent wartime powers not expressly allowed via the Constitution or congressional act. Reconstruction: Johnson vs. Congress After the Civil War and Lincolns assassination, Radical Republicans in Congress wanted penalties on states that had seceded and on the Confederacy's leaders and combatants. They also advocated Reconstruction programs that enfranchised and elevated formerly enslaved people (the men, at least). President Andrew Johnson, a Tennessean, was more lenient on Confederates and harsher to formerly enslaved people. Congress, with appropriations power, established the Freedmens Bureau to assist newly freed Black Americans. Johnson, with pardon power, repatriated former Confederates. He also limited Freedmens Bureau authority to seize Confederates assets. Spoils system vs. civil service Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a century, nearly all federal jobs were executive branch political appointments: revolving doors after every presidential transition. In 1883, Congress stepped in with the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. Changes started with some posts being filled through examinations rather than political favor. Congress added to the law over generations, developing the civil service system that Trump is now seeking to dismantle by reclassifying tens of thousands of government employees. His aim is to turn civil servants into political appointees or other at-will workers who are more easily dismissed from their jobs. Wilson's League of Nations After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles called for an international body to bring countries together to discuss global affairs and prevent war. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for the League of Nations. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Republican Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, brought the treaty to the Senate in 1919 with amendments to limit the League of Nations influence. Wilson opposed the caveats, and the Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to ratify the treaty and join the League. After World War II, the U.S. took a lead role, with Senate support, in establishing the United Nations and the NATO alliance. FDR and court packing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin D. Roosevelt met the Great Depression with large federal programs and aggressive regulatory actions, much of it approved by Democratic majorities in Congress. A conservative Supreme Court struck down some of the New Deal legislation as beyond the scope of congressional power. Roosevelt answered by proposing to expand the nine-seat court and pressuring aging justices to retire. The president's critics dubbed it a court-packing scheme. He disputed the charge. But not even the Democratic Congress seriously entertained his idea. Presidential term limits Roosevelt ignored the unwritten rule, established by Washington, that a president serves no more than two terms. He won third and fourth terms during World War II, rankling even some of his allies. Soon after his death, a bipartisan coalition pushed the 22nd Amendment that limits presidents to being elected twice. Trump has talked about seeking a third term despite this constitutional prohibition. Nixon and Watergate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post and other media exposed ties between President Richard Nixon's associates and a break-in at Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel during the 1972 campaign. By summer 1974, the story ballooned into congressional hearings, court fights and plans for impeachment proceedings. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Nixon in his assertion that executive privilege allowed him not to turn over potential evidence of his and top aides' roles in the cover-up including recordings of private Oval Office conversations. Nixon resigned after a delegation of his fellow Republicans told him that Congress was poised to remove him from office. Leaving Vietnam Presidents from John F. Kennedy through Nixon ratcheted up U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia during the Cold War. But Congress never declared war in Vietnam. A 1973 deal, under Nixon, ended official American military involvement. But complete U.S. withdrawal didn't occur until more than two years later a period during which Congress reduced funding for South Vietnam's democratic government. Congress did not cut off all money for Saigon, as some conservatives later claimed. But lawmakers refused to rubber-stamp larger administration requests, asserting a congressional check on the president's military and foreign policy agenda. The Affordable Care Act A Democratic-controlled Congress overhauled the nations health insurance system in 2010. The Affordable Care Act, in part, tried to require states to expand the Medicaid program that covers millions of children, disabled people and some low-income adults. But the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that Congress and President Barack Obama could not compel states to expand the program by threatening to withhold other federal money already obligated to the states under previous federal law. The court on multiple occasions has upheld other portions of the law. Republicans, even when they have controlled the White House and Capitol Hill, have been unable to repeal the act. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) May is often the time of year when hundreds of students in higher education graduate. Hampshire Pride Parade and Festival held in Northampton More than 400 students from eight countries can proudly say they have graduated from American International College, marking Sunday as the 140th Commencement ceremony for the institution. Founded in 1885, AIC is comprised of the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences, along with Health Service and Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our students will be artists, theyll be doctors, theyll be nurses, theyll be public health officials, theyll be educators, said Frank Borelli, Assistant Dean of the School of Business, Arts and Sciences at AIC. They will change the world, and today we celebrate. Families and friends filled the MassMutual Center in Springfield to celebrate this special moment with the graduates. As each of the graduates took their seats, multiple speeches were given, including the Commencement address by senior political correspondent for The Hill, Amie Parnes. Ask what it means to fight and have that determination throughout your life, Parnes said. Parnes delivered a message that will motivate the Class of 2025 graduates as they received their doctoral, bachelors, and masters degrees. 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. Many Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but how many actually know the story of the holiday? Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo doesnt mark Mexican Independence, which is celebrated on Sept. 16. Instead, its meant to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, which was fought between the Mexican and French armies in 1862. In Mexicos long and storied history, the Battle of Puebla is generally considered a fairly minor event. But its legacy lives on a century and a half later, particularly in the United States. Beating back an empire After Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, other nations were reluctant to recognize the autonomy of the fledgling country. In the ensuing decades, Mexico lost a large portion of its land to the U.S. and entered into a period of economic and political instability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was punctuated by a civil war in the late 1850s that resulted in Benito Juarez, Mexicos first indigenous president, taking power in 1861. One of Juarezs first acts was canceling repayments on foreign loans in an attempt to protect Mexicos struggling economy. This angered Britain, Spain and France, and prompted them to send a joint expeditionary force to Mexico. However, Britain and Spain quickly withdrew as it became clear that French ruler Napoleon III was more interested in overthrowing the new Mexican government. CC BY-SA During the battle, French forces outnumbered the Mexicans two to one. Wikimedia Commons The Battle of Puebla took place on May 5, 1862, when the Mexican Army, led by Commander General Ignacio Zaragoza, repelled attacks by the French army on the city of Puebla, located about 70 miles southeast of Mexico City. It was a small but inspirational victory for Mexico, and four days later, on May 9, 1862, Juarez declared Cinco de Mayo a national holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the French would eventually defeat the Mexican Army and take control of the country under the short-lived Second Mexican Empire, which lasted from 1864 to 1867, the victory in the Battle of Puebla sent a powerful message to the rest of the world. The Mexican Army was outnumbered two to one by seasoned French troops, so Mexico proved itself to be a formidable opponent worthy of international respect. And the fact that the country was led by an indigenous president held a special symbolic significance. An inadvertent impact on US history? The Battle of Puebla may have also had an inadvertent impact on the United States, which, at the time, was embroiled in its Civil War. Sociologist David Hayes, author of El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition, has argued that by defeating the French at the Battle of Puebla, Mexicans prevented the French army from continuing northward toward the U.S. border, where they would have likely aided the Confederacy. So its possible that Mexicos victory at the Battle of Puebla changed the course of American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Battle of Puebla was reportedly celebrated in the state of California, which still had strong ties to Mexico; aligned with the Union, the states citizens viewed the victory as a defense of freedom. For almost a century, few in the United States celebrated Cinco de Mayo. But it reemerged as an important holiday in California in the mid-20th century, sparked by the growing Chicano movement. The David versus Goliath story fittingly mirrored the struggle for civil rights. Mexican-American labor activist Cesar Chavez served as Grand Marshall of Los Angeles 1991 Cinco de Mayo parade. AP Photo/Chris Martinez Companies cash in The widespread commercialization of Cinco de Mayo occurred during the 1980s and 1990s. Beer companies, in particular, targeted Mexican Americans, exhorting them to celebrate their heritage with Coronas, Bud Lights and Dos Equis. Commodification of Mexican and Mexican American heritage soon followed, and todays revelers purchase pinatas, Mexican flag paraphernalia, sombreros and costumes that can veer towards the offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While more and more Americans regardless of their ethnic heritage take part in the festivities, few know what Cinco de Mayo commemorates. One survey found that only 10% of Americans could describe the holidays origins. Miami Marlins baseball fans don sombreros and hold up placards to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee The complicated legacy of Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the past is made meaningful in different ways by different people. For Mexicans especially those living outside of the modern city of Puebla the holiday is of minor significance, dwarfed in comparison to much more important national and religious holidays, like Mexican Independence Day and Day of the Dead. However, reenactments of the Battle of Puebla still take place in modern Puebla as well as in Mexico Citys Penon de los Banos neighborhood. For many Mexican Americans, the day holds a special significance as an opportunity to celebrate their shared heritage. But given the creeping commercialization of the holiday, some Mexican Americans have expressed ambivalence about celebrating it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for Americans without Mexican ancestry, the holiday seems to simply serve as an excuse to drink margaritas. 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: Kirby Farah, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Read more: Kirby Farah 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. Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced plans to invest over $2 billion over the next five years in its North America business, marking the company's largest domestic expansion in more than 30 years. The company expects the investments to enhance its U.S. manufacturing capacity. The broad-based investment program will focus on two projects: a new advanced manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, and an expansion of its Beech Island, South Carolina, site with an automated distribution center. It will also include additional capital expenditure linked to innovation and automation upgrades across its North America supply chain network. Most read on Manufacturing.net: Kimberly-Clark expects the projects to create more than 900 jobs in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. The new Ohio facility, located in geographic proximity to roughly 117 million consumers, will feature more than 1 million square feet and serve as a vital hub for the Northeast and Midwest regions. Designed to facilitate growth for Kimberly-Clark's personal care categories, the site's proprietary manufacturing technologies will enable the creation of new and improved next-generation consumer products, rooted in material invention, product engineering and manufacturing process innovation. The new Regional Distribution Center (DC) in South Carolina will create the infrastructure necessary to support future scale and unlock network efficiencies. Located next to the company's largest manufacturing facility, the automated DC will significantly increase the site's ability to direct-ship and streamline its distribution footprint. The facility will leverage advanced robotics, AI-powered logistics systems and high-density automated storage to dramatically improve operational efficiencies and fast-track speed to market. "By bringing together manufacturing and distribution under one automated roof, we are building a more agile, responsive and resilient manufacturing network that will enhance service levels for our retail partners and contribute to our gross productivity plan," Kimberly-Clark Chief Supply Chain Officer Tamera Fenske said. Construction for both facilities is scheduled to begin in May 2025 and expected to be completed over the next two to three years. Click here to subscribe to daily newsletters featuring breaking manufacturing industry news. Of all the attempts to see method in the madness of Donald Trumps tariff policies, quite the weirdest is the idea that he is deliberately trying to plunge the world into recession so as to trounce the oil price and force Putins Russia to the negotiating table. But, though obviously off the wall, it does highlight an emerging truth about Trumps first 100 days in office. However hard you try, it is impossible to make economic sense of what the US president is doing. So difficult, in fact, that deliberate economic sabotage is as good an explanation as any. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters claim that Trump is a master chess player, and that little people like me cannot yet see the full genius of his strategy. Right now, however, it looks like a queens sacrifice of the most foolhardy kind. Yes, we can all sympathise with the US presidents purpose to rebalance world trade along more sustainable lines in order to make America less reliant on China, and to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. But the method is nonsensical, and threatens lasting damage. All the economic data are now heading south at a rate of knots. If the US is not already in recession, then barring an abrupt handbrake turn on tariffs, it soon will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump blamed Joe Biden for last weeks first quarter dip in GDP, even though it was as plain as a pikestaff that it was caused by anticipation of Trumps protectionist bombshell. The net trade component of GDP cratered, as businesses scrambled to beat the imposition of tariffs with imports surging 41.3pc. Yet it is the wider impact of Trumps tariff wars on business and consumer confidence that is the much bigger threat, as well as the growing realisation that much of America will grind to a halt if it is unable to access Chinese goods. The messaging from Trumps White House changes with such frequency that by the time you read this, it may already be out of date. But as last week drew to a close, it looked as if relations with China were beginning to thaw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing said it was currently evaluating an offer made by the US in an apparent change from its previously intransigent position. In a similar vein, Trump says he thinks there is a very good chance we are going to make a deal. And small wonder, because if China would struggle to cope with the loss of its American markets, the US would likewise find it virtually impossible to live without access to Chinese goods. You cant unscramble an egg, it is said, and the US and China are regrettably already scrambled. Over the past 30 years, the two economies have become so completely intertwined that the sort of complete decoupling Trump seems to want would if it continued to be pursued in the sudden stop manner implied by todays prohibitively high tariffs cause catastrophic harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one of his press briefings last week, Trump said China had made a trillion dollars under Biden selling stuff to America. Much of it we dont need, he went on. Somebody said, Oh, the shelves are going to be open. Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more. I cant say I disagree with him on toys, where almost unbelievably, China utterly dominates the available shelf space with around 80pc of the entire US market. Nobody needs the sort of tat that Trump is referring to, even if hearing a US president who has just had the Oval Office decked out in gold chintz champion the anti-consumerist cause is somewhat unexpected, to put it mildly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any case, it would be no great hardship for consumers to forgo some of the rubbish they currently spend their money on. There is, however, plenty of Chinese stuff that America does need, where substitute sources of supply cannot easily be found and where the costs of setting up domestic manufacturing facilities to replace the imports would be prohibitive. The idea that American consumers will just have to pay a bit more for their T-shirts, trainers and Barbie dolls is, Im afraid, just the start of it. Prices will also go up for companies that use imported Chinese inputs to manufacture finished products domestically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Estimates vary, but in ballpark terms, roughly 40pc of Chinese imports are components that are used in other products made in the US. Indeed, there is almost no product of any complexity that wont have a Chinese made component in it somewhere. Thats what three decades of globalisation has done to manufacturing. Supply chains have become splintered into myriad different channels that care nothing about national borders and will almost invariably involve a Chinese part of some sort. Modern advanced economies are extraordinarily resilient beasts, particularly so America, which is far less reliant on external trade than most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will quickly adjust even to 145pc Chinese tariff. But prices will be sharply higher, consumer choice will be diminished, quality of product is likely to be lower, and Americans will be poorer. Dependence on China will presumably be reduced over time, but it is not clear that tariffs will as intended bring many manufacturing jobs back to the US. For a case study on the likely impact, consider Apple, which currently produces most of its iPhones in China. Apple is thought likely to win some kind of dispensation from the full force of Trumps tariffs, as it did during his first administration. Sadly, a US jobs dividend is far less likely. Instead, Apple is looking to switch more production of US-bound iPhones to India, which already fulfils half of US demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a conference call last week, Tim Cook, Apples chief executive, also said that the majority of production for Apple Watches, AirPods, iPads and Macs sold in the US will now be made in Vietnam, which is likely to have a lower tariff level than China. In other words, no US manufacturing payback of any significance, but more expensive iPhones, Macs and iPads a virtual certainty. Maybe Americans will simply stop spending so much and save more instead. This would quickly reduce the deficit, and in time it might even lead to a surge in investment. But thats hardly what Trump, the master strategist, had in mind when he launched his tariff war. Plus,it would require a massive cultural shift of a kind Americans are not remotely prepared for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Adam Posen, a former member of the Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee, put it in a recent article for Foreign Affairs: Reducing dependence on China may be a reason for action, but fighting the current war before doing so is a recipe for almost certain defeat, at enormous cost. Quite so. 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 Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to work more closely with centre-left governments in Britain and Canada, as well as other democratic allies, after a resounding election win strengthened his hand in dealing with the U.S., analysts said. Albanese's Labor Party rode a voter backlash against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump to a come-from-behind victory that expanded his parliamentary majority, echoing the reelection win a week ago by Canada's ruling party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his cabinet is sworn in, Albanese is expected to visit Washington for discussions on U.S. tariffs and defence matters, while also working with Asian and European nations to broaden export markets and defence cooperation, hedging against U.S. reliance. Albanese had presented himself to voters as a safe pair of hands amid global turmoil, in contrast to conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton, who was compared to Trump, former strategists for the opposition Liberal Party said in assessing their loss. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Sunday there were global challenges ahead for the returned government. "People recognised if you want stability while the global economy was going crazy then a majority Labor government was the best way to deliver that," he said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chalmers said his immediate focus was global economic uncertainty, particularly the impact of tariff tensions between the United States, Australia's main security ally, and China, its largest trading partner. The Labor Party is projected to increase its seats in parliament, strengthening Albanese's position in dealing with the White House, analysts said. "When the world's most powerful country appears erratic and unreliable, it makes sense to diversify your relationships," said Lowy Institute Executive Director Michael Fullilove, who expects Australia to strengthen ties with Canada, Britain, and other democracies in Europe and Asia. "None of these countries can replace the United States as Australia's great security ally, however," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump's policies are not popular in Australia, Lowy Institute polling showed 80% of Australians regard the U.S. alliance as important for security. Noting that Albanese has not yet met Trump in person, Fullilove said: "It's hard to think of two leaders who are more different from each other." An Australian Electoral Commission count, which is continuing, shows Labor has won at least 82 seats out of 150 seats, increasing its majority in the House of Representatives. "It's important to have a majority government when dealing with Australia's principal ally, the United States," said Arthur Sinodinos, who was Australia's ambassador in Washington when the AUKUS nuclear submarine treaty, Australia's largest-ever defence project, was negotiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albanese needs to travel to the United States soon to talk with Trump about trade and defence, said Sinodinos, now a Washington-based partner with The Asia Group think tank and a former Liberal minister. "Trump works on the basis that he likes winners," he added. Albanese had not attended Trump's inauguration because it was likely to draw criticism from voters for not putting domestic priorities first, and had been careful not to criticise Trump personally in the election campaign, Sinodinos said. "He talked more about the Americanisation of policy. That was clearly meant to send a coded message to the electorate," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike the conservatives, Labor had resisted pledging to increase defence spending during the election to 3% of gross domestic product after a request by Washington, saying it had already committed to A$50 billion more over the next decade, reaching 2.33% of GDP in 2033-34. Albanese said during the campaign that defence spending could increase if strategic circumstances demanded. Albanese said on Sunday the first leader to call to congratulate him was Papua New Guinea leader James Marape. Australia has significantly boosted aid and security ties with its northern neighbour to deter China from gaining a policing role, as Beijing expands its security presence in the Pacific Islands region. Leaders in the Pacific Islands, one of the world's most aid-reliant regions, have been rattled by Trump's dismissive stance on climate change, which they regard as an existential threat, and dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albanese said he also received personal messages from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emanuel Macron, and was scheduled to speak on Sunday with the leaders of Indonesia and Ukraine. "We will continue to back Ukraine," he said. Albanese had participated in video meetings of the British-led "coalition of the willing" and previously said Australia could provide unspecified support to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X on Saturday evening that he appreciated Australia's "principled stance on ending Russia's war". Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X: "In an increasingly divided world, Canada and Australia are close partners and the most reliable of friends." (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Edmund Klamann) The News A slate of foreign elections this week indicated that voters have shifted away from an anti-incumbency trend and are instead more concerned with the role of US President Donald Trump. In Australia on Saturday, the governing Labor Party soared to victory, as voters rejected a right-wing candidate who had borrowed from the US presidents playbook. The comeback for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses party resembled Canadas election last week, where the incumbent Liberal Party long behind in the polls rode an anti-Trump wave to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in Singapore, Trumps trade war with China loomed over the ballot Sunday, again bolstering the incumbent party. While their victory was a foregone conclusion, their campaign to deliver stability for the island nation and global trade hub saw them increase vote share. SIGNALS Australia follows Canadas lead Sources: Politico, The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses decisive victory over a conservative party that had seemed to be surging in the polls showed how Donald Trumps derision toward US allies has hindered the global right, analysts said. A recent poll found two-thirds of Australians believe the US cant be trusted as a security ally, up from 39% last June, reflecting a fundamental change of worldview. Conservative populism and anti-incumbent sentiment were on the rise globally heading into this year, but Canada and Australias elections signal a revival of social democratic politics, possibly breathing life into center-left coalitions, a Sydney Morning Herald journalist wrote. Conservatives embrace of MAGA-style policies equated to a booby trap, with voters opting for stability both economical and geopolitical. The case for stability works in Singapore Sources: The Straits Times, The New York Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters chose stability in Singapore, too, where the ruling Peoples Action Party dramatically increased its share of the popular vote. Their win was a foregone conclusion the PAP has been in power since 1959 but experts said economic anxiety could pose some challenges for the party. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong cast himself as best suited to navigate the trade-dependent city-state through uncertain times, and his landslide win showed that voters listened intently, a Straits Times commentator argued: Singaporeans opted for the familiar party they felt they could repose their trust in. In a moment when the external threats are so salient and so dramatic, voters are more conscious of the fact that the world is a difficult and sometimes ugly place, a Singapore politics expert argued. Trump overshadows China factor Sources: The New York Times, Financial Times Donald Trump loomed so large in Australias election that the perceived threat from China hardly figured in the campaign. Beijing is expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific region, but Australias election candidates were incredibly skilled at virtually keeping all of this stuff off the agenda, one expert said. Diplomacy with Beijing and the trajectory of Chinas trade war with the US will nonetheless be high on the agenda for both Australia and trade hub Singapore. Having kept a close relationship with Washington and Beijing for years, the island nation is caught in the middle of the superpowers escalating conflict. Asked last month whether China will emerge as a stronger player, Singapores foreign minister said: At a superficial level, the answer is probably yes. MOSCOW (AP) When she heard the news of Nazi Germany surrendering 80 years ago, Valentina Efremova couldnt believe the devastating war was over. Efremova, now 101, was a teenager when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. She ended up serving as a nurse in field hospitals on the front and remembers the horrors of the fighting all too well. When wounded soldiers our age were brought in, I cried. It hurt. I felt so sorry for them. They called me little sister. But I pulled myself together. I came from a very disciplined family, she told The Associated Press from Yakutsk in eastern Siberia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War - a staggering toll that left a lasting imprint on the nations collective memory. Many who served were teenagers when the war began: nurses, communications specialists laying wire under fire, or new recruits deployed to Europe. Some fought in the Far East after Germanys surrender, in final battles against Japan. The portraits featured here are of veterans who served in the Soviet military before the breakup of the USSR who are from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. They were field medics, scouts, radio operators and sappers who dug anti-tank trenches. Some stayed in the military after the war, while others returned home to civilian lives. Still Russias most significant secular holiday, Victory Day on May 9 honors the enormous wartime sacrifices of the Soviet Union. It also serves as a platform for the Kremlin to promote its own brand of patriotism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for 25 of the 80 years that have passed since the end of the war, has made Victory Day central to his rule, using it to frame and justify what the Kremlin calls it a special military operation in Ukraine. - This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. JOSEPH CITY, Ariz. (AP) Brantley Baird never misses a chance to talk history, from how his great-grandmother helped settle the town of Snowflake long before Arizona was granted statehood to tales of riding to school bareback and tethering his horse outside the one-room schoolhouse. His family worked the land and raised livestock, watching the railroad come and go and cattle empires rise and fall. Then came the coal-fired power plants, built throughout northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico to power progress in distant Western cities. The plants would play their own role in the history of the region and could wind up at the center of its uncertain future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cholla Power Plant stands just down the road from where Baird, 88, has been building a museum to showcase covered wagons, weathered farm implements and other remnants of frontier days. For years the plant powered the local economy, providing jobs and tax revenues for the unincorporated community of Joseph City, its schools and neighboring towns, but now the vapors from its stacks have dissipated. These days, change is in the air. Cholla is the latest in a long line of U.S. coal-fired plants to retire, shutting down in March. Arizona Public Service said it had become too costly to operate due to strict environmental regulations. The mandates were aimed at reining in coal-burning utilities, long viewed by scientists as major contributors to warming the planet. Last month, however, President Donald Trump reversed course, signing new executive orders aimed at restoring beautiful, clean coal to the forefront of U.S. energy supplies. He urged his administration to find ways to reopen Cholla and delay the planned retirements of others. As part of his push toward energy independence, Trump has pledged to tap domestic sources coal included to fuel a new wave of domestic manufacturing and technology, namely innovations in artificial intelligence. In the West, where the vision of far-off politicians sometimes crashes against reality, Baird and many of his neighbors were encouraged that Trump put Cholla in the spotlight, but there's some skepticism about what the utilities will do with the plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many jobs as it gives people, as much help just to our school district right here that we get out of there, were hoping that it will come back, too, said Baird, who used to work at the Cholla plant and has served on the Joseph City School Board. Yet, he and others wonder if it's too late for coal. Coal-burning plants retiring Just weeks before Trump announced his plans, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projected a 65% increase in retirements of coal-fired generation in 2025 compared with last year. The largest plant on that list is the 1,800-megawatt Intermountain Power Project in Utah. Its being replaced by a plant capable of burning natural gas and hydrogen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utilities, already looking to increase capacity, aren't sure Trump's orders will lead them back to coal. I think its safe to say that those plants that are scheduled or slated to retire are probably still going to move in that direction, for a couple of reasons," said Todd Snitchler, CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, which represents power plant owners. "One of which is its very difficult to plan multimillion- or billion-dollar investments for environmental retrofits and other things on an executive order versus a legislative approach. Last month, Republicans in the Arizona Legislature sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warning that the economic fallout from the 2019 closure of the Navajo Generating Station is still reverberating. The stacks were demolished, and the mine that supplied the plant closed. At the San Juan Generating Station in northwestern New Mexico, operations ended in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuck in the middle are Joseph City and other communities where life revolves around a power plant. Residents hope Trump can help keep them in the energy race for another generation. From Joseph City to Springerville, they've been preparing to absorb major hits to the job market, tax rolls and school enrollment. Options are slim in Apache and Navajo counties two of Arizonas poorest. Utility executives told Arizona regulators recently that reopening Cholla would be costly for customers and that they plan to push ahead with renewable energy. The plants infrastructure would be preserved as a possible site for future nuclear or gas-fired power generation, and the Springerville Generating Station could be repurposed once the last units are retired in 2032. The utility that runs the coal-fired Coronado Generating Station, just 30 miles (48 kilometers) away in St. Johns, also has plans to convert to natural gas. Wind resistance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Springerville, the idea of spoiling the surrounding grasslands and ancient volcanic fields with 112 wind turbines with blades standing taller than Seattle's Space Needle provokes outrage. Banners and posters objecting to the proposal are plastered around town. They all know that this wont work, that we cant rely on wind and solar, said Doug Henderson, a Springerville plant retiree who now sits on the town council. He says coal-fired generation can accommodate swings in demand, regardless of whether theres sunshine or wind. Springerville Mayor Shelly Reidhead and others are fighting to keep the wind farm from happening, saying repurposing the Springerville coal plant would mean more jobs and preserve the surrounding landscape. We also survive on tourism and people don't want to come here and look at that, Reidhead said of the turbines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Western Drug and General Store is adorned with tiny American flags tacked up outside. A sign advertises canning supplies, but locals joke that you can get anything here from slippers to rifles. Andrea Hobson works the register and knows everyone by name. She moved to Springerville about 20 years ago from California and says it's hard to imagine the community without the power plant. It would be a ghost town. It really would, she said. Thats the heart of this town. Filling the economic void Springervilles leaders have lost sleep trying to figure out what industries might fill the void. At stake are about 350 jobs, dozens of contract employees and the businesses they support from the general store and the new frozen yogurt shop to the hospital and local churches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some workers drive an hour to the Springerville plant every day, meaning other communities also will lose out, said Randel Penrod, a former crew manager at the plant. With retirement looming, the plant has trimmed its workforce. Henderson, the Springerville town council member, fears it could take years to permit a new plant. Reidhead is more hopeful after attending meetings with members of Arizonas congressional delegation and utility executives. She thinks the Trump administration can reduce the red tape and get new plants up and running. The development of artificial intelligence and its thirst for power gives the mission a sense of urgency. I think our politicians at a state level have realized with AIs need for the power, that if we dont get on board and get on board soon were going to be left behind, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some energy analysts say Trumps support of coal is mostly symbolic, since utilities hold the keys. Others say diversifying energy sources is a must as the U.S. sees increases in power demand predicted for the first time in decades. AI may be artificial, but the electricity it needs is very real and in some regions, coal still keeps the lights on when other sources may blink, said Scott Segal, a partner with the Washington D.C.-based firm Bracewell LLP. He said power markets dont care about politics just reliability, affordability and sustainability. Just outside of Joseph City, crews are building what will be one of the largest solar and battery storage projects in Arizona. The solar panels will be installed on leased private land, including Bairds sprawling ranch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While not a fan of all the dust being kicked up, Baird knows the advent of solar is just another of many changes he has seen in his lifetime and he has no idea what the next 100 years might look like. Hell, who knows? he said. You know, when it comes right down to it, well just wait and see. ___ Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A Mayday protest on Saturday was filled with Arkansans concerned about the changes happening since President Donald Trump took office. Cynthia Cohen, the leader of Hear AR Voices, says shes been stressed since Trumps presidency started. Absolutely nothing that man does anymore, it doesnt surprise me, it disgusts me. We are in a lawless country and were coming up on a very scary time in America, Cohen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump draws criticism with AI image of himself as the pope ahead of the papal conclave Cohen has taken to the steps of the capitol several times speaking about the education system, immigrant rights and gender affirming care. But this time shes adding Trumps latest post to her list. To think that anyone, especially a clown like the guy we call president, would try to mimic or mock, thats mocking, Cohen said. President Trump posted an AI generated picture of himself in a pope costume days after the pope Franciss death. Vance defends Trumps AI pope photo Ebrahim Abunasrah says the situation is embarrassing and he was hoping things would be different months after the inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes the wrong kind of different, you know we need a president that is going to be tough but follow the law Abunasrah said. Abunasrah called President Trump remorseless and wants people to become aware and more active in politics. Run for office, vote lets not let these career politicians run the government, Abunasrah said. Vance says its pretty crazy he met Pope Francis right before he died Vice President JD Vance responded to peoples concern about Trumps photo saying As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hear AR voices leaders say they will continue to advocate for change within the country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Two Arkansas firefighters are among 140 who were honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundations Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Phil Christensen, who served the Fort Smith community, was named Firefighter of the Year in 2000 and received several other recognitions throughout his career. He died on February 11, 2023, after a nine-year battle with brain cancer. His career was distinguished by bravery and leadership Christensens memorial entry on firehero.org reads. As the most decorated firefighter in the history of the Fort Smith Fire Department, his achievements spoke to his unwavering commitment to his profession and the community he served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercy Fort Smith unveils ER and ICU expansion Jim McCammon, who spent nearly 30 years in intermittent service with the Harrison Fire Department, also played a role in creating the towns fire code enforcement division. He died in 2019 at the age of 64. McCammons memorial entry reads, A friend once said, If you needed a man covering your back, this was the man. The annual memorial event recognizes firefighters from across the United States who have died in the line of duty or due to duty-related causes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The president of the Art Institute of Chicago has taken voluntary leave following reports of an incident during which he stripped off his clothes while on an international flight. James Rondeau, the Art Institute's president and director since 2016, was accused of strange behavior on a United Airlines aircraft on April 18. Rondeau had been on the way to Munich, Germany. According to CBS News, which first reported the incident, he had been drinking alcohol after taking prescription medication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with The Independent, a spokesperson said: The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information. The president of the Art Institute of Chicago, James Rondeau (left), has taken voluntary leave following reports of an incident during which he stripped off his clothes while on an international flight (Getty Images) James will voluntarily be taking time away from the office while the investigation is completed. Art Institute officials said Rondeau has since returned to Chicago, and the leadership team will soon meet to determine the next steps." As president of the Art Institute, Rondeaus salary is more than $1 million a year. The institute employs around 600 people and plays host to such world-renowned works as Edward Hoppers Nighthawks and The Bedroom by Vincent Van Gogh. Founded in 1879, the institute has an operating budget of $120 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since his appointment in 2016, Rondeau has been a proponent of bringing more works by female artists and artists of color into the collection. This variety and balance is core to our mission. We are able to leverage more established names while introducing new work and providing a more expansive view about contemporary art, he told The New York Times in 2022. The alleged incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 953 from Chicago to Munich on April 18. Police were called to the plane following reports of a passenger stripping off his clothes. Officials from the Art Institute of Chicago said Rondeau was taking voluntary leave following the incident and that it was investigating (iStock) Sources confirmed to CBS that the passenger in question was Rondeau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for United Airlines told The Independent they had no further comment. Founded in 1879, the Art Institute is one of the most prestigious museums in the U.S. It has an operating budget of $120 million and a full-time staff of about 600. Editors Note: The video above is from the initial media briefing from APD that happened Sunday, May 4. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department is investigating after a teen boy was shot and killed during a sleepover at a southeast Austin home over the weekend, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Police identified the man accused in the shooting as 38-year-old Victor Javier Orellana-Carranza, per a news release from APD. Victor Javier Orellana-Carranza, 38 (Photo: Austin Police Department) Orellana-Carranza was booked into the Travis County Jail on a first-degree murder charge, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN has reached out to Orellana-Carranzas attorney. We will update this article if a statement is received. Officers with APD responded to the 5700 block of Hammermill Run Sunday around 6:40 a.m., near East Stassney Lane and South Pleasant Valley Road, after a caller told 911 his stepdad had shot someone, court records said. 5/4/25 Austin Police investigate homicide off Hammermill Run (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) 5/4/25 Austin Police investigate homicide off Hammermill Run (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) When officers arrived at the home, they found a 15-year-old boy dead, according to the affidavit. Police identified him on Monday as Neithan Jadiel Montenegro. He was pronounced dead at 7:08 a.m. According to the preliminary investigation, Orellana-Carranza came to the home looking for his 2-year-old son. The mother of the 2-year-old lives at the home, along with her 17-year-old son. Montenegro was a friend to the 17-year-old, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He entered the residence and assaulted the mother of the 2-year-old, according to police. Then, the 17-year-old and Montenegro stopped the alleged assault, which then led to a physical altercation between the three of them. Orellana-Carranza then left the home, but he threatened to come back, police said. When he came back, he had a firearm. Police said he shot at the 17-year-old and Montenegro before driving away from the scene. Orellana-Carranza had plans to flee the country to Honduras, but police were able to apprehend him, according to the affidavit. This incident is being investigated as Austins 24th homicide of 2025. No other details were released 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 KXAN Austin. Time has run out for some US trade partners looking to make deals ahead of President Trump's July 9 deadline for tariffs to snap back to higher levels. Letters will start going out to countries on Friday to notify them of the tariff rates they will face on exports to the US, Trump told reporters, to go into effect on Aug. 1. The first 10 or 12 letters sent out will be followed by similar batches. By the ninth theyll be fully covered, Trump said in reference to the deadline, per Bloomberg. Theyll range in value from maybe 60% or 70% tariffs to 10% and 20% tariffs. The Trump team has so far been focused on hammering out trade deals, though it has succeeded in nailing only three pacts so far. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said around 100 partners would likely see a minimum "reciprocal" rate of 10% come next week, adding that he expects a "flurry" of deals to materialize before the deadline. Here is where things stand with various partners: China : The US has eased export restrictions on China for chip design software and ethane, a sign that trade tensions are calming between the two countries after they agreed in May to a framework to move toward a larger trade deal. Software firms like Synopsys (SNPS) and Cadence (CDNS) said they will now sell their chip design tools to Chinese customers again. The US also removed limits on ethane exports to China that it had set just weeks ago. Vietnam: Trump on Wednesday said he had reached a trade deal with Vietnam, one that will see the country's imports face a 20% tariff lower than the 46% he had threatened in April. He also said Vietnamese goods would face a higher 40% tariff "on any transshipping" when goods shipped from Vietnam originate from another country, like China. Many US goods will see no duty upon import to Vietnam. Japan: Trump earlier this week said negotiations with Japan had soured, saying he would force Japan to accept higher tariffs of "30%, 35%, or whatever the number is that we determine." Notably, that proposal is higher than the 24% "Liberation Day" level. "Theyre very tough. You have to understand, theyre very spoiled," he said. MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Australias re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday was greeted by well-wishers at a Sydney cafe and said the country had voted for unity over division. Albaneses center-left Labor Party won an emphatic victory in elections on Saturday. As vote counting continued, the government was on track to win at least 85 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, the lower chamber where parties need a majority to form an administration. Labor held 78 seats in the previous Parliament, and gaining seats in a second term is rare in Australian politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Australian people voted for unity rather than division, Albanese told reporters in the crowded cafe in inner-suburban Leichhardt where he and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, gathered with colleagues and supporters for coffee. We'll be a disciplined, orderly government in our second term, just like we have been in our first, he added. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the governments top economic minister, explained the election result as voters seeking stability after U.S. President Donald Trumps tariff disruptions to the global economy. This was beyond even our most optimistic expectations, Chalmers told Australian Broadcasting Corp. of the election result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that this second term has been given to us by the Australian people because they want stability in uncertain times, he added. Australian election result reminiscent of Canada In an election result reminiscent of Canadas recent contest, conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton lost his parliamentary seat. His alliance of parties was reduced to 37 seats. Canada's opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, lost his seat after Trump declared economic war on the U.S. neighbor. Poilievre had previously been regarded as a shoo-in to become Canadas next prime minister and shepherd his Conservative Party back into power for the first time in a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior Australian lawmakers say they feared late last year they would become the first government to be tossed out after a single three-year term since the turmoil of the Great Depression in 1931. Like the center-left Canadian government, the Australian government had linked their political opponents to Trump's administration and its Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. Australia was hit during the five-week election campaign with 10% tariffs on exports to the United States despite trading with its bilateral free trade partner at a deficit for decades. Opposition leader branded DOGE-y Dutton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition leader was branded DOGE-y Dutton, and Labor warned that a Dutton government would slash public sector services to pay for seven government-funded nuclear power plants. Labor said Dutton never campaigned at any of the proposed power plant sites and argued the conservatives realized that nuclear reactors were not popular. There is no nuclear power generation in Australia. Labor also accused Dutton of igniting culture wars. While Albanese stands before the Australian flag and two Indigenous flags at media announcements, Dutton had said that as prime minister, he would only stand in front of the national flag. Indigenous Australians account for 4% of the population and are the nation's most disadvantaged ethnic minority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chalmers said the direct impacts of U.S. tariffs on Australia were manageable and relatively modest. But there is a huge downside risk in the global economy. I think whats happening, particularly between the U.S. and China, does cast a dark shadow over the global economy. And were not uniquely impacted by that. But were really well-placed. We are quite well-prepared," Chalmers said. Albanese has become the first Australian prime minister to lead a party to consecutive election victories since conservative John Howard in 2004. Revolving door for Australian political leaders Howards 11-year reign ended at the next election in 2007. Like Dutton, Howard also lost his seat in Parliament as well as his government. Howards departure coincided with the start of an extraordinary period of political instability that created a revolving door for political leaders. There have been six prime ministers since Howard, including one who served in the role twice in separate stints three years apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albanese said the first world leader to congratulate him on his election victory was Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, who phoned at 7:45 a.m. Hes a very good friend, Albanese said. I told him its a bit early to call. Albanese had also spoken to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and received text messages of congratulation from British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Albanese said he would speak to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later Sunday. When authorities and animal rehabilitation groups rescued neglected creatures at Ohio's Grand River Fur Exchange, the case drew national attention and sparked outrage. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation was one of the groups working to save foxes, coyotes, skunks, pigs, and more from the "hell" of the fur and urine farm, along with the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Now, the Texas-based organization has released a video series on its website documenting those efforts and educating people on how they can help prevent future cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On its website, WRR explained that it accepted 15 skunks, six coyotes, and six foxes that needed immediate medical care after their captive stay at Grand River Fur Exchange. In addition to breeding animals for their fur and exporting it to global fashion markets, as suggested by documents linking it to Fur Harvesters Auction, the fur exchange sold them as pets and collected their urine for hunting and trapping lures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture fined the business back in 2011 and banned it from selling wild animals. Nonetheless, it continued to operate until December 2024, when the owner died. Sadly, the horrific conditions the animals endured, including malnutrition, electrocution, and confinement to wire cages that wounded them and cut off their limbs, aren't out of the ordinary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This rescue has provided a rare glimpse inside an industry that operates almost entirely out of public view. The suffering found at this farm is not an anomalyit is the standard for facilities that engage in this practice," WRR wrote. However, the lives of the rescued animals are now changing for the better thanks to the coordinated efforts of organizations dedicated to protecting vulnerable creatures, whose fate can mean the difference between healthy ecosystems that also support human life and those that collapse. Ways you can help make the world a better place for animals include supporting fur-free fashion brands and not engaging with social media posts featuring wild animals, which can normalize the demand for exotic animals, according to the Humane World for Animals. WRR also encouraged people viewing their videos to "check back often" for updates on "how you can be part of the movement to ensure no other animals suffer the same fate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Amazing work WRR," one commenter wrote on The Boerne Star's coverage of the story. "Thank you for countering the hell on earth that some people create." 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 search for a missing kayaker who fell into the water along the American River near Auburn, Calif., was placed on hold Sunday because of poor conditions, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said. The missing man was on a kayak with another man when their vessel capsized Friday evening in fast-running water beneath the No Hands Bridge near Auburn, the Sheriff's Office said. The other man reached nearby rocks and safely made it back to shore, the Sheriff's Office said. The missing person wasn't identified, and officials said it wasn't known whether he might still be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's tough to say," said Elise Soviar, a spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office. "You never want to give up hope until you know." Authorities started to search for the missing kayaker Friday. A dive team also went out on the water Saturday morning as aerial and water search efforts continued throughout the day, she said. Soviar said the search was suspended Sunday because of water flow and visibility. Conditions will determine whether the search will resume Monday. Although the river might look inviting during a sunny day, authorities say people should avoid going into the water during this time of year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water is very, very swift and it's very, very cold because it's coming from the mountains and this is a known dangerous portion of the American River, she said. The Sheriff's Office teamed up with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit on the search. State Parks, the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office and the California Highway Patrol also offered assistance, according to a social media post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office on Friday. 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. JOPLIN, Mo. Police are searching for a bank robber. Joplin Police Department says on Saturday, officers responded to reports of an armed robbery at the Commerce Bank location at 1820 E. 20th Street, in Joplin. Police say that although no weapon was displayed, the suspect indicated he had a weapon, and gave a note to bank staff demanding money. The suspect is described as a white male approximately six-foot-three inches, heavier set with bushy/curly brown hair. Additionally, the suspect has a tattoo with red ink on one side of his neck with the possibility of another tattoo on the other side of his neck in black lettering. JPD asks anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect to contact their non-emergency line at 417-623-3131. FOUR STATES CRIME Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARET HREIK, Lebanon (AP) Lebanese voted Sunday in the country's first local elections in almost a decade, months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended a war between Israel and Hezbollah. The first round of voting, which is taking place by region, was in the Mount Lebanon districts including Beirut's battered southern suburbs, where Hezbollah headquarters are located and much of their leadership including veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah were killed in Israeli airstrikes during the 14-month war. The polls for mayors and municipal councils, though not as significant as Lebanons parliamentary election set for 2026, are a barometer of how much the devastating war that left over 4,000 people dead and entire neighborhoods destroyed has impacted support for politicians and parties, especially in the south where Hezbollah and allies are strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah and fellow Shitte party the Amal Movement are expected to win most votes for municipal councils and mayors in Beirut's southern suburbs. Flags of the parties and members wearing green and yellow paraphernalia were present outside the polling stations, assisting supporters wanting to cast their vote for the parties' candidates. The voting also took place in public schools near the wreckage of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. Lebanon's cash-strapped government has been scrambling to secure international funds for the reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates at over $11 billion. Municipal elections were supposed to have taken place years ago but the government had postponed them three times, including once over budgetary constraints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters said they were especially concerned with rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Mohammad Awali, a candidate running for the Haret Hreik municipality, said his local council has a great responsibility, especially given the extensive destruction that occurred in our area. Tucked behind fields, farms and winding creeks, a quiet stretch of rural land could soon give way to a new conservation-style subdivision if the county approves a developers rezoning request. But longtime residents argue its more than zoning lines on a map; its about preserving the character of their community. Jackson County officials are considering whether a rezoning request for 109 acres on Old Fort Bayou Road fills a public need and if the character of the neighborhood has changed enough to justify it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The land sits just up the road from a 110-acre subdivision already underway. If approved, the new project would be one of nine recent subdivisions reshaping the area. A map included in Gulf Coast Development & Designs rezoning request shows the subject property under consideration for rezoning in Vancleave. The proposed subdivision would convert 109 acres of rural land into residential lots, following what developers call the path of growth. A growing county, a shrinking supply Kenneth Jones, a real estate developer from Gulfport, said the area has been preparing for this kind of growth for years. Walker Road and Old Fort Bayou have already developed up to I-10, Jones said. Its been happening for the last 20 years, and the natural progression of development is just heading that direction. Joness attorney pointed to a 53% population increase in Jackson Countys unincorporated areas from 1990 to 2020, a shift that has tilted growth away from cities. County infrastructure has expanded, too, with new sewer and water lines in place to support development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the centralized utilities are a major trigger for converting agricultural districts into residential neighborhoods. Jones said rezoning is necessary due to a regional housing shortage and the challenges of finding buildable land. You drive by and see a lot of vacant land, but finding property thats for sale, not in a flood zone or wetlands, and has access to water and sewer thats extremely difficult, he said. Based on monthly sales trends, Joness team found the current housing supply would run out in under three months if no new homes were listed for sale well below the five to six months generally considered healthy for the real estate market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in between a buyers market and an extreme shortage, Jones. An adequate supply of housing allows you to attract other industries and to house the workers already here. Jones said his companys project is designed to respect the areas natural landscape and its rural character. This is going to be more of a preservation neighborhood, he said. Were preserving almost ... 45% of the site, which will be really nice for the residents. Theyll have preservation areas where they can walk and have trails and stuff like that. Community members attend a Jackson County Board of Supervisors meeting to voice concerns about a proposed rezoning request. Many residents worry the new development could alter the rural character of their neighborhood. We chose to live in a quieter, slower area At a county Planning Commission meeting in April, residents voiced a different concern: Vancleaves rural identity being steadily replaced by subdivisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurie Claxton, who has lived off Old Fort Bayou Road for 25 years, said the proposed development would directly affect her way of life. We have a chicken coop. We have a donkey you can hear outside. We have many, many animals that will be affected by this, she said. Claxton also challenged the premise that the zoning change is necessary. I feel there is no need to change this zoning, she said. There is no public need. Emily Theriot, who lives near the property, echoed those concerns. The majority of changes Ive been seeing are approvals of subdivisions and using the approval of one subdivision to justify the approval of more subdivisions as a change in character of the neighborhood, she said. Many people in this neighborhood do not want subdivision housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another area resident, Elutarious Christopher Lionel, warned rezoning to allow smaller lots would destroy the communitys character. Recently built homes in a Vancleave subdivision reflect the areas changing landscape. As Jackson County considers future development, residents are weighing the benefits of growth against the desire to preserve open space. The reason why people are moving to Vancleave is because its a homestead area, he said. Most of these houses are on land that is an acre or larger, small farms and what have you. We chose to live in a quieter, slower area that we have peace in, Theriot said. There has been no substantial increase in jobs, restaurants, shopping or school capacity at Vancleave to justify a need. It would not be in harmony with the rest of the neighborhood. For Jack Stokes, who lives across from the land, the issue is simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want our country life turned into a big neighborhood housing project, he said. As Jackson County leaders prepare to vote on the proposal, residents on both sides say the decision will shape more than just property lines. It may redefine what kind of future Vancleave is growing into and whether rural life there can keep its roots. Employment tribunal hears that Ahmed Rouabas colleague said there was a violence behind the way he spoke A BBC Arabic journalist who reposted anti-Israel tweets has won more than 14,000 in a race case. An employment tribunal heard that Safaa Jibara, a colleague, said Ahmed Rouabas speech was of a Bedouin character after he allegedly shouted at bosses. Mr Rouaba was awarded the sum after claiming the comments made by Mr Jibara made him appear uncivilised and savage. The Telegraph previously revealed Mr Rouaba reposted a tweet which suggested that Israel had lied to the International Court of Justice in the recent genocide case brought against it by South Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also reposted a tweet describing elements of Israels Gaza blockade as pure evil, as well as one suggesting that Israel was starving Palestinians to save money bombing them. The employment tribunal, which took place in central London, found that the statements were patently related to Mr Rouabas race and were potentially problematic as well as derogatory. Mr Rouaba was awarded 14,246.40 in compensation. In July 2019, allegations were raised about his conduct during a staff meeting, including that he had raised his voice at his boss and complained of discrimination after someone asked him to speak in formal Arabic. A Bedouin character At the same time, Mr Rouaba submitted a grievance about both his manager and his bosss manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2020, Mr Jibara was interviewed by HR about the meeting the previous year and told them there was a violence and something of a Bedouin character to Mr Rouabas way of speaking and that he could be sharp during discussions. He said: We have to mention [Mr Rouabas] character and the fact he is from Algeria. There is a violence behind it [the way he speaks], a Bedouin character. He always shouts when he tries to give his opinion, he comes across as sharp. He cant explain himself in a mild way. He always shouts and is nervous. This belongs to his character and his cultural character. Four months later, Mr Rouaba attended a disciplinary hearing about the meeting, complaining that he was on death row, waiting for complaints against him. This was the seventh disciplinary process against him in three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that meeting he was informed that he was being given a final written warning for his conduct during the meeting and saw the comments made about him by Mr Jibara. Shameful and heinous He appealed against the sanction and also complained about the comments by his co-worker but the grievance was not upheld as Mr Jibara was merely attempting to explain cultural differences. The journalist sent several emails to the BBC complaining about Mr Jibaras language, describing it as shameful and heinous, calling for the police to be involved and saying that his colleague was describing him as uncivilised. During his interview, Mr Rouaba said that calling him a Bedouin meant he was a savage and rebellious, describing the comment as racist and offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the rejection of his grievance, Mr Rouaba brought an employment tribunal claim against Mr Jibara alleging that the comments were part of a campaign of harassment and intimidation by two editors and their clique, including Mr Jibara, and that the BBC had not protected him from racial abuse. A panel found that Mr Jibaras comments did constitute racial harassment and created a humiliating environment for Mr Rouaba. Employment Judge David Khan said: We found that these impugned words were patently related to [Mr Rouabas] race, they were unwanted, and whilst Mr Jibara did not intend to harass [him], they had the proscribed effect on [Mr Rouaba]. [Mr Rouaba] perceived that these words violated his dignity, and created a degrading, humiliating and/or offensive environment for him, as was clear from the many statements he made to that effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the BBC underlined last month that it was urgently investigating the anti-Israel tweets that were liked and shared by its staff. A spokesman for the BBC said: We do not comment on individual staff matters or individual social media posts and will not be commenting on these cases. However, we take any breaches of our social media guidance very seriously and always take appropriate disciplinary action wherever necessary. 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. Influencers are no longer just shaping Americans' shopping habits and fashion choices they're also playing a role in how people manage their money. And one type of influencer has become particularly popular: the finfluencer. Short for "financial influencer," these creators break down complicated topics like investing, budgeting and wealth-building in everyday language offering advice that feels a lot more like a chat with a friend than a seminar you have to sit through with a stale coffee in hand. They dont just share textbook tips; they share their mistakes, their wins and their full financial roller coasters. Don't miss Trump lit the match and burned the house down, then handed you the fire extinguisher, Tori Dunlap, a 30-year-old financial influencer, shared with her 2.4 million TikTok followers, capturing the sense of chaos many feel as they navigate today's markets. While its never been easier to swipe through financial advice, relying solely on social media for money decisions can come with real risks. Unlike certified financial planners, finfluencers aren't held to a fiduciary standard and their advice, however relatable, isnt always backed by professional expertise. The comfort and the catch For Americans who feel overwhelmed by traditional financial institutions especially as budgets get tighter following relatable voices online can be an easy first step toward building better money habits. One finfluencer of note is Jeremy Schneider, known as @personalfinanceclub on Instagram. In early April, he posted about losing a quarter-million dollars in just two days after Trumps tariff policies rattled the markets. Instead of pretending everything was fine, he got candid showing his followers that volatility isnt a reason to panic, its a reason to stay the course. I wanted to put my face on my page so that people knew Im still here, the skys not falling, he told the Wall Street Journal. Hearing about these lived experiences online doesn't just feel more authentic it's also cheaper. Traditional financial advisors often come with hefty hourly rates or ongoing retainer fees. In a time when cutting back is the norm, paying for professional advice can feel like a luxury that some can't afford. TOPEKA (KSNT) Astronomers are monitoring a large dark spot on the suns surface which could impact Earth in the days ahead. 27 News spoke with Brenda Culbertson this week, a solar system ambassador with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), about a massive sunspot, dubbed 4079, and what it could mean for residents on Earth. She said astronomers have been monitoring the sunspot complex, which stretches nearly 87,000 miles across, for several days. The energy from 4079 is very strong, and as it approaches the center of the solar face, it faces Earth directly, Culbertson said. If any major solar flares occur while it is facing Earth, we will receive a direct hit of solar energy and solar particles, setting off a geomagnetic storm. (Photo Courtesy/Rick Heschmeyer) What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) describes geomagnetic storms as major disturbances in the Earths magnetosphere which can result in increased activity of the northern lights/aurora borealis. Sunspots can erupt in events referred to as coronal mass ejections (CME) which send solar particles out into space and towards Earth on occasion. Periods of especially intense geomagnetic storms can result in disruptions to technology and widespread blackouts. One of the largest sunspot areas in recorded history occurred 1-2 September 1859, and it produced what is now called the Carrington Event, Culbertson said. That was a geomagnetic storm so strong that aurora was seen around Earth, disrupted electric grids, caused blackouts, and even reportedly started fires in telegraph stations. Sunspot 4079 covers about half the area that caused the Carrington Event, so we do not expect anything majorly disruptive from it. People in the U.S. witnessed the impact of one especially potent geomagnetic storm in 2024, referred to as the Gannon solar storm, that brought the northern lights into parts of the Midwest. Culbertson said some people may see strong activity of the lights in the days ahead if conditions prove favorable. For now, Culbertson and other astronomers will continue to monitor sunspot 4079. The SWPC may issue an alert for a geomagnetic storm in the near future, ranking it on a scale of G1 to G5 depending on its strength, to notify people about the possibility of seeing the northern lights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is corporal punishment and is it allowed in Kansas? For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 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. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump appeared on Meet the Press to discuss his first 100 days in office. During the hour-long interview, Trump discussed a wide-range of topics, although one moment stood out from the rest. When asked about his plans to carry out mass deportations, host Kristen Welker pressed Trump about whether he believes everyone in the U.S. including noncitizens is entitled to due process under the Fifth Amendment. His response: I dont know. Welker followed up, asking Trump if he believes he needs to uphold the Constitution. Trump replied again: I dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a recap of the other highlights from Trumps comments on tariffs to what he said about running for a third term and his thoughts on a MAGA successor. What did Trump say about tariffs? Trump largely dismissed Welkers questions about the economy and concerns of a recession, telling her: Everythings OK. I think this is a transition period. I think were going to do fantastically, he said. Trump also defended his tariff policy, saying: The tariffs have just started kicking in. And were doing really well. Psychologically, I mean, the fake news was giving me such press on the tariffs. The tariffs are going to make us rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also repeated his assertion that consumers should be willing to make do with less. In a cabinet meeting last week, Trump mentioned that children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. During the Meet the Press interview, he said again that kids dont need 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls because what we were doing with China was just unbelievable, he said. We had a trade deficit of hundreds of billions of dollars with China. Will Trump seek a third term? So many people want me to do it, Trump told Welker. But, he added, its something that, to the best of my knowledge, youre not allowed to do. I dont know if thats constitutional But this is not something Im looking to do. Im looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has previously teased the idea of seeking a third term, despite the fact that its prohibited by the Constitution. In March, he told Welker that he was not joking about potentially running again and said that there are methods which you could do it. Who would be Trumps MAGA successor? Trump declined to name a single heir to his movement. But he did compliment Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who he described as great, and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling him a fantastic, brilliant guy. He also acknowledged that Vance may have the edge in an election. Theres a lot of them that are great. I also see tremendous unity. But certainly you would say that somebodys the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage, Trump said. Will Trump invade Greenland? Trump reiterated that he had not ruled out using military force to seize Greenland. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which well take care of, and well cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also repeated his desire to annex Canada as the 51st state. They think were going to protect them, and really we are. But the truth is, they dont carry their full share and its unfair to the United States and our taxpayers. The post The Biggest Moments From President Trumps Meet the Press Interview appeared first on Katie Couric Media. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would make it harder for local officials to put bond proposals on your ballot. Senate Bill 2529, authored by Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, aims to increase the threshold approval of a governing body such as a school board or city council needs to put a bond on the ballot. Currently, all that is needed is a simple majority of 50%, but this bill would raise that threshold to 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the question of winning versus doing the right thing for taxpayers, said Bettencourt during a senate committee hearing. The bill also states to have an even higher threshold for a bond that is up for election again after failing in a previous year to 80%. When the voters have approved, I mean something thats great, but when they disapprove, something, and it should. Be a signal to the governing body that if youre going to bring it back to less than a year, you better have a super majority of elected officials, Bettencourt said. On election day, Hays Consolidated Independent School District considered almost a billion-dollar bond package. Tim Savoy, a spokesperson for Hays CISD said the funding will help accommodate fast growth in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Hays CISD voters to consider almost $1 billion bond package Were projected to continue to grow 8000 to 1000 students every year for at least the next decade, Savoy said. Savoy felt that SB 2529s logic should be applied in the way how current bills in the legislature are being passed. I would just propose this back to anyone whos considering that bill. How about that bill has to pass if its going to raise what would be considered a majority in democracy, Sevoy said. How about having a 60% or 70% threat to have any of those bills passed in the legislature? The bill was voted out of its senate committee in April and is eligible to be debated on the Texas Senate floor on 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 KXAN Austin. The Middlesex County D.A. has announced that a Billerica man is facing charges after fleeing a hit-and-run in Lowell. Christopher Campbell, 30, has been charged with: Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, causing serious bodily injury Two counts of leaving the scene of personal injury Carjacking Larceny of a motor vehicle Negligent operation A marked lanes violation On May 2, around 10:25 p.m., Campbell allegedly crashed his Volkswagen Jetta into another vehicle in the area of Boylston and Rogers Street in Lowell. After crashing his vehicle, Campbell exited his vehicle and then began jumping onto the hood of the other vehicle while shouting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This frightened the driver of the vehicle, causing her to flee. Campbell then stole the car, driving it down Rogers Street, then onto a sidewalk and striking a male pedestrian. That man was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Then, just after 11 p.m., State Police received numerous reports of a car, with no lights on, operating erratically and stopping in the left lane of Interstate 495 south in Franklin. Troopers responded to the scene to find the car abandoned. An investigation determined that it was the same vehicle stolen from Lowell. State Police, alongside aid from Franklin police, set a perimeter and began searching for Campbell, who was located after he crossed the interstate and hid in a culvert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Campbell noticed the police, he yelled that he had a gun, causing Franklin police to taser him and allowing officers to arrest him. Middlesex District Attorneys Office, Lowell Police, and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. Campbell is expected to be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court. 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 (KRON) Black business owners are showing support for Pierre Pierre after a person was shot at the Black-owned fine-dining restaurant in downtown Oakland Friday night. Cathy Adams, the president and CEO of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, told KRON4 that shes rallying support for the restaurant following the tragedy. San Jose police seize seven guns in three hours If we dont come downtown, if we dont go into all areas of Oakland where there are Black businesses, were not gonna make it and we cant stay home, Adams said. That means when one of ours is attacked, weve got to come and fight for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chef Rene Johnson of Blackberry Soul Fine Catering in Oakland told KRON4 that the local community wont let Friday nights violence define the Oakland community. Oakland has got it going on and were gonna let that be our claim to fame, Johnson said. Were not going to let whats going on, or people who come in and make a bad decision make it about that. Were going to make it about us. Were going to make it about Oakland. Concord police complete food delivery after driver is arrested for stolen motorcycle Watch the full report from KRON4s Lindsey Ford 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 KRON4. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Black Wall Street Augusta is officially launching. The city is establishing a designated Black business district to honor the legacy of African American entrepreneurship and fuel economic growth. It covers parts of Walton Way, Laney Walker, Broad Street, East Boundary, and morean area already rich in Black history and culture. Modeled after Tulsas original Black Wall Street, the project uses an 8-step plan to help Black-owned businesses grow, improve infrastructure, and build generational wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence Freeman Jr. and Thelonious Jones joined Shawn to share more about the effort. Learn more at BlackWallStreet.org/Augusta or fb.com/blackwallstreetaugusta. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) The remains of a man reported missing after Hurricane Helene in September have been found in Tennessee, authorities confirmed. Human remains were found along the Nolichucky River in rural Washington County, about 90 miles east of Knoxville, on Thursday. On Saturday, the Washington County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the remains are those of Steven Cloyd. Crews clearing debris located the remains, and our Investigators worked with the medical examiner to identify Steve, said Sheriff Keith Sexton. WCSO continues to pray for the Cloyd family, and we know this brings them some closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A miracle: Cat survives fall in Utah national park that killed two hikers Cloyd was one of two individuals reported missing in Washington County following the flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene. While the storm made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida, it had weakened to a tropical storm and then a post-tropical cyclone as it moved through the Southeastern U.S. The storm was still strong enough to bring widespread flooding to the region, including in Tennessee. Authorities said Cloyd, as well as Nancy Tucker, had not been seen since the catastrophic flooding in late September. They both lived in the Jackson Island area near the Jackson Bridge, the Washington County Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cloyds body was found just a few miles from Jackson Island. He had texted his brother, Gary Cloyd, that water was coming in the house as Helene swept through the area. Gary told Nexstars WJHL that he tried to drive to his brother, but was blocked off by rising water. 2 people, a dog dead after small plane crashes in Los Angeles-area neighborhood Steven Cloyds car was later found less than half a mile away from where he was last seen. Tucker, meanwhile, remains missing. Her husband, Jimmy Tucker, was found dead a few days after the storm moved through. Their home had been swept away by the floodwaters while they were both inside, WJHL previously learned. Two of their three dogs were found alive and turned over to Nancys son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nancy had packed dog food and stuff like that for the animals in the car, her nephew, Johnny Horton, told WJHL in November. I guess they were doing that as the water was rising. Last month, another body was recovered from the Nolichucky River; authorities said it was not believed to be related to Helene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. John Swinney, the SNP leader, has been accused of using Nigel Farage as a bogeyman to distract from his partys failures in Government. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said Mr Swinney wanted to make the 2026 Holyrood election about the Reform UK leader, instead of his partys record on the NHS, education and public spending. Mr Swinney has described Mr Farage as a real political threat and held a summit in Glasgow last month at which he urged civic society and political leaders to unite against the hard Right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It follows Reform UKs electoral successes on Thursday when the party won hundreds of councillors in England, overturned a large Labour majority in a Westminster by-election and won its first mayor. The partys focus is now shifting to an imminent by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse amid claims that Farage will have much more of a presence in Scotland as Reform ramps up its election campaign. Appearing on BBC Scotlands The Sunday Show, Mr Sarwar said it should not be assumed that the results in England would be replicated in Scotland. Reform took 7 per cent of the Scottish vote in last years general election but recent polling suggests that level of support has doubled support among the electorate, most notably at the potential expense of the Conservatives and Labour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are predictions that Reform UK could win a dozen or more MSPs at Holyrood in next Mays Scottish Parliament elections. Mr Sarwar conceded that there was an underlying theme across the UK that a significant proportion of the people dont believe that governments are working for them. Nigel Farage celebrates after his party wins hundreds of councillors in England - Ian Forsyth/Getty He said the SNP had failed on a host of issues since coming to Government in 2007 and accused the party of using Reform as a tool to distract from its record. John Swinney wants to make it about Nigel Farage Im not interested in Nigel Farage. Im interested in the National Health Service, which John Swinney is failing, said Mr Sarwar. Im interested in our education system, which John Swinney is failing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im interested in spending the Scottish peoples money well and ending the waste of the SNP, which John Swinney is failing in. Mr Swinney has described the election results in England as a demonstration of the absolutely spectacular failure of the Labour and Conservative parties in their handling of Farage. Cosying up to Farage The First Minister has also accused Scottish Conservatives of trying to cosy up to Farage, saying: I listened to some of the things the Conservative party is now saying in Scotland, and I am deeply disturbed by what they are saying. Because they are trying to cosy up to Farage, they are trying to avoid haemorrhaging to Farage in the way the Conservatives have just haemorrhaged to Farage south of the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative leader, ruled out any form of deal with Reform or any other party that would support the SNP or support splitting up the UK. He told BBCs Sunday Show: What weve seen from Reform, from Nigel Farages own mouth, is he would be quite comfortable putting an SNP first minister into Bute House. Many of their candidates are nationalists. Its absolutely questionable whether theyre even a party of the Union. Rachael Hamilton MSP, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, pointed out that Mr Sarwars party backed the SNP on gender self-ID, the Hate Crime Act, tax rises and abandoning the oil and gas sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: Anas Sarwar has some nerve to suggest that Scottish Labour can deliver change for mainstream Scots. The notion of Scottish Labour representing real change is laughable, because on a host of issues you cant fit a cigarette paper between them and the SNP. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. San Luis Obispo County lifted the boil-water order for all remaining areas on Saturday afternoon, following a water-contamination alert that lasted four days. According to an alert from the county, the boil-water order was lifted shortly after noon, allowing residents in Pismo Beach and Avila Beach to resume normal water use, after the State Division of Drinking Water gave the all-clear. After extensive testing, the drinking water supply has been confirmed safe, the county said in its news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents can return to using their tap water for ordinary purposes without taking any further action, it added. Restaurants can return to normal operations if they follow Environmental Health Department guidance. The county advised residents and businesses with reverse osmosis systems to refer to their user manual for instructions on how to safely resume using the system. The county said it was working with state officials to investigate the cause of a single positive E. coli test result that spurred the boil order. The investigation is expected to take 30 days. Director of Public Works John Diodati said the drinking water is safe and will be monitored and tested as the county investigates the cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I recognize the last few days have been extremely impactful for our Five Cities communities. We take our mission to provide you clean and drinkable water very seriously and when there is an issue, our team immediately jumps into action to keep you safe. That is exactly what happened this week. Normal testing protocol caught a problem, and through strong collaboration and coordination with the state, cities and community service districts we were able to quickly implement preventative safety measures, Diodati said. Like you, we want to know why this happened. Over the next few weeks, as the investigation unfolds, we will share information with the public on what we know and what measures we will take to prevent this from happening again. District 3 Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg also emphasized the effort that went into the alert and testing. Our county and cities teams have worked diligently alongside state officials to ensure the safety and quality of our water supply, she said. We appreciate the communitys patience and cooperation. This health and safety incident underscores the importance of people getting proper information, and we urge signing up for notifications at Public Alerting San Luis Obispo County. Boil-water order affected 50,000 people Wednesdays boil-water order encompassed around 50,000 San Luis Obispo County residents and said that all water used for drinking and food preparation should be boiled or purified using bleach or water purification tablets through Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order was instituted in response to the unprecedented detection of coliform bacteria in the Lopez water distribution system. Coliform bacteria, the contaminant first identified in the Lopez distribution system, is an indicator of the potential presence of E. coli, county Department of Public Works public information specialist Shelly Cone told The Tribune on Thursday. E. coli is a particular strain of fecal coliform bacteria that can cause illness in humans. Cone said the county had not detected E. coli specifically since Monday, and was working with the state to identify the cause of the contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second sample taken on Tuesday found only elements of total coliform bacteria, not E. coli, Cone said. Though E. coli hadnt been detected since Monday, the initial positive for both coliform and E. coli bacteria triggered the boil water notice, she said. The presence of coliform does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe, but it does trigger further testing to rule out the presence of harmful pathogens, Cone said in an email. If coliform or E. coli is detected, follow-up sampling is immediately conducted until no evidence of contamination remains. The boil-water order created widespread impacts across the area, shutting some food-service business, forcing others to adopt safety protocols and prompting a run on bottled water from local grocery stores. On Friday, the order was lifted for Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano and for customers of the San Miguelito Mutual Water Co., before the remaining communities were cleared on Saturday. For more information on the alert, visit ReadySLO.org/WEA. Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Reshoring dipped across North America in 2024, report says; Unilever to invest $1.5B to expand in Mexico; Supply chain software provider opens office in Houston; and Border agents seize $1M in cocaine from truck at Texas bridge. Reshoring dipped across North America in 2024, report says Imports to the U.S. from China and 13 other low-cost countries and regions (LCCRs) in Asia, as well as from Mexico, grew faster than U.S. domestic manufacturing gross output in 2024. The situation could have a big impact on U.S. retailers and online sellers seeking to keep their inventories stocked going forward, according to management consultant Kearneys just-released Reshoring Index for 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 Reshoring Index points to a reality check that exposes the gap between reshoring intention and facts, Patrick Van den Bossche, Kearney partner and study co-author, said in a news release. Despite executives being more committed than ever, this years report found the Reshoring Index turning back to negative territory, tied to global trades most basic drivers supply and demand. This decline should not be interpreted to mean reshoring is going away, just that expectations for the strategy need to be tempered by market realities. Led by categories such as computers, electronics and electrical equipment, manufactured imports from Asian LCCRs increased 10% year over year in 2024, or up $90 billion, compared to 2023. At just 1% year-over-year growth last year compared to 2023, U.S. manufacturing output barely increased, while U.S. imports of manufactured goods increased by 9% year over year, the report said. President Donald Trump has made restoring U.S. manufacturing a key goal of his trade and tariff policies since taking office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kearneys Reshoring Index showed a decline of 311 basis points in its manufacturing import ratio for the U.S. in 2024, falling back into negative territory after two positive years in 2022 and 2023. The Reshoring Index is determined by dividing the import of manufactured goods from the Asian LCCRs by the U.S. domestic gross manufacturing output to calculate a manufacturing import ratio. Launched in 2013, the Kearney Reshoring Index tracks annual U.S. domestic manufacturing versus imports, while also gauging CEOs sentiment to reshoring U.S. manufacturing operations. Mexico remained the United States top trade partner for manufactured goods in 2024, accounting for 16% of total imports, or $457 billion, Kearney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of Mexicos export gains came from three key sectors: computer and electronic products, transportation equipment, and electrical equipment, appliances, and components, which represent about 85% of Mexicos total U.S. exports. While Mexico remains a critical hub for the automotive and electronics sectors, its ability to absorb increased demand from the U.S. may be reaching its limit, according to the report Mexico faces export growth challenges due to infrastructure particularly roads, energy and water and rising wages. As U.S. demand outpaced what domestic production could supply, Mexico was not able to fill the gap. We saw manufacturers reverting to sourcing from those distant Asian low-cost countries and regions they had relied on in the past, Kearney partner and report co-author Omar Troncoso said in release. Other cross-border experts remain more bullish on Mexicos growth as a trade partner with the U.S., even as the White House has launched an aggressive tariff policy on most foreign imports during Trumps first three months in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations first 100 days were quite a ride, but I was and remain cautiously optimistic about the remainder of Trumps term, Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen, co-CEO of The Nearshore Co., told FreightWaves in an email. The Nearshore Co., based in Brownsville, Texas, is an international trade and development firm that helps companies set up shelter operations in Mexico. Clearly, China not Mexico is the main focus of this administration, Henrichsen said. Even if the tariffs previously imposed on China were to ease in the coming weeks or months, the preferential treatment of Mexico over China would remain significant, further fueling Mexicos manufacturing momentum. Kearneys Reshoring Index found the share of CEOs planning to reshore part of their operations in the U.S. over the next three years increased by 15% compared to the survey in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite changing motivations, cost remains the most important driver of creating more manufacturing jobs in the U.S., the Kearney report noted. Global labor cost disparities continue to be a significant headwind. For the third year in a row, CEOs identified labor cost as the top challenge to reshoring and nearshoring, with nearly 25% ranking it as their primary barrier in this years survey, the Kearney report said. Unilever to invest $1.5B to expand in Mexico Packaged consumer goods company Unilever plans to invest $1.5 billion in Mexico between 2025 and 2028 to increase its production capacity. The investment includes $407 million for a factory near Monterrey, which will specialize in beauty products and personal care. The plant will create 1,200 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unilever is a British multinational consumer packaged goods manufacturer. The company has over 300 factories in 69 countries. London-based Unilever initially announced the new factory in April. The additional investments announced on Friday include expanding its logistics chain across Mexico to supply the Americas, officials said. This will be one of the most advanced factories we have in Latin America, located in Salinas Victoria. From here, we will produce beauty and personal care products for our leading brands like Dove, Rexona, and Sedal, with the capacity to supply both the domestic and Latin American markets, Willem Uijen, Unilevers executive director, said in a Mexico Business News article. Supply chain software provider opens office in Houston Log-hub announced the opening of an office in Houston aimed at providing logistics optimization software to the trade community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Switzerland-based company, a software provider for supply chains, said the new facility reflects growing demand for advanced logistics tools. We are excited to bring our Swiss-rooted expertise in strategic network design, route optimization, data analytics, and AI closer to the North American market, CEO Jan Sigmund said in a news release. This gives us a better position to help businesses create more resilient and efficient supply chains. Log-hub, founded in 2017, has more than 60 employees. In addition to Houston, the company has locations in Switzerland, Germany, Serbia and India. Border agents seize $1M in cocaine from truck at Texas bridge U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in South Texas said they discovered 30 packages of cocaine in a commercial trailer arriving from Mexico, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 25, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility found 77 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed in a tractor-trailer. The alleged cocaine has a street value of over $1 million. CBP seized the narcotics and truck. The case was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. CBP did not say whether the driver was arrested. The post Borderlands Mexico: Reshoring dipped across North America in 2024, report says appeared first on FreightWaves. Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro has been discharged after spending three weeks in hospital recovering from major abdominal surgery. The right-wing politician, who led the South American country between 2019 and 2022 before losing his re-election bid, was being treated for an intestinal obstruction before his release on Sunday. He has had several medical complications, including six surgeries, since a 2018 stabbing that left him with lasting injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 70-year-old Bolsonaro had earlier on Sunday said on social media that he was set to be discharged, and even suggested that he would try to attend a rally on Wednesday being planned by supporters. Im going home renewed. My next challenge: joining the Peaceful March for Humanitarian Amnesty on Wednesday, May 7, Bolsonaro wrote. The rally is being held in support of an amnesty for supporters of the former president who stormed government buildings following Bolsonaros loss to current Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022. Bolsonaro had refused to publically acknowledge his defeat at the time. Bolsonaro had been touring the country attempting to drum up support for an amnesty for the January 2023 riots when he was hospitalised after experiencing severe abdominal pain during a political event in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-president, who is aligned with right-wing figures in the United States and elsewhere, has his own legal troubles, after Brazils Supreme Court ruled in March that he should stand trial for being part of an alleged plot to overturn his 2022 election loss. Thirty-three others have been accused of being part of the coup plot, which reportedly included a plan to poison President Lula and kill a Supreme Court judge. Bolsonaro has already been barred by the Supreme Court from running in any elections until 2030 over his abuse of power while he was in office, and spreading rumours that the countrys electronic voting system was rife with fraud. BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian police said on Sunday that they had thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's historic concert that drew over 2 million people to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, working in coordination with the Justice Ministry, said the plot was orchestrated by a group promoting hate speech and the radicalization of teenagers, including self-harm and violent content as a form of social belonging. According to the Rio city hall, 2.1 million people attended the concert of the American pop icon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The suspects were recruiting participants, including minors, to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails," the police said in a statement. The Justice Ministry said the recruiters identified themselves as members of Gaga's global fan base, known as the "Little Monsters." The operation was based on a report by the ministry's Cyber Operations Lab following a tip-off from Rio state police intelligence, which uncovered digital cells encouraging violent behavior among teenagers using coded language and extremist symbolism. A man described as the group's leader was arrested in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of a firearm, while a teenager in Rio de Janeiro was detained for storing child pornography. Authorities carried out over a dozen search and seizure warrants across the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo. (Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Mark Porter) Aerial view of Lady Gaga's concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 3, 2025. - Credit: Daniel Ramalho/AFP via Getty Images Brazilian police revealed Sunday that they thwarted a terror attack that would have targeted Lady Gagas record-breaking concert at Rio de Janeiros Copacabana Beach. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state and Brazils Justice Ministry announced two arrests the morning after the concert, adding that suspects were planning to carry out a bomb attack at the concert that drew an estimated 2.5 million people. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police (via Reuters), the plot was orchestrated by a group promoting hate speech [against the LGBTQ community] and the radicalization of teenagers. The suspects were recruiting participants, including minors, to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails, the police said in a statement. The plan was treated as a collective challenge with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media. One male suspect described as the groups leader was arrested in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of a firearm, while a teenager in Rio de Janeiro was detained for storing child pornography. We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning, a spokesperson for Gaga said in a statement Sunday. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks. Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities which dubbed the investigation Operation Fake Monster, a nod to Gagas Little Monsters fanbase also carried out search warrants on 15 additional suspects throughout the country, confiscating phones and other electronic devices. The plot was uncovered through the Justice Ministrys the ministrys Cyber Operations Lab following a tip from Rio state police intelligence, which found online evidence of digital cells encouraging violence toward the Copacabana Beach attendees. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Reuters) -Shell Plc is working with advisers to evaluate a potential acquisition of rival BP Plc, though it is waiting for further stock and oil price declines before deciding whether to pursue a bid, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday citing people familiar with the matter. The oil major has been more seriously discussing the feasibility and merits of a takeover with its advisers in recent weeks, the report said, adding that any final decision will likely depend on whether the rival's stock continues to slide. For several years, BP and Shell were almost equal in size, but over the past few years Shell has grown to almost twice the size of BP, with a market value of about 149 billion pounds. On Friday, when asked about a possible takeover bid for BP, Shell's, Chief Executive Wael Sawan told the Financial Times he would rather buy back more Shell stock. A Shell spokesperson confirmed the comments. When asked on an earnings call about Shell's capacity to launch sizable acquisitions, he said "we have to have our own house in order" and have "more work to do" despite progress over the last couple of years. A takeover of its cross-town London rival would make Shell an even bigger force in the global energy industry, giving it scale to rival the likes of Exxon and Chevron. A merger would also likely certainly invite regulatory scrutiny, considering the size of the deal. Shell this week reported strong first-quarter results surpassing profit expectations and launched a $3.5 billion share buyback. Shell may also wait for BP to reach out or for another suitor to make a first move, and its current work could help it get prepared for such a scenario, some of the people told Bloomberg News. Deliberations are in the early stages and Shell may opt to focus on share buybacks and bolt-on acquisitions rather than a megamerger, the report added. "As we have said many times before we are sharply focused on capturing the value in Shell through continuing to focus on performance, discipline and simplification," a Shell spokesperson said when asked about the report. BP declined to comment. Under pressure to improve profitability and cut costs, BP chief Murray Auchincloss has announced plans to sell $20 billion of assets through to 2027, reduced spending and share buybacks. It also announced the departure of its strategy chief as it tries to shore up investor confidence. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management had wanted a change of strategy chief as it seeks higher free cash flow through deeper cuts to spending and costs, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate a bomb at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The event, on Saturday, was the biggest show of the pop stars career, which drew some 2 million fans to Copacabana Beach. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rio de Janeiros state police said they had worked with the Justice Ministry to disrupt an attack allegedly planned by a group that was spreading hate speech against the LGBTQ community. Police said the group sought to radicalize and recruit teenagers to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives. The plan was treated as a collective challenge with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media, the police said. Authorities said they arrested two people in connection with the planned attack the alleged leader of the group on illegal weapons possession charges in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, and a teenager on child pornography charges in Rio. Authorities said police raided the locations of 15 suspects across several states in Brazil and confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lady Gagas publicists and concert promoters did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Justice Ministry said members of the group falsely presented themselves online as Little Monsters Lady Gagas nickname for her fans in order to reach teenagers and lure them into networks with violent and self-destructive content. Police said they carried out the operation quietly on Saturday, avoiding panic or distortion of information among the population. The ministry said there was no impact on those attending the free concert. The Associated Press contributed to this article. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro. The Rio event on Saturday was the biggest show of the pop star's career that attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing along. Felipe Cury, secretary of the Rio police, said authorities believed the suspects sought to target Brazils LGBTQ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gagas concert motivated by sexual orientation, Cury told a press conference on Sunday. Rio Police chief Luiz Lima said the group disseminated hate speech and violent content online aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants most of them teenagers, many of them children. Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga's show, the event went ahead without disruption leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organizers to cancel such massive events as happened with Taylor Swifts concerts in Vienna last year. Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to avoid panic" and the distortion of information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks. The statement added: Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place. Security was tight at Saturday's concert, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to the beach where fans were reveling in the pop singer's classic hits like Born This Way, which became something of an LGBTQ anthem after its 2011 release. Homes in several states raided Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities arrested two people in connection with the alleged plot a man described as the group's leader in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons possession charges, and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Police did not elaborate on their exact roles in the plot or on how the group came to target Lady Gagas free concert. Those involved were recruiting participants, including teenagers, to carry out integrated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails, police said. The Justice Ministry said that it determined the group posed a risk to public order." It said the group falsely presented themselves online as Little Monsters Lady Gagas nickname for her fans in order to lure teeangers into networks with violent and self-destructive content. During a series of raids on the homes of 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, authorities confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Although police said they believed homemade bombs were intended for use in the planned attack, there was no mention of the raids turning up any weapons or explosive material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cury said one of the suspects whose home was raided in the city of Macae, near Rio, had a religious motivation" and "claimed the singer (Lady Gaga) was a Satanist. Historical moment Lady Gaga has expressed gratitude for the enormous crowd in an Instagram post that said nothing of the alleged plot. Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last nights show the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil, she wrote. The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her free beach concert stood out at a time of surging ticket prices for live music around the world as concert-goers pay budget-busting costs to see their favorite artists. Last month she performed at Coachella Valley music festival in California, where tickets fetched upwards of $600 for one weekend. Rio has done this before last May, superstar Madonna performed the finale to her latest world tower for some 1.6 million fans on the sprawling sands of Copacabana Beach. The post Brazilian Police Thwart Bomb Attack on Lady Gagas Copacabana Beach Concert appeared first on Consequence. Police in Brasil say they thwarted a bomb attack planned during Lady Gagas massive concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night. The alleged plot involved a group promoting hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community. The suspects were recruiting participants, including minors, to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails, police said in a statement (via Reuters). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspected leader of the plot was arrested in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of a firearm, while more than a dozen search and seizure warrants were carried out across the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, and Sao Paulo. The operation was reportedly based on a tip from Rio de Janeiros state police intelligence, which uncovered digital cells encouraging violent behavior among teenagers using coded language and extremist symbolism. Speaking to TMZ, though, a rep for Gaga reported that the pop star had no idea there was any such threat, and only found out about it after media reports were published on Sunday morning. According to the rep, authorities did not mention the situation to anyone on Gagas team before or during the show, though they did work closely with law enforcement during the planning of the event and felt confident in its safety measures. Because of this, it seems Gaga never had the opportunity to weigh in on whether the show should proceed. An estimated 2.5 million fans in attendance for Gagas concert at Copacabana Beach, which set a new record for the highest attended concert by a female artist in history. Popular Posts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. (WHTM) The school year may almost be over, but the need for bus drivers continues. Many school districts across the country are facing this challenge thanks in part to budgets and student behavior. So, to attract more people into the industry, Rohrer Bus Service hosted a community family event in Harrisburg on Saturday. Im just helping to get the word out about our need for school bus drivers, said David Schrantz, the bus companies President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millersburg breaks ground on Market Square Park improvements Schrantz explained to abc27 News that he knows firsthand how the school bus driver industry has changed over the years. I think theres many factors involved in that. You know, I just think the family dynamic has changed a bit, too, he shared. Overall employment scenario has changed for many industries. You know, its not a full-time job. Its a part time job. And there are certain challenges with that. During Saturdays event, there were complimentary treats, activities for the family and the opportunity to test drive a school bus! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like riding a bicycle once you do it once, you know, you just get the hang of it, said Roy Kuykendall of Adams County. Kuykendall is in his seventies and has been driving big buses since 2018. When asked if he could see himself becoming a school bus driver, he told abc27 News, Yes. Even before the end of this year. Schrantz added that at the end of the day, It just takes somebody who cares about the kids that theyre transporting, understands the role that they have in their educational success and ultimately what they can do in life. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar event will also take place on May 31st within the West Shore School District. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Lowell Trooper Named 2024 Trooper of the Year Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott named Trooper Kaylee G. Galvan the 2024 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year, the first time a female has gotten the award, according to a release. Galvan is a two-year Trooper and in 2024, was a midnight unit assigned to the Lowell Districts Zone 1. In 2024, Galvan had 1,868 total traffic contacts (1,129 citations and 739 warnings), 154 criminal defendants, 484 criminal charges, 80 felony charges, 118 O.W.I. arrests, 22 felony O.W.I. arrests, 95 crash investigations, 181 police services, and conducted 91 vehicle searches. Galvan also worked special project hours (overtime shifts) resulting in 188 traffic contacts with 123 citations and 65 warnings, 21 criminal defendants, 54 criminal charges, 18 O.W.I. arrests, and 1 felony O.W.I. arrest. Also at the awards ceremony, Galvan received the 2024 Life Award in recognition for exceeding expectations by removing 118 impaired drivers off Indiana roadways in 2024. Cardiologist joins Franciscan in Dyer, Munster Dr. Amit Kumar, an interventional cardiologist, recently joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer and Munster, a release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kumar completed medical school at All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. His residency in internal medicine was completed at State University of New York at Buffalo. His fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology was completed at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. His fellowship in vascular and endovascular medicine was completed at Brown University Health in Providence, Rhode Island. He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Medical Pavilion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 400 in Dyer and Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology, 701 Superior Ave., Suite J, in Munster. Call 219-865-0893 (Dyer) or 219-934-4080 (Munster). Foundation awards $163K to Porter County groups The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations as part of its spring Community Fund grant cycle, a release said. The following organizations and programs are receiving funding: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana $10,000 to support the renovation of the Portage Club kitchen and concession stand Call-A-Ride $10,000 to support the purchase of a new ADA van The Caring Place $5,750 to support strategic planning Chicago Street Theatre $2,200 to support the purchase of wireless microphones Dunes Learning Center $10,000 to support the replacement of bunk bed mattresses Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited $2,120.65 to support the purchase of horse saddles for therapeutic riding Family & Youth Services Bureau $9,108 to support water leak mitigation and repairs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family House $10,000 to support replacement of the front porch and entrance Gabriels Horn $2,940 to support implementation of a post-shelter transition program Hagrids Hope Cat Rescue $2,500 to support spay and neuter procedures for rescued cats Jacobs Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation $9,816 to support a developmental milestone training program for teachers and caregivers Lakeshore Public Media $10,000 to support Building Blocks, a multimedia project exploring the science of early childhood development MAAC Foundation $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MAKS Corp. $10,000 to support the provision of critical resources to local foster children Memorial Opera House Foundation $5,000 to support accessibility in the dressing rooms Our Greater Good $3,950 to support parenting programs Portage Recovery Association $10,000 to support the transformation of their new substance recovery and mental health facility Portage Township Autism Action Coalition $10,000 to support autism training for first responders, sensory kits, and resources Porter County Aging and Community Services $5,000 to support individuals and families facing unexpected crises Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reins of Life $5,000 to support the purchase of a horse carriage for equine-assisted programs Shirley Heinze Land Trust $10,000 to support technology upgrades Shults Lewis Child & Family Services $5,000 to support facility renovation and modernization St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center $5,000 to support repairs of the fire protection and suppression system Valpo Parks Foundation $5,000 to support 2030 Vision, a strategic planning initiative. The next Community Fund grant cycle will open in July with an application deadline of Aug. 15. More information is available online at PCCF.gives. MAAC to graduate 15 firefighters In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation recently announced that 15 new firefighters will graduate from the Career Fire Academy. at 6 p.m. May 2 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso, according to a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15 graduates, representing the Portage, Whiting, Dyer, LaPorte and Michigan City fire departments have completed an 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. Graduates include: Levi Thurmond, Andrew Himan, Evan Shaughnessy, Justin Morgan, Caiden Mowery, Evan Kuehl, Julia Simition, Malachi Kristoffand Mitchell Bleck, Portage Fire Department; Dennis Hensley, Whiting Fire Department; Tyler Marick, Dyer Fire Department; Owen Barsic, LaPorte Fire Department; Phillip Baker, Kody Stroud and Josiah Griffin, Michigan City Fire Department. For more information about the MAAC Foundation, visit www.maacfoundation.org. Social impact program funding applications open May 5 Franciscan Healths Social Impact Partnership Program is opening applications for funding to support healthcare-related programs for nonprofit health and human service organizations in at-risk communities, a release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding applications will be accepted from May 5-30. Partner agencies will be announced in mid-July. Organizations may apply for up to $10,000 in monetary support. Organizations may complete an application online starting May 5. Serving populations most in need and in accordance with Franciscans mission should be the focus of supported activities, the release said. These include people who have endured systemic racism; refugees and immigrants; the chronically low resourced; at-risk youth and others impacted by poor societal supports. For additional information or application support, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Director Danielle Crowder at Danielle.Crowder@franciscanalliance.org. In an era when much of our public life unfolds online, the digital world has become a battleground for the very soul of our society. Yet the tech companies that control this space are failing us, and the cost of their failure is measured not just in misinformation and division, but also increasingly lost lives. This week, I testified before the California State Assembly in support of Senate Bill 771, a critical step toward finally holding tech companies accountable for amplifying hate, extremism and disinformation. Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Los Angeles-based Jewish human rights activist organization, we have seen firsthand how online hate metastasizes into real-world violence over the course of three decades tracking the rise of digital extremism. Each year, we publish the Digital Terror and Hate Report Card, which assesses how major tech and social media companies confront or fail to confront extremism, harassment and other violating content on their platforms. Our latest report paints a dire picture: Most major platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, Amazon Music and Truth Social, received failing or near-failing grades Ds and Fs dominate. This failure underscores a hard truth: self-regulation is no regulation at all. Voluntary measures are no match for profit-driven algorithms that thrive on outrage, hate and division. The consequences are not theoretical: The Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh, the racially-motivated mass shooting in Buffalo and other violent attacks have been directly linked to online radicalization. Meanwhile, foreign adversaries continue to exploit digital platforms unchecked and to manipulate Americans, sow division and destabilize democracy. Despite these dangers, tech companies are moving in the wrong direction: They are dismantling content moderation teams, loosening community standards and refusing to be transparent about how their algorithms amplify dangerous content. They continue to prioritize profit over public safety, even as the real-world cost continues to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 771, authored by Sen. Henry Stern, D-Los Angeles, addresses this urgent crisis with clarity and purpose. It ensures that Californias civil rights protections against hate crimes, harassment and intimidation apply equally to the digital world, especially when algorithms purposefully amplify harmful content. It empowers victims to seek meaningful recourse and imposes penalties scaled to a platforms size and revenue, making enforcement real not symbolic. This means that larger platforms, which have a greater impact, will face more severe penalties if they fail to uphold the standards set by Sterns legislation. At its heart, this bill is about restoring sanity, responsibility and fairness to the digital public square. Some critics argue that holding platforms accountable risks infringing on free speech. Lets be clear: SB 771 is about policing harmful conductincitement to violence, targeted harassment and the spread of extremist ideologies not ideas. Freedom of expression does not mean freedom to profit from hate. It does not mean freedom to ignore the known consequences of spreading harassment and radicalization. This bill does not demand perfection from tech companies, it simply requires them to take reasonable steps to protect the public steps they have had decades to take voluntarily but have consistently failed to implement. As the birthplace of the modern tech industry, California has both a responsibility and a historic opportunity to lead. By passing SB 771, California can establish a national and even global model for ethical digital accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without meaningful consequences, online platforms will continue to prioritize profits over the public good, fueling violence, division and hate. SB 771 opens the door to civil suits with significant financial consequences for platforming hate. It is time to stop giving failing platforms a passing grade. Vladislav Khaykin is the executive vice president of Social Impact and Partnerships for North America at the Simon Wiesenthal Center . A former refugee from the USSR, Khaykin brings a personal and global perspective to the fight against antisemitism and hate. He regularly speaks and writes on Jewish identity, extremism and human rights issues. (FOX40.COM) A man is being accused of attempted murder after he lit his girlfriends tent on fire while she was inside, according to the Antioch Police Department. Video Above: How to report a public safety threat APD referred to the California suspect as a little firebug. Teen shot multiple times in West Sacramento for suspected retaliation The victim was okay, but there were now attempted murder charges in the works, APD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to APD, the incident started in Southern California, and a be on the lookout alert was issued to law enforcement. Sacramento police shoot suspect accused of attempted molestation, domestic violence The next day, he made his way to our city, APD said. When he stopped to get some car parts, he was unaware that his arrest was already imminent. A helicopter watched overhead while a team waited out of view, according to APD. When he attempted to get into his car to leave, we swooped in with overwhelming force, APD said. Seeing he was surrounded and K9 Boss was watching his every move, he surrendered without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. Its when under pressure that people reveal what they think and who they truly are and Labours Lucy Powell was clearly feeling the heat on the BBCs Any Questions this week. When journalist Tim Montgomerie (full disclosure: the founder of ConservativeHome, where I work) made a reasonable point about the dangers of allowing oversensitivity to community cohesion to trump things like child protection, as it had in places such as Rotherham, Powell said this: Oh, you want to blow that little trumpet now, do you? Lets get that dog whistle out, shall we, yeah? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps, like Sir Keir Starmer, she would have been more comfortable talking about Adolescence, the recent smash-hit fictional drama about a crime which, as seen in the show, has never taken place. The Prime Minister spent weeks happily playing an unpaid role in Netflixs publicity campaign, referring to the series as a documentary and calling for it to be shown in schools. Yet he refused to be interviewed for Channel 4s actual documentary Groomed: A National Scandal, nor has he even confirmed he watched it. Powell is not some random backbencher. As Leader of the House of Commons, shes an important minister in this Labour Government. But perhaps therefore her outburst should not surprise us, for Starmers ministers have given no impression so much as that they just wish the rape gangs scandal would go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why else would they be fighting tooth and nail against calls for a proper national enquiry? Or more targeted investigations such as into specific allegations of collusions between the gangs and local police forces, as called for by Conservative MP Nick Timothy. Politicians normally love holding inquiries. In this country theyre so slow and so expensive that theyve become the preferred way for ministers to look like theyre taking action whilst kicking an issue into the long grass. Not here though. Labour insists that the existing inquiries have been sufficient. But again, Powell showed what they really think: the case Montgomerie was making on any questions, which she dismissed as a dog whistle? Literally just the conclusions of the 2014 Jay Report. It isnt difficult to see why the Government is acting this way. Just look at Thursdays local election results, which saw sectarian Muslim candidate taking council seats in Labour heartlands. Or the last general election, where four Gaza independents were elected and senior figures such as Wes Streeting and Jess Phillips almost lost their seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Labour Party has until recently been happy to have this bloc inside the tent, and is frightened of the electoral consequences of losing it. If keeping such voters happy means suppressing an inquiry into the rape gangs or selecting MPs more interested in a new airport in Mirpur than rubbish piling up on the streets in their own constituencies then so be it. Perhaps there is also an element of straightforward denial, too. If you built your entire politics on the idea that Britain is an integration success story and only bad people would attack our diverse communities, as have politicians like Powell, you too would be very wary of collecting the evidence. She herself is probably doomed, if for no other reason that this row means the nation is once again talking about Rotherham. But the Governments actions or inactions speak louder than words, and its clear that Powell has only said what other ministers are content merely to think. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Its been a busy week in Washington, D.C., with Congress returning from a two-week recess and returning to committee and floor work. Capitol View host Roby Brock met with Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to discuss his role in this important and powerful position. Roby then talks with Northwest Arkansas Council CEO Nelson Peacock to discuss how new legislation could affect business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 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 KARK. President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting funding for NPR and PBS on Thursday The order cited the outlets' "biased" and "partisan" news coverage as the reason for the decision NPR and PBS have both issued statements saying they intend to challenge the order Federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcast Service was halted on Thursday, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to halt the outlets' funding. The order said the decision was made because both NPR and PBS publish news that is "biased" and "partisan." Don't Miss: "Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options," the order read. "Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage... neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens." A separate statement put out by the White House said that NPR and PBS are "entities that receive tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.'" The statement cited several examples of stories the Trump administration considered "trash that passed for news'" or intolerant of "non-leftist viewpoints," including a "Sesame Street" segment that addressed racism during the Black Lives Matter movement and several NPR stories that dismissed the theory that COVID-19 originated in a lab. Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare? Previously, the public broadcasters have received half a billion dollars each year in public funding through CPB, according to CNBC. Both PBS and NPR responded to the executive order on Friday. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger issued a statement saying, "The President's blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night, threatens our ability to serve the American public with educational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years. We are currently exploring all options to allow PBS to continue to serve our member stations and all Americans." CARTHAGE, Texas (KETK) Voters passed Carthage ISDs $23 million school bond propositions to renovate their schools on Saturday. Election Day: Whats on the ballot for East Texans? $20 million will be used towards updates to the facilities and renovations included in Bond Proposition A which passed with 664 votes for the bond and 471 votes against. Plans in Proposition A include repairs to roofs and parking lots, as well as multiple interior renovations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly grateful to the Carthage community for once again placing their trust in us by supporting this bond election, Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter said. This investment in our schools will allow us to move forward with critical projects that will extend the life of our facilities, enhance the learning environment and student experience, and ensure our students have access to the resources they need to succeed. $3 million from Bond Proposition B will provide students with Chromebook replacements, infrastructure upgrades and software services. Proposition B passed with 688 votes for the bond and 441 votes against it. According to Carthage ISD, the districts property tax rate will not increase to fund either bond proposition. Courtesy of Carthage ISD. Carthage ISD is funded by two different tax rates, the general operating fund and the debt services fund. One funds maintenance and operations and the other funds principal and interest payments on debt issued. To learn more about both propositions, visit Carthage ISDs Bond 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. 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? New Yorks Catholic bishopsled by a favorite cardinal of Donald Trumpsharply rebuked the president over an AI-generated image he posted of himself as pope. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President, the New York Catholic Conference of Bishops said in a post on X Saturday. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment on the bishops statement. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. https://t.co/ortxbkDlT5 NYS Catholic Conference (@NYSCatholicConf) May 3, 2025 Trump, a non-Catholic, posted an AI-generated image of himself in papal white robes and a gilded mitre to Truth Social on Friday. The White Houses official X account later shared the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked earlier this week who should replace the late Pope Francis, who died last month, Trump joked that it should be him. However, he later suggested that it could be New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York whos very good, so well see what happens, he told reporters earlier this week. Dolan is the leader of New Yorks conference of bishops, which condemned Trump over the post. The 75-year-old cardinal has long been an ally of Trump. Dolan, the New York cardinal, has long been an ally of Trump, who is himself a New Yorker. / Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images Dolan delivered a prayer at both of Trumps presidential inaugurations. In 2020, Trump called Dolan a great friend of mine, to which the cardinal responded that the feeling was mutual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Dolan praised Trump by saying that he takes his Christian faith seriously. Dolan has not made a personal comment about Trumps post. The Archdiocese of New York, the states conference of bishops, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts requests for comment. Dolan delivered prayers at both of Trumps inaugurations. / SAUL LOEB / POOL/AFP via Getty Images Pope Francis, who died at 88 on Easter Monday after a stroke, was a fierce critic of Trump, especially his mass-deportation effort. Trump and his wife Melania attended Francis funeral in front-row seats, where the homily seemed to reference Francis disapproval of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, met with Francis at the Vatican the day before he died. Vance was asked on social media Saturday whether he was fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father by Bill Kristol, a political commentator who was an aide in former President George H.W. Bushs administration. As a general rule, I'm fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen. https://t.co/2WQPsofVIH JD Vance (@JDVance) May 3, 2025 The VP defended Trumps post and attacked Kristols neoconservatism, writing: As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen. Many social media commentators have taken issue with Trumps post, calling it offensive to Catholics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Steele, an MSNBC pundit who once led the Republican National Committee, said that the post affirms how unserious and incapable [Trump] is. At 78, he remains a 10yo child, emotionally scarred and broken while desperate to prove he could be somebody, Steele added. His problem: he cant grow up to prove it. Morgan J. Freeman, a producer for films such as Desert Blue and Hurricane Streets, similarly tore into the president. This post is a massive insult to Catholics, Pope Francis family, friends & devotees, and to the present conclave, he wrote. In case you missed the news, Donald Trump wants to be the next Pope. SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images Last week, he jokingly (?!?) said, "I'd like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice." On Saturday, the internet collectively lost it when the White House posted this AI picture: Related: Here Are 15 Jaw-Dropping Moments That Made Highly-Paid Employees Say "I Quit" Lawrence O'Donnell called it, "A photograph of deep unrelenting perversion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Kathy Hochul from New York called it "deeply offensive." Related: 50 Of The Funniest Stories People Shared About The "Stupidest Person" They've Met And a BUNCH of people asked something like this: "Just for a second imagine if Obama did this?" Now, the Catholic Bishops of New York State have weighed in on it. KENA BETANCUR / AFP via Getty Images Their response is going mega viral: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Team Trump seemed to double-down on the joke with another AI video: @teamtrump/tiktok.com Thoughts? Also in Internet Finds: 27 Extremely Disturbing Wikipedia Pages That Will Haunt Your Dreams Until The End Of Your Days Also in Internet Finds: 23 People Who Tried Their Best, But Crapped The Bed So Bad Also in Internet Finds: "Something In My Head Said, 'Dont Get Up'": 16 Older Adults Reveal The Wildest Supernatural Encounters From Their Childhood An AI-generated image of President Donald Trump dressed as the pope is drawing criticism from some Catholics after it was posted on social media just days before the papal conclave to select the next pontiff begins in Rome. The image, which was shared on Trump's social media and the official White House account on Friday evening, shows an AI-generated image of the president wearing papal clothes and sitting on a throne. PHOTO: The White House posted an AI generated image of Trump wearing papal clothing and sitting on a throne, which faced backlash from members of the Catholic community. (ABC News) Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, was asked by reporters about the image after he had finished a service at a church in Rome on Sunday. In his response, Dolan used the Italian words, "brutta figura," meaning the post was embarrassing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope he didn't have anything to do with it," Dolan said. "It wasn't good. As Italians say, it was brutta figura." The New York State Catholic Conference also voiced outrage at the image, saying, "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President." MORE: Trump reflects on 'moment of solace' with Zelenskyy at Pope Francis' funeral "We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us," the conference said on X on Saturday. Trump said on Monday that it was a joke, and claimed no Catholics were offended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They can't take a joke? You don't mean the Catholics, you mean the fake news media? No, the Catholics loved it," Trump said. "I had nothing to do with it. Somebody made up a picture of me dressed like the pope and they put it out on the internet. That's not me that did it. I have no idea where it came from. Maybe it was AI, but I know nothing about it. I just saw it last evening. Actually, my wife thought it was cute. She said, 'Isn't that nice?'" He added, "Actually, I would not be able to be married, though. That would be a lot. ... To the best of my knowledge, popes aren't big on getting married, are they? Not that we know of." PHOTO: Cardinal Timothy Dolan spoke to reporters after a mass service in Rome on May 4, 2025. (@thegnewsroom via X) Father James Martin, a papal contributor for ABC, said on "This Week" Sunday, "People were surprised by it and thought it was incredibly poor taste, but over here in Rome more people are concerned about the next pope than the current president." Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, denied the post was offensive. When conservative commentator Bill Kristol wrote on X, "Hey, @JDVance, you fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father?" the vice president replied, "As a general rule, I'm fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen." PHOTO: The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/AP) When asked to respond to the criticism, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump "flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty," according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The process to elect the next pope will begin on Wednesday, according to the Vatican. ABC News' Camilla Alcini contributed to this report. Catholic community reacts to Trump's AI image of himself as the pope originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON Days before cardinals are set to gather for the papal conclave to select the next head of the Catholic Church, President Donald Trump posted a seemingly AI-generated image depicting himself as pope. The image, posted on Friday and amplified by the White House, didnt sit well with a group of Catholics, who took to social media over the weekend to condemn the portrayal. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President, said the X account for the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in the state who work on public policy initiatives. President Donald Trump meets Pope Francis in Vatican City on May 24, 2017. (Mondadori via Getty Images) We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter, the post continued. Do not mock us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The image, which appears to have been generated by artificial intelligence, depicts the president in white Catholic regalia, similar to what Francis and his predecessors wore. In the picture, the president also wore a large cross necklace and sat on a chair with golden accents. Trump posted the image to Truth Social on Friday evening, and the White House amplified the post on X shortly after. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who was named a member of the White Houses Religious Liberty Commission on Thursday, told NBC News Anne Thompson that the image wasnt good. Dolan added in Italian that the image made a bad impression. Dolan will be among the more than 100 cardinals who are gathering in the Vatican starting May 7 to elect a new pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a Trump critic, said in a post to X that the image posted by the president offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the global right enjoys being a clown, according to a Google Translate interpretation. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who is editor-at-large for the Jesuit publication America Magazine, also said on X that "even though I find this deeply offensive, I will presume that Mr. Trump meant this light-heartedly." "But imagine the incandescent outrage, the swift condemnation, and the individual and joint protests from the US bishops if this had been done by Joe Biden or Barack Obama," Martin added. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, weighed in on the controversy. He responded to a post from Bill Kristol, the editor-at-large of The Bulwark and the director of Defending Democracy Together, who tagged Vance and asked whether he was fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father. As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen, Vance responded. The Associated Press also reported that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the criticism, saying, President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty. Last week, Trump also joked that he would like to be Pope Francis' successor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Id like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice," Trump told reporters. Francis died April 21 of a cerebral stroke, coma and cardiocirculatory collapse, according to the death certificate issued by the Vatican. He was 88. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused Moscow of cynicism, saying Russian attacks on Ukraine continue unabated days before a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by the Kremlin. "The Russians are asking for a ceasefire on May 9 and are themselves firing at Ukraine every day. This is cynicism of the highest order," he wrote on Telegram. He said the Russian military attacked Ukraine with 1,180 drones and 1,360 guided aerial bombs within a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last night alone, 165 drones were launched to target Kiev, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Mykolaiv, Zelensky said, while the Donetsk and Sumy regions have been attacked with heavy aerial bombs since Sunday morning. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains open to a ceasefire, but one that does not only apply to Russian festivities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with the annual Victory Parade on Moscow's Red Square to mark the end of World War II, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, which falls on Friday. The ceasefire is scheduled to start at midnight Wednesday-Thursday in Moscow and end at midnight Saturday-Sunday (2100 GMT Wednesday-2100 GMT Saturday). Moscow rejected a proposal by Kiev to extend the ceasefire to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Graduates of the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) got to hear words of wisdom from NCAA president and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker Sunday afternoon. If you treat people as you would like to be treated, if you prove to be a reliable, dependable, steady force for good and you listen and learn trust me, the rest will take care of itself, Baker said to the graduates. Baker, a Republican, served two terms as governor after he was first elected in 2014. He decided not to seek a third term in 2022 and was announced as the NCAAs president before leaving office. While in office, Baker had high approval ratings, sometimes polling as the countrys most popular governor. Courtesy: New England Institute of Technology NEITs 84th commencement ceremony took place at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former governor also received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Rabbi Leslie Gutterman, known as Rhode Islands Rabbi was also honored during the ceremony with an honorary doctorate. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Before you crack open your next can of Coca-Cola, there's yet another food recall you should absolutely know about. According to a report shared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), select cans of Coca-Cola Original Taste have been voluntarily recalled due to the presence of a foreign object, specifically plastic. The original recall occurred earlier this month and has since been updated to "Class II" by the FDA. The organization states that a Class II recall is one that "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 900 cases of the sodas, which were available in 12-count packs, were recalled from the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. At this point, no other states are included in the recall. The FDA reports that the recalled sodas were bottled and distributed by Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, LLC, in Milwaukee. For a list of the affected UPC codes, visit the FDA's site. "Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling is voluntarily recalling 864 cases of 12-pack Coca-Cola Classic in 12-oz cans in Illinois and Wisconsin," a company spokesperson said Wednesday in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. "The cases are being withdrawn because they did not meet our high-quality standards. We are taking this voluntary action because nothing is more important to us than providing high-quality products to the people who drink our beverages." The FDA has not provided specific advice for handling recalled sodas. However, standard procedure is to, of course, not drink them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. This latest recall serves as just one of many that have occurred due to the presence of a foreign material. Most recently, an assortment of Stouffer's and Lean Cuisine frozen entrees were recalled due to the possible presence of "wood-like" material. You Might Also Like The Transportation Security Administration has banned another travel item ahead of the May 7 Real ID deadline. Travelers using portable chargers or power banks should double-check their batteries for lithium, which is now prohibited in checked luggage. Here's what to know before your next flight. What items fall under the new TSA checked luggage ban? Portable chargers and power banks containing a lithium-ion battery can be packed in carry-on bags only and kept inside the aircraft cabin, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's latest guidance. Lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rule applies to electronics and external battery chargers that contain a lithium-ion battery, which cannot be stored inside checked bags. This includes: Power banks Cellphone battery charging cases Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries Cellphone batteries Laptop batteries External batteries Portable rechargers To check which items are allowed or banned on board, check the TSA's online search function. More: Gov. Meyer plans to repeal the EV mandate if federal government doesnt beat him to it What's Delaware's summer forecast? Here's what AccuWeather and Old Farmer's Almanac say What is a Real ID? The requirement comes from the Real ID Act, which Congress passed in 2005 to improve national security following 9/11. How do I get a Real ID in Delaware? To upgrade your driver's license or other state-issued ID, you must bring it to a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles location. Everyone, including those with existing IDs, must bring specific documentation to either upgrade to or obtain a new compliant ID.Acceptable documents include birth certificates, passports and certificates of naturalization or citizenship. You must also bring proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Delaware residency.A complete list of acceptable and necessary documents is available on the Delaware DMV's website. How much does it cost to get a Real ID? In Delaware, upgrading a current driver's license or ID costs $20, the same as the regular duplicate fee. Can I still drive without a Real ID? Yes. Driver's licenses that are not Real ID-compliant are still valid for operating vehicles and can still be used to verify one's age to purchase alcohol or firearms. What are the alternatives to a Real ID? U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) Can I use a Real ID to travel internationally? Travel outside of the U.S. will still require a passport book. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Checking your bags? TSA bans everyday item ahead of Real ID deadline CHICAGO The group Chicagos Coalition Against the Trump Agenda concluded their May Day week of action with a unity march. On Saturday, dozens made their way to Chicagos Union Park, wanting their message to be heard by those in the White House. President Trump discusses first 100 days of his second term We need to come together and fight back, Faayani Aboma, member of the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, said. So on Thursday, we stood with the Consejo de Resistencia, on May Day, to march for immigrants rights. Yesterday, our coalition was a part of student walkouts across the city and high schools, colleges and universities, and today were holding a Black and Brown unity march. Ultimately, we know that the Trump agenda is attacking all of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May Day is celebrated annually on May 1 and a major demonstration in Chicago was held on that day. Since then, demonstrations have been held across the globe. This year, marches and protests have been mainly focused on President Trumps policies. President Trump recently marked 100 days in office. Recent immigration arrests at courthouses around the country have advocates worried A lot of people are having their visas revoked that they lawfully got, and then other people have been left in limbo for a really long time about their immigration status and have been sued as a political pawn, Aboma said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those gathered at Union Park on Saturday spoke out against mass deportations and the war in Gaza. This is a time for a call to action. This is the beginning of massive mobilizations until we have people over profit, Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) said. Sigcho-Lopez spoke at Saturdays rally and said the next step is to take this message to the state capitol. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines We got to mobilize on to Springfield. Were going to be there on May 8 with a delegation from my community to talk about the needs in our city, Sigcho-Lopez said. The group marched from Union Park through the West Loop Saturday afternoon. The coalition said they will continue to make their voices heard in the weeks ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Chinese authorities have arrested relatives of a former Hong Kong politician who protested against the Communist regimes new mega-embassy in London. Carmen Lau, 30, fled her native Hong Kong five years ago and joined 3,000 others at a rally in February against plans to build the 5.5-acre complex near Tower Bridge. During a speech at the event, the activist said allowing China to build the large diplomatic mission sent the wrong message that Britain welcomed authoritarian regimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, within 48 hours, Chinese national security police arrested her elderly aunt and uncle in Hong Kong. They were detained in morning raids on their homes and questioned for six hours before being released. Ms Lau said her relatives were questioned about the links she still has to the former British colony. They wanted to know about financial relationships I had with others in Hong Kong and were interested in my family tree the other relatives I have in Hong Kong, she told The Mail on Sunday. Activist fled Hong Kong following harassment Ms Lau believes police used the information they obtained to arrest another aunt a week later. She was also questioned for several hours. The activist claimed the harassment was an attempt by officials to stop her anti-Chinese activities in the UK. Ms Lau was previously deputy secretary-general of the Civic Party, Hong Kongs second-largest pro-democracy party, before it was later forcibly dissolved. She was also a district councillor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She resigned her councillor role in 2021, fled the former British colony and sought refuge in the UK after the Chinese authorities put her under surveillance. Ms Lau claimed undercover police officers had been parking outside her apartment and following her, while also alleging she had been harassed by security personnel and state media. Hong Kong authorities placed her and five overseas activists on a wanted list in December. In February, the campaigners neighbours in Berkshire received a bounty note offering more than 100,000 for information about Ms Lau or anyone who could lure her to the current Chinese embassy in Marylebone, central London. The note also accused her of inciting protests and colluding with a foreign power against Beijing. Police hold back demonstrators during a protest outside the proposed site of the new Chinese embassy - Jordan Pettitt/PA If approved, the new mega-embassy would be 10 times bigger than the current Chinese embassy and the countrys largest diplomatic mission in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site, at the former Royal Mint Court in east London, would include offices, 225 homes and a cultural exchange building. China bought the site for more than 255 million in 2018, but Tower Hamlets council rejected plans for the embassy in 2022. Chinese officials did not appeal against the decision amid speculation that the Conservative government at the time would have backed the councils decision. However, they resubmitted mostly unchanged plans just weeks after Labour won last years general election. Torture fears Ms Lau raised concerns about underground rooms which the new embassy will contain. Their exact purpose was redacted on the plans for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: These rooms could be used for interrogations and locking up people like us. They could be used to torture us. During the February protests, chants of Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong and Mega embassy, mega no reverberated through the crowds. Protesters came from as far as Scotland, Liverpool, Reading and Manchester. Ms Lau said she believes the new embassy would become a hub for transnational repression by China in London. She also said the Metropolitan Police had advised her not to attend public gatherings as she could be attacked and her relatives back home could be put in danger. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Russia from May 7-10 to participate in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Kremlin said on Sunday. In a statement on Telegram, the Kremlin said that Xi will discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin the development of the two countries' strategic partnership, as well as signing a number of documents. "During the talks, the main issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda will be discussed," the Kremlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War Two but pushed Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Hitler committed suicide and the red Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag in 1945. Several other national leaders are expected at the celebrations, including the presidents of Brazil and Serbia, and the prime minister of Slovakia. Putin has proposed a three day ceasefire with Ukraine around the May 9 celebration, one of the most important in the Russian calendar. Responding to Moscow's offer of the three-day ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was ready as long as the ceasefire would be 30 days in length, something Putin had already ruled out in the near term, saying he wants a long-term settlement not a brief pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy said Ukraine, given the continued war with Russia, could not guarantee the safety of any foreign dignitaries who came to Moscow for the traditional May 9 victory parade. Zelenskiy has in recent weeks upped criticism of China, which he has said is providing weapons and gunpowder to Russia. Russian state news agency RIA cited Putin, in a documentary film marking 25 years since his first inauguration as Russian president aired on Sunday, as saying that Russia's relations with China were: "truly strategic in nature, deep-seated". "Our national interests coincide", it quoted him as saying. (Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during Moscow's Victory Day celebrations between May 7-10 and "sign a number of bilateral inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents" to strengthen Chinese-Russian relations, the Kremlin announced on May 4. "The bilateral talks to be held during the visit will focus on the core aspects of further advancement of Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as pressing matters on the international and regional agendas," a statement from the Kremlin read. Pro-Kremlin media Interfax reported on Feb. 10 that Xi plans to visit Moscow on May 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has strengthened ties with Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, becoming Moscow's leading supplier of dual-use goods that bolster Russia's defense industry. While China has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the war, it has simultaneously criticized the U.S. and its allies for "exacerbating" the war by supplying weapons to Ukraine. NATO has labeled China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's aggression. Despite the criticism, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to the Russian military. His statement marks Kyiv's first confirmation that Beijing supports Russia's war effort by providing weapons. Kyiv also presented Beijing with evidence that Chinese citizens and companies have participated in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry reported on April 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin uses Victory Day celebrations for propaganda purposes, showcasing its military might and drawing on the Soviet victory in World War II to justify its aggression against Ukraine. On May 3, Zelensky said Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials planning to attend Russias Victory Day parade in Moscow, warning that any incidents on Russian territory fall solely under the Kremlins control. Our position is very simple for all countries traveling to Russia on May 9: We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation, Zelensky said during a briefing with journalists. Zelensky cautioned that Russia could orchestrate provocations, including arsons, explosions, or other actions, and then attempt to blame Ukraine. He said Kyiv has advised visiting delegations accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine shares evidence of Chinese citizens, companies involved in Russias war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Christian Brothers list Wildwoods historic La Salle Retreat Center for sale WILDWOOD, Mo. The Christian Brothers of the Midwest, a Catholic religious order with deep ties to the St. Louis region, has listed its historic La Salle Retreat Center for sale after decades of hosting Catholic parish and school groups. The venue opened in 1886 and originally served as a school for young men studying to become Christian Brothers, a lay Catholic religious order focused on spiritual education. Over the years, it has taken on various roles, including as a novitiate training center and more recently a retreat center. The building transitioned into a retreat center in 1978 after the school closed due to declining enrollment and shifting educational needs within the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food writers say this is the best Mexican restaurant in Missouri Located on 170 wooded acres in Wildwood, Missouri, the La Salle Retreat Center has long provided a quiet setting for spiritual reflection. But in recent years, the cost and time required for the Christian Brothers to maintain the expansive property have become unsustainable. The decision to sell stems from a combination of financial constraints, a declining number of Christian Brothers, and the significant upkeep required to preserve the historic site. According to an FAQ sheet on the sale provided to FOX 2, the Midwest District has already invested nearly $400,000 in renovations and safety upgrades since April 2023, with additional repairs expected to cost nearly $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property includes 74 guests rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a chapel and gymnasium totaling 69,000 square feet. It also includes grottoes, cave-like shrines whose future will be determined by the next owner, and a cemetery, which the Christian Brothers will continue to maintain, ensuring it remains undisturbed regardless of the propertys sale. La Salle Retreat Center (Photo provided by: Colliers International) Map of land available in La Salle Retreat Center sale. (Photo provided by: Colliers International) Additionally, the retreat center will continue to operate through the 2026-27 academic year, allowing time for a smooth transition. The Christian Brothers say the extended timeline is intended to minimize disruptions for groups that still regularly use the facility. Colliers International, an investment management property firm based in Clayton, Missouri, is leading efforts to sell the property. (CLICK HERE for the listing) As of now, a potential suitor has not yet been identified, and it could take up to two years to finalize a contract to complete the sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis DeSantis, executive vice president of Colliers Internationals St. Louis branch, told FOX 2 the property has been on the market for about a week. The group plans to send an offering memorandum to interested parties and has opted not to disclose a sale price on its listing due to per-acre considerations related to the propertys sale. According to St. Louis County property records, the property, located at 2101 Rue De La Salle Drive, has an appraised value of around $12 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Key Points An analyst upgraded his recommendation on the tech company. That doesn't necessarily make him an eager Arista bull, though. Next-generation IT networking company Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET) cruised into the weekend on a high note. After all, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the company's shares saw a more than 16% surge in price over the week. This occurred largely because of an analyst recommendation change for the better. What was once a sell is now a hold, says pundit On Tuesday, Rosenblatt Securities prognosticator Mike Genovese became slightly more optimistic on Arista's future, as he upgraded his recommendation to neutral from his previous sell. His price target on the specialty tech company is now $85 per share. 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 Image source: Getty Images. According to reports, Genovese's adjustment is based on two key factors. He pointed to what he considers to be the solid performance by Arista peer Calix in its first quarter. To him, this indicates the company could perform well during a potential macroeconomic slowdown; ditto with Arista. The analyst's second reason is that, to him, the sell thesis on the stock is no longer valid. It has proven to be more competitive than rival companies based abroad, particularly in China, and therefore deserves a reappraisal. Tariffs targeting the Asian nation actually benefit Arista, Genovese wrote, as they make offerings from domestic businesses more compelling. Finally, according to the pundit, fieldwork revealed that Arista has signed notably larger than expected contracts with hyperscaler clients -- a key demographic in its business. Economic slowdown? What economic slowdown? The tariff war is already showing signs of cooling down, so it might not be as much of a factor as first anticipated. That said, Arista is in a growing segment at the right time, as clients need and demand quick, effective networking services. In some cases, these are near-indispensable, so I'd agree that the company should hold up well in an economic slowdown. Should you invest $1,000 in Arista Networks right now? Before you buy stock in Arista Networks, 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 Arista Networks 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 $611,271!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $684,068!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 889% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 162% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A church in Little Rock will be hosting a Mass for Gaza on Sunday morning. According to a release, at 9 a.m. on Sunday, St. Oscar Romero Old Catholic Church will be hosting the event in collaboration with Peace for Palestine. The service will take place in collaboration with Peace for Palestine and a variety of our Muslim neighbors. We will be reflecting on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansans protest violence in Gaza for 6th week The address of the church is 1601 S Louisiana Street, and the entrance will be on the side. Organizers also said that after the service, they will march through the streets of the SoMa district to the Governors Mansion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The CIAs former top-ranking doctor is suing it over her firing, accusing the government of denying her due process and bowing to far right activists who singled her out for criticism. The CIA hired Dr. Terry Adirim, director of the CIAs Center for Global Health Services, after she served as assistant secretary of defense for health affairs during the Covid-19 pandemic. Just days after Adirim started her job at the CIA last year, far-right commentator Ivan Raiklin accused her of being the architect of the Defense Departments vaccine mandate, which required members of the military to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that Adirims hiring at the CIA had not yet been announced publicly and that someone inside the government leaked the information to Raiklin. Raiklin, a former Green Beret who has called himself the secretary of retribution, has been an intense critic of the Covid-19 vaccines, calling them DNA-mutilation injections. He has demanded retaliation against Pentagon officials who he says were involved in requiring service members to get the Covid-19 vaccines. Raiklin is associated with Michael Flynn, who was briefly President Donald Trumps national security adviser at the start of his first term. The CIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adirim was fired only weeks after she received an email from the CIAs chief operating officer saying the CIA looked forward to investing in her career, according to the lawsuit. That was also two days after Lara Loomer, another far-right conspiracy theorist, paid a visit to the White House and urged that several national security officials be dismissed for alleged disloyalty, according to the lawsuit. Loomer later took credit for the abrupt firing of the director of the National Security Agency, four-star Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, as well as its civilian deputy. Were suing CIA to enjoin the Agency from firing Dr. Adirim, and seeking damages for violating her privacy, ignoring her due process rights, and breaching her employment contract, Adirims lawyer, Kevin Carroll, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll says in the lawsuit that he will seek to prove through discovery that Raiklin worked with Loomer to secure Adirims dismissal. CORRECTION (May 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m. ET): A photo caption in a previous version of this article misstated the location of the Pentagon. It is in Arlington, Virginia, not Washington, D.C. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com CICERO, Ill. (WGN) A Cicero murder suspect has been arrested after nearly nine years on the run. Cicero officials said on Aug. 21, 2016, officers were sent to the 5500 bock of West Cermak Road to investigate a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found 22-year-old Julio Servin lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Gun that went missing after buyback in 2023 linked to 3 separate Chicago shootings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Servin was taken to a nearby hospital where he died. Over the course of the investigation, authorities identified 19-year-old Victor Martinez of Cicero as the suspect. Martinez, however, fled to Mexico shortly after the incident, according to investigators. (Photo: Cicero Police Department) Authorities said detectives worked closely with the Cook County States Attorneys Office and obtained an arrest warrant for first-degree murder against Martinez. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines On Thursday, May 1, Martinez arrived at Midway International Airport in Chicago where the U.S. Marshals Service took him into custody before having custody transferred to the Cicero Police Department, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. May 4 (UPI) -- While the divided and dysfunctional South Korean political system is preparing for the June 3 election of a new president after the impeachment of President Seok-yeol Yoon, Korean citizen activists are looking beyond that event. They are promoting a new politics with a broader sense of national purpose that rises above current party politics. This was the message Inteck Seo, co-chair of Action for Korea United in South Korea brought to a gathering of representatives of Korean-American organizations in the DC Metro Area at the Capitol Visitors' Center on Saturday. AKU is the largest coalition of civil society groups in South Korea promoting reunification. The event was held to mark the 80th year of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seo argued that the three pillars on which the North Korean regime had stood -- management of the entire economy, ideological control and the politics of fear -- were all crumbling. "The regime is on the brink of collapse," he said, "and we have to prepare for that future." "North Korea recognizes that it can no longer compete with the South," he said. As a result it abandoned the long-standing goal of Korean reunification led by the North earlier this year. Seo cited the U.S. Declaration of Independence which laid out the foundational principle that "all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator" with fundamental rights and freedoms, before listing the particular complaints against the British Crown. The movement for Korean reunification, likewise, needed to begin with a vision and principles that Koreans in the South could unite around before considering methods and processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roots of that vision that he called the Korean Dream were to be found in Korea's ancient, pre-division culture, he suggested. In particular the principle of Hongikingan, living to "broadly benefit all mankind "connected Koreans with their past and with the ideals of the Korean Independence movement of the early 20th century. He proposed that a new, unified Korea should be a model liberal democracy with a system of checks and balances; a moral free market economy; a free press; an educational system that cultivated ethical character and a spirit of public service; and freedom of religion and conscience. The examples of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King showed the power of citizens' movements to spark major cultural and political change. Seo noted that German unification was not a top-down process but was initiated from the bottom-up. Change in Korea would be launched in the same way. He urged Korean-American civil society groups to support the work of AKU in advancing reunification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow keynote speaker Morse Tan, former U.S. ambassador for global criminal justice, noted that in that role he had dealt with terrible atrocities in many countries but North Korea was by far the worst. It had a history of "sadness, oppression and injustice." "Many of North Korea's problems could be solved through reunification," he added, mentioning human rights and freedoms, and military and nuclear issues. Suzanne Scholte, president of the North Korean Freedom Foundation, urged a human rights upfront policy towards North Korea by the U.S. government. Her organization engages with people in North Korea through information broadcast by Free North Korean Radio, staffed by North Korean escapees. It also smuggles in flash drives, SD cards and radios. David Maxwell, former U.S. Special Forces Colonel who served in Korea, and regular UPI contributor, noted that 30 years of U.S. diplomacy focused on North Korean denuclearization had totally failed in its goal. He proposed the motto "unification first, then denuclearization." Unification policy should be pursued through a focus on human rights and a campaign to flow information into North Korea. The event was organized by Alliance for Korea United-USA and the congressional host was Rep. Young Kim of California. Seo now will travel to the West Coast, where he will meet with leaders of Korea organizations in the Seattle area. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The city of Albuquerque is putting dollars directly into the hands of families in need. The Guaranteed Basic Income program provides qualifying families with several hundred dollars a month, no strings attached. Officials say that this program is based on a similar one that launched in Santa Fe three years ago. Most people want to improve their situation. Most people want to have a better life. Its really the system that keeps people in the situation that they are in. This shows when you trust and invest in people, people then are able to do better, emphasized Ivanna Neri, UpTogethers Southwest Partnership Director. In 2022, several local non-profit companies came together with a California organization called Up-Together, providing 330 families across New Mexico with $500 a month for one year. These funds serve as a vital lifeline for families experiencing financial hardships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CABQ now giving First Guaranteed Income payments to families Ivanna Neri worked on that program. So people who might be wanting to advance their education or might be wanting to just get into a better job, this is the type of investment thats really helpful for them as they try to move to the next step, Neri says. The program showed wide-ranging positive impacts on the families involved. Participants saw a 35% decrease in difficulty paying for rent, a 9% increase in children completing their grade level or graduating, and a decrease in unstable work schedules for families. What this approach offers is efficiency and also the impact that people are best positioned to make the decisions and choices that work best for themselves and their families, mentioned Neri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing New Mexico launches program aiming to increase affordable housing Albuquerques program will be supporting families of students in select high-needs public schools, on the west side and the International District. The first cohort will consist of 80 households that will receive monthly guaranteed income support of $750 for three years. So some of the things that we learned as we have been exposed not only to the work in New Mexico, but really across the country, is that cash helps stabilize people when it comes to housing, reducing stress, staying in school, caring for children, and covering basic needs, said Neri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This pathway to economic stability is funded by the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Solution. Over $4 million was appropriated from marijuana taxes. These funds are intended to help cover basic needs to ensure that families are able to attain access and sustain economic stability. Along with the financial assistance, families will receive financial counseling from the Office of Financial Empowerment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. She made history four years ago with her election to the Boston City Council, but Tania Fernandes Andersons tenure on that body could come to an ignominious end Monday. Fernandes Anderson is expected to plead guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft involving public funds. In exchange, prosecutors are dropping four charges -- including falsifying tax returns. By pleading guilty, Fernandes Anderson could face a significantly reduced sentence. Prison terms for wire fraud can run up to 20 years. Prosecutors will ask for one year and one day in prison -- as well as restitution of $13,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is the same amount in public funds Fernandes Anderson is accused of awarding as a bonus to a relative working in her city council office -- with the understanding that $7,000 would come back to Fernandes Anderson to pay an ethics fine. That ethics fine, $5,000, was imposed on Fernandes Anderson in 2023 as a penalty for hiring two immediate family members to her city council staff. She was also required to terminate their employment. That was in August 2022. Boston councilwoman to plead guilty to corruption charges, will resign from post A few months later, the Department of Justice alleged that Fernandes Anderson informed the city of a new hire -- with an assurance that person was not related to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charging documents refer to that new hire as Staff Member A -- and describe that person as a relative of Fernandes Anderson, but not an immediate family member. Staff Member A is the person who received the $13,000 in early May 2023. By June 9, the DOJ alleged Staff Member A had paid $7,000 in cash to Fernandes Anderson. A federal grand jury indicted Fernandes Anderson last December. Calls for her resignation have been growing since then. In early April, she agreed to the plea deal and said she would resign. Among those opposed to holding a special election: Secretary of State William Galvin. He put Bostons elections department under receivership after the city ran out of ballots during last Novembers election. We think it would be a mistake, Galvin said. We dont think its going to accomplish anything because the person would only serve for a couple of months and they would simultaneously be running again in September. So youd be elected in July and running again in September that doesnt make any sense. 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 The Storm Team 11 Forecast calls for a 30% chance of scattered showers Sunday. A few rumbles of thunder are possible. The high will be 67 degrees. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WJHL Severe Weather Alerts Showers will diminish after sunset tonight under mostly cloudy skies. Patchy fog will be possible late. The low will be 46 degrees. The presence of a cut-off low will keep a 50% chance of scattered showers on Monday, especially in the afternoon and evening. A rumble or two of thunder will be possible. The high will be 65 degrees. A few passing clouds are possible Monday night with a low of 45 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers are on tap Tuesday as the upper-level low finally starts to exit the area. The high will be 70 degrees. Tuesday night will feature increasing clouds with a low of 49 degrees. Wednesday scattered showers will return to the area, mainly for Tennessee, with a mix of sun and clouds. The high will be 72 degrees with a 30% chance of rain. Scattered showers will continue late Wednesday night with a low of 54 degrees. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will continue into Thursday morning, with additional showers into the afternoon and evening. The high will be 76 degrees with a 40% chance of rain. A few showers linger into Thursday night with a low of 52 degrees. Friday will feature drier weather with a mix of sun and clouds. The high will be near 72 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next Saturday will be dry as well under partly cloudy skies. The high will be 73 degrees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In case you missed the Lyrid meteor shower in April, you now have another chance to catch a celestial display. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, known for its speedy space rocks, is due to peak in early May. The Eta Aquarids have been active since April 20, but will reach their peak May 5-6. According to NASA, the meteors travel at about 40 miles per second into Earth's atmosphere and can leave behind glowing "trains" (incandescent bits of debris) which last for several seconds to minutes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the Southern Hemisphere is preferable for viewing the Eta Aquarids, the Northern Hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse. Here's what to know about the Eta Aquarids meteor shower and how to see it in 2025. When is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower peak? The meteor shower will be at its peak Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 6. When is the best time to view the Eta Aquarids meteor shower? The optimal viewing time in the Northern Hemisphere will be during the pre-dawn hours, said NASA, when stargazers can view up to 10 meteors or "Earthgrazers" (long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon) per hour. The difference in meteor visibility between hemispheres is due to the position of the radiant the point from which meteors appear to originate in the sky. The constellation Aquarius, home to the Eta Aquarids' radiant, is higher in the Southern Hemisphere, said NASA, making meteors more frequent and easier to see. How to see the Eta Aquarids Like all other meteor showers, the Eta Aquarids are best viewed in dark areas, away from city or street lights. NASA recommends bringing a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair, lying flat on your back with your feet facing east, and looking up to take in as much of the sky as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors," said NASA. "Be patient the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse." Where do the Eta Aquarids come from? The Eta Aquarids originate from the most famous comet, Halley's Comet. Discovered in 1705 by Edmund Halley, the comet takes about 76 years to complete a full orbit around the Sun. According to NASA, each time Halley returns to the inner solar system, its nucleus sheds a layer of ice and rock into space. The dust grains eventually become the Eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids in October if they collide with Earth's atmosphere. Halley's Comet will not enter the inner solar system again until 2061. When is the next meteor shower? The next showers to take place after this are the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids, which are both set to peak July 29-30, according to the American Meteor Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southern delta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere and while the alpha Capricornids can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, it is not a very strong shower. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower at its peak? How to see May 4Wildfires represent a threat to communities across the country, including those in Northwest Montana. Montana is one of two states where at least 50% of structures are at risk from wildfire, according to a January report from LendingTree, which analyzed data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. More than 97,196 structures were destroyed by wildfires in the U.S. between 2005 and 2022, according to data compiled by Headwaters Economics. In Northwest Montana, the private and public sectors are working together to help people prepare for the worst. There are several programs that provide financial assistance for those looking to make wildfire defensible space on their property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation offers a free home wildfire risk assessment, where a local fire professional will come assess the home and the immediate surrounding area. The Forestry Assistance Program from Montana West Economic Development and Flathead Electric Co-op helps match funds or pay for the clearing of vegetation around a property. MWED President and CEO Christy Cummings Dawson said she believes it's a great tool for private property owners to be able to offset the cost of prepping for fire. The program has different state and federal funding streams, but the largest is the Community Wildfire Defense grant, which was received in partnership with Flathead Electric Co-op. The grant was designed to help at-risk communities plan for and reduce wildfire risk. To date, 34% of the wildfire defense grant funds have reached low-capacity communities compared to only 4% of funds from FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which has a more typical and onerous federal application process, according to a January report from Headwater Economics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It really does make it accessible to people who maybe couldn't either do the work themselves or couldn't afford to hire someone to come in and do that work for them ... It's the philosophy of trying to get this work done upfront to help minimize the amount of loss, or prevent the loss, ideally," Cummings Dawson said. Estimates for the economic effects of wildfire vary widely based on the duration, severity and size of the fire, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Budget Office. The report listed an estimate from a 2017 literary review that put annual wildfire costs at $37 billion to $88 billion nationally (in 2020 dollars.) That range includes the value of structures damaged or destroyed, the lost value of timber, forgone tax revenues, the impact on housing prices and the costs to evacuate, according to the report. A defensible space is a buffer around a structure where vegetation is modified to reduce the risk of wildfire and provide an opportunity for firefighters to defend the structure. While it's mostly homeowners who utilize MWED's program, Cummings Dawson said there have been some businesses who saw an opportunity to prepare for wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denny Gignoux, owner and manager of Glacier Guides and Montana Raft, said there have been some intense wildfire years in the West Glacier area since the business started in 1983, notably 2001 and 2003. The Robert Fire burned 57,570 acres near that area in 2003, according to the Glacier Park Foundation. "You can never be prepared enough, so it's a constant process," Gignoux said. "It's going to give a little bit more setback space against our buildings and on our property lines. It will help us protect our neighbors and to help us protect our structures." This has involved saving the strong healthy trees and clearing out the less healthy ones, as well as climax species like lodgepole pine, which thrive in fire and can slowly take over areas of forest. Gignoux said the grant for this work was $2,000, which didn't cover the full cost of the job, but was enough to minimize cost. He recommends the program to others looking to prepare their property for wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think wildfire in western Montana is something to be taken very seriously and it's important to make sure that you space out your property. And that you work to be a good neighbor by making sure that you have downed your dead and climaxed tree species," Gignoux said. Of the $10 million from the Wildfire Community Defense Grant, Flathead Electric Co-op received some direct funds to do vegetation management on the power lines from Columbia Falls to West Glacier, according to Communications and Marketing Supervisor Courtney Stone. The other portion, which is managed by MWED, is used to reimburse cooperative members for forestry work done on private property. "We were successful in part because of the fact that we're community earned, and we partnered with another community-centered entity to bring those funds home to the valley," Stone said. She said that even though the bulk of the work is being done between Columbia Falls and West Glacier, the preparation benefits all members of the co-op, not just those in that area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everybody who's a member of Flathead Electric from here to Libby is paying on that system. So, if we have a disaster strike like a wildfire, we're all going to be left holding the bag," Stone said. "And Flathead Electric is not for profit. Our pockets are only as deep as the community's pockets. So anytime we could improve any part of the system and bring down a risk for some specific numbers, we're bringing down risk for all members." Some of the largest fires in U.S. history can be drawn back to electric company's equipment failures or downed powerlines. Stone said as the risks of wildfire have increased and more of these catastrophic incidents have occurred, Flathead Electric Co-op has invested even more time and resources into protecting against wildfire. From 2019 through 2024, Flathead Electric saw a 332% increase in the funds allocated to its vegetation management budget. It's part of the Wildfire Mitigation Plan, used by co-ops and companies to help strategically prepare for fire and guard against ignition starts. Most of that work includes pruning vegetation and keeping it away from power lines. "Under our wildfire mitigation plan, we have a 10-year cycle where every part of the service area is scheduled to get maintenance ... The service area is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined, so we're talking an incredible amount of work to be done each year," Stone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the partnership with MWED, Stone said she was one of the first to use the program to better understand how it worked from a member's perspective. She was impressed and said it's an easy way to be a good neighbor and get started on guarding property against wildfire. "One of the things that I really love about Northwest Montana is that community sense, that it's not just you against the forest, right? The forest doesn't know property lines," Stone said. "It's you and your neighbors coming together to make good decisions to bring down that risk." Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com. An Aero-Flite CL415 Super Scooper passes over Lake Mary Ronan during a period of intense activity in the Elmo 2 Fire Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 3. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Another round of protests this weekend were held across the country including here in east Charlotte. The May Day march is in celebration of International Workers Day. Saturdays march was led by the Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, Action NC and Carolina Migrant Network. Todays march is in response to acts by the Trump Adminstration and Elon Musks DOGE. Activists say theyre standing up against illegal and unwarranted deportations and the war on working people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office on May 4 identified the veteran deputy who was struck and killed near the University of Cincinnati campus two days earlier as Larry Henderson. Henderson retired in December after working 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's office, according to a Facebook post on Dec. 20 from the department. He worked as a bomb technician and was a member of the dive team that performed water rescues and searches. After retirement, he continued to serve as a special deputy. He still worked traffic details like the one outside a May 2 commencement ceremony at the University of Cincinnati, where he was fatally struck and killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as a tremendous person. He was so well-liked and well-known, McGuffey said. In Deputy Hendersons early tenure as a Sheriffs Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation," she said in a release. "Larry began his journey as a Sheriffs Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larrys life of service. Hamilton County Sheriffs Deputy Larry Henderson. Even before Henderson's name was released to the public, praise for him and his work spread among friends and colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is devastating. I had worked with him since we were young cops, Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan said in a Facebook post. Always one of the first to check on and help you. You didnt need to ask for him, he was already there. Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine expressed their sympathies in a statement Friday night. "Fran and I are saddened to learn about the Hamilton County deputy hit by a vehicle and killed in the line of duty today," DeWine said in the statement. "I have been briefed on the ongoing investigation and am sickened by what appears to be an intentional act of violence. We offer our sincere condolences to the deputys family, friends, and colleagues." Henderson had been hit by a car before Henderson had been struck by an automobile before in the line of duty. In 2015, Henderson and another deputy were hit by a car that lost control and spun out as they investigated a crash on the ramp. Henderson received minor injuries, including lacerations and bruises. The other deputy sustained a broken leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff said Hendersons badge number, #129, will be retired. "We want to thank our fellow law enforcement officers, community members, family, friends, and everyone who has offered condolences and support during this incredibly difficult time," McGuffy said. "Please keep the Henderson family as well as our department in your thoughts and prayers. We will share funeral arrangements in the near future." This story may be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Larry Henderson, Hamilton County sheriff's deputy killed by driver SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Congressman Richard Neal hosted the 2025 Academy Day information session inside the Springfield Museums on Sunday. Season finale concert held at Springfield Symphony Orchestra Currently, the United States Military, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies are in need of nominations. Academy Day helps interested students determine if a military service academy or a similar education path is something they want to pursue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to qualify, students learned that they must be involved in extracurricular activities while having a high SAT score and GPA. Congressman Neal said theyre looking to nominate aspiring candidates to serve our country. These are individuals who generally aspire to military academies, maybe when theyre 14 or 15 years old, Neal said. The process is arduous, its a family commitment that has to be made. During the forum, Congressman Neal recognized four local students who were accepted to service academies this summer. Three of them are joining the military academy, with one going to the Navy academy and another going to the Merchant Marines. 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. On a recent Friday morning, President Claudia Sheinbaum stood inside Mexicos presidential palace during her daily morning news conference and was asked by one of the reporters whether she had talked with President Trump about a visit to the White House. We've talked about how nice it would be to meet in person, but there's nothing formal yet, Sheinbaum replied . When necessary, we speak directly; but there is dialogue. At a time when Trump seems to be picking fights with allies the world over, and threatening tremendous tariffs on friends and foes, Mexico has emerged relatively unscathed, thanks in large part to the cool head and deal-making skills of its president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her powers of negotiation have earned Sheinbaum the kind of praise the American president usually reserves for strongmen and dictators, with Trump calling her a very wonderful woman, while the foreign press has been equally fawning. The Washington Post called Sheinbaum the worlds leading Trump whisperer, while the New York Times mused she might be the anti-Trump. Bloomberg pondered if the Mexican leader was the most powerful woman in the world. At home, she has also earned high praise for her efforts to manage Mexicos most important bilateral relationship, and her approval ratings have soared from 70% when she took office in October to more than 80% in March, according to local newspaper El Financiero. But even as Sheinbaum has rightfully been lauded for her efforts in handling her pugnacious and volatile counterpart north of the border, there remain a number of domestic issues that could mar her record of wins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Mexican leader avoided the worst of Trumps blanket tariffs, she is still contending with a 25% levy on cars, steel and aluminum that are sold in the U.S., which will no doubt hobble the Mexican economy: Last month, the International Monetary Fund revised its January projection of a 1.3% growth for the Mexicos GDP to a 0.3% contraction in 2025. Mexicans would feel that, and Sheinbaums popularity could suffer. And though murders have dropped sharply since she took office, according to state figures, security remains a critical issue in Mexico: A government poll released last month found that more than 6 out of 10 Mexicans living in cities felt unsafe. With cartels controlling about a third of Mexicos territory, according to estimates from the U.S. military, its not difficult to see why. Shortly after Sheinbaum took office, violence erupted in the northern city of Culiacan, where gangs murdered hundreds of people, gunfire ripped through the air in broad daylight and explosions tore through the night. Perhaps most troubling of all is the number of disappearances, a long-running horror that continues apace. During Sheinbaums presidency, more than 8,000 people have gone missing, or an average of 41 people a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1962, more than 120,000 people have disappeared or gone missing, according to official figures . Although such disappearances were once associated with the state, especially Mexicos secret police, in recent decades the tactic has become a tool of cartels to exert control through terror. The scale of the crisis was brought to the nations attention in March when a group of activist searchers came upon an abandoned ranch in the western state of Jalisco. Inside was a scene of unimaginable horror , one that recalled Nazi concentration camps: crematorium ovens, charred human remains, bone fragments. Perhaps most heart-wrenching of all, there were also scores of backpacks, torn photographs, piles of clothes, hundreds of pairs of shoes. The Mexican Auschwitz, as it has been dubbed, became a national scandal that raged for weeks. But as happens all too often in Mexico, the scandal remained just that. While the media described it as an extermination center, Sheinbaum sidestepped the idea in a news conference by suggesting it was a recruitment camp. Fingers were pointed; the governing Morena party blocked a bill to initiate a special commission to investigate the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the U.N. Committee on Enforced Disappearances said last month that it would seek to bring the issue of forced disappearances in Mexico before the General Assembly under the argument that it was "systematic or widespread," Sheinbaum accused them of being poorly informed . If she cannot tackle the crisis of disappearances more directly, she is unlikely to hold on to that 80% approval rating. Meanwhile, next month, Sheinbaum may face the greatest test of her presidency yet, with Mexico embarking on a first-ever election allowing voters to choose judges from the district level right up to the Supreme Court. A final and deeply controversial reform pushed through by her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, weeks before he left office, the election will see more than 3,000 candidates vying for 881 roles across the judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At best, the process promises to be chaotic, with the head of Mexicos elections institute admitting that the agency isnt prepared "in terms of the size of the task, how rushed it is, and the budget cuts its facing." At worst, the election could be marred by violence and its legitimacy called into question. Mexicos last federal election was its most violent ever with 34 candidates murdered during the campaign. With organized crime infecting almost every corner of Mexican life, this election could also be bloody: Last month, the Senate majority leader admitted that some of the judicial candidates had links to criminal groups. And even if the election runs smoothly, with candidates favored by the governing Morena party likely to come out on top, the ruling party would have control of the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches of government. This would drag Mexico back toward the one-party rule that it endured throughout much of the 20th century. It would also raise expectations about how much Sheinbaum should be able to accomplish, with such party unity behind her. During a speech in January, Sheinbaum defended the judicial election as an exercise in democracy and a means to root out corruption. Whether thats true or not remains to be seen, but with her global star on the rise, the world will be carefully watching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oscar Lopez is a Mexican author and journalist based in Mexico City working on a book about the origins of forced disappearance during Mexicos Dirty War. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) A Chicago police officer was injured after being dragged by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop Saturday evening, causing their weapon to discharge. Chicago police said the incident happened just after 6:40 p.m. Saturday in the 4700 block of West Madison Street near the border of West Garfield Park and Austin. According to police, officers conducted a traffic stop after they saw a vehicle driving erratically. As officers investigated, the driver of the vehicle tried to drive away, hitting and dragging an officer in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cicero murder suspect arrested after nearly 9 years on the run The officer fell to the ground and their weapon then discharged, according to investigators. Police said the driver then drove off in the vehicle, which was later found unoccupied in the 4500 block of West Adams Street in Garfield Park. Meanwhile, the officer was taken to the hospital for treatment and is in good condition, according to officials. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Police also said a person of interest is in custody and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is investigating the incident. No other information was released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call COPA investigators at 312-746-3609. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A 24-year-old man drowned Saturday evening while trying to swim across the Amite River, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office (EBRSO). First responders said they were dispatched to the Frenchtown Road BREC Conservation Area around 5:15 p.m. in connection with the incident. Upon arrival, they learned that Timothy R. Carey had entered the water in an attempt to swim across the river. EBRSO said the river was high and the current was swift. Carey went under about halfway across and did not resurface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Central Fire Department confirmed a body was recovered around 7 p.m. from the Amite River at the conservation area. A second person was rescued, EMS added. Multiple agencies helped with the investigation, including the East Side Dive Team, the St. George Dive Team, the Central Police Department, and the Central Dive Team. A GoFundMe was created to cover funeral costs and the upcoming birth of his daughter. The fundraisers description said Carey recently lost his insurance. Tim was a beloved son, brother, fiance, uncle, stepfather, and soon-to-be father and will be missed forever by everyone he touched, the GoFundMe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to donate. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The crew of the second Russian Su-30 fighter jet shot down by Ukrainian naval drones near Crimea on 2 May has been confirmed dead. Source: Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), in an interview with The War Zone (TWZ), a defence and military technology news outlet Details: Budanov described the downing of two Su-30s as a historic milestone for Ukraines defence forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stated that Group 13, a special unit within the DIU, was responsible for destroying the aircraft using AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles launched from Magura-7 uncrewed surface vessels. Quote from the TWZ: "Budanov said that the crew of the first Su-30 survived and was picked up in the Black Sea by a civilian ship. Preliminary reports say the crew of the second jet was killed, he added." Quote from Budanov: "We use a couple of models [of missiles] on our Magura-7, but the best results [come from] the AIM-9." For reference: The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a US-made air-to-air missile with an infrared homing system. Background: On 2 May, a special DIU unit, in cooperation with Ukraine's Security Service and the defence forces, shot down a Russian Su-30 using surface drones equipped with air-to-air missiles in the Black Sea near the port of Novorossiysk. Later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the downing of a second Russian aircraft within 24 hours, also over occupied Crimea. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Czech ammunition initiative will deliver up to 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of 2025, Czech President Petr Pavel said on May 4, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground. The announcement represents an additional 300,000 shells committed to Kyiv over what was announced by Prague earlier this year. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova previously said that the country supplied 1.5 million rounds of various calibers in 2024 and had enough funds to continue at the same pace until this fall. The initiative, backed by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries, has significantly boosted Ukraine's artillery, improving the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia's favor to 1-to-2, Pavel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative was launched last year amid Ukrainian shell shortages, primarily caused by delays in U.S. military aid in early 2024. On April 27, Ukraine received 400,000 high-caliber rounds through the initiative. Pavel said that Prague intends to deliver additional shells next year but that decisions depends on the results of this year's parliamentary elections. Czechia's leading opposition party, ANO, said in January that it aims to suspend the initiative if it wins the parliamentary elections in October 2025. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in the Czech Republic on May 4 for an official visit, is slated to meet with Czechia opposition members on May 5 in an attempt to bridge relations, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist present at the official visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today's visit to Prague marks Zelensky's first visit to the country since July 2023. In additional to additional shell production, the two leaders are also set to speak on additional areas of cooperation to support Kyiv's fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Valek also announced the Czechia and Ukraine will also sign a memorandum on mental health cooperation that will include human resources in experience-sharing as well as an undisclosed investment to support mental health assistance for Ukraine. Prague has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, supplying military aid, leading EU efforts to secure weapons, and hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Czech Republic to discuss artillery, F-16 support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President of Czechia Petr Pavel has announced that discussions are already in progress regarding the delivery of artillery shells to Ukraine in 2026, as part of the Czech-led ammunition initiative. Source: Pavel during a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague on Sunday 4 May, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Czech president confirmed that this year, within the framework of the Czech initiative, Ukraine is expected to receive 1.8 million artillery shells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the same time, we are already discussing ammunition deliveries for next year. We cannot rely on peace being achieved this year," Pavel said. He added that if the fighting can be stopped, Ukraine will be able to use these shells to replenish its reserves. "I am convinced that the artillery initiative and the ability to deliver a sufficient number of shells to Ukraine is one of the factors that can force Russia to realise that continuing this war makes no sense," the Czech president added. Background: President Zelenskyy arrived in Czechia on Sunday for an official visit. Following his meeting with Pavel, he announced that Ukraine and Czechia are working on creating a joint Ukrainian-Czech F-16 training school. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Czech President Petr Pavel is set to host a foreign state leader on Sunday, most likely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Czech news website Novinky, as reported by European Pravda Details: Prague Castle, the residence of the Czech president, has been closed to visitors for the day. The official reason has not been disclosed, but unofficially it is known that the visit of a foreign leader, specifically President Zelenskyy, will take place on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is expected that Zelenskyy's plane will arrive around noon local time. Dozens of police officers will monitor his arrival. Background: Pavel visited Ukraine on 20 and 21 March this year, marking his second visit to the country since taking office. During this visit, he also met with President Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy was in Prague in July 2023, but his visit was not announced in advance. Read more: Czech president on guarantees for Ukraine, concessions and the risk of war with NATO Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine and Czechia are working on the establishment of a joint Ukrainian-Czech F-16 training school. Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy revealed that representatives of Ukraine and Czechia are discussing the next steps within the framework of the aviation coalition, specifically the creation of a joint Ukrainian-Czech F-16 training school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Obviously, for security reasons, we cannot currently open such a base in Ukraine, as Russian strikes continue daily. Thats why we are working with partners to open such schools outside Ukraine and this will happen," Zelenskyy said. He added that Czechia had agreed to support the initiative. Background: President Zelenskyy arrived in Czechia on Sunday for an official visit. After meeting with President Pavel, he also announced that Ukraine could receive 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 under the Czech ammunition initiative. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Dave Portnoy says he is sending two college students who held up an antisemitic sign in his Philadelphia bar to the Auschwitz concentration camp so they can learn from their behavior. The Barstool president said he would be paying for the trip, to turn the hideous incident into a learning experience, admitting it was cliche and very unlike me. In an angry three-minute video posted on X on Sunday, Portnoy explained how he had learned of the incident while getting ready for the Met Gala on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When patrons order bottle service at Barstool Sansom Street, signs are typically shown and displayed, he said, with some customers having chosen to show a sign reading F*** the Jews. Portnoy, who is Jewish, said he was hunting down waitresses, the table who did it, but that the two girls responsible for serving the tables had already been fired. Dave Portnoy says he is paying for two college students who held up an antisemitic sign in his bar to the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, so the can learn from their behavior (Dave Portnoy/ X) He said the students involved may attend Temple University. The businessman posted a video update shortly after, in which he said he had been in contact with all those involved in the incident and a solution had been reached, which he believed was a fair outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm sending these kids to Auschwitz, he said. They've agreed to go. That's of course, the Holocaust concentration camps and they're going to do a tour of the concentration camps in Germany and hopefully learn something. Maybe like, their lives aren't ruined, and they think twice, and more importantly, other people see, it's not just like words you're throwing around. So to me, that's a fair outcome of this event. Portnoy posted two videos to X in which he described the incident and said he was 'hunting down' those responsible. He later confirmed he had spoken to all those involved and had reached a 'fair' solution (Dave Portnoy/ X) The pair would learn a little bit about history and, hopefully, you know, get educated he said.. So for everyone who wants these kids' lives to be ruined. I think I think you can lay off and I think there's a fair f****** trade. Portnoy confirmed that the two waitresses had been fired, referring to one of them as the dumbest human I've ever talked to. I don't know if she thought she was making a political statement, he said, adding that he kind of forced her coworker to go along with the stunt. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Alarmed by what theyve seen and felt under the past 15 weeks of President Donald Trump and six years of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a swath of Democratic activists, elected officials and financial donors see a candidate who could, they hope, produce an upset victory in the 2026 Florida governors race. Their candidate is David Jolly whos been a registered Democrat for less than two weeks, but was in many ways ideologically and temperamentally aligned with his new party even when he was a Republican congressman a decade ago. If his name sounds familiar, at least to Democrats, its because one of his post-congressional endeavors is serving as a commentator on MSNBC, the favorite cable news channel for people on the left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming weeks, hes all-but-certain to become an official, major candidate for next years Democratic gubernatorial nomination. This is a very serious endeavor, he said in an interview Wednesday, when he had a packed day of political activities in Broward, the most Democratic county in the state. I anticipate getting into the governors race. Jolly is, effectively, already running. Recently he formed Florida 2026, a committee allowing him to raise and spend political money. He is midway through a series of 20 town hall meetings around the state, some of which attract hundreds of people. On Wednesday, some 450 people attended a town hall in Plantation, where they peppered him with questions about his background, views on a range of major issues, and plans for ending Florida Republicans decadeslong winning streak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the town hall at Plantation United Methodist Church, he met with elected officials, political leaders and potential donors at a downtown Fort Lauderdale restaurant, sat for a media interview, and held another meeting with Democratic activists. Why run? Jolly said a constellation of factors have led him both to the point that hes preparing to run and created an environment in which a Democrat can win the Florida governors office for the first time in more than 30 years. We are in the middle of one of the greatest political change environments in decades, Jolly said. The tumult of Trumps second term, and the public reaction to it, has created a moment in American history where people are likely looking for change. He said he feels compelled to act. His family has been in the state for generations, but its become harder to live in the state. We have faced some real hard decisions in the past several years about is Florida the right place to raise our kids? Path to victory And hes convinced he could win the governors office next year, and hes trying to convince others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Very importantly, we would not be in this race if I didnt think there was a pathway, Jolly said. We are sober about this. We are not naive. This is not a vanity project. This is truly about meeting a moment where I think a Democratic-led coalition can accomplish change in Florida. Jolly said several factors must align. He said he would have to run a credible campaign that, a year from now, is showing he could defeat the likely Republican nominee, Republican Byron Donalds, who is already running, or Casey DeSantis, who hasnt said if shes going to run. Term limits prohibit her husband, Ron DeSantis, from running again. If polling shows hes within single digits 12 months from now, Jolly said the campaign would attract significant national fundraising support that would be essential to mounting a successful campaign that could cost $100 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much rests on voters feelings about Trump next year, he said. Another element to an effective campaign is focusing on issues that matter to Floridians, such as insurance rates and schools. The components of a winning coalition, Jolly said, are Democrats plus no party affiliation/independent voters and a slice of non-MAGA or common sense Republicans who want government to work on real issues, stop fighting culture wars, and return to normal. He may have already had an impact. Jolly switched his voter registration from no party affiliation/independent to Democratic on April 23. Hours after Politico reported that news the next morning, state Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo pronounced the Democratic Party dead and announced he was quitting his leadership post and the party after spending much of the last year touting himself as a possible Democratic candidate for governor. Hard road Perhaps, Jolly would win, said Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida. At this point its so early and given whats happened to previous Democrats, Ill say that hes got a long way to go. He certainly would be considered a long shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic assertions that the party can win a governors race or or any other statewide elections are familiar, and usually wrong. Immediately after President Barack Obama won Florida in 2012 on his way to a second term and then-U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson won reelection, Democrats had 558,272 more registered voters than the Republicans in the state. Today, Republicans are ahead by 1.2 million registered voters. Democrats have lost the last seven Florida gubernatorial elections. And since 2022, Republicans have won 32 statewide elections and Democrats have won six. Independent analysts dont see that changing soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Sabatos Crystal Ball, from the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, issued its first assessment of 2026 governors races, listing Florida as safe Republican red. The Cook Political Report also has the Florida governors race as solid Republican. Matthew Isbell, a Florida-based Democratic data consultant who runs the MCI Maps firm, said its early to assess his prospects, because its unclear who else might seek the nomination. Jolly will have to spend time explaining some of the votes he cast as a Republican in Congress from early 2014 until 2017, Isbell said. Hes going to have to work to earn trust. Starting now is smart because it gives him time to try and sell his vision. Maybe mea culpa on some stuff. Time will tell, he said via text message. Its not impossible for Jolly to win the primary but I do not think hes the front-runner if a semi-serious Democrat gets in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a well-funded independent candidate emerges, that could siphon away so many votes of people who want a change after decades of Republican control that a Democratic victory would be even more elusive than normal. I respect people who follow that political compass and independence. An NPA in 2026 in the governors race hands Tallahassee to Byron Donalds or Casey DeSantis. Thats it. Theres no other outcome, Jolly said. Candidates evolution Trumps ascension began Jollys departure from the Republican Party. Jolly said he wasnt a doctrinaire conservative, even when he was a Republican, describing himself as a Republican who was more in the mold of the first President George Bush, when that approach was 20 years past its expiration date. Bipartisan Index prepared by the Lugar Center at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University rated him among the most bipartisan members of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2015, while he was still in Congress, Jolly called on Trump to drop out of the presidential race. He lost his bid for reelection in 2016. In 2018 he left the Republican Party. Arguably I was never a good enough Republican when I was there, he said. I supported marriage equality, climate science, gun control, campaign finance reform, he said. He said he has changed his views on some issues, including two major ones, abortion and guns. Citing his background, growing up in an evangelical household as the son of a preacher, I wrongly conflated being pro-life with being anti-Roe, he said. Now, he said, he believes abortion rights should be protected by law and said he would introduce legislation to do that if he becomes governor. I changed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolly also has changed his views on gun control. I came up embracing a broad Second Amendment interpretation, he said. Im now for the licensing, registration, and insurance of firearms. You can follow that journey through my time in Congress after the Pulse nightclub (massacre in 2016). I was the only Republican joining the Democrats on the (House) floor, saying weve got to do something. He favors much more stringent background checks, covering all forms of changing gun ownership including gifting within families, and banning assault weapons. Folks, guns are the problem. Access, largely unlimited, unrestricted access to firearms, is the problem, Jolly said. When Republicans suggest that guns arent the problem, people are the problem, theyre lying to you. While Jolly said hes changed his views on some issues over the years, he rejects some of the handwringing thats consumed some in the Democratic Party since the November 2024 presidential election loss. Leading Democrats today who come out and say, oh, weve got to change who we are, we have to change our values, theyre wrong. Theyre wrong. The Democratic Partys values are absolutely right and dont need to be changed, he said. Issues Many of Jollys positions resonated with the town hall audience, which often applauded his answers. One woman questioned Florida Republicans support for cracking down on and deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally and then pushing to relax limits on young teens work. Child labor is wrong, Jolly said as he pilloried the Tallahassee politicians for creating a tight labor market and when they kick them (undocumented immigrants) out of the state or the country and create this labor shortfall, the answer is to employ children, he said, adding that Republicans in Tallahassee who are advancing this should be condemned for what theyre doing. He said quality public education, vital to individuals and the economy, is being damaged as money is siphoned off to vouchers to help cover private school tuition, a financial arrangement he said isnt sustainable. He wants to end the trend of attacking public schools and public school teachers and trying to control the thought and the speech of our teachers. Jolly said the high cost of property insurance is making living unaffordable for many in the state. Hed like to see a state catastrophic insurance fund to take on risk of natural disasters, which his website says would dramatically reduce property and car insurance rates. And he said, climate change is real and requires government action. South Florida Jolly, 52, was born in Pinellas County, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. (He had some time in South Florida when his father was pastor of a Miami-Dade County church.) Someone like Jolly, who served as a member of Congress from the St. Petersburg area, would usually have a tough time getting known. Florida has 10 media markets, and its hard for one member of Congress (the delegation currently has 28) to get known outside their home area. A big advantage for Jolly, Jewett said, is his post-Congress time as a commentator on MSNBC, making him familiar to Democratic voters in Florida and potential campaign donors around the country. Jolly said a campaign would likely be based in South Florida, where hes already building a network of supporters. Mitchell Berger, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer who has decades of political experience as a major national fundraiser for Democratic presidential, gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates, said hes fully committed to the Jolly effort. David Jolly is somebody who is genuinely concerned about the future of the state and the nation, Berger said. He has a servants heart, and a servants spirit. Berger is a longtime close political associate of former Vice President Al Gore. In 2022, he was finance chair for Democrat Nikki Frieds unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. Also advising Jolly is Fernand Amandi, Miami-based Democratic pollster and strategist. The Broward town hall was organized by Lourdes Diaz, president of the Pembroke Pines Democratic Club and past president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus chapter in Broward. Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller, a former Democratic leader in the Florida Senate who was Broward campaign chair for Democrat Charlie Crists unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial campaign, introduced Jolly at the town hall. He said Jolly is somebody that can unite the Democratic Party and appeal to all voters in the state of Florida. Reactions Mitch Ceasar, a former chair of the Broward Democratic Party, said Jolly seemed very genuine an assessment not shared by the Florida Republican Party, which said in a statement that Jolly is a craven, desperate politician who will say and do anything. State Republican Chair Evan Power called him a sanctimonious and phony independent and has now reached the end of his political journey by switching to the Democrats. Joyce Beach, a Democrat from Lake Worth Beach, said she found Jolly excellent. I have admired him on MSNBC for a long time. And he has, (and) we need, charisma. And hes smart, and hes got a lot of energy. He wasnt reading a teleprompter. He was speaking from his mind, and I think his heart, Beach said. I think hes a very viable candidate. Susan Steinhauser, of Coconut Creek, who is registered with no party affiliation, was also impressed. Im a proud NPA and I am thrilled to be here, and I will bring every NPA with me, she announced to Jolly and the audience. Please run. But Ilene Sztorc, a Democrat from Coral Springs, said she wasnt ready to commit, preferring to see who else emerges as a candidate. Right now, I feel comfortable, she said. I stand right now on the sideline. May 4 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1494, on his second expedition to the New World, Columbus explored the Caribbean island of Jamaica. In 1886, four police officers were killed when a bomb was thrown during a meeting of anarchists in Chicago's Haymarket Square protesting labor unrest. Four leaders of the demonstration, which became known as the Haymarket Square Riot, were convicted and hanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1904, construction began on the Panama Canal. Panama celebrated the 100th anniversary of the canal's completion in 2014. In 1926, the Trade Union Congress called a general strike in response to government plans to change the working conditions for coal miners. More than 2 million workers across Britain went on strike. Construction of the Panama Canal is underway in 1912. The canal began construction on May 4, 1904. File Photo by Library of Congress In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea began. It was a turning point for the Allies in World War II. In 1945, French author Marcel Conversy wrote of the 15 months he spent as a prisoner at Buchenwald concentration camp, describing it as a "living hell." On May 4, 1982, an Argentine jet fighter sank the British destroyer HMS Sheffield during the Falkland Islands war. File Photo courtesy the Argentine government In 1953, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1959, the first Grammy Awards were presented. "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)" by Domenico Modugno won the awards for Record and Song of the Year. Students dive to the ground as the National Guard fires on faculty and students May 4, 1970, to protest the war in Vietnam. File Photo courtesy of Kent State University Archives In 1970, National Guardsmen killed four students at Kent State University in Ohio during a demonstration against the Vietnam War. The shootings set off a nationwide student strike that forced hundreds of schools to temporarily close. File Photo courtesy of Kent State University Archives Grammy Awards are on display in the press room at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in New York City on January 28. On May 4, 1959, the first Grammy Awards were presented. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI In 1982, an Argentine jet fighter sank the British destroyer HMS Sheffield during the Falkland Islands war. In 1990, a faulty electric chair shot flames around convicted killer Jesse Tafero's head as he was executed in Florida, prompting several states to abandon the method of execution and switch to lethal injection. On May 4, 2006, confessed terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The 37-year-old Moroccan implicated himself in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. UPI File Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2000, the ILOVEYOU or Love Bug virus crashed computers around the world. In 2002, more than 100 people died when an EAS Airlines jet crashed in the northern Nigerian city of Kano. In 2006, confessed terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The 37-year-old Moroccan implicated himself in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. In 2011, rival Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation accord, citing as common causes opposition to the Israeli occupation and disillusionment with U.S. peace efforts. File Photo by Mohammed Hosam/UPI In 2020, the U.S. Coast Guard named Rear Adm. Melissa Bert as its first female judge advocate and chief counsel, its top legal position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, pop legend Madonna set a record for having the largest concert audience -- 1.6 million people -- by a solo artist in history. She performed for free before the crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to close out her Celebration world tour. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the publics help in locating multiple suspects in a Northeast D.C. armed carjacking. Police responded to reports of an armed carjacking Friday at 10:33 p.m. in the 1300 block of C Street NE. DC police continue search for answers one year after three-year-old girl shot, killed in Southeast There, the victim claims one suspect brandished a handgun and demanded their items before driving away in the victims vehicle, a 2015 Honda CR-V with D.C. tag EW2179. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say surveillance footage captured an image of one of the suspects, as well as the stolen vehicle: MPD is in search of an armed carjacking suspect (Metropolitan Police Department) Anyone who can identify this suspect or who has knowledge of this incident is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the Departments tip line at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City family is speaking out after they say the Oklahoma County District Attorneys office told them this week a criminal case connected to their loved ones death wont move forward. The incident in question happened on April 30, 2024, near Southeast 15th Street and South High Avenue. Court documents said Oklahoma City police responded to the area and found Carlos Lewis lying in the road, unresponsive. Like he hit a dog: OKC man charged in connection to deadly hit-and-run Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witness Patricia Preston told police she noticed a White Hummer with silver rims driving recklessly through her apartment complex before leaving and heading southbound on High Avenue. Preston told News 4 last year that she saw Lewis leave the same complex on a bicycle before the truck and heard a loud noise. She said that when she and other neighbors went to investigate, they found Lewis in the road. Photo of Carlos Lee Lewis {Royal Family}. You can see the mans bones, said Preston. It was terrible. I mean, I wouldnt do a dog like that. Court documents said police were able to find the truck parked in the backyard of a residence near Southeast 25th and I-35. Ellias Estrada was taken into custody in connection to the crash. Documents say he admitted to police he had been driving the vehicle involved. Documents also say that his drivers license was revoked. Estrada was later charged with leaving the scene of a fatality collision and causing a fatality without a valid drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its definitely been a roller coaster, to say the least, said Lewis son, also named Carlos Lewis, in an interview with News 4 on Thursday. For clarity, hell be referred to as Carlos Lewis Jr. Lewis Jr. told News 4 that holidays have been tough, and that his father was the glue for his family. He said its also been hard to get a firm grasp on his own grief. Grief comes in waves, you know, said Lewis Jr. I definitely feel sad, you know. Ill go to work and Ill feel sad. Lewis Jr. says his family has followed the criminal court case the past several months, and were invited to a private meeting with Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behennas office Monday to discuss a major update on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DA told us they didnt have enough evidence, said Lewis Jr. They werent going to be able to charge him for anything because of the lack of evidence. Lewis Jr. said he and his family were hurt and confused, especially with that announcement coming a year after the incident. He said Behennas office didnt offer any ways in which things could potentially be revisited in the future, just an apology. They tried to say sorry in the nicest way possible, to say the least, said Lewis Jr. News 4 reached out to a spokesperson for Behennas office on Wednesday to confirm the allegations being made by Lewis family. A spokesperson originally told an employee they would let the family speak for themselves. News 4 asked for clarification, and if the spokesperson could confirm or deny what Lewis family told employees. News 4 further asked if the charges against Estrada would be dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson said they couldnt confirm what was said in the meeting between their office and Lewis family because they werent in the meeting. However, they said they understood that the case was being dismissed Thursday due to an evidentiary issue, adding that their prosecutors dont get to choose their witnesses or evidence and their office has to be able to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The explanation didnt sit well with Lewis Jr. We want somebody to be held accountable, said Lewis Jr. I feel like the court system failed us. I feel like the DA failed us and [Oklahoma City Police] as well, definitely failed us. News 4 reached out to the Oklahoma City Police Departments communication team for comment Friday afternoon, but a spokesperson said our employees likely wouldnt hear back 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. In a wide-ranging discussion last week at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Chief Justice Monica M. Marquez spoke to her own views on the proper role of government, describing her belief that all branches of government should adhere to their designated "lanes." Deluded banks are driving up the cost of re-arming Britain by refusing to work with defence companies, a top military supplier has warned. Supacat, which makes Jackal reconnaissance vehicles for the Army, said high street lenders were still refusing to provide loans or even bank accounts to military contractors, despite being repeatedly urged to do so by ministers. Many discriminate against defence companies under so-called environmental, social and governance (ESG) guidelines, or to qualify for special B-corp statuses that prohibit working with controversial industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of support from mainstream banks and investment funds often means they must choose between abandoning growth plans or borrowing from creditors who demand much higher rates of interest, warned Nick Ames, Supacats chief executive. He said: Its why defence is expensive. You find [a reluctance] with banking, with debt funds, with equity funds. The only finance you can get is therefore flipping expensive. The unwillingness of banks to work with defence companies threatens to make Britains rearmament push more expensive, he added. The Government is scrambling to restock Britains munition supplies and modernise the military, with defence spending set to rise to 2.5pc of GDP by 2027. An early version of Supacats Jackal light armoured vehicle is put through its paces at the companys test track - Jay Williams As previously revealed by The Telegraph, the list of defence contractors that have been spurned by banks range from start-ups working on simulators and underwater drones to larger companies that provide equipment such as guns used by police counter-terrorism squads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the Ukraine war, even BAE Systems, the countrys biggest defence company, was warned by shareholders that its involvement in Britains nuclear deterrent had become a real problem, the companys chief executive has said. In recent months, ministers have urged financial institutions to be more supportive, with Sir Keir Starmer hailing the domestic defence industry as as a source of national pride. But bosses say there have been few concrete signs of change, even as banks insist publicly that they have no problem with the sector. The issue is particularly sensitive for smaller firms to discuss publicly, as many fear being blacklisted by lenders or targeted by violent protesters if they speak out. Not interested Mr Ames said there was a widespread view that lenders will bank you as long as youre big enough, but if youre small, and in defence, theyre not interested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: The Government has got to be much firmer. The banks all sit there at these events and say, Oh no, no, no, were investing in defence, but its deluded. I dont think they really know what goes on when you actually go and talk to your high street bank. Supacats Jackal, a high-mobility reconnaissance vehicle, was originally rushed into service in 2008 to support troops in Afghanistan. It is designed to protect troops from roadside explosions and mine attacks, with some 500 having been purchased by the Ministry of Defence. Mr Ames said even his company had struggled to secure finance in recent years, with a bid to supply armoured vehicles to the German special forces thwarted by a failure to secure loans from any mainstream lenders. It was also flatly refused banking services by HSBC. Lack of societal pride This year, Supacat was also dropped by its website designer over its military links and bosses were told by another company that their defence work barred them from purchasing carbon credits, which are used to mitigate a companys environmental impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many defence companies resort to playing down their links to the sector, and the potential lethality of their products, because of such concerns. Kevin Kraven, chief executive of ADS, said the issue underscored a lack of societal pride in the industry, but said there were now more positive discussions happening with some banks, particularly around the types of finance most needed by defence companies. He said: The tone of the discussion has changed a lot. What has not happened is practical measures. But, clearly, it is bonkers to be saying we shouldnt support our defence industry, particularly at a time when the world is in the state it is in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Mark Rutte, general secretary of the Nato alliance, complained that banks and investment funds were putting defence into the same category as illicit drugs and pornography. On Friday, UK Finance, which represents banks, said there was no conflict between ESG rules and working with defence companies and insisted efforts were under way to tackle barriers that do arise. David Raw, the groups commercial finance spokesman, said: The UK banking sector is fully committed to supporting defence companies. They are a vitally important contributor to our national security and banks provide a significant range of support and lending to them. Providing finance in this area is complex and banks can face the threat of violent protest. They must also ensure they comply with a range of domestic and international laws and regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some banks that do work with defence companies have also found themselves targeted by protesters who intimidate staff or vandalise branches. Geopolitical instability A spokesman for HSBC said: The bank has a defence policy that is designed to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements of the many markets in which we operate. We feel that policy strikes the right balance between respecting those laws, supporting our customers and abiding by international norms. A government spokesman said: In a time of increasing geopolitical instability, maintaining a robust and thriving defence sector is essential to our national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No company should be denied access to financial services purely on the basis that they work in defence. We are working with banks and defence sector to protect defence companies access to banking. 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. DENMARK, S.C. (WJBF) Denmark Techs president is moving on. Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr. has been named the next president of Talladega College in Alabama. Todd has led Denmark Technical College since 2020, driving major growthmore than $32 million raised, enrollment up 54%, and probation lifted within a year. He starts his new role at Talladega on July 1st, bringing more than 30 years of experience at H-B-C-Us across the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) After a nice, sunny Saturday in Denver weather, days of potentially heavy, widespread rain are in the Pinpoint Weather forecast for the work week. A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Tuesday with an 80% chance of rain for Denver. There will be a chance for rain in the Mile High City nearly every day of the work week starting Sunday, with the highest chances Monday through Wednesday. May brings varying weather to Denver: What to expect of the wettest month Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May is usually the wettest month of the year for Denver, receiving just over two inches for the month on average, and May will be off to a good start with heavy rain totals this week. Additionally, snow is in the forecast for some areas of the high country. Heres what the Pinpoint Weather team knows so far about the incoming days of rain. Timing: Highest chances Monday-Wednesday The highest chances of widespread rainfall are expected Monday and Tuesday. Showers could continue Wednesday and isolated showers may linger into Thursday. Sunday brings the first chance for an isolated pop-up shower or storm in the late afternoon or evening, particularly in lower elevations, but German said it will be dry for most. Scattered showers are expected to begin midday Monday, German said, and rain will become more widespread and heavier through Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Wednesday afternoon, conditions are expected to start drying ahead of drier conditions Thursday and through the weekend. Denver weather: These clouds make it look like it is raining when it is dry Location & totals: These areas will see the most rain, snow Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Alden German said that while models for exact totals are fluctuating, there are consistent signs of widespread, occasionally heavy rainfall expected on Tuesday, particularly in the foothills. Areas like Trinidad, Pueblo and Springfield could get over 1.5 inches of rain, while Colorado Springs could exceed 2 inches. German said the Denver metro, Greeley, Limon and Fort Collins areas are projected to see between 1 and 2 inches of rain. Thunderstorms may produce locally higher rain totals. The mountains will also see fresh snow. Totals will vary considerably, but communities like Dillon and Telluride may see six inches of snow, while some of the higher peaks may see over a foot. Travel impacts are likely in the high country Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 Impact: How severe will the storm get? German said that the threat of severe weather is low as of Saturday, however thunderstorms are still possible. On top of heavy rain, Tuesday will bring gusty winds and significantly cooler temperatures in the 50s through Wednesday. What does severe weather season entail in Colorado? German said the snowfall in the foothills and high country will be a heavy, wet snow. Tuesday, May 6, is a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day with widespread, potentially heavy rain expected in the Denver metro area. Once the storm passes, warmer temperatures reaching the mid-70s return to the forecast. Denver, Colorado weather resources Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each 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 FOX31 Denver. The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office has released the name of a retired deputy who was killed after being hit by a car while working traffic detail at the University of Cincinnati on Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Sheriffs Deputy Larry Henderson worked with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office for 33 years, according to the sheriffs office. In Deputy Hendersons early tenure as a Sheriffs Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation. Larry began his journey as a Sheriffs Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer, Sheriff Charmain McGuffey said in a social media post. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larrys life of service. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the US and Ohio flags be lowered to half-staff until the day of Hendersons funeral. According to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati, Henderson was operating a traffic light at Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods when he was hit and killed by a driver. RELATED>> Tremendous loss; Deputy dead after being hit by father of man shot by officer day prior The driver accused of hitting Henderson is Rodney Hinton Jr., who is the father of a man shot and killed by Cincinnati police the day before the crash, WCPO says. The sheriffs office is retiring Hendersons badge number, #129, in his honor. The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office will share information on the deputys funeral arrangements in the near future. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CRYSTAL LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) Deputies in Marquette County, Wisconsin, have launched an investigation into a tragic shooting after a 7-year-old reportedly shot and killed a 3-year-old. Authorities with the Marquette County Sheriffs Office stated in a release that the tragic shooting happened on Saturday, May 3, in the Town of Crystal Lake. Authorities ID 18-year-old who died in motorcycle crash on Ashland Avenue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dispatch initially got a 911 call around 4:25 p.m., and first responders immediately went to the Crystal Lake home. Deputies say that their preliminary investigation indicated that a 7-year-old child fatally shot a 3-year-old child. This is a devastating situation for everyone involved, said Sheriff Konrath. Our hearts go out to the family and the community as they navigate this unimaginable loss. Fire in Fond du Lac caused by resident attempting to use gasoline to light bonfire, one hospitalized The following agencies assisted the Marquette County Sheriffs Office: Neshkoro Fire Department Waushara County EMS Waushara County Medical Examiners Office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was provided. Local 5 will update this story when more details are released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Several candidates backed by conservative groups lost their election bids on Saturday. The seats on the ballot are nonpartisan positions, but True Texas Project and Patriot Mobile Action are among the right-leaning groups that have waded into recent elections, backing conservative candidates and policies. True Texas Project, which is listed as an antigovernmental group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, recommended 31 candidates for school board, city government and other local offices. They went a step further and endorsed three: Cary Cheshire for Tarrant County College Trustee and incumbents Tammy Nakamura for Grapevine-Colleyville school board and Charlie Lauersdorf for Fort Worth City Council. Only Lauersdorf won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seventeen of its recommended candidates lost, and one race is headed into a runoff. Among the conservative candidates to lose was Julie Short, who trailed incumbent Mayor Michael Evans, who was seeking his third term. The role of right wing politics came up on the campaign trail leading up to Election Day in the North Texas suburb. Mayor Michael Evans ran a positive, honorable campaign & is beating Julie Short handily, said Matt Angle, founder of the Lone Star Project in a post on X. The group works to elect Democrats to office. Short invited MAGA haters armed with outsider $$ into her campaign, and they torpedoed her chances. In Grapevine-Colleyville, Nakamura lost to Matt Foust. Patriot Mobile Action spent much of its resources in recent months backing Nakamuras reelection bid. The political committee arm of a Christian conservative wireless provider has gotten involved in several local school board races in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheshire had support from several conservative groups, but lagged well behind his opponent for Tarrant County College Trustee, Veronica Chavez Law. Of the 26 candidates endorsed by the Tarrant County Republican Party, 11 won and one is headed to a runoff. The Tarrant County Democratic Party published a list of approved candidates on social media, which in some cases included multiple candidates bidding for the same position. Of the 21 approved candidates, eight won and 12 lost. One is headed to a runoff. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Bradford Smith is doing an interview, sitting silent in a motorized wheelchair with a computer hooked to it on a platform above and across from his face. A reporter asks a question, then waits for several minutes while he thinks about his answer and the computer begins to put it, letter by letter or word by word, on the screen before reading it aloud. Smith has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrigs disease) and in the years since his 2018 diagnosis, the 44-year-old has lost his ability to do pretty much anything besides think on his own. He can move his eyes and the corners of his mouth twitch upward when he smiles. But he cant breathe without mechanical assistance or eat. He has no control over his limbs. And he lost the ability to speak a few years ago, though thats back in a somewhat different form thanks to groundbreaking technology. Bradford Smith, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), could no longer speak until he became the third person to receive a Neuralink implant, which lets him speak with his computer, using his eyes to move the cursor to type words that are read aloud. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Smith is the third person to receive a Neuralink implant and the first of the recipients who could not speak on his own. The other two had spinal cord injuries but their voices were intact. That turned out to be significant with Neuralink, which is a coin-sized implanted brain-computer interface made by a company Elon Musk founded with a team of scientists and engineers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuralink has 1,024 electrodes and can read neural activity, sending signals to a computer. Artificial intelligence decodes what Brad wants to type, which hes able to tell it telepathically. Some of his answers have been worked out in advance, so he just has to click on them, then the computer reads them aloud. There are pauses in the conversation because typing without moving a muscle is a bit slow. But its an immensely satisfying process. It gave him back his voice. And if Brad and the person talking to him are willing to add a few extra seconds, he can respond to questions in his own voice, also courtesy of AI. But more about that in a minute. Thursday, Musks company announced that it had received a Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It was definitely a breakthrough for the Smith family. I am the 3rd person in the world to receive the @Neuralink brain implant. 1st with ALS. 1st Nonverbal. I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary communication. Ask me anything! I will answer at least all verified users! Thank you @elonmusk! pic.twitter.com/bxYO3SBfA2 Bradford G Smith (Brad) (@ALScyborg) April 27, 2025 A devastating diagnosis Brad was largely raised in Utah, where he lived until his 30s. But he and his wife Tiffany were open to new opportunities and adventures when they married 16 years ago, and they moved with his work as they were starting a family that now includes Lincoln, 13, Edison, 9, and Abigail, 7. Life has been a three-legged stool for the Smiths, centering on God, family and hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Playing a game of dodgeball at a church building they are devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he said he tweaked his shoulder. But instead of healing, it got weaker and weaker. Lincoln Smith, 13, left, watches father Bradford Smith, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which leaves your brain intact while the rest of your body shuts down, use Neuralink on his computer to communicate with his family in their room at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News It was a neurologist who told him his muscles and nerves werent carrying electricity and it was quite likely to be ALS. If he doubted the diagnosis was devastating, any illusion disappeared when the physician gave him a hug. He left the office, he said, in a haze of grief. In the parking lot, he wept and prayed desperately. The response, he adds, was the equivalent of a big trust me. I felt assurance everything is going to be all right. But he had to tell his wife and his business partner that he might have a terminal disease. And he needed more testing to rule out the possibility of a spinal cord injury, which would in this case be better news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ALS diagnosis proved true, as he later learned at a specialty clinic in Phoenix. By 2020, he needed a tracheotomy to help him breathe. And his voice fell silent. Bradford Smith, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has a Neuralink brain-computer interface that lets him communicate with the Deseret News in an interview at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. He regained ability to speak when he became the third person to receive the implant. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Hope in the form of technology Brad and Tiffany Smith, who were living in Glendale, Arizona, by then, had been paying attention to news of a new device that might let someone use telepathy to communicate by computer. When Neuralink opened a patient portal for people who might be interested in it, I jumped on it, Bradford told Deseret News. I was following it closely. It was a huge win that it happened in Arizona near where I live. When he got an email from a Neuralink representative in early 2024, he said he started a campaign of shameless self-promotion. I really wanted this. Bradford Smith, has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), uses Neuralink on his computer to communicate with wife Tiffany Smith, right, to help him simulate a cough while she takes a call at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. Neuralink lets him speak with his computer, using his eyes to move the cursor to type words that are read aloud using a computer-generated voice or, if he chooses, his real voice using artificial intelligence. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News One step at a time has been the path for the device and its approval. After the first patient received the implant, data was collected to see if the Food and Drug Administration would allow a second person to get the implant. That data had to be collected to see if there would be a third. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first two were people whod lost the ability to move because of spinal cord injury. They could talk. Brad was the third person to receive the implant, but he was also a pioneer in that voice commands that helped the other two wouldnt help him. So he became patient/consultant as the Neuralink team worked to figure out how to change its technology to meet his very different situation. And even getting far enough to be considered required a lot of tests and scans. Three hours in an MRI is no joke, he said. I also had to do a bunch of psychological tests to make sure I was not suicidal and they had to set a baseline to make sure I did not lose intelligence or ability. Despite being on a ventilator, he said he got the impression he was the front-runner to be patient No. 3, and was buoyed when the hospital asked him if, hypothetically, he could be available the first week in November last year. In late October, the FDA gave a thumbs-up and he was implanted two weeks later. Tiffany Smith ties the hair of her daughter, Abigail Smith, 8, in a ponytail as her husband, Bradford Smith, left, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), uses Neuralink on his computer to communicate with his family in their room at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Faith and family bolsters his survival Ultimately, infection will kill him, he said. But his wife takes really good care of him, he added, which has gotten him this far. He calls her his secret weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he tells his story in a mix of answers he pre-typed and new responses, Smith sometimes uses his mind to hit a keyboard shortcut that prompts the voice to say I need to cough. Lincoln and Tiffany both know what to do. He cant actually cough; they have to suction phlegm to clear his airway and his mouth. For the children, who were very young when he was diagnosed, its all very normal. Weird how children adjust to a different normal, Smith mused. The Smiths are in Utah right now for Tiffanys sisters wedding. And while Tiffany said she cant imagine what more her husband can lose, she said her relatives cant help but notice that hes smiling more, is happier and has a greater sense of purpose now that he can communicate again. Bradford Smith, left, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), uses Neuralink on his computer to communicate with wife Tiffany Smith at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. Without the computer-brain interface, Smith would not be able to speak. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News He jokes often, noting hes high maintenance, and at one point quipping that hes fat and lazy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing he did after his diagnosis was record stories for his children how he met Tiffany, what he was like in school and other tales. They went into a voice bank that would prove to be significant. They were used not long ago to help train AI to speak for him in the voice he had, though he doesnt choose to use it all the time. Its often easier just to use the computers voice, which is a bit faster. But for a free-ranging conversation, the AI-generated Brad voice is just the ticket, and it also captures his unique humor. Inspired by things hes said or might say, his computer sometimes gives him several choices for answers, often sassy and humorous. He can pick or modify them or choose to say something else. He said hes pretty sure that his ability to type using his mind, no fingers involved, makes him a superhero. Neuralink patient #3, @ALScyborg, was FaceTimed by @elonmusk a day before his surgery. Very cool! pic.twitter.com/4Adoto8MZN Space Sudoer (@spacesudoer) May 2, 2025 Choosing life He and Tiffany had decided early on in the disease that he wanted to live as long as he had quality of life. They defined that as the ability to be a decent father and serve others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuralink, he said, has helped with all of that. Sometimes, hes found it hard to need or accept help. He does it anyway. I have learned that being served by others is just as important as serving others. It has been hard to ask for help. His advice to others? As you go through life, be friendly with everyone and work hard on everything! You never know when you will need a friend to help you out! Edison Smith, 9, left, and Lincoln Smith, 13, play on a computer. Their father Bradford Smith, off-camera, has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and uses technology called Neuralink to communicate with his family in their room at the Residence Inn in Murray on Friday, May 2, 2025. He is the first patient who cannot speak to receive the implant and the third overall. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Faith has been a cornerstone in this journey and hes working to submit to Gods will in his life. Theres no magic formula, he said, then paraphrases President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his faith: salvation is not a cheap experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took me a few months to process my testimony after my death-sentence diagnosis, Smith said. I had to remember why I believe what I believe. Faith has been good for all of them as theyve adjusted to his situation, Tiffany told the Deseret News. I cant imagine not having faith or a belief in something beyond this life. Bradford Smith has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His brain intact is intact, but he can only move his eyes and the corners of his mouth. With technology from a company founded by Elon Musk called Neurolink, he can communicate with his computer using telepathy. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News She added that she believes in miracles, but the likelihood hell be healed in this life is pretty slim. Still, I have faith this life is not the end and our family will continue. I am lucky in so many ways! I have worked all over the world and I have seen many people who are happy with much less than I have, Smith said. So, with this perspective, how can I be angry? Photo: Memphis Police Department (AP) As if the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols wasnt horrifying enough, the murder trial against the cops accused of killing him exposed even more disturbing details from that fateful night. One officer said Nichols was beaten so bad, he didnt even want to look at his battered body. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent Derek Miller testified this week on what he discovered upon the investigation into former Memphis police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith. The trio is facing second-degree murder charges in connection to the January 2023 incident. Previous reports and video evidence of the incident showed the three officers along with their other colleagues punching, kicking and pepper-spraying Nichols. Following that, the officers were seen jesting about the incident and laughing as Nichols was slumped on the ground. Nichols died three days later from his injuries. The investigator stated that during the aftermath while officers waited for the medics to arrive, ex-cop Haley took photos of Nichols as he was sitting on the ground, propped up against the police car, per CBS News. Miller said Haley shared the photo 11 times and had eight different conversations about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second TBI agent testified that another part of the incident that stuck out to investigators was the footage from the SkyCop camera showing the blows to Nichols head, per Action News 5. The agent replied affirmative to the question of whether authorities determined criminal behavior was involved in the footage of the beating. Thats not the only tea to come out of the ongoing trial. Former officer Desmond Mills Jr. also took the stand this week against his former coworkers, expressing his regrets for failing to intervene in the beating, per CNN. While Mills insisted Nichols was actively resisting arrest, he also admitted that he grew angry after accidentally sprayed himself in the face with pepper spray instead of Nichols. After that moment, he said he struck Nichols three times in the arm with a baton while he was already being restrained by two other officers. Mills said he prayed for Nichols after seeing how badly he was battered by the group. I didnt want to look anymore because it didnt look good, he said via Action News 5. Dr. Marco Ross, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Nichols, testified that Nichols died of blunt force trauma and suffered tears and bleeding in the brain, per Action News 5. He said the injuries were consistent with that of a fatal car crash or someone who falls from a high height. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cops on trial are only three of five who faced state and federal charges in connection to Nichols death. Desmond Mills pleaded guilty under agreement to testify against his colleagues. The final ex-cop, Emmitt Martin III, is to have his state trial severed from the other officers, the reports say. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. May 4DIXON Dixon city officials are moving forward with a $21 million project to update the aging infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant. "This is going to be a long-term project," Public Works Director Matt Heckman said. "It's the revamping of all of the major systems at the wastewater treatment plant. Although they're still functioning properly at this moment, they have reached a point of mechanical life where we need to update or repair these things before they start to give us fits." At the April 21 Dixon City Council meeting, the council approved a bid of $18.257 million from Vissering Construction Co. of Streator. The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete, but next steps are dependent on the city being formally accepted into the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Water Pollution Control Loan Program, which is how the city is paying for the upgrades, Heckman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the city has received preliminary approvals from the program and expects to get that formal approval within the next two months, Heckman said. Based on the preliminary approvals, the entire project is eligible to be financed through the program, and the principal forgiveness increased from $4.8 million to $6.3 million, Heckman said. Principal forgiveness is a portion of the loan that is permanently removed; the borrower is not responsible for paying that amount. "That's a big win for us. It's been a pretty good week for the city of Dixon," Heckman said. The remaining costs will be financed at 1.2% interest over 30 years with an annual payment of about $600,000, "which is exactly where we want to be," Heckman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This type of financing for costly needed projects "is a fairly effective way of doing the infrastructure," Mayor Glen Hughes said in an interview with Shaw Local Radio. Dixon's wastewater treatment plant "is over 20 years old. A lot of things need to be upgraded," Hughes said. "We've been talking about these improvements for many years," Heckman said, adding that if left as is, "you could have a critical failure at the wastewater treatment plant, which would not be ideal." Heckman said the updates also incorporate some upcoming regulatory changes from the IEPA mandating that by 2030, plants treating at least 1 million gallons a day must lower their phosphorus levels to 0.5 milligrams per liter, as part of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Illinois EPA sets the standards for wastewater effluent. We take meeting and exceeding those standards very seriously. We want to keep our waterways clean. ... That's super important to us," Heckman said. Other repairs to the plant also were completed in late 2024. There were a couple screws one broken, another fractured that needed to be fixed because they're an important structural part of the system that moves the waste, Hughes said. The council approved a bid of $439,905 for that project at its Nov. 4 meeting. Those screws needed to be replaced for a long time. The issue was first brought to the city's attention under former Comptroller Rita Crundwell and was expected to cost about $35,000, council member Dennis Considine said in a previous interview with Shaw Local. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considine was elected to the council six months before Crundwell was escorted out of Dixon City Hall in handcuffs in April 2012 and convicted in 2013 of embezzling $53.7 million from the city. While Dixon struggled to pay for infrastructure and other projects, she used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle raising champion quarter horses, a $2 million tour bus, multiple homes and other trappings. The completion of that screw project wrapped up the list of backlogged projects. Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss said Friday "we're not catching up with anything from Crundwell" that he's aware of. This Jan. 30, 2025, image provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department shows a member of the Mexican gray wolf recovery team measuring the teeth of a wolf that was captured during an annual population survey near Alpine, Arizona. A physicians group has begun providing coverage at Doctors Medical Center for patients with high-risk pregnancies, continuing a collaboration with Golden Valley Health Centers, a leading safety-net provider in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. According to a news release Friday, the use of OB-GYN hospitalists physicians who specialize in caring for hospitalized patients aligned with Central Valley Doctors Health System Physicians will ensure coordination of care with Golden Valley and other safety-net clinics that serve disadvantaged patients in Stanislaus and nearby counties. Golden Valleys decision to cut obstetrical services at Doctors Medical Center for women with high-risk pregnancies raised concerns in January. That decision ended a Golden Valley program in which three obstetricians provided care for expectant mothers in clinics and then delivered their babies at DMC. The physicians also performed gynecologic surgeries at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golden Valley sent notices terminating its agreements with the three obstetricians, effective April 30, and proposed new contracts requiring them to work 40 hours per week in its clinics. It was unclear who would deliver babies for Golden Valley patients with complex medical needs. Two of the three obstetricians, Lloyd Lee and Kevin Rine, have negotiated agreements to keep delivering babies at DMC. I am happy to be able to announce that Central Valley Doctors Health System Physicians is collaborating with Golden Valley Health Centers and we have ensured OB-GYN hospitalist coverage at Doctors Medical Center, Jennifer Howard, chief executive officer of the physician group, said in the news release. Howard said the physicians group, which was formerly First California Physician Partners, is strengthening safety-net collaborations with Golden Valley Health Centers, other physician offices and the new Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic in Modesto, which was opened last month by DMC and Valley Childrens Healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Eduardo Villarama, chief medical officer for Golden Valley, said the new services will ensure a continuum of care from early pregnancy to labor and delivery for patients who depend on Medi-Cal or other health programs. We are fully committed to womens health, and we are proud to advance our relationship with DMC to achieve the best for our patients, Villarama said. Demand for obstetric care has grown Golden Valley has 47 safety-net clinics in Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties serving almost 200,000 patients per year. Villarama said previously that patient demand for obstetric services grew after the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end. Golden Valley still is trying to add obstetrical staff to provide prenatal care in its clinics but can refer some patients with high-risk pregnancies to the newly opened Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic on Florida Avenue, Villarama said. Golden Valley has 11 obstetrical doctors caring for these expectant mothers, as well as two locums, or fill-in doctors, and another locum starting soon. Villarama added that Golden Valley is recruiting for additional womens health providers. We have been preparing for this transition over the past several months and have many safeguards to ensure safe, high-quality care for our high-risk patients, he said. Dr. Susan Podolsky, a laborist at DMC, said the hospital coverage alleviates many concerns regarding who would be delivering babies for Golden Valley patients. I think that this decision was poorly planned, she said. I still believe it puts more women of color at a disadvantage. We will have to see how it goes over this next month. HONOLULU (KHON2) Two working dogs trained to help in very different ways just experienced a heartwarming reunion four years in the making. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news It turns out they are more than just furry professionals, they are family. Mikey is all business on the job, serving as a facility dog at Queens Medical Center to provide comfort to patients and staff but this visit was different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started with a scroll through Instagram, where Dr. Rick Brunos daughter saw a labrador retriever that looked a lot like Mikey. Hawaii shelters overflowing amid lack of donations And then through a little sleuthing, my daughter figured out they had the same birthday and reached out to Matthew and Paul, said Dr. Bruno, Queens Facility Dogs executive sponsor. That other Labrador is Mr. Maple. He lives in Washington State where he serves as a guide dog for Paul, who is visually impaired. It turned out that the two dogs share more than a similar look. And, my daughter figured out that the, initials most litters have the same first initial. And so Mikey and Maple were part of an M litter, Dr. Bruno said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They got in touch with Matthew and Paul and decided to meet up in Hawaii. Mr. Maple and his handlers made the trip to Honolulu and the reunion took place right at Mikeys workplace. They hadnt been together in four years. Best things to buy your favorite child (your dog) on National Pet Day Both of them are very professional in their work. And so it was really fun to be able to take off both of their working jackets and just let them naturally reunite, said Katie Julian, Assistance Dogs of Hawaii Oahu program manager. Despite being trained professionals separated by an ocean and four years time, the brothers knew exactly who they were looking at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre trained actually to ignore distractions and ignore other dogs, but they just immediately, like, went towards each other and went in circles, waggy tails, it was great, Julian said. From across the Pacific, two dogs dedicated to serving humans found each other again. I am super inspired and would definitely love to get, you know, other litter mates together for sure, said Julian. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Matthew and Paul are now on a mission to reunite Mr. Maple with every one of his seven litter mates. Mikey mainly serves in the oncology unit at Queens where he works 40 hour work weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Donald Trump said "I don't know" when he was asked if it is his job to uphold the U.S. Constitution as the president during a new interview, as he reflected on his first 100 days in office for his second term. The president, 78, sat down with NBC News Kristen Welker for an exclusive interview that aired on the Sunday, May 4, episode of Meet the Press. At one point, Welker, 48, and Trump discussed due process the fairness in legal proceedings with the journalist asking the politician if he agreed that "citizens and non-citizens" in the United States deserved such. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know. I'm not, Im not a lawyer. I don't know," responded Trump, prompting Welker to push back, "Well, the Fifth Amendment says as much." As Trump continued, "I don't know. It seems it might say that, but if you're talking about that, then we'd have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials," he then added, "We have thousands of people that are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth. Some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth. And I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it." When pressed further by Welker, who asked, "But even given those numbers that you're talking about, don't you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?" Trump stated, "I don't know." "I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. What you said is not what I heard the Supreme Court said. They have a different interpretation," he 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. NBC News/YouTube Donald Trump (left) and Kristen Welker (right) on the May 4 episode of 'Meet the Press.' Donald Trump (left) and Kristen Welker (right) on the May 4 episode of 'Meet the Press.' Elsewhere during his Meet the Press sit-down, Trump continued to make remarks tied to past comments he made about a third term as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Welker asked him if he was "seriously considering a third term ... even though it's prohibited by the Constitution," Trump responded, "So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that. But it's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do." "I don't know if that's Constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else. But, there are many people selling the 2028 hat," he continued. "But this is not something I'm looking to do. I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward. But I think we're going to have four years, and I think four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular." Welker, reiterating to Trump that "the Constitution does prohibit it," told the politician that his "allies" are "pretty serious" about finding a way for him to run for a third term. "That's because they like the job I'm doing, and it's a compliment. It's really a great compliment," he said in response. James Devaney/GC Images Donald Trump in May 2024. Donald Trump in May 2024. As Welker further pushed to ask if "anyone in an official capacity presented" him with a plan for a third term, Trump said, "Well, in a capacity of being a big supporter, many people have said different things, but I'm not looking at that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Meet the Press interview aired on the heels of Trump's viral sitdown with ABC News' Terry Moran. Multiple clips from that conversation made the rounds on the internet, including the president's bizarre explanation of the Declaration of Independence. Perhaps the most talked-about moment, however, was when Trump insisted that an edited image of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was the real thing. When asked about Abrego Garcia who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March Trump referenced a photo of the Maryland fathers tattoos. Abrego Garcias left hand features four tattoos on his knuckles: a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross and a skull. Related: Karoline Leavitt Is Hosting Fake White House Press Briefings for Pro-Trump Influencers Like 'MAGA Malfoy' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a photo that Trump previously shared to his own social media pages, graphics were added to explain that the symbols were perceived by the White House as code for "MS-13," the violent international gang. The Trump administration has previously claimed that Abrego Garcia was a member of the gang, though he had no criminal record. During the interview with Moran, Trump suggested that the characters "M," "S," "1" and "3" were part of Abrego Garcia's real tattoo, and not typed onto the image after the fact to explain the alleged gang reference. Donald Trump/Instagram President Donald Trump holds up a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's tattoos, plus the letters "MS-13". President Donald Trump holds up a photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's tattoos, plus the letters "MS-13". He said he wasnt a member of a gang, and then they looked and on his knuckles he had MS-13, Trump told Moran, who replied that there was a dispute over the meaning of the symbols tattooed on Abrego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had some tattoos that are interpreted that way, but lets move on, the anchor said. But the president was insistent. Wait a minute. Hey, Terry. Terry. Terry. Dont do that, Trump replied. He did not have the letter MS-13, Moran reiterated. That was Photoshopped. That was Photoshopped? Trump replied in disbelief. Terry, you cant do that. Theyve given you the big break of a lifetime. You know, youre doing the interview. I picked you because, frankly, I had never heard of you, but thats okay, the president continued. But I picked you, Terry, but youre not being very nice. He had 'MS-13' tattooed. Terry. Terry. Do you want me to show you the picture? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Wife of Maryland Father Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Speaks Out for the First Time: 'My Husband's Not a Criminal' Moran, who served as ABC News' chief White House correspondent from 1999 to 2005 and is currently the network's senior national correspondent, replied to Trump that he had seen the photo of Abrego Garcia's knuckles. "He did have tattoos that can be interpreted that way," the reporter said. "Im not an expert on them." Trump, however, continued to insist. No, no. He had 'M-S,' as clear as you can be. Not interpreted. This is why people no longer believe the news, because its fake news... You do such a disservice. Why dont you just say, Yes, he does, and you know, go on to something else? Read the original article on People Thirty-two people were rescued from a sinking yacht off Miami Beach this weekend, officials say. The rescue happened around 5 p.m. Saturday near Flagler Monument Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The small man-made island houses a 110 foot-tall obelisk monument that was built decades ago to honor Henry Flagler, a key developer of Floridas east coast. Monument island is near the luxury Hibiscus, Star and Palm islands, where many famous celebrities live. Pictures shared by the Coast Guard online show more than a dozen people, some wearing life jackets, on board the 63-foot vessel. Other photos show the yacht submerged, with the ships nose jutting out of the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other agencies, including from Miami Beach, Miami, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and some Good Samaritan boat operators, also helped with the rescue, according to the Coast Guard. Dispatch calls and witnesses described the ship as a Lamborghini vessel though the boats exact model has not been confirmed, according to Miami Herald news partner CBS Miami. Yachts Worldwide, a yacht-dedicated social media account, identified the boat as a $4 million Lamborghini Tecnomar in a recent video it posted of rescue crews responding to the sinking boat. The Coast Guard said no one was injured and that the ship was in the process of being recovered. The FWC is leading the investigation. May 3A driver hit and killed a motorcyclist Friday night in Spirit Lake, Idaho, after the driver failed to yield to the 61-year-old Spirit Lake woman, according to Idaho State Police. The woman was riding a motorcycle at about 11:40 p.m. west on Idaho state Highway 54 near Coeur d'Alene Drive, according to troopers in a news release. A 23-year-old Spirit Lake man was driving east on the highway in a 2014 Subaru SUV when he failed to yield while making a left turn onto Coeur d'Alene Drive and crashed into the motorcyclist, troopers said. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene. The Subaru driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was uninjured, ISP said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISP said it believes alcohol was a factor in the crash. Traffic on the highway was blocked for about two hours. The Kootenai County Coroner's Office will release the name of the motorcyclist after her next of kin has been notified and will determine her cause and manner of death, according to the release. ISP did not release the name of the Subaru driver. Troopers did not say whether the Subaru driver was arrested or cited. ISP is investigating. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A man was killed Sunday morning after his vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree along Interstate 20, authorities said. According to officials, the crash occurred just before 11:00 a.m. between the frontage road and I-20 at Exit 292B. The eastbound vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree, which caused the vehicle to catch fire. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was pulled from the vehicle but was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Pawe Machcewicz read President Donald Trumps recent executive order calling for improper, divisive or anti-American ideology to be removed from exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution, his first reaction was a very strong feeling of deja vu. Machcewicz, a historian at the Polish Academy of Sciences, had seen this playbook before. He helped design and operate the Museum of the Second World War in Poland, where as its director he sought to shed light on civilian suffering in wartime and document the heavy losses suffered by both Poles and their allies during World War II. As construction of the museum got underway, however, the government changed. The right-wing Law and Justice Party took a majority in Parliament, and as part of its nationalist rhetoric, its leaders objected to Machcewiczs approach to history as unpatriotic. For the next eight years, until Law and Justice was voted out in 2023, his museum in Gdansk became a central battlefield in a highly charged struggle over the politics of memory in Poland with Machcewicz ultimately being removed from his post shortly after the museum opened to the public in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Machcewicz sees something similar beginning in the United States now. He believes Trumps executive order signals an ominous intention to control the countrys historical narrative that mirrors some of the rhetoric used against museums in Poland. With Polands right-wing government now out of power, Machcewicz shared his thoughts on what leaders at the Smithsonian could learn from the struggle to control Polands historical narrative and why museums have become a top target for populist parties. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. You helped design the Polish Museum of the Second World War starting when it was first announced in 2008, and ran it until you were ousted by the countrys right-wing government in 2017. Tell me what happened. It was the biggest historical museum in Poland under construction at the time. We wanted to show the experience not only of the Polish nation in the war, but also of other nations. And we focused not on the military accomplishments of Polish soldiers, but on the perspective of civilians, mostly the suffering of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concept of the museum was attacked from the very beginning by the Law and Justice Party, who at the time was in opposition. They accused the concept of being not patriotic enough, not Polish enough, too pacifistic, too European and multinational. What are the different methods that Law and Justice used to go after you? First of all, there were administrative obstacles: Cutting our budget, sending various audit crews who attempted to find some proof of financial irregularities or legal irregularities. And of course, we were attacked by the public TV controlled by the government, smeared by right-wing media close to the government. I was accused of not being patriotic enough, of serving foreign interests. So, all possible methods. But the most important attempt was to formally liquidate the museum by merging it with another museum a fake museum created only on paper before it was even open to the public, which I managed to suspend thanks to the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then the very strange part began: I tried to complete the construction, production and installation of the exhibition in the building against my own government. Long story short, I managed to open the museum to the public in 2017 but just two weeks after the opening, the government managed to push through this concept of merging two museums and our museum was liquidated. Usually a slide towards the authoritarian regime doesnt happen overnight, unless its a military coup. Its going step by step, piecemeal and it's possible to slow down this process if the courts are still independent or semi-independent. Thats why the courts are such an important battlefield and why every authoritarian regime or party attempts to influence courts to be able to impose various political and administrative decisions. President Trump released an executive order in late March calling for the removal of improper, divisive or anti-American ideology from public museums. What did you think when you heard about that? When I was reading this executive order, I had a very strong feeling of deja vu. For eight years, I lived under a government that used the same language, the same rhetoric. You could even joke that perhaps an adviser from Law and Justice helped to write this executive order, because the resemblance was so striking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law and Justice accused people like me of creating something they called a history of shame, or the pedagogics of shame: Denigrating Polish history, focusing on Polish antisemitism, on various dark sides of Polish history. And you see the same accusations in this executive order. Another striking resemblance is that museums are so important. This executive order mentions mostly museums and institutions who promote this attitude toward history which should be correct. This is not by accident, because, as we all know, fewer and fewer people read books written by historians, but hundreds of thousands or even millions of people visit historical museums or museums that somehow deal with the past. That's why I'm not surprised that museums are on the front lines. You say that Law and Justice accused you of promoting a history of shame. Whats your response to that? Is shame the emotion you were trying to evoke in museum-goers? It was an entirely baseless accusation. The exhibit presented the whole variety of the attitudes of Poles during the war. Mostly heroism and sufferings inflicted by the German and Soviet occupiers. It included antisemitism and the pogrom of Jews in Jedwabne committed by Poles in 1941, but these topics by no means dominated the message of the museum. Certainly, I was trying to evoke neither shame nor pride, but mostly critical reflection on the past. What did your reaction, and the publics reaction, to your removal look like? Is there anything American scholars and museum directors can learn from that? My strategy was quite risky in a way, but eventually it was quite efficient because I managed to open the museum to the public. And I managed to do it because I appealed to the courts and the courts gave me this additional year to conclude the process [of opening the museum]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second strategy, which I employed in a very conscious and consistent way, was appealing to public opinion. I gave hundreds of interviews to the Polish media and international media, and I think it created pressure upon the government: At least they were not able to strangle us in silence. People came to the building of the museum and demonstrated in front of the building with banners: Freedom of History, Freedom of Museums, and so on. Sooner or later I knew I would be removed from my position, but I wanted to make it as difficult for the government as possible. It was also a unique situation, because I knew my goal was simply to open the museum to the public. I didn't really care what happened to me after that, because it was my life mission. I should also say that I was at the time a professor at the Polish Academy of Sciences, I had tenure, so in a way, my situation was secure. I was sure I would not be unemployed, I could go back to my academic position, which I did. So I don't want to criticize anyone who chooses a more cautious strategy. Why is it that governments like Law and Justice, like the Trump administration, want to exert control over museums? Museums are becoming more and more popular: Every year, the attendance in museums is growing. Theyre also more vulnerable than universities, at least more vulnerable than private universities. Usually museums are funded publicly, thats why theyre more dependent on the government or on the local authorities than universities. And in the case of universities, there are usually safeguards, academic freedoms are very well-established although the Trump administration is trying to do away with that, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, its a more visible field. The government can more easily and in a shorter period of time impose its ideas. Its possible to prepare a new exhibition in a year, an exhibition that could reflect the views of the Trump administration on some vital aspects of history, and it's easy for them to point to it and say, This is what we achieved. In completely different ways, both Poland and the United States have complicated relationships with their own history: Poland with antisemitism during World War II, and the U.S. with our history of slavery. How did you navigate the complications of Polish history when you were putting together the exhibits in the museum? We used to look at our history exclusively in terms of heroism and martyrdom. And to a great extent it was justified, because Polish history in the last century was very difficult. The Second World War was a time of unprecedented suffering from the German and Soviet occupiers, and of a great resistance movement, and so on. But more or less 25 years ago, a new current emerged. It started with the publication of a book by Jan Gross, Neighbors, about the massacre of Jews committed by their Polish neighbors near Jedwabne, a small town in northern Poland, in July 1941. Jedwabne was not unique: There were many other pogroms like it. And after some years, after new research from historians, it turned out that under the German occupation, Poles killed many Jews and denounced them to the Germans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it was a great shock for public opinion. From the beginning, the Law and Justice Party exploited the reaction of conservative segments of Polish society who didnt want to accept this new knowledge about our history. Law and Justice created a narrative that this is all either lies or some marginal instances promoted by leftists and liberals who are not Polish enough, who wanted to denigrate their own nation. It's very similar to what the Trump people say now, who think the discussion about slavery and racism is one-sided and its aim is to denigrate or smear American history. Why do parties like Law and Justice want to control the national historical narrative? Law and Justice, like many other nationalistic populist movements, is very keen on using identity politics. Its key element is history, which is weaponized in order to mobilize the conservative constituency of this party, foment fears about alleged attempts to smear the historical reputation of the Polish nation and to ostracize political opponents who are presented as not Polish enough, serving the interests of eternal enemies of Poland like Germany and Russia. This politics of history has been intensely and to a considerable extent successfully exploited to gain and consolidate political power. And how do you think we might want to be thinking about some of those questions as we have these discussions about American history? Our histories, American history and Polish history, are completely different but in a way, some developments in terms of research and memorialization in the last 20 years produced similar effects. I would call it the rejection of these new revelations that question these one-sided visions of history and of the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its always a question of balance. Im absolutely against the Law and Justice Partys one-sided politics of history that focuses only on the so-called glorious parts of Polish history. But Im also against the hyper-leftist approach that says we should reject all previous approaches to Polish history and nothing counts except for Polish antisemitism and we should do nothing else but reckon with Polish antisemitism and wrongdoings. What could or should that balance look like in the United States? There are some red lines that never should be crossed in a democratic country: the autonomy of research and also the autonomy of museums. What was so dangerous in the politics of history of Law and Justice was this direct interference by the government into museums. And also the criticism of the politicians: Leading politicians, including the leaders of the Law and Justice Party and also our prime minister, were attacking historians, accusing some historians by name, saying theyre not real Poles. I was treated in the same way, but the attacks were also directed at the historians who did this new research on the attitudes of Poles toward Jews during the war. And thats why this language from [Trumps] executive order is so dangerous, so aggressive vis-a-vis museums. At least the names of people arent mentioned, but some institutions [like the Smithsonian] are. I don't think its the job of any government to interfere so deeply in the realm of research, academia and museums, and this executive order for me crosses the red line, or at least suggests that the government is ready to cross the red line and jeopardize the freedom of museums. How did the museum in Gdansk change after you were ousted? Immediately after I was removed from the museum, I publicly declared that I would defend the integrity of the exhibition in all possible legal ways, and that if the government and the new director tried to change the exhibition, I would sue them on the grounds of copyright. It was effective in a way, because the government and the new director hesitated for more or less six months before they started changing the exhibition. And this copyright trial lasted for a few years and slowed them down and reduced the scope of the changes they introduced. So hundreds of thousands of people were still able to see the exhibition in its original shape, even after I had been fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They removed some elements of the exhibition that were for them too international, not Polish enough, and they introduced some new elements reflecting this politics of history of the Law and Justice Party. For example, they changed the statistics of losses suffered by various nations in the war, and presented them in such a manipulative way that it gave visitors the impression the Polish losses were the greatest. They also introduced some new elements about the martyrdom of Polish Catholic priests, because it was also their obsession in a way they were trying to re-Catholicize the exhibition. And one of the most important changes: They introduced a new section about Poles saving Jews. Of course, in the original shape of the exhibition, Poles saving Jews were presented but alongside Poles who denounced Jews or who killed Jews, and there was a section about Jedwabne. And now they introduced a new section that suggested that the prevalent attitude of Poles was helping and saving Jews. What happened with the copyright case? The court finally issued a ruling that was sort of a compromise: They decided the most striking change a video that was presented at the end of exhibition should be removed. It showed footage of original archival films and photographs about conflicts, about violence after the Second World War until nowadays. They said it was too international, too pacifistic and anti-war, and they replaced it with a cartoon animation only about Polish history, about Polish soldiers and Polish heroes. And the court decided that it was such a clear violation of the central message of the exhibition, that it should be removed. But the court evaded and said the other changes were minor and not visible to an average visitor. So it was sort of a middle way. But this copyright trial lasted for a few years, and it ended in the last year of the Law and Justice Partys rule. After Polands 2023 parliamentary elections, the Law and Justice Party was ousted and former Prime Minister Donald Tusk returned to lead the new government. Whats happened with the museum since then? After the new government [under Tusk] took over in December 2023, very soon the director nominated by the Law and Justice Party was removed and I got an offer to go back to my position as director. I did not accept it, because it would have been difficult to come back after so many years. But Im now the chairman of the board of the museum. One of the historians who co-created this museum with me was nominated to the position of director. We removed all the changes introduced by Law and Justice, and we reintroduced the original shape of the exhibition. The Law and Justice Party mobilized their supporters and organized a demonstration in front of the museum. So it's still a very emotional and political issue. But I have now the great satisfaction of saying that all these political changes that were introduced into the exhibition, which are emblematic of Law and Justice, dont exist anymore. What advice would you give to people concerned about the Trump administrations actions? The experience of eight years under Law and Justice shows its possible to take over museums and hire new directors, but it's still a long way off from imposing one narrative about history in a democratic society. As long as there are independent universities and independent media, the government cant control the whole narrative. In Poland, this politics of history was one of the priorities of the Law and Justice government. They created new institutions that employed historians with research following the lines imposed by the government but still they werent able to control the universities. In the case of museums it was easier: They controlled most of the museums. But they lost power after eight years, and it turns out that we still live in a free country with a variety of approaches to history. Eight years was not enough in Poland, and I dont think four years will be enough in the U.S. Many people in the U.S. probably have the feeling that this offensive by the Trump administration is overwhelming, that you cant stop it its so aggressive, the language is so aggressive. But there are always some ways of slowing it down, of gaining time. And with determination from people who want to defend democracy and the autonomy of museums, there are always ways to do something. After seven years of beating the odds, Daniel Giffin and his mom, Torie, have been through all the emotions already. That's why when the Colorado Springs 17-year-old learned a few months ago that the brain cancer he has battled since he was 11 had metastasized, the reaction wasn't tears. "We just started laughing, and the doctors just looked at us in bewilderment," said Torie. Taking the "roll with the punches" approach, Daniel is still fighting. Still going through experimental treatments in hopes for a miracle and in hopes that his experiences can further cancer research. Still showing out for friends and family, as he did this Saturday at the seventh walk/run/bike event held in his honor. "I'm just focused on getting stronger," he said after accompanying over 250 on a warm spring day's walk from the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, his mother's west-side hotel. His older sister Delanie pushed his wheelchair, surrounded by family members and well-wishers. The teen has big milestones ahead. An 18th birthday in June. His older brother Levi's entrance into the Air Force. Becoming an uncle with the birth of Delanie's first child in August, for which he has already commissioned a "the best brothers get upgraded to uncle" T-shirt. Daniel climbed Pikes Peak on his unicycle before his diagnosis. Now, Torie says the teen's "fighting spirit" is brought to bear in more mundane but equally courageous feats of everyday grace. Featured Local Savings "Now, we just have seemingly smaller challenges that are actually really huge," she said. As his mom, Torie said it helps to find meaning in Daniel's struggles through his impact in the world. The event on Saturday, with a record turnout among Daniel's church, family, children's hospital friends, Buffalo Lodge employees and a national network of bicyclists, helped her see it tangibly. She said that at Daniel's current stage of illness, this event was extra special. "Even when I feel like I can't be strong for myself, I can be strong for Daniel. I can be strong for the people who are watching and hope that our struggles inspire them," she said. Participants came from around the country. Polly Wolterman was visiting from Iowa; she met Daniel during her state's annual cross country bike ride and set him up on his first jet ski. "There are so many people that the bike community brings together," she said. Daniel was the calm, smiling center for group photos and pats on the back at the finish line Saturday as his mom, a consummate people person, buzzed around in the background. The sun was shining, music was playing and all was well. "We choose to live in a world with hope, and not despair," Torie said. May 3STERLING Natalie Eddinger, a senior, is a May student of the month at Sterling High School. She is the daughter of Shari and Mike Eddinger and has a brother, Nickolas. What class do you find really engaging and why?: My favorite class is anatomy, as it is helping me prepare for my future. Mrs. Schlemmer makes learning fun, establishes positive relationships with the students, and provides learning opportunities through field trips. What are your career and post-graduation plans? What school(s) or other instruction, travel or endeavors do you have planned?: I will be attending the University of Iowa, where I will major in microbiology on the pre-medical track and minor in Spanish. I will also be part of the women's rowing team. This summer I will continue working at Shepherd Premier as a CNA. I have been chosen as a CGH summer scholar and look forward to learning from the medical professionals I will be shadowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are your two favorite extracurricular, volunteer or community activities you participate in?: I enjoy volunteering at Special Olympic activities as well as helping out at the food bank packing boxes during the summer. Please share a moment, group event or activity at school that was meaningful or memorable.: Going to Chicago with the anatomy class to see the cadavers was exciting and gave me a glimpse of what I will see when I attend the University of Iowa. What is your hope for the future?: I want to become a pediatric cardiologist. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Department conducted a rescue mission on Transmountain Road when a vehicle drove off the side of the mountain on Sunday afternoon, May 4. One person needed to be rescued from an upside-vehicle and then airlifted by helicopter, the Fire spokesperson said. The call came in at 1:45 p.m. Sunday about a vehicle that went off the mountain at mile marker 19 on the Northeast side of the mountain, the Fire spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle ended upside down and the Fire Department needed to extricate a person who was trapped inside their vehicle, the Fire Department spokesperson. Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriffs Office were called in to divert traffic so the Fire Departments FireSTAR helicopter could land near the Ron Coleman Trail parking lot. The person was successfully rescued and transported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Voters upheld the status quo for the Fort Worth school board as a spotlight has intensified on the district through scrutiny of its academic performance and ensuing efforts to improve its stagnant test scores. Camille Rodriguez, Michael Ryan and Roxanne Martinez won their races, according to unofficial results from Tarrant County. In District 1, Rodriguez defeated Amanda Inay with 53.37% of the vote. In District 7, Ryan defeated Terry Roach with 75.63% of the vote. In District 9 Martinez defeated Robyne Kelly with 73.54% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace Bridges and Anael Luebanos ran unopposed in their races. As there were only two candidates in the other district races, there will be no runoff election. Constituents weighed in at the conclusion of a hectic school year that was shaped by a public call-out by Mayor Mattie Parker for the district to turn around its test scores that have trailed behind other Texas urban districts for roughly a decade. Former Superintendent Angelica Ramseys resignation was accepted by the school board about a month later in late September, and long-time district employee and administrator Karen Molinar took over the position in the interim and permanently. Over the course of the 2024-25 school year, which ends on May 22, the school board declared improving student literacy as its top priority and approved a strategic plan with specific goals for improving grade-level performance over the next five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board is also developing a budget that will invest more than $22.7 million into student literacy. A master facilities plan with proposals for school closures is also on the horizon and could be voted on as early as this school year. An additional challenge that incumbents might have to contend with is a potential state takeover by the Texas Education Agency. A-F accountability grades from 2023, recently released by the agency after it was barred from releasing the scores due to a lawsuit, revealed a failing grade for the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade for the fifth year in a row. It remains to be seen what action TEA might take, as that campus closed last year due to declining enrollment and its students were transferred to Forest Oak Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most competitive school board race was seen in District 1 between Rodriguez a podiatrist who previously served on the board from 2004-2008 and rejoined the board in 2022 after the resignation of her predecessor and newcomer Inay. Inay was Fort Worth ISD district teacher of the year in 2022-23 and now teaches at Rocketship Dennis Dunkins Elementary. Although Rodriguez held on to her seat, Inay spent almost eight times as much money on her campaign $16,500 compared to Rodriguezs $2,100 price tag. Inay received endorsements from former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and the United Educators Association, and Rodriguez was endorsed by Texas Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr., a Democrat from Fort Worth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez had accused Inay of illegal campaign activity, which Inay has denied. The Tarrant County Sheriffs Office has not responded to multiple inquiries by the Star-Telegram asking whether officials had investigated or are investigating Rodriguezs claims. Staff writer Lillie Davidson contributed reporting. One of the common misconceptions about electric vehicles is that they're a net positive for the environment. While EVs are almost certainly better for the planet than gas-powered ones, they still have a substantial impact because of factors like battery manufacturing and coal-generated electricity. Mining the precious metals needed to build high-tech EV batteries is especially rough on the environment and the people living nearby as one nickel extraction operation has shown. The Harita Group is a massive Indonesian conglomerate responsible for one of the largest nickel mining operations in the country, which is currently the world leader in nickel exports. Harita is a major player in Indonesia's metal supply chain, with its coal-fired smelters responsible for nearly one percent of Indonesia's total carbon emissions in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it turns out, it's also one of the island nation's leading water polluters. A new investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found evidence of a decade-long chemical dumping scheme connected to Harita's nickel mine, which began operations in 2010. The OCCRP alleges that Harita's operations have leached the the waste chemical chromium-6 a highly carcinogenic byproduct of high-temperature nickel extraction, perhaps best known as the contaminant investigated by activist Erin Brockovich back in the 1990s into local waters for years on end. As a massive mining conglomerate, Harita has a veritable army of environmental scientists at its disposable, constantly taking soil and water samples in compliance with national law. Responding to critics in a 2023 statement, the company wrote that it performs "environmental treatment and management for its waste under applicable government regulations," adding that it has "proven its compliance" with federal regulations. But thousands of now-leaked emails tell another story: when Harita first discovered elevated chromium-6 levels in the water, it decided to hide the data from the local and international community, asking the government "not to convey the information to the pubic at this time due to the current unfavorable situation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the company didn't respond to comments to OCCRP or The Guardian which reported on Harita's chromium-6 dumping back in 2022 the company's director of health, safety, and environment, Tonny Gultom, was photographed holding a glass of water from a local stream to his lips back in 2023. The photos stop short of showing Gultom drinking the water, however. Harita Nickel Director of health, safety, and environment, stands with a container of water to his lips at a photo-op at the Kawasi Spring on the Indonesian island of Obi. Worse yet, the company appears to have known about elevated chromium-6 levels as far back as 2012, but made no effort to inform local communities or mitigate its toxic spillage. The dumping and subsequent coverup are unfortunately par for the course in the precious metals industry, especially so when it comes to the EV market, which has an obvious interest in burying any sign of environmental harm. It's an important reminder that green energy isn't necessarily a net-positive. EVs might reduce smog and increase air quality for rich cities in the west but at the expense of typically poorer, industrial workers in the parts of the world where precious green energy metals are found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By turning a blind eye to the upstream damage caused by mining and production, we're not solving the problem only kicking the can down the road for someone else to clean up. More on toxic waste: Trump Admin Cancels Programs to Protect Children From Toxic Chemicals Safety crisis Kansas Citys sidewalks are under siege by electric scooters and its past time for serious enforcement. Despite Ordinance 70-253, which bans motorized scooter use on sidewalks, downtown pedestrians face daily threats from riders ignoring the law. This is not a minor nuisance. Its a public safety crisis. In the Power & Light District, River Market and Crossroads, scooters speed past pedestrians, creating constant near-misses and leaving vulnerable people children, older adults, people with disabilities at risk. One serious injury is one too many. Warnings and gentle reminders are no longer enough. The city must immediately increase citations for sidewalk violations, require scooter companies to use technology-based no sidewalk riding features and even consider impounding scooters for repeat offenses. Other cities have acted boldly to protect pedestrians. Kansas City should be no different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our downtown renaissance depends on safe, welcoming streets not on sidewalks turned into dangerous obstacle courses. Lets enforce our laws and put pedestrians first. - Isaac Mishler, Kansas City Tax help Nicolas L. Ziebarths April 30 guest commentary IRS Direct File system would cost Missouri taxpayers. It should go (10A) cites errors in the Internal Revenue Services new system as reasons not to use it. This system is exactly what is required for improved government efficiency. That it might produce errors early in its implementation is not a reason to abandon the effort. Ive encountered errors in all tax-filing systems. For 2024, the IRS required nine-digit control numbers that began with zeros. Private tax-filing software erased those leading zeros, causing rejected returns. I reported the errors, and the software was fixed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, tax preparers are responsible for catching mistakes. Software is a helpful tool to that end. - Patrick Doyle, Topeka America first? I am writing to express my profound concern about the direction the new presidential administration has taken in dismantling the worlds foremost science research infrastructure. That apprehension extends to the lack of concern, or even interest, members of Congress have displayed about what is taking place. My father was an engineer. I have degrees in nuclear engineering and physics, and my son is a cancer research scientist. We believe both in the scientific enterprise and science as a process that can help us better understand how the world works. It uncovers information that has helped humanity build better lives. Destroying our scientific infrastructure serves only to slow discovery and the benefits that come from it. Beyond that, it works to cede preeminence in scientific fields to other countries that are our competitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America first should apply to science and the boundless opportunity it represents. I urge Congress to speak up to the administration to stop the defunding of scientific research and the destruction of the terrific partnership between our government and our universities, which have nurtured Americas position as the leader in scientific discovery and innovation. Our future as a world leader depends on it. - Dean Katerndahl, Parkville Keep rising I would like to point out to the powers that be that many of my friends, neighbors, relatives and I are extremely upset about the rapid increase in the last two years in our property taxes. It is not only that the taxes have increased, but that they seemed to have increased by hundreds of dollars for every property each of the last two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the consolidation of Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County governments happened in 1997, and the Legends development received STAR bonds, we residents were told that even though those companies would get tax abatements for 10 years, we eventually would have decreases in our taxes. Now it has been almost 30 years, and not only have property taxes not decreased, but they have increased outrageously. Even though most of the politicians from that time have been replaced, shouldnt the promises made by the Unified Government be an ongoing commitment to the residents of Wyandotte County? Furthermore, small businesses that have operated for decades are suffering the extreme unparalleled increase in taxes as well. I believe there should be an investigation into what is happening. - Elizabeth Folsom, Kansas City, Kansas QTS Data Centers Hillsboro 3 Data Center in Hillsboro, Oregon in October 2024 (Photo from the Oregon Capital Chronicle). Demand for electricity in the Northwest could double by 2046, according to a new energy forecast from regional experts. During the next two decades, demand could increase by between 1.8% and 3.1% annually, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council heard Tuesday. The projected growth will come primarily from companies building more data centers in the region, more electric vehicles on roads, electrifying buildings, computer chip manufacturing and the production of green hydrogen created by running an electrical current through water to split the molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Council staff presented the 20-year forecast for electricity demand in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and western Montana Tuesday to the councils eight, governor-appointed members. Each states governor gets to appoint two representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data centers, naturally in our forecasts, are the very early load growth driver here. Theyre the big driver of near term demand, Steven Simmons, senior energy forecasting analyst, told the council. Energy demand from data centers and from all electric vehicles in the region are expected to be equal by 2046, and demand from EVs is likely to surpass data center demand after 2046, Simmons said. Residential and commercial demand, which includes forecasted energy demand for electric vehicle charging at homes and buildings, but does not include data centers, is expected to grow more gradually. Demand for residential and commercial energy in Washington alone will equal the combined demand from those sectors in Oregon, Idaho and Montana during the next two decades. The energy forecast, part of the councils forthcoming 9th Northwest Regional Power Plan to manage demand, does not yet include some possible variables that could reduce future demand, such as improved energy efficiency in cars, buildings and some industries as a response to demand, as well as growing adoption of rooftop solar on residential and commercial buildings. But rapidly growing demand now means electricity grids in the Northwest and across the U.S. are encountering transmission constraints, and scaling infrastructure to meet demand has been slow due to supply chain delays and issues, staff said. Data centers Council staff expect the biggest growth in data center and computer chip energy demand will occur in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and the Portland and Boise metro areas, based on historical trends and announced projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more than 100 data centers in Oregon, according to the company Data Center Map, and there are more than 5,000 data centers throughout the U.S. according to Statista the most in any country. Oregons data center market is the fifth largest in the nation, according to Chicago-based commercial real estate group Cushman & Wakefield. Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and X, formerly named Twitter, have massive data centers in eastern Oregon as well as in The Dalles, Hillsboro and Prineville. Whats next To develop its next power plan, the council will evaluate supply side resources, including the potential for more regional windfarms, utility-scale and small-scale solar installations, better battery storage and more geothermal and fracked gas sources, among other options. The council has published regional power plans about every five years since 1983, to lay out how the region will maintain an affordable and adequate power supply. A draft of the plan, an update from the last one that was published in 2021, is expected to be ready for public review and input by July 2026 and would be finalized by late 2026, according to council spokesperson Peter Jensen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was formed in 1981 following passage of the federal Northwest Power Act. That act directed the four states to work collaboratively on regional energy planning and to stop the decline of native Columbia Basin fish species that have suffered massive population losses during the last century, primarily from the development of hydroelectric dams in the region. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in February appointed two new Oregon representatives to the council: Margaret Hoffmann, of Bend, and Chuck Sams, of Pendleton. Hoffman is the former Oregon director of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development program and energy adviser to former Oregon Govs. John Kitzhaber and Kate Brown. Sams, former executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, was most recently director of the National Park Service. Sams briefly served on the council in 2021 before he was appointed to run the Park Service. This story was originally produced by the Oregon Capital Chronicle 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. Originally appeared on E! Online Wanda Barzee is facing legal trouble again. Over 20 years after the 79-year-old kidnapped then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart in 2002 and held her captive for nine months, Barzee was arrested May 1 in Utah for visiting at least two parks, which she cannot do as a registered sex offender. Barzee was booked on one count of violating her terms as a sex offender in Utah, according to online booking records viewed by E! News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brent Weisberg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City police, told NBC News that Barzee had allegedly visited Liberty Park and Sugar House Park last month. According to the Utah State Legislature, registered sex offenders cannot be in public parks, which are considered a protected area." According to online booking records viewed by E! News, Barzee was released from police custody May 2 on a court order. She had previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and unwarranted transportation of a minor in 2009 for the kidnapping of Smart, according to a statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigations at the time. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2010, but was released in 2018. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, Brian David Mitchellwho, Smart testified in 2009, raped her daily amid her captivityis currently serving a life sentence for interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor. Barzees arrest comes a little over a year after Smart, now 37, reflected on her abduction last March. Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department/Getty Images It will always be a reminder that miracles happen and that there are dreams that come true and that good things are abundant in this world, Smart said in a TikTok video at the time, celebrating the anniversary of the day of her kidnapping. It really is a reminder that life is good and that dreams really do come true and that we should never ever give up." She added, No matter where you are at, I hope you find happiness. (E! News and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org. Elon Musk, the head of Donald Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency, said its an outrageous thing to claim that Im a Nazi in a clip from an interview with Fox News that was released Friday, slamming how hes been covered by the media. He also said that if his detractors could press a button and kill him, they would, but he is difficult to kill. At Trumps post-inauguration rally, Musk gave a straight-arm salute that many, including his estranged daughter, interpreted to be a Sieg Heil. Since he bought Twitter, the social platform now known as X, he has restored white supremacist accounts that were previously banned. In March, as he was carrying out widespread firings of federal workers, he shared a post from an X account that said that Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Mao Zedong didnt cause the deaths of millions of people. Instead, public workers did. After criticism, he removed the post. Shortly after Trumps inauguration, Musk spoke virtually at a campaign event for a far-right German political party, Alternative fur Deutschland. He said that Germans should not lose their culture to multiculturalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents, he said. Musk has become increasingly unpopular as he slashes the federal government via DOGE, cutting agencies and programs. Tesla dealerships have been the location of protests, vandalism, and arson; the companys cars have been given the name swasticars. In March, Musk said that he and the DOGE team were getting death threats on a daily basis. You grew up in South Africa, Lara Trump, Trumps daughter-in-law and Fox News host, said in the new interview. You lived during a period of apartheid. Im sure youve seen a lot of horrific things. So to be called a Nazi by people, to be made out to be this monster, that must be really hard for you. Its a relentless propaganda campaign, which obviously President Trump has experienced for a very long time, Musk said. Twenty years, maybe longer. And politics is a blood sport. So theyre going to come up with whatever attacks they can to destroy the public perception of someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, obviously, he continued, Ive not harmed anyone in my life, so its an outrageous thing to claim that Im a Nazi, because the issue with Nazis was not their mannerisms or their, you know, choice of dress, but the fact that they killed millions of people. Thats the issue. Theyve also called President Trump a Nazi, and there was one publication that said hes worse than Hitler, Stalin, and maybe Mao combined, but he also is not a violent person, and, in fact, has done a lot to prevent wars and stop wars, which is the very opposite of being a Nazi. Ironic how that works out, Lara Trump said. But it is disappointing how well propaganda works, Musk said. If you repeat a lie, you know, the sort of hes a Nazi line enough times, some people actually believe it, especially people that still believe the legacy news. So if they still think that what CNN says with the exception of Scott Jennings is true, then, you know, they call me an Nazi on CNN. So if someone believes CNN, then they would say, Oh thats an Nazi. Thats because they said it on TV. The person on the TV said it. But they really are trying every angle to get me. In January, Elon Musks mother had encouraged him in a post on X to sue CNN after Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell argued with conservative panelist Scott Jennings about the straight-arm gesture. Rampell told him he should do the same gesture on television if it was not controversial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why dont you do it on TV right now? Why dont you do it on TV right now if you think its so, so banal, Rampell said. Jennings, of course, did not do the gesture. In his interview with Lara Trump, Musk said he thinks some people want him dead. If they could press a button and kill me in reality, they would press that button immediately, but since Im a little difficult to kill, they are doing character assassination instead, he said. Its unclear who the they is hes referring to, but it appears hes getting paranoid. 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. As millions of immigrants fleeing the economic and political chaos in Venezuela used social media to navigate the journey north, Tren de Aragua (TdA) operatives embedded in their ranks and exploited these same platforms particularly WhatsApp to coordinate extortion, smuggling and violence. Venezuelas economic and political chaos made the rise of an enterprising criminal organization like TdA almost inevitable, according to Ronna Risquez, a Venezuelan journalist whos been investigating the gang. The heads of the Tren de Aragua identified the massive and forced Venezuelan migration as a goldmine of business opportunities, Risquez wrote in her book, El Tren de Aragua: La banda que revoluciono el crimen organizado en America Latina (The Tren de Aragua: The gang that revolutionized organized crime in Latin America). Therefore, they didnt hesitate to follow the footsteps of their compatriots who were fleeing the economic and social crisis that left them unemployed and without food, Risquez wrote. According to U.S. authorities, members of the Venezuelan prison gang hid in plain sight by infiltrating and traveling with Venezuelan immigrants headed north. But the gang didnt remain in the shadows long. Its brutal reputation magnified by reports the gang had taken over apartment complexes in Aurora quickly made TdA a public safety issue and political flashpoint. On the campaign trail, then-President Donald Trump cited the gang as evidence of the unhampered flow of illegal immigration and hammered the Biden administration over stricter border enforcement. Now, 100 days into his second term, Trump has deployed an aggressive crackdown, and made going after TdA a cornerstone of his illegal immigration agenda. Theyre a savage gang, one of the worst in the world and theyre getting bigger all the time because of our stupidity, Trump earlier said. Trump added: We will send elite squads from ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to deport every single gang member. In Colorado, law enforcement sources said some two dozen TdA affiliates have been arrested in the Denver metro area. Devastate TdAs infrastructure According to the Pew Research Center, a group based in Washington D.C., an estimated 11 million immigrants were living in the U.S. without lawful authorization in 2022. That figure had been falling since peaking in 2007 at 12.2 million, but began to climb in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. For decades, illegal immigration has been Americas intractable challenge. Republicans and Democrats have perennially promised to solve the crisis and perennially failed. On a few occasions, Congress came close to passing a comprehensive plan, only to fall short. Those failures have left states and local governments scrambling to confront the crisis. And in the past two years, it finally exploded in metro Denver. Against this backdrop, Trump issued a flurry of executive orders aimed at reshaping U.S. immigration policy within hours of being sworn in. He sought to end birthright citizenship, expedite deportations and rescind long-standing restrictions on where immigration enforcement actions can take place. The courts have handed Trump several setbacks by halting at least temporarily a number of his executive orders. Last month, for example, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan immigrants accused of being gang members under rarely invoked presidential powers. Originally passed in 1798, the Alien Enemies Act gives the president broad wartime authority to detain, relocate or deport non-citizens from countries with which the United States is at war. The act has only been used three times in American history. The federal government held Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II but not under the Alien Enemies Act. In Colorado, law enforcement officials said arrests tied to the Venezuelan gang remain in the low double digits just 10 in Aurora and eight in Denver. The arrest numbers in Aurora have remained essentially unchanged since before Trump assumed office in January. Internal communications from the Aurora Police Department, citing federal intelligence reports from 2023, said the gang had decided to make Denver their headquarters in the U.S. While officials counted few gang arrests, federal authorities announced the apprehension of dozens of immigrants in January and February. Local officials with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency have been tight lipped about how many are gang members, saying only quite a number were suspected to be connected to TdA. And last week in Colorado Springs, federal authorities detained more than 100 people allegedly staying unlawfully in the U.S. during a raid a makeshift nightclub. In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the club was frequented by TdA and MS-13 terrorists. She didnt say whether the operation netted any TdA members. Its unclear how many TdA gang members have been arrested across the nation. U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials did not respond to a Denver Gazette email inquiring about the number. A few weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against 27 people linked to TdA for racketeering, narcotics, sex trafficking and other offenses. At least one of the defendants, Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, is accused of being involved in an Aurora kidnapping case in June. As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, Bondi said in a statement. Gang members have been linked to a myriad of criminal activities that include human trafficking specifically of immigrant women and girls drug trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering. Bondi added that the indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdAs infrastructure as the agency works to dismantle and purge this organization from our country. A good show of force The arrest figures in the Denver-metro area may mask a more complex reality, one in which identifying and apprehending TdA gang members requires time, intelligence and luck. Gang members and real criminals arent the easiest to catch, said John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field office director. The numbers may not indicate much, Fabbricatore said. So far, this fiscal year which ends Sept. 30 the Denver ICE office has removed more than 400 immigrants unlawfully living in the U.S., federal data shows. Roughly half were deported because of a criminal conviction. Those numbers are down significantly from the nearly 1,900 deportations conducted last fiscal year. The Denver ICE office oversees enforcement in both Colorado and Wyoming. Historically, the most common conviction arrests for immigrants involved driving under the influence, drug possession, assault or criminal traffic offenses, according to ICE. Nationally, ICE has deported more than 70,000 immigrants since Oct. 1, the start of this fiscal year. Thats a steep decline from the more than 270,000 deportations carried out in fiscal year 2024 under the Biden administration. Because ICEs public dashboard is updated quarterly, its unclear how many of the current fiscal years deportations occurred after Trump took office. On Trumps 100th day in office, ICE officials said authorities arrested 66,463 illegal aliens and removed 65,682 aliens, including criminals who threaten public safety and national security. Three in four arrests were criminal illegal aliens, putting the worst first. The brave men and women of ICE protect our families, friends and neighbors by removing public safety and national security threats from our communities, ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement. Of these, ICE counted 2,288 gang members from TdA, MS-13, 18th Street and others which equates to 3% of all the arrests nationally. I think the numbers theyre putting up so far are a good show of force, Fabbricatore said. ICE does not release state-specific numbers and did not provide, as requested, and releases data by office, an ICE spokesperson said in an email to The Denver Gazette. At the border, the administration said the daily encounters have plummeted 95% since Trump took office, while crossings of Panamas Darien Gap is down 99.99%, which the White House concluded to mean the immigrants are turning back. Additionally, the White House said 5,000 unaccompanied children were reunited with a relative or guardian; some 85 miles of new border wall have been planned or under construction; and customs and Coast Guard officers have seized nearly 232,000 pounds of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. A sanctuary complication For officers trying to locate TdA members, identifying suspects can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Featured Local Savings As federal officials have ramped up arrests, some warned that enforcement strategies may be overly broad. Risquez and others have criticized the use of tattoos or urban streetwear as proxies for gang affiliation, noting that such superficial criteria risks sweeping up non-gang members in the administrations dragnet. Authorities countered that a tattoo, for example, provides a clue and a starting point but never the only factor considered. Tattoos are just one element of a myriad of circumstances law enforcement uses to identify who is in a gang, and what position they are in a gang, and how long and what their actual affiliation is, the New York Times last month quoted Ryan Brackley, an assistant district attorney in the 18th Judicial District, which serves Arapahoe County in Colorado. A tattoo can be very telling. But are we going to base our decisions and law enforcement accusations and associations on a tattoo? Very, very unlikely, he said. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain has noted on multiple occasions that the lack of diplomatic relations with Venezuela hampers investigations, as U.S. agencies cannot verify criminal records, national IDs or aliases with Venezuelan authorities. And, in jurisdictions with sanctuary policies like many in Colorado coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials can be limited, potentially complicating efforts to track and detain suspected gang members. A sanctuary city generally refers to a jurisdiction that discourages local law enforcement from reporting an individuals immigration status to federal authorities. This tension was on full display during a Congressional hearing in March, when Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was called to testify about the citys response to the influx of immigrants. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, criticized Johnston over the Denver Sheriffs Department releasing a suspected gang member in February onto the street, rather than into ICE custody, resulting in a chase. You all speak about a broken immigration system, and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said. Fragmented and decentralized No one knows with certainty how many TdA gang members are in the United States, illustrating the difficulty law enforcement has had in tracking the gangs operations. But last year according to an internal Oct. 5, 2023 Aurora police bulletin the FBI reported roughly 400 TdA members in New York alone. Risquez estimates the gang has about 5,000 members. It is not precisely known when the gang first surfaced, but Risquezs reporting based on interviews with former girlfriends of TdA members, doctors, prisoners, politicians and Latin American law enforcement officials suggested gang members calling themselves Tren de Aragua were extorting immigrants as early as 2014, although some reports put the origin date two years earlier. Through these interviews and conversations with academics familiar with TdA, Risquez has pieced together the gangs complex history across the region. Tren de Aragua started as a gang in the Tocoron Prison in the state of Aragua in north-central Venezuela, along the Caribbean coast. In the years since, the gang has morphed into a transnational criminal organization with tentacles in Denver. Translated as Train of Aragua, the gangs name appears to invoke other Venezuelan megabandas, including Tren del Llano, Tren de Oreinte and Tren del Norte. Commonly used in Latin American criminology and among journalists, megabanda is a Spanish word that refers to a large, structured criminal organization. Once they began branching out of Venezuela, TdA started establishing cells, or franchises, in the countries where Venezuelans had settled as refugees, according to Risquez. But the gang chose to run its operations primarily in border regions precisely where Venezuelans had to pass. In these territories, TdA members began extorting migrants, charging them for safe passage, protection, even the right to continue on their journey north. To better understand how the gang grew powerful enough to control migration routes, it helps to look at where it all began inside Venezuelas prison system. Its important to note that the Venezuelan prison system is fundamentally different from the United States model. Lacking the capacity to govern its prisons, the Venezuelan government ceded authority to gang leaders in exchange for maintaining order. Nowhere was that dynamic more pronounced than at the Tocoron Prison, where inmates lived not under the watchful eyes of guards but rather under their own rule. The prison boasted a nightclub, swimming pool, childrens playground, casino and a kind of banking system. The Tocoron pran slang for gang boss or leader at one time demanded of prisoners the stiffest causa, a quasi-tax paid weekly to access its amenities, which in 2022 was $15 a week. In September 2023, an army of Venezuelan police and military stormed the Tocoron Prison in a power move to take control of TdAs operations. The gangs leadership evaded capture. The hierarchy of the gang is a little bit shaken up and more fragmented and decentralized, said Mike LaSusa, deputy director of content for InSight Crime. Based in Washington, InSight Crime is a think tank and media organization that monitors organized crime in the Americas. It rained money TdAs footprint has tended to follow immigration routes, informal labor markets and areas with weak law enforcement. Aided by the Venezuelan refugee crisis, the gang has expanded into eight other countries, including Brazil, Columbia, Panama and the United States. Roughly 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country under President Nicolas Maduro, who has jailed or banned political leaders and used food distribution as a social control tool. Opponents of Maduros government have been viciously punished. About 500,000 Venezuelan immigrants are estimated to be living in the United States. Over the past two and a half years, Denver has seen more than 40,000 immigrants arrive from South and Central America, particularly Venezuela. Venezuela has suffered the largest economic collapse outside of wartime of any country in the world, said Francisco Rodriguez, a Venezuelan economist and University of Denver professor. The country has lost more than 70% of its gross domestic product, which is the equivalent of three great depressions, Rodriguez said. Venezuelas once booming oil economy once made it the wealthiest country in Latin America and a destination for immigrants drawn to its thriving economy and relative political stability. But the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, economic mismanagement, and authoritarian consolidation of power under President Hugo Chavez continued and deepened under Maduro hollowed out Venezuelas institutions in the name of redistributing oil wealth. So, when oil prices collapsed, the only thing left to manage the crisis was the same political machinery that had helped create it. It rained money, said William Neuman, former New York Times bureau chief in Caracas and author of Things are never so bad they cant get worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela. They spent it, wasted it and stole it. It stopped raining and then people went hungry. The collapse of global oil prices in 2014 sent Venezuela into an economic freefall. And the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign against Venezuela in the presidents first term worsened the collapse with tightening U.S. sanctions. The sanctions didnt cause the crisis, but they made it worse, Neuman said. At first, Venezuelans immigrated to countries in the region, such as Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Chili and Ecuador. But the global economic contraction following the COVID-19 pandemic meant many Venezuelan immigrants lost their jobs in these countries and sought refuge further north. Another key thing happened that drew Venezuelans to the United States. With Venezuelas economy imploding post-2014, millions fled on foot, as traditional routes by plane or boat became too expensive or restricted. Long considered impassable, the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama served as a natural barrier to migration. But word of mouth and social media promoted the trek by providing step-by-step instructions, travel tips and paid smugglers for hire. A roadless stretch of jungle, the Darien Gap is one of the most dangerous immigration routes in the world, marked by steep terrain, dense rainforest and criminal groups that prey on travelers. Venezuelans know that if they get into the United States, that its very hard for the U.S. to deport them back to Venezuela, Rodriguez said. Editors Note: This report draws on previous investigations by The Denver Gazette, national media coverage and the work of Venezuelan investigative journalist Ronna Risquez, author of El Tren de Aragua: La banda que revoluciono el crimen organizado en America Latina. Elon Musk said he and President Donald Trump almost always agree on the same issues. In an interview with Fox News Lara Trump on Saturday, the tech billionaire told Trumps daughter-in-law that he considers the Republican leader a friend while discussing the dynamics of their working relationship. I do consider the president a friend. I think he considers me a friend and, you know, we get along very well, Musk said. I think probably if you ask us both the same set of questions in two different rooms, 80% of the time wed come up with the same answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Musk didnt specify any topics he and Trump have ever been at odds over, the Tesla head claimed the two almost always agree, particularly about government waste, while ensuring the rule of law is followed. Musk, a major donor to Trumps campaign, was appointed by Trump to head the advisory body known as the Department of Government Efficiency in November. The entity has sparked widespread backlash for its sweeping attempts to slash government spending and the size of the federal workforce. Musks DOGE has been slammed for its lack of transparency in its operations and also faced blowback over the legality of its work. Musk is expected to step away from DOGE later this month. While Musk claims to be on good terms with the president, Trump took a pointed dig at him and other tech giants last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at some of these internet people, I know so many of them, Elon is so terrific. But I know, now all of them, you know they all hated me in my first term, and now theyre kissing my ass. Its true. All of them. Its true, he said while speaking to graduating students at the University of Alabama Thursday night. Watch a clip from Musks interview below. Related... Now that the criminal case and civil litigation involving former Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenaere have concluded, Id like to see the ex-lawman officially stripped of his peace officer license. As it stands, DeValkenaeres license is merely inactive, which means he cannot be commissioned as a police officer this state until his license is made active again, according to Mike OConnell, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Having an inactive license does not necessarily preclude DeValkenaere from being an officer again in the future, though. Only the state revoking his license or him voluntarily surrendering it could prevent that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric DeValkenaere has an inactive Class A peace officer license, OConnell wrote in an email. In Missouri, no one can hold a commission with a law enforcement agency without an active peace officer license. I was told several factors could lead to an inactive license. In general, all peace officers in this state are required to take 24 hours of continuing law enforcement education courses each year, according to OConnell. Officers who fail to show they are compliant with training requirements for any year, may, at the discretion of the Director of Public Safety, have their peace officer license made inactive, which means they cannot hold a commission until they demonstrate they have completed their CLEE training requirements, he wrote. It seems only a technicality is keeping DeValkenaere from working in law enforcement again. Missouri must act and immediately suspend the peace officer license of the first Kansas City officer ever convicted of killing an unarmed Black man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeValkenaere doesnt deserve to ever wear a badge again. He fatally shot Lamb and planted a gun at the crime scene to justify his inexplicable actions, according to Jackson County prosecutors. As felon, cant carry a gun As a convicted felon, he has no legal right to carry a gun, either. If he has any sense of remorse, he would voluntarily surrender his certification. If he doesnt feel compelled to make that move, then Missouri Public Safety Director Mark James, appointed in January, should immediately suspend DeValkenaeres license and start the review process for permanent revocation. Under state statutes, James has the power to do just that. Any officer indicted for, charged with or convicted of a felony is subject to immediate suspension until an investigation is completed, a hearing is held and final determination is made. After Lambs 2019 killing, DeValkenerare checked all three of those boxes so it is fair to ask why he hasnt officially lost his ability to be a police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, DeValkenaere was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for killing Lamb. He was sentenced to six years in prison but served just over a year before former Gov. Mike Parson commuted the sentence. His successor Mike Kehoe has been been a vocal supporter of the convicted felon, callinghttps://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/melinda-henneberger/article295504484.html , and promising to get him out of prison while on the campaign trail. Theres one possible explanation as to why no action has been taken against DeValkenaeres license: No one may have filed a formal complaint with Missouris Peace Officer Standards and Training division to kick-start the process. Because of a state law that protects police officers personnel records, we have no way of knowing if a complaint against this convicted felon is on file. But of all the names that appeared on a state list of revoked and surrendered peace officer licenses, DeValkenaeres isnt among them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Kansas City-area officers who committed illegal or questionable acts were on the list, including former Kansas City police officer Jason Moran and ex-Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers. Other officers surrendered certification Moran, a 22-year veteran with KCPD, surrendered his peace officer certification after he pleaded guilty last year to assault and harassment stemming from a road rage incident. Childers did the same after reaching a settlement agreement with state officials for running an unsanctioned work program for jail inmates. Days after a settlement was announced between Lambs family and the KCPD, I checked the Department of Public Safetys online database for revoked licenses, and DeValkenaeres name was nowhere to be found. And that should sound the alarm for all Missourians, National Police Accountability Project executive director Lauren Bonds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police licensing agencies have broad discretion about when and whether to revoke an officers license, she said. In many states, conviction of a crime would automatically trigger suspension or revocation of a license but not in Missouri. Even if you disagree about whether an officer should face prison time for wrongfully killing someone, most people would agree that an officer that breaks the law and takes a life should not be an officer anymore, Bonds said. Whether a complaint against DeValkenaere is on file or not, that shouldnt matter, in her opinion. Losing a policing license should be the bare minimum consequence for an officer that wrongfully kills someone, she said. With DeValkenaere, that really doesnt seem to be the case. A forest fire has broken out in the Izium District of Kharkiv Oblast, covering approximately 20 hectares. Ammunition abandoned by Russian troops during the occupation is now detonating in the forest. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; State Emergency Service (SES) in Kharkiv Oblast Details: An evacuation of local residents is being prepared as the fire has spread to residential buildings adjacent to the forest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syniehubov added that extremely strong winds are rapidly accelerating the spread of the fire. The situation remains difficult but under control for now. The State Emergency Service reported that on the morning of 4 May, Russian forces launched rocket attacks on forest areas in the Borova hromada in the Izium district. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] The attacks caused fires in the Borova Forestry area covering over 2 hectares and in the Chervonooskil Regional Landscape Park covering more than 5 hectares. A total of 11 forest fires are currently being extinguished across forestry areas in Kharkiv Oblast, five of which have been directly linked to Russian attacks. Background: On Saturday 3 May, a large-scale fire broke out over an area of 2,000 sq m in the village of Velykyi Burluk in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast after Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on the central part of the settlement. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! TOPEKA (KSNT) Cinco De Mayo celebrations are kicking off early in downtown Topeka. Evergy Plaza hosted Viva Downtown Topeka on Saturday, May 3. The event featured live music, authentic food, and Hispanic dancers. It brings our whole community together and it gives everybody time to spend with friends, family and doing all sorts of good things together, attendee, Vanessa Torres said. Im very grateful that Topeka has such a great community out here supporting our Latin community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka art gallery open again after devastating flooding Torres adds that she believes Viva Downtown Topeka is important because its a part of Topeka history. 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. A police training expert testifying Saturday as a defense witness in the trial of three former Memphis officers charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols acknowledged that kicks and punches to Nichols head were unnecessary and excessive. Don Cameron took the stand in the trial of Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, who have pleaded not guilty to state charges including second-degree murder. They already face the prospect of years in prison after they were convicted of federal charges last year. Cameron and a series of other witnesses testified before defense lawyers rested their case late Saturday. The three officers did not testify in their own defense. The trial resumes Monday with jury instructions and closing arguments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, fled a January 2023 traffic stop after he was yanked out of his car, pepper-sprayed and hit with a Taser. Five officers who are also Black caught up with him and punched, kicked and hit Nichols with a police baton, struggling to handcuff him as he called out for his mother near his home. Footage of the beating captured by a police pole camera also showed the officers milling about, talking and laughing as Nichols struggled. His death led to nationwide protests, calls for police reforms in the US, and intense scrutiny of police in Memphis, a majority-Black city. The officers are charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. Prosecutors have argued that the officers used excessive force in trying to handcuff Nichols. The officers also had a duty to intervene and stop the beating and tell medical personnel that Nichols had been struck in the head, but they failed to do so, prosecutors say. Former Memphis officers Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin also were charged in the case. They have agreed to plead guilty to the state charges and are not standing trial. They also pleaded guilty in federal court, where sentencing for all five officers is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorneys have sought to chip away at accusations that the officers used unnecessary force to subdue Nichols. They have argued that Nichols was actively resisting arrest by running away and failing to give his hands to officers so that he could be handcuffed. They also have argued that their use of force complied with police department policies. Cameron was called to the stand by the defense lawyer for Haley, who was at the traffic stop and arrived at the location of the beating after Martin kicked and punched Nichols in the head as Nichols was being held by Smith and Bean. Cameron said Nichols had not yet been handcuffed and Haley used proper force in kicking Nichols once in the arm. The veteran police trainer said Haley kicked Nichols in order to facilitate the handcuffing of Nichols by the other officers. However, under cross-examination by prosecutor Paul Hagerman, Cameron acknowledged that the punches and kicks by Martin to Nichols head were unnecessary, excessive and an example of deadly force. Officers who saw those head blows had a duty to intervene and stop the beating at that point, Cameron said. Don Cameron watches the body camera footage of former Memphis Police Department officer Preston Hemphill. - Chris Day/Pool/Commercial Appeal/USA Today Network/AP The prosecutor also asked Cameron about Haleys comment to beat that man as he got out of his car and approached Nichols. Cameron said he believed Haley made the comment in order to get Nichols to comply with being handcuffed after Nichols repeatedly ignored expletive-laced orders to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense has said that the officers vision was impaired because of the repeated deployment of pepper spray. Martin Zummach, Smiths lawyer, asked Cameron if officers have a duty intervene if they dont actually see unnecessary force being applied. If they cant see it, they cant intervene, Cameron said. Mills, who hit Nichols three times with a police baton, testified Tuesday that he regrets his failure to stop the beating, which led to Nichols death three days later from blunt-force trauma. Dr. Marco Ross, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy, testified Wednesday that Nichols suffered tears and bleeding in the brain. The five officers were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit that since has been disbanded. The team targeted drugs, illegal guns and violent offenders with the goal of amassing arrests, while sometimes using force against unarmed people Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial comes months after the US Justice Department said in December that a 17-month investigation found that the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ROME (AP) Marine salvage experts on Sunday began operations to recover from the seabed off Italy's Sicilian coast the British-flagged superyacht Bayesian, which sank last summer, killing U.K. tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter and five others. Operations will be conducted by two floating cranes: Hebo Lift 2, which has remotely operated underwater equipment and vehicles, and Hebo Lift 10, one of the most powerful maritime cranes in Europe, which docked Saturday in the Sicilian port of Termini Imerese after arriving from Rotterdam. The Italian coast guard is supervising operations and patrolling the security perimeter to ensure the safety of personnel working on the recovery. It said that the overall operation to retrieve the Bayesian could take from 20 to 25 days. After the wreck is brought ashore, judicial authorities investigating the sinking will examine it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors are investigating the captain and two crew members for possible responsibility in connection with the Aug. 19, 2024, sinking. The 56-meter (183-foot)-long, 473-ton yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localized powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly after hitting the surface. The yachts 75-meter (246-foot) aluminum mast -- the second tallest in the world will be cut to allow the hull, which lies 49 meters (160 feet) below the surface, to be brought to the surface more easily, said coast guard Capt. Nicola Silvestri. In addition to Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and wife Neda, and ships cook Recaldo Thomas died in the shipwreck. With the help of nearby vessels, 15 of the 22 people were rescued in the initial phase, one body was recovered, and six others reported missing. The bodies of the six missing people were found following long and complex search efforts, which continued until Aug. 23. Facebook is putting childrens lives in danger after a dramatic fall in its reporting of child sexual abuse, Britains National Crime Agency has said. Official figures to be released on Monday will reveal that Facebook reported 6.9 million fewer incidents of child sexual abuse on its platform to a global crime reporting system in 2024 than in 2023, a 40 per cent drop from 18 million to 11.1 million. Directors of the National Crime Agency (NCA) have blamed Mark Zuckerbergs decision to introduce end-to-end encryption for communications on Facebook for the sharp decline in reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Murray, NCAs director of threat leadership, said that the decline on Facebook contrasted with other top social media firms, which had increased detection and reports over the same period. He said the introduction of encryption had prevented Facebook from seeing the illegal behaviour on its own platform, which then hindered the NCAs ability to gather evidence, conduct investigations, safeguard sexually abused children and arrest the perpetrators. The widespread roll-out of end-to-end encryption by major tech companies, without sufficient consideration for the actual harm it will cause, is putting users in danger, said Mr Murray. He said Facebooks decrease had made children on the site less safe. He added: Tech companies cannot protect children and their other customers and live up to the Online Safety Act when they choose not to see illegal behaviour, often victimising the most vulnerable, on their own systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are unable to proactively identify offending taking place, or provide evidence of such offending on request. [End-to-end encryption] design choices can massively reduce companies ability to detect, prevent and report the abuse of children. The data to be published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) will also show a 20 per cent drop in reports of child sexual abuse in 2024 by Elon Musks X platform, Google, Discord and Microsoft. It is the first reverse in the overall number of reports after a near doubling in the last six years. Potentially losing a child In evidence on Facebook to a senate committee, seen by The Telegraph, Michelle DeLaune, chief executive of NCMEC, said: When a platform voluntarily chooses to blind itself to child sexual exploitation by disabling its ability to detect and report abuse, it is not just losing a report it is potentially losing a child. Every lost report can represent a child who may never be identified, rescued, or safeguarded. It means the childs ongoing abuse and repeated re-victimisation will continue unchecked, while offenders remain free to exploit more victims in the shadows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Waugh, a member of the Commons culture committee, said companies like Facebook should not have been allowed to introduce encryption without guaranteed safeguards for our security agencies and police. Twenty years ago, someone like Gary Glitter had to go to the other side of the world to prey on children. Someone like Jeffrey Epstein had to create his own private paedophile island. Now, these monsters, all they have to do is go on to set up a group on Facebook Messenger, he said. Paul Stanfield, chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, accused companies like Facebook of putting profit before childrens safety. By rolling out end-to-end encryption without building in robust child protection measures, some of the worlds largest companies have effectively switched off the lights on their platforms. They have left children isolated in the dark, vulnerable to grooming, extortion and abuse, while perpetrators act with impunity, he said. Trans-Atlantic legal battle NCMEC had been expecting a decline in the raw numbers because of a change in reporting methods under which social media firms were asked to bundle related reports together to streamline the process and reduce duplication of incidents linked to a single viral event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, when it unbundled and analysed the data to make a year-on-year comparison, it found the overall number of incidents had declined from 36.2 million in 2023 to 29.2 million in 2024, with Facebook accounting for the biggest drop. NCMEC told the US Senate committee the likeliest factor for the fall was Facebooks implementation of end-to-end encryption that began in December 2023. The decline contrasts with all independent data showing online child sexual abuse is increasing and is being amplified by AI technology. The disclosure comes amid a trans-Atlantic legal battle in which British security officials have demanded backdoor access to Apple users encrypted data as part of their efforts to combat child sexual abuse, terrorism and other illegal activities online. Apple is fighting the demand and has taken the unprecedented step of removing its highest-level data security tool from customers in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, is understood to have raised the catastrophic risks of end-to-end encryption earlier this year when she met Nick Clegg, then vice-president of Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Ministers have been advised that although the online safety act gives them powers to compel firms to develop detection technologies for child abuse, they can only be exercised at the end of a lengthy regulatory process that could take a few years to deploy. No more excuses The Government warned it was prepared to introduce further legislation if tech firms failed to remove child abuse content. There can be no more excuses for the tragedies that this report highlights. Under the Online Safety Act, technology companies are already obliged to remove child abuse circulating on their networks from their platforms or face significant fines. We will not hesitate to go further if that is what it takes to keep our children safe online, said a government spokesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Facebook said: We partnered with NCMEC to streamline our reporting process by grouping duplicate viral or meme content into a single cybertip. This contributed significantly to the drop in cybertips last year, and allowed NCMEC and law enforcement to more easily manage and prioritise them. Well continue working with NCMEC to make our reports as valuable as possible and we expect to continue to report more than any of our peers. 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. Claim: The New York Police Department publicly confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 287 pounds. Rating: Rating: False Context: The New York Police Department has not publicly confirmed Trump's height and weight. Per Trump's publicly released White House physical exam results, he is 6 feet, 2.5 inches tall and weighs 224 pounds. Through April 2025, a series of online posts claimed the New York Police Department publicized U.S. President Donald Trump's height and weight. These posts spread after the White House released U.S. President Donald Trump's latest medical exam results, noting that he was 6 feet, 2.5 inches tall and weighed 224 pounds numbers that led some people to ask whether those were his true height and weight measurements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However the online posts claimed the NYPD had publicly confirmed Trump's real height as 5 feet, 10 inches and his weight as 287 pounds. Some posts shared the claim with Trump's August 2023 mug shot from Fulton County, Georgia. Facebook posts from late April 2025 stated: NYPD has just confirmed that Trump's height is 5'10" and his weight is 287 lbs. They know this because he was arrested, booked, weighed, photographed, and fingerprinted for his 34 felonies. This is very different from his scripted 6'3" 220 pounds. (Facebook user "Trending videos in the world") In short, there was no evidence of the NYPD publicly confirming Trump's height and weight in any news releases or on social media. Trump was booked and fingerprinted by the NYPD in a Manhattan court on April 4, 2023, but his booking documents were not publicly available. As such, we have rated this claim as false. Snopes contacted the NYPD to learn whether it had ever shared such information, as well as the Manhattan district attorney's office to obtain Trump's booking documents from his April 2023 arraignment. We will update this post if more details become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD's news release webpage, X account and Instagram account had no publicly available information about Trump's height and weight. On April 4, 2023, Trump appeared at a Manhattan criminal courthouse for his booking and arraignment. Trump was facing charges related to hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. An unnamed source reportedly told news organization Mediaite that Trump informed police officers that he was 240 pounds and 6 feet, 2 inches tall. As of this writing, Snopes has not seen his New York City booking documents to verify that statement. The above height and weight were different from the information recorded in the Georgia county jail system, where Trump was booked months later in August 2023. Trump appeared in Fulton County, Georgia, where he had been indicted on racketeering, conspiracy and other charges as part of an investigation into potential 2020 election interference. The mug shot from the above claim was also taken when Trump was booked in Fulton County. Fulton County Sheriff's Office records noted Trump's height as 6 feet, 3 inches and his weight as 215 pounds. (Screenshot via Fulton County Sheriff's Office) Jumping forward to April 2025, when the White House released Trump's medical record, which can be read in full here, Trump's height was listed as around half an inch shorter than his recorded height in Fulton County and almost 10 pounds heavier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online news media outlet Politico reported in 2016 that Trump's driver's license listed him as 6 feet, 2 inches. The White House record is the most recent publicly available information on the president's height and weight as of this writing. There is no available statement or evidence from the NYPD stating that Trump is 5 feet, 10 inches or 287 pounds as the above posts claim. Anonymous sources from his New York City booking in April 2023 indicate Trump was taller and weighed less than the claim stated, while the Fulton County Sheriff's Office records from August 2023 also show similar discrepancies in Trump's height and weight. Ultimately, it was not possible to independently confirm the president's height and weight at this time. However, there is no evidence that he is 5 feet, 10 inches or 287 pounds. Sources: Bromwich, Jonah E., et al. "From President to Defendant: Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Felonies." The New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/nyregion/trump-arraignment-felony-charges.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falconer, Rebecca. "READ: Trump's Fulton County Jail Record in Georgia Election Case." Axios, 24 Aug. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/08/25/read-trump-jail-record-georgia-election-case. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. https://portal-gafulton.tdr.tylerhosting.cloud/PublicAccess/PAJailManager/default.aspx. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Jayshi, Damakant. "Does Photo Show Trump Arriving in New York for His Arraignment?" Snopes, 4 Apr. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-arraignment-arrival-photo/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Kasprak, Alex. "This Is Donald Trump's Fulton County Mugshot." Snopes, 25 Aug. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-fulton-county-mugshot/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLaughlin, Aidan. "Exclusive: What Trump Told Cops About His Weight, Height and Occupation." Mediaite, 6 Apr. 2023, https://www.mediaite.com/trump/exclusive-what-trump-told-new-york-cops-about-his-weight-height-and-occupation/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Memorandum from the White House Physician." The White House, 13 Apr. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/04/memorandum-from-the-white-house-physician/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Read the Full Georgia Indictment against Trump and 18 Allies." PBS News, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-the-full-georgia-indictment-against-trump-and-18-allies. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Samuelsohn, Darren. "Trump's Driver's License Casts Doubt on Height Claims." Politico, 23 Dec. 2016, https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/trump-drivers-license-height-232948?_amp=true. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. The secretive process to elect a new Roman Catholic pope begins May 7, two weeks after Pope Francis death at age 88. Fans of the Oscar-nominated movie "Conclave," which is about a papal election, might think they have a head start on whats to come. But how faithful is the movie to the real thing? "Conclave" tells the story of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, dean of the College of Cardinals, played by actor Ralph Fiennes. Lawrence is tasked with leading a papal election or conclave after the pope dies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PolitiFacts occasional MovieFact feature reports on the accuracy of nonfiction films, typically comparing their details with historical events. "Conclave" is fictional, but we decided to examine what the movie gets right and wrong about the real process for choosing the next pope. "Conclave" sticks close to the logistics of a real papal election, but it takes more liberties with how its characters participate in one. As dean, Cardinal Lawrence makes decisions that would not be permissible in a real-life conclave. The movie "does a fair job" of depicting conclave procedures, said B. Kevin Brown, Gonzaga University religious studies lecturer. But Brown had some notes. Referring to the sets and costumes, Brown said some cardinals wore Roman collars that "are not entirely correct," and the Mass held before the conclave appeared to have no altar, a raised structure used for ceremonies. Some of its storylines have no public precedent in the Catholic Churchs history. PolitiFact compared movie scenes with conclaves and cardinals real-life controversies. (Heres your last chance to avoid spoilers!) Conclave is mostly right on balloting, smoke colors, typical conclave lengths After a pope dies, the College of Cardinals assumes governance of the Catholic Church. These cardinals, chosen by popes, serve countries around the world. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can be electors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conclave that begins May 7 will have 133 electors from 71 countries. (Two more electors are eligible but will not participate for health reasons.) Before the conclave, cardinals gather for meetings called "general congregations" where they discuss the Catholic Churchs priorities. The conclave takes place at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, as the film showed. The balloting shown in the film is largely accurate, based on the process outlined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Electors vote by secret ballot, walk up to a chalice a large goblet say a prayer and drop their ballots in the chalice. They conduct four rounds of balloting per day until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Ballots are burned after each round with chemicals that produce colored smoke to signify whether a pope has been chosen black smoke means no one has been elected, and white smoke means the Church has a new pope. In the movie, it takes the cardinal electors three days to elect a pope. Thats consistent with recent history; Brown said conclaves in the last 100 years have lasted three to four days. According to a History.com article, "no conclave has lasted longer than a week" since 1831. In the movie, Cardinal Lawrence routinely violates conclave rules by receiving outside information The movie shows Cardinal Lawrence communicating with Monsignor Raymond OMalley (played by Brian F. O'Byrne), asking him to check into things such as the popes final meeting with Cardinal Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow), and medical history of Cardinal Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz). After the cardinals feel tremors in the Sistine Chapel, OMalley later tells Lawrence there has been an explosion in the Piazza Barberini, a large plaza in Rome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown said getting information about events happening outside the conclave "would violate the rules of the conclave." Cardinal electors are sequestered throughout a conclave, and have no access to phones, TV or other ways to be in contact with the public. A cardinal named "in pectore," or in secret, wouldn't be allowed to join the conclave In the movie, Benitez, described as the archbishop of Kabul, Afghanistan, makes a surprise entrance. He was selected as a cardinal "in pectore," or in secret, by the pope who died. Senior cardinals debate whether Benitez should be allowed to join the conclave, and Cardinal Lawrence ultimately decides he is "legally a cardinal," and "has a right to take part in the election." In a real conclave, it would be impossible for a cardinal whose identity was not revealed before the death of the pope who appointed him to join the conclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canon law, the Catholic Churchs system of laws and regulations, says a pope can select a person to be a cardinal and keep that persons identity secret. As long as the cardinals identity is not revealed, the cardinal in pectore is not bound to carry out cardinal duties but also does not possess cardinal rights, such as participating in a conclave. "This may be done, as the movie suggests, for safety reasons in situations where the cardinals appointment may put him at risk due to the political situation where he resides," Brown said. If a cardinal in pectore did not have his appointment made public before the death of a pope, Brown said, the cardinals status would expire, and "he is no longer considered a cardinal, even if the name of the cardinal is discovered in the will of the pope or some other writing after his death." This happened in real life: Pope John Paul II selected four cardinals in pectore, revealing only three, from China, Ukraine and Latvia, before he died. The other cardinals appointment expired when John Paul II died in 2005. Cardinals would try to learn about scandals before the conclave, but rumors happen In the movie, Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (played by Lucian Msamati) and Tremblay emerge as frontrunners to become pope during the balloting, but their ambitions are quashed as Lawrence brings findings about their past to light. Adeyemi had a secret relationship and possibly fathered a child, and Tremblay was accused of simony, or what Brown said involves the "sale of an office." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In practice, cardinals try to snuff out controversies and scandals before the election. "There is certainly politicking that takes place and the cardinals will do their best to be sure that no cardinal associated with scandal is elected," Brown said. "However, it is likely that the cardinals would do their best to identify any scent of scandal before the conclave begins." For example, in real life, Cardinal Angelo Becciu resigned his cardinal rights and privileges in 2020 and was convicted of financial crimes in 2023; he claimed he could still vote in the 2025 conclave because Francis did not bar him from participating. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Roman Curias secretary of state, revealed two letters from Francis saying that Cardinal Becciu could not take part in the conclave, according to reports in Italian media. This happened during general congregation, Brown said, when cardinals are not sequestered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is "not unheard of for cardinals to try to raise doubts about a candidate who they oppose," he said. It happened to Francis then known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. As Francis gained momentum during the 2013 conclave, "rumors began to circulate that he had only one lung," Brown said. Francis recounted the episode in an interview for a book published in 2024. When a cardinal asked Francis if the rumor was true, he said he had part of his lung removed after a respiratory infection more than 50 years before. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How faithful is Conclave about the process of picking a new pope? CHICAGO Members of law enforcement and their families gathered downtown Sunday morning to honor fallen officers during the annual Saint Jude Memorial March. Thousands of police officers are making the solemn procession, which began at 8 a.m. at North Michigan Avenue and East Superior Street. The march travels north to East Chicago Avenue, where it then turns west on Chicago Ave. to North Clark Street. The parade is scheduled to end between 10 and 11 a.m. Gold Star families gathered to look on for the program, held annually to remember the 606 Chicago police officers who have been killed in the line of duty and to honor the sacrifices of their loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saint Jude Memorial March comes a day after more than 5,000 people participated in the Chicago Police Memorial Foundations 21st annual Run to Remember on Saturday, which started at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park near Soldier Field. The Saint Jude Memorial March is held by the Saint Jude Police League, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the men and women of the Chicago Police Department and their families. The organization, which is the oldest fraternal order associated with CPD, provides support to families who have experienced the loss of a loved one serving with the department. Officers with CPD, the Cook County Sheriffs Department and Illinois State Police are among those participating Sunday in the Saint Jude Memorial March, a tradition since 1932. Photos of officers killed in the line of duty lined the parade route Sunday morning up and down Chicago Ave. The march includes bagpipes, a commemorative ceremony and a 21-gun salute. CPD Supt. Larry Snelling will also address those gathered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last CPD officer killed in the line of duty was 26-year-old Enrique Martinez, shot and killed in November 2024 while conducting a traffic stop in Chatham. He had been with CPD for three years. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The following streets will be closed to traffic during the march: N. Michigan Ave., from East Wacker Drive to E. Chicago Ave. Chicago Ave., from N. Michigan Ave. to N. Clark St. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. An Australian family spotted a man repeatedly sneaking into their backyard pool on CCTV footage Homeowner Holly Stevens told a local news outlet that the "bizarre" dips seemed planned, and that the man would check in their windows to seemingly ensure no one was home The man who recently saw footage of himself on a local news program turned himself into authorities, explaining that he thought the house was a "display home" A man was caught sneaking into a backyard swimming pool in Australia on multiple occasions and he gave an unexpected reason for doing so. Holly Stevens of New Farm, a suburb of Brisbane, says that home security footage caught a man using her familys backyard pool at least four times since January, according to local outlet News 9. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It just feels a little bit entitled," she said, adding that her family installed better CCTV cameras after the first few incidents, enabling them to more clearly see the culprit accessing their property. "It's just really odd, like just bizarre," she said. Several local news outlets recently ran stories on the incident, which included images of the mysterious man. This led to him being recognized by friends and relatives. The man then quickly came forward and reported himself to Fortitude Valley Police. Related: Mama Bear and Her Cubs Go for a Swim in Calif. Couple's Pool: 'Cutest Thing Ever' Getty Backyard swimming pool (stock image) Backyard swimming pool (stock image) To me, it looked like a display home, I didnt think anyone lived there, so I just decided I was hot and thought Id go for a swim, the man, who identified himself only as "Matt," 34, explained in an interview with 7NEWS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To be honest, I didnt sleep for a couple of days, he continued, adding, I didnt mean to make anyone feel unsafe. Matt told the outlet that local police gave him a warning and told him not to do it again. He also said that his friends and family have since been teasing him about the incident. My cousins have been calling up and asking if I want to go for a swim at theirs. And my mates have been saying, Yeah, come round for a swim, bro, he 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. Related: Golden Retriever Sneaks into Neighbors Pool for a Dip in Hilarious Video Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt additionally told the outlet that he has since attempted to personally apologize to the homeowners, but they have yet to respond. A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed to NewsWire that they received a formal report of an an unknown man entering a [...] backyard and swimming in the propertys pool on several occasions, adding that they spoke to Matt on April 30 and he was cautioned for one count of trespass. PEOPLE reached out to Queensland Police on Thursday, May 1, for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Read the original article on People Have you ever considered the environmental factors that are necessary to allow you to enjoy a piece of fruit? A severe hailstorm, which caused extensive damage to apple orchards in Kashmir, India, highlights the climate challenges associated with farming. What's happening? On April 18, hail and heavy rain began to fall in the Northern Indian region, affecting the districts of Shopian and Kulgam in Kashmir, as the Hindustan Times reported. Following the storm, Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) said on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Yesterday's hailstorm wreaked havoc on fruit orchards across the valley leaving farmers devastated." Yesterday's hailstorm wreaked havoc on fruit orchards across the valley leaving farmers devastated.Horticulture is the backbone of our economy & has consistently supported the region even in the most difficult times. Urge the government to immediately deploy assessment teams to pic.twitter.com/6znUdOcQ0l Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 19, 2025 With "chickpea-sized hailstones" inflicting damage on the apples, according to Greater Kashmir, the fruit has lost most of its value. Farmers are now frantic, fearing devastating financial loss. Why is the hailstorm important? While the Shopian district is known in the subcontinent as the "Apple Town," that name feels momentarily fraudulent, with up to 70% of the area's crops destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mufti mentioned in the X post, "Horticulture is the backbone of our economy & has consistently supported the region even in the most difficult times." Hailstorms are just one example of climate issues affecting food sources. Droughts, floods, and poor air quality are common problems that impact food production and livestock. These issues are exacerbated by rising global temperatures due to pollution from toxic, planet-warming gases. Earlier this year, Icelandic potato farmers faced crop shortages due to a harsh winter, and mango farmers in India experienced a major decline in their crops, with fumes from a nearby factory the likely culprit. What's being done about the farmers' losses? Political leaders have spoken out about this issue in Kashmir and are urging the government to intervene. Advocating for agricultural insurance to protect against unexpected circumstances is at the top of these proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Urge the government to immediately deploy assessment teams to evaluate the extent of the damage & provide all possible assistance to the affected farmers," JKPDP President Mufti said. Local communities in the villages that these farmers support are distraught after this extreme weather incident, and government intervention is crucial. Luckily, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tanveer Ahmed said, "All reports are being compiled, and we are actively addressing the issues. Relief is being provided as a priority," as quoted in the Hindustan Times. 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. Over the past year, irregular weather conditions have caused the American walnut supply to plummet while consumer demand remains high. As a result, ever since the summer of 2024, walnut prices have skyrocketed. What's happening? In March, Expana released a graph charting walnut production against its price over the past four years. Due to the recent decline in production, the price of walnuts per pound has exceeded $4 for the first time since 2021. Although production and sales flourished into early 2024, farmers have since been unable to keep up with rising walnut demand, per FreshPlaza. Thanks to the record-high temperatures last summer and the La Nina weather patterns this winter, walnut production for the 2024-2025 season is 11% lower than the USDA forecast in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmers have also reduced their acreage for walnuts especially in California, which once contributed more than half the world's walnuts. "From September 2023 to August 2024, growers in the Golden State have removed approximately 18,000 acres with nearly 10,000 more acres under high stress and abandoned," reported Terrain Agriculture. Why is the recent walnut shortage concerning? As walnuts remain scarce, their prices have inflated to push back against the climbing demand. They now sell for over $4 per pound as of February, Expana recorded, up from around $2.25 a year ago. "The shift in market dynamics has been sizable enough that the price has risen steadily for nearly a year," Terrain Agriculture elaborated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DFA of California, the walnut industry yields over $1 billion annually for California revenue. Consequently, walnut shortages could reflect in the state's overall economy, leading to budget cuts and job insecurity in the agricultural sector. The walnut crisis is only a symptom of the greater progression of climate change, however, and walnuts aren't the only crop to suffer. At an international scale, plums, potatoes, and soybeans are also feeling the effects of rising temperatures, among many others to varying degrees. What's being done about the impact of climate change on our food supply? To protect our food supply, researchers are looking into drought-friendly agricultural methods and weather-resistant crops such as chickpeas that can sustain our human population even as the planet becomes warmer. If you want to avoid lofty grocery prices altogether over the coming years, growing your own food can help. 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. Since carbon dioxide pollution is clogging up our atmosphere and driving temperatures higher by holding in more heat like a thin blanket, policies and technologies that foreground renewable energy are key to mitigating global warming. From international climate projects to local anti-fuel initiatives to the appliances in your own home, every eco-conscious decision can add up. 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. Snowfall and an unseasonal freeze in Korce, the largest city in eastern Albania, have left farmers reeling after several core crops were damaged. What happened? According to City News Albania, the unexpected cold snap impacted apricots, almonds, peaches, and cherries. Arben Hysolli, a specialist at the Directorate of Agriculture in Korce, told CNA that early cherry cultivars are "more at risk of serious damage." Apple buds were also affected, which will hurt this year's yield, as Fresh Plaza explained. Temperatures fell to minus-5.2 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-6 degrees Celsius), which is within the temperature range that these crops can withstand. However, once the trees bloom, they're more susceptible to frost damage, and sub-zero temps can cause significant crop losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the extent of the losses, Fresh Plaza noted that consumers can expect higher prices at the market for key crops, as more supplies will need to be imported from warmer regions. "The frequency of extreme weather events has increased due to global warming. As such, farmers are sometimes unprepared for these situations," Hysolli told CNA. Why are crop losses concerning? Since Albania relies heavily on imported fruits, the freeze could cause food prices to surge for crops typically grown in the country. The crop losses will also hurt farmers, especially since they already face high production costs and limited access to government subsidies, according to the Albanian Daily News. Cold snaps harm ecosystems and disrupt global food supplies. Neighboring countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, could be affected by the freeze, as Albania exports apricots, cherries, and peaches, per Trend Economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events have had far-reaching consequences for crop yields, with farmers in India, Spain, and Michigan, among many other places, reporting major losses of jamun fruits, cucumbers, peppers, melons, apples, and strawberries. The overheating planet is making it much harder for farmers to grow healthy crops, as rising temperatures have led to more unpredictable weather patterns including sudden freezes, heavy downpours, and prolonged droughts that disrupt plant growth. What's being done to help Albanian farmers? CNA said that farmers are lighting small fires to increase the temperature and help trees survive. They have also employed centrifugal pumps, which deliver water to crops and create air currents that can boost the temperature "by up to 3 degrees," according to Hysolli. In Greece, some farmers have shifted away from growing traditional crops, such as olives and grapes, to tropical fruits, including papayas, avocados, and mangoes, which thrive in warmer temperatures. Turkish farmers have switched from growing watermelons and citrus fruits to "safer" crops, including wheat and corn, to work with Mother Nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keep an eye on major weather events that could affect food prices in your area, and extend the freshness of your food by freezing leftovers. You'll save food from heading to landfills while also making your groceries last longer. 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. A recent fatal crash involving a Santa Fe city bus driver appears to point to a loophole in New Mexico's statutes and raises a question: Is it possible for a driver to kill someone without being cited for even a traffic violation if the collision doesn't occur on a roadway? The answer, according to Santa Fe police and a local attorney, is yes. "What's surprising is that it does seem like something fell between the cracks, but at the same time, these have been the laws for a long time," attorney John Day said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City bus driver Robert Armijo was on duty, driving a city-owned Honda Civic, one day in late March when he struck and killed 75-year-old Glen Smith, who was sitting on a bus stop bench outside the Santa Fe Place mall. Armijo told police he had meant to put the car in reverse, but it moved forward, and instead of pressing down on the brakes as he meant to do he put his foot on the gas pedal twice, according to reports. The Civic jumped over a curb and onto a median and struck the bench where Smith was sitting, pinning Smith under the car. Smith, a longtime appraiser at Stephens A Consignment Gallery, was pronounced dead at the scene. Reports from the Santa Fe police investigation into the crash indicate officers found cause to charge Armijo with careless driving, a petty misdemeanor, but he wasn't charged "since the crash occurred on private property." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Day said he agreed with the investigators' conclusions after reviewing the relevant state statutes. The driver doesn't appear to have shown signs of driving "recklessly, wantonly or willfully," which is the standard for "criminal negligence" a prosecutor would need to pursue a case of involuntary manslaughter, he noted. Instead, the case likely boiled down to a possible charge of either careless driving or reckless driving two charges with different legal standards for prosecution Day said. While "reckless driving" could occur on private property, the statute for careless driving includes language stating an incident must occur "on highways" for a driver to be charged, and past rulings have held the charge does not apply to driving that takes place in a parking lot. Santa Fe attorney Tom Clark highlighted the differences between careless driving and reckless driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You cant be charged for vehicular homicide just for driving in a careless manner," Clark said. "A lot of vehicular homicide cases deal with the question of 'carelessness' versus 'recklessness,' which is either driving under the influence or speeding plus other things, like running stop signs or something like that." Clark emphasized the words "willful or wanton" in the state statute on reckless driving which involves driving "carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others." He noted it is "a pretty high standard." Police said they didn't file a charge of careless driving against Armijo because the incident took place on private property, reasoning the bus stop was privately owned by the owners of Santa Fe Place. The city has been granted "conditional access privileges" to the property, police said. Day said that appears to be in accordance with the law, including the provision requiring careless driving to take place "on highways." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owners of the mall and its parking lot New York-based Kohan Retail Investment Group did not respond to emails and phone calls seeking comment. State lawmakers who are concerned about careless drivers falling through that loophole by, say, driving carelessly in parking lots might take a look at the language in the statute, he said. For police to enforce traffic laws in the mall parking lot, Day said, the mall's owners would likely need to provide written permission, and the city would need to pass an ordinance saying as much. State Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, said in a recent interview the fatal crash in Santa Fe was "not the first time" she has heard of the location of a crash on private property being the distinguishing factor as to whether or not certain traffic laws can be enforced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chandler said she would like to hear from law enforcement about how often the private property question poses an impediment to enforcing traffic laws. "It's worth taking a look at because there could be other situations, and obviously this one is horrifically tragic," she said. "We don't want to be, as you say, 'out for blood,' but it's that there is no accountability mechanism at this point, from what I'm interpreting the police to be telling us." Santa Fe police Deputy Chief Ben Valdez noted a bill was proposed in the recent legislative session that would have allowed officers to charge a driver with a careless driving offense if an incident on private property results in "great bodily injury" or death, making it a fourth-degree felony. During a committee hearing in March, Valdez spoke in support of the bill on behalf of the department, he said, but it was not advanced. "The discussion has started, and I am hopeful it will have an opportunity to be considered in a future legislative session," Valdez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other careless driving charges have been filed in Santa Fe County so far this year. In one, a man was charged by a New Mexico State Police officer for driving 55 mph on Interstate 25 without having his emergency lights on, and in another, a man was charged by a Santa Fe County sheriff's deputy in Nambe for striking a stopped car when he apparently made too wide of a turn, according to court records. "In this case, you've just got to have criminal negligence or this recklessness this willful disregard, you know," Day said, acknowledging the Armijo case didn't appear to meet the standard for reckless driving. "As surprising as it is, it may just be something that is relegated to the civil courts like, if the estate of this poor guy wanted to sue the city." A wrongful death lawsuit would likely proceed the same way with or without a traffic or criminal citation, Day said, based on the facts presented by the police investigation. While a criminal case would need to prove "guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," a potential civil case would need to prove negligence based only on "a preponderance of the evidence," he noted. Day criticized the Santa Fe Police Department's initial finding of "no driver error" on Armijo's part, which appeared in a crash report released in the weeks after the incident. He called it an "absurd" finding and said it "raised questions about the independence of the investigation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they claim that the investigation shows there's no criminal charge, that's one thing," he said. "And that's why, I would think, if you're a taxpayer in the city, you might want an outside agency investigating something like that, that involves a city employee, but that's not how they chose to do it." In response, Valdez pointed to past statements about the crash report, in which he said the department "filed and made public the initial crash investigation for this incident prematurely," adding "the investigation remains active and the forwarding of the report should have been done once complete." A report disclosed by the agency states the case was closed in April, but Valdez said the department is "still evaluating all avenues to determine if the officer can lawfully charge or issue a citation." Rodney Hinton Jr. fatally struck a deputy conducting traffic on Friday, May 2, according to Cincinnati police Police said Rodney is the father of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, who was shot and killed in a police-related shooting a day prior on Thursday, May 1 Rodney made his first appearance in court on Saturday, May 3, when he was charged with aggravated murder in connection with the incident The father of an 18-year-old man, who was shot and killed by Cincinnati police on May 1, allegedly struck and killed a sheriff's deputy the following day. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced in a press conference, shared by WOWT, on Friday, May 2, that a Hamilton County deputy was struck by a car while conducting traffic enforcement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theetge said the officer whose identity has yet to be shared died following the auto incident, which occurred at around 1 p.m. local time along Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods Drive, near the University of Cincinnati campus. She also said that there was a connection between this incident and an officer-involved shooting the day prior, on Thursday, May 1. The driver of todays vehicle that struck a deputy has a family relationship with the 18-year-old that we shot yesterday," the police chief said. Ryan Hinton, 18, was one of four people found inside a stolen vehicle parked on Warsaw Avenue in East Price Hill, according to WOWT, the Cincinnati Inquirer and CNN. Ryan and the other three people reportedly attempted to flee the vehicle, and as he was running, Ryan allegedly pointed a handgun at police. An officer shot the armed suspect, later identified as Ryan. Cincinnati police said the 18-year-old died from his injuries, per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Theetge confirmed to reporters during the news conference that the suspect who struck the Hamilton County deputy was Ryans father, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr. He was later charged with aggravated murder, according to WLWT. On Saturday, May 3, Rodney made his first appearance in court. During the court appearance, which was attended by several members of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department, prosecuting attorney Ryan Nelson said, per CNN, that the 38-year-old in a way that was calculated and premeditated lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff. 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. It appeared from everybody who was on the scene that he deliberately struck the deputy in an attempt to kill him, Nelson added in the courtroom, per the outlet. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Rodney Hinton Jr. Rodney Hinton Jr. Rodneys attorney argued that he had no prior felonies and asked the judge for bond which was denied, per WLWT. He also it was an "emotionally charged" situation, as Rodneys son had been killed by police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video taken during the court appearance by a reporter, Rodney could be seen allegedly telling officers who were lined up in court that his son was going to be gone forever, forever. As for the officer who died in the incident, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him in the news conference as a tremendous person who retired from the department in December and had been working a special detail for the University of Cincinnati commencement ceremonies happening that week. I knew the man and I knew what a tremendous, tremendous person he is and what tremendous loss we have all suffered, an emotional McGuffey said. Read the original article on People Abdul Rahman Waziri was shot and killed during an argument over a parking spot outside his apartment in Texas on April 27 The alleged shooter came forward to police and was released following the incident, authorities said The community is now protesting and asking for a thorough investigation to be conducted by the Houston Police Department (HPD) A father of two is dead following an argument over a parking spot in Texas and his alleged killer remains free. A 31-year-old man was shot and killed outside his apartment in Houston at 9:15 p.m. local time on April 27, the Houston Police Department (HPD) said in a news release. The victim was later identified as Abdul Rahman Waziri by Click 2 Houston and ABC 13 Eyewitness News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Officers responded to a report of a shooting in progress in an apartment complex parking lot and found the male lying next to a white Toyota Camry. The male had been shot more than once and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead," police said. "As officers were investigating the shooting, they were approached by a male who stated he was the shooter and explained he and the deceased male were arguing over parking. Officers retrieved the firearm and took the male's statement regarding the shooting," they continued. The alleged shooter, whose identity has not been shared publicly, was released following the incident. gofundme Waziri worked for the U.S. Army for seven years before moving to the U.S. Waziri worked for the U.S. Army for seven years before moving to the U.S. Related: Florida Single Mother of Two Identified as Road Rage Shooting Victim: 'She Still Had So Much Life to Live' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told ABC 13 they saw the alleged shooter vandalizing Waziirs car before the pair began arguing. Omar Khawaja, an attorney representing Waziri's family, told the outlet, "After the altercation is already over and Mr. Waziri is walking back to his car, the shooter grabs a gun and murders him. He executes him in cold blood. According to a GoFundMe page, Waziri worked alongside the U.S. Army in Afghanistan for seven years before relocating to the United States, seeking a better and safer life with his wife and two children. His local community is now urging the HPD to arrest the alleged shooter and carry out a thorough investigation into the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The whole community is thinking, if this is happening to us, then what should we do? Omar Yousafza told Click 2 Houston. Houston Police Department/Facebook Houston Police Department car Houston Police Department car Related: Man Who Shot and Killed Fellow Moviegoer in Fight Over Reserved Seats Gets Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison According to the outlet, Waziris family said the alleged shooter remained in the apartment for days after the incident, instilling fear among residents. Even the neighborhood, everyone was scared of him, Waziris brother told Click 2 Houston. He came here to be safe, but here is not safe for nobody. Attorney Kawaja added to the outlet, There has not been a proper investigation to determine who saw what and heard what from the scene. Self-defense is an affirmative defense. You cannot provoke the incident and then raise the claim of self-defense. 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 HPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, May 4. Read the original article on People French police rescued the father of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur from his kidnappers Saturday night, but found hed had one of his fingers severed the latest in a spate of abductions tied to cryptocurrency. The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was forced into a van by four men wearing ski masks on a street of Paris Thursday morning. He was held hostage in an Airbnb 12 miles south of the French capital for two days before being rescued. The kidnappers contacted the victims son, sending a video of the mutilated victim and demanding millions of euros in ransom money, according to CNN affiliate BFM TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five people between the ages of 23 and 27 were brought into police custody following the raid, according to the Paris Prosecutors office. The kidnapping shares striking similarities with other recent kidnappings tied to crypto currency in France and surrounding countries. In January 2025, David Balland, cofounder of the crypto wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped with his wife from their home in central France. Before the couple was freed by police, the assailants cut off Ballands finger, sending a video of the severed appendage to his business partner Eric Larcheveque and demanding ransom money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2024, the wife of crypto investor and influencer Stephane Winkel was kidnapped from the couples home in Belgium. She was rescued after her kidnapper crashed his car in a dramatic police chase, Winkel wrote in a post on X. It is unclear whether the recent spate of crypto kidnappings are connected or not. Obviously theres at least a link in the modus operandi. Now, whether its the same team or not is for the investigators to say. said internal security expert Guillaume Farde speaking on French television Sunday. Police have opened an investigation into the latest kidnapping, including for extortion by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, the Paris Prosecutors office told CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com French police are investigating a spate of crypto currency-linked kidnappings after they freed a man who was abducted by attackers who demanded his crypto-millionaire son pay a ransom. The man, reported to be 60, was traced to an address in a quiet suburb south of Paris where he was found with a severed finger on Saturday night. He had been abducted 14th arrondissement, at the heart of the French capital, on Thursday morning in broad daylight. Men wearing ski masks bundled him into a delivery van as shocked commuters looked on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man, who has not been publicly named, owns a cryptocurrency marketing company based in Malta with his son. He was freed when armed police raided a rented home in the suburban department of Essonne outside of Paris. Five people, all in their 20s, have been arrested, according to prosecutors. The victim appears to be the father of a man who made his fortune in cryptocurrencies, with the crime involving a ransom demand, the prosecutors statement said. A ransom of millions Le Parisien reported that the kidnappers had asked for between 5 million (4.25 million) and 7 million (5.9 million). Although no payment was made, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of his fingers had been chopped off and there were fears of other mutilations if police had not raided the property, a police source told AFP. Four suspects, aged 20, 23, 26 and 27, were found at the house, reported to be an Airbnb rental that had its windows sealed off. A fifth suspect, aged 26, was later arrested while driving a vehicle which was likely to be used by the criminals. Bruno Retailleau, Frances interior minister, hailed the decisive police operation to free the man. An investigation has been opened into arrest, kidnapping, false imprisonment, arbitrary detention of a hostage and armed extortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims wife told investigators that her husband and the wealthy son had been threatened in the past, a police source said. David Balland, co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, had a finger cut off when he was kidnapped earlier this year It marks the latest in a series of kidnappings of crypto-millionaires in France and other western European countries. David Balland, co-founder of the crypto-wallet firm Ledger that is valued at around 1 billion, and his partner were abducted in January from their home near Bourges in central France. Mr Ballands finger was also cut off by his kidnappers, who had demanded a large ransom in cryptocurrency, according to prosecutors. Part of the ransom was paid in cryptocurrency before most of the sum was later frozen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was freed the next day, and his girlfriend was found tied up in the boot of a car in Essonne, the same suburb where the latest kidnapping victim was found. Nine suspects, aged between 20 and 40 who police described as small-time criminals from the Paris region, are under investigation, including the alleged ringleader, 26, who has a previous record for kidnapping. A spate of kidnappings In early January, a 56-year-old man, the father of a Dubai-based French crypto-influencer who boasted online of his profits, was the target of a kidnapping in eastern France. He was found a day later in the boot of a car near the city of Mans. He had been beaten and had petrol poured on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other such kidnapping and ransom attempts have recently been reported in Spain and Belgium. In December last year, the wife of another crypto-influencer who had just announced online that he had become a bitcoin millionaire was abducted. Police freed her after chasing the car she had been taken in. 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. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) The FBI announced Saturday they arrested a man in Fall River who they say was in the country illegally. In a social media post by the FBIs Boston division, the agency said they, Homeland Security and ATF assisted ICE in this arrest. Other recent arrests have been made by ICE in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. RELATED: State leaders call for due process after ICE arrest, protest in Providence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fall River police said they have no information about or what led up to the arrest. The man is facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and strangulation, according to the agency. No additional information about the man, such as his identity or country of origin, has been released. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A draft option of redistricting would move 980 students between four elementary and two middle schools in Frederick County Public Schools in anticipation of a new school. In addition, the school system is considering moving the boundaries of two other schools one elementary and one middle but the current proposal doesnt include moving students from those schools. Elementary School #41 is scheduled to open for students in August 2026. The school, which does not have a name yet, will be built at Whiterose Drive and Mussetter Road near New Market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The redistricting is to balance enrollment between the new school and five other elementary schools: Blue Heron, Oakdale, Deer Crossing, New Market and Spring Ridge. The attendance boundaries of three middle schools Gov. Thomas Johnson, New Market and Oakdale will also be affected. Based on 2024 enrollment, 6,086 students combined attend the eight schools. Elementary School #41 is expected to have a state-rated capacity of 882 seats. Oakdale Elementary School is operating close to 170% capacity, according to FCPS Educational Facilities Master Plans 2024 enrollment. The draft option included moving: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * 681 students from Oakdale to Elementary School #41 * 104 students from Spring Ridge to Oakdale Elementary School * 86 students from Blue Heron to Oakdale Elementary School * 2 students from Deer Crossing to Elementary School #41 * 107 students from Oakdale to Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle School The draft option for the redistricting is scheduled to be presented to the Frederick County Board of Education at its meeting on Wednesday. The school board will not be voting on whether to approve the draft, but will discuss the draft and potentially direct staff members to make certain changes. As required by FCPS Policy 200, which governs school attendance areas and redistricting, several community engagement sessions are scheduled throughout May and June, including virtual and in-person meetings, and a general feedback form. No dates have been set yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FCPS hosted two community engagement sessions last month. A public hearing for the redistricting is also scheduled for October. A date has not been set yet. The school board is scheduled to vote on a final redistricting plan for the area in November or December, which would take effect at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. WXY Architecture + Urban Design of New York led the redistricting study and created the draft option. The redistricting will cost the school district approximately $250,000 from Elementary School #41s project fund. The agency has previously provided reports and recommendations to Prince Georges County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools for school district boundary changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the draft option is presented to the school board, WXY plans to post the draft option to the project website, which is available at es41redistrictingstudy.org. To create the draft option, WXY looked at student enrollment data, such as the number of students who are eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Meals, who are eligible for an Individualized Education Program and who attend special programs at any of the eight schools. FCPS recently accepted submissions for a name for the new elementary school. Submissions closed on April 25. On May 8, the school district is scheduled to announce a list of five to 10 names for the community to provide feedback. The deadline to provide community feedback on the shortlist of names is May 23. The committee will then select three names to recommend to the school board in August. The school board makes the final decision. (This May 4 story has been refiled to add the word 'Global' to the name of the relocation platform Blaxit Global in paragraphs 23 and 32) By Catarina Demony and Andrew Hofstetter LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - When U.S. President Donald Trump decided to seek a second term in the White House, Doris Davis and Susie Bartlett - an interracial lesbian couple living in New York City - made a life-changing decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he won, they would move abroad. The couple said they had been willing to give Trump a go during his first term, but they'd watched in alarm as he returned to office and ended a range of policies aimed at promoting racial equity and rights for LGBTQ+ people. "We love this country, but we don't love what it has become," Davis, a 69-year-old educational consultant, said from their home in a New York City suburb. "When your identity is being attacked, there is a personal sense of... anger (and) frustration." Now, they're working with an immigration lawyer to assess options in Europe. The couple is most interested in Portugal and Spain, attracted by the southern European lifestyle, and are looking at a digital nomad or retirement visa. Bartlett, who is 52, is retired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It saddens me to move," said Davis, who'll be sorry to leave her local community behind. "But it's also a situation, politically and socially, that is unacceptable." Government visa and citizenship data, as well as Reuters' interviews with eight relocation firms, indicate an increased number of Americans are considering moving to Europe in the wake of Trump's election - though the figures remain quite small for a nation of 340 million people. U.S. applications for Irish passports were at their highest level in a decade in the first two months of this year. Average monthly application in January and February of nearly 4,300 were up around 60% from last year, according to data from Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs. In France, government data showed that long-stay visa requests from Americans stood at 2,383 in the first three months of 2025, compared to a total of 1,980 over the same period last year. From January to March, French authorities have granted 2,178 long-stay visas versus 1,787 the year before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And applications for UK passports in the last three months of 2024 - the latest period for which data is available - were a record of any quarter in the past two decades, with 1,708 applications submitted. Relocation companies and websites helping people emigrate say that, at any given time in recent years, a significant number of Americans have shown an interest in moving abroad, citing issues including political divisions and gun violence. Italian immigration advisor Marco Permunian, founder of Italian Citizenship Assistance, said the election of Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020 led to an increase in interest too, mainly from Republican voters. But most of the relocation firms that Reuters spoke to said there has been a larger spike in interest since Trump returned to the White House, with many clients expressing concern over the direction of policy and social issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OVERWHELMING DEMAND Some Hollywood stars left the U.S. after Trump's re-election in November, including talk show hosts Ellen de DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell, sparking media attention. Thea Duncan, founder of Milan-based relocation business 'Doing Italy', said she been receiving enquiries nearly every day since the election from ordinary Americans seeking information. "People are uncertain about what's happening and what's going to happen," Duncan said. In Britain, a company of immigration lawyers called Immigration Advice Service said it had seen a more than 25% increase in enquiries from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its director, Ono Okeregha, said several clients had expressed worries over political changes under the Trump administration, particularly over rights for same-sex couples as several states consider weakening protections for their marriages. Wendy Newman, a 57-year-old photographer, moved to London with her husband in 2022 in part because of the increasing political polarisation back home. She said she felt her rights were more secure in Britain, where she wants to stay permanently. She hopes her daughter, who still lives in the U.S. but is applying for university in Britain, can move too. "We just feel like there's just too much at risk for her to stay there," said Newman, fearful of curbs on women's reproductive rights in the U.S. and what she described as Trump's "misogynistic tendencies". Trump has denied repeatedly allegations of misogyny and sexual misconduct, describing accusations in 2017 as "fake news". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blaxit Global, a company that helps Black Americans move abroad, saw traffic to its site jump over 50% following the election, its founder Chrishan Wright said. It has also seen a 20% increase in its paid membership community, Blaxit Global Passport, which costs $16.99 per month, she said. Wright, originally from New York, moved to Portugal two years ago and said Trump returning to the White House reassured her that she had made the right decision. According to an exit poll by Edison Research, Trump won just 13% of Black voters in November, 1 percentage point higher than 2020, while Kamala Harris garnered 86%. 'RELATIVE SAFETY' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also feeling disillusioned, a young transgender couple living in Colorado, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted, said they are hoping to secure a student visa to start a new life in Italy. Trump has said the United States would recognise only two sexes, male and female. He has also sought to restrict gender transition care for people under 19 and to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. But they are under no illusion Europe will be perfect, as right-wing populist parties make political gains across the continent, including in Italy - where the conservative government portrays itself as a guardian of traditional values. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed, when she came to power in 2022, to combat what she calls the "LGBT lobby" and to defend the "natural family". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Germany, far-right Alternative for Germany came second in February's federal election. In neighbouring France, Marine Le Pen, leader of far-right National Rally party, had been a front-runner in opinion polls for the 2027 presidential election but was banned last month from running for office for five years. Wright, from Blaxit Global, said the political situation in some European countries was "troublesome" but many Americans remained interested in coming to the continent regardless. Knowing exactly how many people will follow through on their interest is difficult, said Julien Faliu, founder and CEO of online expatriate community Expat.com. Faliu said Expat.com saw an increase of around 26% in requests from Americans over the last two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've been talking to U.S. citizens who say: 'If Trump is re-elected, we will be moving'. He got re-elected, so now what are you doing?" Faliu said. "When there's an election, it's always like that." HURDLES EVERYWHERE There are many hurdles for would-be ex-pats. Relocate.me, a relocation platform, identified some of the disincentives: difficulties in securing jobs abroad, restrictions on remote work, lower salaries in Europe, and the U.S. tax system - which taxes its citizens on worldwide income. For those who proceed, however, there are several visa options. Digital nomads visa for remote workers in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy are popular. Retirement visas, work permits and student visas are also in high demand, according to relocation firms. But some Europeans - already struggling to cope with mass tourism and a housing crisis - don't relish the prospect of more foreign arrivals. National authorities are restricting some controversial schemes that offered access to visas for the wealthy. The option of buying real estate to secure a golden visa is no longer a possibility in Portugal, and the Spanish scheme ended in April after the system was criticised for stoking an affordable housing crisis. Rebeca Caballero, from Spanish real estate developer Gilmar, said they had received an influx of interest from American clients in the six months before the scheme ended. "I secured investments from three clients who bought homes for the golden visa without even coming to see them," Caballero said. (Reporting by Catarina Demony in London and Andrew Hofstetter in New York; Additional reporting by Alvise Armellini and Angelo Amante in Rome, Miguel Pereira and Andrei Khalip in Lisbon, Conor Humphries in Dublin, Aislinn Laing, Corina Rodriguez Pons and David Latona in Madrid, Thomas Escritt in Berlin and Juliette Jabkhiro in Paris; Editing by Daniel Flynn) A bombshell report sounding the alarm over Sen. John Fettermans mental health has shed new light on the Pennsylvania Democrats viral spat with a pilot earlier this year. Fetterman, 55, appeared to take issue with wearing and keeping his seatbelt visible on a flight from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh in a resurfaced social media clip, The Daily Mail reported. The altercation allegedly held up the flight as passengers and flight attendants looked on. The footage of John Fetterman arguing with a commercial airline pilot about wearing his seat belt: https://t.co/d1FRGRy9oN pic.twitter.com/LmhOEMG4HB Brendan Hartnett (@BrendanHartnett) May 2, 2025 In the clip, the pilot can be heard telling Fetterman that his seatbelt needs to be visible to the crew at all times, thats a federal regulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Fetterman appeared to contest, the pilot added, If you want to go to Pittsburgh, its simple. The pilot then offered to give Fetterman a seatbelt extender for more comfort. He declared, Youre going to have to follow our instructions or be asked to get off the airplane. The brief clip adds to claims by Fettermans former chief of staff Adam Jentleson that his ex-boss mental health has been on the decline since suffering a near-fatal stroke in May 2022. The health scare came days before Fetterman won the primary for his senate seat. Fetterman was hospitalized again in 2023 after feeling lightheaded, PBS reported, but pressed on to become a top Democratic voice. Yet according to Jentleson, cracks in Fettermans mental health deepened. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. / Drew Angerer / Getty Images I think John is on a bad trajectory, and Im really worried about him, wrote Jentleson in a 1,600 word email, New York Magazine reported. Jentleson warned that Fetterman wont be with us for much longer if his behavior doesnt change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fettermans behavior has also called his political alliances into question. Fettermans January meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Largo reportedly led to a slowing of donations from Democratic supporters, the Daily Mail reported. Im the Senator for all Pennsylvanians not just Democrats in Pennsylvania, Fetterman said, reported the Associated Press. Ive been clear that no one is my gatekeeper. I will meet with and have a conversation with anyone if it helps me deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation. Fire crews on the Cape are battling a blaze at a seafood restaurant in Sandwich. Firefighters responded to Captains Seafood Bar and Grill on Tupper Road early Saturday morning. The state fire marshals office confirmed to Boston 25 that they are responding to the scene to assist with the investigation. Preliminary information suggests there are no injuries. Video from the scene shows firefighters spraying water from multiple ladder trucks as well are heavy flames coming out from the top and side of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional information was not immediately available. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Firefighters from multiple Cape Cod communities battled a large blaze at a Sandwich restaurant on Sunday morning. At about 5:27 a.m., the Sandwich Fire Department received a report of smoke coming from behind Captain Scotts Restaurant at 71 Tupper Road, according to a press release posted on the Sandwich Fire Departments Facebook. The restaurant has been around for 50 years and serves seafood, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When firefighters arrived, they found fire at the rear of the building. Crews also saw the fire spreading from the basement to the first floor, resulting in firefighters backing out of the structure, the press release reads. The fire continued to grow throughout the morning. Crews from West Barnstable, Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills, Bourne, Plymouth, Onset, Hyannis and Joint Base Cape Cod were called to help fight the fire. The Providence Canteen was on site with drinks and additional assistance for the firefighters, according to the press release. The fire was extinguished by 12:30 p.m. A total of 44 firefighters responded to the blaze. One firefighter was checked at the scene for exhaustion but was not hospitalized, according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire is being investigated by the Sandwich Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshals Office. Sandwich Fire Chief John Burke did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. More from Cape & Islands Read the original article on MassLive. This will be the first clickbait conclave in history and everyone has a stake in it, not just Catholics. Opponents of the Catholic Church arguably have an even greater stake in this antiquated method for choosing the next pope. Even if you find the Catholic Faith absurd, or loathe everything about the Church, if the person leading 1.4 billion people around the world and at the head of perhaps the most powerful non-secular institution in the last 2,000 years, is at least more to your tastes, then that can help offset the more troubling aspects of Catholicism (its ideas on marriage, contraception, homosexuality, the endless guilt, etc.). Hence media fascination with the death of Pope Francis and how he is replaced, as everyone offers their own narratives to suit their agendas. The Guardian goes on about how progressive Pope Francis was describing him as groundbreaking while ignoring that he was impressively unprogressive when it came to condemning abortion, gender ideology and assisted dying. The New Statesman says Francis brought humanity to the Vatican but he was unable to arrest the Catholic Churchs decline, deftly getting in two digs there: the suggestion that the Vatican (and Church) lacks humanity, while maintaining the narrative that the Church is on the way out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last conclave in 2013 that gave the unexpected result of a Pope Francis occurred with the internet firmly established. Its why Francis was the first digital pope: he understood the communicative powers of emerging technologies and used them to great effect. But the likes of social media had yet to fully achieve their remarkable reach, while people werent as ensnared as they are now. Which is why the successor to the first digital pope will be coming from the first clickbait conclave. This is the digitalised world we all including the College of Cardinals live in. The clickbait appeal of the conclave set to start on May 7 has been heightened by the movie depiction of what cardinals do behind the Sistine Chapels locked doors in order to turn the smoke coming from its chimney from black to white. Indeed, similar to the storyline of Conclave, the real-life gathering of cardinals is being portrayed by much of the media as a battle between more progressive types who want to continue the reformist legacy of the late pope and traditionalists who want to stop the liberal drift and embrace the solid ground of unshifting doctrine. The comparison isnt without merit, though talk of liberal versus conservative in the Catholic Church is inaccurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is not between conservatives and liberals but between orthodoxy and heresy, Cardinal Gerhart Muller, a popular figure with conservative/traditional Catholics, recently noted. The new pope, the German cardinal said, must be orthodox neither a liberal nor a conservative, adding: I am praying that the Holy Spirit will illuminate the cardinals, because a heretic pope who changes every day depending on what the mass media is saying would be catastrophic. He has a point, and its relevant for anyone, whether Catholic or not, who feels unsettled by much happening in the modern world, ranging from manic insistence on liberalising abortion and assisted dying to control the entire cycle of life not to mention the huge sums of money behind those pushes to the atrophying of freedom of conscience and speech, to the indoctrination of children with gender ideology and the LGBT universe. It is the Catholic Church or Catholic institutions who increasingly appear the ones willing to speak out about this and go against the conformity consensus and group-think of popular culture these days. During the pandemic and lockdowns, and then during the trans movement and woke outbreak, I found myself increasingly reading Catholic media. They seemed the only ones saying something different and interesting and that made sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which is one of the reasons people get annoyed by the Catholic Church and its inconvenient lecturing, and is why the next pope, and the way he manoeuvres the rudder of the Barque of Saint Peter, is of such interest and value to so many outside the Church. There is a lot at stake. This past decade we have lived through one of the most cynical, manipulative and effective efforts to capture the minds of younger generations. They have been utterly pummelled by non-stop messaging (aka propaganda/psy-ops) around the likes of woke culture and climate catastrophe, scaring the hell out of them, confusing them and aging them psychologically (just look at their closed-in, hardened faces). It has left many of them damaged. But some are also pushing back, hence all the reports of younger people embracing the Church in increasing numbers. Social media both makes the rest of the world more in reach and also leaves us feeling ever more atomised, craving the kind of physical community we might have once gotten through the mosque, the synagogue, the temple, the church, Lamorna Ash, author of Dont Forget Were Here Forever: A New Generations Search for Religion, writes in a recent Observer article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussing her journey to explore the state of Christianity in the UK, which forms the basis of her book, she says: Not only did I meet a host of people in their 20s and 30s who have converted to some form of Christianity, but I also detected a marked attitudinal shift in how my peers talk about religion compared with the generations that came before us. That wont be going down well with todays wannabe Marxists, activists and social engineers what David Rieff calls the academic-cultural-philanthropic complex in his book Desire and Fate about the intersection of woke culture with the ruling class and corporate capitalism. All that effort they made to capture the youth, and now they are saying the Rosary! Hence who becomes the next pope and how he handles current trends is a massive prospect and unknown. Especially given how wokes capture has all of us entering full-speed, in Rieffs words, a world whose good intentions will destroy what is good about this civilisation without improving the many things that are cruel and monstrous about it. Pope Francis, despite disappointing many Catholics, to his credit departed this world with the Church on an upswing. That momentum will be a concern to its enemies and those who dont care for what it does, what it stands for, and what it offers regarding social teaching, especially on the likes of family formation, how men and women view and use their bodies and those of other people, and how it offers alternative narratives to the secular realm with its advice from politicians and advertisers to find meaning in the workplace and boosting GDP and economic growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Catholic apologist and commentator Gavin Ashenden a sort of latter-day GK Chesterton puts it: Hitlers appointment of Chancellor in Germany in 1933 represented a point of no return in European affairs. Trumps re-election of 2025 might represent the high-water mark of wokism in America, after which followed its exposure and repudiation. The election of the 267th successor to St Peter has the capacity to be one of equal significance in the history of the Catholic Church. But since the Catholic Church contains the deepest ideological, philosophical and spiritual resources of any organisation, the effect it has in resisting, challenging and converting global or local culture is incalculable. Hence Catholics worldwide are preparing for a new era. One thats going to be crucial for everyone. James Jeffrey is a writer, assistant online editor for the Catholic Herald and a Camino guide who splits his time between the US, UK and further afield 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. Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Pilar Garcia Bonilla had a dream and desire to help women like her who might be self-conscious of their curly hair and dont feel comfortable being themselves because of their curls. Garcia Bonilla said she grew up thinking that straight hair was beautiful and sophisticated while curly hair was messy. She said something inside of her didnt feel good and rejected her roots, which led to a personal journey of self-acceptance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told herself to embrace her curls and embrace her Latina essence. Now, a proud Latina entrepreneur and curly-hair advocate, Garcia Bonilla returned to Fresno, the city she called home for 17 years and where her two children were born, to launch her hair care brand, LATINA, the first Mexican hair care line to debut at ULTA Beauty USA. Pilar Garcia Bonilla, top left, stands with her brother and business partner Victor Garcia Bonilla as friends, family and other supporters await the official launch of Pilars line of haircare products called Latina in the U.S. at Ulta Beauty in Fresno on Friday, April 25, 2025. Its history in the making and I am proud that is a Mexican, a Latina, who crossed borders and barriers, said Dora Westerlund, CEO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. She is leading the way. She is paving the way for other women. Garcia Bonilla, who is from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, said the idea and dream for the hair care brand was born in Fresno during the COVID-19 pandemic. She founded LATINA in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westerlund said Garcia Bonilla came to the foundation with her idea of a soap bar for hair. She had the commitment, she had discipline, she had resilience in her. And I knew that she was going to make it, Westerlund said. I told her, You have to dream big. Westerlund said having her hair product line at Ulta is just the starting point of Garcia Bonillas success. A new line of haircare products developed by former Fresno resident and entrepreneur Pilar Garcia Bonilla called Latina, which was officially launched in the U.S. at Ulta Beauty in Fresno on Friday, April 25, 2025. As her company grew, Garcia Bonilla moved back to Mexico two years ago to run her company, which is headquartered in Cuernavaca. Garcia Bonilla said she wanted to come back to Fresno to launch her line because this city to me represents the land where the seed was planted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mexican hair care brand hit the shelves at more than 400 ULTA Beauty stores in the United States on April 25. Her brand has been featured in SEPHORA Mexico. One of her greatest dreams is to serve her community in this part of the world, said Garcia Bonillas brother and business partner, Victor Garcia Bonilla, who believed in her dream and worked on the project together. When we started LATINA, it was a great project, and today we are achieving it. Pilar Garcia Bonilla stands with her brother and business partner Victor Garcia Bonilla in front of their new product line of haircare products called Latina before officially launching the line in the U.S. at Ulta Beauty in Fresno on Friday, April 25, 2025. Garcia Bonilla said sometimes the biggest obstacle for many Latina entrepreneurs is to take the first step and believe in themselves. Whatever you are dreaming, you can do it. Nobody can stop you when you really believe in something, she said. If you think you have a good idea, believe in that because it can be true someday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia Bonilla said the day before the official launch she stopped by the store in Fresno to touch her products and see her logo and the stores logo together. I did it. I feel proud, she said. She thanked Fresno, friends, and the community for inspiring her to do something big that celebrates her Latina identity. Former Fresno resident Pilar Garcia Bonilla stands with her new product line of haircare products called Latina before officially launching the line in the U.S. at Ulta Beauty in Fresno on Friday, April 25, 2025. This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to all of us, said Garcia Bonilla. LATINA is powered by the women who inspire me every day. They are my engine to keep going despite any obstacle. Westerlund said supporting entrepreneurs like Garcia Bonilla is at the heart of what we do at FAHF, and its been inspiring to watch her grow and succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in Fresno, Garcia Bonilla served as the keynote speaker at the FAHFs 9th Annual The Power of Women in Business Conference, where she shared her entrepreneurial journey. We are incredibly proud to have been part of Pilis journey as she was getting started with her business, said Westerlund. Former Fresno resident and curly-hair advocate Pilar Garcia Bonilla stands with her new product line of haircare products called Latina before officially launching the line in the U.S. at Ulta Beauty in Fresno on Friday, April 25, 2025. Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions can sometimes feature damaging clumps of tau proteins that have become deformed. Scientists have now synthesized these misshapen entities in the lab for the first time, which should accelerate research into how to treat these diseases. When proteins fold in the body, these key biological machines take their 3D shape and begin work. However, misfolded proteins that cause further misfolding known as prions can occur and cause damage. While tau proteins aren't prions in the classic sense, they can behave a lot like them. Misfolded tau proteins can cause molecules around them to change behavior, including forming tangles called fibrils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What scientists don't yet know is why these prion-like misfolds in tau occur, or how they might be stopped. In this new study, a fragment of a tau protein was created that acted in the recognized prion style, and with a mutation associated with neurodegeneration. Fibrils formed by synthetic prion-like proteins. (Songi Han/Northwestern University) According to the authors of the new study, from Northwestern University in Illinois and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara), this 'mini prion' will give us a much improved way of simulating and tracking disease progression. "We made a mini version that is easier to control, but it does all the same things that the full-length version does," says physical chemist Songi Han, from Northwestern University. "It does the seeding, causing normal tau protein to misfold and join the fibrils." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team used a careful process of chemical engineering to create their mini prion, before putting it through several experiments and simulations to analyze how the tau protein moves and folds over time. Already, the synthetic tau fragment is leading to new insights. The researchers found that a mutation in the protein changes the structure of the water around it, which in turn could influence misfolding behavior. "Water is a fluid molecule, but it still has structure," says Han. "The mutation in the peptide might lead to a more structured arrangement of water molecules around the mutation site. This structured water influences how the peptide interacts with other molecules, pinning them together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists still aren't sure if tau strands are the main trigger for diseases such as Alzheimer's, but they look likely to be one of the key drivers gradually causing more and more proteins to get bent out of shape. Right now, misfolded tau protein samples are obtained from post-mortem brains, but they're difficult to come by, and can vary significantly between people who had neurodegenerative diseases when they died. Having synthetic tau prion models that can be controlled and tweaked in the lab removes that bottleneck, speeding up the process of studying these abnormalities in the brain and figuring out how they might be tackled. "Creating self-propagating tau fragments that can recreate the fibril structure and misfolding that is unique to each tauopathy disease is a crucial step forward in our ability to understand and model these complex diseases," says Han. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research has been published in PNAS. Related News Five articles about Washington's public defense system and its funding challenges Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization Washingtons public defense system faces funding challenges and too few attorneys. This list of stories illustrates several common issues, including the strain on counties, even after the state doubled its funding. Plans to lower public defender caseloads, such as those backed by the Washington State Bar Association, mean even more attorneys are needed. Articles discuss a shortage of new lawyers going into public defense, low pay and high workloads leading to burnout, and calls for state-level action and support. Both rural and urban areas mention backlogs, attorney shortages and delays for defendants. Yakima County Judge Shane Silverthorn discusses a case to a defendant at a Yakima County Jail courtroom on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Yakima, Wash. There were no public defenders available to represent the defendant. Jake Parrish for InvestigateWest NO. 1: WA LEGISLATURE DOUBLES PUBLIC DEFENSE FUNDS. COUNTIES SAY ITS STILL NOT ENOUGH Counties have struggled to recruit and retain attorneys without the states help. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aspen Ford Public defender Nick Ainslie speaks with clients at Pierce County Superior Court, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. The proposed changes to public defense standards that the state Supreme Court is considering could potentially necessitate triple the staffing and funding the Department of Assigned Counsel has now. By Brian Hayes NO. 2: WOULD OVERHAUL OF WAS PUBLIC DEFENSE LEAD TO BETTER OUTCOMES OR VIGILANTE LAND? The state bar association proposes drastically cutting back case loads for public defenders, an expensive proposition with potential negative consequences. | Published August 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NO. 3: WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION OKS FAR LOWER CASELOADS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS Public defense is in crisis right now. | Published March 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by The Associated Press Jury box in the historic courtroom at the Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco. By Bob Brawdy NO. 4: UPDATE: WA PUBLIC DEFENSE CRISIS FIX WILL BANKRUPT COUNTIES, SAY FRANKLIN OFFICIALS The system is on the verge of collapse .... At some point, we simply will not be able to pay the bills anymore. | Published March 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Probert NO. 5: WA DEFENSE ATTORNEY CRISIS BAND-AID IS FAILING. TRI-CITIES PLEADS FOR STATE HELP This isnt just a Franklin County or Benton County issue. This is affecting all 39 counties within the state. | Published May 15, 2023 | Read Full Story by Cameron Probert The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) State Sen. Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City) joins the Flash Point team to discuss new state social studies standards. Also on the show, State Sen. Todd Gollihare (R-Kellyville) discusses NIL legislation awaiting the Governors signature. Watch the episode above. Now Flash Point can be seen on the new SmartTV app KFOR+! Download the app on ROKU, AppleTV, or FireTV. It can be seen at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays on KFOR or KFOR+. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) -European and U.S. carriers cancelled flights for the next several days after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main international travel gateway. Many foreign airlines subsequently suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv after the missile hit, sending a plume of smoke into the air and causing panic among passengers in the terminal building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a ceasefire deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas in January, foreign carriers had begun to resume flights to Israel after halting them for much of the last year and a half since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. That left flag carrier El Al Airlines - along with smaller rivals Arkia and Israir - with a near monopoly. El Al's shares rose 7%, while Israir gained 4.1% in a flat broader Tel Aviv market on Sunday. Delta Air Lines said it cancelled Sunday's flight from JFK in New York to Tel Aviv and the return flight from Tel Aviv on Monday. United cancelled its twice daily flights between Tel Aviv and Newark while it monitors the situation. Earlier, flights from Tel Aviv on Delta and United on Sunday morning departed about 90 minutes late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels and Austrian, said it had halted flights to and from Tel Aviv through Tuesday due to the current situation. ITA said it had cancelled flights from Italy to Israel through Wednesday, while Air France cancelled flights on Sunday, saying customers were transferred to flights on Monday. TUS flights to and from Cyprus were cancelled through Monday, while Air India flights from New Delhi were halted on Sunday. Ryanair suspended flights on Sunday but flights are still scheduled for Monday, according to the Israel Airports Authority. Wizz also halted flights. "I'm afraid it's going to be very difficult to go back to France because all European carriers, from what I see on the information (board), have cancelled. Lufthansa have cancelled, Swiss have cancelled, Brussels (Airlines), so no connection is possible," said Michael Sceemes, 56, whose Air France flight was cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aegean, flydubai and Ethiopian did not cancel flights. El Al said it would reintroduce rescue flights to Israel from Larnaca and Athens for passengers stranded by foreign carriers at a cost of $99 and $149, respectively. Udi Bar Oz, head of Ben Gurion Airport, said the airport was up and running less than 30 minutes after the missile hit a road nearby. Claiming responsibility for the strike, the Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said Israel's main airport was "no longer safe for air travel". The Houthis, who control swathes of Yemen, began targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping in late 2023, during the early days of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump in March ordered large-scale strikes against the Houthis to deter them from targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond to the Houthis. "We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future ... There will be more blows," he said. (Reporting by Steven Scheer and Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, Gianluca Semeraro in Milan, Sybille de La Hamaide and Jean-Stephane Brosse in Paris and Miranda Murray in BerlinEditing by Giles Elgood) Going along with changes made by the House, the Senate voted 34-3 on Friday to pass a measure (SB 1620) that backs a series of recommendations from Floridas Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder. The House unanimously approved the measure (SB 1620) on Tuesday, meaning it is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Fridays vote came two days after senators angrily objected to the House removing part of the bill that would have created a Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research at the University of South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rouson, a legislator since 2008 who overcame a past that included being homeless and a drug addict, on Friday implored senators to pass the bill with the House change. I think the work of the commission is more important at this time, Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat who sponsored the bill, said. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, responded Wednesday to the Senate criticism by calling the bill a backdoor effort to essentially fund the new center, which wasnt part of the commissions recommendations. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday said a Broward County circuit judge deserves more-severe punishment than a reprimand and a fine recommended by a panel that investigates judicial conduct. The Supreme Court unanimously said Judge Stefanie Moon should receive a 10-day suspension without pay in a case that includes allegations she improperly made political contributions. The state Judicial Qualifications Commission last month recommended that Moon receive a public reprimand and pay a fine of $2,115, the amount of the political contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That recommendation came after the commission reached an agreement, known as a stipulation, with Moon. But the Supreme Court, which has final say on disciplining judges, rejected the recommendation Thursday and said it would approve a stipulation calling for discipline consisting of a 10-day suspension without pay, plus the public reprimand and fine already recommended by the commission. The commission last month filed documents at the Supreme Court that alleged Moon violated judicial canons by making political contributions, including to committees backing former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, former President Joe Biden and ActBlue, a Democratic Party fundraising arm. In addition, Moon was accused of reminding an attorney in court that he had not returned a phone call related to her re-election campaign and improperly contacting the therapist of a man who was a party in a case and whose mental health was an issue. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Michigan residents will need to present a Real ID-compliant license for summer travels this year, and some may already have one an Enhanced driver's license from the state of Michigan. "Starting on May 7, 2025, a state-issued drivers license or ID that is not REAL ID compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports," the U.S. Transport Security Administration said. "Passengers traveling after this enforcement deadline should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices." Nationwide, residents will need to comply with the new travel standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 passed by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Michigan, a Real ID license will include a star either in a circle or silhouette of Michigan; or have the U.S. flag icon on the front. Michigan's Enhanced ID's, which allow entry to and from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, satisfy the federal statute's requirements. As the deadline approaches, here's what to know about Real ID's: Can I fly with my Enhanced ID? Yes, Enhanced ID's are automatically REAL ID-compliant, the Michigan's Secretary of State said. The ID's be used in place of a U.S. passport for travel by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean and include a star (either in a circle or silhouette of Michigan) and possibly a U.S. Flag icon as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Michigans old license and ID design, which is being phased out by January 2029, features a star in a gold circle to indicate REAL ID compliance," the secretary of state said. "The states new license design features a star in a silhouette of Michigan. Both versions of the star are acceptable." When does Real ID take effect? On May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need a Real ID to fly domestically and federal facilities under federal law. What is the difference between a Real ID and an Enhanced ID? ID samples: the star in a circle is the older Michigan design, while the other star in Michigan's outline is the newer design. These are both Real ID-compliant. Here are the two main differences between a standard Real ID and an enhanced ID: Enhanced ID's can be used in place of a U.S. passport for travel by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. Enhanced ID's are marked with a U.S. flag icon on the front. (some ID's have both the star and U.S. flag) Enhanced ID's include the title "ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A standard Real ID-compliant licenses will have only a star either in a gold circle, or in a silhouette of Michigan in the top right corner. "State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants," the Department of Homeland Security said. Five states that issue EDL/EIDs are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. ID sample of an enhanced license/ ID with the U.S. flag icon in the front and gold star in the upper right corner. This ID is automatically REAL ID-compliant. What happens if I have an Enhanced ID, but it doesnt have a star? Enhanced IDs with a star or flag are automatically Real ID-compliant because they meet the Department of Homeland Security standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA agents at airports will recognize enhanced licenses or enhanced IDs as valid REAL ID documents, even without the star," the Michigan secretary of state said. If your ID does not include either versions of the star, the U.S. flag, or the word "ENHANCED" at the top of the card then it will not be accepted as proof of identity to board the plane, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. What happens at TSA if I don't have a Real ID? Travelers who present a ID that is not REAL ID-compliant without acceptable alternate ID's can expect travel delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. How can you get Real ID in Michigan? Book an appointment at your local secretary of state office to update your ID. Make sure you have these following documents with you: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your current Michigan driver's license or ID. A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document. A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate. You can book an appointment online through the state's website or call (888) 767-6424. Who needs a Real ID in Michigan? Anyone planning to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities, military bases or nuclear power plants needs a Real ID. International travel will continue to require a passport, which also serves as Real ID compliant identification for domestic flights. What are some Real ID alternatives? TSA-approved Real ID alternatives include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) How did Real ID come about? Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set minimum security standards for the distribution of identification materials, including drivers licenses, USA TODAY reported. The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security, wont be allowed to accept state-issued forms of identification that don't include a Real ID seal. Is DHS trying to build a database of our personal information? Real ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card, DHS said. Real ID does not create a federal database of driver license information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Can I use my Enhanced ID to board a plane? What to know in Michigan A former Border Patrol agent has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona. Jorge Jimenez, 54, of Rio Rico could receive up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised probation. His sentencing is scheduled for July 9. The verdict came after a 10-day trial before U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility and the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimenez had been working as a Border Patrol agent since 2010 and was stationed at the Interstate 19 checkpoint between July and October 2024 performing inspections, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Between June and October 2024, Jimenez conspired with at least two people in Mexico to allow "load" vehicles to pass through his lane without inspection, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. They handled arrangements and receipt of payment while Jimenez provided them information about activities at the checkpoint before allowing the vehicles to pass through, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Jimenez expected to receive half of the $40,000 the people were paid for getting five load vehicles through the checkpoint, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Arrested: Border agent arrested in Gilbert after accusations he sexually exploited a minor This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former AZ border agent found guilty on wire fraud conspiracy charges This story was originally published on mynorthwest.com. The former IT manager for a Kent energy manufacturing company pleaded guilty to wire fraud. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington Friday, 43-year-old Paul Joseph Welch admitted to stealing around $1 million from Algas-SDI. The attorneys office stated Welch worked at the company from 2011 to 2024 and used the companys Amazon business account to make unauthorized personal purchases from Amazon.com, such as televisions and laptopstotaling at least $43,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then began using the company credit card for personal purchases through other online retailers such as Apple, Alaska Airlines, Instacart, and BestBuytotaling around $60,000. However, the attorneys office said the scheme accelerated in January 2021 when Welch started making payments to himself, disguised as payments to a computer services company, using the scheme to transfer around $879,175 from company accounts to himself. The news release states in January 2024, Algas-SDI employees confronted Welch about the charges from the computer services accounts he controlled. Welch told the employees that the vendor was real, leading the company to fire him. Welch is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2025. BOSTON (WWLP) A former Massachusetts State Police Sergeant was convicted by a federal grand jury on Friday for giving out false passing scores to numerous Commercial Drivers License (CDL) applicants in a years-long conspiracy. Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was charged in a 74-count indictment in January 2024, in addition to three other state troopers and two civilians. Charging documents stated that between February 2019 and January 2023, Cederquist arranged for him and his co-conspirators to give at least three dozen CDL applicants passing scores regardless of whether or not they had passed. Agawam man charged with possession of child pornography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, Cederquist was in charge of MSPs CDL Unit, which included former troopers 64-year-old Calvin Butner of Halifax, 64-year-old Perry Mendes of Wareham, and 56-year-old Joel Rogers of Bridgewater. These troopers conspired to give passing scores to some applicants in exchange for bribes, using the code word golden handshake or golden to identify those they would give special treatment to regardless of actual performance on the test. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. The CDL applicants included six MSP troopers who did not perform actual Class A skills tests but were falsely reported with passing grades. Cederquist was able to accomplish this offense by conspiring with 44-year-old Scott Camara of Rehoboth, who worked for a truck-driving school in Boston. The charging documents further stated that Cederquist gave false passing scores to applicants affiliated with a water company by accepting bribes of free inventory from the company. This was arranged through 48-year-old Eric Mathison of Boston, who worked for the water company. Mathison would deliver Cederquists bribes to an office trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton. These bribes included cases of bottled Fiji, VOSS, and Essentia water, cases of Arizona Iced Tea, coffee and tea products, and boxes of Twizzlers and Swedish Fish. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Cederquist also accepted much larger bribes from Mathison in exchange for his services with the water company, including a $750 granite post and mailbox, a new driveway costing over $10,000, and a snowblower costing nearly $2,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the applicants who were given false passing scores by Cederquist and his co-conspirators were described as poor drivers, using phrases such as brain dead, no idea what hes doing, and should have failed about 10 times already, but were still granted CDLs in exchange for bribes. Cederquist was convicted of: 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Extortion 1 count of Extortion 6 counts of Honest Services Mail Fraud 3 counts of Conspiracy to Falsify Records 19 Counts of Falsification of Records 17 counts of False Statements Butner, Mendes, Camara, and Mathison have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Cederquist is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24. 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. MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) The former executive director for the nonprofit Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio Charities pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in Union County on Friday. According to Attorney General Dave Yosts Office, Todd Reveron was charged after the office investigated and found that over $35,000 had been depleted from the VFW Post 4044s charitable accounts. VFW of Ohio Charities is a non-profit created in 2003 to help veterans in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reveron and a co-conspirator, Guy Andonian, began a check-writing scheme from October 2017 to September 2019. The attorney generals office states Andonian wrote checks from the VFW Posts charitable accounts with the arrangement that Reveron would deposit the checks into his own bank account. Once in his possession, Reveron would then split the money with Andonian. He betrayed a charitys mission and the veterans it was meant to serve, Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. Our veterans deserve better. Opening date revealed for new Biggby Coffee drive-thru In January of 2025, Andonian pleaded guilty to telecommunications fraud and was sentenced to five years of community control and ordered to pay restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reveron pleaded guilty on Friday in the Union County Common Pleas court to a misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to three years of community control and must pay a $1,000 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. BOSTON (AP) Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what binds us all together after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President Donald Trumps efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021, the JFK Library Foundation said. To forge a future together, we have to find common ground, Pence said. I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations. .... It's what makes us one people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal. I dont know. Im not, Im not a lawyer. I dont know, Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBCs Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday. Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration. Referencing what he called these divided times, in these anxious days, he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pressured Pence to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to hang Mike Pence. Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters. Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify, Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building. Pence rejected the Secret Services advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Bidens presidential victory once rioters were cleared. In describing his role, Pence told the audience that by God's grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held, he said in his speech. Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy's work under the Constitution. JFKs daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Pences actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted. At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job, she said. Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now. The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration. His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nations health agencies. Hes delivered speeches urging the president to stand with longtime foreign allies and posted an article he penned more than a decade ago on the limits of presidential power after Trump claimed that, He who saves his Country does not violate any Law. Former Vice President Mike Pence will receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday night. Pence, who served as President Donald Trumps vice president from 2017 to 2021, will be honored for certifying the 2020 election and going against Trumps efforts to stay in power after then-former Vice President Joe Biden defeated him. The award will be given to the former vice president for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on January 6, 2021, an April press release from the foundation reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pressured Pence to reject the election results from swing states where the president falsely claimed votes were improper due to fraud, according to the Associated Press. Pence refused, saying he did not have any authority to do so. On Jan. 6, 2021, the day the election was to be certified by Congress, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, with some chanting, hang Mike Pence. A makeshift gallows with a noose was present at the riot. During the insurrection, Pence was escorted away by Secret Service Agents, avoiding contact with the mob. As the riot was underway, Trump wrote on X that, Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of the insurrection, Pence has defended his actions, saying he had no right to overturn the election. My former running mate continues to insist that I had the right to overturn the election, Pence said in 2023 during his run for president. President Trump was wrong then. Hes wrong now. The Profile in Courage Award is named after a book that Kennedy published in 1957 before he was president. It honors public officials who stand up for their principles despite the potential for personal or political ramifications. Presenting the award to Pence are Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F. Kennedy, and Jack Schlossberg, the former presidents grandson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political courage is not outdated in the United States. At every level of government, leaders are putting country first, and not backing down, the two said in a statement. Despite our political differences, it is hard to imagine an act of greater consequence than Vice President Pences decision to certify the 2020 presidential election during an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Upholding his oath to the Constitution and following his conscience, the Vice President put his life, career, and political future on the line. In his own statement, Pence said he was humbled to receive the award. I have been inspired by the life and words of President John F. Kennedy since my youth and am honored to join the company of so many distinguished Americans who have received this recognition in the past, Pence said. The former vice president will be the only Profile in Courage Award recipient on Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is presented annually by the JFK Library Foundation to public servants for making a courageous decision of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences, according to the foundations website. A live stream of the event beginning at 8:30 can be viewed here. More Boston stories Read the original article on MassLive. All of Fort Worths incumbents are getting another term in office after easily fending off challengers, according to unofficial early and election day results from Tarrant County, with all 160 voting centers reporting. Eight of the 10 seats on the city council were contested. Two incumbent council members Alan Blaylock who represents far north Fort Wort, and Macy Hill who also represents the far north along with the Cultural District are running uncontested. There were two open seats are up for grabs with incumbents Jared Williams and Gyna Bivens choosing not to run again. After Saturdays result, only one of those districts is heading to a runoff. The two open seats Former Tarrant Democratic Party Chair Deborah Peoples won the race to succeed outgoing District 6 Council Member Gyna Bivens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bivens, who has represented the east Fort Worth district since 2013, announced shortly before the 2023 election that she would not be seaking another term. She endorsed pastor Michael Moore to be her successor. Peoples had 54.27% compared to 23.87% for former Tarrant Water Board member Mary Kelleher, 17.50% for Moore, 1.53% for district operations supervisor Kenneth Bowens Jr., 1.70% for retiree Bob Willoughby, and 1.23% for financial controller Marvin Jose Diaz. Peoples will join the council four years after coming up short against Mayor Mattie Parker in the June 2021 runoff. The former rivals will now sit together on the council dais. The other open seat is District 6, which covers southwest Fort Worth and the Como neighborhood. Its has been represented by nonprofit executive Jared Williams for the past four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams chose not to run for a third term, citing his wish to deepen my livelong pursuit of Gods love, mercy and justice, through service to his faith community and his work fighting hunger as an executive at the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Williams has endorsed Crowley school board member and nonprofit executive Daryl Davis for the council seat. After all the vote centers reported results, Fort Worth school district administrator Mia Hall is leading with 46.84% compared to 28.50% for Davis, 21.52% for college professor Marshall Hobbs, and 3.14% for veteran Adrian Smith. How did the incumbents do? Almost every incumbent beat their challengers by at least 50%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closest race is District 9, where incumbent Elizabeth Beck has 65.78% compared to 29.95% for insurance agent Jenny Stewart, and 4.28% for construction worker Michael Raulerson. District 8 council member Chris Nettles, whose spats with challenger Payton Jackson generated a lot of attention this election cycle, is leading with 74.48% compared to 17.83% for small business owner Arthur McCoy Jr, and 7.69% for Jackson. In a statement on Instagram, Jackson said the results showed that idolatry is alive and well in local politics. Let me be clear: this race has exposed more than a crooked politician. Its revealed the deep rot that stretches into every corner of this community, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a text message to the Star-Telegram, Nettles said the result showed District 8 residents enjoy competent leadership they can trust. Together, we will never settle and always keep the best interest of our greater community at the forefront, he said. Speaking at Mayor Mattie Parkers campaign event, District 3 council member Michael Crain said the election results show that Fort Worth residents believe in the job the council is doing. Weve got a great city, and lets keep this trajectory going, he said. Will there be runoffs? Only the District 6 race looks poised for a runoff. Mia Hall said she was honored to have received the most votes while not securing the required 50% to win the district outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am energized and ready to return to the field to continue earning the trust of our neighbors across the district, Hall said in a statement to the Star-Telegram. Hall added that her campaigns focus of promoting strong neighborhoods, economic development and improved city services would ultimately carry her to victory in the June 7 runoff. Davis did not immediately respond to an email from the Star-Telegram requesting comment. HONOLULU (KHON2) Four people were hospitalized Thursday afternoon after a head-on collision on Mauis Hana Highway, according to Maui police. Car fire on H1 snarls traffic Saturday afternoon The crash happened in the Spreckelsville area when a truck heading eastbound entered the westbound lane while attempting to pass other vehicles. It struck a sedan traveling in the opposite direction. Police said the trucks driver sustained major injuries. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The three people inside the sedan were visiting from Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two suffered major injuries, and one is reported to have life-threatening injuries. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The incident 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 KHON2. BARBOURVILLE The Knox County Grand Jury's latest return included indictments in two separate criminal cases involving assault and abuse charges, including the abuse of a minor and a physical attack. The indictments were filed for April in the Knox Circuit Court. James A. Mann, 44, and Anna J. Siler, 41, both of Gray, Kentucky, were jointly indicted on charges stemming from a February 7, 2025, incident in Knox County. According to the indictment, the pair allegedly assaulted a woman by striking her multiple times with a ball bat, resulting in serious physical injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are charged with second-degree Assault , a felony offense under Kentucky law. In addition to the assault charge, Mann faces a second count as a first-degree Persistent Felony Offender due to his prior criminal record. If convicted as a persistent offender, Mann could face enhanced sentencing. In a separate case, Lauren P. Ritchie, 21, and Trent D. Ritchie, 31, both of Bimble, Kentucky, were indicted for second-degree Criminal Abuse involving a young child. The child was allegedly placed in a dangerous situation resulting in serious injury on March 6. The indictment accuses the Ritchies of wantonly abusing the child and placing them in a life-threatening condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trent Ritchie also faces a charge of first-degree Persistent Felony Offender due to prior convictions in Clay County, with offenses occurring in 2016 and 2022. An indictment is an accusation only and does not imply guilt or innocence. Persons are considered innocent until proven guilty under state and/or federal law. British counter-terrorism police have arrested five men, including four Iranian nationals, on suspicion of planning a terrorist act, a statement from Londons Metropolitan Police said on Sunday. The investigation relates to a suspected plot to target a specific location, according to the statement, which added that the men were arrested during raids at a number of addresses across the country on Saturday. This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated, said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Met Police have not said which site was the target of the alleged attack. It said the men were arrested in the Greater Manchester and London areas, as well as in the southern town of Swindon. The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter, said Murphy. Four of the men are Iranian nationals, ranging in age from 29 to 46, and have been detained under Britains Terrorism Act, the police statement said. The nationality of the fifth man, whose age was not provided, was still being established and the Met statement said he had instead been detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. All five remain in police custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us, Murphy said. Additional details of the suspects arrests: A 29-year-old man arrested in the Swindon area A 46-year-old man arrested in west London A 29-year-old man arrested in the Stockport area A 40-year-old man arrested in the Rochdale area A man (age to be confirmed) arrested in the Manchester area This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A four-year-old girl and a man have been killed after a driver crashed an SUV into the entrance of Manila International Airport on Sunday, the Philippine Red Cross said. The driver crashed the car through the outer railing and onto a walkway where people were standing outside the departure area at Ninoy Aquino International Airports Terminal 1 just before 9 a.m., the Philippine Red Cross said in a statement. The incident tragically resulted in the casualties of two individuals a male adult and a 4-year-old girl, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver is in police custody and individuals are being treated for injuries, the airports operator said in a statement, though it did not specify how many people were hurt. There is currently no indication from police that the crash was deliberate. CNN has reached out to police in Pasay City, the area of the Philippine capital where the airport is located, for comment. The Philippine Red Cross said it deployed 18 volunteers and five ambulances to respond to the crash, including a rescue vehicle for potential extrication operations, according to the statement. Videos shared on social media by the news agency of the Philippine government showed chaos at the airport, and a black SUV crashed into the entryway of the terminal. People could be heard screaming and crying in the video, which appeared to show several people injured on the ground and baggage strewn about, as first responders attended to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, we are awaiting official confirmation on the cause of the incident and reports of injuries, the statement from the airports operator said. We understand the concern this incident has caused, especially as images have circulated on social media, said the statement. We urge the public not to speculate and to wait for verified updates, which will be issued as soon as they become available. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the days after a fatal Cincinnati police shooting in East Price Hill, The Enquirer has examined the brief clips of body camera footage the department released to learn more about how those "six quick seconds" unfolded. Roughly 20 seconds of body camera video from two officers at an apartment complex the morning of May 1 show officers chasing on foot a fleeing suspect in a stolen car investigation. The suspect, whom police later identified as 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, was one of four fleeing from police, but the only one seen in the footage. In the footage, Hinton runs from an officer, tripping on some concrete in front of a set of dumpsters. He drops what police said was a Glock .40-caliber pistol recovered at the scene. Hinton then continues between the two dumpsters with what appears to be the pistol in his right hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer alerts his partner on the other side of the dumpster that Hinton has a gun. The partner catches up to Hinton and fires five consecutive shots at him. Two bullets strike Hinton: one in the chest and one in the arm, police said. Who are the Hintons? What we know about man charged with killing a Hamilton County deputy Chief Teresa Theetge said in a press conference the day after the shooting that the time between when the suspects ran from police to when the shooting happened was six quick seconds. Theetge said the officer who shot Hinton believed the teen pointed the gun at him during the quick encounter. He felt threatened for his life, Theetge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The individual is running with a firearm in his hand. The officer is running, so the body camera is kind of jolting as the officer is running. What that leaves us with a very blurred image, unfortunately," Theetge said. "However, based on the officer's interviews, the officer who did discharge his firearm said that when the individual came out between the dumpsters, he had the firearm in front of him. It was in kind of a bladed position, and it was pointed at the officer." The department has not released the name of the officer who shot Hinton. For years, the department would release the names and information about officers involved. However, in recent months, the department has been withholding that information, citing Marsy's Law, legislation meant to protect victims of crimes. Officials say parallel investigations into the shooting are underway by the Cincinnati Police Department and the Citizen Complaint Authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day after the police shooting, Hinton's father, Rodney Hinton, Jr., drove his car into a Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy directing traffic, killing him. The fatal crash came two hours after the Hinton family reviewed the body camera footage of the shooting. A violent chain of events: Man accused of killing deputy day after police shot his son This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Body cam: Frame-by-frame review of fatal Cincinnati police shooting In precisely six and three-quarter minutes the damned fella will be late, says Nancy Mitfords Uncle Matthew, grinding his teeth as he waits by his trout stream for the Chubb Fuddler to arrive. Being late for an appointment is a certain way to enrage the person who is made to wait even (or perhaps especially) if they are habitually unpunctual themselves. Lateness says, My time is more important than yours, which is why celebs have transformed it into something approaching performance art, turning up ever more extravagantly late, with ever more preposterous excuses. Impressively late for a breakfast television interview, the reality star Gemma Collins complained that the helicopter didnt turn up on time, while the rapper Lauryn Hill, notorious for pitching up late to her own concerts, explained in a social media post that the challenge is aligning my energy with the time. Goodness knows, weve all had that problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groundlings kept hanging about by these effigies of self-importance have little option but to twiddle their thumbs while their own time slips uselessly away. But lateness can also be an effective means of subversion. Go-slows and working to rule have traditionally been used by disgruntled workers to signal their discontent with decisions by politicians or bosses. But in France a trio of creative directors known as the Zele collective have come up with a sophisticated reimagining of the go-slow as a satirical protest against President Macrons pension reforms. Two years ago, when Macron forced through legislation to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, the French populace made its feelings clear in the usual way. There were strikes and protests across the country, at which effigies of the President, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, and other ministers were burned. So far, so French. But the Zele collectives protest is an altogether slicker affair. On Instagram, an AI -generated Minister for Latecomers - young and handsome, with a hint of designer stubble and a carefully cultivated air of gravitas - addresses the nation. Francais, Francaises, he intones, today we launch a citizens movement against the retirement reforms by taking back our mornings. Every minute that employees turn up late to work, he explains, is an act of resistance, reclaiming the leisure stolen by the pension reforms. A link is provided for workers to calculate precisely how many minutes of daily delay are required to redress their personal balance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the pension reforms, the OECDs Global Life-Work Balance Index for 2024 still had France in 13th place; while the UK, where we must labour until 66 (rising to 67 next year and eventually to 68), was 15th. So on this side of the Channel, it is hard to feel much solidarity for the French workers, freed from toil at a comparatively youthful 64. Charles-Antoine De Sousa of the Zeles admits that the campaign is largely symbolic. But if we dont protest, one day we will wake up and find that we, too, have to work until we are 67. Time, as everyone from Hippocrates to the authors of self-help books (Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting) is keen to remind us, is a precious commodity. If we waste it, as Shakespeares Richard II bitterly reflects, it will waste us. There, at least, we can agree with the virtual Minister for Latecomers. 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. France plans to manufacture 1,200 AASM Hammer guided air bombs in 2025, up from 830 units produced in 2024, Le Parisien, a French daily newspaper, reported on May 2. The French-made precision bombs are being transferred to Ukraine as part of ongoing defense support, and their use by Ukrainian fighter jets has grown significantly since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. The AASM Hammer, developed by French company Safran, has become a weapon of choice for Ukraines air force thanks to its high accuracy and resistance to Russian electronic warfare, according to Le Parisien. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French government asked Safran to integrate air-to-surface missile systems onto Ukrainian fighter jets after American JDAM GPS-guided munitions failed to hit targets. Safran reportedly completed the integration "in less than four months in the fall of 2023," enabling precise targeting from Ukraines Soviet-era jets. Safran's CEO Franck Saudo highlighted the systems resistance to GPS jamming and compatibility with Ukrainian MiG and Su aircraft. Saudo explained that the module feature protects the bombs from Russian GPS jamming and guarantees high target accuracy. The French Defense Ministry confirmed earlier that the bombs can be launched from Ukraines existing aircraft fleet. According to Le Parisien, France hopes to supply Ukraine with around 50 AASM bombs each month. The weapon entered service with the French military in 2008 and became standard for the Dassault Rafale, a French twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft but has since been adapted for use on other aircraft, including the F-16 and Mirage 2000. Read also: French minister calls Putin sole obstacle to peace as EU prepares 17th sanctions round, AFP reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Three illegal immigrants considered violent by authorities were arrested over the course of April in Columbus, the Franklin Township police department said Saturday. In a Facebook post, Franklin Township police said it collaborated with the FBI, Homeland Security and ATF agents in the arrests. Ohio deputy dies after intentional act of violence by father of man killed by police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the individuals arrested is a member of a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua, designated by the White House as a foreign terrorist organization. Another individual was wanted for running through an apartment complex with a shotgun and was found in possession of narcotics. The third was taken into custody following a high-speed pursuit, during which an unrestrained three-year-old child was discovered in the backseat of the vehicle. Police said he fled on foot and evaded capture for nearly an hour before being apprehended. The suspect had fled Ohio months earlier after abducting a three-year-old and had led officers on a high-speed chase in another state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Police have arrested a 23-year-old Georgia man on multiple sexual-related charges. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On April 30, Albany police said Quinterious Worthy, 23, was involved in a physical fight with a 14-year-old in the 200 block of Barton Drive. During the fight, police said Worthy took the child into a bedroom and committed sex acts. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Albany police, Worthy told investigators that there had been several incidents where he had been sexually involved with the teen. Worthy was arrested and charged with three counts of sodomy and aggravated sodomy. He was booked into the Dougherty County Jail. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 229-436-TIPS. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] May 3Gary W. Long, MD Gary W. Long, MD died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 87. Born of Amish/Mennonite heritage, he grew up in Fresno and Dinuba, CA. He attended UCLA Medical School and graduated in 1963. Gary became a senior resident and graduated in the summer of 1967. He had enrolled in a military deferment program, so then went to the CDC (Center of Disease Control) in Atlanta, Georgia and served as part of the Smallpox Eradication Program for two years, before he returned to UNM and the Veterans' Hospital. Dr. Robert Stone, first chair of UNM Department of Pathology, hailed from UCLA and he enticed his UCLA resident, Gary, to transfer to UNM. Dr. Stone was like a magnet, drawing the best and brightest to the UNM Department of Pathology. As Dr. Long said, "each knew that something good was happening at the UNM School of Medicine, though in its infancy." Dr. Long was assigned responsibility for teaching the sophomore medical school class. Gary was thrown into this position during his residency as many realized that Gary was the resident who loved teaching the most. Dr. Long enjoyed international travel. As a medical student, he worked on an anti-microbial program in Tahiti and on a anti-filariasis and anti-malaria program in American Samoa. He and the whole American team were honored by the King of Tonga who had heard of the good works that the Americans were accomplishing. He traveled to Brazil to help control and collect samples from a smallpox outbreak. He was recruited to be in charge of the clinical microbiology laboratory at VAMC in Albuquerque, where he remained for 15 years and also met his wife Debra. He attended Grand Rounds at UNMH and enjoyed the Infectious Disease Seminars, especially the annual Infectious Disease Conference held in Carmel, CA. He played a big part of the Pathology Resident Program and served on many steering committees. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Debra, his sisters Susan Farrell and Sharron Vahlstrom (Wally) and Terry Gabriel (Bert). He had six special nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews and his godson Tom McConnell II. He was preceded in death by his precious parents Mary and Verne Long and Jerry Farrell, his brother-in-law. He was very close to his grandmother Grace Hamilton. Over the years, he had built houses, apartments and townhouses. He held all his tenants in high esteem and made many lifelong friends. Gary was a gentle and loving husband. He loved music and taking organ lessons with Rick Wild as his teacher at First Methodist Church. He enjoyed taking cooking lessons with his wife. He was enthralled with the South Pacific and ended up buying a coconut plantation in the Fiji Islands. He had many adventures in Fiji including night spear-fishing in the Pacific Ocean. He had a deep devotion for the Eucharist. He was a member of the Shrine of St. Bernadette, but because he lived in Placitas, worshipped at the San Antonio Mission. He also volunteered as a doctor for a free medical clinic at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Bernalillo and also served for three years at the St. Anthony's Kitchen. Mass of Remembrance, celebrated by Fr. E.C. Domme, will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church located at 811 Guaymas Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 (Lomas & Tennessee). In lieu of flowers, please arrange for a memorial mass to be offered for the repose of Gary Long's soul or contribute to a charity of your own choosing. Please visit the online guestbook for Gary at www.frenchfunerals.com. Editors note: All identifying information has been removed from the story because the woman was found safe. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A woman whose family told the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office she had not been seen since April 29 has been found safe, according to deputies. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. The chief of Germany's Air Force has travelled to Israel to procure the first part of the Arrow 3 air-defence system, as Germany seeks to boost its air defences in light of Europe's altered security landscape. Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz visited Arrow 3 manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv to receive the central communication element of the weapons system, a spokesman for the air force said. Germany's Air Force is aiming for the modern hypersonic, anti-ballistic missile system to achieve initial operational readiness by the end of this year, as the country is looking to close a defence gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrow 3 is able to shoot down missiles at an altitude of more than 100 kilometres - meaning it can destroy projectiles outside of the atmosphere, a capability Germany's current defence umbrella doesn't have. "With Arrow 3, Germany is procuring an Israeli weapons system on my initiative that will help to protect Germany against threats from the air," Gerhartz told dpa. The first of three locations for the firing units is set to be Holzdorf military airbase in eastern Germany, some 75 kilometres south of the German capital, where construction work is under way. Germany is seeking to invest heavily in its air defence in light of Russia having significantly ramped up its defence industry amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking fears that Moscow might launch an attack on European NATO territory in the coming years. To this end, Germany has also launched an initiative for a common European air defence system - the European Sky Shield Initiative. Incoming German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to order increased rejections of migrants and more frequent checks at Germany's external borders a day after he assumes office with the new coalition government later this week. "The first decisions will be made after taking office this Wednesday. This will include ramping up border controls and increasing rejections," Dobrindt of the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) told Sunday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper. There will be no border closures, the conservative politician said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The numbers of illegal migration must come down. To achieve both humanity and order, control, clarity and consistency are needed. We are preparing national and European decisions for this," Dobrindt further stated. Observers expect that at least temporarily, more federal police officers will be sent to the border. However, what else might change remains unclear. The German Police Union (GdP) reacted sceptically to Dobrindt's announcement. The GdP is also in favour of measures to curb irregular migration, said Andreas Rosskopf, chairman of the GdP for Federal Police and Customs. However, a significant increase in the number of police officers at the border cannot be sustained permanently with the current staffing levels, he added. The union representative also expressed doubts about the announcements from conservative politicians to turn back asylum seekers at Germany's land borders without the consent of neighbouring countries like Poland or Austria. "There must be no ping-pong game with neighbouring countries from Wednesday," warned Rosskopf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we are to turn back asylum seekers, it must be legally secure - and so far, I am missing the answer to that," Rosskopf said. On Tuesday, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz is to be elected chancellor in the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag. The new government is made up of Merz's CDU, its sister party the CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD). The future head of the chancellor's office, Thorsten Frei of the CDU, recently announced stricter border checks from the first day of the new government - albeit with a time limit. Initially, there were hardly any supporters of fixed border checks in the outgoing centre-left coalition, as these are not permitted in the visa-free Schengen Area of which Germany is a part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, then interior minister Nancy Faeser of the SPD not only repeatedly extended the checks at the land border with Austria that began in 2015, she also ordered such temporary checks in mid-October 2023 for the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland and notified the European Commission of the move. Last September, she then decided that such checks should also be in place at the remaining border sections. Last year, 229,751 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time. This was about 100,000 fewer initial asylum applications than the previous year. The main countries of origin currently include Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. A major reason for the decline, according to the head of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Hans-Eckhard Sommer, is that Serbia effectively closed the refugee route to Hungary in November 2023. Whether this will remain the case permanently is uncertain, Sommer said in a speech at the end of March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coalition agreement, CDU/CSU and SPD have agreed: "We will carry out rejections at the common borders in coordination with our European neighbours, even in the case of asylum applications." However, it remains unresolved between the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the centre-left SPD whether "in coordination" means obtaining the neighbours' consent or merely consulting them. Outsourcing asylum procedures to countries outside the European Union would theoretically be possible, but not very easy to implement in practice, according to the results of an assessment by Germany's Interior Ministry which were published on Sunday. The ministry considered three options for the so-called third country approach, namely a Rwanda Model, an Albania Model and an Away Model. The United Kingdom's Rwanda Model envisaged transferring asylum seekers to another country in this case Rwanda where they would then go through an asylum procedure. It has since been scrapped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy developed the Albania Model calling for certain boat migrants to be housed in Albanian camps until a decision was made on their asylum applications. This has been blocked by several Italian court rulings. Lastly the Away Model would see a request for protection is examined in a transit country before someone reaches European soil. "All models appear to be legally possible in principle, in some cases after significant legal changes," but in practical terms they are associated with considerable difficulties in some cases, the report concludes. Applying third-country models to a large number of asylum seekers is "unrealistic," the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This also applies if the link between the asylum seeker and the third country such as family ties or previous residence in that country which was previously provided for in the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is removed at the European level. "Cooperation with third countries can be another building block in limiting irregular migration," Germany's acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. However, the experience of the United Kingdom showed "that such attempts can also incur immense costs and fail across the board." This must be taken into account in a realistic assessment. British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has indicated that the asylum pact concluded with Rwanda by the former Conservative government has cost taxpayers more than 700 million (approximately $929 million). The new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer overturned the asylum pact. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party outlined its plans to take legal action in response to Germany's domestic intelligence agency BfV officially classifying the party as right-wing extremist. On Friday, BfV officials reignited a political debate about a ban of the AfD after releasing a lengthy report confirming the extremist nature of the party, which came second in Germany's most recent election in February. Intelligence officials said that there was now concrete evidence that the anti-immigrant party pursued efforts that threaten Germany's democratic order and that its understanding of the German nation as based on ethnicity and descent was incompatible with Germany's free democratic order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The party said on Sunday that if the domestic intelligence agency does not comply with a cease-and-desist letter sent on Friday, the AfD's federal executive committee will approve a lawsuit already prepared against the agency and file it in court on Monday. The AfD's letter, which has a deadline of 8 am (0600 GMT) Monday states that both the classification as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization" and the announcement of this fact are considered to be clearly illegal. The BfV confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment further. The Administrative Court in Cologne, where the BfV is based, is responsible for lawsuits against the intelligence agency, also known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. In May the Higher Administrative Court in Munster ruled in an appeal that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution had rightly classified the AfD as a suspected right-wing extremist organisation. Germany's soon-to-be interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, appears reluctant to initiate a ban on the country's Alternative for Germany (AfD), the party recently designated by intelligence officials as a "right-wing extremist" threat to democracy. Germany's domestic intelligence agency reignited a political debate about banning the party after it announced on Friday it was designating the AfD party as a right-wing extremist organization that "disregards human dignity." "I am very sceptical about this," Dobrindt told broadcaster ZDF on Sunday after talk of a possible ban dominated German media since Friday. "I don't believe that we can just ban the AfD. Instead we need to outgovern them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue of a party ban is set to be among the first facing Germany's new conservative-led government, set to take office under future chancellor Friedrich Merz in the coming days. "In truth, this plays into the hands of the AfD and their narrative that people no longer want to engage with them politically, but only legally. And I would not want to grant the AfD that satisfaction," Dobrindt said. The AfD's designation as right-wing extremist drew criticism not only from party leaders, but also US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who slammed the move as "tyranny in disguise." Dobrindt rejected the claim from the US that the designation was an attempt to destroy Germany's largest opposition party. "This statement is absurd," he said. "And I also expect this to be addressed in the next discussions with the US. Obviously, there is a completely false assessment of the AfD as a party." When Khalil Ferguson started offering free expungement clinics in Oak Park five years ago, he saw firsthand how a conviction even one from decades ago could shadow someone for life. One of his clients came to him in 2022 with more than 15 convictions dating back to the 1970s when he tried to feed a drug habit he had since beaten. His record had been spotless since 2000, Ferguson said, and he had stable employment. He wanted peace of mind that the convictions wouldnt pop up in a future background check, said Ferguson, who has worked with a number clients whose dreams of financial success were crushed when exactly that happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several folks have come to me saying, I need to get a better job. They just denied me because of my criminal record. Can you help me? Ferguson said. Expungement, the legal process of clearing a criminal conviction from public view, has become increasingly accessible in California but many residents in Sacramento and elsewhere still dont realize they qualify or that help is available for free or at low cost. Studies show it can boost employment prospects and reduce recidivism. What expungement does and doesnt do in CA Contrary to what the term implies, an expungement in California doesnt erase a criminal record entirely. Most employers are not going to see the arrests, prosecution and expungement on a criminal background check, said John Stoller, supervising assistant public defender for Sacramento County. If youre applying for a manager position at Rite Aid, theyre probably not going to see it. But if you are applying to be a dispatcher at a police department or need a security clearance at the county, theyre probably going to see it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What expungement actually does is change the official court record to reflect that the case was dismissed, Stoller said, and this can significantly improve a persons chances when applying for jobs, housing or professional licenses. Under Penal Code section 1203.4, most people who have completed probation or served time whether in county jail or even state prison under new laws like Senate Bill 731 may be eligible. Stollers office filed more than 1,100 expungement petitions last year and offers weekly free clinics at multiple locations, including Loaves & Fishes and Mather Community Campus. We offer expungement services to anyone with a conviction in Sacramento County, Stoller said. You dont have to live here now. If your conviction is from here, well help you completely free of charge. Get free or low-cost help with expungement While some private attorneys charge thousands of dollars for the service, some nonprofits and county public defenders offices will help residents for free or at low costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public defenders in Sacramento County, for example, not only fill out forms, but they ensure their clients pay no court fees and avoid the cost for securing their RAP sheets, short for record of arrests and prosecutions. Yolo and El Dorado counties also have staff in their public defenders offices who assist those trying to clean up records in their jurisdictions. In Placer County, the nonprofit Legal Services of Northern California offer legal help for free, but clients will have to provide the RAP sheet and cover some court costs. Ferguson is seeking funding to both continue and expand the work that his nonprofit, United Core Alliance, has provided. To help the client with 15-plus convictions, he said, a lawyer and paralegal spent about 30 hours over six months to get everything they needed to write a solid personal statement, or declaration. He initially provided general background information about his life post-incarceration, but we needed specific facts to demonstrate community rehabilitation, given the clients extensive criminal background, Ferguson said. So, we went back and forth communication-wise for months until we had sufficient information to complete the clients declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson, who studied economics and international relations as an undergraduate, shared a Stanford University study showing that, within three years, the benefits of expungement will outweigh the costs as governments begin to enjoy the increased tax revenue and economic activity from easing ex-offenders back into the workforce. However, a 2001 survey of Los Angeles employers found that only 20% of them would definitely or probably consider a job application from an ex-offender. A lack of stable employment is a major predictor of continued criminal conduct. How the CA expungement process works The expungement process varies depending on the conviction, Stoller said. Misdemeanor expungements are often automatic if probation is completed. Felonies can require a judges approval, especially if the sentence included jail or prison time. At the Sacramento County Public Defenders Office, expungement begins with an interview, usually during a walk-in clinic or via email. Legal staff here will help clients pull their RAP sheets and assess eligibility, but at other countys or nonprofits sites, clients may be required to download and bring those documents with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys or staff will advise clients if they need to write a personal statement about why expungement matters to them or provide letters of recommendation from friends, family, or employers. We tailor these letters for the judge, Stoller said. We want to show the judge that this person is really trying. If we dont hear back after a few months, we have to close the file. Christine Morse-Fitch, a criminal defense attorney and professor at Sacramento State, believes the process should be even simpler. We have cars that drive themselves. We have ChatGPT that can write a dissertation in four seconds, she said. So Im confident that we have somebody who can write a program that will say, OK, if this person doesnt have any more run-ins with the law after whatever period of time, this is expunged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people dont realize that, if they can keep their records clean after release, they can request early termination of probation and apply for expungement, she said. It can be a motivator. It can be a carrot, she said. We just dont have enough people out there to educate people and to give them this information and this hope. Free or low-cost help to expunge records Sacramento County Public Defenders Office holds weekly walk-in clinics from 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays at Loaves & Fishes, 1351 North C St.; from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at Mather Community Campus, 10626 Shirra Ave.; 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Sacramento County Administration Building, 700 H St. You can email publicdefender-expungement@saccounty.gov to get started. In Placer County, Legal Services of Northern California conducts clean slate clinics at no cost for individuals whose household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $64,299 or less for a family of four. Participants must provide a record of arrests and prosecutions RAP sheet, for short prior to registration. Contact the nonprofit at auburn-office@lsnc.net or 530-823-7560. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A paralegal at the El Dorado County Public Defenders office will answer questions and provide guidance to individuals trying to clear offenses in that jurisdiction. Call (530) 621-6440. The Yolo County Public Defenders Office invites those seeking to expunge their records to in-person clinics twice a year, usually in the spring and late summer. Sacramento and Solano counties also have sent representatives to the events.Want to confer with the Yolo public defender now? Visit YoloCounty.gov/Expungement to learn how. The nonprofit Capital Pro Bono will assist with seeking expungements for misdemeanor offenses. Call 916-551-2155 or go to the website and fill out the contact us form. Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, left, greets Gov. Jeff Landry as Landry leaves the House Chamber with his son, JT Landry, right, after speaking on opening day of legislative session, Monday, April 14, 2025, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate-Pool) A surprise amendment to what was a simple bill caused an appreciable rift among Republicans in the Louisiana Legislature this past week, but it might have helped advance Gov. Jeff Landrys signature legislation to address the states insurance crisis. House Bill 148, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Wiley, R-Maurepas, began as a measure to require insurance companies to tell customers what their previous billing amount was whenever sending out a coverage renewal notice. Wiley said it would simply let customers quickly see whether their insurance rates have gone up or down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the legislation underwent significant changes Wednesday on the House floor. Wiley accepted an amendment from Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, that effectively combined his bill with some of the major provisions from a separate proposal from Democrats Robby Carter of Amite and Chad Brown of Plaquemine. Their measure, which has the governors backing, would give the state insurance commissioner the power to strike down any insurance rate increase considered excessive or unreasonably high. Currently, the commissioner can only exercise that power after holding a public hearing in which someone proves the state insurance market lacks competition. The amalgamated bill was advanced to the Senate on a 68-34 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Carter-Brown bill had opposition from several Republican lawmakers and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who some speculate could become the governors scapegoat if the latest efforts to reduce coverage prices fail. The proposal would have also backed the commissioner into a corner, forcing him to choose between rates based on real market conditions and rates that are lowered as a form of political favors, Temple has said in previous interviews. Some Republican lawmakers made similar arguments Wednesday and challenged whether Gloriosos amendment was germane to Wileys original legislation. Legislative rules forbid members from hijacking a colleagues bill with changes that differ dramatically from the purpose of the original proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One opponent, Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, asked House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, to decide whether the Glorioso amendment departed radically from the Wiley bill. After consulting with the chambers parliamentarian, DeVillier said both proposals are related to the cost of insurance premiums. Rep. John Wyble, R-Franklinton, criticized the amendment for its lack of specificity in how the commissioner is supposed to determine whether a rate is unreasonable. So whats an unreasonable profit a 6% profit, a 4.5% profit, a 20% profit, a 100% profit? Wyble asked. Republicans Jay Galle of Mandeville, Josh Carlson of Lafayette, Paula Davis of Baton Rouge and Chance Henry of Crowley also argued against the proposal, voting against the Glorioso amendment and the updated bill. Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, left, chats with Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, on opening day of legislative session, Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate-Pool) Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, also voted against both measures. He said he believes Gloriosos amendment helped ensure the passage of the key provisions the governor wanted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry turned heads last month when he sat shoulder to shoulder with Brown at a committee hearing in support of the Democrats bill. The governor even drew praise from some of the states most liberal politicians after he railed against large corporations and called for stricter regulations on the insurance industry. The Carter-Brown bill was problematic for some Republican representatives, Firment said in a phone interview Friday. Moving the major provisions from that bill into a Republican-backed proposal was a way to try to ease the heartburn some conservatives were having, Firment said. The insurance commissioner is still lobbying against the revised bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant speak to anyones motivation, but the only additional power this legislation gives me is the authority to deny rates for political, personal and other subjective reasons, Temple said. Ive made that clear to the legislature and will continue working to help them understand what the bill does and why it is harmful to our insurance market. Wiley said he supported the amendment because of the special circumstances of the states insurance crisis. I can just tell you that tough times call for tough decisions, Wiley said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DES MOINES, Iowa Three weeks ago, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that she would not be seeking reelection in the states highest office. A 16-year career in the states executive branch will come to a close in two years. Reynolds was Iowas 46th Lieutenant Governor from 2011 until the summer of 2017 when she was appointed to the highest office in the state. Reynolds won reelection twice, in 2018 and 2022. On Today in Iowa Sunday, Reynolds discusses the process of her making the big decision and what the future could potentially hold for her. She also looks back at some of the biggest challenges she has faced as Iowas Governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa Republican Party will hold an open primary now for the 2026 gubernatorial election, the first open primary in 16 years. Reynolds previews what her involvement will look like in the primary process. You are able to view the first part of the interview in the video attached above, with the second part right here: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The Colvin family has raised cattle on land just outside Tenino for generations, but recently the cattle have not been confined to the familys ranch on Old Highway 99. Visitors to the area may see cattle crossing the road to graze at the Violet Prairie Wildlife Area Unit, about 1,500 acres of public land the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife finished acquiring last year. The unit is part of the Scatter Creek watershed, a main hub of the countys prairie-oak conservation network. Its also home to threatened species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Taylors checkerspot butterfly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, why are cattle grazing there? Bill Kronland, Wildlife Area Manager for the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, said they are helping conserve the prairie and species that live there. From my perspective, it was looking at this landscape and looking at the resources I have at hand and thinking to myself, how am I supposed to manage this? Kronland said. Native prairies are few and far between. A 1998 study found native prairie species dominated only 3% of grassland soils in the south Puget Sound region. More recently, a 2021 Washington State University study found over 90% of prairies west of the Cascades have been converted to agriculture or lost to development. Jennifer Colvin, owner of Colvin Ranch, said she partnered with WDFW to graze her cattle on Violet Prairie last year and its already producing results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it gives us a really unique opportunity to manage the prairie for the benefit of the wildlife that live here but also keep these agricultural lands as working agricultural lands, Colvin said. Were able to raise a really great product and to feed our local community. The Olympian visited Violet Prairie in April to see the practice in action. Touring land that has been in her Tenino family for generations Colvin Ranch owner Jennifer Colvin along with Bill Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, speak to the environmental benefits to the conservation grazing method to land stewardship. Why cattle grazing? Sediment deposited by melting glaciers formed the prairie, Kronland said. Rainfall drains through the soil, leaving a unique landscape that looks drier than what people might expect in western Washington. Since the end of the last glacial period, its been maintained by first peoples who have regularly burned back the Douglas fir (trees) to keep the prairie open for cultural resource plants and to make it easier to walk through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kronland said WDFW wants to reintroduce those first peoples management methods and seed native plants that local species rely on. Fire is a key tool, but he said it cant be used everywhere. Wed either be smoking out Tenino or wed be shutting down the highway, Kronland said. So, whats the alternative? Mowing, spraying herbicides? All those are resource intensive and kind of not desirable. Cows are biomowers. Fire burns off non-native plants and creates bare soil for native seeds to take hold. Cattle can similarly create bare ground openings, Kronland said. The area has a history of grazing as well. Colvin said her family has grazed cattle in the area for 171 years and has practiced conservation for decades, both on their own and in partnership with state and county government as well as local organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont have to necessarily choose between raising really great quality beef and making a sacrifice there for also conserving the habitat, Colvin said. You can do both. Colvin said the cattle are rotated through separate pastures to give native plants a chance to grow and set seeds. One of the key ones they look out for is the camas, which features lavender and deep blue petals. We use camas as our indicator, rather than just looking at the calendar because every year its a little different, Colvin said. Touring land that has been in her Tenino family for generations Colvin Ranch owner Jennifer Colvin along with Bill Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, speak to the environmental benefits to the conservation grazing method to land stewardship. What evidence is there that its working? WDFW has yet to officially survey the area so evidence of their success on the Violet Prairie is anecdotal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kronland pointed out that areas that were grazed appear much greener while areas that were not grazed have a buildup of thatch and brownish vegetation. Well get there someday, Kronland said of the brownish vegetation. Its growing less because were not introducing the vegetative state. He said the grazed areas remained green through the dry period of the summer and theres more heterogeneity in structure. Its not just the sea of thatch and brown grass, Kronland said. What we have are patches of grass here and there. We have openings, so were actually getting bare ground. The improved landscape is also helpful for preventing wildfires. Without the cattle, Kronland said he would have to use tractors to mow fire breaks, which is diesel and labor intensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The greener landscape is less likely to burn than the thatch-filled landscape, he said. If I wanted to burn that right now, Id have to sit there with a burner to get it to burn, Kronland said of the greener vegetation. Touring land that has been in her Tenino family for generations Colvin Ranch owner Jennifer Colvin along with Bill Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, speak to the environmental benefits to the conservation grazing method to land stewardship. While the conservation grazing on Violet Prairie is still in relatively early stages, past studies have shown that the practice can have an impact. The 2021 WSU study found that conservation grazing can significantly increase native and overall species richness within three years. Conservation grazing for this study was conducted at three sites, including Colvin Ranch. The study also found that conservation grazing can be used to promote habitat for rare and endangered species such as the Mazama pocket gopher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gopher occupancy was measured as the proportion of plots with fresh gopher mounds present. The greatest increase occurred in sites that used conservation grazing. Those sites increased from 56% occupied in 2018 to 83% in 2020, according to the study. Notably, a 2018 study looked at lessons learned from conservation grazing on native prairie in the Tualatin River basin in Oregon. Similarly, the study found targeted grazing can create space for local species, leading to significant increases in plant diversity. Are there limitations to this practice? Kronland said its become evident that conservation grazing can help the Mazama pocket gopher flourish but it remains to be seen how compatible this practice will be with the Taylors checkerspot butterfly. What were trying to do is create habitat for federal listed species and theres no playbook for that, Kronland said. You can go to school to learn how to make deer habitat. You cant learn how to make checker spot habitat. We have to teach ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colvin said the conservation grazing process is iterative. Every year, she tries to do it better while factoring in weather, rain and the past years management practices. Lessons learned may then be applied to other areas. Each year its about incremental improvement, Colvin said. Its not about necessarily doing things perfectly. Conservation grazing also has to balance agricultural needs. Colvin said an agricultural operation cannot be run on land thats completely native. Maybe you want to pull cattle off an area for a little bit, for example when the camas are blooming, but youve got to put them somewhere, Colvin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her property has some areas that are native prairie and some that are not. Similarly, Violet Prairie has some uphill grassland with less native plants where cattle could go. Touring land that has been in her Tenino family for generations Colvin Ranch owner Jennifer Colvin along with Bill Kronland, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, speak to the environmental benefits to the conservation grazing method to land stewardship. Colvin said conservation grazing is more management intensive for ranchers because it requires more logistical planning, fencing and strategic resource management. Still, she said the payoff is worth it. All of those investments are worth it, because it enables us to produce better quality forage for our cattle, Colvin said. Given that so much land is privately owned, expanding this model elsewhere will take private-public partnerships like the one Colvin made with WDFW. Colvin said the area around her ranch has a mixture of private landowners, state agencies and the county working together to manage the whole ecosystem. The animals that live here dont pay attention to the boundary lines, Colvin said. Bald eagles have their nests here. They fly diagonally here across my house and a do lot of hunting out on the prairie and down at Scatter Creek. As a state managed property, Kronland must also get by with limited resources to do critical conservation work. Still, he said this work is not occurring in a vacuum. Theres a community of folks that want to see this happen and so theres at least those resources we can tap into, Kronland said. Violet Prairie also has many uses as a public land. Kronland said important conservation work is being done there, yet there also are people who visit to hunt, ride horses, hike and run. I think that larger challenge goes beyond just conservation grazing, Kronland said. How are we going to manage our public lands to address all of those uses? The Violet Prairie Wildlife Area Unit is open to the public. Visitors can find it across the street from Colvin Ranch on Old Highway 99, southwest of Tenino. Please, respect the livestock, Kronland said. Were using them as a tool to maintain the landscape. They represent Jennifers familys livelihood. Dont pet the cows. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Grand Rapids Police Department says that two 17-year-old boys showed up at a hospital Saturday night with gunshot wounds. According to GRPD, the shooting happened on South Division Avenue near Hall Street. Around 8:20 p.m., the teens showed up at the hospital, having taken themselves. One was listed in critical condition as of Saturday night; the other was stable and was wounded in the leg, according to GRPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not immediately release information about what led up to the shooting. A News 8 crew saw a police presence near the McDonalds on South Division and yellow police tape on scene. There was also a forensic services unit on scene. Officers cleared the scene around 10:30 p.m. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact GRPD at 616.456.3380. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Experts warn about the possibility of a new pandemic in 2025 as the H5N1 bird flu virus spreads across all 50 states, impacting US dairy farms and leading to human infections. Here's what to know. While bird flu has been around for decades, the discovery in 2024 that the deadly pathogen spread from a wild bird to a cow came as a surprise to virus watchers, according to news officials. In just over a year, the virus has ravaged America's dairy herds, poultry flocks and other mammals humans. The Global Virus Network (GVN) has issued warning to world governments to address the threat of the H5N1 outbreak by improving surveillance, implementing biosecurity measures, and preparing for potential human-to-human transmission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Understanding the current landscape of H5N1 infections is critical for effective prevention and response," said Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of the GVN. "The virus' ability to infect both animals and humans, combined with recent genetic changes, underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and rapid response measures." According to GVN, the new virus outbreak has affected nearly 1000 dairy cow herds, resulted in more than 70 human cases and one confirmed death in the U.S. and has caused the loss or culling of more than 168 million poultry since 2022. In the U.S. sporadic human infections with no known contact with infected animals highlight the possibility of viral adaptation for efficient human-to-human transmission, GVN scientists said in a report. Concurrently, the virus continues to circulate in wild birds, backyard flocks, and hunted migratory species, further amplifying the risk to humans and domestic animals. In a CBS news interview with Veterinarian Dr. Kay Russo, she warned that time to stop the bird flu is 'running out'. She said while it's not clear how the virus was spreading from cow to cow, 'milking equipment is a prime suspect' and workers in milking parlors have also fallen sick with flu-like symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infectious disease physician Dr. Kamran Khan said in the same interview, that his company, BlueDot, was among the first to flag the virus in China that became the COVID pandemic. He said 'the bird flu is just as concerning' and explained how fast the virus has spread among dairy cattle. What is H5N1? H5N1 is a specific strain of influenza A virus, also known as bird flu. The avian flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease that primarily affects birds, but can also infect other animals, including mammals like dairy cows and humans. Symptoms can be mild to severe and in some cases, even fatal. What are the symptoms of H5N1 infection in humans? The symptoms of H5N1 infection may include fever (often high fever, over 100.4 degrees) and malaise, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Other early symptoms may include conjunctivitis and other non-respiratory symptoms. The infection may progress quickly to severe respiratory illness, pneumonia and neurologic changes (altered mental status or seizures), according to the World Health Organization. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New virus pandemic 2025 spreading: What is H5N1 avian bird flu? (HANOVER, Colo.) The Hanover Fire Department reported that around 1 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, crews responded to a property that was fully engulfed in fire in Hanover. After working 8 hours, crews were able to put out the flames. Fire crews responded to reports of a propane explosion and fire on Soapstone View, south of Fountain, near the Pikes Peak International Highway. According to the fire department, after working tirelessly through the night, crews were able to contain the fire by 9 a.m. Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department Courtesy: Hanover Fire Department The Hanover FD reported that even after a long night battling flames, they were still able to teach at the Wildland Fire Preparedness event later in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The world today is unpredictable, but a few things remain certain: death, taxes, and renewed calls to privatize U.S. passenger rail. This time, the loudest voice making that argument is Tesla CEO and de facto Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk. Speaking at a tech conference last month, Musk said the federal government should privatize anything that can be privatized, singling out Amtrak as sad and embarrassing. He criticized the rail service for failing to match the speed and quality of passenger trains in China, which are themselves heavily supported by the countrys centralized government. If you go to China, you get epic bullet train rides, Musk said at the Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Telecom conference, according to the New York Times. Amtrak is a sad situation, he added. If youre coming from another country, please dont use our national rail. Its going to leave you with a very bad impression of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those comments appear to have struck a nerve. Amtrak released a white paper that same week explicitly pushing back against calls for privatization. Less than two weeks later, CEO Stephen Gardner resigned after more than four years in the role. A Reuters report claimed Gardner was forced out for disagreeing with the incoming administrations policy priorities. All of this suggests that efforts to spin off Amtrakdating back to the Nixon administrationmay once again have a receptive audience. This is a real threat, Donald Cohen, founder and executive director of In the Public Interest, told Popular Science. We have an administration now that wants to strip [Amtrak] down, sell it off, and make money off of it. Were not in normal times. Amtrak services 46 of the 48 contiguous states, as well as the Washington, D.C. Image: Amtrak But what exactly would a fully privatized Amtrak look likeand what could that mean for travelers who rely on it for everyday transportation? While proponents of privatization argue it would boost Amtraks efficiency and reduce its reliance on taxpayer subsidies, experts speaking with Popular Science warn the move could do more harm than good. Passengers booking trips on a privatized Amtrak, they note, would likely face higher ticket prices, less reliable service, and a reduction or elimination of routes serving rural or low-population areas. And while a privately run national passenger rail system might generate more revenue, past evidence suggests it would still likely require government subsidies to operate reliably. I dont buy the argument that theres going to be some sort of major benefit [to U.S passenger rail] if you were to take Amtrak away as an organization, Urban Institute principal research associate and transportation policy expert Yonah Freemark told Popular Science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amtrak, in its white paper, described these renewed calls for privatization as a solution searching for a problem. It is not clear what problem Amtrak privatization proposals are intended to solve, the white paper reads. Amtrak did not immediately respond to Popular Sciences request for comment asking if it still stands by the statements made in that document under its new leadership. Related: [High-speed rail trains are stalled in the USand that might not change for a while] Amtrak was created to fill market gaps Amtrak was formally established by Congress in May 1970 through the Rail Passenger Service Act. The legislation allowed private railroad companies to transfer their intercity passenger lines to the governmenta move that appealed to them since transporting passengers was often unprofitable compared to freight. Amtrak, a semi-private, for-profit entity primarily funded by the federal government, was created to fill the gap the private market couldnt. Its board of directors is appointed by the U.S. president. Today, Amtrak operates roughly 140,000 miles of rail across the country. Image: US Department of Transportation via Northwestern University Just as the Postal Service guarantees that Americans can receive mail no matter where they live, Amtrak, at least in theory, provides freedom of movement across the country. But Amtraks heavy reliance on federal and state subsidies has long made it a target for budget-cutters. Most Amtrak ridership is concentrated in two regions: the Northeast Corridor and the West Coast. That imbalance can make lawmakers from other parts of the country less inclined to support it. Still, Cohen told Popular Science he believes Amtrak offers a collective public benefiteven if individual riders dont use it regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its in our [national] interest for people to be able to move around, whether youre the one moving or not, Cohen said. Itll help the economy, itll help the environment, itll help peoples lives. Ironically, the renewed calls for privatization come during some of Amtraks best-performing years on record. In 2023, Amtrak saw a record 32.8 million completed tripsa 15 percent increase from the year prior. It also generated $2.5 billion in revenue, marking a notable 9 percent year-over-year increase. Freemark noted that Amtraks Northeast Corridorits most heavily trafficked routehas been profitable for several years, covering its own operations and expenses. The real cost burdens, experts say, come from long-haul routes, such as those connecting Chicago to Los Angeles, and stops in sparsely populated rural communities. One estimate by CityLab found that it costs Amtrak around $111 to complete a long-haul trip, compared to just $11 for shorter rides. President Trump has had a contentious relationship with Amtrak. During his first term, he repeatedly pushed for deep funding cuts, particularly for long-distance routes. He also suggested that states, rather than the federal government, shoulder more of the subsidy burden for those trips. The Biden administration took the opposite approach, proposing an additional $80 billion investment in passenger rail. There are already signs that Trumps earlier policies may return under the current administration. Just last month, the Department of Transportation abruptly cut a $63.9 million federal grant intended to help Amtrak develop a high-speed rail line connecting Houston and Dallas. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the project a waste of taxpayer funds. The U.S. continues to lag far behind China, Japan, and much of Europe in the development of high-speed passenger rail. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks during a press conference at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on February 20, 2025. Image: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP PATRICK T. FALLON What would a privatized Amtrak look like? Cohen said groups seeking to restructure Amtrak could either attempt to purchase it outright from the government or form a public-private partnership that retains government subsidies and oversight. In the first scenarioone apparently favored by Muska fully privatized national rail system would likely face higher overall costs, as it would need to generate profits for investors and cover potentially higher executive compensation. To offset those expenses, Cohen said the company would likely cut costs by reducing wages or laying off workers. The added pressure to maximize profits could also lead to cost-cutting in safety measures. Reductions in staffing and management, he warned, could further increase safety risks. Standard ticket prices, he added, would also likely rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre adding costs that are not related to providing the service, Cohen said. Theres only two things that can happen there. One is that prices can go up, or corners can be cut. This is just math, he added. Another likely consequence of a fully privatized U.S. passenger rail system is the elimination of service to less frequently traveled routes. Without hefty federal or state subsidies, a private rail operator would have little financial incentive to continue serving sparsely populated areas. On paper, these routes might appear to be inefficient targets for cost-cutting. Yet many of these smaller cities and rural communities rely on Amtrak now more than ever, especially as major airlines continue scaling back service. In just the past five years, Ganesh Sitaraman notes in his 2023 book Why Flying Is Miserable: And How to Fix It, American, Delta, and United have dropped service to 59 cities. There would be a massive elimination in services, Freemark said, remarking on the possible impact of rail privatization. Weve been here before Cohen points to several real-world examples of privatization that he says should serve as cautionary tales. In 2008, Chicagos mayor signed a 75-year agreement with parking management company LAZ Parking to take over operations and management of the citys 36,000 parking meters. Many of the rationales for that decision echoed those now being used to justify privatizing Amtrak. But Cohen says the deal quickly became problematic. Under the agreement, the city was required to compensate LAZ whenever it wanted to make changes involving those meters. That meant Chicago faced a new financial and bureaucratic hurdle whenever it sought to take simple actions like expanding bike lanes or adding new bus routes along roads with metered parking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They [lawmakers] are limited [in decision-making] because they have to keep the parking meter company and the investors whole, Cohen said. There are also rail-specific examples to consider. In the 1990s, Great Britain privatized its national rail service, successfully spinning off British Rail into dozens of franchises. But the decision almost immediately resulted in higher and worse service. Now, nearly three decades later, Britain is looking to re-nationalize its rail service. Experts told Popular Science theres also no guarantee that a privatized replacement for Amtrak wouldnt end up relying on government subsidies down the line. Brightline, a private passenger rail company that recently completed Floridas first high-speed rail system, accepted $3 billion in grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to help complete a new line linking Southern California to Las Vegas. In the end, Cohen and Freemark said a future traveller booking a trip on a fully privatized Amtrak service would have to spend more on their ticket, would likely get nickel-and-dimed for additional services or upgrades, and might not be able to travel to as many parts of the country. And even if the government determines those tradeoffs are worth it to drive efficiency, a privately run national rail service would likely still end up collecting state and federal subsidies of some kind. What youre left with then, Cohen noted, is a government-supported private company with higher prices and reduced services. Or in other words, a worse version of Amtrak than exists today. This story is part of Popular Sciences Ask Us Anything series, where we answer your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall. Have something youve always wanted to know? Ask us. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) People came together on Saturday to celebrate the history. culture and art of the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven. Festival goers soaked up the sun, enjoyed live music and fresh food throughout the afternoon. Daffodil Festival returns for 45th year in Meriden Local vendors and small businesses joined in on the fun as well, selling tacos, hot tamales and ice cream. Kids were seen hula hooping, and people were salsa dancing and singing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said the event was all about celebrating community and culture, while supporting local businesses. Very diverse community, we have people of different backgrounds coming to share their cultures their music and we all just come together once a year, said Volunteer Coordinator Raychel Juarez. Were trying to continue this as long as we can. This is the third year of the Fair Haven Festival after a 15-year hiatus. Organizers said it was a successful one. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Travelers in the US will soon be required to present a Real ID to board a plane. The Department of Homeland Security is set to start enforcing Real IDs on May 7. Travelers without Real IDs could face delays or be barred from entering security checkpoints. Travelers in the United States could have their vacations derailed this summer if they don't secure a Real ID. The May 7 deadline set by the Department of Homeland Security is fast approaching, meaning adults boarding domestic flights will no longer be able to use their old driver's licenses as identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what happens if you arrive at a TSA security checkpoint without a Real ID? Here's everything you need to know. What is a Real ID? Real IDs were a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission, formed in 2002 under former President George W. Bush, for the federal government to "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards." In addition to boarding domestic commercial flights, Real IDs will be required to grant access to certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants. The US Congress formally passed the Real ID Act in 2005. But the federal government has delayed enforcing Real IDs several times over the past two decades. Though Real IDs are a form of identification, Homeland Security says they are not considered proof of citizenship. How do you know if you have a Real ID-compliant card? An example of a Texas Real ID card. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Unlike previous ID cards, a Real ID will have a star marking on the upper half of the card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the card does not have a star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft," Homeland Security said. But there are variations. Depending on the state, Real IDs can feature a gold star, a black star, a gold circle with a white star cutout, or a black circle with a white star cutout. In California, Real IDs have an image of a gold grizzly bear with a white star cutout. Homeland Security announced on April 24 that New York State Real IDs, enhanced licenses, and identification cards will have a star or the US flag. How do you get a Real ID? The process of acquiring a Real ID varies by state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, obtaining a Real ID in Alaska means applying in person at an Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles office and providing a primary document showing specific information, including birth name and US citizenship status. In Texas, people can apply for a Real ID-compliant card in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Some may be eligible to renew their driver's license or ID online. Homeland Security says that at the very least, people must present documents showing their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of principal residence address, and legal status to obtain a Real ID. As Business Insider has reported, some people who have changed their names via marriage or divorce are having trouble gathering the necessary paperwork to apply for Real ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security's website provides a Real ID map, allowing users to click on their state for more information. Can you apply for a Real ID after the May 7 deadline? Though Homeland Security is set to begin enforcing Real IDs on May 7, people can submit applications anytime. Those who don't have a Real ID card by that date could face issues traveling in the United States and lose access to certain federal buildings. Travelers flying domestically in the US must use a Real ID or another accepted form of identification. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer Can you fly without a real ID after May 7? Adults flying domestically in the United States can show an alternative form of identification. The Transportation Security Administration doesn't require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. The agency's website shared a list of accepted identification options, including US passports, US passport cards, state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, and more. But in April, TSA said the temporary paper card given to applicants by the DMV wouldn't be accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If travelers don't have an acceptable form of ID, a TSA officer "may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity," TSA's website says, continuing: "If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening." "You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed," the website says. Homeland Security says passengers attempting to fly without proper identification can "expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint." Read the original article on Business Insider Police in Las Vegas arrested and charged a man they say struck and killed an 18-year-old high school senior with his vehicle near her school, just weeks before her graduation, on May 2 Friends and family have since identified the student as McKenzie Scott of Arbor View High School, per local outlets Every person she came in contact with, they were happier in her presence," one student told local media during a vigil for the teen A Las Vegas man has been arrested and charged after police say he fatally struck a high school student with his car near her school campus only weeks away from her graduation. On Friday, May 2, at around 11:25 a.m. local time, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) learned of a crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of North Buffalo Drive and Grand Teton Drive, just outside of the main entrance of Arbor View High School, authorities announced on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pedestrian died after being transported to a local hospital, while the driver of the vehicle was "arrested on scene," per the LVMPD. Unfortunately today, we have a senior in this high school who is not going to be able to put on her cap and gown and walk down to receive her diploma, Metro Lt. Anthony Cavaricci said in his department's Facebook video, adding that the student's death marked the 59th traffic-related fatality in the jurisdiction this year. Its extremely sad. Slow down, Las Vegas." During a May 2 vigil, students and family identified the victim as 18-year-old McKenzie Scott, a senior at Arbor View, who was set to graduate 25 days after the fatal crash, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Her family also confirmed her identity to NBC affiliate KSNV, calling her a promising student with a full-ride scholarship and hopes of becoming a crime scene investigator. A spokesperson for the LVMPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 3. Gofundme McKenzie Scott McKenzie Scott Per the Review-Journal, police have since identified the driver in the fatal incident as 37-year-old Las Vegas resident Keenan Jackson, whom they say failed to yield the right of way while driving a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu before he allegedly hit the student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the outlet, Jackson showed signs of impairment during field sobriety testing and was booked at the Clark County Detention Center. He has since been charged with DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death or serious bodily harm, and driving without a valid license, per the jail's website. On May 3, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Jackson's bail at $500,000, the Review-Journal reported. Outside of court, Brayden Boulter, a senior at Arbor View, said the school community decided to come together to mourn Scott. Its the beginning of May and its that month where were looking at new beginnings for our lives, Boulter said, per the Review-Journal. "We were all on cloud nine [on Friday]. During fifth period, we heard that our grad walk got canceled out of nowhere, then the rumors started getting around about what happened. The energy we had did a complete 180. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulter also described the section of the road where Scott was struck as an "awful" area. Thats a hard street to pass as a pedestrian," he told the Review-Journal. "You have to be very careful in that crosswalk because theres a U-turn spot there, and there just needs to be better enforcement and better lights there. There needs to be some sort of signal or something there. Gofundme McKenzie Scott McKenzie Scott In response to the loss, students helped put together a makeshift memorial for Scott on May 2, featuring candles, flowers, signs and stuffed animals left by students and loved ones outside of campus. Adrianna Ornelas, a fellow senior, told reporters that Scott was a beautiful girl with a bright smile. She was a bright sun on a very dark road, Ornelas said, according to the Review-Journal. Every person she came in contact with, they were happier in her presence. Arbor View Principal Duane Bickmore wrote in a letter to the school community that the school was "mourning the loss of this young life," per the Review-Journal, while Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert wrote in an X statement that Scott's death was an "unimaginable loss." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was a senior full of promise, nearing graduation and looking forward to a bright future," the statement read. "In this time of sorrow, I urge our community to come together. Please remain vigilant and cautious, especially in areas near our schools. The safety of our students is a shared responsibility, and we must continue working together to protect and support them." Scott's mother has since launched a GoFundMe, describing her daughter as someone who was "full of light, hope and kindness." She is survived by her younger brother Kasen and her mother Tiffany, per the fundraiser. Her community has since raised more than $15,000 as of May 3. "Donations will go to funeral and burial costs and helping her family," the GoFundMe states. "Please pray to give them the strength they need to get through this. Our hearts are broken, and we are all absolutely devastated." Read the original article on People DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Miamisburg Historical Society hosted a Civil War Weekend on May 3 and 4. The free event ran from noon to 5 p.m. at the Heritage Village, 147 W. Lock St., Miamisburg. The event was a brisk walk south away from downtown Miamisburg. Experts set to illuminate Daytons World War II History There were fun activities on both days, including historical reenactments, fabric arts demonstrations, antique tools on display, historic games, an ice cream social and live fiddle music. Photo via Miamisburg Historical Society. Photo via Miamisburg Historical Society. Photo via Miamisburg Historical Society. Photo via Miamisburg Historical Society. Reenactors taught attendees about the 93rd Ohio Infantry Regiment (OVI), cooking over fire, historic fashion, weaving/spinning and life durning the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the Miamisburg Historical Society, 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. NORFOLK The MacArthur Memorial, in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Virginia Holocaust Museum, will host Holocaust survivor Dr. Roger Loria. Loria was born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1940 and will share his story of survival at 7 p.m. Thursday at the MacArthur Memorial Visitor Center, 150 Bank St. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, visit macarthurmemorial.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, visit holocaustcommission.org. For more information about the Virginia Holocaust Museum, visit vaholocaust.org. Homeowners associations (HOAs) are fairly common across the country. In fact, about 77 million Americans or about 23% of the population lived in a community overseen by an HOA in 2024, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. The research group also reports that HOAs collected an astounding $120.9 billion in dues from U.S. homeowners last year alone. But if youre going to pay your HOA dues, you want something in return. Typically, that something is reliable property maintenance and regular upkeep of different amenities. A group of fed up Houston homeowners, however, had to turn to news outlet KHOU for help when their HOA didnt live up to its end of the bargain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of residents at London Townhomes went to the media to share stories of "poor maintenance in their condo community and ineffective leadership." Don't miss The root of the conflict between London Townhomes residents and their HOA Residents at London Townhomes claim their HOA has not been doing its job and its been an ongoing issue. They say various maintenance issues continue to persist going on more than two years now and the HOA has been largely non-responsive. One resident called the situation "extremely frustrating and difficult." She added, according to our bylaws, the owners are supposed to be mostly in charge of the association but that hasn't happened in the past two-and-a-half years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only have the HOA president and board been unresponsive to residents of London Townhomes, but KHOU reached out to the HOA president and got no response. A reporter from the news outlet even went to the presidents door in an attempt to get answers, without success. A year before KHOU was contacted, a meeting was held between the HOA and residents, and things got physical. Video footage of the meeting had someone shouting, is that a threat? However, that meeting didnt result in any progress either, and maintenance tasks remain neglected. Continuing grievances The HOA finally held another meeting in late April after residents signed a petition and one filed a lawsuit in Harris County civil court. KHOU spoke with a rep from the HOA's management office who referred to the meeting as a productive one. However, that person also disputed residents' various claims and said that maintenance issues are typically addressed "as quickly as possible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the tense situation at London Townhomes is hardly an isolated incident. "The courthouse is full of lawsuits filled with HOA disputes," real estate attorney Richard Weaver told KHOU. Weaver has no connection to London Townhomes but recommends that anyone having HOA issues study their bylaws, which are typically supported by state law. Read more: Here are 5 must have items that Americans (almost) always overpay for and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? What to do when your HOA doesn't do its job Aside from the obvious not getting your moneys worth if the property is neglected or poorly-maintained the lack of consistent care and attention may cause the value of your home to decline. That could present a problem in the event you decide to sell it one day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOAs have a contractual obligation to do certain maintenance tasks. So, if your HOA isn't stepping up when it's supposed to, it's important to take action. First, read your HOA's bylaws to understand its obligations. Next, ask the residents of your community to show a sense of unity and reach out to the HOA informing them of issues and demanding that they be addressed. Keep a paper or email trail even screenshots of all communications and relevant dates, and be persistent. From there, you have several options. You could file a complaint with the HOA board. You could also seek to remove one or more members of the HOA board if they're not doing their job. If these measures fail, you could rally your fellow residents and file a lawsuit against the HOA on the basis of negligence or not performing its duties. Typically, youd need to engage the help of a real estate attorney for situations like this, though, and there may be additional costs you and your fellow residents incur. However, you can also sue to have those costs recouped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although lawsuits can be time-consuming, NOLO reports that many lawsuits are settled before going to court. So, if your HOA is unresponsive, your best bet may be to initiate a suit simply to get its attention and prompt a response. To be clear, it's not just a failure to make repairs that may lead to a lawsuit against a HOA. It can be guilty of other violations, from misusing funds to discriminating against certain members of your housing community. Its important to study your HOAs rules so you know what rights you have, and to take action when theyre not being upheld. Though it can be a painstaking process, it may be a worthwhile one especially as it may set a precedent for the future. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Credit: X/@sentdefender | X/@manniefabian The Houthi militia attacked Israels main international airport with what they claimed was a hypersonic missile that left a huge crater in the ground and injured eight people. British Airways and other major airlines have cancelled flights to Ben Gurion until at least Wednesday after the missile struck a road near terminal 3. Video from inside the airport showed passengers running for cover as the missile struck in the distance. Meanwhile, medics treated several people for minor injuries from shrapnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said Israels air defence system made several attempts to intercept the missile launched from Yemen but failed to do so, raising concerns about air defences. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, vowed to retaliate. Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters, Mr Netanyahu said on X. The attack came just hours before senior Israeli cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify its war in the Gaza Strip, and the army called up tens of thousands of reservists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, threatened a forceful response to the attack and said: Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger. Crater caused by missile attack at Ben Gurion airport - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP A senior member of the Houthi rebels, Muhammad al-Bahithi, claimed the group had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the Ben Gurion airport as proof of our ability to strike fortified sites in Israel. The rebels have fired ballistic missiles at Israel every day since Friday, but the IDF is yet to respond to the attacks. Israels Magen David Adom emergency service said it provided medical treatment and evacuated eight people to Shamir-Assaf Harofeh and Sheba-Tel Hashomer hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houthi militia, which is backed by Iran, has been attacking Israel since the Gaza war began, but missiles rarely penetrate air defences. It comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, and calls from hardliners to launch airstrikes on Tehran. Palestine II missiles In December last year, the Houthis fired numerous Palestine II ballistic missiles at Israel, of which one penetrated the air defence system and hit a playground in southern Tel Aviv, wounding 16 people. Images of the Palestine II missile closely resemble Irans Fattah hypersonic missile, according to Emily Milliken, the associate director of the Atlantic Councils N7 Initiative. The Houthis have several Iranian-made long-range missiles at their disposal, according to the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, including the Shehab-3 missile with a range of 2,000 km and the Sumar cruise missiles with a range of 2,000 km. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF has launched several attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen since the group began its attacks on Israel in late October 2023, most recently in December last year, when it targeted ports and energy infrastructure in the capital of Sanaa. The Israeli army confirmed on Sunday it was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to expand its operations in Gaza. Many of the reservists are expected to replace soldiers serving in the West Bank and along the Lebanese border so that they can be sent to Gaza. IDF chief Eyal Zamir pledged that the army would destroy what remains of Hamas infrastructure, both on the surface and underground. Aftermath of missile attack near Ben Gurion airport - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP The security cabinet is expected to vote on the expansion of the IDF operation in Gaza at 18:00 local time, an Israeli official told The Telegraph. It was unclear if the ministers would give final approval at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu has long argued that only increased military pressure in Gaza will force Hamas to free the remaining 50 hostages in a ceasefire deal. The decision to expand the ground operation was harshly criticised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, which warned that any escalation in the fighting would put the hostages, both the living and the deceased, in immediate danger. It will risk the lives of our soldiers and exact a painful price from tens of thousands of reservists and their families. The vast majority of the Israeli public views the return of the hostages as the nations highest moral priority, the forum said. War has a supreme goal The expected expansion of the military operation in Gaza comes as Mr Netanyahu made clear in a speech this week that the primary goal for Israel is to defeat Hamas, not freeing the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war has a supreme goal, and the supreme goal is victory over our enemies, and this we will achieve, Mr Netanyahu said. Mr Zamir publicly contradicted Mr Netanyahu in a speech on Independence Day this week, saying that the armys moral, national, and foremost obligation is to bring the hostages home. The expansion of the military operation in Gaza has sparked widespread debate over the heavy toll on reservists, many of whom have served hundreds of days since October 7, and the governments failure to draft ultra-orthodox Jews to the army. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for the weekly protest against the governments handling of the war in Gaza. 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 missile launched by the Houthi rebels in Yemen struck near the main terminal of Israels airport close to Tel Aviv, reports detailed Sunday morning. The strike, which was not intercepted by the Israeli military, temporarily paused flights, but there were no immediate reports of fatalities, The New York Times reported. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) shared online that sirens sounded across the region due to a projectile launch from Yemen. The IDF is investigating the failure to intercept the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said several attempts were made to intercept the Houthis missile, but the missile struck near the Ben-Gurion International Airport, the Times reported. Israeli media reported that there were eight injured in the missile strike. Footage online showed the moment the missile hit in a grassy area within the airports perimeter. While the airport halted flights for about an hour, the departures and arrivals are moving forward as planned, the airport said in a statement on its website. The outlet noted that the Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike after military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement that the strike was a warning that the airport was no longer safe for air travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an immediate meeting of his security cabinet following the strike. Israel Katz, the defense minister, said there would be a response from the IDF. Whoever harms us will be harmed by us sevenfold, Katz said in a statement to multiple outlets. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Yemen's Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels said they fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv on Sunday and claimed it "successfully hit its target." Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree renewed the militia's warning to airlines not to fly to the Israeli airport, saying it is unsafe. According to the Israeli military, a missile impact was recorded near the airport. Eight people were injured, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said that "several attempts had been made" to intercept a missile fired from Yemen. Videos circulating on social media showed people in panic. Warning sirens wailed in numerous areas of Israel during the attack, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Air traffic was temporarily interrupted, according to Israeli media. Operations at the airport have since resumed. The police announced that the access roads to the airport were closed until further notice. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened severe retaliation. "Whoever attacks us, we will hit back sevenfold," Katz said in an apparent biblical reference relating to severe punishment, or divine justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saree vowed in a televised statement that the Houthis would continue their attacks in support of Palestinians "whatever the consequences" until the Gaza war between Israel and the Hamas movement, which is also backed by Iran, ends. Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Israel and international merchant ships in support of its ally, Hamas. Since Israel's army resumed attacks in the Gaza Strip on March 18 after a ceasefire broke down, the Houthis have been regularly firing projectiles towards Israel again. In March, US President Donald Trump ordered massive attacks on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, justifying the move with the need to protect US shipping in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houthi-ruled areas in war-torn Yemen have since experienced a series of US strikes. Both the Houthis and Hamas, which triggered the Gaza war by launching the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, are part of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel. The Houthi motto is: "God is the greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam." Yemen's Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels said they fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv on Sunday, with the Israeli military confirming an impact near the airport. Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree renewed the militia's warning to airlines not to fly to the Israeli airport, saying it is unsafe. According to the Israeli military, a missile impact was identified in the vicinity of the airport. Eight people were injured, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said that "several attempts had been made" to intercept a missile fired from Yemen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scheduled an urgent security consultation for the afternoon. In the evening, the Israeli security Cabinet was also set to discuss an expansion of attacks in the Gaza Strip. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising into the sky and people at the airport running in panic. Warning sirens wailed in numerous areas of Israel during the attack, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Air traffic was temporarily interrupted, and access roads to the airport were temporarily closed. Operations at Ben Gurion, Israel's largest and most important international airport, have since resumed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A taxi driver named Yossi, who was at Ben Gurion Airport, told Israeli news site ynet: "We heard a rocket alarm and immediately afterwards an insanely loud bang. There was no time to run and find a shelter in Terminal 3." He said it had been immediately clear that the missile had hit nearby. "Everything shook, small stones flew through the air. There was great panic." The Lufthansa Group, which besides its namesake Lufthansa includes SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, initially suspended flights to and from Israel until Tuesday. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened severe retaliation. "Whoever attacks us, we will hit back sevenfold," Katz said in an apparent biblical reference relating to severe punishment, or divine justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saree vowed in a televised statement that the Houthis would continue their attacks in support of Palestinians "whatever the consequences" until the Gaza war between Israel and the Hamas movement, which is also backed by Iran, ends. Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Israel and international merchant ships in support of its ally, Hamas. Since Israel's army resumed attacks in the Gaza Strip on March 18 after a ceasefire broke down, the Houthis have been regularly firing projectiles towards Israel again. Netanyahu is said to have already agreed in principle to plans for an expansion of the attacks on the Gaza Strip before the planned meeting of the security Cabinet. According to media reports, the Israeli military is already sending call-up notices to tens of thousands of reservists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli news portal ynet reported that a larger offensive in the Gaza Strip could begin in the coming days. The aim is to increase pressure on Hamas to force the release of more hostages. An expansion of the attacks is likely to further worsen the already precarious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Aid organizations speak of catastrophic conditions. For over two months, Israel has not allowed aid deliveries into the sealed-off area, where around 2 million Palestinians live. The news portal Axios recently reported that the US and Israel plan to bring aid supplies into the Gaza Strip with the help of a private US company, bypassing Hamas. According to Israeli information, 24 hostages and the bodies of 35 abductees are currently being held in the Gaza Strip. Relatives of hostages demonstrated again on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv for a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, US President Donald Trump ordered massive attacks on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, justifying the move with the need to protect US shipping in the region. While Israel itself hasn't launched any attacks on Yemen in some four months, Houthi-ruled areas in the war-torn country have since experienced a series of US strikes. Both the Houthis and Hamas, which triggered the Gaza war by launching the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, are part of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel. The Houthi motto is: "God is the greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam." Israeli security forces take security measures after Yemens Houthi group targets Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with an attack. Saeed Qaq/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The future of labor is providing maintenance for automated factory technology, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC. He posited that the growth of manufacturing in the U.S. as a result of President Donald Trumps tariffs would spur more jobs in the form of factory work. Labor experts are dubious about the growth and sustainability of these jobs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sees one positive byproduct of President Donald Trumps tariff plan: a "manufacturing renaissance" in the U.S. that would lead to the next three generations of Americans holding factory jobs. Trump proposed steep tariffs during his first days back in office, cracking down on imports from China, Vietnam, and other manufacturing capitals, in an attempt to develop production centers and supply chains to the U.S. Lutnick suggested an increase in factory workbolstered by automated robotic laborwould provide an opportunity for American workers to find stable and well-paying jobs, beginning at $70,000 to $80,000 per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's time to train people not to do the jobs of the past, but to do the great jobs of the future," Lutnick told CNBCs The Exchange earlier this week. "This is the new model, where you work in these kind of plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here, and your grandkids work here." Robots are already starting to hit production lines. U.S. automakers installed nearly 10% more robots in factories this year than the year before, according to the trade group International Federation of Robotics. Hyundai Motor Group, for example, acquired robotics company Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion in 2021. The increase in automation would provide opportunities for tradespeoplespecifically people in community college or those who decide not to pursue higher educationto become highly trained, according to Lutnick. You should see an auto plant, he said. It's highly automated, but the peoplethe [4,000] or 5,000 people that work therethey are trained to take care of those robotic arms. They're trained to keep the air conditioning [going]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Department of Commerce spokesperson told Fortune the agency was committed to reversing the trend of the manufacturing jobs leaving the U.S.. Since 1979, the country has lost 6.5 million manufacturing jobs due to outsourcing and previous policies, the person said. "Secretary Lutnick is committed to revitalizing critical manufacturing in the United States," the spokesperson said in a statement. More robots, fewer jobs But labor experts arent convinced the key to moreand betterU.S. jobs lies in factory automation. The increased use of industrial robots may actually have a negative impact on the workforce, according to a 2020 study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Daron Acemoglu. Along with Boston University professor Pascual Restrepo, he calculated that adding one robot for every 1,000 U.S. workers would cause wages to decline by 0.42%, and the employment-to-population ratio to decrease by 0.2%. These small percentages add up, costing the U.S. about 400,000 jobs so far, according to the study. While robots do increase factory efficiency, it comes at the expensenot the additionof factory jobs, the study showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our evidence shows that robots increase productivity, Acemoglu said in an interview with the MIT Sloan School of Management. They are very important for continued growth and for firms, but at the same time they destroy jobs and they reduce labor demand. Those effects of robots also need to be taken into account. The role of unionizing Eric Blanc, a labor historian and Rutgers University labor studies professor, argues that beyond the theoretical idea of creating more factory jobs, there needs to be consideration of the quality and sustainability of those jobs. The reason people associate factory jobs with good jobs and have this nostalgic view of the heyday of American manufacturing in the 1950s, when you could have one breadwinner providing for the whole familythat was the product of unionization, Blanc recently told Fortune. While a wave of unionization efforts in the 1930s and 40s created regulations and standards for factory jobs to be favored among American workers, the Trump administration is decidedly anti-union, Blanc said. In late March, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to cease collective bargaining with federal unions, an action a federal judge has since blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without factory unions, workers would be subject to 12-hour days, lower wages, and the possibility of injury. A 2016 UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education study found one-third of U.S. manufacturing workers relied on a government assistance program such as food stamps, and pay for manufacturing jobs lag behind non-manufacturing jobs. Just promising more factory jobs is not going to bring back prosperity, Blanc said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. More than 500 people, including local, county and state leaders, gathered to say goodbye Saturday to the Rev. Kenneth Hodges, a widely-known religious, political and community leader in Beaufort who was also a father, husband, brother and friend to many. He was also known for his relentless efforts to preserve Black history. For 30 years, Hodges was the pastor at Beaufort Tabernacle Church on Craven Street, and served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 10. But he was a complex man who wore many hats. In addition to these professional roles, he was a talented photographer, studying under the noted photographer Edmond Marshal at Clark College in Atlanta. He was an avid art and antique collector and owned LyBensons Studio and Art Gallery on St. Helena Island. A large, old church but every seat was filled The church, one of the citys oldest, seats about 400 and not one was empty during a emotional but joyful service filled with songs and words celebrating Hodges multi-faceted life and accomplishments that was also streamed to a room in a neighboring building capable of holding another 100. People proceed into the sanctuary and view the casket holding Rev. Kenneth Hodges at his celebration of life funeral on May 3, 2025, the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. Remembered as visionary Hodges, who was 73, died April 22 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital after a brief illness, shocking the congregation that he led for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodges wife, Patricia, and their three daughters, Kendrea, Kenyatta and Kenithea, were among the crowd that filed into the 200-year-old church, quickly filling it to the rafters. As they passed Hodges, who lied in repose at the front of the church under a scripture on the wall, Matthew 11:28, that reads, Come onto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, some reached out to touch the pastor who touched so many lives in the community. Rev. Kenneth Hodges Hodges was remembered as a visionary go-getter who did things his way and waited for others to come around, especially when it came to memorializing important contributions of historic Black leaders in Beaufort. One was Robert Smalls, born a slave, who became a Civil War hero and congressman. The famous Beaufortonian is buried at the church and a bust graces the property. Later, Hodges fought to recognize abolitionist Harriet Tubman with a sculpture that was erected on church property last year. The sculpture recognizes her role in freeing hundreds of formerly enslaved people during the Combahee River Raid in 1863. Ministers prepare to enter the sanctuary on May 3, 2025, for the celebration of life funeral for Rev. Kenneth Hodges at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. Help us in this hour In a prayer at the beginning of the service, the Rev. James Moore asked God to help us in this hour and thanked him for Hodges who was born in the fishing community of Bennetts Point in Colleton County and rose to lead a historic church in Tabernacle Baptist that was born out of the depths of slavery. The Rev. James E. Moore of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, shares a prayer with the congregation at the celebration of life funeral of Rev. Kenneth Hodges on May 3, 2025, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. The church was started by Black worshipers in 1863 although the historic building dates to 1811. Hodges became the pastor in 1995. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his role leading a historic church, Hodges was not afraid to try new ideas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, recalled Savanah French, who works in the churchs media ministry, Hodges continued to preach, without an in-person audience, while French recorded the sermons for online viewing. Later during the pandemic, Hodges oversaw drive by communion, when congregation members drove up in front of the church to receive communion from Hodges. He wanted to be available and accessible and get the Lords word out, French said. Savanah French runs the livestream for the funeral of Rev. Kenneth Hodges on May 3, 2025, in the balcony of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. Was independent voice The funeral drew a whos who of community leaders including Mayor Phil Cromer, former mayor Billy Keyserling, County Councilman York Glover and state Rep. Michael Rivers of St. Helena Island. Hodges served in the Legislature from 2006-2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cromer called Hodges a pillar of the community who was devoted to preserving African American history and led with purpose, grace and deep devotion to God and others. A proclamation he signed officially declared May 3, the day of Hodges funeral, a day of mourning in Beaufort in remembrance of his contributions. City of Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer hands Patricia Hodges a framed city proclamation at her husbands funeral declaring the day, May 3, 2025, as Kenneth Hodges Day at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. Glover drew an Amen! when he noted that Hodges may have been soft spoken but spoke with a powerful voice that he used to get things accomplished. Hodges was a visionary who thought 10 to 15 years ahead, Deacon Howard Reeves said. When he first arrived, Reeves noted, Hodges walked around the block to meet with neighbors and ask them if the church could get the first right of refusal if they decided to sell their property. That outreach allowed the downtown church, surrounded by other properties with no room to expand, to acquire land over the years for its needs including parking space. He did a lot of things independently because he liked to move fast, said Reeves, drawing laughter from the knowing audience familiar with Hodges reputation as a maverick who got things done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodges, he added, will be missed dearly. We can never replace him, Reeves said. Evangelist LaTrenda Hardnett finishes her solo at the celebration of life funeral for the Rev. Kenneth Hodges on May 3, 2025, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. Yassie Hodges, Hodges sister, called her brother a complex man because of his many roles: Pastor, politician, community leader, and husband, father and sibling. But to her, he was just big brother. Their parents were farmers and shrimpers, Yassie Hodges said. Her brother, she said, had a sweet tooth and was known for his fondness for chewing on sugar cane. Well done big brother But he grew up to be a man, she added, with a big heart and big dreams. Yassie Hodges, sister to Rev. Kenneth Hodges, tells the congregation stories of their lives on May 3, 2025, at her brothers funeral at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Historic Downtown Beaufort. With the death of their parents, Hodges, the oldest, took on grown-up responsibilities sooner than most, taking Yassie under his wing and helping her when she followed him to Atlanta for college and cheering her on, reminding her that their parents would be proud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She laughed when Hodges first told her he wanted to be a pastor but she learned quickly not to doubt his vision. Today I see him in no other role, she said. Hodges was a master at multi-tasking, Yassie Hodges said. And when people would doubt him, telling him he was just going off and doing what he wanted, he would reply, Im just waiting for you to catch up. Hodges crown jewel, Yassie Hodges said, was the Harriet Tubman sculpture. She challenged the hundreds in attendance dream big, too. Figure out what lasting impact they can achieve in their lives, she said, and draw inspiration from Hodges, who was an example of our ancestors wildest dreams. I say to you, Well done! Yassie Hodges shouted to her big brother, bringing the attendees to their feet in applause. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Hundreds of people packed Ellis Park Saturday to watch the Kentucky Derby. Every year, Ellis Park hosts a party to watch the race held at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Rain in the Tri-State didnt stop fans from dressing up and having fun. We enjoy coming here because its a good atmosphere, and not a crazy crazy crowd, but theres a crowd, said Kyle Martin. Its easy to place bets and easy to hang out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the video above to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Pratt & Whitney workers are walking the picket lines after voting to strike when their previous contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. Its about retirement security. Its about wage security. Its about treating us with respect, said Howard Huestis, the President of Local Lodge 1746 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union. Company makes a lot of money. 2024: Omni Hotel workers striking in New Haven Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members say the security theyre talking about is about providing the same pensions for newer workers. What I get today he doesnt get, said Huestis. Its also about ensuring that Pratt & Whitney does not move its operations out of Connecticut to North Carolina or Germany, where its parent company RTX also has operations. If they manufacture the engine somewhere else, thats the Connecticut middle class thats leaving with it, said Walter Polchlopek, who works in Electronic System Services at Pratt & Whitney. The workers said they have great jobs, but they want guarantees in writing that they will have them over the life of their next contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absolutely and theyve done that before, State Sen. Matt Lesser, (D-Middletown) said. Theyve done that with other jobs. Pratt & Whitney said in a statement, Our message to union leaders throughout this thoughtful process has been simple: higher pay, better retirement savings, more days off and more flexibility. We have no immediate plans to resume negotiations. Democrats are lining up alongside the striking workers. They are a backbone of Connecticuts economy, and I urge leadership to return to the table for open, good-faith negotiations on a fair contract, Attorney General Williams Tong wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was a sentiment echoed by East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin. I hope both company leadership and the union representing these hardworking individuals can return to the negotiating table and work toward a fair and equitable resolution, Martin said. House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said in a statement that a basic economic truth is missing from the conversation. Its incredibly expensive to run a business in Connecticut, Candelora said. If Democrats truly want to help workers, they should start by creating an environment where businesses can thrive, hire, and grow. What both sides agree on is how valuable Pratt & Whitney is to the workers and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its critical for our economy but also for our country, Sen. Saud Anwar, (D-East Hartford) said. In very uncertain times Pratt & Whitney serves as a very important base for the machines and the work that we are making over here. Local Lodge 1746 is right across Main Street from the East Hartford plant. About 3,000 Pratt & Whitney workers are on strike statewide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org. Federal immigration enforcement in Delaware has quietly and drastically escalated in the first four months of the year, with federal prosecutors bringing forth more criminal deportation cases since January than in all of 2024. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware has criminally charged at least 29 people with re-entering the country without authorization after previously being deported thus far in 2025, according to a Spotlight Delaware analysis of unsealed court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the office charged only four people. The dramatic uptick in enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Delaware comes amid the backdrop of President Donald Trumps second administration, which was successful, in part, by campaigning on the promise of mass deportations and an immigration enforcement crackdown. ICE booked nearly 43,000 people into detention during the first three months of the Trump administration, according to the nonpartisan data research nonprofit Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Conversely, the agency booked just over 24,000 people into ICE detention in the last three months of the Biden administration, according to TRAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late January, the Trump administration pressured ICE officials to increase arrests from a few hundred per day to at least 1,200 to 1,500, according to reporting from the Washington Post. The quotas came after Trump was reportedly disappointed with the outcome of the mass deportation promises he ran on. That led to initiatives like a six-day operation in Florida where over 1,000 people were arrested over 60% of whom had an arrest or a conviction, according to ICE and reporting from the New York Times. The operation was geared toward arresting people with deportation orders and criminal histories. ICE deportation operations in the First State have mostly gone unnoticedduring the first months of the Trump presidency, with little media attention and no confirmed mass raids. All of the 29 cases charged in Delaware so far involve men who are currently incarcerated, have been criminally charged and, or, who have been previously deported but returned to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The escalation of criminal cases against suspected undocumented immigrants, however, indicate that enforcement has quietly ramped up. Illegal reentry cases now represent the bulk of charges filed by U.S. Attorney David Weisss office in the first three months of the Trump administration. Delaware State Police notified ICE of at least two arrests A Delaware State Police vehicle. In March, Delaware State Police notified ICE agents about two separate arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants. In February, Gov. Matt Meyer promised that state police wouldnt work with the agency in most situations. The governors office said it would not use state law enforcement resources to carry out federal immigration policies unless there is a valid court warrant and an exigent circumstance where the community is at risk, Misty Seemans, deputy legal counsel with the governors office, said at the time. In the March cases, both men had been arrested on criminal charges when their immigration status was checked. One man was arrested for drug-dealing-related charges, while the other was arrested on stalking-related charges, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, Meyers office referred Spotlight Delaware to the Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security and did not respond to emailed questions. ICE and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware did not respond to requests for comment. Gov. Matt Meyer gives his State of the State address to members of the Delaware General Assembly and guests on April 10, 2025. India Sturgis, spokesperson for Delaware State Police, said that both cases involved felony-level criminal offenses and in such cases, where there is a potential threat to public safety, communication with federal agencies may occur in accordance with applicable law, Sturgis wrote in an email to Spotlight Delaware. Delaware State Police does not proactively contact ICE or participate in immigration enforcement actions that are solely related to a persons suspected immigration status, according to Sturgis. She added that information may be shared with federal agencies, including ICE, in connection with criminal investigations or public safety concerns. ICE arrests continue in recent days On April 30, ICE agents with the Dover field office conducted a traffic stop on a Guatemalan man in Sussex County, ultimately arresting him and charging him with unauthorized reentry, court documents show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agents stopped the man, believing he was another person for whom they had an immigration warrant. The man provided agents with a Guatemalan ID card and was arrested after he couldnt provide immigration documents. The man was previously encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas in 2014. The man was deported to Guatemala four days after being picked up by Border Patrol agents. On May 1, federal agents in New Castle arrested a man from Mexico who had previously been deported three times in 2007, 2008 and 2009, according to court records. The man was charged in Delaware District Court with unauthorized reentry after being deported. In total, 13 people were arrested for various separate charges, such as driving under the influence and probation violations, before ICE was notified of their arrest by the agencys California-based Pacific Enforcement Response Center, according to court documents. PERC notifies ICE field offices nationwide about undocumented immigrants who are suspected, arrested or convicted of criminal activity, so the agency can arrest them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the people who have been charged so far this year are from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador or the Dominican Republic. In April, arrest warrants were issued for two men who were already in prison. One was facing pretrial detention, while the other was a sentenced prisoner at Sussex Correctional Institution. ICE has made over 26,000 arrests thus far in fiscal year 2025, which runs from October through September, according to ICE data. Criminal charges against two more men were filed on April 30 and May 1. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox by signing up for the free newsletter at spotlightdelaware.org/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware sees ICE arrests quietly escalate under Trump presidency Kristi Noems Department of Homeland Security lashed out at The New York Times because a days-old story on a corpse attack did not name the suspects immigration status. The New York Times refused to mention anywhere in its 400-word story on the monstrous rape of a corpse on the NYC subway that the depraved perpetrator is an ILLEGAL alien," DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X Sunday. Why not report the facts, @nytimes?" The Times reported on Monday the arrest of Felix Rojas, who was charged with first-degree rape after police said he sexually assaulted the corpse of a man who died aboard an R train in New York City last month. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed on Thursday that Rojas had illegally crossed the border multiple times since 1998. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLaughlin added a screenshot of the storys headline and lead image, though she omitted its April 28 publication datethree days before the New York Post revealed Rojas immigration status. Our report on the arrest of Felix Rojas was published on Monday, April 28, three days before Immigration and Customs Enforcement publicly revealed he had illegally entered the country multiple times," a Times spokesperson said. Our story does not include details on immigration status as neither the police nor ICE had disclosed it. With impunity, open-border policies have allowed violent criminal aliens to terrorize Americas towns and cities, McLaughlin told Fox News in a statement. Under President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noems leadership, ICE is working around the clock to remove the worst of the worst from our communities. If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and lock you up. Camera-ready Noem has earned the nickname ICE Barbie for dolling up and posing for photo ops in front of detained migrants and during raids, among other stunts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rojas was arrested after police alleged he approached the dead or dying body of Jorge Gonzalez on an R train parked at Whitehall Station in the financial district on April 8, according to the Post. Rojas allegedly then stifled through Gonzalezs pockets to try and rob him before the alleged rape. The Times reported that he lives in Brooklyn and has no criminal record. Gonzalez died of natural causes, authorities said, according to the Post. The Idaho Capital Sun staff at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. From left to right are reporter Mia Maldonado, editor-in-chief Christina Lords, reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel and senior reporter Clark Corbin. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Capital Sun took home 13 awards including four first-place finishes in the Idaho Press Clubs Best of 2024 Awards contest. The winners were announced at the press clubs annual banquet, held Saturday at the Boise Centre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Capital Sun reporter Mia Maldonado took home two first place awards: one for her Spanish-language news coverage as well one award in the serious feature report category. Idaho Capital Sun editor-in-chief Christina Lords took home first place awards in the editorial writing category as well as the best newsletter category for The Sunrise. Reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel took home second place in the competitive reporter of the year-publication category. In addition, Kelcie Moseley Morris, a reporter for the Idaho Capital Suns parent nonprofit States Newsroom, took home two awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sun, part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network with news outlets and news partnerships to cover state government in all 50 U.S. states, celebrated its four-year anniversary on March 31. To sign up for the Capital Suns free morning newsletter, go to idahocapitalsun.com/subscribe, or to donate to continue to support its award-winning work, go to idahocapitalsun.com/donate. Here is the full rundown of the Idaho Capital Sun and States Newsroom awards: First place awards Christina Lords, Best Newsletter All Media category: The Sunrise Christina Lords, Editorial Daily category: 717 bills have been drafted. Not one fixes the disenfranchisement of thousands of Idaho voters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mia Maldonado, Series Feature Report Daily category: Idaho librarians contemplate leaving work and the state as a result of proposed legislation Mia Maldonado, Best Spanish-Language Media Award Publication category: Various stories Second place awards Clark Corbin, Series Daily category: State of Idahos Luma business system transition Christina Lords, Special Purpose Publication Online Only category: 2024 Voter Guide Mia Maldonado, Elections Report Daily category: Hundreds of thousands spent in support and opposition of Idahos Proposition 1 Mia Maldonado, Kyle Pfannenstiel, Political Report Daily category: We are not getting rid of books: How libraries across Idaho are implementing new materials law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelcie Moseley-Morris, General News Story Daily category: Idahos pregnant patients airlifted to other states without EMTALA protection Kyle Pfannenstiel, Reporter of the Year Publication, All Media category Kyle Pfannenstiel, Health/Medical Report Daily category: Idaho removed 185,000 people from Medicaid. Over a fifth have re-enrolled Becca Renk, Opinion Daily category: In Idaho, education spending falls short. Here are lessons we can learn from Nicaragua Third place awards Heath Druzin, Religion Report Daily category: Trumps Defense secretary nominee has close ties to Idaho Christian nationalists Mia Maldonado, Education Report Daily category: Federal grants offer Idaho prison students a second chance at college education Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Serious Feature Report Daily category: U.S. Supreme Court urged to protect ER abortions ahead of arguments Staff, Best Website All Media category: IdahoCapitalSun.com SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Two Democratic leaders in the Illinois Senate openly expressed their disagreement this week about Gov. JB Pritzkers proposal to allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelors degree programs in certain high-demand employment fields. The exchange between Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, of Westchester, and Sen. Cristina Castro, of Elgin, who chairs the powerful Senate Executive Committee, took place during a hearing on an unrelated bill that would overhaul the way Illinois funds public universities. But it offered a public view of the reasons why the baccalaureate proposal, which Pritzker touted in his budget address in February, has so far failed to advance in the General Assembly. Both the university funding proposal (Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 1581) and the community college proposal (HB 3717 and SB 2482) are intended to stem the spiraling cost to students and their families of obtaining a four-year college degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding proposal calls for increasing state funding for universities to reduce their reliance on tuition and fees. The community college proposal is intended to make certain four-year degrees available through lower-cost institutions and more accessible to older, nontraditional students who dont live near a four-year institution. The university funding plan, sponsored by Lightford, was the subject of a Senate committee hearing Wednesday. The bill allowing community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees did not advance out of a House committee before a March 21 deadline. During Wednesdays hearing, Lightford appeared with a panel of university presidents from Chicago State, Western Illinois, Illinois State and Northern Illinois universities, and the Southern Illinois University System all of whom support the funding proposal but oppose the community college baccalaureate plan. If were thinking about students basic needs, we also need to be thinking about the students that dont necessarily go to the four-year schools, Castro said to the panel. If students are really the focus, why are you guys opposed to the (four)-year baccalaureate degrees? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id like to answer your question, madam chair, because I believe it has zero to do with what were trying to accomplish here, Lightford replied. She said the university funding proposal was the product of four years of negotiations that were intended to address a specific set of issues facing universities namely, the adequacy and equity of their funding systems. The community college proposal, she argued, would draw students away from universities that are already struggling to maintain enrollment levels. Community college students need to stay at the two-year community college level, and then students who are going for a bachelors degree should stay at the university level, Lightford said. Because what happens is, when you begin to offer four-year programs at a two-year school, those students who would traditionally go to the four-year university, well lose those students to the community college level. During the exchange with Castro, Lightford referred to the community college proposal as your bill, even though Castro is not listed as a sponsor or cosponsor of the Senate version. Castro corrected Lightford, saying: To be fair, it is the governors bill. This is one of his initiatives that he has been working on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lightford said the governor doesnt push a button on the floor or in a committee. I like the governor, she said. Hes probably my favorite. But this isnt that bill. Dan Mahony, president of the SIU System, added that he does not oppose the concept of community colleges offering bachelors degrees, and said negotiations are continuing on that proposal. He said he wants to make sure the final plan doesnt pit our universities and community colleges against each other in a way thats unproductive and not good for taxpayers and not good for students. We want to do something that actually is productive, and thats what were working towards, and well continue to work towards, he said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has said he is "not afraid" after a prominent Trump administration official suggested he should be arrested for advice he gave to state authorities regarding federal immigration enforcement. In a video posted to YouTube, Ever addressed comments made by Tom Homan, a Trump advisor and "border czar," who suggested Evers be arrested after he encouraged state employees confronted by federal immigration officials (ICE) to consult an attorney before turning over any documents. In his response, Evers called Homans comments chilling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not afraid," Evers said. "I've never once been discouraged from doing the right thing and I will not start today." Coburn Dukehart/Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism via Flickr I havent broken the law. I havent committed a crime. And Ive never encouraged or directed anyone to break any laws or commit any crimes, Evers said. It comes as the Trump administration embarks on widespread immigration enforcement that is seeing ICE agents now targeting previously off-limits "sensitive" locations such as hospitals, churches and schools. Last week, the administration arrested a Wisconsin judge for allegedly allowing an undocumented immigrant to leave her court via a non-public door so they could evade ICE agents. Evers isnt the only official to face threats from the Trump administration over immigration enforcement. Trump recently signed an executive order to strip federal funding from cities that dont enforce federal immigration policy, or so-called sanctuary cities." The order was quickly denounced as illegal, given federal funding for states and cities is approved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said cities include Minneapolis, which has a policy stating that local police are prohibited from enforcement immigration law, which is a job for federal authorities. Mayor Jacob Frey took to X earlier this week to reiterate the citys stance and call the executive order unconstitutional. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers conducted roughly 150 traffic stops in Nashville this weekend during a public safety operation with federal authorities, but immigrant advocates called the stops a form of profiling and discrimination. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) described the situation on Facebook: In the early hours of May 4, advocates and organizers in the community confirmed what appears to be a coordinated operation between Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE to stop and arrest community members driving on Nolensville Road in South Nashville. Body cam footage released from 2022 THP traffic stop of Maryland man deported to El Salvador Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of people gathered on Sunday, May 4 outside of whats listed as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Brick Church Pike. News 2 spoke with an immigrant rights organization, The ReMIX, which claimed thats the location where those detained overnight were brought. According to ReMIX organizers, theyve spoken with several who were released and are concerned for those still inside. The organizers said they documented roughly 100 people who were detained by law enforcement, adding that the first traffic stop started around 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The ReMIX said THP, ICE, and the Metro Nashville Police Department vehicles were seen at the stops in South Nashville, even though MNPD has denied any involvement. Tensions rose as three charter buses left the lot, with community members unsure where those buses were going or whether their loved ones were on board. Some became more frustrated as law enforcement remained silent. (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) You work for us you need to give us answers. If he was to go missing tomorrow, his family has the right to know where hes going and where he ended up at, just like we have rights to know where our family members, where our neighbors, where our whoever gets arrested, we need to know where they end up at so we can notify their families, said Gisselle Huerta with the Children of Immigrants organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE detainers on the rise in Middle Tennessee TIRRC sent a statement from its executive director, Lisa Sherman Luna, to News 2: Arbitrarily rounding up parents on their way home and workers traveling to their jobs does not make Nashville safer or stronger. Instead it shatters families, erodes trust in law enforcement, and leads to fear, trauma and isolation that weakens the collective fabric of our community. This is yet another unconscionable act of cruelty and abuse of power by ICE collaborating with state law enforcement that will have a devastating impact on families throughout Nashville and beyond. Whats more, this operationwhich was focused on a neighborhood with an established, vibrant immigrant populationreeks of racial profiling and unconstitutional discrimination. We demand transparency from all levels of law enforcement on the nature and scope of this operation as we fight to protect the rights of all who live and work in our community, regardless of their immigration status. The Trump administration, in collaboration with state and local agencies, is scaling up cruel and extreme immigration enforcement tactics in our very own communities. But community organizers, advocates, and organizations are on the ground supporting the impacted families with a clear vision of a Tennessee where all of us can belong and thrive, regardless of where we come from, how much money we make, or how we came to call Tennessee home. At this moment, our highest priority is ensuring that every person impacted has their fair day in court and that families can be reunited as soon as possible. Lisa Sherman Luna Trump says he doesnt know if he backs due process rights in new interview News 2 reached out to multiple law enforcement agencies to inquire about the reported activity involving ICE in Nashville. MNPD said it didnt play a role, and the Davidson County Sheriffs Office said it wouldnt be involved in any type of immigration enforcement. However, THP did share the following statement with News 2 Sunday evening: The Tennessee Highway Patrol partnered with federal agencies, including HSI and ICE, for a public safety operation in Davidson Countyin areas with a history of serious traffic crashes and suspected gang activity. Approximately 150 traffic stops were made by troopers for observed violations of traffic laws. In several cases, drivers were found without valid licenses or identification. Federal agents handled those situations, including immigration-related matters. Troopers made a few arrests for outstanding warrants. Illegal guns and drugs were also recovered, including from individuals suspected of gang affiliation. THP remains focused on traffic safety and supporting operations that protect Tennesseans from broader criminal threats. A spokesperson with the ICE division Enforcement and Removal Operations provided News 2 with the following statement: Protecting the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority for ICE. As part of our ongoing mission to uphold U.S. immigration laws, our targeted enforcement operations are specifically focused on individuals who threaten public safety or national security. These efforts help ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe and that immigration laws are enforced. Our officers are highly trained professionals who carry out their duties with diligence, respect, and integrity. We are committed to smart, strategic enforcement that prioritizes the well-being of the public while maintaining the trust of the communities we serve. ICE will continue to work closely with federal, state, and local partners to keep our communities secure and uphold the rule of law. Mellissa Harper, ERO New Orleans Field Office Director Immigrant advocates stayed outside the ICE office Sunday as some of those detained were released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We heard from one of the men that was released that there was 23 people to a room thats like a 10-by-10-foot room. They have a toilet in the corner; they didnt receive any food, any water; the air conditioning wasnt on, so its just very inhumane conditions. They told us that theyre shackling people at the ankles, around their stomach, and in their wrists, said Brenda Perez with The ReMIX. Meanwhile, one agent smoked a cigar outside the facility, where families continued to show up Sunday, seeking answers about their loved ones. We go to the door, theyre not answering, theyre trying to call, theres like no information, so its basically just like a kidnapping and you have no idea where your family member is, Perez said. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County A number of local politicians have posted statements in response to this operation in Nashville: This weekend, a coordinated and alarming immigration enforcement operation unfolded in the heart of Nashvilles immigrant and refugee communities. Witnesses reported multiple drivers pulled over and detained, including mothers driving to work, allegedly leaving children in vehicles by themselves. Videos, photos, and firsthand accounts point to ICE working in tandem with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to carry out what can only be described as a dragnet. What Ive heard anecdotally is deeply disturbing. If THPs involvement is confirmed, it raises urgent and serious questions about THPs role and authority in detaining Nashvillians for ICE. Dragnet operations like this do nothing to improve public safety. What they do is terrorize families, disrupt lives, and shatter trust between law enforcement and the communities they are supposed to serve. THP officers should be focused on roadway safety, not detaining parents heading to drop their kids off at daycare or pulling over residents based on their appearance, language, or neighborhood. This is not happening in a vacuum. Over the last decade, Tennessee has systematically expanded its anti-immigrant apparatus. The legislation passed by Governor Lee earlier this year took that agenda to a new level, establishing a centralized immigration enforcement division under the Department of Safety and encouraging local agencies to do ICEs dirty work. We are now seeing the impact: neighborhoods in fear, families in crisis, and a state law enforcement agency allegedly assisting in deportation sweeps without public accountability. State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) A statement is insufficient to address the cruel and heinous acts committed by ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol last night in South Nashville, where over 150 targeted traffic stops were made to detain those they suspected of being undocumented. Weaponizing the THP to terrorize immigrant communities and rip families apart is reprehensible and makes our communities less safe. My office will be continuing to press Governor Lees administration, including the Commissioner of Safety and the Colonel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, about these racist stops, the names of those detained, and the role racial profiling played in targeting immigrants coming home. State Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) Our top priority is keeping people safe, and were deeply concerned that what appear to be federal actions are making that harder. Overnight, we understand that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents detained people during enforcement actions in Middle Tennessee. As we learn more, I want to be clear: No MNPD personnel were involved in last nights enforcement action. MNPD has no federal immigration authority, is not trained to conduct immigration enforcement, and lacks access to federal immigration databases. They do respond to calls for service and help ensure public safety during protest events anywhere in the city, including the one Sunday just off the property of the federal ICE office. MNPD officers were relieved from the protest by state law enforcement members. This type of federal enforcement action is not focused on making us safer and leaves people in our community fearing any interaction with law enforcement when there is a crime occurring. We will be seeking the names of those detained. Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell Last night, ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol carried out coordinated immigration raids in South Nashville targeting a community with a strong, vibrant immigrant population. Families were torn apart and our neighborhoods were harmed. This kind of racial profiling and cruelty does not make us safer. It tears families apart, creates fear and trauma, and undermines trust in our public institutions. We must stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors now and always. Please support the advocates on the frontlines like TIRRC and others who are working to reunite families and fight for justice. I will work to ensure our local government does not support these harmful acts. Nashville is stronger when everyone is safe, free, and able to belong. Metro Councilmember Brenda Gadd Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read todays top stories on wkrn.com State Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis) and state Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) both posted videos on Instagram to share their thoughts on the situation. Salinas said operations like this dont make anyone safe and instead terrorize communities. Meanwhile, Powell claimed many of the people who were stopped are on the way to Louisiana and that hes never seen THP working that area in his district before. If this incident affected you or a family member, TIRRC urges you to call its resource line at 615-414-1030 for legal information and resources. The coalition also shared this link to offer a review of constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement or ICE. To donate to The Belonging Fund, an effort to support Nashville immigrants during moments of crisis, follow this link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 (Reuters) - Incoming German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt suggested on Sunday it was unlikely the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party would be banned after the spy agency classified it as "extremist" last week. German lawmakers have been discussing outlawing the party and taking other measures including dismissing civil servants who are members of the AfD and limiting or halting public funding. But Dobrindt told broadcaster ARD he was doubtful whether the AfD activities identified in the spy agency's report met the requirements set out for an outright ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guidelines set by the constitutional court say a party must be shown to be working "combatively and aggressively" to implement its goals to be banned. "I'm sceptical, because the aggressive, combative nature of the party against our democracy must be a defining characteristic. The Constitutional Court was right to set high hurdles for banning a party," Dobrindt said. He added that he was "convinced that the AfD does not need to be banned, it needs to be governed away, and we need to talk about the issues that have made the AfD so big". Dobrindt, a high-profile member of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU, said his ministry would examine the designation in depth and he would discuss its findings with the spy agency's top brass in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPD leader Lars Klingbeil told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that the future government would work to shrink the AfD. "What I don't believe is that a potential ban procedure, which could take years, is the sole instrument to bring the AfD down," Klingbeil, Germany's next vice chancellor, said. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel accused outgoing Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of using the spy agency as a "secret justice system" to discriminate against the party. "We are a future governing party; even the machinations of the secret justice system will not be able to prevent that in the long run," Weidel told the Welt newspaper on Sunday. (Reporting by Holger Hansen and Andreas Rinke, Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Andrew Heavens) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Incumbents in both the El Paso Community College and San Elizario Independent School District board races are the apparent winners after the unofficial final results were released shortly at about 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. EPCC has two seats up on its Board of Trustees, and San Elizario ISD has two contested races for its board. El Paso Community College Incumbent Jesus Mendez is headed to victory against Eduardo A. Flores, an EPCC employee, and Luther Marcena for the colleges Board of Trustees seat in District 4, according to unofficial final results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendez is at 51.53 percent or 941 votes, followed by Flores at 32.42 percent or 592 votes, and Marcena is at 16.05 percent or 293 votes. In District 6, Diana Mooy, an associate superintendent in Ysleta ISD, is the apparent winner against Eduardo Mena, according to unofficial final results. Mooy leads with 59.85 percent or 878 votes, and Mena is behind at 40.15 percent or 589 votes. San Eli council incumbent appears headed to defeat San Elizario Independent School District Over in San Elizario ISD, incumbent Axel Lopez is the apparent winner against Asael Cardona for Place No. 2 on that districts Board of Trustees, according to unofficial final results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez is at 60.42 percent or 116 votes, and Cardona is at 39.58 percent or 76 votes. Alexis Ann Tellez is headed to victory against Michael Martinez for Place No. 3 in an open race, according to the latest results. Tellez leads with 60.30 percent or 120 votes, and Martinez is behind with 39.70 percent or 79 votes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Senior Reporters Whitney Downard, left, and Casey Smith hold the Indiana Capital Chronicle's seven awards following a Society of Professional Journalists banquet on May 2, 2025. (Submitted photo) The Indiana Capital Chronicle took home seven awards from the Society of Professional Journalists annual Indiana chapter banquet Friday evening including a top recognition for Senior Reporter Casey Smith, who was honored as the Journalist of the Year. SPJ board members cited Smiths accomplishments as an education writer while announcing the award, as well as her investigative work into Jamey Noel, a disgraced former sheriff now serving time in prison for misusing public funds for private gain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges also recognized Smith as likely being the first reporter to witness a state execution. Smith earned the trust of Joseph Corcorans defense team and was invited as part of Corcorans personal guest list. Indiana Capital Chronicle Senior Reporter Casey Smith was honored as Journalist of the Year. (Photo from SPJs Indiana Chapter) That work earned Smith and ICC Editor-in-Chief Niki Kelly a first-place nod in the criminal justice category. Kelly has covered Corcorans case since the beginning, when she was a courts reporter with the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Smith also won a second-place finish for her environmental reporting on a 2024 bill seeking to exempt certain products from being defined as toxic PFAs forever chemicals. The ICCs four-person team won five other awards on Friday, including first place for best journalism website and third place for the publications daily newsletter, Fast Break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior Reporter Whitney Downard nabbed a first-place win for her personality profile of Abbey Hall, a Hoosier who traveled to Illinois for an abortion after learning her daughter would be born with a detrimental birth defect. Downard also won second place in the Medical and Science Reporting category for her story about transportation troubles for adult day care recipients following a transition to managed care. To see a full list of nominees, visit SPJs website. Winners were simultaneously announced on SPJs X account. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE She was a fearless advocate for her Mixe Indigenous community, a lawyer and mother who denounced violence against women while also exposing misogynist chat groups among politicians in Mexico's southern Oaxaca state. Her high-profile activism led to death threats, colleagues say, but Sandra Estefana Dominguez Martinez wasn't one to back down. Now her many admirers say that defiance cost Dominguez her life. Dominguez and her husband were last seen Oct. 4 in her home region in eastern Oaxaca's Mixe heartland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, prosecutors confirmed the discovery of the couple's remains in shallow graves in neighboring Veracruz state. Both had execution-style gunshot wounds to their heads. Their slayings, amid swirling charges of an official cover-up, have sparked outrage in Oaxaca, which has a large Indigenous population and is among Mexico's poorest states while also a fast-growing tourist destination. It was a very orchestrated job Joaquin Galvan, an attorney, on death of Sandra Estefana Dominguez Martinez The government's actions point to "an institutional operation" to conceal official involvement, said Joaquin Galvan, another Oaxaca attorney and activist who worked closely with Dominguez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a very orchestrated job," Galvan said. Despite global renown for its culture, cuisine, Pacific beaches and mezcal-drenched party scene, Oaxaca is also the site of often-bloody clashes sometimes involving organized crime centering on contentious disputes about land rights, development schemes and the trafficking of drugs and migrants, among other issues. The kidnap-murder of the couple stands as the latest in a disturbing slew of killings. In November, assassins on a motorcycle in the colonial-era state capital of Oaxaca City gunned down two sisters who were well-known advocates for their Indigenous Triqui community. And in February, separate shooting attacks in rural areas killed four community leaders who had opposed development projects both along the coast and in the state's interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meantime, in March, Oaxaca's spate of violence made international headlines: Police reported the grisly discovery of the dismembered, bullet-riddled remains of nine young Mexican men and women inside and next to an abandoned Volkswagen sedan along a highway in adjoining Puebla state. The bloodied victims, mostly in their 20s, had been visiting Oaxaca's beaches. Prosecutors blamed organized crime, but provided few details. The violence has exposed a dark side to the tourist mecca, a disturbing look that Mexican officials aren't especially keen to talk about. Read more: 'Mexico is one big cemetery': The search for the secret graves of 'the disappeared' President Claudia Sheinbaum, who assumed office last October vowing to stamp out a national epidemic of feminicides the murder of women because of their gender has largely ignored the slaying of Dominguez and her husband in her daily news briefings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates blame a sinister partnership of organized crime and crooked politicians for the killing of Dominguez, 38. They accuse the Oaxaca state government dominated by Sheinbaum's ruling Morena bloc of brushing off any connection between the lawyer's murder and her long history of advocacy. Authorities "have tried to smear Sandra and said her work has nothing to do with what happened to her," said Yesica Sanchez Maya, a fellow human rights activist in Oaxaca. "But, in fact, there are a lot of reasons why some people would not want Sandra alive." Dominguez had amassed a long ledger of enemies, notably powerful male politicos whom she publicly shamed as sexist abusers in a state that has been slow to shed a legacy of crude machismo and fiat rule in the countryside by caciques, or dictatorial regional bosses. State prosecutors have explicitly dismissed any link between Dominguez's activism and her fate. The lawyer was a "collateral" victim in an organized-crime turf battle that actually targeted her husband, Alexander Hernandez, according to the Oaxaca attorney general, Jose Bernardo Rodriguez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez, 46, was involved in "illicit activities, arms trafficking, people trafficking [and] extortions," Rodriguez told Mexico's Milenio news outlet. Relatives and allies of Dominguez say the accusations left them stunned: Hernandez, they say, was never publicly linked to organized crime until he and his wife were executed. "The easiest thing for state authorities is to say this had nothing to do with Sandra's work that this was all about her husband," said Sanchez, who was Dominguez's longtime colleague and a fellow lawyer. Read more: Mexico's top lawman: Ranch in Jalisco was a cartel training site, not a crematorium Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government's actions point to "an institutional operation" to conceal official involvement, said Joaquin Galvan, another Oaxaca attorney and activist who worked closely with Dominguez. "It was a very orchestrated job," Galvan said. "There was collaboration between organized crime and officials of the Oaxaca government to disappear and assassinate Sandra." Dominguez was a legend in Oaxaca's extensive activist circles. Her passion was assisting vulnerable women, particularly those from the mostly impoverished Mixe ethnic group, also known as the Ayuuk. She was tireless, say family and friends, in pursuing the truth in instances of disappeared and abused women whose victimization was ignored by corrupt local authorities. "As an Ayuuk woman, she embraced the defense of her people and of all the Indigenous women who suffered violence and discrimination," her sister, Kisha Dominguez, said in a Facebook homage. "When a woman came to her seeking help, Sandra always responded. She never hesitated to accompany someone, to assist them, to raise her voice when others were silent." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one well-known case, Dominguez successfully pushed authorities to investigate feminicide in the death of Fanny Guadalupe Lopez, a Mixe teenager whose death in 2021 was initially ruled a suicide. Activists and relatives argued that Fanny, 16, was murdered after years of abuse by her much older boyfriend and a local official. Dominguez's most provocative action was her bombshell public disclosure, starting in 2021, of online chat groups sharing images of Indigenous women, accompanied by sexist banter. The chats dubbed "Sierra XXX" and "Mega Peda" circulated among scores of prominent Oaxacan lawmakers and power brokers. A Morena political candidate had to drop out of the state legislature race when linked to the sneering commentary. Prominently implicated in the misogynist online clique was Donato Vargas, who holds the title of Oaxaca's state "peace" coordinator, a kind of community liaison. Feminists demanded the ouster of Vargas, who also faced allegations of physical abuse from a former female companion. Oaxaca officials defended Vargas. When Dominguez went missing more than six months ago, her supporters called on Oaxaca Gov. Salamon Jara to investigate Vargas, a politically powerful figure who they say potentially had a grudge against Dominguez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor, speaking to reporters in late October, told reporters that he would ask his "friend" Vargas to take a "few days" leave and speak with prosecutors. "We have no reason to protect anyone," Jara said. Vargas did not respond to requests for comment from the Los Angeles Times. From almost the moment that Dominguez was reported missing on Oct. 8, supporters accused Oaxacan authorities of slow-walking the inquiry. International organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, called on Mexican authorities to step it up. Federal officers were directed to aid in the hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search focused on an area of Veracruz state, just across the line from Oaxaca and the couple's home in the remote and sweltering agricultural burg of Maria Lombardo de Caso, about 200 miles from Oaxaca City. Authorities soon found the couple's abandoned vehicle and Dominguez's cellphone. Leads brought police to an isolated ranch called El Capricho The Whim where a gun battle on Jan. 29 left four dead an officer and three confederates of a "criminal cell" tied to the kidnapping, authorities said. Still, the search dragged on, an emotional journey for Dominguez's loved ones, who held on to fading hopes that she may still be alive despite steep odds in a country where forced disappearances seldom yield happy endings. All hope was dashed on April 24. That's when police found the corpses buried in two ditches along a dirt road, some 30 miles from the couple's home. The discovery was announced publicly four days later. At least two other suspects, including a woman, were in custody, according to the Oaxaca prosecutor, who didn't provide further details. "Justicia!" was the chant of distraught and outraged mourners last week at a memorial service in Oaxaca City. Dominguez's coffin was draped in purple fabric, a testament to her feminist credo. Her mother, Aracely Martinez, peered into the flower-bedecked grave, the anguish of 206 days of torment waiting to learn of her daughter's fate etched in her face. "There are no words for what they did to you," the mother said, sobbing. "The state killed you, my daughter." McDonnell is a Times staff writer. Sanchez Vidal is a special correspondent. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Department of Corrections says that an inmate who didnt return to their work release facility in Wichita has been apprehended. Royce Lee Timmons, 42, was placed on escape status at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday after he could not be located at the Wichita Work Release Facility, 401 S. Emporia St. He was sentenced to 29 months in prison in Sedgwick County for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for aggravated robbery convictions from March 2011. Royce Lee Timmons (Courtesy: Kansas Department of Corrections) Timmons was taken into custody on Sunday after surrendering himself at the facility. He was arrested without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound, the KDOC said in a news release. No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Port of Seattle Police are searching for an inmate who escaped custody while being transported at SeattleTacoma International Airport on Sunday morning. A contracted agent was attempting to move the suspect -- Sedrick T. Stevenson -- who is wanted on warrants from Kentucky, police said. MORE: Japan Airlines flight hits tail of parked Delta plane at Seattle SeaTac Airport The escape occurred around 11 a.m. Sunday during the check-in process at a ticket counter at the airport, according to Port of Seattle Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agent lost control of the suspect, who then fled the area toward the light rail station, according to police. PHOTO: Port of Seattle Police are searching for an inmate who escaped custody while being transported at SeattleTacoma International Airport on Sunday morning. (Port of Seattle Police) The agents pursued but were unable to capture Stevenson, police said. Port of Seattle Police confirmed through security footage that the suspect boarded the light rail train headed north. Sound Transit security further confirmed he was seen departing the Capitol Hill station in Seattle. MORE: Unticketed passenger caught on Delta Air Lines flight on Christmas Eve He was last seen wearing a white shirt, a white zip-up hoodie and grey pants, according to police. Stevenson is wanted on warrants out of Bowling Green, Kentucky, for second-degree escape, police said. Inmate on the run after escaping custody at Seattle-Tacoma Airport: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Police have launched an investigation after a person was found dead outside a Holliston home. According to Holliston police, on Saturday, around 12:43 p.m., reports came in of an unresponsive male at 576 Concord Street. Both the Holliston Police and Fire Department responded to the scene, where a 39-year-old male was found unresponsive on the front lawn of the residence. The man was pronounced dead soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Holliston Police Department, alongside the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Office of the Medical Examiner, are investigating the incident. 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 ALTOONA, Iowa While crowds of Derby enthusiasts headed to Kentucky for the 151st running, some fans enjoyed the races at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. The 151st Kentucky Derby was an exciting event this year, with some unexpected wins and some unfortunate soggy weather. Journalism was the favorite this year, with 3-1 odds, but didnt quite match up against Sovereignty who pulled ahead for the win. While Kentucky may be the center for horse racing, Prairie Meadows and central Iowa boast some pretty enthusiastic fans as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocco Becht hosts football camp at Ankeny High School Im a huge horse racing fan, we actually own a couple racehorses, quarter horses. Ive just been a Kentucky Derby fan my entire life and its a great festivity to come out and get together, we are seeing a lot of people we know, everyone is having a good time, said Erin Jackson. Metro residents spent their morning dueling it out for best hat and bowtie, participating in the Swipe & Win promotion, and enjoying live music. Theres energy, excitement, people are wearing their derby hats or bowties, and just having a great time. This is what racing is all about to come out, enjoy some time with friends, make a bet, and cheer for their favorite horse, said Prairie Meadow General Manager Brian Ohorilko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 Live Racing season is just getting started at Prairie Meadows with the thoroughbred season kicking off next weekend on May 9th, followed by thoroughbred and quarter horse from June through September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Reuters) - Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Sunday that Tehran would strike back if the United States or Israel attacked. Nasirzadeh's comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran for the Tehran-backed Houthi group firing a missile that landed near Israel's main airport. "If this war is initiated by the U.S. or the Zionist regime (Israel), Iran will target their interests, bases and forces - wherever they may be and whenever deemed necessary," Nasirzadeh told Iranian state TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile on Sunday that landed near Ben Gurion Airport, the latest in a string of attacks, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. "Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters," Netanyahu said on social media platform X. Echoing Iran's official stance, Nasirzadeh said Houthis act upon their own motivations. Iran-aligned Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel in support of Hamas fighters. The United States has been striking Houthi strongholds in Yemen since March 15, with President Donald Trump vowing to hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran has "no hostility toward neighbouring countries", but in case of an attack, the U.S. bases located in the region will be considered targets by Tehran, Nasirzadeh also said. The minister's statements followed Iran unveiling on Sunday a new solid-fuel ballistic missile called "Qassem Bassir," which has a range of 1,200 km (750 miles), Iranian state media reported. (Reporting by Parisa Hafezi; Writing by Enas Alashray; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Chris Reese) The Israeli military will call up tens of thousands of reservists to expand the countrys assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, army chief Eyal Zamir says. He made the announcement on Sunday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to continue the war despite growing calls from inside Israel for a deal that would bring home Israeli captives held in Gaza and end the war, which has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians. This week, we are sending tens of thousands of draft orders to our reserve personnel to intensify and expand our action in Gaza. We are increasing the pressure to return our people [held captive in Gaza] and defeat Hamas, Zamir said, adding that the Israeli military would operate in additional areas and destroy all of [Hamass] infrastructure above and below ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military chief made the announcement during a visit to the Atlit naval base on Israels northern Mediterranean coast. The announcement came before a Netanyahu-chaired security cabinet meeting to discuss an expansion of the war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has decimated the Palestinian enclave. A growing movement within Israel has called for an end to the war, and an increasing number of reservists are ignoring call-ups. Two government officials told the Reuters news agency that the cabinet would also discuss the possible resumption of aid to Gaza as humanitarian groups warn of increased starvation in the territory since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel continues to face widespread global outrage over the conduct of its war in Gaza, which has shattered the territorys infrastructure as well as its healthcare system and displaced the vast majority of its 2.3 million residents at least once since the war began. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a powerful expansion of the war but did not disclose details as to what new plans might entail. We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory, he said. He demanded that Israel bomb the food and electricity supplies in Gaza. Leading humanitarian groups, including the Red Cross, have warned that the humanitarian response in Gaza is on the verge of total collapse and Palestinians face a daily struggle to survive amid bombardment and the crippling blockade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Nations agencies have said truck convoys carrying aid are building up at the border and have not been allowed into the enclave, where a famine is looming. Israeli officials claim an expanded military offensive would pressure Hamas into releasing the 59 remaining captives, but critics argue it further endangers their lives. Israel ending the fragile ceasefire, which saw Palestinian prisoners exchanged for Israeli captives, on March 18 has not led to any more releases. The reserve call-ups are going out as Netanyahu promised to respond to Yemens Houthis after the rebels fired a missile that struck a road at Israels Ben Gurion International Airport, wounding six people and prompting several major airlines to suspend flights. Netanyahu said the response will take place at a time and place of our choosing. The Houthis have said their fighters carried out the assault in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and to counter Israels crime of genocide in Gaza. Israels military will mobilize tens of thousands of reservists in the coming days, in an expansion of its offensive in Gaza as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire languish. The call-up follows reports that the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Friday presented a plan to intensify pressure on Palestinian militant group Hamas to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israels public broadcaster, Kan 11, reported that Zamirs plan included evacuating Palestinian civilians from northern and central Gaza ahead of expanded operations in those areas, mirroring tactics used earlier this year in southern Gazas Rafah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing unnamed officials, Kan 11 said Netanyahus Security Cabinet was expected to approve the plan Sunday. Speaking on Sunday, Zamir said: This week were issuing tens of thousands of orders to our reservists in order to intensify and expand our operation in Gaza. Were increasing the pressure in order to return our people and defeat Hamas. The IDF chief added that the military would operate in additional areas and destroy all infrastructures above and under the ground. The news has prompted concern among families of the 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Most of the hostages were taken during Hamas deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked 18 months of Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 50,000 people in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In what it described as an urgent and heartfelt appeal, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters warned Saturday that any escalation in the fighting will put the hostages both the living and the deceased in immediate danger. The vast majority of the Israeli public views the return of the hostages as the nations highest moral priority, it added. Negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages have been stalled for weeks. Talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly collapsed. Hamas is demanding a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel has accused Hamas of rejecting reasonable offers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hope for a diplomatic resolution appeared to dim further over the weekend as Netanyahu accused Qatari mediators of playing both sides in the negotiations and calling on the Gulf state to decide if its on the side of civilization or if its on the side of Hamas barbarism, claiming Israel is fighting a just war with just means in Gaza. Its unclear what prompted Netanyahus claim, but the statement follows reports in Israeli media that Qatar had pressured Hamas to reject an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire deal. Qatar dismissed the claim Sunday, calling the accusation a distortion of its diplomatic efforts and accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion as a total Israeli blockade of aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave enters its third month. Is this truly the model of civilization being promoted? its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari wrote in a post on X. A legitimate question must be raised: Were the releases of no fewer than 138 hostages achieved through so called just military operations, or through the very mediation that is now being unjustly criticized and undermined? he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Netanyahu said explicitly for the first time that defeating Israels enemies was more important than securing the release of the remaining hostages, in remarks that drew a backlash from representatives of their families. Previously, he had described defeating Hamas and securing the release of the hostages as the primary goals of Israels war in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Prime Ministers Office announced Saturday it was rescheduling Netanyahus May 7-11 visit to Azerbaijan to a later date. Citing an intense diplomatic and security schedule, it said the change came following developments in Gaza and Syria. This story has been updated with further information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The News Israel is calling up tens of thousands of reservists to expand its military operations in Gaza. Ceasefire talks with Hamas have languished, and Israel said mounting military pressure on the Iran-backed group is key to its goal of total victory, though the families of remaining hostages in Gaza have pushed for a deal. Israeli reservists had flocked to bolster military ranks after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, but enthusiasm has waned in recent months, in part because of a growing sense that the governments decisions are motivated more by political calculations than strategic ones, The Jerusalem Post wrote. Israel is also weighing a possible escalation on another front: Officials on Sunday vowed retaliation after a Houthi missile struck near Israels main airport. Israel intends to respond to the Houthi attack on its international airport not only against the Yemeni militia itself, but also against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. "Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters," Netanyahu said in a post on social media platform X. Iran and Israel came dangerously close to an all-out war last year, with both countries carrying out aerial strikes on each other, raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight people were injured on Sunday when Yemen's Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv on Sunday. The Israeli military confirmed an impact near the airport. Israeli news website ynet reported that, during an urgently convened security meeting, it was decided that Israel would carry out its military response to the Houthi attack in close coordination with the United States. The Israeli TV channel N12 reported that both Israel's Arrow 3 missile defence system and the US THAAD missile defence system failed to intercept the rocket fired from Yemen during interception attempts. Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree renewed the militia's warning to airlines not to fly to the Israeli airport, saying it is unsafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising into the sky and people at the airport running in panic. Warning sirens wailed in numerous areas of Israel during the attack, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Air traffic was temporarily interrupted, and access roads to the airport were temporarily closed. Operations at Ben Gurion, Israel's largest and most important international airport, have since resumed. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened severe retaliation. "Whoever attacks us, we will hit back sevenfold," Katz said in an apparent biblical reference relating to severe punishment, or divine justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saree vowed in a televised statement that the Houthis would continue their attacks in support of Palestinians "whatever the consequences" until the Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas movement, which is also backed by Iran, ends. Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Israel and international merchant ships in support of its ally, Hamas. Since Israel's army resumed attacks in the Gaza Strip on March 18 after a ceasefire broke down, the Houthis have resumed regularly firing projectiles towards Israel. Netanyahu was said to have already agreed in principle to plans for an expansion of the attacks on the Gaza Strip before the planned meeting of the security Cabinet on Sunday evening. According to media reports, the Israeli military is already sending call-up notices to tens of thousands of reservists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli news portal ynet reported that a larger offensive in the Gaza Strip could begin in the coming days. The aim is to increase pressure on Hamas to force the release of more hostages. An expansion of the attacks is likely to further worsen the already precarious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Aid organizations speak of catastrophic conditions. For over two months, Israel has not allowed aid deliveries into the sealed-off area, where around 2 million Palestinians live. The news portal Axios recently reported that the US and Israel plan to bring aid supplies into the Gaza Strip with the help of a private US company, bypassing Hamas. According to Israeli information, 24 hostages and the bodies of 35 abductees are currently being held in the Gaza Strip. Relatives of hostages demonstrated again on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv for a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, US President Donald Trump ordered massive attacks on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, justifying the move with the need to protect US shipping in the region. While Israel itself hasn't launched any attacks on Yemen in some four months, Houthi-ruled areas in the war-torn country have since experienced a series of US strikes. Both the Houthis and Hamas, which triggered the Gaza war by launching the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, are part of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel. The Houthi motto is: "God is the greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam." Israeli security forces take security measures after Yemens Houthi group targets Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with an attack. Saeed Qaq/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AP) A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international airport on Sunday after its impact near an access road caused panic among passengers. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify military operations in Gaza. The army was calling up tens of thousands of reserves, Israel's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. Israel's army said it was the first time a missile struck the airport grounds since the war in Gaza began. The military said initial findings indicated the likely cause was a technical issue with the interceptor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Multiple international airlines canceled or postponed flights. The war with Hamas in Gaza and then Hezbollah in Lebanon had led a wave of airlines to suspend flights to Israel. Many had resumed in recent months. The Houthis have targeted Israel throughout the war in solidarity with Palestinians, raising their profile at home and internationally as the last member of Iran's self-described Axis of Resistance capable of launching regular attacks on Israel. The U.S. military under President Donald Trump has launched an intensified campaign of daily airstrikes targeting the Houthis since March 15. Early Monday, the rebels issued a warning to airlines that they would carry out "repeated targeting" of Ben-Gurion, Israel's main gateway to the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International carriers should cancel all their flights to the airports of the criminal Israeli enemy, in order to safeguard the safety of their aircraft and passengers, the Houthis said. Israel vows to respond Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Houthi rebels have fired at Israel since the war with Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023. The missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel's missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. Its not bang, bang and were done, but there will be bangs, he said. In a later statement, he added Israel would respond to the Houthis AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters. Vote on expanding Gaza war Netanyahu said the security Cabinet was meeting Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting in Gaza. We will operate in additional areas and we will destroy all of the infrastructure above and below ground, Zamir said. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli Army Radio he wanted to see a powerful expansion of the war, and demanded that Israel bomb the food and electricity supplies in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An 8-week ceasefire with the Hamas militant group allowed more aid into Gaza and freed some Israeli hostages, but it collapsed in March when Israel resumed strikes. The military has since captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials. Israel in March halted the entry of goods into Gaza as part of efforts to pressure Hamas to negotiate on Israels terms for a new ceasefire. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the war. Hunger has been widespread, and shortages have set off looting. In a confrontation over efforts to support Gaza, Malta's prime minister, Robert Abela, said his country had offered to send a marine surveyor to look into the damage caused to a ship said to be carrying aid and organized by pro-Palestinian activists. Abela said the captain refused. The activists said Friday their vessel was struck by drones, blaming Israel. The ship remained in international waters off Malta. The Israeli military has not commented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Israeli airstrikes kill children Israeli airstrikes killed at least seven Palestinians, including parents and their children, ages 2 and 4, in southern and central Gaza, Palestinian medics said. The military had no comment. The military said two soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza, bringing the number killed since fighting resumed in March to six. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead. Israel's offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fighting has displaced more than 90% of Gaza's population, often multiple times. ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem, Kevin Schembri in Birkirkara, Malta, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh BEN GURION AIRPORT, Israel (Reuters) -A missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on Sunday landed near the country's main international airport, causing panic among passengers and drawing threats of retaliation against the group and Iran. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile strike that struck near Ben Gurion Airport, the latest in a string of attacks, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate. "Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters," Netanyahu said on X. In a separate video issued by his office, Netanyahu said: "We will do what we need to do to take care of our security, to respond effectively, and to give Iran due warning that this cannot continue." Houthis said in a statement later on Sunday that they would impose "a comprehensive aerial blockade" on Israel by repeatedly targeting its airports, in response to Israel expanding its "aggressive" operation in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most attacks from Yemen have been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems, though a drone strike hit Tel Aviv last year. Sunday's missile was the only one of a series launched since March that was not intercepted. Later on Sunday, the Israeli military concluded an assessment and cited a technical issue with the interceptor launched toward the missile. "Initial findings reveal no malfunction in the detection procedure, interception systems, or Homefront Command alert mechanisms," the army added in a statement. U.S. STRIKES ON HOUTHIS A Reuters reporter at the airport heard sirens and saw passengers running towards safe rooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people posted videos showing a plume of black smoke visible behind parked aircraft and airport buildings. Pictures showed a nearby road scattered with dust and debris. The Israeli ambulance service said eight people were taken to hospital for mild to moderate injuries. An Israeli police commander, Yair Hetzroni, showed reporters a crater caused by the impact of the missile, which airport authorities said landed beside a road near a Terminal 3 parking lot. The airport lies near the major city of Tel Aviv. "You can see the scene right behind us here, a hole that opened up with a diameter of tens of metres and also tens of metres deep," Hetzroni said, adding that there was no significant damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claiming responsibility, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Israel's main airport was "no longer safe for air travel." The Israel Airports Authority said normal operations had resumed, after reports of air traffic being halted and access routes to the airport being blocked. However, a string of airlines including Lufthansa, Delta, ITA Airways and Air France said they had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, some of which had been scheduled for Monday or Tuesday. Sunday's strike came as Israeli ministers were reported to be close to signing off on plans to expand the military operation in Gaza, which resumed in March following a two-month truce, prompting the Houthis to hit Israel with more missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to revive the ceasefire have faltered, and U.S. President Donald Trump in March ordered large-scale strikes against the Houthis to reduce their capabilities and deter them from targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The strikes have killed hundreds of people in Yemen. "The U.S. military continues its operation against the Houthis, which has included over 1,000 strikes against these terrorists and we will continue to coordinate with the Israeli government through diplomatic channels," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said in an email to Reuters. "The Trump administration remains committed to ending the Houthis' capabilities to hijack freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. He did not directly address the airport incident. The Houthis, who control swathes of Yemen, began targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping in late 2023, during the early days of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Israel's offensive on Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the enclave. (Additional reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din, Jaidaa Taha, Alexander Cornwell, Steven Scheer, Maayan Lubell, Andrea Shalal, Ahmed Tolba and Enas Alashray;Writing by Estelle Shirbon;Editing by Toby Chopra, Helen Popper, Conor Humphries and Rod Nickel) Israeli soldiers and settlers have harassed a Palestinian activist featured in a recent BBC documentary that has received praise for shedding light on the plight of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. As the worlds attention has been fixed on Israels 18-month war on Gaza, settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem have spiked, forcing Palestinians to flee their homes. A lack of Israeli police action has further emboldened settlers, who cite the Torah in claiming rights over Palestinian lands. Issa Amro, who was featured in The Settlers documentary made by British-American journalist and broadcaster Louis Theroux, released footage online showing how armed soldiers and settlers raided his house in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amro said police also threatened him with arrest and told him not to file a complaint in what he said is another instance of apartheid imposed by Israel in the West Bank. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused Israel of practising apartheid in occupied territory. Amro added on Sunday that the Israeli settlers who attacked him a day earlier told him United States President Donald Trump backed them. The settlers felt emboldened because of the Trump administrations blind support, the activist said. Theroux said he and his team have remained in regular contact with Amro. . @Issaamro who featured in The Settlers has posted videos of his latest harassment by settlers and soldiers. Our team has been in regular contact with him since the documentary and over the last 24 hours. We are continuing to monitor the situation. https://t.co/asEWKkVX5h Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) May 4, 2025 The BBC documentary, a follow-up to Therouxs 2012 film The Ultra Zionists, reflects on how the situation has evolved in occupied Palestinian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While conducting interviews with Palestinian and Israeli figures, the documentary explored how the settler population has grown significantly and how new military outposts and Israeli infrastructure have expanded across Palestinian territories, often with direct state support. It delves into the religious and ideological motivations behind the Israeli expansion, which has led to mass displacement of Palestinians and violent clashes, and it questions the legality and morality of the occupation as courts rule that it undermines international laws and norms. You bring Jewish families [to the occupied West Bank], you live Jewish life, and this will bring light instead of darkness. And this is how the state of Israel was established, and this is what we want to do in Gaza, Daniella Weiss, a key member of the Israeli settler movement for decades, says in the documentary. Weiss, who has enjoyed support from a number of Israeli rabbis as well, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is happy about the settler expansion. Netanyahu has opposed the Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza and occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Settlers are Israeli citizens who live on private Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They now number more than 700,000. All Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law. Settlements and their expansions are seen as the biggest hurdle in the realisation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. The United Nations General Assembly last year called on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territory. This came months after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Israeli presence in Palestinian territory is unlawful. Theroux himself was harassed as well when making part of the documentary in Hebron when Israeli soldiers approached him and tried to make him leave the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The harassment of Amro comes shortly after Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers in his home in the West Bank village of Susya. Armed and masked settlers vandalised his home and vehicle in late March and injured Ballal. While receiving treatment in an ambulance, Israeli soldiers blindfolded and arrested the filmmaker, who was later released without charge. Like the harassment of Amro on Saturday, that attack was also seen as retaliation for the documentarys international acclaim and its efforts to show the struggles of Palestinians in the West Bank. The incidents have also further highlighted the dangers faced by journalists and filmmakers under Israeli occupation at a time when Israel has killed more than 200 media workers in the Gaza Strip. Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships; co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies and is featured on the podcast, Never Again. For centuries, Italians took it for granted that the Chair of St Peter would be occupied by one of their own. After all, the Vatican is in Rome and Italy has been enmeshed with the Catholic Church for two millennia. But a 455-year-old Italian stranglehold on the papacy came to an abrupt halt in 1978 with the death of Pope John Paul I, who died after just 33 days in office. The abrupt demise of the Smiling Pope meant his papacy was the shortest in modern times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was followed by a Pole Pope John Paul II then a German Pope Benedict XVI and then an Argentinian Pope Francis who died of a stroke on Easter Monday at the age of 88. As Rome gears up for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, there are growing hopes that the papacy could finally come home. Thomas Reese, a Vatican analyst and Jesuit priest, told The Telegraph: This is Rome, were in the middle of Italy, and the Italians would of course love to have an Italian pope again. The Italian media has a tremendous impact on how the rest of the world covers this story and they have a bias in favour of their own candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Italian media is fervently promoting three Italian cardinals for the top job. Each day, in charts, graphs and profiles, they are hailed as papabile literally popeable strong contenders for the top job. Cardinal Pietro Parolin was the number two to Pope Francis, serving as the Vaticans secretary of state. He is regarded as a steady, consensus choice with a wealth of diplomatic experience. He was also the Holy Sees ambassador to Venezuela before being called to serve in Rome a decade ago. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who currently serves as the archbishop of Bologna in northern Italy, is closely affiliated with the SantEgidio community, a Rome-based Catholic charity that was influential under Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He helped negotiate the end of Mozambiques civil war in the 1990s and acted as Pope Franciss peace envoy in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. And then there is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa the Patriarch of Jerusalem who is a key Catholic figure in the Holy Land. He has lived in Jerusalem for 30 years, knows the Israel-Palestine conflict intimately and may be seen as a bridge between East and West. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is also a strong contender as the Patriarch of Jerusalem, a key Catholic figure in the Holy Land - Franco Origlia/Getty Images The power of the Italians has dwindled significantly over the last few decades, particularly as a result of Pope Franciss insistence on appointing cardinals from what he called the periphery far-flung corners of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Reese said: At the conclave that elected Pope Francis, 25 per cent of the cardinals were from Italy. At this conclave, only 12 per cent of the cardinals are from Italy. In the 19th century, it was about 90 per cent Italian. In the old days, if the Italians agreed on who should be pope, it was a done deal. But its a changed world, a changed Church. The reason Francis got elected in 2014 is because at the time, the Italians hated each other they couldnt agree on one candidate. They were divided. So they didnt get it. Italians had genuine affection for Pope Francis, a fellow Latin from South America, who was appreciated for his warmth and openness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were far less keen on Pope Benedict XVI, who was seen as cold, aloof, overly intellectual and typically German. Many would love to see an Italian lead the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church once more. Cardinal Zuppi has a big fan base in the Rome district of Trastevere, where he was a parish priest in the centuries-old Santa Maria in Trastevere basilica, which overlooks one of the neighbourhoods main piazzas. He was known simply as Don Matteo and was often seen pedalling his bicycle through the areas cobbled lanes. Alfredo Bonelli, who runs a newspaper kiosk a few hundred yards from the basilica, said: He used to pass by here every morning and people would wait for him so they could say hello. Hes an exceptional person. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has a big fan base in the Rome district of Trastevere, where he is simply known as Don Matteo - Olesya Kurpyayeva/AFP Of the 133 cardinal electors, 19 are Italian a significant proportion. But the fact that there are three leading Italian contenders for the papacy may split the Italian vote, weakening the chances of a home-grown pontiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is notoriously hard to predict the outcome of the conclave. It is by no means certain that a home advantage will have an effect when the cardinals troop into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday. They will hold one round of voting that day, in the evening, and thereafter four rounds a day. Cardinals are being canvassed every day, as they enter and leave the Vatican, for their opinions on the next Pope. Very few are rash enough to name names, be they Italian or of any other nationality. Many insist that for a polyglot and international organisation such as the Catholic Church, the nationality of the next pontiff is not a big factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cristobal Lopez Romero, a Spanish cardinal who is the archbishop of Rabat in Morocco, said: More than ever, today in the Catholic Church, geographical differences dont exist. In the last 50 years, weve had a Polish pope, a German pope and an Argentinian pope. It doesnt matter if you are from Rome, from Italy, from Spain, from Europe we are open to everyone. Is it time for an Asian pope, an African pope, an American pope? We dont know yet. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, a former head of the Italian Bishops Conference, said that the criteria for the next Pope is not about their place of origin, but their intelligence in the faith. Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib, a cardinal from Chile, said that geography is not an important factor, the Catholic Church is universal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he mulls over who would make a good pope, Gregorio Rosa Chavez, a cardinal from El Salvador, said: I have about five names in mind, among them Italians. But the doors are wide open. There could be some surprises. 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. HOLYOKE Springfield native Jacqueline Robles is set to make history as the first Latina police chief at Holyoke Community College. Its exciting to be the first female Latina in this role, and I look forward to being a role model for young women and men, particularly from the Latino community, Robles said. Holyoke Community College will hold its first oath-of-office ceremony on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Leslie Phillips Theater, where Robles will be sworn in. A reception will follow in the Frost Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through her leadership, I believe Chief Robles will further strengthen the colleges new commitment to community policing, creating an atmosphere where students, employees, guests, and friends of the college feel supported and secure, said Marlowe Washington, vice president of People, Culture and Equity at HCC. Campus police The HCC Police Department currently has about 15 members. While it is a small force, it is growing, Washington said. People often think of police departments as municipal, but in higher education, HCC police officers certified by the states POST Commission, he said. They are sworn officers who carry weapons and perform all the duties that city or town police do, right here on campus, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When developing the job description for the next police chief, Washington said the college wanted someone who not only had the technical skills of policing but also the interpersonal skills to relate to people and promote inclusion. Despite conducting a thorough nationwide search and considering well over a dozen applicants, it ultimately came down to choosing from within the departments own ranks, he said. (Robles) fit that bill perfectly and was the obvious choice, Washington said. We were looking for someone who could help heal our campus, bring people together, and collaborate with kindness, and trust. Those are core values of our campus. He said sometimes all people see is blue uniforms and they cant see the person behind that uniform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But truly these men and women that we have you know the private the kindest of men and women in our department, Washington said. Robles excels at bringing people to the table, fostering trust, and being kind but also knows how to switch that kindness off depending on the situation, he said. Washington said Robles was a well-suited candidate for the top cop position because she has supervisory experience and knows where all the skeletons are on campus. She is familiar with the ins and outs and understands the politics and culture of the campus, he said. Thats the kind of leader we need at this point at this time for the campus in order to bring about a different type of policing to the campus, what I call peopling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington said that this new language emphasizes how people relate to one another, focusing on treating each other with kindness and trust. Robles 22 years on the job is nothing to sneeze about and when the road was tough, she stayed, he said. Weve had some challenges as a department. During that time people left but (Robles) never gave up. A part of why we selected her is the idea that she had staying power and she perseveres through all of the crisis. I often think that (Robles) is a person who doesnt run away from crisis. If anything, she runs towards the crisis, he said. Robles will be the police chief and executive director of community safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robles succeeds Scott Livingstone, the retired police chief from Amherst, who has been serving as interim police chief at HCC since October 2024. Robles was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield. She is fluent in Spanish and believes that because the department serves a very diverse community, it only makes sense to have someone in the department who mirrors the people we serve, she said. Robles said her mother moved her to Bayamon, Puerto Rico, at a young age. I didnt know Spanish, so it was a whole culture shock, and I hated it at the time. But as I got older, I realized it was the best thing my mom ever did for me. I learned about my culture, learned to appreciate it, and learned to speak and write Spanish very well, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, she said being fluent in Spanish has been beneficial at work as being bilingual has helped her aid others with language barriers, guiding them through transitions or assisting them when they needed help. If they were victims of a crime, I offered to accompany them to the courthouse and provide support, she said. Robles graduated from Holyoke High School and Springfield Technical Community College. She comes from a family of police officers, following three brothers and a sister into law enforcement. After getting her associate degree in criminal justice from STCC, Robles started as a security officer at Smith College. From campus police to sworn officers Robles said that back in the mid to late 80s, the department was called campus police, which was more like public safety security. Later on, she said the HCC Police Department was developed, but it remained unarmed for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Robles joined HCC in 2002 as a patrol officer, the force was still unarmed. The department became armed in 2013 for many reasons, she said. One was an increased awareness of societal dangers and issues, particularly around the time of the Columbine High School shooting, Robles said. What happened at the time our chief put it into play, and we got a buzz around it. Luckily the college agreed and were supportive of that initiative. We got the training that we needed, and we were able to get armed, she said. As time goes by things change people change, but even through so much change the campus police adapted, Robles said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Robles was promoted to sergeant where she supervised police officers, parking lot attendants and dispatchers. She helped start a cadet program for HCC criminal justice students. Even though it is a college, Robles said the department receives calls similar to those handled by municipal police. We handle everything from motor vehicle accidents to domestic calls, numerous medical calls, and unfortunately, drug-related issues are still part of society, she said. Her vision One of the things Robles is looking forward to is getting the department accredited and more involved with the campus community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would love to offer training to everyone, get some of our police certified and having the community come out and join us. Our approach is very humanity-based policing, and we aim to provide the best, most professional service we can as a college community, Robles said. Robles said she is looking to empower as many people as she can, especially women of color and the Latino community. She also wants to show her children that if they work hard, they can achieve anything they set their minds to, she said. She has four children. Her oldest son is a court officer in Worcester. Robles said she was fortunate to have had many role models growing up, starting with her mother, who instilled strong values in her. As the youngest of 12, with four siblings who are retired, or still active in policing she said she is eager to get started. Law enforcement officials, elected officials and members of the Holyoke Community College community, along with over 30 of Robles family members are expected to attend Mondays ceremony. Police chiefs from several state community colleges and Holyoke, Amherst and South Hadley will also attend. While Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan has not previously worked with Robles, he did work with her brother, a recently retired Springfield narcotics detective, for many years, he told The Republican. Id like to congratulate Chief Robles on her promotion. She is dedicated public servant and will serve the Holyoke Community College campus well, Keenan said. I wish her success, and we will assist in any way that will help keep our entire community safe. Around 75% of colleges and universities in the country have a campus police department, Keenan said. More Western Mass. Content Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Mahendra Patel was looking for Tylenol in a Georgia Walmart two months ago when he encountered a woman with two children riding a motorized cart she was driving and asked her for help to find the medication, his lawyer says. What happened next, the woman would allege, was that Patel grabbed her 2-year-old son from her, and she pulled the child back. A grand jury would later indict Patel on charges including attempted kidnapping accusations for which hes been jailed in Georgias Cobb County without bond for more than 40 days. But Patel has a different explanation, which his lawyer says is backed by surveillance video: He was just trying to make sure the boy didnt fall from the scooter, which the lawyer claims had just clipped a store display. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surveillance video is very clear that this was not a kidnapping, or attempted kidnapping, Patels lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, told CNN. There was no struggle. There was nothing like that, Merchant said. With a bond hearing set for Tuesday, Merchant argues her client is innocent, partly citing the video that she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media outlets including CNN. CNN has attempted to reach the accuser, Caroline Miller, who previously has spoken publicly about the incident, for comment. When reached by phone, a family member told CNN that Miller declined to comment on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what the video shows, what the accuser and authorities allege, and what Patels defense attorney says: This still image from surveillance video shows Mahendra Patel reaching toward motorized scooter occupied by Caroline Miller and two children during their first encounter in the store. CNN has highlighted a portion of this image. - The Merchant Law Firm P.C. Video of the main interaction The incident happened March 18 at a Walmart in the Cobb County city of Acworth, roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, Acworth police said. The security camera footage shows Patel entering the store and eventually encountering Miller on a motorized cart scooter with two children, one in her lap and one at her feet. There is no audio. The video shows Patel, generally with his back to the camera, speaking with Miller. Patel asked her whether she knew where the Tylenol would be, Merchant and Miller have said. Eventually, as the cart moves in front of a display separating two aisles and Patel walks alongside her, Patel appears to reach toward Millers lap. Patel appears to briefly take something into his arms and lift, but Miller appears to reach back. The disposition of the cart and the boy before Patels reach including whether the child might have been falling and whether the cart clipped anything is indiscernible because Patels back obscures both from the camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man nearby standing at the end of the aisle behind Patel and Miller turns around and looks toward the scooter for a few seconds shortly after Patels reach, but does not intervene and eventually turns back, the video shows. CNN has attempted to contact this person for comment. Quickly after Miller reaches back, the child is seen in her lap and Patel takes a few steps away. Miller gestures to somewhere in the distance, and Patel walks off camera in that direction. Miller, in a March interview with CNN affiliate TV station WSB, gave this description of Patels reach: When I pointed my arm out this way to point it to the direction of where (the Tylenol) was, that is when he reached down, put both of his hands on (the boy), and grabbed him out of my lap. It happened quickly, she said. Im like, No, no what are you doing? He pulled him, Miller told WSB. I pulled him back. Were tug-of-warring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchant, however, asserts that the scooter had clipped the corner of the display, and Patel reacted to safeguard the boy. Hes never denied that he leaned in to try to help and make sure the child didnt fall, Merchant told CNN. Theres no tug-of-war. Its a split second, Merchant said. Theres definitely no battery, no assault, nothing like that at all. Miller, besides not responding to CNNs request for comment, did not respond to WSBs request to comment on the surveillance video last month when Merchant publicized it, WSB reported. The Cobb County district attorneys office declined CNNs request for comment on the case. CNN has sought comment from the Acworth Police Department. The minutes after the first interaction After Patel walks away, Miller moves her scooter to the aisle where the other man is, and backs it into a product display, a different camera shows. Miller and this other man talk for a few seconds before the other child leaves the foot of the scooter and the scooter moves forward into the childs leg. The man appears to briefly lift the scooter away from the childs leg, the child gets back on the scooter, and Miller eventually motors away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seconds later, Patel reappears behind Miller. Miller looks back at Patel, then at the other man, and motors forward. Patel and the man talk for about 15 seconds, and Patel walks away from him and past Miller, surveillance video shows. About four minutes after Patels initial encounter with Miller, another video shows Patel walk by her in the store again, and he shows her something in his hand. According to Merchant, its Tylenol that he found. Miller makes a few gestures including a thumbs-up sign, according to Merchant and he walks away. Walmart surveillance footage captures Mahendra Patel showing Miller the Tylenol he was looking for, minutes after their initial encounter, his attorney says. - The Merchant Law Firm P.C. Two minutes after that, video shows Miller talking to a Walmart employee. At roughly the same time, another camera captures Patel paying for the Tylenol. On his way out of the store, Patel stops to talk with a different Walmart employee. They talk for more than 20 seconds. Police respond, and Patel is arrested Miller told a Walmart employee a man ask(ed) her (where) the Tylenol was and as she was helping him he tried to grab her child and she quickly grabbed the child back, a Walmart assistant manager said as part of an incident report compiled by the store. Walmart provided the report when it was subpoenaed by Merchant, who provided it to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller called police, according to the Walmart report. Some time later, Acworth police responded to the store. Officers spoke with the mother and witnesses and learned that the suspect approached her and asked a question about Tylenol, Acworth police said in a news release on Facebook. The suspect then grabbed the juvenile and attempted to pull the child away from the mother. The mother was able to break away with the juvenile and the suspect fled the area. The juvenile was not injured during the incident. Three days later, Patel was arrested, with investigators having reviewed security footage and talked to witnesses, according to police. Walmart declined to comment on the incident itself, but released a statement saying it was cooperating with the investigation and that customer and associate safety is a top priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to work with police and defer any additional questions to them, Walmarts statement reads. No bond, and Patel is indicted Patel has not had a probable cause hearing, but the Cobb County district attorneys office took the case to a grand jury, which indicted him, according to Merchant. The grand jury indicted Patel on April 3 on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery, according to court documents. He is still in jail, because essentially, the state wont agree the district attorney wont agree to a bond, and we havent been able to get in front of a judge, Merchant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Patel is set to remain at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center at least until then. In a Change.org petition calling for charges against Patel to be dropped, he is called a community pillar who has contributed to the growth and development of his Indian-American community. Merchant said Patels incarceration has been hard on his family, including his two daughters and his mother. Its absolutely been awful, Merchant said. Its really, really been difficult on them because they cant keep up with their business and caring for his elderly mom. CNNs Nick Valencia contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JK Rowling has accused some Harry Potter stars who signed a pro-trans open letter of being motivated by fear. In a lengthy social media post, the author suggested that some actors and academics signing open letters supporting trans rights are afraid for their careers. Stars of HBOs Harry Potter reboot series signed a letter in solidarity with members of the LGBT+ community impacted by the Supreme Courts landmark ruling that trans women are legally not women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter claimed that the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK. Paapa Essiedu, cast as Severus Snape in HBOs upcoming reboot, Eddie Redmayne, star of Fantastic Beasts, and Katie Leung, who played Cho Chang, were among the 400 signatories. Ms Rowling, perhaps the UKs most high-profile critic of gender ideology, has found herself increasingly at odds with actors who made their names in the Harry Potter franchise. Paapa Essiedu, cast as Severus Snape in HBOs upcoming Harry Potter reboot, has signed the pro-trans open letter - Dave Benett/Getty Writing on X she said: Some argue that signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear: fear for their careers, of course, but also fear of their co-religionists, who include angry, narcissistic men who threaten and sometimes enact violence on non-believers; back-stabbing colleagues ever ready to report wrongthink; the online shamers and doxxers and rape threateners, and, of course, the influential zealots in the upper echelons of liberal professions (though we can quibble whether theyre actually liberal at all, given the draconian authoritarianism that seems to have engulfed so many). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gender ideology could give medieval Catholicism a run for its money when it comes to punishing heretics, so isnt it common sense to keep your head down and recite your Hail Mulvaneys? She continued: Lets not forget what a high proportion of them have willingly snatched up pitchforks and torches to join the inquisitional purges. Call me lacking in proper womanly sympathy, but I find the harm theyve enabled and in some cases directly championed or funded... tends to dry up my tears at source. It comes after Emma Watson appeared to break her silence on last months Supreme Court decision. In a cryptic message on Instagram, the actress who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies posted: To the person who said they like me best when I am not ranting about politics: I like me best when I am not ignoring fascism. Emma Watson appears to have broken her silence on last months Supreme Court decision with a cryptic Instagram message - Arturo Holmes/Getty Days prior, Scottish actor Sean Biggerstaff, best known for playing Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter film series, attacked Ms Rowling on social media, calling her an obsessed billionaire and bigoted for her views on trans rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her post, Ms Rowling went on to claim women are winning significant victories in the fight for same-sex rights. Court losses are starting to stack up. The condescension, overreach, entitlement and aggression of gender activists is eroding public support daily, she said. She noted the wave of institutional change prompted by the ruling, as sporting bodies have miraculously awoken from their slumber and remembered that males tend to be larger, stronger and faster than females. Last week, the FA, ECB and England Netball all banned transgender women from competing in female categories. History is littered with the debris of irrational and harmful belief systems that once seemed unassailable, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gender ideology may have embedded itself deeply into our institutions, where its been imposed, top-down, on the supposedly unenlightened, but it is not invulnerable. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The suspected driver in the crash that killed 18-year-old Arbor View High School student McKenzie Scott made his first appearance in court Saturday. Keenan Jackson, 37, faces felony charges for DUI resulting in death, reckless driving and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license. Jacksons public defender said he moved to Las Vegas in December and recently started a new job. The prosecutor recognized Jacksons lack of criminal history but said he could be a danger to the community and a flight risk. 37-year-old Keenan Jackson faces felony charges for DUI resulting in death, reckless driving and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license. (KLAS) Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Jacksons bail at $500,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If posted, the defendant is to stay out of trouble, Westmeyer said. He is not to operate a motor vehicle, and he will be placed on high-level electronic monitoring. Scotts classmates went to court Saturday morning to watch the bail hearing. One of them, Arbor View senior Brayden Boulter, said she was more than a classmate. High school senior identified as victim of suspected DUI crash in Las Vegas There at Arbor View, were not just a school, and were not even just a community. Over there, were a family, Boulter said. I mean, anything that happens in each others lives, we always try to pick each other up, and a loss like this, its like losing a brother or sister, you know? 18-year-old Arbor View High School student McKenzie Scott (Courtesy of Tiffany Reynolds) Boulter and his classmates are hopeful the legal process leads to justice. He agrees with the judges bail decision. I think its very fair, Boulter said. I hope the man, gets through this time and that he finds a piece of himself in that he can make right for what hes done, and I just pray for everyone in the situation involved, family on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday was also Arbor Views prom, and the students said it would continue, but it wouldnt be the same. McKenzie Scotts mother created a GoFundMe for funeral costs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A local art gallery reopened this weekendto celebrate the work of Jon Sarkin. For thirty years, he created thousands of pieces of art in Gloucester, selling his work to celebrities and having them featured in museums across the worldall while battling disabilities due a stroke. Definitely a common figure in Jons works," said Mark Henderson, Director of Fish City Studios, as he pointed out details in Jon Sarkins work. Thousands of drawings and paintings from the late Jon Sarkin are tucked inside Fish City Studios on Main Street in Gloucester. Jon Sarkin was an outsider artist with a very unique and distinctive style. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its meant to be a reflection of how hes feeling, said Henderson as he showed a drawing. Jon was a chiropractor, but complications from a neurosurgery led to a stroke. Doctors had to remove part of his cerebellum, leaving him physically disabled and a little off balance. So he walked with a cane and every chance he got he would sit down and just draw because I think it was a respite from that, said Henderson. I think it was therapeutic for him to do that, sort of alleviated the sea sickness he called it. Henderson was a friend and business manager of Jon and is now the director of the gallery where Jon created his work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes got thousands of pieces, you know, and I look at them all the time and I still find new stuff, said Henderson. From the words to the crosshatching, Jon fixated on intricate details. And its almost like somebodys learning how to slowly focus that brain laser over all those years and get it to a place where its creating some really interesting stuff, said Henderson. Jon also used certain motifslike a cactus representing its resiliency in a harsh environment and Batman for his strength. This is another piece that a museum might be interested in, Henderson said as he turned through pages of Jons art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And his work is recognized all over the world in museums in Paris in Londonand purchased by celebrities. A lot of people say I could do this, and then I say ok, go ahead, sit down and give it a shot and I dont think anybody really can, said Henderson Jons story was featured in a book, magazines, and even his own drawing of his brain. But in the space where Jon createdand even passed away inHenderson hopes the gallery will change the narrative from stroke victim turned artist to renowned artist who just happened to have a stroke. I dont think he ever fully came to terms with what happened to him, said Henderson. I dont think anybody could really. But I think what youre seeing on the page is definitely part of that process of reckoning with his fate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gallery reopening is right at the beginning of stroke awareness month. It will be open weekday afternoons and it will not only feature Jons workbut other artists who are working to get recognized. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW KANSAS CITY, Mo. Participating businesses donated 10% of all sales Saturday to the scholarship fund in honor of fallen KCFD firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman. Jason Pryor, the owner of Pizza 51, says the decision to join the donation campaign was easy. Its always nice to know that when you have an option to go out to dine, that your money is going to a cause that you feel is important, Pryor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCFD firefighter Graham Hoffman was killed in the line of duty on April 27. Days after his tragic death, Hero Fund USA established a scholarship fund honoring his life and legacy. Donations will help fund annual scholarships for people pursuing accredited Firefighter or Paramedic training programs. Pettis Co. Sheriff shows gratitude to community after deputies are shot We were very happy to partner with the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association for this kind of a cause. We are proud to be a part of something that can carry forward Grahams name and give other young adults the opportunity to pursue this career, Pryor explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause is close to Pryors heart. We have a lot of close relationships with those who are already in the fire department, and with my son, who is also training to be one (a firefighter) as well. It just kind of hits home in that sense, Jason said. His son Josh understands the importance of showing support for fire service members. Most of the firemen and firewomen that Ive been around they are very humble and when stuff like this happens and they lose a brother, a family member in a lot of ways, its important that they feel seen and I feel like this is a little part of that, Josh Pryor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees at Pizza 51 wore KCFD gear to work Saturday to show their support. Brookside Art Annual returns for 39th year in Kansas City Pryor says customers were happy to know that some of the money they spent dining would be donated. Whether they came here for that reason or they did not. They were happy to be a part of supporting this, and were happy to be offering that opportunity to support as well, Jason said. If you didnt make it out to eat at one of the participating restaurants on Saturday and would like to donate to the Graham Hoffman scholarship fund, you can still do so here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A Kansas couple in their early 60s were killed Friday when their motorcycle collided with a pickup, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper. David A. Koch and Odetta L. Koch of Sabetha died at the scene of the U-36 wreck in Brown County. It happened around 5:04 p.m. The 61-year-old Baileyville, Kansas, man driving the 2011 GMC Sierra and the woman in the vehicle were not injured, the trooper wrote in a crash report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Koch, 63, was driving the 2020 Harley Davidson with his 62-year-old wife on the back when he crossed center line and struck the truck, the trooper wrote. Online records show the two are husband and wife. Actors Taylor John Smith, Charles Melton and Alex Brockdorff portray members of a U.S. Navy SEAL platoon in the film Warfare. (Credit: Murray Close / A24) Karen Read looks to be taking her retrial for murder in stride ... appearing relaxed after a recent court appearance -- having a drink and chatting with strangers. TMZ has obtained photos of Read at SAVR, a bistro in Boston's Seaport District -- not long after she finished up another week of her retrial on Friday. TMZ.com Eyewitnesses tell us Read was with her legal team -- including powerhouse defense attorney Alan Jackson ... who we're told flattered everyone in the bar, working the room and schmoozing like a pro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group, who was joined by Boston radio personality Greg Hill, was there for about an hour and a half ... and, Karen had an espresso martini or two -- just a little something to unwind after what must be a difficult couple of weeks for her. Getty We're told she didn't do anything rowdy, keeping mostly to herself -- though she wasn't standoffish either. Several groups approached her and asked for a pic with her and her lawyers, and we're told she obliged them all. KR did chat with a couple people outside the group, our sources say ... and, overall, her mood seems upbeat. TMZ As you know ... Karen is charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision causing death after prosecutors claim she ran over her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read's lawyers have fired back by claiming she's the victim of a cover-up by law enforcement officers who she alleges beat up O'Keefe at a party and threw him out in the snow where he died. She was tried last summer ... where a jury voted in favor of acquittal -- 12-0 -- on both the second-degree murder charge and the charge of leaving the scene of an accident where there was injury or death. They did vote 9-3 in favor of conviction in regards to the vehicular manslaughter charge. The lead-up to Read's legal trial has already led to some explosive moments ... including one where key witness Kerry Roberts admitted she didn't actually hear Karen Read ask Jennifer McCabe to search Google about hypothermia just before the three women found O'Keefe dead, despite previous testimony. The trial's still moving forward ... but, it looks like Karen's doing her best to stay positive in the face of all the stress. (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo) The Citizens to Stop Illogical Growth, a group opposing the Karman Line Annexation proposition, which would bring about 1,900 acres of El Paso land into Colorado Springs, is making its voice heard. They walked more than three miles through the heart of the city on Saturday, May 3, roughly the same distance as the area that could soon be added to Colorado Springs. We are out to tell the community and show the community that this annexation of the Karman line is illogical and not good, said Ann Rush, an organizer with Citizens to Stop Illogical Growth. The groups journey began at Acacia Park before walking down Platte Avenue with a straight shot to the Citadel Mall. Nick Raven came up with the idea to walk more than three miles, saying its more than just traveling by foot across town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this symbolizes is people coming together for a common cause, Raven said. This is a grassroots, organized event. I didnt have anyone poking in my shoulder handing me a check to do this. The group joined the Vote No on Karman Line March, and together they wanted to express their distaste against the annexation east of the city with this walk. They believe the negative impacts the project will have massive consequences on the citys water supply and also increase traffic. The groups want officials to invest in the citys current infrastructure, like streets, homes, and buildings along Platte Avenue. They could actually improve on it and really improve the quality of life for the residents who live around that area, Rush said. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has backed the annexation. I offer my full support to our city council in reaffirming its previous decision to approve the Karman Line Annexation. Mayor Yemi Mobolade More recently, the Colorado Secretary of States Office dismissed a complaint filed by the developers against the petitioners. Ultimately, it will be up to Colorado Springs voters to decide with a special election set for June 17th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman was laid to rest Friday. We should all take this moment to pause, catch our collective breath and continue to honor the fallen first responders memory. We offer sincere condolences to Hoffmans family, friends and fellow firefighters. We all owe this 29-year-old man a great deal of gratitude for his service to our city. On April 27, Shanetta Bossell allegedly fatally stabbed Hoffman in the chest, piercing his heart, during a routine call that was anything but. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days following Hoffmans death, we all had questions and still do on how such a tragedy could occur. And its only natural to wonder whether public safety personnel on the scene followed proper protocol and procedure leading up to the incident. While its almost a given that we immediately want to assign blame, in this case everyone must exercise patience as city officials sort out what if anything went wrong. Both Mayor Quinton Lucas and interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson have shown a willingness to get in front of the issue to reassure the public and Hoffmans colleagues that we will get to the bottom of what occurred. And Michael Hopkins, a Kansas City Fire Department battalion chief, told The Star the department is open to making changes if need be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This public-facing approach must continue. We call on Lucas, Grundyson and the City Council to work together with the local unions that represent fire department personnel to find out exactly what could and should have been done to prevent such a senseless tragedy. City officials must analyze the factors that led to Hoffmans death with a fine tooth comb and present those findings to the public in a timely manner. As much as we want to know the why and how, its important to keep in mind that a thorough investigation of an on-duty death takes more than a few days to conduct. No search or pat-down The morning Bossell fatally stabbed Hoffman, a Kansas City police officer responding to a welfare call was the first person to encounter the woman walking on Missouri 152 near North Oak Trafficway in Kansas Citys Northland, according to court documents filed in the first-degree murder case against her. After the officer noticed a laceration on Bossells hand, he summoned an ambulance, court records indicate. Later, the officer offered to take Bossell home but she declined. She then voluntarily agreed to be taken to the hospital by Hoffman and his partner. The officer followed in his police vehicle. Bossell and Hoffman were alone in the patient area of the ambulance when she stabbed him, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In documents we read, there is no indication the officer involved searched or performed a pat-down on Bossell to see if she was armed with a weapon. She was not a criminal suspect, Kansas City police have said, so there was no reason to assume the worst. But she was considered dangerous by police, according to The Star. On April 23, Bossell allegedly bit the arm of an off-duty Platte City officer in the Northland. A probable cause affidavit in that incident stated: Due to the violent nature of the incident Bossell should be considered a danger to the public. What the officer knew about this important information is a question police have yet to answer. Officials did tell us the department is reviewing the incident to determine if anything needs to be addressed. During any investigation, the totality events will be reviewed by all of the appropriate elements, police spokeswoman Alayna Gonzalez wrote in an email. We are always reviewing current practices and making adjustments and improvements to policies as needed. Was ambulance staffing an issue? Under Missouri law, an ambulance transporting a patient must have a minimum of two licensed emergency medical responders on board, and one must be an emergency medical technician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some cities may staff ambulances with up to three qualified medical responders in Harrisonville these three-person crews are called engine companies the two-person setup used in this case is not all that unusual. Because there are many unknown facts about Hoffmans death, it would be impossible at this time to determine whether the fire department needs to adjust its staffing model, according to Battalion Chief Hopkins. But it is a very real change the department must consider going forward. The work we do is very nuanced particularly on the medical side and many factors have to be looked at when making those determinations, he told The Star. We will review this case and determine if policy changes are necessary or if new policies are needed. To properly honor Graham Hoffman, acknowledgment of his service is the least we should ask of and we must demand that this kind of calamity never happens again. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) A 3-year-old is in the hospital after she shot herself Saturday night after finding a gun in a vehicle, police say. Around 9 p.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety were sent to the area of E Vine Street near Portage Street after receiving a report about a child with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and her parents were taking her to the hospital. Responding officers learned that the 3-year-old girl and her sibling were left alone in a vehicle that was parked outside a home. A firearm that was legally owned by a CPL holder was stored in the center console. While in the vehicle, the girl shot herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KDPS said the girl is in critical condition and expected to recover. No arrests have been made, KDPS said. The firearm and vehicle are in police custody. Gun reform legislation takes effect Tuesday While we are relieved to hear the child is on the path to recovery, this incident could have ended far worse, Danielle Guilds, captain of the Criminal Investigations Division, said in a release. We urge all firearm owners to take every precaution to ensure their weapons are properly secured and inaccessible to children. 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 WOODTV.com. The votes are in, and according to unofficial results, Keller school board member Chelsea Kelly has won big in her bid for reelection, with 60.45% of the vote in Place 3. Joni Shaw Smith, however, lost her reelection bid in Place 2, where Jennifer Erickson won with 52.39% of the vote. Randy Campbell took Place 1 with 52.7%. The three winners won the majority of precincts on the west side of the school district, and all won at least a handful of precincts on the east side. Campbell took 12 east side precincts followed by Erickson, who took eight. When reached for comment, Kelly, who designs and manages wine cellars, expressed gratitude to the voters for their trust, then turned her attention to the job ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am here to fight for this community, Kelly said. To ensure that every student has access to a safe and empowering educational environment. To advocate for the voices of parents, teachers and students alike. And to uphold the values that make our community strong: respect, integrity and a commitment to excellence. This is just the beginning. Likewise, Erickson, a senior director of communications with Texas Health Resources, said she appreciated the communitys support, and she said she was looking forward to joining the board. Im eager to get started on behalf of all our working families, students and professional educators, said Erickson. Campbell, a retired commercial airline pilot, said he, too, was grateful for the faith voters placed in him and vowed to take a collaborative approach in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud of this school district and look forward to working with everyone to make Keller ISD even better, he said. And while Shaw Smith said the results of this election werent what I had hoped for, she said she was proud of her work as a trustee on behalf of the district, and she promised to remain committed to the community. I ran on a promise to serve with transparency, unity and dedication, and I fulfilled that promise every single day, Shaw Smith said. I put my heart and soul into this district, and Im proud of all we accomplished together. Thank you to everyone who supported me, believed in me and stood by our mission to put our district first. Given the controversy thats been swirling around Keller since January, when news broke that five of the seven school board members were considering a plan to split the district, these three trustee races have been among the most closely watched in Tarrant County this election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaw Smith and Kelly, both of whom live in Fort Worth, were vocal opponents of the split plan, which was reportedly put forth by board president Charles Randklev, vice president John Birt and current Place 1 trustee Micah Young. Young is not seeking reelection. Birt is up for reelection in 2026, followed by Randklev in 2027. The split was called off on March 14, with board members citing financial barriers as the reason. Before that, the idea was to divide the Keller school district in half using U.S. 377 as the boundary line. If the plan had gone forward, schools in the Fort Worth city limits would have been detached from those in Keller, Southlake, Colleyville and Watauga. Residents on the west side of the district the Fort Worth side strongly criticized the proposal, fearing what it would mean for their schools and their property values. According to trustees Chris Coker, Place 5, and Birt, the plan never went beyond the fact-finding stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the board is now facing two lawsuits, one of which was brought by Keller district residents and parents who allege trustees violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when they discussed the split plan behind closed doors at a December board meeting without it being listed on the agenda. The other lawsuit, brought by Dallas-based Brewer, Attorneys and Counselors, alleges board election rules violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Staff reporter Elly Dearman contributed to this story. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Above: The Kennedy fight club includes, from left, Bobby Jr., Joe III, Caroline, Jack Schlossberg, and Rory. In late January, fresh off her two-year tenure as Joe Bidens ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy did something decidedly undiplomatic. Back at her apartment on Park Avenue, Kennedy, the only surviving child of the slain 35th president of the United States, broke her familys longstanding code of omerta. In a letter to U.S. senators, and in a widely circulated video of her reading the letter, she stated that her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Bobby to family and friendswas unfit to be the secretary of Health and Human Services in the second Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline, the Kennedys 67-year-old de facto elder statesperson, explained that she hadnt spoken out against Bobby until now because we are a close generation of 28 cousins who have been through a lot together We know how hard it has been, and we are always there for each other. But she wanted the senators to know before they voted on his nomination that Bobby lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed. Whats more, his personal behavior was also disqualifying and was a greater concern. He was a predator, who takes risks and breaks the rules. Bobby is addicted to attention and power, she said. Its incomprehensible that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be in charge of American life-and-death situations. It was a jaw-dropping breach for a family famous for maintaining a united front through tragedy and scandal as well as success. Its hard to imagine Caroline Kennedy doing anything like this, Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic analyst and former advisor to the late Senator Edward Kennedy, told the New York Times the day the video appeared. The fact that she did speaks volumes about how she truly feels about Bobby Kennedy. Kennedy insiders were also aghast. A family friend, who has known Bobby for decades, told me, That word predator was used very decidedly. A Thin Line In fact, the family rift had been building for months in the wake of Bobbys quirky, ill-fated candidacy for the presidency, after which, to the bewilderment of many of his relatives, he endorsed Donald Trump. At that time five of Bobbys siblings, each a respected member of the larger Kennedy clanKathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, and Rory Kennedysigned a letter denouncing him and calling his endorsement of Trump a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story. Joe Kennedy III, a former congressman and a grandson of Bobby Kennedy, the slain senator, amplified the letter on X and deemed it well said. Jack Schlossberg, the enigmatic 32-year-old social media devotee and Caroline Kennedys son, noted on X that he was not the least bit surprised by his cousins endorsement of Trump. Been saying it for over a year: RFKjr is for sale, works for Trump, Jack wrote. Bedfellows and loving it. Schlossberg, in particular, was at the forefront of opposing Bobbys presidential candidacy and his appointment to the Trump cabinet. After his mother wrote her letter and filmed her video, he amplified both repeatedly on his X and Instagram accounts. He was also not shy about going after his cousins, including Kathleen Kick Kennedy, Bobby Jr.s daughter (who supported her father in both of his endeavors), or their cousin Joe Kennedy III, Bobby Jr.s nephew, who Jack believed had not been outspoken enough. Ambassador Caroline Kennedys statement to the US Senate on RFKJrs nomination for HHS Secretary This is a reading of a letter she just sent to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Im so proud of my courageous mother, whos lived a life of dignity, pic.twitter.com/feysNA0Wwp Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) January 28, 2025 The family, which for three generations had done its best to keep its private disagreements out of the papers, began sniping at one another in the tabloids and on social media. After Jack suddenly went off social media for a couple of weeks in February, Kick was quoted in the New York Post urging him to get the help he needs. Jack shot back with: DONT WORRY I GOT SOME HELP AND IM BACK KICK!!! Then he added, mysteriously, Seriously Im so hungry what do you say? To former congressman Joe III, who made an appearance in February on a local Boston television station to voice his concern following the sudden one-day closing of the JFK Library as a result of Trumps federal staffing cuts, Jack wrote, This is my cousin Joe who is happy to do media NOW but cannot find the courage to say shit about RFK JRclassic self promo, no spine. In April, he posted again, this time about a relative he did not name. One of my cousins. Perhaps the third or fourth most famous one. Is working with RFKJR on health policy. And publicly tweeting about it. In doing so admits what we all knowthey are working closely together to implement trumps agenda. NO ONE IN THE MEDIA EVER ASKS HER. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And just last week, Kerry Kennedy spoke about her brother's actions as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I love Bobby and I find him incredibly charismatic. But I have saidand my other family members have been super clear about thisthat we disagree again and again and again on the things that hes said, she told Erin Burnett on CNN. I think he is not an appropriate HHS secretary. The Juggernaut Its hard to sustain family dynasties, whether in politics or business, for two generations, let alone three or four. The Adams family seemed to do it; John Adams was our second president, and John Quincy Adams, his eldest son, was our sixth. The Bushes managed it as well, with George H.W. Bush, who served one term, and his oldest son, George W. Bush, who served two terms as president eight years after his fathers term ended. Pool - Getty Images Few other political dynasties, in this country anyway, where supposedly DNA has nothing to do with power, have managed the feat. But the Kennedys were something special in their heyday. The original locus of the familys political and financial power was the family patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy, who became one of the wealthiest men in America in 1929 because he had the prescience to cash out of the stock market before it crashed. He later became the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the (controversial) U.S. ambassador to Britain in the years leading up to World War II. He and his wife Rose, who was the daughter of a two-term mayor of Boston, were fiercely ambitious for their four sons (out of nine children) and especially for the two oldest, Joseph Kennedy Jr. and John F. Kennedy. The glamorous pictures of the growing Kennedy clan, who often gathered for the major holidays, graced the pages of many magazines, including this one, for years, imprinting their social stature and elegance on the minds of many Americans. Over time Joe Sr. groomed Joe Jr. to become the first Catholic president of the United States. But it was not to be. Joe Jr., who enlisted in the navy after graduating from Harvard College and enrolling at Harvard Law School, was killed in an aircraft explosion in August 1944 over Blythburgh, England. His remains were never found. The family then invested its considerable hopes and dreams in Jack, who became a congressman, a senator, and then the 35th president. After his assassination, in November 1963, his brother Robert F. Kennedy (Bobby Jr.s father), who had been JFKs attorney general, became the familys political hope. He was gunned down after winning the California presidential primary in June 1968. The mantle then fell to Edward Teddy Kennedy, the youngest brother, who, apart from having his own personal foibles, became a highly respected senator from Massachusetts for 47 years, before his death in August 2009. Getty Images High Stakes Caroline alluded to her familys political prowess when she made her farewell speech as ambassador in Canberra, Australia, last December. She reminded the audience that her late uncle Teddy had spent 50 years of his life fighting for affordable healthcare for Americans, and that her late aunt Eunice Kennedy Shriver had started the Special Olympics and that the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development was named after her. Our family is united in terms of our support for the public health sector and infrastructure and has the greatest admiration for the medical profession in our country, and Bobby Kennedy has got a different set of views, she concluded before moving on to other topics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the campaign by her and a faction of the family against Bobby, for all the hoopla it generated, fell flat. In February he was confirmed to the cabinet post by a senate vote of 52 to 48. Only two of his six children, Kick and Kyra, showed up at his swearing-in ceremony at the White House. Those members who lined up against him were notably silent, and they remained quiet (with the exception of Jack) a few weeks later, when Trump made public the remaining files of the investigation into JFKs assassination, a controversial move RFK Jr. had lobbied for. Were they too busy wondering if Bobby, by joining forces with Trump, who is anathema to what the Kennedys once stood for, would tarnish the familys reputation permanently? Or, more dire, whether the Kennedy family reputation even mattered anymore? PhotoQuest - Getty Images These are not questions the family itself is prepared to confront, at least not publicly. None of the family members are commenting about the rift, although Jack is back to his bizarre tweeting and posting on Instagram about the political scene. Others who are close to the family are more pragmatic. No one remembers Caroline, one longtime Kennedy family friend told me. Thats what we decided. They dont know her. They dont remember her father. Talk to some 23-year-olds out there and see how many Kennedys they can name. Its like saying, Do you remember Millard Fillmore? Other observers point out that a family feud wasnt that shocking. It wasnt that hard for Caroline to denounce her cousin publicly because there has long been a split in the wider family. Carolines family referred to Bobbys family as the RFKs, the family friend continued, and it was said with great disdain, lumped all together as if none of them was worth a nickel. They were always outliers in the family. They were never close, because they were always this crazy bunch of wilding-like children, a reference to the fact that Bobby Kennedy had 10 siblingssix brothers (two of whom died tragically) and four sistersand they grew up without a father after the 1968 assassination and with a mother who was often absent. Another family friend told me that in many ways the family was doomed after Jack and Bobby were publicly murdered and martyred. But there was some hope that the next generation could carry on the familys hopes, much of which were vested in John F. Kennedy Jr. and, to a lesser extent, Bobby Kennedy Jr. (As well as in Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Bobby Jr.s sister and the former lieutenant governor of Maryland; Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island; and Bobby Shriver, an activist and former mayor of Santa Monica, among others.) Jackie Kennedy was determined to get her two children through the tragedy as best we can, she told Caroline and John. Youre going to have a life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethel Kennedy, Bobbys widow, took a different approach, the family friend told me. Ethel advised her 11 children, Move a muscle, change a thought, as in Dont think about it and dont talk about it, per the family friend. (Ethels death last October, at 96, brought a surprising number of Kennedys to her funeral on Cape Cod, including Caroline and Maria Shriver, as well as Ethels surviving children and grandchildren.) After the deaths of his brothers, Teddy Kennedy took it upon himself to mentor the next generation of Kennedy children, a fact noted by President Obama at Teddys funeral. He laughed and danced with them at birthdays and weddings, Obama said. Cried and mourned with them through hardship and tragedy; and passed on that same sense of service and selflessness that his parents had instilled in him. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline down the aislehe received a note from Jackie that read, On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to have been spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love. Images Press - Getty Images But the ongoing burden of the Kennedy family expectations proved to be a double-edged sword. Many Kennedy watchers believe the flame of the next generation flickered out on July 16, 1999, with the tragic death of JFK Jr., when the small plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Marthas Vineyard, on a foggy, humid summer evening with minimal visibility. He was 38 years old and was thinking seriously about running for governor of New York. Also killed in the accident were his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren. John, say whatever you want about him, was the hope, the family friend said. That was Teddys dream. That was Teddy bringing his brothers back to life through that guy. He knew his sons werent going to do it. He knew Caroline wasnt going to do it. He was the shining star in the family. And, listen, the cousins hated him for it. I personally shared many of the same feelings about John. He and I became friends when we attended Andover together, and his death struck our circle of friends as shocking, impossibly sad, and utterly avoidable. Many of us still talk about how, had he lived, we might be talking about President John F. Kennedy Jr. these days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only was John Jr. Teddys best hope for the political future of the family, he was also one of the few next-generation Kennedys who could stand up to Teddy. For instance, when John was the publisher of George magazine and attended the White House Correspondents Dinner in May 1999, he invited Larry Flynt, the disgraced publisher of Hustler magazine, to sit at his table, as well as Ann Coulter, the right-wing media pundit. Teddy was up in arms about it, recalled someone who was there, especially because Flynt had published naked pictures of Johns mother. But John stood up to Teddy. You want me to go through the litany of this family, and you want to talk to me about morality and how Im behaving and embarrassing family? Get the fuck out of here. New York Daily News Archive - Getty Images Whats Been Lost? After Johns death the remaining members of the family seemed to drift off into their own silos. It wasnt the Kennedy family thing anymore, said another family friend. It was me, me, me. For instance, on the 57th anniversary of her fathers announcement that he would run for president, Kerry Kennedy, RFK Jr.s sister, tweeted that he father would be devastated and angry about what we are facing today, but she wrote nothing about her brothers role in helping to foment the destruction of the issues and causes their father fought so hard to protect. The family fight over RFK Jr.s presidential run and over his joining Trumps cabinet further revealed how isolated the family members have become from one another. Some of the Kennedys are very aware of saving their own asses, the family friend continued, and not going down with the proverbial ship. There isnt that onesort of elder statesman whos going to come in, pull everybody together, and say, Get your shit together. Laurence Leamer, the author of many books about the Kennedys, including The Kennedy Women, told me he thinks the familys influence, like that of many other powerful American clans, is in danger of disappearing in the wind. They dont see each other anymore, he said. They let external factors, namely Donald Trump, shake them. Caroline said things that she never in her life would have said. They went to the extremes in their rhetoric and in the process did a disservice to their own cause. (Leamers latest book is about Andy Warhol, but with his next one he is returning to his favorite topic, the Kennedys.) The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family $1.76 at amazon.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those looking for potential political stars among the latest generation of Kennedys often bring up Bobbys son Conor Kennedy, a graduate of Harvard and Georgetown Law who secretly volunteered in 2022 to fight for Ukraine in the war against Russia, eventually revealing his involvement in a series of social media posts. He also, famously, briefly dated Taylor Swift. But I dont think he really wants to do that, one family observer said of Conor potentially getting involved in politics. He works for a Los Angeles law firm that specializes in mass tort litigation. Then, of course, theres Jack Schlossberg, a graduate of Yale, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law School. He has the resume and the looks for the job. By the time I tracked him down outside New Orleans for an article last year in T&C (You Dont Know Jack, September 2024), he was already losing a bit of the plot many hoped he would follow. He told me he was alternatively writing his memoir and pursuing an acting career. He said nothing about a future in politics. He has since moved back to New York City. I like Jack personally, one of the family friends told me. I think hes a sweetheart. I dont know what in the world some of this kookiness was. I think its probably kind of some young kid just stumbling around a little bit. Maybe its too much to ask, at this point, for the family rift to be repaired and for a younger Kennedy to emerge to rekindle the passions of a generation the way the three brothersJack, Bobby, and Teddyonce did. Maybe theres a different future in store for the clan, and its enough, for example, that Carolines daughter Ro and her wife run a popular farm-to-table restaurant in Ojai, California, or that Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Maria Shriver (and Arnold Schwarzenegger, from whom Maria is divorced), finds himself playing a jerk who went to Duke in the third season of the hit HBO show The White Lotus. Maybe to expect more is to expect too much. After all, Im told that the moment Bobby endorsed Trump, last August, one of the old-guard, true-blue, through-thick-and-thin Kennedy acolytes got word from a friend that Teddy was wrong. The Dream has died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A version of this story appears in the May 2025 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like PARIS (AP) French police rescued the father of a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur in a nighttime raid after he was taken hostage for ransom, the latest alleged criminal effort in France to extort people involved in the management of digital assets. The man was kidnapped Thursday morning in Paris, the prosecutor's office said Sunday. The victim turned out to be the father of a man who made his fortune in cryptocurrencies, and the incident was accompanied by a ransom demand, its statement said, without giving their names or other specifics about their identities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police investigators located the hostage in a house in the Essonne region south of Paris, from which he was rescued on Saturday night, the prosecutor's office said. It said he was treated for injuries but gave no details. French media reported that the alleged hostage-takers cut off one of the man's fingers. Police detained 5 people four were in or close to the house where the man was held captive, while the fifth was at the wheel of a vehicle thought to have been used for the alleged abduction, the prosecutors office said. It said the police investigation is looking at an array of possible criminal charges, including kidnapping with torture or a barbaric act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, police said a co-founder of French crypto-wallet firm Ledger, David Balland, was also kidnapped with his wife from their home in the region of Cher of central France. Police said they made 10 arrests and that the alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency from another of Ledger's co-founders. A raid by France's elite National Gendarmerie Intervention Group unit that specializes in hostage situations freed Balland the next day, followed the day after that by the liberation, again by the GIGN, of his wife, found tied up in a vehicle, police said. North Korea plans to open its Wonsan Kalma tourist site in June 2025. Pyongyang could see the gigantic beachfront resort as a way to rake in foreign cash. But North Korea experts told BI it's unlikely to tap into mass tourism markets. Last October, a video of tanned, blond Russians relaxing on a North Korean beach went viral. That beach is in Wonsan, on the Kalma peninsula a stretch of North Korea's eastern coast now home to dozens of hotels and apartments and is the latest puzzling artifact of Kim Jong Un's grandiose ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports of the exact scale vary from about 7,000 to 20,000 rooms, which could make the resort called Wonsan Kalma one of the largest single-entity-owned beach resorts on the planet. "This is by far larger than anything else Kim has done" in tourism, Bruce W. Bennett, an expert in North Korean affairs at RAND, told Business Insider. The dream for Kim: a world-class megatourism project displaying his totalitarian power to the world and at home, and a way to make money. The question is who, exactly, will flock there. The North Korean Embassy in London didn't respond to a detailed request for comment. A modest tourist trade The project, first announced in 2014, has been delayed several times. When the first delay was announced in 2019, Kim said that he didn't want to compromise on quality. Analysts speculated at the time that the delay could be due to import restraints caused by international sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project also stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's now scheduled to open in June. This means North Korea, which largely sealed off its borders at the start of the pandemic, could soon reopen to international tourism. The country welcomed a group of tourists in February, before again resealing its borders. Tour operators are watching closely. Rowan Beard, the cofounder of Young Pioneer Tours, the company that led the recent visit, has not yet seen Wonsan Kalma. He told BI he's impressed with what he's heard about it. "There's a lot of really cool facilities there, not just built for tourists," he said. "It's also built for delegations. So there's special delegation rooms and presidential suites." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is huge. It's a city," he added. "It's like building the Gold Coast from scratch." North Korean state media said in 2014 that the 3,460-acre site would feature an "underwater hotel, flower park, international meeting hall, exhibition and exposition hall," among hotels, condos, and apartments catering to every budget. The region is already a popular destination for domestic tourists. Nearby Songdowon has an international children's camp, and in winter, tourists can visit the Masikryong Ski Resort, about 12 miles away. State media reports that Kim has praised the region's beauty, having spent some of his childhood there, and owning a lavish private compound nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Wonsan is Kim Jong Un's Mar-a-Lago," Michael Madden, now founder of the North Korea-watching site NK Leadership Watch, told Reuters in 2015. A satellite image of part of the development in February 2025. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies. Mass tourism, niche interest Facilities at Wonsan Kalma have appeared and disappeared over the years. South Korea-based SI Analytics has suggested that a mysterious turtle-shaped edifice will become an aquarium. A theater that popped up in 2021 has since been demolished. In recent weeks, SI Analytics has observed increased flows of oil tankers to the nearby port, suggesting a rush to finish construction. Large numbers of North Koreans in the water at Songdowan beach in 2017. KCNA/REUTERS Beard told BI that his North Korean contacts had been expecting him to bring business there when it opens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're "expecting a high turnout," he said. He plans to offer visits, but told his contacts that the level of interest may disappoint: He thinks he can bring about 100 people a year. The problem is fundamental Young Pioneer customers tend to be adventure tourists attracted by the company's edgy tagline: "Destinations your mother would rather you stay away from." Wonsan Kalma, in an image shared by North Korean state-controlled media. KCNA Experts BI spoke to expressed doubts that the site would have mass appeal for international tourists. It's a beautiful spot but as RAND's Bennett put it: "This isn't Florida. This is North Korea." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not even clear it will make money, given how much they've invested," said Marcus Noland, a North Korea expert and executive vice president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Pyongyang does not make its spending public, but as early as 2019, Kim said that "enormous funds and labor" had gone into the project. While North Korea's use of forced labor may have cut costs, projects of similar scale worldwide run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The site may segregate North Koreans from international tourists, to keep locals from learning too much about the outside world, experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kim has a deathly fear that outside information is going to reach his people," Bennett said. That and North Korea's lack of experience with hospitality may make for something of a stilted vacation, Bennett said. "You'll be in a bit of a bubble," Beard added. A sign in Russian, English, and Korean for the "foreigners' bathing place" at Songdowon tourist camp. Raymond Cunningham/Handout via Reuters The ruble to the rescue? International tourism is attractive because it brings in cash that largely circumvents international sanctions. But South Koreans ostensibly the ideal customers for Wonsan Kalma due to their proximity and spending power are unlikely to visit due to political tensions. "The commercial logic is South Korea is your customer base, and the political logic is we have to keep South Korea at arms' length," Noland said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other likely international visitors could be from Japan, China, and, thanks to their ongoing military cooperation, Russia. Vostok Intur, a travel agency in Russia's Vladivostok, began advertising tours to the resort in January. The all-inclusive trips, which start in July, cost about $420 plus a further payment of $1,400 per person, which is likely Pyongyang's cut. A still from a North Korean promotional video showing Russian tourists at Wonsan Kalma. State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance Last fall, Russia's ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, praised North Korea's hospitality after the Wonsan region hosted injured Russian soldiers. Despite the diplomatic overtures, there's "a real question" of whether there will be enough Russian interest for a place that big to thrive, Bennett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't see the Russians flocking to Kalma," Beard said, adding that Russians like the rest of the world "want to go to Pattaya in Thailand. They want to go to Goa, in India or they want to go to Dubai." A view of Wonsan Kalma, distributed by North Korean state-controlled media. KCNA There's also likely a sizeable domestic audience for the site. The state could offer workers trips there as a reward for exceptional performance, experts said. Beard believes locals will be excited, thinking: "'Hey, we're getting our own Disneyland,'" he said. The Trump factor There's another possible audience for Kim's tourism drive President Donald Trump. Wonsan Kalma is being built against a backdrop of North Korea's desire to be recognized as a nuclear state. In 2018, Trump encouraged Pyongyang to develop its "great beaches," and while North Korea is unlikely to welcome US tourists anytime soon, Trump and Kim speaking the language of real estate to each other could provide some sort of diplomatic stepping stone, Ellen Kim said. Wonsan Kalma lit up at night. KCNA But what if this site fails to impress, like Pyongyang's Ryugyong Hotel? The unfinished hotel dubbed "the hotel of doom" by the outside world for its imposing structure and failure as a project has never become fully operational. It's the country's tallest building, begun under Kim Il Sung, Kim's grandfather. Ryugyong Hotel has never hosted guests. Dita Alangkara/AP "Kim Jong Un has always wanted to show that he was more modern and kind of more 'with it' than his father or grandfather," Noland said. He may see Wonsan Kalma as his best way to prove that. "I think he wants to really make it look like North Korea is a big deal," Bennett said. Read the original article on Business Insider North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a major tank production facility, praising what he called "great progress in the core technology of Korean-style tanks," state news agency KCNA reported on May 4. Kim emphasized that developing advanced tanks and armored vehicles is central to strengthening the countrys conventional forces and reaching the ruling party's plan "for the second revolution in armored force," he said during the visit, according to Reuters. The inspection marks the latest in a series of events highlighting North Koreas focus on upgrading its conventional military alongside its nuclear and missile capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Kim has overseen the launch of a new naval destroyer and observed tests of new drone systems. The renewed push comes amid growing concerns from South Korean and U.S. officials, who believe North Korea may be receiving technical and military assistance from Russia. In return, Pyongyang is suspected of supplying ammunition and missiles to support Russias war in Ukraine. In late April, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. In a statement reported by KCNA news agency, the ruling Workers Party described the deployment as demonstrating the "highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship" between North Korea and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 1, KCNA reported that Russia and North Korea had hailed the construction of a new bridge across their shared border as a "significant occasion" that would strengthen their "friendly relations." The 4.7-kilometer (3-mile) road bridge, set to span the Tumen River, is expected to be completed within 18 months. A border checkpoint will also be built nearby to facilitate cross-border movement. Read also: 600 North Korean troops killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, South Korea says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The city of Cincinnati is looking for answers after two high-profile killings on consecutive days killings officials say are connected. On Thursday, city police fatally shot an armed 18-year-old as he ran from them, and the next day long-serving sheriffs deputy Larry Henderson was hit and killed in Cincinnati by a car that authorities say was driven by the young mans grieving father. The father, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., is charged with aggravated murder, but neither police nor an attorney representing his family have disclosed any motivation behind his alleged targeting of the deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questions also remain in the police shooting death of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton. The Cincinnati Police Department says he appeared to point a gun at an officer while fleeing Thursday, but the officers body camera footage does not clearly capture the moment. Amid the investigations into both deaths, law enforcement lined up Friday night to hold a procession for the fallen sheriffs deputy. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey announced on Sunday that Henderson, who had been with the sheriffs office for 33 years, was struck by the vehicle and passed away a short time later. Hamilton County sheriff's deputy Larry Henderson. - Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Larry began his journey as a Sheriffs Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer, McGuffey wrote in a Facebook post. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers lives was extraordinary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know about the killings of the teen at the hands of police and the deputy allegedly at the hands of his father. A horrific tragedy on both sides The family of Ryan Hinton is demanding answers about his death, which happened just weeks after he celebrated his 18th birthday, according to their attorney, Michael Wright. Police said the teen was one of four men who were fleeing after officers found them in a stolen car, and that he was armed when he ran. Wright described the teen as a fun, loving and good kid and said the family was surprised to learn of the circumstances around his encounter with police. The family reviewed police body camera footage on Friday morning, hours before Hintons father allegedly struck and killed the sheriffs deputy. Wright told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the father was very distraught after seeing the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He couldnt finish watching the video, Wright said of Hintons father, according to the Enquirer. Wright said Monday he has filed a public records request for the body camera footage and police reports of the other officers who were present when Ryan was shot. Ryan Hinton, 18, was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police offer last week. His grandmother described him as a " sweet, gentle giant." - The Cochran Firm Were going to analyze frame by frame in each one of these videos to determine why the officer made that deadly decision to shoot and kill Ryan, Wright said in a family news conference Monday. This is a horrific tragedy on both sides, Wright said. This family lost their son, and this police officer lost his life. Ryans grandmother, Tonya Larkin, said her grandson was a sweet, gentle giant whose death should have never happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are a very close, very close family. This is killing us, Lark said. She added, We as Black people, we dont deserve to be killed just because were running away from the police. Were scared just as much as anybody whether we did something right or wrong. This is everyday life for us, being scared of the police. Rodney Hinton Jr. was arraigned Saturday. Prosecutors said that he in a way that was calculated and premeditated lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff. The courtroom was packed with law enforcement officers during the arraignment. Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, is brought in for his arraignment at a Hamilton County courtroom on Saturday. - Liz Dufour/The Enquirer/USA Today Network/Imagn Images Hinton Jr.s public defender requested a reasonable bond, while acknowledging, I understand that theres a lot of sadness and a lot of anger in this room right now and in the community at large. Hinton Jr. was charged with aggravated murder and is being held without bond until a hearing on Tuesday. Very blurred police body camera footage On Friday, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge held a news conference to release details and officer body camera footage from the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief emphasized that just six quick seconds passed from the time Hinton and three others attempted to flee arrest and when the deadly shots were fired. Officers found the four men in a stolen vehicle in a parking lot in Cincinnatis East Price Hill neighborhood, Theetge said, and observed Hinton appearing to hold a handgun as he ran away, she said. Body camera footage shows an officer shouting, Hes got a gun! Hes got a gun! On your right! On your right! Moments later, the footage shows the teen emerging from between two dumpsters, and another officer fires multiple shots. That officer, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Squad, is believed to have fired four to five shots, two of which struck the boy, Theetge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers tried to to save this gentlemans life by administering different variations of medical aid until paramedics arrived, the chief said. The officer who shot Hinton said afterward it looked like the young mans gun was pointed at him, according to the chief: He (the officer) felt threatened for his life and thats why he discharged his firearm. Police body camera footage from an officer that responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in Cincinnati on Thursday shows the moment an officer shot Ryan Hinton, authorities say. - Cincinatti Police Department/WLW But the officers body camera footage does not clearly show the teen pointing the gun. Theetge acknowledged that the footage is a very blurred image due to the cameras jolting movement during the pursuit. Police later recovered a handgun with an extended clip they say Hinton had been carrying. The gun had not been fired, the chief said. Friday night procession for fallen deputy A procession was held Friday night to honor the sheriffs deputy who died after being struck by the car that day, CNN affiliate WLWT reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputy had recently retired but continued to serve as a special deputy, officials said. He was remembered as a beloved fixture of the community who dedicated decades to public service. He was so well-liked and so well-known, we could fill this building with the law enforcement agencies that respect him, love him, his friends, his family, McGuffey, the sheriff for the county that encompasses Cincinnati , said. What a tremendous loss we have all suffered. The deputy was hit by the car while he was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during a commencement event, according to the Cincinnati police chief. The officer was just out doing his job for what was supposed to be a glorious day for many, Theetge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine condemned the incident as an intentional act of violence and offered condolences to the deputys family and colleagues. Law enforcement vehicles could be seen lined up outside the coroners office before the procession, according to images from WLWT. He will not be alone, the sheriff pledged earlier Friday. There will be someone with him until the day that he transitions to higher ground. As the city mourns, Theetge, the police chief, urged residents to remain patient as investigations into both Thursdays and Fridays killings continue. Let the processes play out. Let the investigations play out. Keep calm, take care of one another, and I can assure you I will ensure you transparency and a thorough and accurate investigation, the chief said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com For years, the shortage of certified air traffic controllers in the US has led to flight disruptions and headaches for travelers across the country, most recently at busy Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where staffing issues have led to major delays for an unparalleled seventh day in a row. The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday implemented a Ground Delay Program and flights were delayed an average of almost four hours Sunday evening, according to an advisory from the FAA. Multiple accumulating factors seem to have caused the massive delays, including the nationwide air traffic controller shortage; a walk-off by Newark air traffic controllers last week, according to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby; the closure of a runway for rehabilitation work; and technology failures caused by outdated equipment, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The control facility responsible for traffic at Newark has been chronically understaffed for years, Kirby said in a Friday message addressing the delays. One flyer, Geraldine Wallace, told CNN Sunday she is anxious about the staffing shortage after her flight was delayed for almost three hours. I hope it can be resolved, she said. Since last Monday, the FAA has cited staffing as the cause of delays, but has not commented officially on the nature of the staffing problems at Newark Airport. Heres more on what we know about the historic delays. Technical failures Just outside of New York City, Newark is typically a bustling airport, ranked the 14th busiest airport in the country in 2024, according to the Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Its a major hub for United Airlines, which on Sunday delayed 232 flights and canceled 35 more, according to the tracking website FlightAware, leaving passengers with the option to reschedule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirby, the United Airlines CEO, also said the airports issues seem to stem in part from technology failures. On multiple instances in the past week, technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans, Kirby said. Transportation secretary Duffy tied the technology failures to an outdated technology system used across the air traffic control facility at a Friday news conference. He pledged to implement a new, state-of-the-art system at air traffic control facilities across the country that would be the envy of the world but said it might take three to four years. The system used to manage air traffic at Newark is incredibly old, Duffy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We use floppy disks. We use copper wires, he said. The system that were using is not effective to control the traffic that we have in the airspace today. He said the existing system is safe, but that its age results in the delays and cancellations now plaguing passengers. President Donald Trump is fully on board with the plan to replace the systems, Duffy added. He called on Congress to give us the resources needed to upgrade the technology. Were going to do this, rebuild a brand-new system, as were having airplanes take off and land, he said. We can do it were America but its going to take some time. Yearslong staffing shortage The technology failures are compounded by the nationwide air traffic controller staffing shortage. Additionally, according to United CEO Kirby, over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR (Newark Liberty International Airport) walked off the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US needs more than 3,000 new air traffic controllers to reach adequate staffing, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a union representing 10,800 professional controllers. Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, its now clear and the FAA tells us that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead, Kirby said. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents 55,000 flight attendants, called on all airlines operating out of Newark to cut planned flights due to the staffing shortage. We support every effort to secure the funding necessary to staff up and provide the resources that are a decade overdue for our air traffic controllers to be able to do their jobs, Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new staffing-related delays are just the latest development in problems plaguing the Newark airport as a busy summer travel season is fast approaching. Last July, the FAA relocated a key control facility responsible for Newark air traffic from Long Island to Philadelphia in hopes of enticing new hires to join the understaffed facility. A CNN analysis of FAA airspace advisories shows at least 14 straight days of FAA-imposed delays for flights to or from Newark. The airport is also in the middle of a runway rehabilitation project that is regularly closing one of its main runways until mid-June. Nationwide staffing is at its lowest point in nearly 30 years, Nick Daniels, president of the controllers union, testified before Congress in March. The most recent data from the FAA shows across all airport towers and terminal approach facilities nationwide, only about 70% of staffing targets were filled by fully certified controllers as of September 2023. When controllers in training are included, that rose to about 79%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite various initiatives to pick up the pace of hiring and increasing the starting salary for Academy trainees by 30%, hiring and retaining air traffic controllers is tough due to strict certification requirements and burnout due to long hours and the stressful nature of the job, in addition to outside factors like the economy and government shutdowns. In one attempt to reduce the shortage, a new incentives program will offer bonuses to students who successfully complete their training at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, bonuses to new graduates training at hard-to-staff or high-cost-of-living programs, and 20% yearly bonuses to controllers who are eligible for retirement but stay on the job. The controllers here are committed to finding the solutions, but that only happens when we all sit down and work together, Daniels said at the Friday news conference. How bad is it? Over a third of inbound and outbound flights at Newark were delayed Sunday, and more than 10% were canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace, a passenger whose flight was delayed while heading home to Canada, told CNN her outgoing flight from Newark was originally scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET but was pushed until 5 p.m. ET. Air traffic controllers have the most critical job for our safety, she said. And so if they are understaffed and the people that are covering are going to be overtired, theyre doing longer shifts, as a flyer, thats making me feel very nervous, actually. Her partner, Mark Wallace, said Sunday he was more worried about equipment failures than the staffing shortage. As concerning as the manpower issue is, according to news reports, the equipment that theyre using out of Philadelphia is antiquated, he said. That gives me probably even more concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another traveler, Michael Tassone, said he was scrambling to get home after his flight out of Newark was delayed multiple times before ultimately being rescheduled. Theres been a lot of scary news around air accidents this year, so hearing something like that is scary, but its not something you think about all the time when you book flights, he told CNN Sunday. You just trust that these airlines have everything under control, but I guess thats now something you need to plan for. The decades-old staffing problem has experienced renewed public scrutiny after a series of collisions and near misses in the skies, including the January 29 midair collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 with a Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67 people. We have a team up there right now. Theyre doing an ongoing investigation into the technology, the interruption itself, FAA Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau said during a Thursday news conference announcing the Trump administrations latest incentives to hire new air traffic controllers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, we need to make sure the controllers have the proper equipment and that theyre obviously appropriately staffed, Rocheleau said. The FAA is using delays to slow the number of flights so the system remains safe, according to Rocheleau. We saw a tragic accident, Daniels said Friday. No one wanted to see that tragic accident, and leaving it without action will leave it a tragedy. Now were taking the action to turn it from a tragedy into a moment of progress that can honor the lives that were lost, he said. CNNs Leigh Waldman and Sabrina Souza contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Lady Gagas record-breaking concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday was targeted with a bomb plot by a hate group posing as Little Monsters fans, who planned to attack with IEDs and Molotov cocktails, Brazilian police revealed. The plotters were organizing coordinated bombings and trying to recruit young Brazilians to carry out carnage at the event, which drew 2.5 million people to the world-famous Copacabana Beach, police in Rio said in a statement. Lady Gaga performs at Copacabana Beach on May 3, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation The recruiters falsely identified themselves as members of Gagas global fan base, known as Little Monsters, as a way to lure fans into networks with violent and self-destructive content, the Brazilian Justice Ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rio state police intelligence uncovered digital networks that encouraged violent behavior and used coded language and extremist symbols to communicate their vile message, authorities said. The plotters aimed to radicalize teenagers and promoted self-harm, violent content and hate speech, including against the LGBT community, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state said. They planned to use the bombing to gain notoriety on social networks, authorities said. A man described as the leader of the group was arrested in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of a firearm, while a teenager in Rio was arrested on child pornography charges, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over a dozen search and seizure warrants were carried out in the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo, authorities said. The raids were carried out quietly just hours before Gagas performance so as to avoid panic or distortion of information, police said. Lady Gaga fans wait for her performance in Rio. AFP via Getty Images Fans pack the shore of Copacabana beach to watch Lady Gagas free concert in Rio de Janeiro. AP There was no impact on those attending the free concert, the Justice Ministry said.Gaga only learned about the bomb plot after she read about it in the press, per reps told TMZ reported. That means the Born This Way singer had no chance to decide whether to cancel the concert due to the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gagas free performance as part of her Mayhem tour was the biggest audience for a solo female artist in history, beating the record previously held by Madonna, who drew a crowd of 1.6 million. Its a great honor to be asked to sing for Rio for my whole career the fans in Brazil have been part of the lifeblood of the Little Monsters, she wrote in an Instagram post announcing the show last month. Saturdays show was her first in Brazil in 12 years after she was forced to cancel a show in Rio years prior due to an injury. BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) Lake Compounce celebrated its opening day on Saturday. Americas oldest amusement park welcomed its 179th season with some updates to favorite rides. Hartford HealthCare Fairfield Cancer Center celebrates grand opening New events coming to the park include a pirate-themed stunt show, drone shows, a haunted house and more. The vibe is great were dancing, were having a lot of fun, the kids look excited, the parents look excited, its a good day, its sunny.. Mother Nature worked well for us today, so were gonna go with it, said Meg Forno, the marketing and sales director at Lake Compounce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full summer lineup can be seen on Lake Compounces 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 WTNH.com. UPDATE, May 6th, 2025, 8:45 am An arrest has been made after a weekend incident at Champions Retreat neighborhood in Evans. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office says on Saturday, a Door Dash driver, identified as Kaleb Sloan, pulled a knife on a guard after being told he was in the wrong lane. Newly released reports state that Sloan told the guard that there were no signs stating that he was in the wrong lane and began yelling expletives at the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guard opened the gate and Sloan proceeded through but then parked and allegedly walked toward the guard shack with a knife. When the guard saw Sloan coming he hurriedly locked himself inside the shack. Sloan allegedly began kicking the door causing the entire structure to shake. He then allegedly delivered the food and went home. Sloan was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault. The guard was not harmed. *** EVANS, Ga. (WJBF)- Columbia County deputies are searching for a suspect in the Champions Retreat neighborhood. It is unclear exactly who theyre looking for or what the suspect is accused of, but a spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office tells us no one has been injured and its early in their 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 WJBF. (KRON) A bar touted as the only Latino gay club in Northern California has suffered 11 burglaries since 2022, the owner told KRON4. Que Rico owner Valentino Carillo says he opened the downtown Oakland club at 15th and Franklin streets four years ago. Each time, the thieves wore masks and escaped before cops arrived. San Jose police seize seven guns in three hours In the most recent burglary, close-up shots of two suspects were caught on security camera. Carillo said that he hopes this is the evidence he needs to bring the suspects to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the string of burglaries, the Oakland Police Officers Association sent KRON4 the following statement. Oakland is outmanned, outgunned and overwhelmed by criminal activity, the OPOA said. We need a commitment from the new mayor and council to provide more police officers now to stem the tide of violence and crime and help turn Oakland around. Watch the video above for Jack Molmuds full 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 KRON4. ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY)- The highly anticipated election on the Lawrason Act is underway, as voters head to the polls to weigh in on the potential benefits. The St. Martinville City Council voted back in February to allow residents to cast their ballots in favor or against the Lawrason Act at the May 3rd election. The city of St. Martinville is one of only 24 cities in Louisiana that operates under a legislative charter. The charter has been in place in St. Martinville since 1895. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the legislative charter has drawn criticism and controversy amongst some residents and officials who say the legislative charter does not provide an adequate separation of power between the mayor and the city council. Tensions rise in St. Martinville over Lawrason Act Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest St. Martinville Mayor, Jason Willis spoke about how he voted yes for the act. We cant ask for better if we continue doing the same thing and what we have been doing has not been working, said Willis. We need to stick on facts and not lies and stuff to scare people in fear, and that alone brings a separation into our community, and that is not what we want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ambrose Bernard, a local voter, said he casted his vote in favor of the Lawrason Act, and hopes others will consider the change it could bring. We should all come out and vote for something that makes sense to the town or to the black community, said Bernard. Its time for a change, I hope things get better everywhere. Despite the outcome of the election, Willis said unity is key to moving the city of St. Martinville forward. We still need to come together as a community, and a council and as a mayor, said Willis. We need to work together for the progress of our city, all the division, all the hatred stuff, all the back and forth, because a difference of opinion is uncalled for. We can have a difference of opinion and still work together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls are scheduled to close at 8pm tonight. To find your nearest polling location, click here. 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. The parents of a student with a pending lawsuit alleging abuse of their child at school in 2024 are now accusing a different teachers aide of similar abuse, according to documents recently filed in civil court. The student described in the victim as a young non-verbal, autistic child. Despite another teacher claiming she witnessed the alleged assault, the aide in question since denied hitting the child during an interview with law enforcement. The family requested that the teacher who they claim most recently assaulted the child would be added to the original lawsuit. They also seek to add the third-party staffing agency that hired the aide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early April, attorneys filed additional documents to try and add two new defendants to the lawsuit: Christopher Lecount, a Bluffton High School teaching aide who allegedly abused the same student two years after the initial incident, and the agency, Soliant. According to the districts spokesperson, Candace Bruder, the district employs 14 individuals through Soliant. The documents allege that Lecount struck the student, violated the students constitutional rights and caused additional harm to an already vulnerable child. When asked about Lecounts employment status, Bruder said he is no longer working in BCSD schools. Efforts to reach Lecount through Facebook were unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Beaufort County School District and two school administrators were named in a federal lawsuit for allegedly employing a teacher with a history of abusing disabled students. The school district also is accused of covering up the abuse after the teacher, Shandequa Jenkins, physically punished the student in 2023. What does the police report say? According to police reports, Lecount, a 46-year-old from Pooler, Georgia, was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and battery on March 10 after surrendering after the issuance of an arrest warrant. He was a teaching aide that specifically worked with students with disabilities at Bluffton High School. The arrest and charge came after Bluffton High Schools principal, Matt Hall, contacted the Bluffton Police Department in reference to one of their teachers allegedly hitting a student in class on March 3. The deputy who interviewed Lecount wrote a synopsis of the interview, which is attached in the police report. According to the synopsis, Lecount did not admit to hitting the child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lecount told police that the number of recorded outbursts on the day of the incident were actually much lower than usual. However, he detailed several behavioral issues from the child in question, such as scratching Lecounts scalp, running away and yelling. Lecount said he would redirect the childs hands when there were any outbursts. Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary occurred, Lecount said. When questioned further about how the child could have been injured, the synopsis details, Lecount did not admit to any physical contact between his hand and the students face. He said that the injury could have come from Velcro letters that the child was using earlier in the day. Images of Lecounts alleged scalp injuries from the student were submitted into evidence. Lecount alleged that the student often shows physical aggression during school activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another teaching aide witnessed the incident, according to the police report. A synopsis of the interview between the witness and a deputy revealed that they observed the student trying to rub Lecounts head, and shortly after, she heard a loud smack. She believed that Lecount hit the student on the left side of their face. When the witness asked Lecount why he hit the student, he apologized, according to the synopsis. Additional documents state that in a second interview and written statement, the witness reiterated the same details of the event. Details of federal complaint Last April, Blufftons H.E. McCracken Middle School Principal Ryan Milling and Vice Principal Joseph Hollington were named in a federal complaint, which alleged the school leaders did not tell the school district about the incident of abuse until they were confronted by law enforcement. The lawsuit also named Jenkins, the aide who allegedly assaulted the student. It describes how Jenkins reportedly grabbed and hit the autistic child with a wooden ruler during school in 2023 when the student was less than 14 years old. Their parents reported the child was extremely bruised and has developmentally regressed since. In the lawsuit, they said the child flinches when touched by an adult, expecting to be hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins resigned Feb. 6, 2024, four days after the Bluffton Police Department arrested her for third-degree misdemeanor assault and battery, according to previous reporting. Milling and Hollington are still employees of the school district, Bruder confirmed. The districts directory says Milling serves as the Coordinator for the dual enrollment program with Technical College of the Lowcountry. Holling is still listed as McCracken Middle Schools vice principal. On April 3, attorneys representing the family filed to request that the original and new claims be considered by the court as one lawsuit. Rob Metro, the attorney representing the student, believes that all of the claims should be tried and resolved in one singular lawsuit. Trying them separately would be wasteful and unnecessary, he said. On April 16 and 17, lawyers representing the school district, the two school administrators and the teacher originally named in the lawsuit, filed a motion asking the judge to deny the request. They believe that the incidents should not be addressed in separate lawsuits since, they claim in court documents, the facts of the incident are unrelated to each other and that they occurred at different schools. Two ongoing not to mention free exhibits at the Layland Museum commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War IIs end as well as the wars effect on the Johnson County home front. The focus is to show what was going on here during the war for Cleburne and Johnson County residents in addition to what was happening to people from here who went overseas and to pull those two things together, Layland Director Stephanie Montero said. The first exhibit: From the Home Front to the Battlefield continues through May 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second, Wartime Photographs by Lamar Sloane, opens today and runs through July 26. Pieces from Laylands collection join donated items to make up the first exhibit. The roles of local African-Americans in the war effort, female workers, Keene Seventh-day Adventist who participated in the Medical Cadet Corps, Cleburnes German POW camp and more fill the exhibit. The diverse and many ways, in other words, in which county residents contributed to the war effort both here and abroad. My parents lived through World War II and my father fought in it, Montero said. So, for my generation, it was more recent history. One of the things were hoping to accomplish is to bring the war home in a sense by showing what was happening here at that time and, for younger people, to make those times a little more real and filled out than just ancient history they might have read about in a textbook. Hoping theyll become more interested and maybe even ask their parents who can tell them about their parents and grandparents and great uncles and aunts and so forth who lived through those times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Layland staff worked with Southwestern Adventist University history professors Steve Jones and Chloe Northrup as well as several of their students in the planning and organizing of the exhibit. The classes met here all last semester with different students researching and focusing on different areas of the war, Montero said. A wall of photographs of local residents who served in the war donated by current residents has also proved popular, Montero said, adding that residents may still donate photos and stories. Jerry Bradbury, father of Cleburne resident and business owner Melissa Bennett, is among those pictured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brabury was a pharmacy assistant and merchant Marine. He was on a boat that performed a rescue. They rescued some people whose boat had been kamikazed including one woman who was pregnant, Montero said. She went into labor. Well, Bradbury wasnt a doctor but he had to do the best he could to help her deliver, which she did. His story made the newspapers all over the country. Closer to home, an old gramophone and recreation of a typical 1940s kitchen lend a feel for the times as do items related to Cleburne musician Harvey Anderson. He was a big band director from here and very popular, Montero said. Doc Severinsen and other big names of the time played with and were good friends of his. In fact, my parents used to go to dances Harvey Anderson played. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another section of the exhibit highlights Johnson Countys own Rosie the Riveters. A lot of women from here either drove or moved to Fort Worth temporarily during the war to work at Consolidated, which later became General Dynamics and then Lockheed, to help build planes back then, Montero said. The Cleburne Conference Center now sits on land Cleburnes German POW camp once occupied. About 425,000 German POWs were held at 700 such camps throughout the country with about 50,000 of them waiting out the war in one of Texas 70 camps. Former Johnson County Judge Roger Harmons father, Larry Harmon, served as a guard at the Cleburne camp. You kind of wonder why they went to all the effort to ship them to America and set up all those camps, Montero said. Maybe they figured if they held them in Europe they might escape and go back to fighting. But here, if they escaped, there wouldnt really be anywhere for them to go or any way to get back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grandview resident Sandra Neeley donated numerous items from her father, Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Lowell L. Harris, a member of the 494th Fighter/Bomber Squadron who served in the European theater during the war. He was a propeller specialists and worked on airplanes, Neeley said. Harris joked that her father nearly missed the war because the Army kept sending him to different schools stateside. Once there, however, he worked out of airfields in England. The only time he got shot at was when an airplane zeroed in on him and his crew and they had to run for cover. He was also flown in behind the lines to an airfield after D-Day so they could go back to repairing the planes, Neeley said. He stayed a while after the war and theres a picture of him in Nuremburg Stadium where Hitler and his cronies used to make speeches and carry on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neeley said her father otherwise spent all of his life in Johnson County outside his war tenure and about three years in Lamesa. He was born in Cuba, which is now Sand Flat and his birth certificate says Cuba, Neeley said. My grandfather was Dr. Larkin Harris and he moved his family of 11 kids to Cleburne since Cuba only had a small elementary school. Harris worked as a bookkeeper after the war and later for the post office, the current Cleburne City Hall building, until his retirement. He told me some stories about the war, Neeley said. Unfortunately, I was too young at the time to really understand. Otherwise, he didnt talk about it much. I think most of he and his generation just sort of did their duty, came home, went to work, got married and got on with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From clothing, to cards and letters to a still intact breakfast ration box to Nazi armbands and other items Harris found in a boxcar, Neeley contributed numerous items to the exhibit. I think daddy would be humbled and maybe overwhelmed by the attention this is getting, Neeley said. Neeley said she hopes the exhibit reignites interest in the older generation and spurs the same among the younger generation. Being married to a Vietnam veteran who has two Purple Hearts, Im glad to see that people have an interest in honoring our veterans again, Neeley said. I hope that never goes away, because those people put their lives on the line for people back then and people yet to be born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neeley praised the efforts of the Layland and SWAU team members responsible for the exhibit. Its one of the most informative and well done exhibits Ive seen at Layland, Neeley said. It covers so many people and things from that era, and thats what museums are for, bringing history back to life. photos on display The second exhibit consists of photos Shubert Lamar Sloan took during his time in North Africa and Italy. His daughter, Landa Sloan Orrick brought in a bunch of these photos, Montero said. She lives in Fort Worth now but was born and raised here. Sloan, a member of the 36th Texas Division, participated in the first amphibious landing in Europe and was present during the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino and was part of the group moving toward Germany as the war ended. The photos originate from a Hasselblad camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently he or someone else liberated the camera from a German soldier who would no longer be taking pictures to put it politely, Montero said. The two exhibits work together to offer a fuller picture and fresh take on World War II both here and there, Montero said. Theres just some really great stories of that time so many of the people around here have, Montero said. Its such an honor to be able to share those. CHEYENNE Officials are getting closer to approving streamlined rules allowing members of the public to carry concealed firearms in state-owned public buildings by a July 1 deadline. In late February, after nearly a decade of trying to pass legislation to repeal the states gun-free zones, lawmakers passed Enrolled Act 24, Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act. The new law, which will go into effect this summer, repeals gun-free zones at public schools, community colleges, the University of Wyoming and state-owned government buildings. Gov. Mark Gordon let the new law go into effect without his signature, calling it a legislative power grab. The State Building Commission must promulgate rules around firearms in public buildings to match state statute, and in early April, had a wide-ranging discussion on amending rules that covered not only firearms, but also public demonstrations at the Capitol. On Thursday, leaders shifted to a more targeted approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our direction was simply to reflect as simply as possible the legislation that passed repealing Wyomings gun-free zones, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told her colleagues on the SBC of the latest rule draft. There is nothing in the rules that covers those other things discussed, as pertaining to surety bonds or public gatherings, Degenfelder said. We simply looked at how we include the codified language into our rules. The commission, which includes Degenfelder, Gordon, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, State Auditor Kristi Racines and State Treasurer Curt Meier, must pass rules to govern firearm carry provisions in the public spaces, implementing the new state law, before the new state statutes become effective July 1. I think (the rules) do an excellent job following the enrolled act, Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, told the commission Thursday via Zoom. In January, the executive branch adopted similar amended rules that applied only to the Capitol and the Capitol Complex in Cheyenne. The new rules will apply to all buildings owned by the state of Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These rules will apply much more broadly, Racines said Thursday. The rules will not apply to facilities exempted under statute, or buildings the state leases under general services leasing authority. It also excludes spaces in publicly owned buildings that are subject to a lease to a private party. Rules must be in place by July, and while the board discussed embarking on an emergency rulemaking process to meet that timeline, only Gray advocated for an expedited process. Instead, the commission voted to start the regular rulemaking with an additional meeting planned for June, if necessary, to meet the July deadline. Today, I do not believe we meet the threshold to pass emergency rules, Racines said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray referenced what he called a fear of firearms in letters from the Governors office and said that he would prefer to start the emergency rulemaking process immediately. I am a little bit concerned, because we do have a bill that is going into effect as the law of the land on July 1, Gray said. I think it would be better to start this process now. Gordon responded that, From my standpoint, we have carry here (in the Capitol), and it is great we are going to expand that. I want to assure people there is no attempt to try to roll back or walk away from what we have here, Gordon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leases and insurance rates Leaders discussed how to handle facilities that are privately owned, but leased by state agencies, and whether the new rules should stipulate that lease negotiations prioritize carrying of firearms. When you have a lease, what is (the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information) going to do to try and negotiate carry into the buildings? Gray asked. I think that A&I should be asked as a default, as a first method, to try to negotiate that. Racines responded that lease negotiations could be handled under A&I leasing rules, rather than proposed SBC rule changes. Acknowledging private property rights, the commissioners discussed the possibility that building owners who enter into state leases may not want to allow firearms into their facilities, because such a practice could mean rising insurance costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray argued the new law will actually make those facilities safer. Removing these gun-free zones and allowing for carry protects these areas, he said. I still see a lot of (people) struggling with this concept, but it should lower our liability. This increases safety, and while it might not fit this CNN-style worldview that schools across our country have tried to build, the research shows that this increases safety, Gray said. If it did increase insurance rates, I think that is something A&I would need to move forward to the insurance commissioner because I think it would be consistent with predatory behavior. Dozens of people riding a shuttle bus in Missouri were injured after the vehicle struck a ditch. At least 32 people were injured on Saturday around 10.45 a.m. when a shuttle bus driving on state Highway 100 near Eagles Nest Drive in Gasconade County veered off the right side of the road. The driver then overcorrected and drove off the left side of the road and into a ditch, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. All of those injured were adults aged 27 to 68, highway patrol records show. Four are suffering from serious injuries, 11 from moderate, and 17 from minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 45-year-old man driving the shuttle bus one of the four who was seriously wounded was airlifted to a local hospital, records show. The state highway patrol is now investigating the incident. None of the victims have been identified. Records show 22 of the passengers are from Missouri, eight are from Illinois and one is from Kansas. The local fire department stated in their report that 41 people in total had been onboard the bus. The crash was considered a mass casualty incident, according to the Hermann Area Volunteer Fire Department. This designation also signals more resources from nearby areas to assist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air ambulance and 10 ambulances were dispatched in the wake of the incident, bringing 14 firefighters, 20 paramedics, and a flight crew to the scene, the fire department said. Less than three hours after the crash, at 1.30 p.m., the road was reopened for normal traffic, according to the fire department. UPDATE: Lebanon Police says a woman is hospitalized following a investigation this afternoon. The area is now secure. LEBANON, Mo. Lebanon Police are asking citizens to avoid an area of town for an active investigation. Woman hospitalized after being shot in Lebanon They are asking residents to avoid the area to allow for emergency crews to respond to the scene. Police say they are responding to an active incident between Monroe Street and Fourth Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) For six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis had a firm grasp on Florida's legislature. In his second-to-last legislative session, that is not the case. Top lawmakers once stood beside DeSantis on issues ranging from parental rights and DEI programs to abortion and gun rights. These padded DeSantis' national profile ahead of his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2024. This year, the Republican governor looked to enforce President Donald Trumps immigration agenda, remove state property taxes and address South Florida's condominium crisis. Instead, his influence dwindled as fellow Republicans publicly defied his directives and even raised questions about his handling of state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature adjourned the legislative session late Friday without a budget prepared to be signed by DeSantis, who wields the power of the line-item veto to only approve specific appropriations in a budget package. Lawmakers extended the session until early June after announcing they have a framework for a budget. The governor would need to sign it before July 1, when the fiscal year begins. The opposition presents a whole new challenge for the term-limited governor who may have aspirations to run for president in 2028. And DeSantis has been amping up his rhetoric against legislators, labeling them the House of Pettiness. Here are some key issues that didn't necessarily go in DeSantis' favor: Lawmakers defied DeSantis on immigration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Republican lawmakers opened and then immediately ended a special session called by DeSantis on Trump's immigration agenda. Determined to tackle the issue on their own terms, they then gaveled back in, tossed out the governor's proposals and presented their own. The rebuke to DeSantis would have been unthinkable in previous years. A weekslong standoff ended with the governor signing negotiated immigration measures, which went beyond Trump's executive orders by mandating the death penalty for immigrants without legal status who commit capital offences in Florida. Investigating the Florida first lady's key initiative Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Florida House subcommittee began a probe of Hope Florida, an initiative by First Lady Casey DeSantis. Initially, it focused on a $10 million donation to the Hope Florida Foundation as part of a $67 million settlement between Centene Corporation, the state's largest Medicaid contractor, and a state agency. DeSantis had asked legislators to create a Hope Florida Office under the governor's oversight. This would have helped boost the first lady's key initiative ahead of the 2026 election, when she is expected to campaign to replace her husband as governor. Instead, DeSantis has spent weeks criticizing lawmakers' probes into the initiative, accusing lawmakers of drawing negative attention toward the initiative to attack the first lady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alex Andrade, who chaired the state subcommittee, announced April 24 that the investigation had ended and he was firmly convinced several parties were involved in a misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds. A budget backfires on DeSantis wish list In February, the governor recommended his own $115.6 billion budget proposal for lawmakers to consider. The proposal included key measures such as $505 million for immigration enforcement and $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality projects. It also had $2.2 billion in tax relief through some provisions like repealing business rent tax and providing more sales tax holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the House and the Senate still haven't agreed on a budget. House Speaker Daniel Perez told lawmakers to expect to return in June to finalize budget approvals prior to the effective date in July. The House is seeking a smaller $113 billion budget, contrary to the Senate's $117.4 billion spending plan. One main provision in the House is a 0.75% cut to sales tax, which DeSantis has lambasted. He is instead pushing to roll back the state's property taxes. The Senate plan doesn't include that sales tax cut. Throughout April, DeSantis repeatedly criticized the House for disagreements on the budget, whether related to Everglades restoration, law enforcement funding or tax cuts. They are the least-productive Florida House of Representatives that we have had in the modern history of the Florida Republican Party, DeSantis said in an April 16 press conference in Fort Myers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Costly condo woes The initial special session for immigration in January also was meant to address condominium issues, since owners are facing hikes in property insurance rates and increased association costs. Instead, legislators focused on these provisions in the final weeks of session. A 2022 law passed after the Surfside condominium collapse means condo owners have faced higher costs because associations are legally required to have enough reserves for major repairs. The law also requires a survey of reserves every decade. This session, lawmakers aimed to relieve some of these cost hikes for condo owners, which mostly affect residents in South Florida and retirees on fixed incomes. The bill was sent to the governor Wednesday, allowing condo associations to fund reserves through lines of credit and give residents more flexibility to pause payments to their reserves while handling repairs and maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks leading to the bill's passage, the House and Senate presented two different versions, with the House version widely criticized by the governor. In April, DeSantis said the House bill would allow people to be driven out of their homes and pave the way for developers to make more money. Let's recognize that these consequences are not what we want, and let's provide reforms to be able to keep people in their condo units," DeSantis said of the House version. Letitia James is continuing to look for possible insider trading in Trump's inner circle. The New York attorney general's inquiry centers on Trump's markets-roiling flip-flops on tariffs. Former prosecutors say James' inquiry is an unprecedented use of New York's century-old Martin Act. New York's Letitia James is easily the most aggressive state attorney general in the country when it comes to suing President Donald Trump. She's on the front lines of 15 legal actions brought by coalitions of Democratic AGs, all seeking to block executive orders and DOGE cuts. Her $454 million fraud verdict against Trump and his real estate company is under appeal in Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But James' most daring excursion into Trumpworld may be one she has yet to formally announce. It's an ongoing inquiry into potential insider trading by the president's inner circle, centered on last month's markets-roiling tariff policies. James' so-called inquiry the formal name for a kind of probe that falls short of a full-blown investigation has rounded its second month, an AG spokesman confirmed to Business Insider, declining to divulge details beyond saying the office is "looking at" possible insider trading. What would an inquiry involve? And, more importantly, what are its chances of succeeding? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business Insider asked a half-dozen legal experts, including three former high-level financial-fraud prosecutors from the New York attorney general's office. Opinions range wildly. Some pointed to the perennial concerns over insider trading by members of Congress. They called James' inquiry a proper, even necessary, exercise of the power vested in an attorney general whose Manhattan office sits three blocks north of the Stock Exchange. Others called her inquiry a politically motivated boondoggle that's doomed to fail. "This is a story of politics, not a story of law," Richard Epstein, a law professor at New York University, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there was unanimity on two points: Proving insider trading is notoriously difficult, and whatever is happening behind the scenes is unprecedented. "There's been nothing like this," said Armen Morian, a former financial crimes prosecutor for the New York AG's office who helped defend Trump during James' fraud case. An 800-pound gorilla of a statute The inquiry is empowered by New York's Martin Act, a 104-year-old statute that gives state attorneys general extraordinary powers to police Wall Street. Legal experts call the Martin Act the most powerful state securities-fraud law in the country. It allows the AG to issue subpoenas, grill suspects under oath, and file civil lawsuits or criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2018 essay, Epstein called the Martin Act "an 800-pound gorilla," a term he said he still stands by. It can be used to prosecute securities and real estate fraud, but it's rarely used for insider trading, which entails illegally profiting from stock tips not available to the public. Legal experts and three veterans of the AG's office who've brought prosecutions under the Martin Act said they'd never heard of it being used to investigate insider tips involving government policy, in this case, Trump's on-and-off tariffs. The novelty of James' inquiry does not doom her effort, said a former financial crimes prosecutor who asked not to be named, citing work constraints that prevent her from speaking to the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a body of Martin Act insider trading law just not on these exact facts that has been developed over decades," the former prosecutor said. "And remember, the facts of every case are always novel." What is an AG inquiry, and how does it work? An "inquiry" is what the AG's office calls the earliest stage of a probe before subpoenas go out, explained Manisha M. Sheth, a former executive attorney general. Now a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Sheth oversaw the AG's Division of Economic Justice. Securities inquiries can be sparked by whistleblower tips or by allegations that surface publicly in the press or a lawsuit, she told BI. They are handled by the state investor protection bureau, one of the six divisions Sheth once supervised, she said. The AG office's research analysts and data scientists would begin by reviewing raw trading data to look for suspicious patterns, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were there spikes in trading, for instance, on April 9, in the hours before Trump posted on Truth Social, "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!" which triggered a market upswing? At some point, the bureau would send out "inquiry letters," authorized by the bureau's chief or deputy chief and signed by the assistant attorney general handling the matter, Sheth said. "Such letters can ask for documents, data, or information," she said. "Sometimes the recipient of an inquiry letter may volunteer to meet with the office to provide the requested information." Cooperating at this early stage is completely voluntary. If a case advances to the point that subpoenas are issued, an inquiry will have graduated to an investigation, Sheth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I do think it's going to start with using trading data to show that no reasonable person would have engaged in these trades without that nonpublic information," Anthony Capozzolo, a former federal and state prosecutor, said. "You're going to want to, at the least, build an initial case that shows it's very likely that the only motivating factor for these trades was this allegedly inside information," he said. Donald Trump at the 2023 civil fraud trial brought by James' office. Shannon Stapleton More roadblocks to gathering trading data Compiling trading data will be tougher these days, predicted Capozzolo, a partner at Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss in Manhattan. Pre-Trump, the AG would routinely ask the Securities and Exchange Commission for trading data that's not already publicly available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now, the SEC is controlled by the Trump administration, and he could potentially instruct the SEC not to cooperate," leading to a subpoena battle, Capozzolo said. Identifying suspicious-seeming trading patterns is only the beginning, legal experts said. Say, solely as a hypothetical, that a Trump insider reaped a small fortune by buying the dip in Apple stock right before Trump announced the tariff carve-out for electronics from China that sent the stock soaring. That's not enough to prove insider trading, legal experts said. For that, James would need witnesses willing to testify that specific investments were prompted by improper insider tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They try to force people to tell them who was present in rooms," Capozzolo said of prosecutors. "But the difficulty is, a lot of these things may have happened in the presence of very upper-level Trump and MAGA acolytes." And anyone in Trump's circle would certainly fight an inquiry letter or subpoena and do so loudly. "You'll see an immediate challenge," said Morian, who helped prosecute AIG CEO Hank Greenberg in the longest Martin Act case in the AG's history. "It'll be lock and load," Morian continued. "The minute any subpoena goes out, I would immediately intervene if I were in the Justice Department, and say, 'Nope. Can't do it. Sorry.'" Suing, charging, or subpoenaing Trump would be a nonstarter, given executive privilege and presidential immunity, which bars prosecution for official acts, Morian said. (He predicted presidential immunity would extend to civil cases as well someday, "if that ever gets to the Supreme Court.") State AG subpoenas issued to members of the executive branch Cabinet members and the like could also be challenged on executive privilege grounds. And investigating the stock trades of members of Congress would result in challenges as well, Morian said. "If you overreach too far, you could easily see a private litigant taking this up to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court limiting the jurisdiction of state attorneys general in ways we've never seen before," he said. James is being probed by the DOJ for alleged mortgage fraud, an allegation she has called baseless and which her attorney, Abbe Lowell, has called "improper political retribution," CBS reported. Should her insider-trading inquiry advance, James, a Democrat who campaigned for attorney general on a promise of investigating Trump, could face accusations of political retribution and bias. Over the years, Trump has decried James' investigations into his finances and business as baseless, "racist," and part of a "political witch hunt." A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on James' tariff-trade inquiry on Friday. Then there is the inherent difficulty of proving insider trading of teasing out any illegality from the chaos of sudden, trillion-dollar market swings. "There's a huge amount of market turmoil whenever there's a major tariff initiative," Epstein said. He asked how anyone could call it insider trading if thousands of investors are making similar trades for benign reasons, based on hunches, past experience, or dumb luck. "When the markets are this volatile, people make and lose money second to second, for any number of reasons," Morian said. "There are so many contingent variables," he added. "How do you discern the signal from the noise to prove your case?" Read the original article on Business Insider To the editor: Isnt anybody going to stand up to this bully ( Paramount inches toward settling Trumps $20-billion 60 Minutes lawsuit, April 29)? Punishment goes to networks that air journalistically responsible pieces that President Trump does not like; law firms that have, in the past, represented clients he disagrees with; universities wanting to continue life-saving research but have the audacity to hire highly qualified minorities and immigrants; the list goes on and on. Somebody needs to face down this tyrant. If Paramount refuses to settle, it may lose its merger because of a vindictive president, but even Shari Redstone, the non-executive chair of Paramount, would have to concede that running a media company in a democracy would be better than under totalitarian rule. Richard Shafarman, Santa Clarita Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .. To the editor: The spectacle of CBS News crawling to Trump over a totally frivolous lawsuit over its editing of a Kamala Harris interview is nothing short of revolting. Just so Redstone can sell the company to the Ellison family for billions of dollars she doesnt need, shes trashing the journalistic integrity of one of the most respected news organizations in broadcasting history and opening a legal precedent that can impact all journalism nationwide. Is this the CBS News that thrilled the nation with Edward R. Murrows This is London broadcasts in 1940? Is this the CBS News that carried Walter Cronkites factual broadcast from Vietnam after the disaster of the Tet Offensive? No, this is the CBS News thats being sold to the highest bidder and destroying itself in the process. Mara Casey, Laguna Niguel This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Over the weekend, workers protested in Washington, DC against the Trump administrations mass layoffs of federal workers and attacks on federal unions. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) joins Alex Witt to discuss these protests, the latest inaction by Republicans on Capitol Hill, and more. For decades, a Worcester man said he set a woman on fire and killed her in April 1990 because she wouldnt have sex with him. Plus, she had a desire to experience what life was like after death. Now, he says thats a lie. Richard Desrosier, 57, has been in prison for 35 years after he was found guilty of the April 1990 murder of Karen Barriere. Desrosier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Worcester Superior Court less than a year after the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Desrosier successfully had his guilty plea withdrawn in 2000, but in 2002, the state Appeals Court reversed the decision and reinstated his conviction and life sentence. The sentence came with the possibility of parole. He faced the parole board for the fifth time on April 22. What happened in April 1990? In the afternoon of April 16, 1990, Desrosier was with Barriere, 19, and two others when they bought some beer and vodka. Desrosier, then 22, walked away with Barriere when they all went to the roof of Union Station, the 2015 Parole Board decision states. One of the witnesses checked on them, but Desrosier told the witness to go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont come near here, Desrosier said, according to the 2015 Parole Board decision. Shes dead. She wouldnt (have sex) with me, so I killed her. The Parole Board wrote, The witness approached anyway and saw Ms. Barriere, lying naked on the roof, with her upper torso and head engulfed in flames. Desrosier then threatened the witnesses to stay quiet. The witness ran away and told police what happened. Barrieres body was found on the roofs lower level after her body had been thrown from the upper level, the decision said. The medical examiner determined that the victim died from blunt force trauma, thermal injury to the neck and smoke inhalation, the decision said. The victims facial features were burned beyond recognition, but her identity was confirmed through her fingerprints. That was a lie During Desrosiers first three hearings, he told the parole board that he discussed a book with Barriere about the afterlife and her desire to experience what life was like after death. He claimed that was a factor in killing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " That was a lie. That was not a reason," he said during his hearing on April 22. In previous parole board hearings, Desrosier also apologized to the womans family and friends and called himself reckless and compulsive during the time of the murder. He said he was blackout drunk at the time of the killing and didnt know why he did it. He first admitted to the lie about the book and blackout during his parole board hearing in 2020. He would no longer hide behind the blackout or afterlife excuse, the parole board wrote in the 2021 decision. Still, the board felt he had not addressed the sexual violence aspect of his crime and he was denied parole in 2021. Why did I kill Karen Barriere? For a long time, I struggled with this question, Why did I kill Karen Barriere? Desrosier told the parole board on April 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he had to go to a therapist to gain an understanding of what he did and why he lied. It was a buildup of all my failures, a lifetime of failures, he said, later adding, " I was at a very bad point in my life, experiencing failure after failure in the months leading up to April 16th, 1990." Prior to the murder, he spent all his money on alcohol and had to move back in with his parents. He was also in a car crash, and I felt even more useless. He said his parents would also accuse him of not caring for his dog. Thats another failure, Desrosier said. He coped with it all by turning to alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the night of the murder, he told the board the truth that he was unable to perform sexually. That, he said, made him angry. " Here I am, another failure in my life. It wasnt just simply a failure of that moment, it wasnt that moment. It was another failure in my life, he told the board. And I didnt want to deal with the consequences of my own feelings. And I really hated who I was at that time. I really did, because here I am, I cant do anything right." Desrosier told the parole board in front of his parents that his internal anger erupted into a rage that was directed at her, even though it wasnt her fault. His parents also begged for his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " Richard is now 57 years old, not the foolish drunk person he was 35 years ago, his father said. He is now a responsible adult and we are asking you to see him this way and to see all the positive things he has done and that he will be successful upon release." Desrosiers parents said theyre aging and fearing they wont see him released from prison. " I pray to God Almighty that his parole will be granted. We truly wanna be around when he gets home," he said. Opposition to Desrosiers parole The Worcester District Attorneys office has a strong opposition to the release of Desrosier. Mr. Desrosier struggles to explain why this has happened. And this was an act of extreme violence in a sexual context, regardless of whether the precipitating event was Ms. Barriere refusing to have sex or Mr. Desrosiers sexual dysfunction. Given the fact that Mr. Desrosier has not adequately explored the roots of this offense, its clear that parole is not appropriate at this time, the district attorneys office said. Parole Board decision Desrosier has been sober since July 9, 1993, he told the parole board. He has also completed many programs during his time in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said hes the opposite of the person who came to prison. " Today, I am honest, compassionate, understanding, respectful, sincere, capable, willing, he said. I am the person you want to get the job done because the job will get done and itll get done right. Thats who I am today. I am dependable." One board member stated that its very clear to me that youve been putting in a lot of effort in trying to better yourself, adding that hes refrained from violence, been sober, made academic achievements, gained employment skills and scored low risk on all of the assessments. Why do you think youve struggled with the parole board for five hearings? the board member asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because I wasnt honest, Desrosier said. I was not honest. I wasnt honest with myself. The parole board has not released a decision as of May 2. It often takes months for a decision to be made. But Desrosier doesnt feel hopeful, saying he feels defeated. I do. And Ill see you next time. Thats how I feel, he said. All of what Ive done means nothing. All of what Ive done means nothing. More on the Massachusetts Parole Board Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Owensboro-based LinGate Hospitality has won the InterContinental Hotels Groups Owner-Operator of the Year Award. Several hotels in the LinGate portfolio, including the Holiday Inn Riverfront in Owensboro, earned top tier awards from IHG and other brands. Glenn Higdon, owner of LinGate Hospitality, said the honor reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who consistently exceed expectations and deliver outstanding service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships and a shared vision of excellence. Mark Caltiri, president and CEO of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, This award brings great recognition to the Owensboro hospitality industry and is a testament to all of the hard working people in our hotels. Big Lots is making a comeback under its new owners. The chain will reopen 132 stores across 14 states this month. Nine Kentucky stores are on the list Campbellsville, Danville, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Hazard, London, Middlesboro, Richmond and Somerset but Owensboro hasnt made the list yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new owners, Variety Wholesales, say they will build on the positive customer response to the initial re-openings in April. Texas Roadhouse has won the Better Business Bureaus 2025 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in the Large Business Category (175+ employees). The Torch Awards for Ethics honor companies whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character and ensure that the organizations practices meet the highest standards of ethics, and consequently generate trust. A new study by Criteria says that a majority of workers are looking to make a career change. Fifty-fivepercent of job candidates are looking to make a career or industry switch this year, according to the report. That jumps to 76% for those in the retail field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicken Salad Chick, which has an Owensboro location, just opened its 300th restaurant. The chain opened 37 new locations in 2024, followed by 21 so far in 2025. It plans to open 47 locations in total this year. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Officers with the Little Rock Police Department are investigating a Saturday evening shooting that left one dead. According to a post on social media, the LRPD said that officers responded to a call for service in the 3000 block of Cross Street shortly after 5:30 p.m. Officers said that when they arrived, they found a man dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Police said that during the investigation they were told that three other adults arrived at local hospitals with injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials have not released the identity of the person that died or those that were injured. Police have also not released any information regarding a suspect in the shooting. This is a developing story, please check back 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 KARK. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) A Spartanburg cookoff is raising money to help children with cancer for the 10th year in a row. The Cribbs Kitchen Burger Cook Off is an annual event where local chefs gather with the community in a competition to create the ultimate burger. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event. Along with the competition, the event also featured live music, face painting, and dozens of other family friendly activites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All proceeds made by the event will be donated to local children battling cancer, helping funds medical expenses, emotional support services, and other 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 WSPA 7NEWS. NORTH JACKSON, Ohio (WKBN) Sunday was the third Lebanese Food Festival. It was held at the Basilica & National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson. There was a wide variety of food options the lamb served took five hours to prepare. Organizers wanted to invite people to enjoy the food and culture, and that hospitality is important to them. Theyre happy to see more people coming out to this event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see people coming from our Lebanese ancestry but we also have people who are American people, pure Americans, who come and enjoy the food, and they really love it. They love the shrine, they love the ambience, they love culture, they love everybody. Just sit and enjoy the time together as families in this place, Sister Kawsar Choufani said. All of the food was prepared and served by volunteers. The festival is happening until 5 p.m. Tino DiCenso contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Campaigns for constitutional amendments, millages and other ballot propositions may no longer have to report their spending publicly, under proposed legislation. (Photo by Matthew Perschall/Louisiana Illuminator) A lone legislative race and a smattering of local tax referendums around the state were put before Louisiana voters Saturday, when a sparse ballot had to compete with the usual spring schedule of festivals and events throughout the Bayou State In East Baton Rouge Parish, a special election was held to fill the vacancy in Louisiana House District 67. The position became open when Larry Selders won a February election for the state Senate seat vacated when Cleo Fields won the 6th Congressional District race last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terry Landry Jr. prevailed in a field of three Democrats to represent the district that encompasses the LSU campus and neighborhoods to its south. Landry is an attorney who works with the Southern Poverty Law Center and was previously with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and the state health department. Another notable item on Saturdays ballot was the Lake Charles mayoral race, with Republican incumbent Nic Hunter losing to independent challenger Marshall Simien Jr. Other highlights from Saturdays results included a rejected property tax referendum for the East Baton Rouge Parish district attorneys office. DA Hillar Moore had said the new millage was needed to bring his agency up to par in staffing and compensation with comparably large prosecutorial districts in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. The 4-mill levy was projected to raise $24 million annually, with Moore projecting there would be enough revenue generated for his office to return millions to the parish government general fund. With the new tax failing, resources for the district attorney will continue to come from parish government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Orleans, voters narrowly approved a property tax for the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, which has the primary task of operating the city jail. The final vote tally saw the measure prevail by a margin of two votes out of more than 25,000 ballots cast. The results still have to be verified by the Secretary of State. Although the sheriffs tax has already been in place for years, opponents leaned into a no new taxes message in their campaign against the 2.46-mill, 10-year collection. The tax is expected to generate nearly $14 million in revenue for the sheriffs office. St. Tammany Parish voters approved a bond sale for its public school system with a ceiling of $325 million. The debt is not expected to result in an increase to existing property millages dedicated to the school district. A property tax in Livingston Parish public schools was renewed for another 10 years. The 7 mills will generate nearly $5 million a year for the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rapides Parish voters also renewed two property taxes for their public school system, totaling 9.58 mills combined, for the next 10 years. Theyre forecast to generate more than $10 million annually. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Loved ones are searching for a missing 13-year-old Southern California girl. On April 30, Zhinya Rodgers was last seen leaving her home on the 400 block of West 109th Street in South L.A. around 11:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Rodgers is described as a Black female with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with gray sweatpants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teens family and loved ones have not heard from her since her disappearance and are concerned for her well-being. Authorities said Rodgers is considered critically missing. A critically missing person is defined as: A person who has no pattern of running away or disappearing A person in critical need of medical attention The victim of a crime or foul play The victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction A person who is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for himself or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others Anyone who has seen Rodgers or knows her whereabouts is urged to call LAPD Detective Patsenhann at 213-709-3784. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Charlottes Lovin Life Music Fest was evacuated Saturday afternoon during Petey Pablos performance as a severe thunderstorm pummeled uptown, but shortly after 5:30 p.m., organizers began preparing to reopen the festival grounds at 6:15 p.m., and directing fans to its app and social media for updates after the official all-clear. The festival grounds were evacuated around 4:45 p.m., and fans were encouraged to find shelter because of lightning, organizers said on social media. Fans flooded into to the closest shelters The Market at 7th Street and its parking deck. It didnt take long for the market to reach capacity, and people were blocked off at the door. Lovin Life Music Fest concertgoers packed The Market at 7th Street in uptown Charlotte after the festival grounds were evacuated amid lightning. The Market at 7th Street reached capacity limits amid Lovin Live Music Festival concertgoers seeking shelter from the rain, leading staff to block more people from coming in the door. Festivalgoers in rain ponchos mingle about the crowds at The Market at 7th Street after Lovin Life Music Festival was evacuated on Saturday, May 3. The festival issued this statement on social media: Due to lightning in the area, the Lovin Life Fest grounds have been temporarily evacuated for safety. We expect the storm to pass within the hour. Please seek shelter and stay tuned to our app and social media for updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short distance away outside the Kendrick Lamar concert, set to start at 7 p.m., Bank of America Stadium officials warned Seek cover, on social media site X. Music Festival Evacuated Due to Imminent Severe Weather https://t.co/VLNYauVtpB CMPD News (@CMPD) May 3, 2025 As the rain started to pour, crowds had been hurriedly making their way toward Bank of America stadium. Decked in a Mustard sweater, a concertgoer named Seven said rain and all, he was ready to listen to all of his favorites, including wacced out murals. Message boards at Bank of America stadium advise Kendrick Lamar and SZA fans to seek shelter as the gates opened. Lovin Life Music Festival fans seek shelter in the rain on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Lovin Live Music Festival concertgoers seek cover at the light rail shelters next to The Market at 7th Street amid heavy rainfall on Saturday, May 3 in uptown Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 4:30 p.m., the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:30 p.m. for Charlotte, Gastonia and Rock Hill. Winds up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail were possible, NWS meteorologists said. The storm eased up somewhat at 5:10 p.m., with lighter rain and clearer skies. Although at 5:10 p.m., the NWS said a severe thunderstorm warning would continue for Charlotte, Concord and Kannapolis until 5:45 p.m. At 6 p.m., stadium officials signaled what appeared to be an all-clear message on X: Its Saturday night in the Queen City, and weve got a SOLD OUT show with Kendrick Lamar and SZA on the Grand National Tour. This one is going to be special. Display text on the stadiums message boards advising concertgoers to seek cover were removed, and fans moved toward their seats. Bank of America Stadium signs announce fans can return to their seats after rain clears before the Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert on Saturday, May 3. Around that time, Lovin Life spokeswoman Chastity Todd told CharlotteFive: Lovin Life Music Fest is preparing to reopen the fest grounds shortly as the weather continues to clear. Were actively monitoring conditions and getting everything ready to welcome fans back. Stay tuned to the Lovin Life app and our official channels for the official all-clear and updated schedule info. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd soon told CharlotteFive the festival would reopen at 6:15 p.m. Check back for updates. This is a developing story. Desiree Mathurin contributed. Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Gastonia NC, Rock Hill SC and Charlotte/Douglas Airport NC until 5:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/CJ9aFed6YE NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) May 3, 2025 In the Spotlight: Ongoing, in-depth coverage from The Charlotte Observer on the issues that matter most to Charlotteans. German carrier Lufthansa has suspended flights to and from Israel after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck near Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv. The Lufthansa Group, which besides its namesake Lufthansa includes SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, initially suspended flights to and from Israel until Tuesday. Affected passengers will be notified and booked on alternative flights if possible, the airlines said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after a Houthi missile hit the perimeter of the international airport near Tel Aviv for the first time. An impact was identified near Ben Gurion Airport, the Israeli military confirmed. According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, eight people were injured. Israel has threatened a harsh response. Those who dont believe Donald Trump wants to turn America into a dictatorship are burying their heads in the sand. His comment I run the country and the world is beyond an egotistical rant and shows his aspirations. He is alienating our allies, causing mistrust of government and the tariffs are causing rifts here and globally. Prices are increasing every day, and its going to get worse. Disharmony is rampant. Plans to make severe cuts to Social Security and Medicaid are alarming. If people dont receive Social Security, homelessness will increase, families will go hungry and businesses will suffer. The thousands that have already been fired are causing our unemployment to soar. Dismantling the Dept. of Education is disconcerting as they provide 92.2% of student loans. Students will be deprived higher education. Trump is expelling thousands of immigrants. This is not the country our ancestors fought for. It will continue to deteriorate under Trump. Our freedoms are in jeopardy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nedra Mills, Holly Springs Approval Doing whats right isnt always popular. America needed to get immigration under control, root out government waste, end antisemitism and keep boys out of girls sports. Zero presidents have had the guts to tackle those and other major issues. When we elected Donald Trump, we told him to go fix those problems. So, if his polls slide, who cares? This isnt a popularity contest. Lee Hortman, Raleigh State Constitution Most of Andrew Dunns Apr. 28 piece on a needing a new state Constitution is about the confusion regarding Article III, the powers of the governor. Fair enough, amend that article. But Dunn is calling for a new Constitution so that other issues can be spelled out: standards for elections, education and redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He describes the process: Once the new constitution is drafted, three-fifths of the state House and Senate must vote to approve it. Then it goes to a statewide vote, where only a majority is required to adopt it. Sounds like a dream of an opportunity for General Assembly Republicans to enshrine themselves in power for all of time. Robert Harrison, Durham Nature House Bill 345 was recently introduced in the N.C. General Assembly by Rep. Pricey Harrison to recognize the rights of nature. This bill follows in the footsteps of a similar one last year that aimed to recognize the rights of the Haw River. Rights of nature laws are an opportunity to help ensure that our environmental surroundings are protected from exploitation and to usher in a new era of environmental stewardship. As of 2024, almost 500 laws exist across the world offering this form of protection. Its time for North Carolina to be next on the list. Raleigh residents are blessed with an extensive network of parks, nature preserves, lakes and more. Our City of Oaks deserves to have a thriving and abundant ecosystem with safety measures in place to prevent misuse. Contacting our representatives to encourage them to sign on to this bill is our best tactic in helping it move forward! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tia Hunt, Raleigh Animal act As an owner of two dogs and two cats, I am so glad that Goldies Act (H.R. 349), a bill to help prevent dogs from suffering, was reintroduced in the U.S. House. Goldies Act would protect hundreds of thousands of animals in U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed facilities, including those in commercial dog breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. The USDA has failed to address or document animal abuse in these facilities, which has led to preventable suffering and death. Goldies Act is needed to make sure taxpayer money is used as intended to ensure humane care of animals in federally licensed facilities. Goldies Act is named for Golden Retriever #142, who suffered and died in a commercial dog breeding facility in Iowa. The USDA noted her deteriorating condition over the course of several months but failed to take action regarding this Animal Welfare Act violation or inform local law enforcement. Goldies Act will prevent other animals from meeting a tragic fate. As a constituent, I hope Rep. Valerie Foushee will help advance this lifesaving bill. Shannon Murphy, Cary Heres a conspiracy theory for you: Mainstream political parties of the center-right and center-left, across a wide range of self-described democratic nations, were in big trouble as we neared the midpoint of the 2020s. They were beset on all sides by anti-immigrant sentiment, worsening economic inequality and widespread mistrust in government. The proto-fascist (and actually fascist) far right was on the rise; to a lesser extent, so was the socialist left. But they had a plan! Install a vicious, undisciplined sociopath as would-be dictator of the United States, unleashing a worldwide reaction of anti-American loathing. (Which, if were being honest, was not far under the surface anyway.) In effect, the worlds most powerful nation would abruptly subtract itself from the international equation, compelling an entirely new set of global alliances and the struggling neoliberal centrist parties would look far more appetizing, as the proverbial adults in the room. No, that isnt really what happened or at least I dont think so. (No rational person would or should discount the civilization-scale Russian roulette factor of the second Trump presidency.) But the global effects of neo-Trumpism, considered in total, have been so uniformly self-destructive that it might as well be true. Do your own research! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within just the last week, this tendency only gained momentum: The Trump factor was clearly decisive in returning Canadas Liberal Party to power, under new Prime Minister Mark Carney, in an election that a few months back it appeared certain to lose. As this column was being written, it became clear that Australias center-left Labor Party, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, had won an even more decisive victory in a remarkable turnaround driven partly by anger over President Donald Trumps disruptive trade war, to quote the Washington Post. If anything, you could argue that anti-Trump sentiment in those two countries was focused and personal: Voters specifically rejected candidates who reminded them of America's oddly-hued leader. Canadas opposition Conservative Party actually gained 23 seats in last weeks election, but its youthful hard-right leader, Pierre Poilievre, who has frequently been described as a Trump-style or Trump-curious populist, lost his own seat to a Liberal in Ontario. (Another right-wing lawmaker has resigned his seat in Alberta, presumably allowing Poilievre to worm his way back into Parliament via a special election.) In a striking coincidence on the other side of the world, the same fate befell Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton, an ex-cop with hard-line views on crime and immigration who was damaged "by his perceived ideological closeness" to Trump, in the judicious language of a Reuters report. Dutton lost his Queensland seat to a Labor candidate, which was a major upset but consistent with the Liberals sweeping defeat. (If youre keeping score at home, the Liberal Party in Canada is the mainstream center-left, while the Liberal Party in Australia is staunchly conservative. Stick around for my three-hour TED talk on the contradictory history of partisan labels.) There is literally no positive spin available here for those who advocate the pseudo-Leninist MAGAphile vision of a far-right populist upsurge that will sweep away the failing remnants of liberal democracy and replace it with well, something else, something more masculine but also more technocratic and that involves what we might generously call a contested notion of freedom. (Theres a reason these guys dont talk about the future too much, beyond Donald Trumps increasingly unhinged promises that his tariff war will somehow lower the price of everything and eliminate income tax.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There can be no doubt that Trumps threats or fantasies about annexing Canada as the 51st state fueled an unprecedented wave of Maple Leaf patriotism not generally among the universes stronger forces and rescued Carney and the Liberals from what seemed certain electoral doom. Trump is of course personally too ignorant to understand that Canadians have historical reasons to fear the ginormous superpower to the south, and too stupid to care. Australia is too far away to be the focus of MAGA territorial lust, but the verdict Down Under was still striking; the U.S. and Australia are broadly similar societies with related histories, and no country in the world (other than Canada, perhaps) has been a more reliable American ally. Dont get me wrong; weve had dumb guys in the Oval Office before. But in any previous presidential administration including the first Trump term! someone would have emerged from the bowels of the State Department with a briefing paper explaining why folks in the Great White North might be a little touchy about this 51st-state business. I hardly need to explain why that didnt happen, and it isnt just because no one in this administration is willing to challenge or contradict Trumps cascading brain-farts. Its worse than that: Like Stalins inner circle or a Bourbon kings courtiers, Trumps factotums seek to outdo each other in embracing absurd, impossible, offensive and dangerous ideas. With the Canadian result still making headlines and Australian voters going to the polls, JD Vance and Marco Rubio who seem to be competing to add propaganda minister to their existing titles, which in Rubios case are numerous decided it was a good moment to go after Germany, the most reliable U.S. ally in mainland Europe. Last Friday, the German domestic intelligence service (roughly cognate to the FBI) designated the far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, as a confirmed right-wing extremist group that is incompatible with the free democratic basic order defined by the nations constitution. No one expects the fash-friendly cultists of MAGA-world to welcome that decision; you may recall that Elon Musk did his utmost to push the AfD to victory in Germanys federal elections earlier this year (and failed). Even so, for the vice president and the secretary of state to directly attack a longtime ally over internal legal and political affairs is not merely a violation of diplomatic norms but also immensely stupid. Vance made the nonsensical claim that AfD is the most popular party in Germany (its not) while Rubio called the decision tyranny in disguise and concluded: What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD which took second in the recent election but rather the establishments deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh, snap? Except that Rubios troll drew vigorous return fire from the German foreign ministry, which was of course widely celebrated in more liberal quarters of the internet: This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped. GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) May 2, 2025 As Rubio and Vance must understand at some level, this stuff isnt likely to shift German public opinion in their direction, and will be no help at all to the AfD (unless the sorta-neo-Nazis just needed a transatlantic hug). As Ive observed here recently, MAGA-adjacent European leaders like Viktor Orban, Giorgia Meloni and Marine Le Pen are discreetly backing away from the widening debris field of Trump chaos, not because they have experienced an ideological awakening but because they can see the writing on the wall. Incoming German chancellor Friedrich Merz, an old-line conservative once described as that nations most pro-American politician, has become a born-again European, calling for full independence from the U.S., which he says has become largely indifferent to the fate of Europe. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Honestly, Fred, indifferent is way too polite, which I guess is your job: Theyre just messing with you, although we could substitute a different verb for messing. Its difficult to interpret the impulsive, reckless and willfully self-sabotaging character of Team Trumps foreign policy except, that is, by referring it back to the damaged ego at the heart of the fortress. Global affairs are not supposed to be driven by individual personalities; we are trained to look beyond them to larger structural explanations. In this case, the structural explanation is that the governing party in the United States has fully and even gleefully subjugated itself to a pathological narcissist who does not believe the rest of the world is real or has any independent agency: He is free, he believes, to redraw it as he pleases with Sharpies and tariffs and social media threats and the most beautiful, amazing deals with so many countries, more than can be found on any map. Maybe all this can be read as an ironic coda to the last 80 years of U.S. global domination, the reductio ad absurdum of American exceptionalism. In any event, the world now seems prepared to assert its own existence, to the bafflement and displeasure of our president. Resolving this contradiction will not be any fun. (The Hill) Comedian Bill Maher expressed frustration with the White House on Friday, just over 100 days since President Trump took office, citing economic uncertainty brought to the forefront by President Trumps latest tariffs. We hit the 100-day mark of the Trump administration, as you know, this week, and ooh, the numbers are kind of in the toilet, Maher said, while pointing to market dips and polls that highlight the presidents dismal 39 percent approval rating since returning to office. Thats the lowest 100-day mark for a president in 80 years. Its like America remarried their ex and remembered why they got divorced in the first place, he continued in an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maher also noted that the U.S.s gross domestic product (GDP) has shrunk by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 and that consumer confidence is at its lowest point in five years. Kind of a high price for getting back plastic straws, he said in a clip highlighted by Mediaite, joking about the presidents executive order targeting paper straws from earlier this year. His critique comes after Trump last month levied a 10 percent baseline tax on nearly all foreign imports and announced higher reciprocal taxes on many nations. Following backlash, he paused most of the retaliatory tariffs for up to 90 days to allow room for negotiation. But, the administration notably left out one of the nations top trading partners: China. The Liberation Day fallout has spooked many on Wall Street, with some experts suggesting the U.S. is headed for or is already in a recession. The president has largely brushed off the concerns even claiming earlier this week that children would be OK with fewer toys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, you know, Trump, he only doubles down, Maher said Friday. I mean, this guy, I got to say, the balls on him, they asked him about whats going to happen Christmas, because 80 percent of the toys come from China, and this is the time theyre starting to plan for that. The thing is that people in this country now, we dont understand why were doing this, he added later. Why are we fing putting ourselves through this? To bring manufacturing back from China to make the things here that they make in China? Thats the American dream? Trump has mostly defended his sweeping tariff agenda, arguing it will bring jobs and domestic production back to the U.S. But, after Wednesdays GDP report, he acknowledged that the U.S. may feel some pain from the steep taxes and asked for time to fix it. When asked by NBCs Meet the Press in an interview set to air Sunday about whether Americans should be worried about a recession, he said anything can happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Passengers flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have been met with severe delays since last week. The problems, which reportedly stem from air traffic control staffing issues, have led to flights being delayed for six straight days through Saturday. "Air travel nightmare. Total meltdown at Newark Liberty Airport. 8 hours to get baggage. 12 hours on the tarmac. Travelers delayed for days. Aviation experts say be prepared for this to keep happening," reported ABC7's CeFaan Kim last Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to FlightAware, over 270 incoming and outgoing Newark flights were late on Saturday. For some arriving flights, delays went past three hours, according to CNN. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby put out a statement to customers on Friday regarding the delays. 1/16/2022: Newark, New Jersey, USA: Two United Airlines jets pass each other on the taxiway at Newark Liberty Airport - EWR - at Blue Hour johnemac72/Getty Images "In the past few days, on more than one occasion, technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed - resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans," Kirby said. "Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job. "Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, its now clear and the FAA tells us that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, on social media, passengers have voiced concerns over the ongoing situation. "Im flying out from Newark Airport to Japan late next week and Ive been hearing a lot of stories of flight disruptions from Newark, hahahaha good luck to me," one person said. "My closest airport is Newark and Im legitimately canceling travel plans because I have so little faith in its current safety," a second person added. NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 20: A United Airlines airplane sits parked at a gate at Newark Liberty International Airport on February 20, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. Gary Hershorn/Getty Images "Good morning to everyone except for Newark Airport and @united," a third person wrote. To top it all off, an air traffic controller reportedly told NBC News' Tom Costello that travelers should "avoid Newark at all costs." It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public, the employee told Costello. According to Reuters, a coalition led by the American Petroleum Institute recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency mandate 5.25 billion gallons of biofuel be blended with America's diesel fuel in 2026. This is a big step up from the current mandate of 3.35 billion gallons for 2025. While biofuel and petroleum producers have traditionally been competitors, this joint messaging could signal a new level of cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most gasoline in America already includes the biofuel ethanol. Ethanol burns about 52% more cleanly than gasoline. So, increasing its proportion would reduce atmospheric pollution caused by operating gas vehicles. Some startups are even trying to deploy ethanol in trucking and aviation. There are concerns that there will be land use costs to increasing biofuel production. Biofuel is mostly made with corn biomass in the United States. Cutting down forests and other wilderness to grow that corn would need to factor into ethanol's eco-friendliness. Some experts even argue that growing crops for biofuel threatens food security. Lawmakers will be upholding a regulation that allows for the sale of gasoline with higher ethanol content across eight states year-round. This was made possible with bipartisan support, so it's likely that the EPA is receptive to the API's proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move from the API to get the EPA to increase biofuel mandates doesn't come from nowhere. An open letter addressed to the EPA a few months ago was pursuing the same goal. "As the EPA begins work on policies that promote American energy and renewable fuels, we encourage the EPA to consider robust future renewable fuel volumes for 2026 and beyond," the coalition wrote. "We believe strong, steady volumes for conventional biofuel targets, biomass-based diesel, and advanced fuels would more accurately reflect the availability and ongoing investments in feedstocks and production capacity," it added. 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. DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) An Ashford man accused of strangling a Dothan pageant queen, charged in a murder-for-hire plot, has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment issued in April says that Dorsey Love, an Ashford resident, placed his hands around Lindsay Shivers neck, cutting off her airflow. Dorsey Ryan Love (Courtesy of the Houston County Jail) On Thursday, May 1, Love entered a not guilty plea. Shiver filed a protection order against Love on July 29 last year, and Love was arrested six days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the order, Shiver claims Love threw her onto a bed, tried to choke her, and suffocated her with a pillow in a house on North Cherokee Street. Shiver also alleged Love abused her on a trip to Tampa, Florida, several weeks before, but she did not report it to the police. Over the past almost two years, Shiver, the former National Peanut Festival pageant contestant, has made international headlines. She was arrested in August 2023 after Bahamian authorities accused her of plotting to have her husband, Robert Shiver, killed by her lover, Terrance Bethel, and his friend, Faron Newbold. All three were arrested at the same time and later released on bond. Bahamian authorities claim Shiver had sent photos of her husband to Newbold Jr., along with the message Kill him on WhatsApp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her trial has been pushed countless times since the charges against her came down overseas, but if Shiver is imprisoned in the Bahamas when Dorsey goes to trial, prosecutors may dismiss his charge since they would have no case without Shivers testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A man is facing various charges including animal cruelty and assault on a first responder after East Tennessee authorities were called to a domestic incident Friday night and the man reportedly barricaded himself inside a home. According to the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched to the 6500 block of Charbell Street around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2 to investigate a domestic incident. After arriving at the scene, law enforcement said they determined the suspect, Zachariah Legate, had committed aggravated assault against the victim, thrown rocks at the victims car, and hit the victims dog with a rake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body cam footage released from 2022 THP traffic stop of Maryland man deported to El Salvador In addition, officials confirmed Legate had active warrants, including two counts of harassment and failure to appear in court. According to authorities, Legate barricaded himself inside the home, refused to come out, and made several threatening statements toward them. As a result, the sheriffs offices SWAT team responded to the scene, where after obtaining an additional warrant they entered the residence and took Legate into custody. Law enforcement said Legate resisted arrest and refused to let the EMS crew at the scene evaluate him, so he was brought to a local medical facility for review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIDEO: Suspect shoots at MNPD patrol car Following the investigation, officials said Legate will be charged with the following offenses, in addition to his outstanding warrants: Aggravated assault Simple assault Cruelty to animals Evading arrest Resisting arrest Assault on a first responder No additional details have been released about the ongoing investigation into Friday nights incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The U.S. Coast Guard airlifted a 54-year-old man from a cruise ship after he experienced a medical emergency on Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest shared in a post on X that one of their crews based out of Air Station Port Angeles airlifted a man from a Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship near Cape Flattery, Washington. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-year-old man was experiencing stroke-like symptoms, according to the post. Video of the rescue showed a member of the Coast Guard lowering down with a basket onto the bow of the cruise ship before raising the man to the helicopter above. The man was taken to Olympic Medical Center, according to the post. #BREAKING Today, @USCG crews from Air Station Port Angeles successfully medevacd a 54 Y/O male experiencing stroke-like symptoms from the cruise ship Norwegian Bliss near Cape Flattery, WA, and was transported via local EMS to Olympic Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/MM2hSs8XEN USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) May 3, 2025 [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department said a man armed with a knife inside his car was arrested after leading officers on a pursuit Saturday afternoon. Motorcyclist critically injured in downtown San Francisco truck cras Police said officers responded to Lapham Way at 4:27 p.m. for a report of an armed suspect sitting inside a vehicle in front of his home. When officers tried to approach the man, police said he refused to comply and instead drove away from the location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A chase began after the man failed to yield to officers, and he drove recklessly, striking several police patrol cars and committing multiple traffic violations, police said. SFPD said the pursuit ended in the area of Naples Street and Geneva Avenue when the suspects vehicle came to a stop. Police said the man eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. It is not clear what led to the incident. The public is being asked to avoid the area while police investigate. It is not yet known what charges the man is facing. This remains an open and active 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 KRON4. Balanced Nutrition Inc., a defunct Greensboro nonprofit run by the wife of former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, has not returned $101,142 in federal funding it was paid while operating a child nutrition program The failure to return the payments has led to the group and three of its officials being barred from participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Affected are Yolanda Hill, Robinsons wife who was listed as owner and chief financial officer of Balanced, and the couples daughter, Kimberly Cephas, who was operations manager. They, along with chairwoman Renee Matthews-Jones, are cited by N.C. Department of Health and Human Services as being responsible for the organizations lack of compliance. The women also have been placed on a U.S. Department of Agricultures National Disqualification List. Being on the national disqualification list includes a prohibition on serving as a principal in any institution or facility, or as a daycare provider in the federal program. The officials will remain on the list for up to seven years unless the USDAs Food and Nutrition Services division and DHHS determine that the serious deficiencies have been corrected. They will not be reinstated as long as the payments have not been returned. Attorneys representing Balanced Nutrition could not be reached for comment on the termination and disqualification determinations. DHHS said in its reports that Balance officials were notified of the potential termination on April 7 and were told they had 15 days to submit appeal requests, which they failed to do. A final notice was sent April 24. The nonprofit group is required to return $101,142 in federal funding to the state Office of Administrative Hearing. DHHS said no payment has been received as of April 29. The affected federal funding was provided in February-March 2023, June-October 2023 and January-March 2024. According to the OAH report, the nonprofit received $1 million in federal funding for fiscal 2024 and more than $2 million in fiscal 2023. The Associated Press has reported based on tax filings and state documents that Balanced Nutrition collected roughly $7 million in government funding since 2017. The nonprofit paid at least $830,000 in salaries to Hill, Robinson and other members of their family, according to the tax records and state documents. Serious deficiencies Before being voluntarily closed on April 30, 2024, Balanced Nutrition served as a conduit between federal agencies and child care centers seeking grant funds to provide free- and reduced-cost meals. The nonprofit participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program with its latest contract starting on Sept. 6, 2019. A notice of serious deficiency, disclosed by DHHS on July 24, is at the heart of the state and federal investigations of Balanced Nutrition. The serious deficiencies included: failure to operate the program according to performance standards; not retaining all records to support reimbursement claims for three years; failing to retain income eligibility applications and enrollment and meal count documentation. According to the DHHS report, Balanced Nutrition did not report expenses accurately and unallowable expenses were claimed for four different child care centers. CACFP sponsoring organizations are bound by legal and contractual obligations to participate in compliance reviews, DHHS said. Per federal regulations, reviews are conducted every two to three years at a minimum, depending on the size of an institution and previous findings. DHHS officials determined Balance Nutrition is seriously deficient in its participation, and that the three officials are responsible for the serious deficiency. The USDA disclosed in September its investigation of Balanced Nutrition. At that time, DHHS confirmed it had provided documentation to USDAs Southeast Regional Office of the Food and Nutrition Service division. It is standard practice to provide an email copy of any notice of serious deficiency to the Southeast regional office, DHHS said in September. Among the areas cited as being in serious deficiency and requiring corrective actions were administration, recordkeeping, income eligibility applications, enrollment documentation, civil rights, program training, monitoring, meal counts, meal review, fiscal integrity and verification of a valid claim. Of those areas, four were listed as repeat findings from a 2022-23 review of the group. DHHS said that when there are findings from the review that do not rise to the level of serious deficiency, the institution must complete a corrective action plan to address the findings in order to avoid the issuance of a notice of serious deficiency. DHHS said the frequency of reviews increases for programs who have had findings in prior compliance reviews to ensure the sponsoring organization has corrected the findings and is complying with state and federal rules. Following the standard 2022-23 review of Balanced Nutrition, DHHS offered the option of completing a corrective action plan to address the findings from the compliance review. After the nonprofit fulfilled that requirement, DHHS put the nonprofit back on the review schedule for the next federal fiscal year to ensure continued compliance with state and federal rules. The 2022-23 findings led to the 2023-24 review, DHHS said. High-profile topic The operations of Balanced Nutrition became a high-profile topic during Robinsons unsuccessful campaign for governor. Robinson described in his memoir, as reported by AP, how the operation brought fiscal stability to his family, giving him the ability to quit a furniture manufacturing job in 2018 and begin a career in conservative politics. There was heightened criticism and scrutiny paid to Balanced Nutritions operations and financial status, both by Democrats during the general election and by Republican primary challengers that the DHHS review addresses in part. Robinson owes North Carolinians an explanation about his involvement in this series of major failures and exactly how this organization was using taxpayer dollars, Devon Cruz, national press secretary for the Democratic Governors Association, said in a statement. Mike Lonergan, communications director for Robinsons governor campaign, issued a statement in July that claimed an independent auditor issued a report on Balanced Nutrition with no material findings. Lt. Gov. Robinson is proud of the work his wife has done to help needy children get nutritious meals, Lonergan said. Yet as soon as Mark Robinson announced his campaign for governor in April 2023, the Democrat-run state agency started moving the goalposts. Just as they are doing against President Trump, Democrats are weaponizing the bureaucracy to grind a political ax against their opponents. However, the Balanced Nutrition controversy was overshadowed by CNNs explosive Sept. 19 report on comments Robinson allegedly wrote on the porn website Nude Africa between 2008 and 2012. In the posts, CNN alleged Robinson called himself a Black Nazi and advocated for the return of slavery. Robinson denied the claims in the CNN report, filed a lawsuit in October seeking at least $50 million in damages and a retraction from CNN, only to drop the lawsuit in January. A man was arrested for allegedly selling illegal narcotics to residents across Ventura County. Ventura County sheriffs deputies had been investigating Richard Edward Linares, 48, of Oxnard, on suspicion of illicit substance sales. On April 29, a search warrant was served at his Oxnard home on the 1400 block of Cedar Street. During the search, detectives seized over eight ounces (236 grams) of cocaine, over one ounce (35 grams) of methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall pills and other unidentified substances. A large amount of U.S. currency, illicit narcotics and other unidentified substances were found at the suspects Oxnard home on April 29, 2025. (Ventura County Sheriffs Office) Detectives also reportedly found a significant amount of packaging material that indicated the selling of illegal narcotics. Over $74,000 worth of U.S. currency was found, which deputies believed was proceeds from drug sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Linares was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance for sale. He remains in custody and is awaiting trial. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office would like to thank members of the public for their ongoing support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes, the sheriffs department said. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Anyone with additional information on the case can call the Ventura County Sheriffs Office at 805-654-2380. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) One man is locked up after allegedly breaking into two structures over the last month. According to a Scranton Police Department release, 33-year-old Anderson Cortez, is being charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass, and other related charges. 49-year-old woman dead after crash The release states that Cortez allegedly broke into a home on the 300 block of Beech Street on April 27 and an unoccupied structure on the 400 block of Koch Street on May 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cortez was captured by the Scranton Police after a foot pursuit, according to the release. Cortez will have a preliminary hearing later this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) George County deputies announced a man has been charged in connection to a fatal shooting. The shooting occurred in the 200 block of CF Ward Road on Friday, May 2. One killed in Hattiesburg crash involving two 18-wheelers According to the George County Sheriffs Office, a person of interest was taken into custody. The victim was identified as George Buckley, 38, of Lucedale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Dante Anderson, 20, of Lucedale, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He is being held at the George County Regional Correctional Facility pending his initial appearance in court. Dante Anderson (Courtesy: George Co. Sheriffs Office) The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting can contact the George County Sheriffs Office, Criminal Investigations Division at 601-947-4811. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers by calling 877-787-5898, visiting mscoastcrimestoppers.com, or through the George County Sheriffs Office website at www.GeorgeCountyMSSheriff.com. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Memphis man has been charged with murder after a fatal shooting in Hickory Hill, police confirmed. On Saturday at 8:55 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 4000 block of Ridge Drive. A male victim was found and pronounced dead on the scene. Police arrested 44-year-old Raffael Newman in connection with the shooting. Raffael Newman. (SCSO) Hes been charged with second-degree murder and theft of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A possible motive behind the killing has not been revealed. Its one of the latest homicides to happen in the city. According to the citys Crime Analytics Dashboard, as of Saturday, there have been at least 100 homicides this year, which is down compared to the 121 homicides the city saw during this same time last year. 89 of the killings this year have been murders. Eight of them were deemed justifiable, one was considered negligent manslaughter, and two of the cases are still pending. MPD responded to 32 of those incidents during the month of April. Officers have also been called to more than 2,100 aggravated assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This number is also lower compared to this same time last year, when officers responded to just over 2,300 aggravated assaults. Three detained after juvenile shot Within recent weeks, law enforcement officials have been very outspoken about the violence and how they are working to find solutions. The U.S. Attorneys Office of West Tennessee even announced that it is working with state and federal law enforcement agencies to tackle crime in the city. Were doing everything in our power to ensure that cases that meet the federal criteria are taken federally, MPD Chief Davis said. We believe that punishments should be commensurate to the violent crimes that we see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the latest incident, Newman will face a judge on Monday morning. He has not been given a bond at this time. We will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A man is dead after a shooting in Dorchester on Saturday night. According to Boston Police, around 11 p.m., officers responded to call for a person shot in the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Georgia Street. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Boston EMS transported the victim to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information asked to contact police at 617-343-4470. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members who wish to provide information anonymously may do so through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line: Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers By phone: 1-800-494-TIPS By text: Text the word TIP to CRIME (27463) This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A man is dead after drowning in Ft. George Inlet on Saturday. Emergency crews were called the area at about 6:10 p.m. for reports of a person drowning. Crews searched for the man, said to be between 30 and 40 years old. The JSO Air Unit, Marine Unit along with the JFRD Marine Unit, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the USCG all responded to the area and conducted an extensive search for the victim; however, he could not be located, a Jacksonville police news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Search crews found his body Sunday morning, police said. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< He was swimming with family and friends when he went missing in the water, according to Jacksonville police. Foul play is not suspected. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Two escape injury in St. Johns County boat fire Read: C&S Wholesale Services closing Baldwin distribution center, cutting 490 jobs Read: Woman shot during fight at hotel in Jacksonvilles Highlands area [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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A man from Raleigh faces a possible sentence of at least 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him of possession of child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced Friday. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, 45-year-old Joseph Matthew Dobbs was working from home as an IT support engineer for a multinational technology company. In early November 2022, a supervisor remotely observed Dobbs watching content on his work-issued laptop that appeared to be child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company fired Dobbs and forwarded screenshots taken by the supervisor to law enforcement so authorities could investigate, officials said. The Raleigh Police Department executed a search warrant at Dobbs apartment and seized the company laptop, which contained over 300 images of child sexual abuse material. The pictures found included the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers and depictions of bondage, according to prosecutors. On a special verdict form, the jury found Dobbs guilty as charged and found that the images included visual depictions of prepubescent minors, DOJ officials said. In 2006, Dobbs was previously convicted of having carnal knowledge of a child, using a computer to solicit a minor (three counts), possession of child sexual abuse material (ten counts), as well as manufacturing sexually explicit material in Virginia. He spent seven years in prison, and officials said he was still on probation for those offenses at the time of this incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. DENVER (KDVR) A man will spend the rest of his life in prison for firing a shot that killed a woman while she was unloading groceries in front of her apartment. The Denver District Attorneys Office announced Friday that Lu Reh was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Previous: Man convicted of murder in 2022 shooting of East Colfax community leader The DAs office said he was also sentenced to 16 years for each of six counts of attempted murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury found Lu Reh guilty of first-degree murder in February for shooting and killing Ma Kaing, 42, in Denvers East Colfax neighborhood on July 15, 2022. Kaing was hit by an errant bullet while she was unloading groceries in front of Hidden Brook Apartments. Kaing was a mother of four, a refugee from Burma and an activist in the local community who had recently opened her own restaurant when she was killed. Four people were charged in the case and Lu Reh was the first to be sentenced. The Denver Police Department also arrested Nu Ra Ah La and Swa Bay pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case, and Pa Reh is set for trial. Several were teens when the shooting happened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. MULLBERRY, Kan. A utility vehicle crash early Saturday morning claims one life. Emergency personnel responded to the area of 14th and Military in Mulberry, Kansas, just before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday. Crash in southwest Missouri claims life of one-year-old Thats where they found Jacob Kale, 26. Kale was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say Kale was in a UTV that had struck a tree. Mulberry Fire and EMS, along with units from Arma and Arcadia responded to assist Crawford County Sheriffs deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death. Authorities did not say if Kale was driving the UTV, but the investigation is still ongoing. Traffic fatalities up in Kansas, authorities say Contact the Crawford County Sheriffs Office if you have any 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. EAU CLAIRE A Stanley man pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and incest charges, with court records showing he claims mental disease or defect as a defense. Darcy Johnson, 54, was charged in May 2024, along with three other people. Authorities say the victim in the case was serially abused by the four over the course of multiple years. In April, Johnson missed his original arraignment in the case. His attorney told the court he got confused about the date it was scheduled, and the court accepted the explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson faces charges along with Richard Stelzer, Robert Stelzer and Ryan Stelzer. The case against Johnson paused last summer after an examiner found him incompetent to proceed, a finding both sides accepted. The court ordered him into the custody of the Wisconsin Department of Human Services for treatment, after which he was found to have regained competency. The criminal complaint indicates the woman told authorities she was abused from the age of 6 until she was 17. The abuser and specific acts varied over the years, but the abuse was more or less continual. The charges Johnson faces are a Class B and Class C felony, respectively. Together they carry the potential for a century behind bars because Class B felonies can result in 60 years in prison and Class C felonies are capped at 40 years. Wisconsin law does not allow for fines for Class B felonies, but a Class C felony can bring $100,000 in fines. Johnson returns to court May 28. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) This week on New Mexico Crime Files, a stolen Cadillac leads police on a high-speed chase with John Trujillo ending up in the bed of a stolen truck. KRQE News anchors, Dean Staley and Jessica Garate, also discuss Orlando Jaramillo, who was caught impersonating a police officer. The duo also provided an update to the Vivian Condarco case where she dragged a deputy and took police on a high speed chase. About New Mexico Crime Files This is New Mexico Crime Files Taking it from the streets, then to the courtroom, to finally answering where are they now?. Each week, KRQE News 13 anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate bring you the notorious, the unforgettable, and the unbelievable crime stories from the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico Crime Files is sponsored by MedradoStruck Law Firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Firefighters rescued a man who fell down an embankment in Ohio on Saturday, according to our CBS affiliate in Cleveland, WOIO-19 TV. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bedford Fire Chief Brian Harting told WOIO-19 that firefighters were called to Tinkers Creek off of Taylor Road near Viaduct Park around 3 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A neighbor told rescue crews that the man couldnt move, Harting said. At the time of the incident, Tinkers Creek was rising due to floodwater. The man was at risk of falling due to the steep and slippery terrain, WOIO-19 reported. Rescue crews used stabilizing equipment to reach the man and pull him to safety. Medics took the man to a hospital, but it is unclear how severe his injuries are, WOIO-19 reported. No firefighters were injured in this rescue. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A D.C. man was sentenced Friday for a 2019 row house fire that killed two people, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. James G. Walker, 67, was sentenced to 35 years in prison with five years of supervised release. He was found guilty in February of charges of second-degree murder and multiple criminal building code violations, according to the USAO. PHOTOS: No one hurt after garage, car catches fire in Northeast DC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, Walker operated a rooming house at 708 Kennedy St. NW that violated several fire safety codes. On Aug. 18, 2019, the basement of the building caught fire while three residents were inside. Fitsum Kebede, 40, and Yafet Solomen, 10, were unable to exit the building and died as a result. The USAO said the building violations included not listing a certificate for the occupancy limit, renting rooms too small to be considered habitable with some rooms containing no windows, a lack of working smoke alarms throughout the building and obstruction of building exits. Building owner found guilty in deadly DC row house fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents emphasize the building exit violation was egregious, with a double-keyed security gate that blocked access from the kitchen to the front door. The USAO adds that Walker received multiple building code violations from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in 2019 related to fire safety and hazardous conditions, which he ignored. The governments evidence states, the defendants knowledge of the danger posed by the conditions of the property and his conscious disregard of the extreme risk that death or serious bodily injury could occur were the but-for cause of the deaths of the decedents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A D.C. man was sentenced Friday for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend in the head as she sat next to her best friend in 2021, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. Idrissa Fall, 37, was found guilty in January on charges of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm. Investigation underway after special police officer shoots 2 men in Northeast, DC police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USAO states he was sentenced to 50 years in prison and five years of supervised release. According to court documents, on July 18, 2021, around 1:30 a.m., Fall followed his ex-girlfriend, Dara Northern, home after she had previously broken up with him and kicked him out of the house. As Northern was going to meet with her best friend, who was waiting in the parking lot, Fall continued to follow her. Court documents say that as Northern got into the car, Fall reached into his waistband and pulled out a gun. Fall then shot Northern in the head and ran away from the scene. Northern suffered a gunshot wound to her right eye and died later that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A man was seriously hurt in a stabbing late Saturday night in Silver Spring, police in Montgomery County confirmed. The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said officers responded to the 8200 block of Fenton Street just minutes before midnight on May 3. DC police continue search for answers one year after three-year-old girl shot, killed in Southeast A man was taken to a nearby hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MCPD said the investigation is ongoing, but there is no threat 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. May 3A rainy morning in a North Spokane neighborhood erupted Tuesday with the kind of legal reckoning that's uprooting families across Washington and the country. A series of videos captured the confrontation that started when 35-year-old Martin R. Diaz pulled his SUV in front of his home a few blocks south of Hays Park. Diaz sits in his vehicle for a moment before another vehicle arrives. Diaz then exits his vehicle and runs into his own yard. He ditches what appears to be a coffee mug as a man gains ground and catches Diaz as he tries to enter the fence gate into his back yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I caught you, (expletive)," said a man who was later identified as a federal agent, as two more run into the yard to take Diaz into custody. The next video shows Diaz's roommate, Douglas Young, on a camera in Diaz's back yard as the agents struggle with Diaz off camera. "What are you guys doing?" Young asks as the agents wrestle for control over Diaz. One of the agents says, "Get back, get back," as Young replies: "You have no right to come onto my property. This is his house. YOU get the (expletive) back." An agent, who is wearing black civilian clothes and what appear to be long shorts, warns Young again to back away. "Do not interfere with us right now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young, the roommate, tells the agents to get off Diaz. "He's a good guy." The agent responds: "No, he's not." The arrest is the latest chapter of a decades-long attempt by Diaz to become a U.S. citizen after his family brought him here from Mexico when he was not quite 2 years old. "He's been dealing with this since he was 18," said Kendall Diaz, who married Martin Diaz in 2018. He "has lived here his entire life. And, he's done amazing things servicing our community. "He's tried his best to be a good human," she said. "He's just living the cards he was dealt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roar of silence Kendall Diaz, 31, a real estate agent, wasn't home when the federal authorities arrested her husband on Tuesday. She watched her husband being taken down on her Ring Home Security cameras. She later learned from U.S. Border Patrol agents that her husband had been sent to the Kootenai County Jail in Coeur d'Alene. As of Friday afternoon, she had not been able to see Diaz since his arrest. "He called me on Wednesday and said he had been placed in medical holding. I asked him why. He started crying and then our phone cut off," she said. "All I got was that he had something that placed him in medical holding. I have no idea still to this day what happened." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz, who is also known in legal documents as Martin R. Diaz-Amezcua, then texted Kendall on Friday. "So, essentially, he messaged me that he was still in Kootenai County and that he wasn't sure when ICE was going to transfer him. They have now given him privileges to contact me and has been given a book to read," she said. Kendall Diaz has also been in contact with their attorney, William Frick of Seattle, about what comes next. Frick "is still trying to formulate a game plan, to be honest," Kendall Diaz said. "He is going to try to push forward with the pending case with the Board of Immigration Appeals so that we can prove that we are working as efficiently and quickly as we can to get him legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Things are so different right now in this political climate." Immigration crackdown President Donald Trump has promised to swiftly and aggressively deport immigrants with criminal records during his campaign and after the election, although some deportations included a child with cancer and a man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador that the administration has refused to bring back. Regardless of numerous reports showing some people deported were not criminals or gang members, the president has refused to acknowledge it in prior interviews and press conferences, and said he "could" bring back Garica, but hasn't. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also raised the idea of deporting not immigrants, but U.S. citizens, to the mega-prison in El Salvador. He was overheard in a meeting with the country's president, Nayib Bukele, saying "The homegrowns are next." The Trump administration claimed "record breaking" immigration enforcement levels this month, a news release from the Department of Homeland Security said. In the Inland Northwest, it appears ICE arrests have increased in the Kootenai County Jail where Spokane detainees are held before being transferred to the immigration detention center in Tacoma, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review. An effort to interview Diaz in the Kootenai County Jail was not successful on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More sightings of ICE are being posted online, and Spokane County citizens are reporting federal officials have come to their homes, usually looking for someone in particular. Immigration agents came to a family's home in Spokane Valley in April. They were looking for a 16-year-old Honduran immigrant for a "welfare check," as part of a new policy under the Trump administration, The Spokesman reported. In March, ICE agents smashed a window of a car with a pregnant woman inside to try to get to her husband and his brother, who had criminal records and were on their way to the Spokane County Courthouse for a hearing. Jennyfer Mesa, executive director of Latinos en Spokane, has witnessed numerous immigration arrests, but believes the heightened awareness and increase in ICE presence is "the new normal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're seeing how the Trump administration has ramped up this mass deportation and is laying the groundwork to use branches of government that have not been involved in immigration ... We're seeing them use the IRS, the Health and Human Services and other agencies," Mesa said in a previous interview. As for the case against Diaz of Spokane, efforts to reach his attorney, Frick, were unsuccessful last week. Longtime Spokane defense attorney Jeffry Finer said he is not representing Diaz, but is representing other clients who face many of the same challenges after federal prosecutors recently began taking a harder line on laws that have been on the books for decades. Given a synopsis of the case for Diaz, Finer said it doesn't look good for the Spokane business owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very dark at the moment," Finer said of the federal actions. "I am afraid for people and their families. It's the darkest I've ever seen this country." The crossing Kendall Diaz said her husband's family brought him to the United States from Mexico when Martin was a toddler. The family fled persecution and gang violence in their Mexican city and attempted to seek asylum, Kendall Diaz said. Her husband even has a letter from a Michoacan government official explaining the dangers the Diaz family faced. "His family members have been hunted and slaughtered. It's not safe for him to be there," Kendall Diaz said. "That's not an option." The family initially lived in the Yakima area. "His parents don't speak English. His family still doesn't have a lot of resources. It's taken him all he has. His mother just got her green card and his sister got citizenship, but it took so much time," Kendall Diaz said. "So when he turned 18, he saved every penny to try and get any legal filings paid." But a week after his 18th birthday, Martin Diaz got arrested in a case that continues to complicate his efforts to achieve legal status. On Nov. 1, 2007, Diaz was initially charged with third-degree rape when a girl alleged that the couple had sex without her consent. Diaz later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was sentenced to a couple months in jail. That prompted what's called an "order of removal" regarding his legal status. In an effort to continue his efforts to get legal status, Diaz and his attorney, Frick, sought to have the order of removal vacated, but have been unsuccessful. Diaz filed for divorce from his first wife in 2015. But in 2017, he had another scrape with the law that landed him a second felony conviction. Diaz was charged with felony domestic violence, but the victim was not his ex-wife. It was his ex-wife's father. Kendall Diaz explained that the ex-wife wanted Diaz to leave her house and he refused. She called her father to help, and he and Diaz got into a fight in the front yard. That further complicated efforts to get legal status. While they met in 2016, Diaz married Kendall in 2018. Kendall Diaz estimated that couple has spent more than $100,000 on efforts to have Martin Diaz stay in this country. But she said she feels the paperwork is a process "set up to fail." "We've been constantly filing legal documents. And it's murky, it's always changing," she said. "One ruling happens in Texas one month, another ruling happens in Virginia and then everything changes. It's a difficult process to navigate." Despite all that, the couple had filed their I-130 form that provides a pathway to citizenship through his marriage to a U.S. citizen. Then something weird happened on Feb. 1. Fake collision On that day, Kendall Diaz said she was home with the couple's roommate, Young, when she noticed a couple standing in her front yard looking at her vehicle. The couple appeared to be checking Diaz's car for damage. "They were standing in my front yard, looking at my house," she said. Kendall Diaz walked out to investigate and asked the couple why they were there. "They explicitly told me, 'We hit your car.' I'm like, 'What is going on? How bad is it? Can I get your guys' information,' " she said. "They said they slid on ice. It was a woman and a man." As the unknown woman and Diaz walked around her car looking for damage, Diaz noticed that the man was staring into her home's windows. "I said, 'What is wrong with him?' She said, 'I think his meds are acting up,' " Diaz said of the woman's comment. About that time, Young walked out the front door. Out of nowhere, two vehicles quickly approached, and Border Patrol agents with AR-15 rifles swarmed Young and got him onto the ground. "I told them over and over again, 'This is a U.S. citizen.,' They ended up leaving after I told them to get off my property," she said. Kendall Diaz now believes the agents were there for her husband, who was not home at the time. She noted that the agent with black shorts from the arrest video from April 29 was the same man who was posing as the husband on Feb. 1 during the fake-collision incident. Despite that earlier encounter, the couple kept up its effort on the I-130 form and finally had a breakthrough. On April 22, the couple got a letter from immigration officials asking them to apply for a visa. Then a week later, the Border Patrol agent showed back up with other agents. Takedown On the April 29 arrest video, Young argued during the incident that the agents were violating Diaz's rights by coming onto his property. But Finer, the defense attorney, said that it appears the agents were within their rights for the actions as they were described to him. "When you have an order for removal, there's not a lot of protections ... against arrest and seizures," Finer said. "This guy was arrested in public. When he was running to the house, that might fall under the doctrine of 'hot pursuit,' which allows law enforcement in an active chase to go into a private home to make an arrest." As for the efforts to keep Diaz in the country, Finer said Diaz faces long odds. "But for the accident of birth, he's American. He's in all respects Americanized," Finer said. "The offenses he committed are common. They are street-level minor in the world of big offenses. It's who he was on the two worst days of his life." But, those felony convictions will label him as "undesirable, even though a lot of young folks have engaged in similar behavior and become solid people," Finer said. If deported, Finer expects Diaz will be sent to Mexico. "He's not alone. A lot of people came over as children and never got around to it, or got around to it slowly, or they are like him, they have a record," he said. "But his circumstances reveal a broad pattern throughout the country." The current fear and shock caused by the shift in immigration enforcement is personal to an attorney whose grandfather came to the U.S. as a refugee at age 14 and lived his entire life in fear of being removed, Finer said. "This experience is close to my family. It wasn't just a generation or two ago that my forebearers were trying to get to America to escape tyranny or the Holocaust," he said. "It's shocking." For Kendall Diaz, the young wife faces an ocean of uncertainty. "There are U.S-born citizens murdering, raping and terrorizing our community, and they get to stay, because they are on this side of the border," she said. "People will say he is a criminal and should be removed but how can he go back to a country he hasn't stepped foot in since he was a year old?" The family has no ties in Mexico, but Martin Diaz's siblings have a friend-of-a-friend with an apartment available if he ends being deported to Mexico, she said. In the meantime, she will continue the fight the only way she knows how. "My husband doesn't have a voice or any rights. But I do," she said. "It's my job and my duty to stand up and say what is happening to our neighbors and explain why they are going missing." The Yakima Herald-Republic contributed to this story. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) Saturdays rain did not hamper peoples excitement as hundreds of Marion County students and their families packed the Fairmont Senior Field House for the annual Marion County Literacy Fair & Student Art Exhibition. This years theme for the free event was beach and summer fun, where students were encouraged to take home five to 10 books to read over the summer, enjoy hands-on learning and play, look at art work made by their peers and much more. 2025 Marion County Literacy Fair & Student Art Exhibition (WBOY image). Gina DeLorenzo, Coordinator of Family Literacy Fair& Student Art Exhibit was happy to see so many families come out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So theyre getting buckets and shovels, theyre getting sunglasses, theyre getting beach balls and each of the manipulatives that theyre getting we have tied around literacy and math. Pet Wash fundraiser helps students and community members Jennifer Leyh, a parent to a first grader, said events like these are great for her daughters education. She loves to read, shes always been really into books. I started reading to her when I was pregnant with her and she soaks it all up. She loves to learn, she loves different kinds of stories and so we came to maybe pick up some more books to add to our collection and have some fun. 2025 Marion County Literacy Fair & Student Art Exhibition (WBOY image). Many local businesses donated items, baskets and their time to help make this annual event happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Jefferson Community Colleges featured Honors Program student for the month of May 2025 is Marra Young from Philadelphia. Honors student Marra Young (JCC/Pamela Dixon) Young is majoring in early childhood education. She wrote a creative composition based on a class reading as one of her Honors Program options. Raven Streebel: JCCs featured Honors Program student for April 2025 The Jefferson Community College Honors Program offers students with exceptional academic skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction. Honors students select three courses within their curriculum and enhance them as Honors Options, which are based on a project agreed on by the student and a faculty member working closely with the student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students also take the Honors Seminar, an interdisciplinary course open only to program participants that examines a single theme every semester, featuring guest speakers from various disciplines and can include field experience. Successful program students earn an Honors Graduate designation on their academic transcript for each Honors Option course. Students who demonstrate excellent academic achievement in high school or who have completed 12 credit hours of college coursework can apply for admission to the Honors 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Harland J. Hennessey VFW is holding a Bingo Night on Thursday, May 15 & 29. Games start at 5 p.m. All players must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Games 1 to 5 $2 per card per game, games 6 to 10 $1 per card per game, and if you play all 10 games, the 11th game is free. 100% of proceeds for these games will go to Black River Valley Business & Community Alliances 2025 Back to School Backpack Drive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. May 3May Day marked a national day of protest against the policies implemented during the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. Organized by the Barton County Democratic Party and joined by members from The League of Women Voters of Great Bend and residents from Barton and Pawnee counties met at the courthouse band shell to say "Hands off!" Rally attendees sat in the band shell seating listening to speakers describe the Trump administration's policies viewed as harmful to democracy and issues important to them and how they have been impacted by tariffs, the closure of federal programs, the threat of cuts to social security and potential impacts in the future. Tariffs Impacting Farmers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Giessel, a Pawnee County farmer, described the impacts the gutting of USAID has had on grain markets and farmers in the Golden Belt region. "Farmers have worked for years building these markets, providing the food for other people around the world, and in this country as well, and it's been yanked out of from under us." He explained that there is now no place to go for this grain and some farmers' cooperatives are pulling milo out of the elevators and putting it on the ground. Tariffs are not only impacting the crops that farmers produce and sell but also the products that they depend upon for growing and harvesting their crops, Giessel explained. "A combine transmission might be made in Spain. These parts come from all over the world, and we depend on access to those parts, and it's so critical and I think we are really teetering on the edge of a real crisis with this idea of tariffs and what it might do to parts supply." DOGE cuts to volunteer program and NIH, CDC The website still reads "AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. From mentoring students to supporting disaster recovery, helping older adults age with dignity, and tackling other pressing needs, AmeriCorps helps communities across the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farm manager Katie Goerl spoke on the impact AmeriCorps volunteers made upon Heartland Farm before the program that enabled volunteers to experience Central Kansas and work four weeks at Heartland Farm was cut shortly after their departure and next assignment. Heartland Farm is way better off now than it was a couple months ago, Goerl said, because of these people and after the first day of hosting the volunteers she and her boss wondered when they could get their second team. Seven young adults ages 18-24 with National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC), a branch of AmeriCorps, spent four weeks working at Heartland Farm and the Dominican Sisters Convent in Great Bend. "They came from states and cities across the country; Tennessee, Connecticut, New Jersey, a couple from California and North Carolina. So none of them had even been to Kansas before," Goerl said. "They didn't even know what a pancake feed was." Along with the NCCC, other programs within AmeriCorps address poverty in low-income communities, mentorship programs for kids, helpers for older adults to continue living independently. Programs for literacy, health, public safety, conservation, tutoring programs and building homes for organizations like Habitat for Humanity are also within the scope of the organization, she explained. "I'm sad for the teenager who came to our farm to learn about AmeriCorps because she thought maybe she wanted to do that after she graduated high school this month, she doesn't have that option anymore. It's one less option for young adults to go out and learn useful skills and work hard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan Stice addressed funding cuts to the National Institute of Health and the CDC and the impacts in years to follow with the decrease in research funding to infectious diseases, cancer and heart disease. "This is leading to hiring freezes and the result is many of our top medical research scientists and PhD candidates are actively being recruited by labs and universities in other countries." Hands off Social Security "Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for people that don't know is for people with disabilities," Rhys Froetschner, who works with people with disabilities said. "And people with disabilities rely heavily on Social Security to live their lives, to help with medication, to help with equipment such as wheelchairs or walkers and it's important that these people get the care they need. It's important that they get the services they need. And the way that the Trump administration is going, it doesn't look bright." Rally organizers encouraged attendees to continue to meet and become more active in local affairs by joining committees and being involved. EDITORS NOTE: The video above first aired on February 12. MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Two propositions on the Midland County ballot this May have failed. Midland County Utility Districts Proposition A asked voters to consider a $645.785,000 bond proposal to fund water infrastructure and related improvements across the districts 54,800-acre service area. The measure failed with 328 voting for the measure, and 1039 voting against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midland Colleges Proposition A also failed, with 3,809 voting for the bond measure and 7,284 voting against. Midland College called its $450 million bond a strategic investment in Applied Technology, Health Sciences, Campus Renewal, and Safety & Security. This initiative would have created a modern and safe campus that continues to meet industry demands while providing students with the skills they need for high-demand, high-paying careers. Its overall goal was to ensure a strong workforce for years to come. After election results were released, Midland College issued the following statement: Midland College appreciates the citizens of Midland who participated in this critical process and engaged in constructive dialogue about the future of our college. While we are disappointed in the outcome of the bond election, we remain dedicated to creating opportunities for students and serving our community. The needs that prompted this proposal still existand will only increase as our region grows. Midland College will continue to provide access to high-quality education and workforce training that meets the demands of our region. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle attends a mass held for the late Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on April 30, 2025, in Vatican City. Credit - Antonio MasielloGetty Images Since the death of Pope Francis, a reform-minded Pontiff who had led the Catholic Church since 2013, thoughts have been circulating as to who will be selected as his successor. The papal conclavethe election of the next Popeis set to begin on May 7, and will see 133 cardinals gather to vote. One figure who has emerged as a top contender to succeed Pope Francis is Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines. If elected, Cardinal Tagle who currently serves as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelizationwould be the first Asian Pope in centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Tagle was asked about the possibility of him being a future Pope. He issued a jovial response, laughing as he said: I dont think so. I don't think they want me there They would appreciate my company for occasional visits, but for me to stay there [in Rome]? Probably no. Read More: 10 Surprising Facts About Papal Conclaves Amid ongoing discussions as to who may end up serving as Pope Francis successor, heres what to know about Cardinal Tagle: Cardinal Tagle's background and early years in the Catholic Church Cardinal Tagle, 67, was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Manila in 1982 and is widely known by his nickname Chito. In 1985, Tagle traveled to the United States to study theology at the Catholic University of America. Upon his return to the Philippines, Tagle taught and continued to be a leader in the Philippines religious community before he became the Archbishop of Manila in 2011. In 2012, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, Tagle was elected as the head of the Caritas Internationalisa Vatican-based confederation of Catholic relief and development agencies working across the world. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the missionary arm of the Church. Then, he moved to Rome to assume his role, leaving his home in Manila. After the move, then-President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte reportedly spread rumors that Tagle was removed for meddling in politicsrumors that Philippine Bishops strongly refuted. Duterte has since been arrested and appeared (via video link) at the International Criminal Court in March. He stands accused of crimes against humanity, lodged against him after he oversaw a brutal anti-drug campaign in his home country that human rights groups in the Philippines say killed more than 30,000. Tagle had previously addressed the loss of life in the Philippines. In a 2017 sermon, he was quoted as saying: We knock on the consciences of those who kill even the helpless, especially those who cover their faces with bonnets, to stop wasting human lives. In 2013, Tagle participated in the conclave that elected Pope Francis, and he is known as a leader with similar sentiments to the former Pope, due to his emphasis for the poor and welcoming of LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, and divorced and remarried Catholics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: The Enduring Connection Between Pope Francis and a Parish in Gaza His support for LGBTQ+ Catholics and migrants Though Tagle has proclaimed a strong pro-life stance, he has also been known for his support for LGBTQ+ Catholics, migrants, and the poorallowing for people to see similarities between him and Pope Francis. His approachable nature has set him apart from others. On his support for migrants, Tagle pointed out that the story of his own family began with the migration of a child, as his maternal grandfather was born in China. Migration is a chance for people to bloom as human beings. It is a chance for them to create a better life for themselves and future generations, Tagle said in a message shared on the Caritas Internationalis website. Like Christ on his journey to the cross, migration pushes people beyond their physical and mental borders, it stretches their capacities and takes them through deserts of loneliness and rejection. But people bear this journey of sacrifice for a noble cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tagle has also been known for his more inclusive views towards the LGBTQ+ community. The harsh words that were used in the past to refer to gays and divorced and separated people, the unwed mothers... were quite severe, Tagle told a Catholic youth Congress in 2015. Many people who belonged to those groups were branded and that led to their isolation from the wider society. Read More: Southeast Asias Most Gay-Friendly Country Still Has No Law Against LGBT Discrimination Critics on his handling of complaints and administrative issues Some advocates have criticized Tagle's handling of abuse complaints. On March 25, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, an advocacy group, published a letter to the Vatican, asking that they investigate what they say is Tagles oversight of complaints against bishops in Aotearoa [New Zealand]. Other Catholic leaders were mentioned in the letter, which referred to findings by the Watchdog group BishopAccountability.org. The advocacy group concluded the letter by reiterating concerns about how such issues and complaints "within the church hierarchy may be handled under Cardinal Tagle's oversight." On May 2, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a statement titled "Reaffirming Our Commitment to Safeguarding and Accountability." Within the statement, they expressed "profound sorrow and solidarity with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, especially those harmed by members of the clergy." In defense of Tagle, the CBCP highlighted the drafting of the "Pastoral Guidelines on Sexual Abuses and Misconduct by the Clergy" and said that Tagle "actively participated in the development and implementation of" said guidelines. "He has consistently advocated for a humble and responsive Church that listens to the cries of the wounded and acts decisively to protect the vulnerable," the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tagle previously said the Catholic Church must face the "wounds" of sexual abuse, and that they must be handled together, with faith. There have also been concerns raised about Tagles performance in administrative roles. Tagle is considered intelligent, a good theologian, and a good communicator. But in many ways he has not been a very good administrator in some of the jobs hes had in the Vatican. He has not proven himself in that role, Charles Collins, managing editor of Crux, a publication that focuses on the Vatican and the Catholic Church, is quoted as telling NBC. In 2022, Pope Francis removed Tagle along with the entire management team of Caritas Internationalis, appointing a commissioner to run it, following accusations of bullying and humiliation of employees. Contact us at letters@time.com. One day after Prince Harrys legal loss, it seems as though Meghan Markle made a poignant, and subtle, response involving their family of four. In case you missed it, on May 3, Meghan shared a black and white snapshot of Harry holding hands with their son, Prince Archie, and their daughter, Princess Lilibet, on his shoulders. And while theyre walking in the pic, theyre surrounded by a bunch of nature, making it such a sweet, scenic pic! More from SheKnows This picture comes soon after Harry lost his years-long court battle for security protection for himself and his family in the UK. This legal battle was all about him trying to reinstate his state-funded United Kingdom security, which he claimed was unjustly revoked after he relocated to the US in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per People, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos denied Harrys appeal, which he filed in Feb 2024 when RAVEC [the governments Royal and VIP Executive Committee] downgraded his security. Vos said, The Duke was, in effect, stepping in and out of the cohort of protection provided by RAVEC [the governments Royal and VIP Executive Committee]. Outside the U.K., he was outside the cohort, but when in the U.K., his security would be considered as appropriate depending on the circumstances. It was impossible, I said in my judgment, to say that this reasoning was illogical or inappropriate. Indeed, it seemed sensible. And now, Meghan is showing solidarity with her husband. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle For those who dont know, Harry and Meghan started dating in 2016, and by April 2018, they were married in a beautiful royal ceremony. Since then, theyve welcomed two children together, named Prince Archie, born in May 2019, and Princess Lilibet Diana, born in June 2021. In a previous interview with People, Meghan talked about her daughter, and how she hopes shes inspired by the legacy she leaves behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to have my own little girl, as Ive spent so much of my life championing the rights of girls and women, and to be able to see this as a multigenerational story Archie is of course included in that, my husband is of course included in that but I love the heritage feeling of it and knowing this is something that I can create in front of my daughter and teach her what its like to be a working mom, she said. This is something that hopefully can be part of her legacy too. Click here to see a complete timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles feud with the royal family. Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Memorial celebration held for man falsely accused in Chiefs rally shooting OLATHE, Kan. In Johnson County Saturday, many arrived at Fairview Park in red and yellow to celebrate the life of Olathe father, brother and Chiefs fan Denton Loudermill. Loudermill died in early April about fourteen months after he was falsely accused of being one of the shooters at the Chiefs Super Bowl parade and rally last year. Kansas City businesses donate to Graham Hoffman Scholarship Fund Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, he has fought to clear his name, and according to loved ones, thats the least he deserved. Thats what we want to put the focus on, not so much the individuals that did this, but the effect that they had on an everyday persons life, said attorney Laronna Lassiter Saunders. And if this happened to Mr. Loudermill, then this could happen to you, it could happen to any of us. According to previous coverage, Loudermill was one of the thousands of fans at the Chiefs rally in February 2024 to celebrate the teams Super Bowl LVIII win. However, as he and several others were standing near Union Station, chaos ensued, and armed suspects fired shots near the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person was killed, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, and 20 others were injured, and amid the panic, Loudermill was briefly handcuffed. He was quickly released and never charged, but that was before images of him being arrested circulated on social media. Soon after, people began sharing the images, even some state lawmakers, like Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and falsely accusing him of being the shooter, as well as an illegal immigrant. Construction set to begin on first Buc-ees store in Kansas Loudermill sued to clear his name, but he still received negative attention. His sister, Reba Paul, said she watched her relaxed, outgoing brother change in the last year of his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, he was stressed, said Paul. He was worried all the time, and so I do believe that this affected him, because I saw it. His attorney said that his family, through his estate, will continue working to hold those elected representatives accountable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Family, friends, community members and organizations gathered Saturday at Mount Trashmore Park to remember the life of Rolin Hill, a man whose death was ruled a homicide after he was detained, booked into the Virginia Beach Correctional Center and suffered a medical emergency. Man dies after suffering medical emergency in Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office custody Three former Virginia Beach Sheriffs deputies were charged with 2nd degree murder following Hills death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three former Virginia Beach deputies indicted for in-custody death of inmate The goal of the gathering was to make sure what happened to Rolin doesnt happen to anyone else. Speakers at the rally say Hill was detained while suffering a mental health episode at a 7/11 last June. He unfortunately, he was experiencing a mental health crisis in Virginia Beach. He was taken to the Virginia Beach City Jail in handcuffs and shackled by his hands and shackled by his feet, said JaPharii Jones, BLM 757 leader. All those who gathered Saturday advocated for better mental health treatment in the state of Virginia and the United States in general. Attendees chanted Rolins name and one clear message: Mental health matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple people spoke during the rally, including Rolins father, Stanley Hill, who said more needs to be done to spark real change when it comes to mental health. Local law enforcement should focus on the safety of the subjects environment and the well-being of the individual in crisis. Local law enforcement should be trained in crisis intervention and have a vast knowledge of techniques to be utilized to handle these situations effectively, said Stanley Hill. Kathy, an attendee at the rally told us why she made the drive from Hampton to be present at the gathering. I think that we in the U.S., and this is happening everywhere, its not just Virginia Beach, but we are not doing enough to make sure people with mental health problems are being taken care of. And instead, youre just processing them through the system, and thats not whats going to get them help. Thats not whats going to make us succeed as a society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rolins family will be holding a vigil on June 10, the one-year anniversary of his death. Commonwealth Counseling Agency, a local organization that specializes in mental health advocacy, education and support was also present at todays rally. Contact the organization at (757) 964-6302. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 mayor from a western Mexico town was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp where human bones and clothing were found, a federal official said. Teuchitlan Mayor Jose Murguia Santiago was arrested as part of an investigation by government prosecutors into probable omissions or complicity of authorities with the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a federal source told AFP on Saturday. The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murguia was arrested late Saturday afternoon, according to federal arrest records. This photo released by the Jalisco State Attorney General's Office shows shoes at the Izaguirre Ranch where skeletal remains were also discovered in the municipality of Teuchitlan, Mexico, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. / Credit: Jalisco State Attorney General's Office via AP The cartel, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says has some 19,000 in its ranks, developed rapidly into an extremely violent and capable force after it split from the Sinaloa cartel following the 2010 killing of Sinaloa cartel capo Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel Villarreal by the military. The "ranch of horror," as some local media called it, in the Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlan in the western state of Jalisco was first discovered in September 2024. Six months later, people searching for missing relatives found clothing and human remains, raising questions about the initial investigation, including a failure to search the site thoroughly. Human Rights Watch called it an "apparent mass killing site." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cartel allegedly used the ranch to train newly recruited gunmen, senior officials have said. The Guerreros Buscadores collective, a group dedicated to locating missing relatives, has described the Teuchitlan ranch as an "extermination center" with "clandestine crematoriums" where forced recruits were thought to have been held by the cartel. Barricade tape set up by authorities cordons off parts of Izaguirre Ranch during a tour for the press, days after skeletal remains were discovered on the premises. / Credit: Alfredo Moya / AP Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters in late March that there was "no evidence that it was an extermination camp." But he also said that an alleged recruiter who was arrested said that cartel members tortured and killed recruits who refused to cooperate or tried to flee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general's office, which has denied that executions were systematically carried out, took over the investigation after a complaint from Guerreros Buscadores. The group found buried bones, clothing, shoes and other objects at the ranch, which went unnoticed during a search in September by authorities who raided it following reports of gunfire. The interior of Izaguirre Ranch during a tour for the press. / Credit: Alfredo Moya / AP According to the Jalisco state prosecutor's office, 10 people were arrested, two captives freed and a dead body found along with skeletal remains in September. Besides Mayor Murguia, about a dozen others have been arrested in the case, including a police chief from a neighboring municipality and two of his officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 127,000 people are registered as missing in Mexico, most of them since 2006 when the government declared war on drug trafficking groups. By state, Jalisco has the highest number of missing persons cases, with more than 15,000. PBS CEO says "we have never seen a circumstance like this" after Trump targets funding Mike Waltz's removal is "significant" for U.S. national security interests, H.R. McMaster says Face the Nation: McMaster, Maher, Kerger Morgan Lee Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. The state of New Mexico must create a remedial plan to improve K-12 education after falling short of providing an adequate public school education to Native American students and others from low-income households, a judge ruled Tuesday. The order from state district court Judge Matthew Wilson builds on a landmark 2018 ruling that spurred a multibillion-dollar spending spree on public schools in New Mexico without yet resolving underlying failures to meet state constitutional obligations to educate an array of at-risk students, including those studying English as a second language and students with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants are ordered to come up with comprehensive remedial plan to address the continuing violation of at-risk students' constitutional rights," Wilson said. A court-ordered plan would provide guidance to the legislature and the executive branches of government, particularly when making difficult budgetary decisions that need to survive political and economic shifts." New Mexico historically has been at the bottom of the list when it comes to educational outcomes nationwide. Struggles to address lagging test scores and low graduation rates predated the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers have been pouring public resources into efforts to improve attendance, boost access to broadband internet, shore up school staffing and more amid a windfall in state government income from oil and natural gas production. Filed more than a decade ago on behalf of students and school districts rooted in Native American and Hispanic communities, the litigation known as the Yazzie- Martinez case identified systemic issues within the states education system. In court filings, the administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has acknowledged that there is room for improvement while highlighting a 62 percent increase in annual K-12 spending by state government since 2016 to $4.2 billion in the 2024, as well as the enactment of dozens of new at-risk initiatives and legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Education Department spokesperson Janelle Garcia said in a statement that the agency welcomes the ruling and an opportunity to lead development of a plan providing all New Mexico students an excellent education ... that will lead to resolution of the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit for students, parents, and families. The judge rejected a request to put a state legislative agency on education and accountability at the helm of the remediation plan. He called instead for the state Public Education Department to work with the plaintiffs and commission a plan from an outside consultant or expert. Attorney General Raul Torrez in 2023 announced his support for the plaintiffs in efforts to make the state comply with its obligations to students. The remedial plan could take five years to carry out and possibly resolve litigation. The governor this month vetoed proposed legislation to expand specialized schools dedicated to Native American language and culture by declining to sign the bill without comment. May 4 (UPI) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she had rejected an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump to send American troops to help fight drug cartels. Sheinbaum, speaking on Saturday from the opening of the new Benito Juarez Garcia University for Well-being in the Texcoco Lake Ecological Park, addressed a Friday report from the Wall Street Journal that said Trump had offered up troops during a lengthy phone call earlier this year. "I want to say it's true; that, in some of the calls, but not in the way they mention it, he said: 'How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in to help'," Sheinbaum said in her speech as published by her office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And you know what I told him? 'No, President Trump, territory is inviolable, sovereignty is inviolable, sovereignty is not for sale; sovereignty is loved and defended.'" The Mexican presidency said in its news release that Sheinbaum told Trump that information could be shared, and the two countries could collaborate, but only with the authority each nation has within their own borders. "And I told him one more thing. If you want to help us, President Trump, help us stop weapons from entering Mexico from the United States'," Sheinbaum recounted. Anna Kelly, the deputy press secretary at the White House, provided a written statement to Fox News on Saturday that highlighted the collaboration between the two countries on combating drug trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump has worked with President Sheinbaum to advance border security collaboration with Mexico to the highest levels ever," Kelly wrote. "This robust cooperation and information sharing is delivering tangible results, including the removal of numerous cartel leaders to the U.S. to face justice and creating the most secure border in history." Since returning to office, Trump has made cracking down on drug cartels a key tenet of his agenda including designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations -- a move that would give U.S. prosecutors broader authority and potentially open the door to military action. Trump first floated the designation during his initial presidency. Meanwhile, the CIA is deploying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to search for fentanyl labs run by drug cartels. Despite resistance from some lawmakers and concerns from foreign policy experts about sovereignty and unintended consequences, the Trump administration has insisted such tactics -- and his tariffs -- are necessary to curb the flow of fentanyl and stem migration at the southern border. In early March, the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service released its annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, based on a survey of over one million civil servants across 75 agencies. Good news! Over two-thirds of the respondents to the Office of Personnel Managements Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, or FEVS, administered in the summer of 2024, reported feeling engaged and satisfied with their jobs in the federal governmentup 1 point from the year before. The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health were among those topping the list of popular employers; the Social Security Administration and USAID came in among the lowest. But no matter where in the rankings you start, the act of reading through the survey responses in the report produces the same effect: the eerie feeling of gazing at a snapshot taken just before a tsunami swept through. Reading the essay collection Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service inspires something of that same haunting dissonance. Edited by long-form megastar journalist Michael Lewis, the book draws together seven portraits of heroic individual federal bureaucratsalong with one essay about a particularly heroic statistic, the Consumer Price Indexthat first ran as a series in The Washington Post. Two of the pieces are Lewiss, while the remaining six come from a roster of non-wonky, literary-leaning essayists: Geraldine Brooks, W. Kamau Bell, Dave Eggers, John Lanchester, Casey Cep, and Sarah Vowell. These are good writers, and the book is a fun read. Indeed, the fun is whats strange. The contributions vary in quality as narrative and analysis, but what unites them is a deliberately light, human interest-y, ingratiatingly accessible tonewouldja look at these geeky do-gooders go? That tone is the source of the dissonance. As substance, the book is timely in an extraordinarily urgent way; as vibe, its a disconcerting fit for that very topicality. The plucky, unheralded bureaucrats get their day in the sun in this book, their song finally sung at the exact moment that their work and the institutional scaffold supporting it fall victim to a mad paroxysm of destruction. Cue the power ballad: Dont know what youve got till its gone. As deliberately light-touch as Lewis and Co. are with explicit argumentation, the essays in Who Is Government? do ultimately make the implicit case for bureaucracythe core rationale for why we use government to perform certain tasks, and why lawmakers in that government would want to grant significant autonomy to unelected agents to carry them out. The writers shared instinct for character observation and portraiture, moreover, helps to elucidate a distinct ethos and personality type common in the civil service. Its a culture that belies the image of a rogue deep state that animates Donald Trumps demolition squad, whether in its vanguardist iteration under the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and his Project 2025, or in the edgelord tech-right anarchism suffusing Elon Musks DOGE. But it also stands unmistakably at odds with those wreckers own vision of work and collective purpose. As it happens, the Partnership for Public Service gets credit for leading Lewis to the subject of the books first profilea quietly intense engineer named Chris Mark, who spent multiple decades solving the problem of collapsing roofs in coal mines. Mark was nominated for an annual award the partnership gives out for extraordinary achievement in the federal civil service. Having written a bestselling book on the first Trump administrations mismanagement of the executive branch, The Fifth Risk, Lewis has made a habit of reading through the partnerships nominees each year. Its a way to remind himself how many weird problems the United States government deals with at any one time. Coal mine roof collapses turn out to be just such a problemcenturies-spanning, chronic, and extraordinarily deadly. In Lewiss hands, Marks lifelong engagement with the issue across multiple agencies, and its resonance with his engineer fathers scholarly preoccupation with the structural functions of Gothic cathedrals, become a fascinating story of governance as puzzle-solving and public commitment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis has gone through a shaky few years of late, marred by a strangely blinkered biography of Sam Bankman-Fried and some even more strangely dismissive public comments about Michael Oher, the disillusioned subject of his 2006 book, The Blind Side. But hes a star for a reason. For the piece that concludes the book, a portrait of a Food and Drug Administration bureaucrat designing a website and app to help doctors find drug treatments for rare deadly diseases, he executes a seven-page opener thats a masterpiece of distilled pointillistic narrative. With just a few strokes of detail and a handful of perfectly chosen quotes, Lewis gives us a world: a broken marriage between two indomitable personalities, the family theyve built in spite of it, and a sci-fi-horrific brain disease robbing their five-year-old daughter of her personality and her future with terrifying speed. The bureaucrat in the story, Heather Stone, gets equally rich coloring, even as this case of government heroism involves a twist laden with troubling irony: sheer happenstance, rather than the underfunded and underutilized tool shed designed inside the government, is what enabled Stone to help the family and save the girl. If Lewis is throwing fastballs, his collaborators vary their pitches. Eggers mixes wonder and drollery in his fun account of visiting with the uber-earnest geniuses (and one charming absent-minded professor type) at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or JPL. Bell interviews his own goddaughter about her entry-level job as a paralegal in the Department of Justices antitrust division. Vowell does her argument-via-tart-historical-digression thing in profiling the National Archives official tasked with building out the agencys public online services. Theres also variance in just how wince-inducing the essays read given the context of current events. Brooks, a journalist and novelist, profiles a Renaissance man bureaucrat named Jarod Koopman, jiujitsu instructor-cum-criminal investigator for the IRS. In fiction, she notes, it would be considered malpractice to make up Jarod Koopman. You just do not give your protagonist a set of attributes that includes black belts, vintage trucks, sommelier certificates, tattooed biceps, a wholesome, all-American rural family and a deeply consequential yet uncelebrated and under-remunerated career in global cybercrime. She details the painstaking work it took for Koopman and his team to unmask the identity of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and build the case that sent him to prison. (Trump pardoned Ulbricht, who then attended the presidents March address to Congress as Kentucky Representative Thomas Massies guest of honor.) She does the same for Koopmans investigation into the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, whose fraudulent practices produced a $4.3 billion criminal settlement and a brief prison stint for Changpeng Zhao, former CEO. (Binances U.S. operation is making a comeback, and Zhao has been meeting with Trump family members interested in taking a financial stake in its U.S. arm at the same time he has been angling for a pardon. Watch this space!) Law enforcement inside the IRS is shared enemy territory for virtually the entire GOP coalition, triggering as it does the partys long-standing hostility to tax enforcement with Trumps more specific preoccupation with strongman subversion of the rule of law. So its little surprise to see Koopmans achievements suffering reversals. It was probably less expected that Ceps encomium to Ronald E. Walters, the hypercompetent leader of the National Cemetery Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs, would read quite so poignantly amid the chaos unleashed by the first wave of DOGE-spurred firings and mass contract cancellations in the VA. Our government is designed to change, Cep quotes a former colleague of Walters, Stephen Shih, as saying, so there will necessarily be these periods of transition, and Ron has navigated that masterfully, finding a balance between providing continuity and moving the government forward. More winces: Shih made these reassuring remarks about Walterss survival prospects while serving as director of the Office of Civil Rights at USAID. The rights hatred for the civil service contains multitudes. Theres a sociological anglethe conviction that the administrative state is under the collective control of a particular class of people zealously committed to a dangerous ideology and bent on resistance by hook or by crook to conservative governance. Trumps iteration of this, like his iteration of all ideas, is deeply personalized, grounded in his understanding of the federal civil service as the people investigating and seeking to punish him for his crimes. The ascendant Silicon Valley strain of anti-bureaucracy, meanwhile, espouses a more avowedly demolitionist ethos in keeping with the hothouse managerial culture of tech. At base, however, the case for government administration is the case for government itself, and that is precisely what the right cant abide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democracy is a double delegation game. Voters delegate the task of actually making laws to the politicians they elect to represent them. The politicians then delegate the task of executing those laws to bureaucrats. At their most effective, the grounded portraits of individual bureaucrats in Who Is Government? take us, in their hyperspecificity, all the way back to the first step of that gamethe question prior to who is government? of why have government? Across the books accounts, we see bureaucrats engaging with problems for which free markets and private action would not be able to generate solutions on their own. No one coal mining company was likely to fund the [safety] research that would benefit all coal companies, Lewis notes, and in fact the market even incentivized those companies to neglect implementation of safety features for years after bureaucrats like Chris Mark had developed themuntil new laws passed by Congress finally added enforcement teeth to the regulations. The FDAs Stone created a reliable mechanism for making important information about discoveries in the treatment of rare diseases accessible to doctors when no such mechanism had earlier existedthe rareness of the diseases means it doesnt really pay anyone to do it, as one biochemist remarked to Lewis. Eggers describes the work of space nerds at Caltech: This is government-funded research to determine how the universe was created and whether we are alone in it. If NASA and JPL were not doing it, it would not be done. Ordinary people arent expected to devise on their own the collective answers to every failure in health care or mine management or space explorationthats what Congress is there to do. But members of Congress arent expected themselves to build the clearinghouse for rare disease treatment, or devise the software that determines the right roof reinforcement for a specific coal mine, or build panoramic space telescopes that suppress starlight so far-flung planets can be detectedthats what civil servants are there to do. The tasks that lawmakers ask to be performed in their legislative language are legion, complicated, specialized, and ongoing. Thats why there are a lot of bureaucrats, and thats why they enjoy, to a greater or lesser extent, some degree of autonomy to do their jobs. What the government job gave me was the freedom to do these things, Mark the mine engineer tells Lewis. No one told me to do it. No one could have told me to do it. The autonomy of unelected government actors is precisely what makes people nervousif the frontline agents in democracys delegation game go rogue against their principals, democracy breaks down. But for the right, this is specifically dangerous because it views the left as dominating the bureaucracy in the same way it dominates media, major cultural institutions, and higher educationthe deep state is rogue on behalf of the rights enemies. When JD Vance said in 2021 that the next Republican president should fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people, this was what he was getting at. For all the hype about inefficiency and waste, Musk got closer to the heart of whats motivating the new assault when he declared USAID a vipers nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America. Who Is Government? is a selective and decidedly boosterish portrait of the federal bureaucracy, but it is still worth noting just how undetectable the rights caricature is in the workers it profiles. If there are recurring attributes that do come up, pointing to a broadly distinct occupational culture, they are an earnest sense of service mission and a reflexive aversion to attention and credit. No one at JPLno one I met, at leastwas willing to take credit for anything, Eggers remarks, while Lewis ponders civil servants general lot as the carrots in the third-grade play. A public service orientation predominates in surveys of civil servants occupational motivationsunsurprisingly, given their frequently low and flat compensation structures compared to private-sector work. From day one, moreover, a conception of public service as at once nonpartisan and deeply collaborative is actively inculcated, as sociologist Jaime Lee Kucinskas documents in her new book on civil servants during the first Trump presidency, The Loyalty Trap: Conflicting Loyalties of Civil Servants Under Increasing Autocracy: Once on the job, as one former EPA employee described, employees undergo so-called cultural climatization, where they learn from supervisors and colleagues that to be a public servant means upholding the duties and norms of nonpartisanship and collaborative dialogue with supervisors and other stakeholders across the government. Decision making is grounded in collective deliberation, reason, and expert knowledge. They also learn emotional forbearance and discretion. This employee described a lot of groupthink, at the EPA. Thats part of what makes it work. If civil servants tend to evince an aversion to making waves, thats in part a function of the complicated mix of authorities and goals theyre tasked with serving. It is not easy for career civil servants to navigate the various obligations of their roles, Kucinskas notes, which expect them to serve as a source of stability in the government, serve presidents and their specific agendas, uphold the law, and adhere to their professional normative and ethical obligations in their agenciesall at once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pressures American civil servants face also stem from the fact that, contrary to the rights nightmare, the U.S. bureaucracy is distinctively nonautonomousuniquely permeable by and subject to the influence of outside political forces and organized interests. (This is true even under normal circumstances, when a world-historically rich tech oligarch isnt empowered to wander agency to agency yanking out wires.) It is a truism of scholarship on U.S. political development, but of no less momentous importance for being so, that the United States democratized before it bureaucratized. Whereas, through the crucible of continual warfare, Western European nations developed powerful and professionalized administrative states long before they transitioned to mass democracy, the United States across the nineteenth century grew as a sprawling democratic polity and economic juggernaut without building out a proportionally large and powerful central administration in government. (What the national state did in the nineteenth centuryand it did plentyit typically did indirectly and invisibly, delegating to states, civil society actors, and private individuals the task of carrying out major state projects like continental expansion and capitalist development.) The preexistence of a precocious and robust democratic polity meant that once Congress finally began, piece by piece, to construct new bureaucratic institutions staffed by large merit-based cadres of experts, it was compelled continually to ensure that this new administrative state would be reined in, watched over, and suffused by political forces. In comparative perspective, the American civil service is lean, and leaned on. In comparative perspective, the American civil service is lean, and leaned on. U.S. federal agencies include a vastly higher number of political appointeesapproximately 4,000 officialswho occupy several more layers of organizational leadership than is typical in other long-standing democracies. The ranks of the federal civilian workforce, hovering around three million, have barely budged in absolute numbers and outright declined as a share of the American labor force for the last 50 yearsduring the same period that government expenditures have nearly quintupled. (This is why the fiscal rationale for DOGEs assault on the bureaucracy is so absurdyou could eliminate every single civil service position in government, and the impact of the savings, about 5 percent of overall federal spending, would barely rise above a rounding error.) The work that civil servants perform, moreover, is enmeshed in thickets of political intervention and interest-group pressure. As formalized in the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946, the process by which bureaucrats formulate rules to implement legislation entails mechanisms for public input and review and extensive opportunity for appeal through litigation. And in their day-to-day tasks, the procedural red tape so often bemoaned as emblematic of bureaucrats own inefficiency typically comes as the by-product of both Congresss and the presidents efforts to monitor civil servants behavior and limit their autonomy. Little wonder they tend to keep their heads down. As a trope about government, waste, fraud, and abuse is a hardy perennial, and its no surprise to see it now utilized in service of a right-wing governments assault on perceived enemies burrowed in the organs of state. And just the thing that makes the bureaucratic hagiography in Who Is Government? such a noveltythe pervasive stereotype of government workers as nonentities pushing pencils on the peoples dimewould seem likely to make DOGE and the broader assault on bureaucracy good politics as well. But, remarkably, the sheer scale and careening recklessness of what the Trump administration has already executed are generating public blowback that only promises to swell as the rolling effects of service disruptions, benefit interruptions, and job terminations are felt in every congressional district in the country. In his classic account of the development of federal administrative capacity in the United States, Building a New American State, political scientist Stephen Skowronek described nineteenth-century Americans as lacking a sense of the statea felt connection to a visible and pervasive government exercising power. Whether or not theyve consciously thought about it in this way, the gambit currently being carried out by Trump, Vought, and Musk amounts to a kind of bet that Americans in the twenty-first century still lack that sense of a stateof day-to-day connections to the federal government that theyll miss when theyre destroyed. As constituents flood town halls and congressional inboxes with complaints about lapses in VA health services, skyrocketing wait times at the Social Security phone lines, and friends and neighbors tossed out of work, that bet looks less and less likely to pay off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever its electoral cost to Republicans, however, the cost of the current ravaging of the civil service will be greater for the country as a whole. The brain drain of expertise, the wanton destruction of research and administrative endeavors built up over decades, and the shattering of the promise of job stability, which for so long has served both to compensate for the comparatively limited financial upside of civil service careers and to help incubate the kind of slow-bore achievements celebrated in Who Is Government?such losses may be irreversible. In announcing its report on the FEVS survey results this year, the Partnership for Public Service went ahead and noted the rampaging elephant in the room: Against the backdrop of a new presidential administration and dozens of executive orders that seek to downsize and politicize our nonpartisan, merit-based civil service, this new data could not come at a more critical time. Critical, perhapsbut also a bit late to be heeded: Just one week earlier, the Office of Personnel Management had announced that it would be delaying the administration of this years FEVS survey, typically done in May, to an unspecified later date. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at May 3, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from May 3 drawing Midday: 2-3-5 Evening: 9-9-1 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from May 3 drawing Midday: 1-6-4-8 Evening: 2-4-5-6 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from May 3 drawing 02-13-18-21-31, Lucky Ball: 09 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from May 3 drawing KH-7C-8C-10D-9H Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from May 3 drawing 13-15-28-33-37 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 05-10-11-16-35 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from May 3 drawing 02-11-12-26-30-31-36-40-46-47-53-54-56-57-60-61-65-66-70-73-74-80 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from May 3 drawing 03-13-31-33-38-45 Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from May 3 drawing 18-20-34-37-39-46 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 May 3, 2025 MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man was arrested last week after a 12-year-old girl made a sexual assault outcry. Jacob Rene Rodriguez, 36, has been charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child or Disabled Person, a first-degree felony. According to court documents, on April 24, a young girl wrote a note at school that detailed multiple instances of abuse which prompted school officials to call 911. In a subsequent forensic interview at the Midland Child Advocacy Center, the 12-year-old girl told investigators that the sexual abuse began when she was 10 and happened in her bedroom at least twice a week over the course of two years. Investigators with the Midland Police Department then contacted the suspect, identified as Rodriguez, and asked him to come in to give a statement. Rodriguez initially agreed to meet with the police but never showed up, which prompted investigators to request a warrant for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez was arrested on a warrant on May 1st and booked into the Midland County Detention Center. Hes since been released from custody on an unknown 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 Yourbasin. KANAB, Utah (KTVX) A senior cat is now recovering after surviving a nearly 400-foot fall in Utahs Bryce Canyon National Park that killed two hikers. According to Best Friends Animal Society, the cat was with two Florida tourists at the park who reportedly fell after climbing over a railing at Inspiration Point on April 29. The two people, identified as Matthew Nannen and Bailee Crane, died at the scene. PREVIOUSLY: Identities released of 2 people who fell off cliff, died in Bryce Canyon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now known as Mirage, the cat was found in a black soft-sided carrier, which was dirty and torn, but seemed to have handled the fall fairly well. Mirage is a miracle cat in that she survived a tragic fall in Bryce Canyon, Judah Battista, the chief sanctuary officer for Best Friends Animal Society, told Nexstars KTVX. Mirage, a female tabby, is believed to be about 12 years old. She was brought to Pawz Dogs boarding facility in Panguitch before Garfield County officials contacted Best Friends for their help. A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) A senior cat named Mirage is now recovering after falling off a 350-foot cliff in Bryce Canyon National Park. (Best Friends Animal Society) Mirage was taken by veterinary staff to Best Friends in Kanab, which is the headquarters for the national animal welfare organization and the largest companion animal sanctuary in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best Friends said Mirage was matted and a bit sore, but friendly while being examined. Battista said that the cats bloodwork came back normal, and she is eating and drinking normally. He said that her X-rays show she has a couple of fractured ribs and has broken two of her canine teeth. VIDEO: K-9 attacks standoff suspect at Oregon rest stop Considering the nature of her fall, shes in remarkably good shape, he said. Battista shared that they are working on getting in contact with the extended family of those who passed in the fall before considering putting her up for adoption. Our hearts go out to the family, he said. While were were very proud to be able to provide her a safe and caring environment to recuperate while all of the things that needed to get sorted out are getting sorted out, were able to do this because of the support of the public, so we want to share our appreciation as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fall is still being investigated, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Garfield County Sheriffs Detectives at 435-676-1126. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to respond to an attack from Yemens Houthi rebels that hit Ben Gurion International Airport, adding that Iran would also face consequences from the strike. A ballistic missile launched by the Iran-allied Yemeni rebel group hit the perimeter of the airport on Sunday, damaging a road and a vehicle and causing air traffic to stop, according to photos and footage verified by Al Jazeera. The Israeli military confirmed its defence system failed to shoot down the projectile on Sunday morning despite several attempts to intercept it, adding that an investigation was under way. Eight people were injured, according to paramedics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli media reported that the advanced US-made THAAD system and Israels long-range Arrow defence system failed to bring down the missile. Writing on social media, Netanyahu said that attacks from the Houthis ultimately emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters, Netanyahu wrote. The Israeli prime minister has been trying to drum up support for a joint attack with the United States against Iran, despite ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran. Responding to Israels threats, Irans Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that Tehran would strike back if the US or Israel attacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this war is intiated by the US or the Zionist regime [Israel], Iran will target their interests, bases and forces wherever they may be and whenever deemed necessary, Nasirzadeh told Iranian state television. Nasirzadeh also said that Yemens Houthis made their own decisions when conducting attacks. The rebel group, which has been carrying out attacks against Israel in stated opposition to its war and blockade on the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for the missile launched at Israels busiest airport. More than 18 months of Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 52,495 people, including 57 who starved to death due to the total Israeli siege since March 2, according to Palestinian officials. In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines that Ben Gurion airport was no longer safe for air travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack led to a brief suspension of flights at the airport in central Israel with some having to be redirected. All entrances to the airport were also briefly closed while train journeys towards the site were halted. A number of major airlines, including German carrier Lufthansa, Spanish airline Air Europa, Air France, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air India and Hungarys Wizz Air announced they were cancelling flights for Sunday, with some cancelling flights on Monday and Tuesday as well. The Houthis called on airlines flying to Israel to take into consideration that it would impose a comprehensive air blockade on [Israel] by repeatedly targeting Ben-Gurion Airport. Sirens blared across central Israel, prompting many to move into shelters, according to Israeli media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos of the site of the impact circulating online showed the missile hit a connecting road inside the perimeter of the airport with some debris scattered on adjacent roads. Israel promises to hit back hard Before his social media post, Netanyahu had promised to retaliate against the Houthis and continue the war on Gaza. In a video message in Hebrew, he said Israel and the US will act against them again in the future and do so using more than one blow. He also vowed there will be no Hamas in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened severe retaliation, too. Whoever attacks us, we will hit back sevenfold, Katz said in an apparent reference in the Torah relating to severe punishment, or divine justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benny Gantz, leader of the Israel Resilience party and a former war cabinet member, said the blame for the missile attack by the Iran-aligned group should be put on Tehran. It is Iran that is firing ballistic missiles at the state of Israel, and it must bear responsibility, he said in a social media post without providing evidence. The shooting at the state of Israel is bound to lead to a severe reaction in Tehran. Yair Golan, a leading opposition figure, said millions of Israelis are in shelters again, Israeli captives held in Gaza are dying, the cost of living is crushing families and reservists are collapsing under the burden of the war, which was launched after an attack headed by the Palestinian armed group Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023, led to the killing of an estimated 1,139 people, with more than 200 taken captive. This is big for Netanyahu, this is big for the government, Golan said about the prime minister. We must return the kidnapped people home and end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houthi attacks are continuing despite near daily bombardment of areas across Yemen by the United States military. Houthi-run media reported many more US air raids on Yemen early on Sunday, as well as after the attack on Ben Gurion airport. Rescuers stand near bodies at the site of a strike at a detention centre hosting African migrants, in Saada, Yemen April 28, 2025 [Naif Rahma/Reuters] After the missile hit the airport, Al Masirah TV reported US air raids on the Khab and ash-Shaaf district of al-Jawf governorate. At dawn, US warplanes launched 10 raids on the al-Hazm district of the al-Jawf governorate and three attacks on the Marib governorate. More attacks hit Saadas Takhya region as well. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties as with some of the other US strikes this week, including one on a migrant detention centre that killed dozens of people. Meadville Medical Center (MMC) and Allegheny College are collaborating on curriculum needs for MMCs registered nursing school. Starting with the fall 2025 semester, Allegheny College will offer core college-level coursework required for registered nursing students who attend the Sharon School of Nursing at Meadville Medical Center. The accredited registered nursing school became part of MMC's Institute for Healthcare Professionals in 2024. Allegheny College's courses are to the underlying foundation on health-related topics such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, medical ethics and psychology as well as required college-level writing and math, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specialized nursing instruction and hands-on clinical training for the student registered nurses will be through Meadville Medical Center. "Since health care touches all of our lives, it's exciting to infuse critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and exposure to exceptional Allegheny College faculty into the training of future health care professionals, Jennifer Dearden, Allegheny College's provost said. "Our goal since we took over the School of Nursing was to partner with a premier institute for higher education," Valerie Waid, MMC's chief nurse executive, said in a statement. "Allegheny College has always been at the top of our list, and I cannot be happier to finalize this collaboration." MMC and Allegheny have had a long relationship of college students and faculty working with the hospital. Allegheny students have worked with hospital patients on care plans and acted as health advocates while the school's faculty has worked with MMC staff. Dearden said new collaboration will strengthen the region's workforce and economic development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Meadville Medical Center took over the Sharon School of Nursing when its then owner, Steward Health Care System, filed for bankruptcy. The inaugural registered nursing class under MMC that begins in September will have 30 students, according to Crystal Brest, a registered nurse and the director of the Sharon School of Nursing. The registered nursing school program takes 20 months to complete, Brest said. When completed, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the NCLEX exam to test the competency of nursing school graduates in the U.S. and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had 85 applications for the fall (of 2025) and 23 candidates have been selected so far," she said. "We'll limit the class at 30 (total) due to clinical instruction needs." Though registration for this fall is closed, the school is accepting applications for its session that starts in September 2026, Brest said. The Sharon Regional School of Nursing has maintained its accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN Board of Commissioners also approved the change in ownership from Sharon to Meadville in December 2024. MMC has been working with Penn State Shenango, Thiel College and Sharon Regional Medical Center administration, classroom and clinical sites to remain in place to support curriculum needs of the current Sharon nursing students to meet their May 2026 graduation requirements. To learn more about the Sharon School of Nursing at Meadville Medical Center's Institute for Healthcare Professionals, visit institute.mmchs.org. (KRON) A motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle crash involving a truck on Saturday evening, said the San Francisco Police Department. The public is being asked to avoid the area of the collision as police investigate. Concord Police complete food delivery after driver is arrested for stolen motorcycle SFPD said its officers responded to the crash at 5:49 p.m. in the intersection of 8th and Howard streets. Police said both parties were at the scene when they arrived, and the injured motorcycle driver was taken to a local hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains an active case. Anyone with information is asked to call SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411, starting the message with SFPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based multinational steel company, was indicted in connection with industrial pollution by prosecutors in Marseille, France. Now, ArcelorMittal faces judicial supervision with a hefty price tag for enforcement, per the Luxembourg Times. What's happening? ArcelorMittal was accused of endangering others, forgery, and causing environmental damage in the Fos-sur-Mer region of France. ArcelorMittal was sued in 2018 by the environmental nonprofit Association for the Defense and Protection of the Gulf of Fos Coastline (ADPLGF), around 250 local residents, organizations, and unions. The group accused the steelmaker of exposing people to "illegal discharges" of pollution, according to the Luxembourg Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Arcelor hid information and falsified documents. In addition to CO2, their emissions contained benzene, fine particles, lead and cadmium - all classified as carcinogens and mutagens - as well as toxic agents such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide," ADPLGF president Daniel Moutet told the Luxembourg Times. The steelmaker is now under court supervision, subject to a 250,000 euro deposit and 1.75 million euro bank guarantee. The company "firmly contests the accusations" but will cooperate with authorities, according to Reuters. ArcelorMittal further told Reuters that it did "everything possible to ensure that emissions from the Fos-sur-Mer site comply with the prescribed annual limit values." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There has been no falsification of data," ArcelorMittal said. Why is corporate pollution important? Pollution from big companies can create major health risks to the locals who work and live near their operations. ADPLGF president Daniel Moutet claimed that there are "three times as many" cases of cancer in the Fos-sur-Mer region compared to elsewhere. He told the Luxembourg Times that he lost "a lot of friends to cancer over the years." It's important that companies are held accountable for polluting the air with toxic chemicals, which not only lowers the quality of life for nearby residents but also contributes to the amount of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. What's being done about corporate pollution? Companies across the world are facing consequences for failing to meet their environmental goals to reduce pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complainants in the case against ArcelorMittal were happy with the Marseille prosecutors' indictment of the steelmaker. "We didn't initially expect it to be so huge. I'm satisfied that the courts have done their job and got to the bottom of it," said Moutet to the Luxembourg Times. Since 2014, ArcelorMittal claims to have "invested more than 735 million euros, notably to modernize its facilities or innovate to reduce emission levels, whose regulatory thresholds are increasingly stringent." However, the courts have apparently decided it's not doing enough. Therefore, it's important to educate yourself on corporate greenwashing so that you don't give your hard-earned cash to companies with deceptive sustainability practices. 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. FALKVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Three people were rescued from a burning house by firefighters from multiple departments. On Friday, May 2, Falkville Fire & Rescue was dispatched to assist Ebenezer Fire & Rescue with a house that was on fire. Upon arrival, fire officials could see smoke coming from the roof of the home. Fire officials told News 19 that the single-story home also had smoke coming from the back right corner that could be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ebenezer Fire & Rescue then had a 1 3/4 hoseline deployed to the scene. Firefighters from both crews went into the home to began a search for anyone inside. After entering the home, crews found a person asleep in a chair. That individual was taken outside and crews went back in to look for more individuals. Firefighters then went into a smoke-filled bedroom where they found two additional people asleep. According to officials, the victims were assisted to safety under their own power. Fire attack crews located the source of fire in the attic of the home. Crews performed vertical ventilation of a double roof coordinated with fire suppression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews were able to extinguish the fire and no injuries were reported. Ebenezer Fire and Rescue, Falkville Fire & Rescue, Decatur Morgan EMS, and Morgan County 911 all assisted during the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Anyone who has had even the most passing acquaintance with university professors will have learnt one thing about them as a breed they feel hard done by and are not afraid to tell you. Academics skew heavily to the Left, but this professional malformation is found among its denizens across the political spectrum. I am not denigrating this sometimes fine body of men and women, among whose ranks are some of the most decent and hardest working people I have had the honour and pleasure of knowing (and, to be fair, a sprinkling of the most poisonous and loathsome). But the complaints are ceaseless: too little pay and too much work. There are honourable exceptions, but as the myriad Marxists ranked among them might say, alienation is the norm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are their grievances justified? I would contend very much not when their conditions of employment are compared to those most of us labour under. Here it is worth narrowing the target of my scorn. Early career academics do tend to get a raw deal. Being paid by the hour at the bottom end of the higher education spectrum is something no one should envy or aspire to. And with tutorials or supervisions, Oxbridge dons have a heavy teaching load. I am really talking about senior academics at non-Oxbridge Russell Group, i.e. elite, universities. Academic remuneration, it is true, will never compare favourably with that of bankers or hedge fund managers. But it is not terrible. Professorial pay scales at University College London start at just under 80,000, but most will be earning rather more. Rigid pay spines are now a thing of the past in the senior ranks of academia. Individual negotiations have created much larger discrepancies than there once were. University insiders tell me that at Londons leading institutions professorial pay of around 100,000 is the norm and salaries can go up to 250,000 or more. In the provinces, associate professors will generally earn 70,000 plus, with most full professors on over 85,000. And a secure academic career comes with an excellent pension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whilst, say, an economist at the LSE would almost certainly be paid rather more for their skill set working outside the groves of academia, this is not true of many other branches of scholastic inquiry. Outside of school teaching there is not much private sector demand for those who want to forge their career in classics. Academics are paid to pursue their own passions and decide where to focus their endeavours. Few, or probably more accurately no, other professionals can do this. Pay cannot be looked at in isolation from conditions, and here academics come off exceptionally well. University terms cover around 32 weeks of the year, with Oxbridge weighing in at only 24. University vacs, all dons will tell you, are not holidays for faculty. Well, up to a point. In most jobs, saying you wont be coming into the office for two months but will be working from Thailand or some Greek island will not go down well or at least it didnt before the lockdown and work from home. But this has long been perfectly normal at our institutions of higher learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teaching load is getting ever more burdensome, academics will moan. But that is only compared to the professions own past. School teachers are generally required to stand before their classrooms for around 25 hours per week. A not-long-retired professor at one of Londons leading universities tells me his lecturing commitment at one stage was 32 hours per year. One of his colleagues managed to hold down a full-time Civil Service job alongside a full-time academic post without each employer knowing about the other. A more normal teaching commitment at a Russell Group university, insiders tell me, is around 200 hours per year or around what a school teacher delivers in eight weeks. But there is research to do. And here comes one of the biggest gripes, the Research Excellence Framework. Departments in receipt of public funds are required to submit around 2.5 outputs be they books or, more commonly, journal articles per member of academic staff every six or seven years. This is so that universities can be ranked against their peers. The next one is due in 2029. So our hard done by professor has to write three articles every six years. OK, they also have to find a journal to publish them. This is the hard part but the requirement is not exactly onerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If said professor is toiling away in the humanities or social sciences and their particular shtick is theory with little need for actual research, they should probably be able to bosh out each 3,000 to 5,000 or so word essay over, say, four mornings with another added to fine tune the footnotes. Anyone who has dipped into social science journals will know the trick here is to master a suitably portentous style, sprinkling in all the right buzzwords. But as with a foreign language, once learnt it is not easily forgotten. So our social science prof can set aside three leisurely weeks for writing the required screeds and another three for submitting them and their research work is done for another six years. Most academics work much harder than this, but they do this out of choice. They are not required to do so. Professors should be rather contented with their lot but the academic affliction means the opposite is all too often the case. 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. (WHTM) Weather forecasters have amazing tools at their disposal. Satellites observe changing weather patterns from orbit; powerful computers process raw information into usable data. But one of their most powerful tools is simple and relatively low-tech; networks of ordinary people across the United States and the world who take readings every day in their backyards, and pass them on to local, state, national, and even international weather services. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here Alan Brue, a student at the State University of New York, started Weather Observers Day on May 4, 1989, for weather enthusiasts, both amateur and professional, to share their passion for weather observation and prediction. July 27, 1866-The Transatlantic cable that worked Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People have been observing and recording their observations about the weather for centuries. But until the 1800s there was no fast and efficient way to share their observations with others. That all changed with the invention of the telegraph, and later the telephone. Suddenly it was possible to share weather information in (almost) real-time. By the time the National Weather Service was established as part of the Army Signal Corps in 1870, hundreds of people were already telegraphing weather information from stations across the country. January 25, 1915: First phone call across the continent When the National Weather Bureau became a civilian agency in 1890, the legislation also established the Cooperative Observer Program or COOP. COOP is the great-grandaddy of volunteer weather observation networks; The Weather Service calls it truly the Nations weather and climate observing network of, by and for the people. More than 8,700 volunteers take daily observations of temperature and precipitation and send their reports to NWS. (Just as the telephone replaced the telegraph farms, the internet is supplanting the telephone.)The readings come from everywhere rural, urban, and suburban areas, the tops of mountains, and the shores of lakes and oceans. How does the National Weather Service categorize severe weather? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COOP is by no means the only weather-observing network. There are local, state, national, and international organizations collecting, consolidating, and sharing data. There are too many to include in this article; here is a couple that bounced to the top in our internet searches: The Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) began with ham radio operators. Over 6500 private citizens broadcast their temperature, wind, relative humidity, and pressure observations, which feed into the NOAA MADIS system. and current data is available for free over the internet. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHs) were founded in 1998 as a result of a flood in Fort Collins, Colorado the year before. It went national in 2010 and is now international in scope. They concentrate on collecting information about precipitation. For more about COOPS, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For More about CWOP, click here. For more about CoCoRaHs, 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 ABC27. We recommend always keeping a can of salmon in your pantry, as you can't go wrong with this versatile and nutritious food. We also love the stability of canned foods, but keep in mind that the safety of canned salmon is only as reliable as the process used to manufacture it. An incident that occurred in 1982 is the perfect example of what can go wrong when there are problems with the fish canning process, as defects in cans of salmon resulted in a massive recall of almost 60 million cans and caused one person's death. The issue was traced back to multiple salmon canning facilities across Alaska, and the subsequent investigation found that a malfunctioning piece of machinery was creating punctures and other types of defects in the canned salmon being produced, which resulted in the growth of bacteria. A Belgian man who ate the affected salmon succumbed to the effects of botulism, a type of food-borne illness capable of causing paralysis of the muscles, breathing issues, and loss of life. While the man's wife also grew sick after eating Alaskan salmon, she presumably recovered, and no other illnesses were reported. What resulted from the incident was a massive effort from the salmon industry to eliminate defective cans and upgrade quality measures to prevent future mishaps. Read more: 17 Canned Sardine Brands Ranked Worst To Best What Happens During The Salmon Canning Process? Person wearing blue protective gloves holding can in canning facility - Me 3645 Studio/Getty Images While the exact technique will vary from company to company, virtually all canned salmon brands use a similar process when preparing their fish. First, the salmon is prepped via filleting, skinning, and slicing, at which point the meat is deposited into cans and sent to seaming machines, where the lids are attached. From there, the cans are sent to a pressure cooker and heated for a specific amount of time and to a certain temperature to ensure the meat is fully cooked. This heating process eliminates harmful bacteria and ensures that the canned salmon is a ready-to-eat product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With so many steps and so many types of machinery involved, canning equipment malfunctions like the one that occurred in 1982 are often hard to anticipate and even harder to prevent. Problems with commercial canning equipment have affected other types of fish, as illustrated by our list of the biggest tuna recalls in U.S. history. Major brands like Bumble Bee and Tri-Union Seafoods are no strangers to equipment malfunctions that can increase the risk of bacterial growth within products. Consumers must be proactive about food recalls, but knowing which brands offer the highest quality is also helpful. That's why we compiled a ranking of canned salmon brands from worst to best to guide your shopping decisions the next time you get a craving for this tasty tinned fish. Read the original article on Mashed. When Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was hospitalized for depression in 2023, many on Capitol Hill celebrated it as a moment of courage and a willingness to be open about mental health struggles. Now, a startling picture of relapse and its associated cost is being associated with him after a deeply sourced profile on Fetterman was published Friday in New York Magazines Intelligencer by reporter Ben Terris. Democrats on Capitol Hill have yet to comment. But the shock from the profiles reporting was evident across social media and on political talk programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He needs to resign, The Bulwarks Jonathan Last, a supporter of the senator who wrote that he was the first person to suggest that John Fetterman could run for president, said on The Secret Podcast with co-host Sarah Longwell. Longwell, who agreed, called the pieces revelations career-ending. In the piece, Terris quotes extensively from Fettermans former chief of staff, Capitol Hill veteran Adam Jentleson. He also relies on statements from current and former employees in the senators office who describe a man harrowed by the challenges of his office and struggling to accept the help he may still require to recover fully. Fetterman, who suffered a stroke during the final months of his 2022 run for Senate, pulled off a much-needed victory for Democrats even after a debate performance made clear that he was still suffering dire auditory processing issues and speech problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his recovery inspired many on the Hill and around the country. While he continues to rely to some extent on auditory transcription devices during conversations, he remains capable of speaking in press gaggles and in interviews. In private, however, things are reportedly far less encouraging. For the first time, New York Magazine reported that the senator was involved in a serious car wreck in May or June of 2024, one which injured his wife Gisele, after he ignored staffers concerns and got behind the wheel, then supposedly fell asleep. A video of him arguing with a commercial airplane pilot over the visibility of his seatbelt resurfaced this weekend after the profile was published. And there are other interactions between the senator and those around him outlined in New York Magazines profile and other sources that are turning heads, including supposedly frequent and heated personal exchanges with his wife, Gisele Fetterman, over Israels siege of Gaza and other issues. Whether Goodfellas or politics - everyone takes a beating sometimes. This hit piece came from best friends - Adam Jentleson and Ben Terris - who sourced anonymous, disgruntled staffers with lies or distorted half-truths. My ACTUAL doctors and my family affirmed that Im very well, Fetterman told The Independent in a statement. John Fetterman continues to struggle with recovering from struggles with depression, according to New York Magazine (AFP/Getty) According to Terris, Fetterman continues to struggle with the burdens of his office and in January, days after Trumps inauguration, melted down with despondency over whether or not to support Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps now-embattled Secretary of Defense. Ahead of the vote, the senator, according to a staffer, raised the possibility of abandoning DC and refusing to vote at all. He also spent part of the day locked in his office, fighting with Gisele and crying while FaceTiming with staff, according to Terriss reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My no vote on Pete Hegseth speaks for itself. The rest is pure conjecture, Fetterman told Terris of the above anecdote. The behavior led to Jentleson, whod stepped down as chief of staff months earlier, to write a letter to the senators doctors prior to his summer 2024 car wreck, warning them of his increasingly unstable and reckless behavior. Jentleson wrote that he was seeing clear signs of Fetterman backsliding on his mental health recovery. Gisele Fetterman, for her part, told New York Magazine in a statement that Jentleson told her scary, untrue stories about Johns health and called his letter part of a conspiracy to damage her husbands political reputation. That reputation may be in tatters after 2025. His votes to confirm several of Trumps nominees, including Pam Bondi for attorney general, were the signs of ultimate betrayal for many Democrats. The extent of his enthusiasm for the Israeli military campaign in Gaza was apparent and drew a fresh wave of disgusted condemnations from progressives across Twitter and Bluesky, with his critics accusing the senator of harboring a fervor for the carnage. Fetterman denied this to New York Magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Fetterman doesnt deserve sympathy. Hes always been racist. Those in Pittsburgh and Braddock remember him pulling a gun on a Black jogger and holding him hostage, wrote Tanisha Long, a Pittsburgh-based activist, on Twitter, referring to a 2013 incident. But most of the reactions across Democratic circles over the weekend were shocked at the extent of the unreported issues the senator faces, including discussions over whether he retains the cognitive faculties and stability necessary to hold office. Some thought the concerns were clearly overblown. Fetterman often engages with reporters on Capitol Hill (Getty) Despicable hit piece on @JohnFetterman - I wish I was surprised anyone would publish an obvious vendetta re: a mans medical journey. What a weird medical stalker, wrote Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democratic senator from Arizona. It should not require mental illness for Democratic Party politicians to escape the iron grip of groups-think Fetterman should go back on his meds to own the haters and have a long and successful career, other Dems should ask what they can learn from what's worked for him, added blogger and perennial center-left gadfly, Matthew Yglesias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many others took away from the piece an understanding that Fetterman remains clearly challenged by his continued mental health issues and the fast pace of politics in the second Trump era. The Fetterman story is troublingnot just because of chaotic staff allegations, but because someone clearly still struggling with their mental health shouldn't be in such a high-stakes role. The only solution is political: Fetterman should resign, wrote Rotimi Adeoye, a Philadelphia-based Democratic operative who previously worked as a staffer for then-Senator Bob Casey. He added: PA Dems need a robust primary. This email, a year ago, from Fettermans former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate, said progressive commentator Medhi Hasan. Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it - especially Schumer. Still others hoped that the fallout from the saga would not further hurt the senators family. Will Stancil, a centrist blogger and former congressional candidate, said simply: My god the Fetterman piece. His wife needs to leave. My heart really breaks for her. CHESTER, Conn. (WTNH) For the 11th year, the Chester Rotary Club and the Merchants of Chester hosted the ConnDucky Derby on Saturday. Hundreds of rubber ducks raced down the Pattaconk Brook, with some neighbors claiming it as the best race of the year. They basically collect all of the ducks in a payloader up the street, come down here and come race time, dump them over the wall over here, and they all float down, and whoever wins, they win a prize. Its pretty cool, said attendee Jeffrey Caron Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheshire hosts USATF Connecticut Half Marathon A huge field of competitors participated this year. Its always fun seeing everyone get together and everyone is just so close in this community, everyone kind of knows each other, especially in Tri-Town.. everyones so happy, its so fun, said Valley Regional High School student Hannah Faucher. Winners received prizes from local businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DECATUR Mountain lion, puma, or cougar; whatever you choose to call them, eight-year-old siblings Russet and Yukon are ready to meet the community at their new home at Scovill Zoo in Decatur. Yukon is the girl and smaller and really gray, said zookeeper Wesley Potter. Russet is slightly bigger and more of a tan color. With puma paw prints painted along the pavement of South Country Club Road as well as inside Scovill Zoo visitors should have an easy time finding their way to the newest exhibit. The nearly $2-million addition also included a camel holding building, located adjacent to the pumas new home. The puma brother and sister were found orphaned in Idaho, a state popular for growing potatoes; therefore the pair were given names of common tubers. Rigo and Jessica Zavala and their children, Thaddaeus, 5, and Aliyah, 3, are originally from Idaho, just like Russet and Yukon. They are pretty common over in Idaho, Jessica said about the mountain lions. Since the family moved to Mount Zion six months ago, the Zavalas have found Scovill Zoo to be a favorite recreation spot for the family. The kids love it, Rigo said. But I think we were more excited to see (the cats) than they were, Jessica said. With temperatures in the 80s and light winds, Monday mornings ribbon cutting ceremony was ideal for the large crowd. According to Potter, the pumas enjoyed it too. Theyre native to North America, so their temperature range goes from freezing to super hot, he said. So this is going to be perfect weather for them. Potter and other zoo staff will be taking care of Russet and Yukon. The enclosure is located between the southside wolf exhibit and the camels. The Z.O. & O. Express Train travels past the pumas as well. Although the pumas arrived a month ago, they have already become comfortable with their outdoor surroundings, according to the zoo staff. They will also have access to a heated building during the winter months. But theyre more-than-likely going to stay outside anyway, Potter said. They are perfectly adapted to our colder weather. According to Heather Purdeu, Scovill Zoo director, Russet and Yukon have spent their entire lives in the presence of humans. The siblings lived in Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania, before they were sent to the St. Louis Zoo. And now this is their final home, Purdeu said. They have always been a zoo setting. So, theyre used to having guests look at them. The exhibit will have signage with information about mountain lions including their habitat, conservation efforts, and the importance of protecting the animals in the wild, the staff said. The puma exhibit and camel holding building took a year to complete. Much of the funding was contributed by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. A wildlife enthusiast, Buffett worked alongside park directors with the hopes of creating a mountain lion exhibit, Decatur Park District Executive Director Clay Gerhard said. You look at where this exhibit was constructed, it was no easy feat, he said. It was really the graveyard for all the concrete and rock and different things thats come from the zoo over the years. We encountered a lot of fun challenges. Funding for the camels new digs came from a state grant secured by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur. She worked hard to get us $200,000 to go towards that camel holding building, Gerhard said. The building was added to protect the animals from the elements. Being that theyre camels, we wanted to make sure they stay warm, Gerhard said. The projects were completed through the work of local companies OShea Builders and Architectural Expressions, as well as AFH Designs, a zoo design company based in St. Louis, Missouri. Because of the excitement of the new exhibits, the Decatur Parks Foundation recently received a dedicated zoo endowment at the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, according to Aly Delatte, parks foundation director. The Decatur Parks Foundation Board voted and are now turning it into designated endowment funds, she said. It will benefit Scovill Zoo in perpetuity. Its really going to be able to care for the zoo in the future. The zoo staff hopes to continue expanding. But we want to make sure that we have these new exhibits so that we can support ourselves, Delatte said. This endowment is really going to make sure that we can sustain Scovill Zoo. Another feature exhibit in the works will include alligators. We are at the finish line, Delatte said. We are within the last few couple of thousand dollars to be fully funded. May 3NELSON COUNTY Continuing its mission to support a K-9 program solely on community donations, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office is selling look-alike plushies of its K-9 Raith. "We got 250 of them, and we're selling them for 25 bucks apiece," Sheriff Kurt Schwind said. "All funds will go toward the K-9 program." Approximately 20 have already sold in less than a week, Schwind said. He finds this unsurprising for a couple of reasons. First, his agency got the idea from Benson County, where he said the plushies sold "like hotcakes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second is the sheer volume of support his agency received while fundraising to get the program started in the first place. It cost $15,000 to purchase K-9 Raith and train both her and her handler, as well as an additional $50,000 for a vehicle that's outfitted for a K-9. The amount of support the sheriff's office has received throughout the process is overwhelming, Schwind said. The agency was able to raise enough money in approximately 18 months. "We've gotten donations from $5 to $4,000, and every little bit helps," he said. "Everybody wants to be part of it, and that's what's awesome about the whole thing." American Legion posts out of Lakota and Devils Lake have supported the ongoing fundraising effort by donating the money to purchase the plushies, which are sold by Hero Industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And then, once we run out, the Legions told us to come back and ask for more money to get more dogs," Schwind said. He hopes to distribute the plushies throughout community stores and other locations to give the fundraiser more visibility. For now, they're available at the sheriff's office, which is located at 210 B. Ave. SW, Ste. 102 in Lakota, and at the courthouse, located in the same building in suite 203. Funds raised through the sale of K-9 Raith plushies will help cover care and maintenance costs, such as vet bills, food, grooming and vehicle maintenance. It will also help cover the 30 minutes of overtime per day that her handler is paid. Schwind hopes to keep these costs out of the county budget for as long as possible, because they may necessitate a tax increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The longer we can keep her off the budget, I think, the better off we're going to be, as far as just having community support, having our commissioners on board with us and that kind of thing," he said. K-9 Raith has certainly proven her value in the six months since she joined the sheriff's office, according to Schwind. She was instrumental in apprehending the double homicide suspect on the Spirit Lake Reservation last month, he said. He said the threat of her release prompted the suspect, Johnnie Jay Gaking IV, to surrender. "She's already made a difference, and she'll continue to get better," Schwind said. "She's already great, but through training and stuff like that, she'll only get better." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Raith is multi-purpose, which means her skills include finding narcotics, tracking people, offering protection and patrol support as well as article searches, during which she can find items disposed of by suspects. "One of the demonstrations we do just to show how good she is is we'll take a coin and we'll throw it off into the grass and send her out to do a search," Schwind said. "She'll find that coin in no time." He believes her presence alone changes behaviors in the community. When people know an agency has a K-9, they are less likely to transport drugs through the area, he said. Schwind believes any number of drugs K9-Raith keeps off the streets, whether by deterrence or apprehension, will increase safety in the county. By James Mackenzie JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet on Sunday to discuss the expansion of the Gaza offensive and a possible resumption of aid into the besieged enclave, two government officials said. In a video message posted on the social media platform X on Sunday, hours after part of a missile launched from Yemen by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia fell close to Israel's main gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu said he was convening the security cabinet to discuss "the next stage" of the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear if the ministers will give final approval at the meeting, but the military has already begun issuing tens of thousands of call-up orders for its reserve forces, looking to expand the Gaza campaign, its chief said on Sunday. "We are increasing the pressure with the goal of returning our people (hostages) and defeating Hamas," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir told troops, according to a statement from the army. Already in control of around a third of Gaza's territory, Israel has faced growing international pressure to lift an aid blockade that it imposed in March after the collapse of a U.S.-backed ceasefire that had halted fighting for two months. Ministers have defended the blockade by saying that Hamas has seized aid intended for civilians and kept it for its own fighters or sold it, charges that Hamas has denied. At the same time, Israel has faced warnings of famine in Gaza as supplies run low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), a forum that includes U.N. agencies, said on Sunday that Israeli officials were seeking its consent to deliver aid through what it described as "Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military, once the government agrees to re-open crossings". In its statement, HCT said such a plan would be dangerous and would "contravene fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic as part of a military strategy." Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported last week that a new plan was in the works by which aid will soon be distributed by private foreign companies, rather than U.N. agencies, in a new designated humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza area of Rafah, to which civilians would be moved after security checks. AID DEBATE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New aid plans will be discussed at Sunday's security cabinet meeting, two officials said. Aid has been a contested issue within the Israeli leadership and defence establishment for months. The military has pushed back against calls by some politicians who want Israel to seize Gaza for good and have Israeli soldiers hand out aid. Zamir, who took office in March, has stuck to the position of his predecessor and the former defence minister. He told ministers last month that Israeli troops would not distribute aid and that he would not allow starvation in Gaza, angering hardliners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who had hoped for a more aggressive approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken hostage into Gaza in the deadliest day for Israel in its history. The campaign has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities and devastated the Gaza Strip, leaving its 2.3 million population depending on aid supplies that have been dwindling rapidly since the blockade. (Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Writing by James Mackenzie and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Conor Humphries) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to respond against the Houthi rebels and their Iranian terror masters after the group fired a missile at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. President Trump said in a post on Truth Social in mid-March that hundreds of attacks being made by Houthi, the sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemen, who are hated by the Yemeni people, all emanate from, and are created by, IRAN. Any further attack or retaliation by the Houthis will be met with great force, and there is no guarantee that that force will stop there. Iran has played the innocent victim of rogue terrorists from which theyve lost control, but they havent lost control, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Trumps earlier post, Netanyahu said in his Sunday post on the social platform X that the president is absolutely right! Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters, Netanyahu said. Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched a missile that hit close to the main terminal of Israels biggest airport early Sunday morning. Eight people were injured via the strike, according to Israeli media. In the wake of the strike, Netanyahu called an immediate meeting of his security Cabinet. Defense Minister Israel Katz said his countrys military would respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever harms us will be harmed by us sevenfold, Katz said in a statement to multiple outlets. Last Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Iran over its support for Houthi militants. Message to IRAN: We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing. You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing, the Defense secretary wrote in a previous post on the social platform X. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Newark Liberty International Airport is not safe for travelers, one air traffic controller at the delay-plagued travel hub reportedly warned. It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public, the federal air safety employee reportedly told NBC News correspondent Tom Costello. Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately, Dont fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs, Costello recounted on MSNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airport, which served 49 million travelers in 2024 and is the second busiest in the New York City area, has been drowning in delays and cancellations for days. Planes ready for boarding at Newarks airport. John McAdorey stock.adobe.com Federal Aviation Administration has blamed a shortage of air traffic controllers at the airport, along with runway construction. Newark has lost 20% of its air controllers in recent weeks, according to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who issued a statement Friday claiming they had walked off the job. The situation has grown so dire that United Airlines which uses the airport as its primary East Coast hub announced it was cancelling 35 roundtrip flights daily, saying it was necessary in order to protect our customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, its now clear and the FAA tells us that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead, Kirby said. And last week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a plea for more air traffic controllers offering $5,000 bonuses for new hires and warning that the system was beginning to deteriorate. A view of the series of Newark Liberty International Airport control towers. AP Youre starting to see cracks in the system, Duffy in a press conference Thursday. Its our job to actually see over the horizon what the issues are and fix it before there is an incident that we will seriously regret. Aviation safety has been a point of controversy since even before President Trump took office in January. As of September 2023, the FAA was nearly 2,000 air traffic controllers short of its staffing goal, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a month after Trump was sworn in, 400 FAA employees were cut, but Duffy said none were air traffic controllers or safety personnel. Delays at Newark continued on Sunday, with inbound flights waiting more than two hours before being allowed to land, according to Flight Awares Misery Map. The two New Jersey teenagers accused of setting the devastating Jones Road Wildfire that has scorched more than 15,000 acres initially blamed the blaze on Mexicans, according to authorities. Joseph Kling, 19, and his 17-year-old co-defendant both allegedly lied to cops when they were interviewed about the Ocean Count conflagration, and their potential connection to it. Ultimately, investigators were able to determine Kling and his unnamed teen accomplice allegedly deliberately set wooden pallets ablaze April 22, then walking away. Joseph Kling, 19, remains in police custody on arson charges. AP Firefighters battle a wildfire in New Jersey on April 24. AP New Jersey firefighters work to extinguish lingering hot spots in Ocean County. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post Both Kling and the teen gave misinformation to law enforcement about how the fire started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They both blamed the fire on Mexicans they said theyd seen in the woods just before the blaze began, reported the Asbury Park Press. Both defendants are being held in police custody. The second teenager was arrested Thursday, and charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension. Kling is charged with aggravated arson, arson, and hindering apprehension. The Asbury Park Press reported that investigators searched the suspects phones, and found chats that refute the claim that Mexicans started the fire, prosecutors said in court Friday. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has not named the 17-year-old suspect. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post According to the Asbury Park Press, both Kling and his co-defendant blamed the fire on Mexicans they said theyd seen in the woods. REUTERS Smoke could be seen for miles and adversely impacted air quality in the area. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post Detectives have interviewed witnesses who named Kling and the other teen as the ones who started the fires. As off Saturday, the Jones Road Wildfire was almost 80% contained. An attorney for Kling told a judge Friday his client did not intend to set off a massive forest fire. One after another, state Sen. Phil Berger has started rolling out endorsements from allies old and new. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. State Auditor Dave Boliek. The sheriff from Alamance County. Even former legislators. All standard fare in campaign season. But its May of an odd-numbered year. The next General Assembly election is still 10 months away. Ordinarily, this is the time for legislation and budget negotiations, not public campaigning. But Berger isnt treating this like a typical off-year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes not acting like the politician who has coasted through reelection after reelection without breaking a sweat. Hes acting like someone with something to prove. And thats because, for the first time in a long time, Phil Berger has a real race on his hands. A formidable challenge Since first winning his Senate seat in 2000, Berger has rarely faced serious opposition. That freedom has given him space not just to legislate, but to build. Today, he doesnt just lead the Senate. He sets the agenda for the legislature, controls the campaign dollars that power swing-seat Republicans and directs a political machine that touches nearly every major decision in state government. When a bill gets written, a judge gets picked, or a Council of State seat opens up, Berger is involved often decisively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that long stretch without competition may have come at a cost. While Berger was shaping the state to his liking, his ties to his home turf in Rockingham County began to fray. Now, for the first time in more than a decade, hes being forced to look back. This years challenge comes from Sheriff Sam Page a fellow Republican with deep local roots and a sizable following among conservatives. Page has served as Rockingham County sheriff since 1998, cultivating a reputation as a tough-on-crime, pro-Trump lawman whos never shied away from a fight. He considered challenging Berger in 2024, but stepped aside and instead launched a run for lieutenant governor. He didnt come close statewide but in Rockingham County, he dominated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not new. In 2014, Berger won 59% of the county vote. Page, on the same ballot, earned 76%. A flawed but telling 2023 poll showed Page starting a primary race with a lead. The warning signs havent stopped. Last year, Bergers son Kevin, a county commissioner and close political ally, barely survived a primary challenge, winning by just three votes. Voters in Rockingham know both men well. And in a political climate growing more hostile to entrenched power, Page may offer the contrast local Republicans didnt know they wanted, until now. The casino that cracked the foundation Over the years, Bergers influence has become more than legislative. Through appointments, budgets, and legal power, the Berger family has embedded itself in nearly every layer of government all anchored in a single rural district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that level of reach creates distance. And in 2023, the cracks started to show. Berger backed a plan to bring casino gambling to four locations across North Carolina, including a site in Rockingham County. The response was immediate. Residents packed public meetings. Lawsuits followed. Political allies became critics. Page emerged as one of the plans most vocal opponents. Even supporters of the idea expressed frustration with the process: opaque, rushed, and largely detached from local input. It was a rare public misstep for a politician known for always being two moves ahead. And it deepened a perception that had been building for years: Berger was no longer the small-town lawyer from Eden, but a Raleigh power broker whod lost touch with the voters who sent him there. A bruising campaign ahead Berger isnt behaving like someone expecting a sleepy primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The early endorsements. New email newsletters. A spike in sponsored legislation. Its the kind of retail politics he hasnt needed in years maybe decades. And when Page suggested Berger might try to revive the gambling bill this session, the pushback came swiftly. Unlike Sam Page, Senator Berger is neither a liar nor a political opportunist, Bergers campaign spokesman told The News & Observer in February. And unlike Sam Page, when Senator Berger says something, voters can believe it. Thats not a quote you give when youre feeling confident. The old rule in politics still holds: If youre not worried, you ignore the criticism. If you are, you punch back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berger still holds every advantage that matters: the fundraising network, institutional loyalty and the tools of legislative power. But this time, that may not be enough. To keep his seat, hell have to campaign like he means it and like he remembers what it feels like to fight for votes. Because this time, the outcome isnt guaranteed. Andrew Dunn is a contributing columnist to The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer. of Raleigh. He is a conservative political analyst and the publisher of Longleaf Politics , a newsletter dedicated to weighing in on the big issues in North Carolina government and politics. May 3WASHINGTON President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans won control of the House, Senate and White House in 2024 on a campaign promise to conduct "mass deportations" unlike the United States has ever seen. While Trump pledged to deport "millions and millions" of immigrants in his address to Congress in March, his administration got off to a relatively slow start, with fewer deportations in February than under former President Joe Biden a year earlier, as NBC News reported based on data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But after the number of migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally reached a historic high under Biden, that number fell in March to its lowest level since the government started releasing the data in 2000. In an interview at the Capitol on Thursday, Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, attributed that dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings partly to the high-profile arrests and deportations the administration has carried out, with broad support from Republicans even as judges appointed by Trump and previous GOP presidents find many of the moves unlawful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think if the Trump administration was elected to do anything, it was to crack down on illegal immigration," Baumgartner said. "In the big picture, they're making a lot of success on that. If you want the signature accomplishment of the Trump administration in the first 100 days and why people put Republicans in charge, it was to try to bring some common sense and some reasonableness to this out-of-control illegal immigration situation." Democrats see Trump's policies as lawless, immoral and authoritarian anything but common sense even while some Democratic politicos have been reluctant to engage in a political battle over immigration, an issue they worry is favorable to Republicans. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., showed no such reluctance when she took to the Senate floor for a speech on Wednesday. "Over the past month we have seen a wave of righteous outrage across the country in response to President Trump's completely lawless move to disappear hundreds of people to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador, without even the barest semblance of due process," Murray said, before enumerating some of the recent cases that have enraged Democrats, stoked fear among immigrants and reinforced the strongman image that drew many supporters to Trump. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has sent more than 200 Venezuelan men to the prison in El Salvador, claiming without presenting evidence in court that they are all gang members and "terrorists" and invoking an 18th-century law and claiming that their unlawful entry into the United States constituted an act of war by their home country. A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas rejected that argument in a ruling Thursday, after the Supreme Court in April blocked the administration from using the wartime authority to deport others and ruled that the men have a right to appear before a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sent a Salvadoran man to that same prison despite a judge's order barring his deportation there, then admitted the mistake, but has refused to let him return to his family in Maryland even after the Supreme Court ordered the government to "facilitate" his return and Trump admitted he had the power to do so, contradicting his own administration's position. The government has claimed the man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, is a member of the MS-13 gang but hasn't presented evidence in court to back up the allegation, which he denies. It sent three U.S. citizen children to Honduras when their mothers were deported, including a 4-year-old with cancer who was removed without access to vital medicines, according to the families' lawyers, who denied the government's claim that the mothers wanted to take their children with them. Another of the American children was sent to Honduras despite the 2-year-old girl's father filing an emergency petition to keep her with him in the United States, prompting a Trump-appointed federal judge in Louisiana to say he had a "strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process." The administration's crackdown on immigrants has extended beyond those living in the country illegally, encompassing foreign students with lawful permanent resident status who protested Israel's war in Gaza. Trump has signed 181 immigration-related executive orders in the first 100 days of his second term, compared to just 30 such actions in the same period of his first term, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Some of those actions have sought to remove protections for as many as 4 million immigrants who have been allowed to live in the country under humanitarian parole, Temporary Protected Status and other programs, according to MPI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crackdown, but possible reform The pace of the deportations and the lack of court hearings for the affected immigrants have raised concerns among civil liberties advocates that the rights of immigrants and even U.S. citizens could be violated in Trump's aggressive push to fulfill a signature campaign promise. But Republicans from the Northwest and across the country have largely dismissed concerns about the lack of due process. In a brief interview at the Capitol on Thursday, Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, called the recent removals of U.S. citizen children "pretty technical problems" and said that anyone who comes to the United States illegally should be deported. "Not really," Simpson said when asked if he was concerned that immigrants aren't getting their day in court. "Due process is for American citizens." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simpson has long been an advocate of immigration reform for farmworkers, about half of whom are unauthorized immigrants, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. The Idaho Dairymen's Association has estimated that as much as 90% of the workforce in the Gem State's dairy industry doesn't have legal status, largely as a result of Congress failing to overhaul the nation's immigration laws for nearly 40 years. Simpson said he had met on Wednesday with representatives of agriculture and labor groups and expected that legislation would be introduced "in the next couple of weeks." The GOP lawmaker said he had urged the groups not to back away from the compromise they had reached years earlier a bipartisan bill that passed the Democratic-majority House in 2021 and suggested that Trump's success in reducing illegal border crossings had removed the biggest sticking point to getting the bill passed in the Senate. "The biggest problem was anytime you brought up the word 'immigration,' the border killed you, what was going on down there," Simpson said. "That's kind of been put behind us now, and I think people are willing to sit down and talk." Baumgartner said he sees "sanctuary" policies such as the Keep Washington Working Act, which limits how state and local law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities as the biggest impediment to Congress getting back to the negotiating table to reform the nation's immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It would just be better for the entire country to listen to the will of the voters, get serious about this issue, and once you secure the border, then we can have comprehensive immigration reform," the Spokane congressman said. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, agreed that reforming immigration law for farmworkers is important and said Trump's actions have shown that cracking down on the border doesn't require Congress passing new laws. But he said in a brief interview Thursday that although agricultural workforce reform is "really needed," it's also "so political and so polarized that it's unlikely." Risch, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he isn't concerned about the deportation and imprisonment of Abrego Garcia, whom he called an MS-13 gang member. The Salvadoran man entered the United States illegally at age 16, citing fear of gang violence in his home country, and a judge later gave him a legal status that specifically barred his deportation to El Salvador. "It's exactly where he should be," Risch said of the prison in El Salvador, which is notorious for its inhumane conditions. The senator said he had no doubt that Abrego Garcia is a gang member a claim the government has never proven in court but said that's irrelevant to the deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was here illegally," Risch said. "It's not whether he was a gang member or not a gang member. You cannot come to America illegally. It's against the law. We are a nation of laws. Period." Asked about the U.S. citizen children who were sent to Honduras, Risch said the children hadn't been deported but rather were taken by their deported Honduran mothers. Lawyers for the two families have said the mothers wanted their children to remain with relatives in the United States, contradicting the Trump administration's claims. "Everybody's entitled to due process, but due process is different for different people," Risch said. "I mean, when you're talking about immigration removal, that due process is much, much more attenuated than a United States citizen gets when they're charged with a crime and get a jury trial and everything else." Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, an immigration expert at the Migration Policy Institute, said that what constitutes due process in immigration court does indeed differ from civil and criminal court. But even in expedited removal proceedings, she said, a detained immigrant has the right to appear before a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 7-2 decision April 19, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from removing more Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. Earlier in the month, the high court ruled that noncitizens have the right to challenge their detention and deportation in court, which wasn't possible for many of the men imprisoned in El Salvador. Asked for his position on the controversial deportations, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said in a statement that he supports Trump's actions. "Millions of Americans are rightly concerned with the explosion of illegal immigration our country saw under the previous Administration, which contributed to an influx of deadly fentanyl into our country and an untold number of unvetted criminals," Crapo said. "We must use all available tools to secure our borders and enforce immigration laws. I support the Trump Administration's efforts to do so." Immigration politics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deportations from the United States reached their high-water mark under former President Barack Obama, a Democrat who focused his administration's enforcement efforts on immigrants with criminal records. Pointing to that fact, Baumgartner lamented that immigration enforcement is no longer a bipartisan issue. "As the Democrat base has become more extreme on the issue in part, I think, as a reaction to President Trump, where they felt they had to oppose Trump on all levels the Biden administration came in and essentially opened the border and let in somewhere between 11 and 12 million folks into the country, or more," he said. The actual number of unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States during Biden's tenure is a matter of some dispute, partly because official numbers don't include so-called "gotaways" who evade law enforcement after crossing the border. The Migration Policy Institute found that about 5.8 million migrants were allowed into the United States under the Biden administration. During the same period, U.S. Border Patrol recorded 8.6 million migrant encounters, a statistic that counts people more than once if they try to re-enter the United States after being deported. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez, a Democrat whose southwest Washington district voted for Trump in each of the last three presidential elections and has occasionally voted with Republicans on immigration-related bills, said in a statement that a "false choice is being perpetuated in Washington, D.C. between fighting organized criminal activity and protecting due process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fear is being stoked on both sides to drive us apart, when most folks in Southwest Washington agree that we can both fight for public safety and ensure criminal convictions come from courts, not presidential decrees," she said. "Just as we need to know who is entering our country, we also need to know who we're sending out and why. We have courts for a reason, and with our system of due process, the courts are able to effectively assess allegations and reach fair adjudications under the law." Rep. Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside, who has led immigration reform efforts for farmworkers and is one of the few Republicans who has backed legislation to give legal status to so-called "dreamers" who entered the United States unlawfully as children, said in written responses to a series of questions that Abrego Garcia's legal status should be left to the courts. "If Mr. Garcia was here legally and has committed no crimes, he has rights under the laws of the United States," Newhouse said. Newhouse said he opposed the imprisonment of U.S. citizens in El Salvador, an idea Trump has suggested publicly, but said that unauthorized immigrants should be deported. Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. Tamilore Odunsi was found with multiple stab wounds and pronounced dead in her Houston apartment on April 26, days before she was supposed to graduate Police said Odunsi's roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, is responsible for her death, and allegedly tried to kill himself after stabbing her Grant and Odunsi got into an argument about their cats days before he allegedly killed her, police said. The student, who moved from the U.K. to get her nursing degree, had only been living with Grant for about two months before her death The man who was living with nursing student Tamilore Odunsi, who was brutally stabbed to death days before her graduation, allegedly killed her following a dispute over their pets. Odunsi's roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, is suspected to be responsible for the fatal stabbing and allegedly attempted to kill himself after the altercation, Houston police told local CBS affiliate KHOU 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 26, police conducted a welfare check at the students Houston apartment. They entered the unit after seeing blood on the rear patio, and, once inside, they found Odunsi, 23, with multiple stab wounds and Grant, 40, with at least one. Odunsi was pronounced dead at the scene. Now, police said that days before the stabbing, the roommates got in an argument over the cats that they kept in the apartment, eventually leading Grant to stab Odunsi, KHOU 11 reported, citing authorities. Gofundme Tamilore Odunsi Tamilore Odunsi After stabbing Odunsi, Grant tried to end his own life by stabbing himself six times, including once in his neck, detectives told KHOU 11. He and Odunsi had only been living with each other for about two months at the time of the incident, per the outlet. Following the April welfare check, Grant was hospitalized in critical condition. On May 3, he was booked into jail and charged with murder, according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE. He is next expected to appear in court on Monday, May 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department (HPD) was not available to respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 3, or Sunday, May 4. Tamilore Odunsi/TikTok Tamilore Odunsi Tamilore Odunsi Originally from the United Kingdom, Odunsi documented her experience as a British student studying in the United States on her TikTok account @tamidollars. She gained over 30,000 followers for her study tips and other school-related content. In the weeks leading up to her death, Odunsi was counting down the days to her college graduation on TikTok. In her final video, posted five days before her death, she shared her excitement about the milestone, dancing alongside text that read: 23 years old, BSN grad in 2 weeks, Vacations booked, Summer is 14 days away, Starting to look human again. Im readyyyyyyyyyyyyy , Odunsi wrote in the caption. 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. Following Odunsis death, a GoFundMe fundraiser was created to raise money to return her body to her family in the U.K. and cover funeral expenses. As of May 4, the fundraiser has surpassed its 40,000 goal, raising a total of 54,530 (over $72,000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the fundraiser, Odunsi who was described as "a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition and kindness" moved to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, dedicating herself to a life of care and service." Her death, the page says, is an unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future. Read the original article on People New York Attorney General Letitia James said Saturday she plans to team up with other lefty AGs nationwide to sue the Trump administrations Department of Health and Human Services over healthcare funding cuts. The White House is threatening our way of life in so many ways, and I just want you to know that in the coming days we will be filing a lawsuit against [HHS], revealed James at a National Action Network rally in Harlem. James cited as examples anticipated cuts in federal aid to the Head Start program that helps low-income kids ages five and under prepare for school, Meals on Wheels and the World Trade Center Healthcare Program for 9/11 first responders. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Saturday she plans to team up with other lefty AGs nationwide to sue the Trump administrations Department of Health and Human Services over healthcare funding cuts. G.N.Miller/NYPost All of these funds and more! barked James, who is currently fighting off mortgage fraud allegations raised by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got to stand up, and thats why Democratic attorneys general will be joining me in filing this lawsuit in the coming days. President Donald Trumps administration is eying James for potential mortgage fraud. AP She didnt provide additional details about the suit. Jameswho has been the subject of President Trumps ire after she marshaled a civil fraud trial against him and his Trump Organization that ended with a $454 million judgment that he is appealing also ripped HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for ordering new treatments for measles amid an outbreak rather than promoting vaccinations. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sarcastically referred to by James Saturday as the guy with a worm in his head. Getty Images She also quipped Kennedy is the guy with a worm in his head, in reference to a 2012 deposition taken where he claimed a worm ate part of his brain before dying inside his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Federal Housing Agency last month sent a criminal referral with James name on it to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleging the state attorney general falsified bank documents and property records in order to secure more favorable loan terms in real estate transactions in New York and Virginia. New York Attorney General Letitia James (pictured left) attended the National Action Network rally to support the longshot mayoral bid of NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (right). G.N.Miller/NYPost Also at the rally, James reaffirmed her support for NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams longshot mayoral campaign. You elected me to continue fighting on, and I will fight on, but what I need by my side is my sister, James told the crowd while looking at the speaker. The White House and HHS did not immediately return messages. The Trump administrations funding shell game over the health program that treats 9/11 first responders with Ground Zero-related illnesses continued this weekend with a fresh round of layoffs and New Yorks Senate delegation is calling on their Republican colleagues to step up and save the program. Fridays mass layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health became the latest blow to the World Trade Center Health Program, which is caught in a back-and-forth funding drama as Trump and Heath and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. take a buzzsaw to key health and research programs. Basically, the president and the administration and RFK are just lying, Sen. Chuck Schumer said at a press event Sunday in Manhattan alongside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. They said they dont want to touch the program, and then they fire 16 people as they did late Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a Never forget, this is just, Were screwing the WTC victims. We dont care about them,' he added. This is not how we treat our 9/11 heroes. Kennedy has moved to wipe out NIOSH, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with an April 1 wave of layoffs, and on Friday, nearly all of the remaining staff was let go. That included nurses, scientists and other administrative staff at the World Trade Center Health Program, CBS reported. Hes firing the people who actually administer the program, actually do the work, Gillibrand said. Its an outrage what President Trump and Elon Musk and the DOGE boys are doing to a bipartisan, common-sense program that keeps our 9/11 heroes and family members alive. It is a disgrace. Its outrageous, its un-American. Schumer and Gillibrand are calling on GOP legislators to use their votes on Trumps budget to pressure the administration into restoring the program, and are demanding that those fired be reinstated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know now that chaos has swirled for weeks regarding the World Trade Center program. We hear people are being fired then we hear theyre being restored, Schumer said. The truth of it is, the administration, Donald Trump and RFK revealed their true intentions Friday night when they fired another 16 [staffers]. Not only did they not restore those who our Republican colleagues promised were going to restore, but then they fired new people. Representatives of the Centers for Disease Control did not immediately return a message seeking comment Sunday. Whats worse is of course the help that our first responders will not get. But almost as bad is the meanness, the cruelty to these employees who for years dedicated their lives to helping those who rushed to the towers and then theyre just told in an email when they get home Friday night, youre fired. No explanation, Schumer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Daily News reported that the health program has started resuming enrollment of new participants and approving treatments for ailing patients after on-again, off-again Trump administration cuts had hobbled the program for weeks. A Department of Health and Human Services official informed doctors and administrators in the World Trade Center Health Program that all services could resume, according to an email obtained by The News. That came after a News story revealing that the status of the programs director, Dr. James Howard, was left in limbo for weeks, and that new participants were not being enrolled in the program and treatment plans were not being approved. Last week, three FDNY employees were unable to get treatment plans approved for recent cancer diagnosis. As of last week, Howard has been told by HHS officials that he is fully reinstated to his post and given authority to certify illnesses and approve treatment plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Schumer said Sunday his status remains unclear. Theyve told him hes gone by June 2, but they dont know what his status is now, what he can do and cannot do, Schumer said. Said Gillibrand, We need Republicans to stand up to President Trump, to fight back, and to demand that these individuals are not only reinstated including Dr. Howard, who still hasnt been fully reinstated, and keep this program whole. Schumer and Gillibrand were standing alongside Mariama James, 53, a longtime Sept. 11 survivors advocate who lived downtown when the twin towers fell and was nine months pregnant as her apartment was surrounded by dust from Ground Zero. Ive lost both my parents to 9/11 health issues, to cancer. Me and my three children are all in the program, including the one who was born in October 2001, meaning she was in utero at the time of 9/11, she said. Were being lied to constantly. The Trump administration, RFK Jr., they lie. This socialist failed miserably at capitalism. NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams recently lost a two-family home he owned in Brooklyn to Bank of America after racking up nearly $1 million in debt over 15 years by refusing to pay his mortgage, The Post has learned. He took the loan on the property to help bankroll a business venture that capsized. A state judge in January sided with the bank by issuing a final judgment of foreclosure on the deadbeats property at 1392 E. 98th St. in Canarsie. Williams failed to make payments on a $389,600 mortgage he took out on the house in 2006 to finance a vegan sandwich shop in Park Slope, court records show. NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams recently lost a two-family home he owned in Brooklyn to Bank of America after racking up nearly a $1 million in debt over 15 years by refusing to pay a mortgage he took out on it. Robert Miller Williams who earns $184,800 annually as public advocate and thousands of additional dollars renting the home stopped making the $1,344 monthly payments in 2010, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was slapped with a foreclosure action four years later by Bank of America, which took over the loan when it bought original lender Countrywide Financial amid the subprime mortgage meltdown. A court-appointed referee calculated Williams mortgage debt including interest and penalties had soared to $784,927.13 as of May 2023, according to legal papers. Williams appealed the decision but lost, and the house was listed for sale through a foreclosure auction last month. The property reverted back to Bank of America ownership after not a single bidder offered a price exceeding the debt owed, which is now up to $944,582, according to auction.com. Williams and his mother purchased the Canarsie home in 2005 for $370,500. He secured full ownership a year later. Michael Nagle Councilman Robert Holden, a moderate Queens Democrat and longtime Williams critic, said the public advocates inability to pay his debts speaks volumes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jumaane Williams has been paid a six-figure taxpayer-funded salary for years, yet he still couldnt pay his bills or keep his home, he said. Like many in government, he cant even manage his own life so why should anyone trust him to manage the peoples business? Williams and his mother purchased the home in 2005 for $370,500, according to records. He secured full ownership of the property a year later. Williams real estate trouble were ripped by the camp of state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (center in red), a Queens Democrat challenging Williams for public advocate in the next months primary. Facebook/jenifer.rajkumar Williams has long blamed his financial woes on the terms of his loan and tenants who didnt pay their rent. His Earth Tonez Cafe in Park Slope closed in 2008. Williams housing headaches fly in the face of his public career as a tenant advocate, as the public advocates office regularly releases a list of the citys worst landlords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the very slumlords he put on his Worst Landlords Watchlist, Jumaane Williams pocketed rent from tenants, pulled in a six-figure salary, and still failed to make basic mortgage payments on his investment property, said said Arvind Sooknanan, a spokesperson for Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, a Queens Dem challenging Williams for public advocate in the next months primary. Jumaane Williams former Canarsie home at 1392 E. 98th St. is now owned by Bank of America. Not a single bidder at a public auction last month agreed to cover Williams $944,582 debt and buy it. Michael Nagle This isnt just bad judgment its pure hypocrisy. The public advocates Canarsie money pit has been repeatedly fined by the Department of Sanitation, including Williams being socked with a $300 fine in 2020 for keeping a dirty area outside, records show. The fine grew to $401 with penalties before it was settled by Williams paying only $267. He also had a history of being behind on paying his water bills which ballooned to more than $10,000 in debt in 2022 but records show have since been paid off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Public Advocate himself doesnt live anywhere near his Canarsie property. Instead, he has taken up residence with his lobbyist wife and stepdaughter in a townhouse at the Fort Hamilton US Army Garrison in Bay Ridge. As has been extensively covered for a decade, the Public Advocate has an investment property in the foreclosure process, in part due to exploitative banking practices, said Williams spokesman William Gerlich. Many New Yorkers are facing much worse today losing their family homes as a result of the affordability crisis and predatory practices which is why the Public Advocate constantly stands up to the mayors rent hikes and the bad actors driving families out of our city. Ukraine is expected to receive another Patriot air defence system by the summer, which had previously been stationed in Israel, and possibly an additional one from European allies. Source: The New York Times, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Patriot system stationed in Israel will be sent to Ukraine after undergoing repairs, according to four current and former US officials. Meanwhile, Western allies are exploring the logistics of transferring another system from Germany or Greece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not comment on President Trumps stance on the transfer or whether the decision was made before he assumed office or during the Biden administration. The previously undisclosed delivery comes amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, including the 24 April missile strike on Kyiv that killed 12 people. Last year, allies attempted to respond to President Volodymyr Zelenskyys request for seven Patriot systems. Ukraine currently has eight, though only six are operational; two are under repair, one US official said. With the incoming system from Israel and another potentially from Germany or Greece, Ukraine would have a total of 10 Patriot systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli-based Patriot system is an older model, two US officials confirmed, and is expected to arrive in Ukraine by summer. Germany and Greece together reportedly own about 15 Patriot systems. Globally, around 186 Patriot systems are in operation, as reported by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. About one-third belong to the US, which has deployed many to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Several dozen systems have been sent to the Indo-Pacific region due to threats from China and North Korea, although at least one was recently redirected to the Middle East to protect Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe holds around 40 Patriot systems, eight of which are already deployed in Ukraine. Each Patriot system costs at least US$1 billion to produce and requires about 90 personnel for operation. Background: President Zelenskyy recently suggested that Ukraine may receive the necessary number of Patriot systems as part of the mineral agreement with the US. Ukraine has repeatedly requested Patriot systems from the US and previously offered to buy them via European partners. Commenting on Ukraines request to purchase the systems, the US President recently implied that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had "started the war". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Africas future coastline might look a lot different...millions of years from now, that is. Scientists tracking tectonic activity along the East African Rift say the continent is slowly splitting apart, People reported. If the process continues, the Horn of Africa could break away and become its own island, with a brand-new ocean forming in between. How slow is slow? About 0.3 inches per year in some placesbut on a geological timescale, thats blistering. Using GPS and satellite data, researchers have tracked the movements of the tectonic plates underneath northern Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Volcanic activity and cracks on the surface point to something big: the earliest stages of a new ocean basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This activity centers around the Afar Depression, where three tectonic platesthe African, Arabian, and Somaliare pulling apart. As magma rises from deep within the Earth, its forcing the land to bulge, crack, and gradually shift. Eventually, scientists believe the Indian Ocean could rush in, permanently severing eastern Africa from the mainland. Its not without precedent. Similar plate movements millions of years ago helped carve out the Red Sea and formed the Arabian Peninsula. If this sounds apocalyptic, dont cancel your hiking trip just yet. Experts estimate the full rift could take anywhere from 1 to 20 million years to complete. But because this shift is happening above groundnot under the sea like most tectonic movementwe get a rare glimpse at the planets reshaping in real-time. So while your lifetime wont include swimming in Africas new ocean, its a humbling reminder: the Earth never stops changing. Sometimes it just takes a few million years to notice. Editors Note: The video above first aired in January of 2025. ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- It was a mixed bag for Ector County this Election Day, with two critical ballot measures for those living in the County, and an Odessa College bond proposal with a hefty price tag. First, voters rejected Odessa Colleges $325 million bond proposal, a sweeping initiative that would have funded new buildings, campus upgrades, and expanded workforce training programs over the next 30 years. The bond, called Vision 2030, had the backing of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders who said it would have been a strategic investment in the citys workforce and economic future. But critics said the bond was bloated, poorly prioritized, and would have unnecessarily burdened taxpayers already facing rising costs from other recent local projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bond failed by a vote of 1,883 for to 3,869 against. In Ector County, first responders and County leaders have advocated for months for Proposition A and Proposition B, measures that would provide full-time fire and EMS services to areas outside the City limits. Advocates for both measures said people living in the County have seen up to a 2025-minute response time with fire trucks and ambulances being dispatched out of the City and called the measures lifesaving. Proposition A passed in a 762 to 711 vote on Election Day, while Proposition B passed in a 749 to 704 vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Authorities in Ohio said a man "purposely" struck and killed a sheriff's deputy the day after his teen son was fatally shot by police. Rodney Hinton Jr. has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of the sheriff's deputy, who was struck Friday while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati, according to authorities. Cincinnati police said Hinton is the father of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, who was shot and killed by an officer the day before. PHOTO: Rodney Hinton Jr., seen here in court, has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of a sheriff's deputy. (WCPO) On Sunday evening, Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey identified the deceased Hamilton County sheriff's deputy as Larry Henderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Deputy Hendersons early tenure as a Sheriffs Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation," McGuffey said in a statement. "Larry began his journey as a Sheriffs Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer." "Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larrys life of service," the statement continued. Henderson was with HCSO for 33 years, police said. "Deputy Hendersons badge number, #129, will be retired from our agency," the sheriff's office said in a statement. PHOTO: Hamilton County Sheriffs Deputy Larry Henderson was struck by a vehicle and killed on May 2, 2025. (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office) At a court appearance on Saturday, Hamilton County sheriff's deputies packed the courtroom in support of the fallen deputy, according to ABC Cincinnati affiliate WCPO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecuting attorney Ryan Nelson said that Hinton Jr.'s movements in his car on Friday were "calculated and premeditated." He added, "He lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff." The attorney representing Hinton Jr. said that he faces a "very serious, very terrible charge" but noted that he has no felonies in his record. "I understand that this is an emotionally charged situation," the attorney said, mentioning the death of Hinton Jr.'s son. He added, "I understand that there is a lot of sadness and a lot of anger in this room right now and in the community at large." The judge ordered Hinton Jr. held without bond in the Clermont County jail until his next hearing on May 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Saturday, attorneys representing the Hinton family said they were hired to investigate the death of Ryan Hinton and that Rodney Hinton, along with other family members, met with Cincinnati police on Friday to view body camera footage of his shooting death. PHOTO: The deputy was struck Friday while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati, according to authorities. (WCPO) "Ryan Hinton's family, including Ryan's father, was present at the meeting and they were understandably distraught as they watched the bodycam video," the statement said. "After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton's father left in his own vehicle and that was the last we heard from him until learning about the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer who was working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati." The attorneys are Michael Wright, Shean Williams and Robert Gresham of The Cochran Firm, as well as Anthony Pierson of Pierson and Pierson, LLC, according to WCPO. The statement went on to say: "This is an unimaginable tragedy for this community. Ryan Hinton's family is heartbroken by this tragic turn of events and we are all devastated for the family of the officer who was killed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputy has not yet been publicly identified under an Ohio law that protects the privacy of victims and their families. However, police said the deputy had recently retired and was serving in a special capacity with the department. Ohio deputy fatally struck by man whose son had been shot by police: Authorities originally appeared on abcnews.go.com May 4On Tuesday, local voters will decide whether to approve funding requests from several area school districts, will make important decisions about leadership of area cities, and will weigh in along with voters across Ohio on whether the state should borrow billions of dollars for infrastructure projects. Early, in-person voting ends at 5 p.m. today, with Election Day voting beginning at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. This primary season saw very low early voter turnout so far in Montgomery, Greene, Warren and Miami counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below are the major races and issues before voters May 6. Go to www.DaytonDailyNews.com/elections for previous coverage containing analysis of tax proposals and candidates' platforms. New school levies Multiple mid-sized and large school districts are seeking tax increases. The Beavercreek school district is asking voters to approve the same 37-year, 4.9-mill bond issue that voters rejected in November. The money would pay to build a new high school and renovate other buildings, as school officials say they need to adjust for projected growth. The levy would cost a property owner $172 for each $100,000 in property valuation, said school officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Oakwood's 33-year, 4.74-mill bond issue, school officials say 85% of the money would pay to update Smith and Harman elementary schools, plus some targeted projects at Oakwood High School/Junior High School and Lange School. The levy would cost taxpayers $165.90 a year per $100,000 in appraised home value, said school officials. In Huber Heights, school officials are asking for a $7.8 million, 6.9-mill levy that would cost $241.50 per $100,000 in appraised property values. School officials say the district is expected to begin deficit spending this year and would see large deficits in spending in the next few years. Northmont schools is seeking a 3.44-mill, $3.5 million, 10-year operating levy. The levy would cost homeowners $120 per $100,000 in property valuation a year. School officials say the new money is needed to maintain the district's current offerings. Mad River Schools voters will see a permanent, additional, 2.9 mills levy for permanent improvements. The same levy the district put on the ballot last year did not pass. The levy would cost taxpayers $102 annually for every $100,000 of appraised property value, according to school officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson Twp. schools is asking for an additional, 1.5% earned income tax. The levy is expected to generate about $1.4 million per year and would cost someone earning $50,000 and living in the district $750 annually, according to the district. The funds would go toward operating expenses such as electricity, heat and salaries. Franklin Schools is seeking a five-year, additional, 6.301-mill levy for operations. Franklin has one of the lowest cash balances in the area. The district's treasurer said it has been 11 years since the last new-money levy passed. The levy would cost $220.54 a year for a house value appraised at $100,000. The Milton-Union school district is asking voters to approve an additional, five-year, 0.75% earned income tax. If this 0.75% income tax levy passes, it would cost someone with $50,000 in annual taxable income $375 in tax. Residents have rejected three different tax requests since November 2023. Issue 2 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Ohio voters will see Issue 2 on their ballots. This ballot issue is a request from the state in the form of a constitutional amendment to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds to help pay for infrastructure projects over the next decade. The bonds, if approved by a simple majority of voters, would go toward the State Capital Improvement Program and could only be used on roads, bridges, water treatment and supply systems and solid waste disposal facilities, according to the legislature's nonpartisan analysis. The legislation that put Issue 2 on the ballot passed last year with support from Ohio lawmakers and various industry leaders, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the County Engineers Association of Ohio. City leadership Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton city commission: This May has a runoff election for Dayton city commission candidates, with five elections of this kind happening in the past 12 years. Five people are running for two available Dayton City Commission seats in 2025. The candidate who gets the fewest votes in the May 6 runoff election will be booted from the November ballot. Candidates Darius Beckham, Jacob Davis, Valerie Duncan, Darryl Fairchild and Karen Wick all hope to make the cut. The city commission is guaranteed to have at least one new face next year, because City Commissioner Shenise Turner-Sloss has jumped into the November mayor's race. Troy city council: Four candidates, all Republican, are seeking three at-large seats on Troy city council. In the race are incumbents Lynne Snee, Todd Severt and Susan Westfall, as well as newcomer Kay Friedly. Council members will be paid $9,207 annually beginning in January 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four candidates' campaign focuses range from economic development, to affordable housing, community engagement and support for young people and young families. Some Troy voters will also decide competitive races for two seats in the Republican primary. Voters will elect a council member from candidates Madison Hickman and incumbent Samuel Pierce in the 3rd Ward, and between Sherrie Foster and incumbent Jeffrey Schilling in the 6th Ward. No Democratic candidate filed for either seat, so the primary winners will be elected and begin their two-year terms in January. Other tax issues Montgomery, Greene and Warren County communities are seeking tax increases for public safety. This includes Sugarcreek Twp., where voters will decide on a 5-year, 1-mill additional fire and EMS levy. Franklin residents, too, will decide on fire services their ballots will feature a continuing, 4.9-mill additional property tax levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Montgomery County, German Twp. seeks a 10-year, 4-mill property tax levy for fire services. Other tax issues: Harveysburg Five-year, additional, 2.5 mills, for police service Troy-Miami County Public Library Five-year, additional, 1 mill, for current expenses Bellbrook city Permanent, additional 2.2 mills for public safety ------ Election Day voting: What to know Voters can confirm their polling locations at VoterLookup.OhioSoS.gov. Polling locations will open across the state at 6:30 a.m. on Election Day and stay open until 7:30 p.m. Voters wanting to cast a ballot in person should make sure they bring an unexpired photo ID to the polls to comply with Ohio's voter ID law. Valid forms of identification include an Ohio driver's license, a U.S. passport or passport card, a state of Ohio ID card, an interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a U.S. military ID card, an Ohio National Guard ID card, or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All ID cards must be unexpired, have a photograph of the voter and include the voter's name as it appears on the poll list. People who show up to vote in person who lack the proper ID are asked to vote provisionally. These voters must return to their election board office with a valid photo ID by May 10 to have their vote counted. Absentee ballots sent by mail must be postmarked by Monday, May 5 to be counted. Absentee voters who have not turned in or mailed out their ballots by Monday have until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to drop them off at their local election board office or ballot drop box. Oklahoma City is facing a pressing housing crisis, with an urgent need for an additional 45,000 housing units to meet current demands. To address this challenge, it is crucial to embrace practical housing solutions, such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These smaller, separate living spaces often referred to as garage apartments, backyard bungalows, or granny flats are a creative use of land and a necessary response to our citys growing need for affordable housing. Currently, city regulations, which have prohibited the construction of ADUs without a special exception since 2009, hinder homeowners from building or upgrading these essential units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Oklahoma City Council is evaluating a draft ordinance that would allow ADUs in specific urban areas, promoting affordable housing options near the city center. This ordinance includes clear design standards to maintain predictability and to make sure ADUs complement the neighborhood character. The proposed changes aim to eliminate the cumbersome and costly processes currently required for homeowners to obtain approval for an ADU, which can reach upward of $10,000 and take at least 120 days. By streamlining regulations and reducing financial burdens, the ordinance gives homeowners the flexibility to create a living arrangement for aging parents, disabled children or young adults, as well as generate supplemental rental income to alleviate the financial strain of homeownership. More: OKC's affordable housing plan aims to 'fill the gaps,' reduce homelessness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed ordinance follows best practices and would allow homeowners to achieve all the benefits of an ADU, except for one section: Due to concerns about a perceived increase in on-street parking, the proposed ordinance includes a parking requirement. New construction of affording housing with pre fab materials butts up against existing homes in the 2600 block of N. Katie Ave. A columnist argues creative solutions, such as accessory dwelling units, are needed to increase housing availability. However, studies show that ADUs contribute minimally to off-street parking demand. Additionally, many people who would live in ADUs are either unable to drive or choose not to. Experts consider parking requirements a poison pill because they add unnecessary costs and create additional bureaucratic hurdles. Cities like Edmond, Norman and Tulsa already have embraced ADU policies, allowing homeowners greater flexibility to create more housing options. The benefits of increasing the housing supply clearly outweigh the risks. With over 77,000 cost-burdened households in Oklahoma City, many residents are struggling to afford suitable living conditions. The rising cost of homes averaging about $295,000 and increasing rent prices, particularly for one-bedroom units, have intensified this crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: OKC lacks smaller, affordable housing. Ordinance for added dwelling could be one solution ADUs represent an effective way to provide housing for individuals and small families while supporting the citys urban density goals. Increased density near job centers, schools and public transit can foster vibrant, sustainable communities. It is time for our city council to remove the parking requirement and vote yes on this ordinance. Lets take this significant step toward a brighter, more affordable future for all Oklahoma City residents. Vanessa Johnson Vanessa Johnson is president of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors (OKCMAR). This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: City council considers needed changes in ADU rules | Opinion A civilian man was killed in a Russian attack on Sumy Oblast on Sunday 4 May. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Details: In addition, two people have been injured. Russian forces launched guided aerial bombs on residential areas in the village of Velyka Pysarivka, claiming the life of a civilian. The Russians targeted the town of Bilopillia with multiple-launch rocket systems, damaging houses, the power grid and a gas pipeline. Two women sought medical assistance. The artillery strike has left part of the town without electricity. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! During a prison work group meeting on April 2, 2025, Ryan Brunner, an adviser to South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, points toward the property line of land in rural Lincoln County that had been surveyed for the purpose of constructing a men's prison. (John Hult/South Dakoa Searchlight. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) When the South Dakota Department of Corrections announced the site where it hoped to build a 1,500-bed mens prison in 2023, it told the public it was the only usable site available. The state had sent a request for information months earlier, hoping someone would offer up land for the project. No one who was willing to sell had exactly what the state was after, Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, department spokesman Michael Winder again wrote that no formal submissions met the criteria for the prison. The state continued to do outreach, get referrals, and conduct research after the request was placed, Winder wrote, but in the fall of 2023, the other sites the state was pursuing declined to sell. So the department transferred $8 million to the state Office of School and Public Lands, laying claim to 320 acres of farmland a few miles south of Harrisburg that had been leased to farmers for years. The lease proceeds were used to fund the states K-12 schools, and the $8 million went into the trust fund into which those lease payments had flowed. The locations of potential mens prison sites submitted to Project Prison Reset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site was a gift from God, Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden would later say. But its selection sparked fierce opposition, political activism and a lawsuit from neighbors. It also contributed to the Rhoden administrations failure to push the $825 million project across the finish line during the 2025 legislative session. In March, the state sent out another request for information, this time as part of an effort to reset discussions on a correctional facility to replace the state penitentiary. In less than a month, more than a dozen options emerged. One of them, the former Citibank campus in northern Sioux Falls, was apparently available as an option back in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citibank had built a new headquarters on the south end of Sioux Falls in 2019. A representative for the company selling the land said they didnt submit it as a possible prison site in 2023, but said the state didnt reach out during the outreach phase of its site search. I dont know what happened the first time around, said Troy Fawcett of NAI Sioux Falls Commercial Real Estate. New process wider in scope Rhodens office wouldnt comment on whether the former Citibank campus just north of the state penitentiary was under consideration in 2023, but spokeswoman Josie Harms did note its size in a statement to South Dakota Searchlight. In the first request for information, the state sought at least 100-200 acres of land or more for a 1,500 bed facility, based on a consultants report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Project Prison Reset task force isnt looking back were moving forward, Harms wrote to Searchlight. With that said, the Citibank building is only 70 acres. Ryan Brunner, a policy adviser for Rhoden, presented the new options to members of Project Prison Reset during the groups second meeting on Tuesday in Springfield. He told Searchlight after the meeting that several options may not have been for sale in 2023, and that the market in Sioux Falls has changed. Well have to do some analysis on these sites to see if theyre a fit or not, Brunner said. The parameters for a potential site are less restrictive this time around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors work group is exploring all options, including smaller facilities, multiple facilities and locations outside the Sioux Falls area. Theres a preference for sites within 20 miles of Sioux Falls in the newer request for information, but thats not a requirement. That easing of requirements made it possible for the state to field offers from Big Stone City, Aberdeen, Huron and Mitchell. Big Stone has an empty cheese plant on more than 100 acres. Huron has 100 acres in an industrial park. Mitchell has more than that, on land south of town near its landfill. Aberdeen has two options on two ends of the Hub City. The newer parameters also put the Citibank site, with its 70 acres, in the running. That offer is the spendiest option by asking price, at $33.8 million, and the one with the smallest footprint. It does offer some enticements the others do not, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has buildings that could be refurbished, rather than built from the ground up. Its connected to water and sewer, and is less than a mile from the current penitentiary campus. The minimum and maximum security units on the current penitentiary grounds will remain, regardless of the future of the 1881 main penitentiary. A rendering of a possible prison site setup on the campus of the former Citibank headquarters in Sioux Falls. (Courtesy of NAI Commercial Real Estate) More options offer more wiggle room Sen. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, told South Dakota Searchlight that the work groups Springfield trip, with its tour of the medium-security Mike Durfee State Prison and rundowns of the multiple vocational programs offered there to more than 1,000 inmates, was illuminating. It solidified his skepticism on the need for 100 acres or more. The Mike Dufee campus, formerly a university, is smaller than 70 acres. The penitentiary in Sioux Falls is overcrowded by medium security inmates, Karr noted, not maximum security ones. The 1,500-bed proposal and its 100-plus acres were designed around maximum security housing units. Im not convinced we need 100 acres, Karr said. I dont think anybody is at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karrs not fully sold on any of the new proposals there isnt space at any of them for the ideal security perimeter, for example but said the idea that Citibank is almost turn-key is appealing. Karr said the state should have worked harder to find sites back in 2023, instead of requesting information and waiting for offers. The work of site selection may have been more fruitful if it had included the kind of public forums now taking place with Project Prison Reset, he said. This is getting vetted and discussed the way it should have been the first time around, he said. Other options include multiple undeveloped properties with 100 acres or more in the Sioux Falls area, most presented for sale on a per-acre basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres land at the intersection of interstates 29 and 90, a plot near Amazons Sioux Falls distribution center, and another near the Department of Corrections West Farm site, home to a facility for juveniles in state custody. The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance presented land near Worthing as another Lincoln County option, and the city of Canton pointed to tracts of land west of town. Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen leads the Project Prison Reset work group. During the initial site discussions in 2023, he was still a Republican state representative for District 13 in Sioux Falls. Hes pleased to have so many offers, noting that the publicity surrounding the work group may have drawn more attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, he said, we need to be realistic about how the potential sales might go over with neighbors. The site obtained in 2023, he said, is still an option. I dont find it particularly surprising that we have owners of land in some of these communities who are willing to offer it, Venhuizen said. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect a correction. An earlier version of the story incorrectly named the Sioux Falls Development Foundation as an entity offering land for a possible prison. You have probably already seen the jokes and memes about how President Trump is putting Secretary of State Marco Rubio in charge of so many orphaned government entities. What next? Will he be appointed to the Supreme Court? To the Fed? Yes, its all good for a laugh. But as someone who has been involved with most of these agencies, I can say with certainty that there is a method to the madness. By making a single person responsible for these specific entities, Trump has fixed a flaw that had been undermining U.S. foreign policy. By tasking Rubio with the oversight of State, the National Security Council, USAID and multiple foreign policy and development agencies, Trump has concentrated operational control under a single accountable leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about elevating a person, but about ensuring that foreign policy reflects the Presidents direction, not the interagency or the preferences of Hill committees. In my experience leading the shutdown of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the launch of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, we brought in part of USAID and saw how siloed mandates, overlapping authorities, and unclear accountability could slow execution and confuse strategic outcomes. We were constantly dealing with confusion surrounding who was in charge. We would often be asked or ask for any given deal whether it fell into the category of development or foreign policy, and whether it was a matter for us or for Congress. At the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, we managed conflicting guidance from multiple stakeholders State, the National Security Council, USAID, and sometimes Treasury each with partial say. It cost us time on long eighteen-month deals as we tried to go up against Chinas aggressive Belt and Road Initiative. The launch of the Development Finance Corporation under the first Trump administration doubled investment capacity and added new tools but also required a new alignment between foreign policy and development thats USAID in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps recent move to consolidate foreign policy execution addresses this problem directly. It aligns diplomatic, development, and strategic functions under one roof and one strategy. Agencies that operated autonomously must now coordinate through a central office. Non-profits that built influence by being the glue that connected multiple agencies may find that their uncommon knowledge of personnel and policy does not translate to policy or funding leverage. These adjustments might cost some in Washington, but they create clear accountability for Americans whenever things go wrong and help us build on our wins. Congress also wins. Lawmakers now have a clear field for oversight. If strategy and tactics fail, responsibility will be clear. Who knows Congress might even respond with a clear and unified budget process. Trump has acted to ensure that America speaks with one voice abroad his own. Thats not a power grab. It is a reassertion of constitutional and popular leadership over foreign policy. Christopher Siddall has led executive branch reforms to streamline foreign policy execution across USAID, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When President Donald Trump proposed No Tax On Tips on the campaign trail last year, it struck a chord with millions of Americans. The idea resonated because it addressed something real: working people trying to keep up with rising costs and doing everything they can to stay ahead. But as Congress begins drafting this policy, theres one key group at risk of being left out: millions of tipped workers who get tipped every day for delivering meals, groceries and more. Most people dont realize this, but current versions of the No Tax On Tips legislation would only apply to certain employees, like restaurant servers. It would leave out independent contractors, including the drivers and delivery workers so many of us rely on daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means there would still be a tax on tips for someone like Maliki, a mother of three in Florida who runs a small business and delivers with DoorDash to help cover her sons diabetes care. Or Joe, a retired dad and grandfather in Wisconsin who started making deliveries to help pay for his kids college expenses and stay ahead of rising living costs. Theyre not alone. More than 7 million Americans work as independent contractors in the app-based economy. Many rely on app-based platforms to earn extra income on a schedule that fits their lives. A recent report from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee also found that one in three Americans engages in some form of independent work. This isnt a small group its a major part of todays workforce. People like Maliki and Joe choose this model because it gives them control. They can be their own boss, work when it makes sense for them, and adjust their hours as life demands. And when theyre tipped, they keep 100 percent of it. That extra money often goes straight to rent, gas, groceries or family needs. A tax break on those tips would go a long way in helping them reach their goals. And heres the simple truth: a $5 tip given to a restaurant server is no different than a $5 tip given to a delivery driver. Both represent appreciation for service. Both help workers make ends meet. The tax code should treat them the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022 alone, delivery and rideshare platforms contributed an estimated $212 billion to the U.S. economy, and that number could rise to $500 billion over the next decade. Our laws cannot ignore this huge and growing slice of our economic landscape. This discussion isnt just about taxes. Its also about the future of independent work and the benefits workers need. One idea gaining traction is portable benefits programs that offer things like health care, paid time off and retirement savings that move with workers from job to job. These programs are already being piloted in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, with bipartisan support. In Congress, newly introduced safe harbor legislation could help pave the way for more innovation on this front. Still, we dont need to wait for every detail of a new system to do whats right today. Lets not make the perfect the enemy of the good. Congress has the opportunity to make this tax policy more inclusive right now. Thats why were helping app-based workers to speak up. Through our DashRoots advocacy network, more than 40,000 Dashers have already written to their representatives to ask for change. These are everyday people trying to make their voices heard, and they deserve to be listened to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they want to help working Americans. Including all tipped workers in this tax break is one way to follow through on that promise. Lets make sure the people we tip every day get the fair treatment theyve earned. Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at DoorDash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Africa is emerging as a pivotal battleground for the 21st century and the U.S. is falling behind. China has invested more than $155 billion into African nations since 2000, securing access to critical minerals and ports. Russias military footprint continues to expand. Meanwhile, Gulf nations the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar have built an economic empire across the continent, investing nearly $60 billion over the last decade alone. If America wants to stay competitive, it must rethink its approach to Africa, and fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent proposals to restructure the State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, could be a catalyst for that shift. Rubios plan would streamline American diplomacy: reducing bureaucracy, consolidating over 100 international offices, and focusing the State Department squarely on advancing strategic interests. Offices dedicated to human rights and diversity initiatives would see reduced resources, with proponents arguing that diplomacy in a more competitive world must return to its core business. The proposal has generated debate. Critics warn that scaling back soft-power initiatives could erode Americas moral authority. But the underlying premise that diplomacy must be sharper, faster and more focused is hard to dispute. In Africa, the old model of engagement has not delivered the results America needs. For decades, Washington emphasized aid over investment, often treating African nations more as recipients of charity than as equal partners. During that same period, China, Russia and the Gulf states approached African leaders with business propositions and infrastructure projects and gained significant influence. Americas future in Africa requires a more pragmatic strategy. Economic engagement, security cooperation and support for good governance should all play roles. Crucially, the U.S. must recognize the Middle East as a vital partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle Eastern nations have significantly deepened their influence in Africa. The a company from the United Arab Emirates operates key ports from Senegal to Somalia. Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund has pledged billions to renewable energy projects across the Sahel and South Africa. This expansion into such sectors as mining, energy and technology highlights the Gulfs strategic shift toward long-term economic ties with Africa, filling the void left by declining European influence. Meanwhile, a $1.5 billion Emirati loan to Kenya further reinforces that nations role in stabilizing African economies. Traditional European partners may no longer be reliable conduits for American influence on the continent. France, once Africas dominant post-colonial power, has seen its presence erode dramatically. In recent years, military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have expelled French forces and diplomats. The United Kingdom, facing financial strain and political turbulence at home, has lost much of its historic influence across Africa. As Western European footprints recede, partnering with dynamic Middle Eastern investors offers the U.S. a more realistic and effective path to sustaining influence in the region. Direct investment will also be essential. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, designed to provide a transparent, private-sector alternative to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, must be expanded. Some administration officials have proposed doubling its capacity to over $120 billion, targeting critical sectors in Africa and Latin America. Congress should seriously consider this proposal as a pillar of Americas economic statecraft. The stakes are enormous. Africas population will double by 2050. Its economies are growing rapidly. Its resources from rare earth minerals to agricultural land will be crucial to the future of the global economy. Those who build trust and infrastructure on the continent today will help set the terms of global trade, technology and governance tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. As it reforms its diplomatic tools, it must combine strategic investment, thoughtful partnerships and continued advocacy for democratic principles. Africas future is too important and too full of opportunity for the U.S. to ignore. Kurt Davis Jr. is a Millennium Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an adviser to private, public and state-owned companies and their boards as well as creditors worldwide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Without question, the Hubble Space Telescope is a marvel of technology. NASA and the scientific community recently celebrated the Hubbles 35th anniversary, as well they should, considering the scientific discoveries the space telescope has garnered, not to mention the hauntingly beautiful images it has produced. The concept of a space telescope dates back decades. NASA funding started in the 1970s, before the space shuttle became operational. After numerous technical delays, not to mention those caused by the Challenger disaster, the space shuttle Discovery finally launched the Hubble on April 24, 1990. The Hubble was designed to be serviced and enhanced by the space shuttles, which turned out to be fortunate. Shortly after the Hubble became operational, scientists discovered, to their horror, that a flaw in its mirror had greatly impaired the images the space telescope returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than abandon the Hubble, NASA fixed the problem. The first servicing mission, undertaken by the space shuttle Endeavour in December 1993, carried out several repairs and enhancements. They included replacing the High Speed Photometer with the COSTAR corrective optics package, and replacing the Wide Field and Planetary Camera with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, which incorporated an internal optical correction system. NASA declared the servicing mission a complete success, and Hubbles mission began in earnest. It has never stopped uncovering the secrets of the universe. From distant galaxies to relatively nearby planets, few celestial objects have escaped its gaze. Including the mission that corrected the flawed mirror, NASA has dispatched five servicing missions to keep the Hubble going, the last occurring in 2009, two years before the space shuttle fleet stopped flying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hubble has been operating ever since then without a servicing mission. But in the fullness of time, without another such mission, enough of its components will fail so as to make the space telescope useless. NASA therefore has a choice between building and launching a replacement optical space telescope or putting together another servicing mission to further extend Hubbles life. About a year ago, Jared Isaacman proposed a repair mission to Hubble using a SpaceX Crewed Dragon. The spacecraft would boost the telescopes orbit, and then spacewalking astronauts would perform repairs and enhancements. At the time, NASA demurred, citing fears of damage to the Hubble and the risk to the astronauts. However, Isaacman is now likely to be confirmed as NASA administrator soon. A second look at such a repair mission, using space agency astronauts, is surely in order. Space.com notes that not only is Hubbles orbit starting to decay, but that only two of its six gyroscopes are functioning. The space telescope uses one gyroscope to position itself, while the other healthy one is kept in reserve. This means that it takes longer for the Hubble to move from one target to the next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the orbital decay, NASA estimates that the Hubble Space Telescope has about 10 years of useful life left before it burns up in an uncontrolled reentry into the Earths atmosphere. The risks of sending a Crewed Dragon to service Hubble remain. The Hubble was designed to be serviced by a space shuttle orbiter. The robot arm would seize control of the space telescope and secure it in the cargo bay so that astronauts could repair it at leisure. The Crewed Dragon has no such means of securing the Hubble. That lack makes a servicing mission risky, to put it mildly. The possibility of the astronauts breaking the space telescope is very real. The alternative to another servicing mission is to accept that Hubble has only a decade left, provided that the remaining gyroscopes remain functional. After that, NASA may well lack a space telescope that sees the universe in the visible range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASA could start a project to develop and deploy a replacement for the Hubble Space Telescope. Ars Technica noted in 2023 that the SpaceX Starship has the capacity to lift huge space telescopes with many times the Hubbles capabilities. Indeed, a piece in Next Big Future suggested making the Starship itself a flying telescope with a nine-meter mirror, far larger than the 2.4-meter mirror in the Hubble. The estimated cost would be $250-$500 million. The sticking point will be the tight budgets that NASA is faced with for the foreseeable future. Isaacman will need all of his business acumen to make a successor to the Hubble happen in any reasonable time frame. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? as well as The Moon, Mars and Beyond and, most recently, Why is America Going Back to the Moon? He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. April 2025 was the weirdest Autism Awareness Month in my life, thanks largely to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The secretary of health and human services finished the month as he began it: spreading conspiracy theories, misinformation and lies about autism, vaccines, basic medical theories and more. He promised a study that would find the causes of autism by September (a timeline his NIH director immediately abandoned). He threatened to form a registry of autistic people, then pulled back, but not before parents began canceling assessments out of fear of what the government might do with that information. And in an interview with Dr. Phil, he not only offered more false links between vaccinations and autism, but also chemtrail conspiracy theories and an insistence that parents considering vaccinating their kids should do their own research. Thats plenty of awareness the wrong kind of awareness. I need families like mine my 18-year-old son is autistic and those who care about us to become aware of the threats against Medicaid. I need awareness of the consequences that proposed GOP cuts would exact on families like mine, and what we can do to stop or mitigate the coming disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know that we can stop Kennedy from saying ignorant and stigmatizing things, but we cant spend the next four years chasing down and debunking a man who literally doesnt believe in germ theory. But the Republican-controlled Congress, backed by the president, is planning radical cuts to Medicaid, and theres nothing more important for autistic people, their families and everyone with any disability or a loved one with a significant disability in America. Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, says its been the most intense April for her in terms of media advocacy, with the need to refute public statements from the Trump administration, address community panic around the registry and more. But the time spent just trying to bat back the worst statements comes with a cost. What were missing, she told me, is looking at the practical needs of autistic people in the U.S., how they can be met, and the governments role [in meeting them]. Shes worried because the administration is trying to take hundreds of millions of dollars out of Medicaid and theres no way to do that without cutting back on Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which allow autistic people to live independently and prevent family members from having to leave the workforce to care for their loved ones. Right now, recipients of HCBS have their needs assessed, then get assigned a number of hours of support based on that assessment already a highly contested and stressful practice. If Medicaid gets cut, states are going to have to make decisions, Gross says. One thing they could do is cut peoples hours. People will be stuck in apartments, in wheelchairs, unable to bathe, dress, go to the bathroom. People who rely on support professionals to get them to and from work, to grocery shop, to function as highly independent members of society will lose that independence. People who need 24/7 care may be forced into institutions, or family members will have to leave the workforce to provide care at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My son is autistic and needs a responsible adult around at all times. He also has Down syndrome, is intellectually disabled, and is nonverbal but a great communicator. I always worry that accurately describing his support needs will wrongly convey the idea that hes a burden. He just requires specific kinds of supports. They arent really that expensive and are pretty easy to provide. Medicaid supplies him health care, an aide who allows him to access the world in the same ways that other teenagers do, and access to therapeutic programs not otherwise covered in school. As he grows older, HCBS will enable him to be supported while living at home (with us!) or in some other community context if HCBS survives this budget process, that is. The other options are: institutionalization, which we wont do (though others medical circumstances may warrant shifting to residential care), or a family member providing all the daily support without sufficient state assistance. Our situation isnt atypical, but one problem is that many Americans who rely on Medicaid, or love someone who does, dont even know it. States administer Medicaid under many different state-based program names, and users often dont know their state program is, in fact, Medicaid. One person who might help ensure people know this would be, of course, the secretary of health and human services. But at his confirmation hearings, alas, Kennedy seemed not to know anything about the $800 billion program. Autism Awareness Month began in 1970, and there have been both upsetting, divisive and downright weird months before. Were always a divided community, with splits among autistic people, among parents (many of whom are autistic, others of whom perpetuate the worst stereotypes about autism as epidemic), and between family and self-advocate communities. April can exacerbate such divisions, sadly, even without Kennedy perpetuating horrific stereotypes. Increasingly, the autistic community focuses on autism acceptance rather than awareness, because acceptance is an action, something each of us can, and must, do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Gross says that maybe this once, awareness might help. If theres increased awareness of autism this month, thats great, she said, [because] we want you to be aware of the precarious situation of Medicaid right now. We depend on it for daily survival. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Donald Trumps decision to move Mike Waltz from his position as National Security Advisor to a plum gig as U.N. Ambassador may seek to bring an end to some elements of the ongoing Signalgate controversy. But at the Department of Defense, the episode could still cause major headachesif not heads to roll entirely. In short, the Defense Departments acting Inspector General Steve Stebbins, a career civil servant, has announced that his office will conduct an evaluation into the use of a messaging app (presumably Signal) by DOD personnel, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseththe review appears to include the messages in which sensitive information regarding upcoming strikes against Houthi rebels were shared with a journalist, as well as messages between Hegseth and his family that included similar military information. Not only should this review address the specific security issuesand potentially identify breachessurrounding the use of Signal for sensitive communications, but it will likely tee up a more pressing issue: whether the Trump administration will allow fair, objective and independent oversight into its activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a crucial question that should raise alarm bells for all Americans, especially in light of the Presidents firing of 18 Inspectors General (myself included) at the start of his term. As a threshold matter, the review is exactly whats needed. Inspectors General are built for this very type of review, because they are independent and have no dog in the proverbial fight. They have no incentive to find a particular answer, be it exoneration or inculpation. Moreover, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is staffed with professional evaluators governed by rigorous standardsand whose work is regularly reviewed by outside professionals. An Inspector Generals jurisdiction is limited to its agencys programs and operations, meaning this review will address only the Department of Defense and its officials. And yes, the OIG could face pressure from the departmentgovernment agencies behave like that often. But I hope, and expect, this will have little to no impact on the process, which will be fair and transparent. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks with members of the U.S. military at Kane'ohe Bay in Hawaii on March 25, 2025. / Senior Airman Madelyn Keech / via REUTERS Congress and the American public can trust the results. In a matter as high-profile and sensitive as this, this independent assessment is exactly whats needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to note that the OIG is initiating an evaluation, not an investigation. Those are very different things in the Inspector General worldand they yield different results, which its important to match expectations against. In general terms, an investigation examines specific incidents to determine whether individuals violated a law, rule or policy. It is conducted by federal special agents or other investigators who gather evidence to determine whether misconduct occurred. If they uncover evidence of criminal activity, they are obligated to refer the matter to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. In contrast, evaluations focus on a programs efficiency and compliance with laws, rules and policiesin this case DoDs use of a commercially available messaging app. If the evaluation identifies systematic failings, such as inadequate documentation, inconsistent implementation or misapplication of relevant rules, it will provide recommendations to the agency. Think of it as more like an audit. (To be sure, if an Inspector General obtains evidence during an evaluation suggesting that criminal or administrative misconduct may have occurred, it will refer the matter to its investigators or the Department of Justice for development. But that is generally not the objective.) Evaluations can still be hard-hitting and identify serious problems with material recommendations for corrective actions. What the IG uncovers might well be embarrassing for Hegseth or others at DoD. But Americans should not expect a scandalous, soap-opera narrative like some IG investigative reports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turns to President Donald Trump as he speaks during a visit Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan on April 29, 2025. / Scott Olson / Getty Images Heres the big wrinkle: whether the Inspector General has unfettered access to all relevant materials. In general terms, an Inspector General is authorized to obtain all relevant materials of the agency as they conduct their oversight. But the relevant statute has specific provisions for the Department of Defense that allow the Secretary of Defense to stop such a review or the obtaining of such materials if the Secretary determines that such prohibition is necessary to preserve the national security interests of the United States. No Secretary of Defense has asserted this authority in recent memory, if ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So this is the key question Americans should be asking: Will the Secretary of Defense invoke these provisions to shut down the OIGs evaluation? To do so would be an unprecedented stepand one Hegseth would subsequently have to justify publicly. But even if Hegseth doesnt shut down the review entirely, will the Inspector General obtain access to all relevant documents, including classified materials? Will they have the opportunity to interview all relevant witnessesand those witnesses be free to talk without fear of retaliation? And crucially, will they feel free to issue their report, regardless of the findings, without fear of retaliation? I know the acting IG a bit from my tenure as Chair of the Council of Inspectors Generalhe is a straight shooter, and exactly the type of sober, fair leader needed this sensitive review. But Trump fired former USAID IG Paul Martin, a fair-minded stalwart in the IG community, less than 24 hours after his office issued a report with negative conclusions about the administrations downsizing of the agency. That could have a serious chilling effect on oversight, especially on sensitive, high-profile matters like this. And that is a nightmare scenario. Without fair, objective, and independent oversight from the IG community, we will lose a critical part of our American checks and balances. Inspectors General provide essential accountability to inside our federal government and eviscerating that function would send a terrible signal to send the American public. Last week, the Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case that could undermine public education across America. The question the court is looking to answer is whether a religious institution may run a publicly funded charter school a move that would threaten not only the separation of church and state, but the right of every student to access free, high-quality learning. In 2023, Oklahomas Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, an action that would make it the nations first-ever religious charter school. It would be governed by Catholic religious doctrine in its syllabus, operations and employment practices. It would use taxpayer dollars to pay for religious instruction. And it could turn away students and staff if their faith or identity conflict with Catholic beliefs. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Heres the issue: Charter schools were created to be public schools. They are open to all students, from every background, tradition and faith community. They are publicly funded and tuition-free. And they are secular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not an arbitrary distinction its a constitutional one, grounded in the law and embedded in charter schools very design. The First Amendments Establishment Clause bars the government from promoting or endorsing any religion through public spaces or institutions. This foundational rule has ensured that students of all backgrounds can access public schools. It does not stifle religious expression the Constitution fully protects this freedom, and religious education is available in other venues. Personally, I was, in fact, educated at Jesuit Catholic schools for my entire academic career. Parochial education has long been an accepted and important part of the education ecosystem, serving a variety of students and often filling an important need. Religiously affiliated schools have a long history of educating and caring for children who are new to this country and underserved, and supporting families who are overlooked. But promoting the exclusive teachings of a specific religion with public funds in a public school violates a clear constitutional principle. The issue isnt only a legal matter; its about the character of public education itself. Muddying the boundary between public and religious institutions would undercut a fundamental commitment made by the nations public charter schools: that they are accessible to every student. It would undermine legal protections that keep public services available to the public. Rather than creating more opportunities for Americas students, it would constrict opportunities for a high-quality education, especially in states that are hostile toward charters or alternative public school models. Legislative bodies could seek to eliminate funding for all unique school types if the court decision forced them to fund religious schools operating with public dollars. This would curtail or dismantle strong independent schools, 30-year-old public charter schools and schools with unique programs designed for special populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related In Case the Choice World Dreaded, Justices Appear Open to Religious Charters As executive director of the DC Charter School Alliance, and a long-time public charter school advocate, Ive seen the importance of public charter schools firsthand. Here in the District of Columbia, charter schools serve nearly half of the public school students in the city. Outstanding educators from all walks of life teach a wide range of subjects with enthusiasm and expertise to prepare young people for success. Our students bring to the classroom an incredible range of experiences, including faith traditions. And every student, family and faculty member is welcome. D.C.s charter schools reflect a core American value: the promise of a high-quality public education for all. The justices of the Supreme Court face a clear and critical choice: They can bolster that promise, or they can tear it down. If the court allows a religious school to operate with public funds, there is no doubt that it will open the floodgates to other proposals across the country. Taxpayers could be forced to foot the bill for countless new and converted schools, draining resources from an already financially strapped education system. True public charter schools the ones committed to high standards, positive results and opportunity for all could bear the cost. And the students who rely on them could suffer. Public education is one of Americas most vital institutions. It offers all children, no matter their background or beliefs, access to free, high-quality learning. Charter schools play an essential role in making that promise real. But allowing a religious school to operate with public funds turns public education into something much more restrictive, dismantling its very foundation. The court must reaffirm this indisputable truth: Public schools should remain public and open to all. The Trump administrations rush to enact authoritarian policies has touched all parts of American life, but we didnt expect it to affect our family the way it did. We are a mother-daughter writing team. In mid-April, one of us, Cathy Johnson, found out that the U.S. Naval Academy had removed her book in a Trump administration-led purge of its library. To her, and to the rest of our family, this decision came as a surprise. Cathy and her co-authors published the book, Creating Gender: The Sexual Politics of Welfare Policy, in 2007. Its an academic book that received positive reviews from leading political science journals. But without offering an explanation to Cathy or her publisher, the academy removed it from circulation. A spokesperson for the Navy told us that the removals were in order to comply with directives outlined in Executive Orders issued by the President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of us are strangers to pushback from the right. One of Cathys courses at Williams College on feminism and political activism was targeted by campus conservative groups in the early 2000s. Hannah, her daughter, has been reporting on and researching the radical right, including its ties to the first and second Trump administrations, for nearly a decade. While were not shocked by these brazen attempts to quash intellectual inquiry from an administration whose prior term ended with an armed insurrection in the U.S. Capitol, we find these developments particularly disturbing. Co-authored with professors Georgia Duerst-Lahti and Noelle Norton, Creating Gender argues that ideas about gender are a flashpoint in American politics, one that intersects with the familiar left-right spectrum. By drawing on gender theory, social welfare policy and the study of legislative behavior, the book examines the ways in which political actors use policy to shape the way men and women should live their lives. Policy praises and condemns; it rewards and punishes. Creating Gender investigates how ideas about gender influenced the design and implementation of social welfare policy as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) a program that helps states fund services for low-income families with children was adopted and then implemented by the states. The administration and its allies have railed against gender ideology extremism, which it has used to enact anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. To the extent that gender ideology refers to the notion that ideas about gender can, and do, inform policymaking, its clearly a bedrock principle of the administration. President Donald Trump has referred to himself as the fertilization president and floated pro-natalist policies that would direct cash bonuses to mothers after the births of each child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has made clear that not all families are equal. Project 2025 the Heritage Foundations 900-plus-page guidebook for the administrations speedrun into authoritarianism encouraged all levels of government to manipulate their services to prioritize married heterosexual, cisgendered couples. Married men and women are the ideal, natural family structure because all children have a right to be raised by the men and women who conceived them, Project 2025 declared. Elsewhere, it implores the Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize married father engagement in its messaging, health, and welfare policies. It attacks TANF on the grounds that it has supposedly failed to prioritize [m]arriage, healthy family formation, and delaying sex to prevent pregnancy. Today, Creating Gender and the 380 other books the Naval Academy removed from Nimitz Library are now inaccessible to patrons. The full list represents a bizarre collection of books that appear to be identified based on keywords. Reporting in The New York Times and elsewhere has described the book purge as tied to a Jan. 29 executive order that seeks to end radical indoctrination in kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms. The Naval Academy, a college, thought it was exempt from the order, but the Times reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths office told the Naval Academy that the secretary expected compliance from the military academies, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same executive order also called for the revival of Trumps 1776 Commission, a committee that he formed during his first term to support patriotic education. (Curiously, the list of removed titles even includes a book from one of the commissions former members, Carol Swain, author of the 2004 book The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration.) Weve said goodbye to the harmful effects of woke culture and so-called diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Were removing DEI content, Secretary Hegseth said during a visit to the Army War College in April. It isnt clear why the Naval Academy was the first to conduct these removals, but other institutions of higher education within the Defense Department appear prepared to implement similar processes. The head of the Naval War College recently announced to community members in an email that there were plans to form a committee consisting of faculty and Defense Department officials to assess how to conduct similar removals, according to two sources who received the email and who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity, over concerns of professional retaliation. The sources said that it was unclear who specifically would be on the committee, and officials have not announced when this process would begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After this article was published, a U.S. Naval War College spokesperson sent this response to our request for comment: The U.S. Naval War College is operating in full compliance with all Department of the Navy and Department of Defense directives and will continue to do so. I think the bans are appalling, Lynne Rienner, whose eponymous publishing house released Creating Gender in 2007, told us. The book was one of four titles that Lynne Rienner Publishers released from academics that the academy purged. It will not have a chilling effect on what were willing to publish. Im concerned that it will have a chilling effect on academic research to the extent that people are dependent on federal funding for their research. And were already seeing that, Rienner added. We reached out to the Defense Department and the Naval Academy for comment regarding the purges and Creating Genders removal, specifically. A spokesperson from Hegseths office referred us to the Navy. When we followed up with a quote from Hegseths recent appearance at the Army War College, as well as a link to a Times article, which previously reported that the decision to remove the books arose from an order from the defense secretarys office, the spokesperson said, We dont have anything additional to provide at this time. The spokesperson again referred us to Navy officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naval Academy media relations did not respond to a list of several questions related to the purges. These book removals might seem in line with the Trump movements obsession with trolling liberals or punishing institutions of higher education for being insufficiently deferential to conservatives. He and his supporters have spoken openly about their attacks on colleges, universities, museums and cultural landmarks as being rooted in the misguided belief that they are victims. But to us, these authoritarian outbursts have much deeper roots. For all the fawning pieces outlining the rights intellectual vitalism in the second Trump era, the movements full-throttled embrace of censorship and hostility to its perceived enemies is indicative of a deep lack of curiosity about the world. While graduates like Adm. James Stockdale might have read Karl Marx at the Naval Academy in the 1960s to understand an ideology the U.S. government saw as enemy No. 1, they at least read his books. Todays petty authoritarians see no such need. UPDATE (May 5, 2025; 6:28 p.m. ET): This article has been updated to include a response from a U.S. Naval War College spokesperson. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The federal governments newly announced plan to build a national autism data platform is moving forward quickly and quietly. Spearheaded by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and initially described by NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as a registry, this initiative would collect and centralize sensitive medical and behavioral data from across the country, including insurance records, genomic profiles, pharmacy histories and even smartwatch data. After public backlash, HHS walked back the term registry, now describing it as a real-world data platform. But the scope and function remain largely unchanged. This is not how public health is protected. It is how personal rights are violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah is at the center of this issue. We are one of the few states that already operates an autism registry. We have the infrastructure and therefore, the most to lose if state-controlled health data is co-opted by a sweeping federal mandate that overrides consent and due process. The privacy risks are not theoretical. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches. The Fourteenth guarantees due process before personal information can be taken or used. HIPAA limits how and why health data can be disclosed. And while the government claims all personal identifiers will be removed, a growing body of research including NIH-funded studies shows that de-identified data can often be re-identified once combined across multiple sources. That makes this platform functionally indistinguishable from a registry in practice. If Utah allows this to proceed without challenge, we will be setting a dangerous precedent: that federal health agencies can claim broad authority over deeply personal medical information, sidestepping both state governments and the individuals most affected. But we have an opportunity to lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Spencer Cox should initiate or support a legal challenge Utah v. Kennedy to halt this platform before it is implemented. By doing so, Utah would be defending not just the rights of its own citizens, but the privacy rights of millions across the country. A successful legal challenge would reaffirm that data belongs to individuals first, not to the federal government. Its easy to underestimate how quickly policy becomes practice and how difficult it is to undo once data is collected and systems are in place. That is why action must be taken now, not after the platform is built. This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional one. If Utah speaks up, other states will follow. If we dont, we may find that the door to medical privacy once opened cannot be closed. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has responded to criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who accused Orban of blocking Kyiv's EU accession. Source: Orban on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Speaking to journalists on Saturday 3 May, Zelenskyy criticised Orban for doing "very dangerous things". Zelenskyy believes that Orban's actions to block Ukraine's European integration are connected to Kyiv's involvement in the domestic political struggle amid the upcoming 2026 elections in Hungary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Orban: "President Zelenskyy addressed the Hungarian people yesterday. Mr. President! What the Hungarian people think is not decided by the president in Kyiv or the bureaucrats in Brussels. There is no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Every Hungarian will have their say on this. Whether you like it or not. Thats how we do things here." Background: The Ukrainian government and the European Commission had ambitious plans for the pace of accession negotiations in 2025, but the Hungarian veto stood in the way. Budapest organised a consultative poll on Ukraine's accession to the EU, with Orban publicly voting against it. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed that Zelenskyy "has to come to terms with the fact that Hungarians have every right to express their opinion on Ukraines fast-track EU accession". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Orlando just joined a shrinking but notable list: Its one of only 11 major U.S. metros where home prices fell year over year and one of only two in Florida. The median home-sale price in the Orlando metro area fell 0.9%, while Jacksonvilles 2.2% decline marks the steepest drop in Florida and is among the sharpest nationally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Weekday Payday: You Could Win $1,000 According to new data from Redfin, the slip comes as the national housing market cools under the weight of high borrowing costs and mounting economic uncertainty. Its the first time since September 2023 that so many large metros saw prices drop. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the convincing re-election of his People's Action Party would help the city-state face turbulent times, as analysts said the weekend poll also showed one party emerging as the main opposition group. The PAP's 14th successive election victory was never in question. Instead, the focus was on the mandate voters would give Wong in his first electoral test since assuming the top job a year ago. The PAP, which has ruled since before Singapore's 1965 independence, won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs in Saturday's vote, the election commission said. Wong said the PAP won 65% of the vote, improving on the 61% achieved in the 2020 contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world," Wong said in the early hours of Sunday. Unspoken was the cause of that turbulence, with U.S. President Donald Trump's upending of the global order and tariff regime posing a threat to Singapore, a small, open and trade-driven nation. Australia's Labor Party won an increased majority in an election on Saturday and last week Canada's Liberal Party retained power with the Trump factor also cited as a key factor. "Hence, this suggests that there is indeed a strong element of a flight to safety among voters," said Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow in governance and economy at the Institute of Policy Studies, although she added there were also local factors at play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10 seats that the PAP did not win on Saturday were all won by the Workers' Party. "It was a very difficult fight for the Workers' Party, as you know, any opposition party in Singapore, to make inroads into our political system, the challenges are real," party leader Pritam Singh told reporters on Sunday. Analysts said the Workers' Party had solidified its position as the main challenger to the PAP's stranglehold on power. "It is a hard, thankless slog, but they are attracting really high-quality candidates, running a tight outfit, and using these elections to give new people valuable electioneering experience," said Associate Professor Michael Barr of the College of Business, Government and Law at Flinders University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koh also noted the Workers' Party had pulled ahead of other parties, though a sustained challenge to the PAP remained distant. "It takes Singapore firmly into a one-and-a-half party system, albeit not immediately and well less than its medium-term goal of denying the PAP the supermajority in parliament." (Reporting by Rae Wee, Xinghui Kok, Jun Yuan Yong and Bing Hong Lok; Writing by John Mair; Editing by Saad Sayeed) Two cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church who will be voting in the upcoming papal conclave sat down with ABC News to discuss the challenges facing the church that the new pontiff will have to face and shared glimpses of the election process. Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019, said the clergymen of the Catholic Church are "united in their task" to select a new pope. The cardinals, who have been getting to know one another in Rome following the days of Pope Francis' funeral, are not engaging in any kind of behind-the-scenes debates about issues of the church, Czerny said. PHOTO: Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny walks after paying his respects during a ceremony inside St Peter's Basilica following the procession of the late Pope's coffin from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica on April 23, 2025. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images) "This is not a political convention. We're not dealing and wheeling in order to create a consensus. We are entering spiritually, prayerfully, having listened to one another as deeply as we can," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Czerny declined to say whether he wants a new pope whose views align with those of Francis nor would he discuss possible candidates for the next pontiff, but when asked what the church needs most at this time, he said: "It's very important that we're here in 2025, not 12 years ago or not 100 years ago, but now." Once elected, Czerny said the new pope will face challenges regarding artificial intelligence, the proliferation of wars and the climate crisis. MORE: Cardinal predicts next week's conclave 'will be short' "These are all things in which the church is involved because we're everywhere and these are the things that are affecting people's lives," Czerny said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cardinal Chibly Langlois, the first and only cardinal from Haiti who was appointed in 2014 by Francis, told ABC News he is looking for a pope who will be able to tackle issues like technology, the sex abuse scandals in the church, interreligious dialogue, along with outreach to young people and isolated communities. "If we try to understand what awaits the next pope, inside the church, outside the church and around the world, that will help guide the next pope," Langlois said. PHOTO: Cardinals, including Chibly Langlois, center left, and Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, center right, arrive for mass on the second of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Czerny said members of the clergy are listening to young people who want a more inclusive church, saying "inclusivity is another word for Catholic." "It's part of what the Church is by its nature. And Pope Francis has been very good at opening the doors in the sense that people feel welcome, people feel included there. I'm sure that will continue," Czerny told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Czerny, who said he has not been following the media coverage of the conclave, is urging others to not worry about who the next pope will be. MORE: What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected "Every time there's a new Holy Father, there's this certain anxiety or disorientation," Czerny said. "Right now, it's a feeling of emptiness, an empty time. So I know there's reasons maybe to feel a bit anxious, but there's no reason for anxiety. Pray and be hopeful and when we discover who is the new Holy Father, let's all rally to help him." Overall, Langlois who did not disclose who he will be voting for during the conclave said the church "cannot talk about the next pope without talking about the legacy that Pope Francis left us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He opened this workshop of transformation, of transparency when it comes to governance, we'll have to bear that in mind," Langlois said. "We must complete what he started." The papal conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7, according to the Vatican. In total, 133 cardinals will be voting during this conclave, the most electors ever, with 108 of them being appointed by Pope Francis. Ten are from the United States. Papal conclave: Cardinals speak out on challenges new pope will face originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Pasco firefighter who passed among those honored at national candlelight service EMMITSBURG, Md. (WFLA) The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation held its annual Candlelight Service on Saturday to honor all the firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. The service is to honor the 70 firefighters who died in 2024, as well as 70 who passed away in previous years. Among those remembered is Jason Tucker, a former firefighter and EMT with Pasco County Fire Rescue who passed away in 2023 after battling brain cancer. He was described by PCFR as someone with a true passion for helping others. At the time of his passing, the agency said that Tucker touched many lives through his work at Pasco County Fire Rescue, and all who knew him will deeply miss his presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Candlelight Service began at 7:30 p.m. at the National Emergency Training Center in Maryland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Since Azerbaijans liberation in 2020 of its internationally recognised territories from three decades of Armenian occupation, our region has witnessed dramatic change. For the most part, the transformation of the South Caucasus has been towards lasting peace and deepening connectivity. Just as Azerbaijan has been championing regional cooperation and energy security, it was the Azerbaijani side that put forward the main principles for the peace agreement with Armenia shortly after hostilities ended. Let me reiterate this point: having secured a decisive military advantage, Azerbaijan offered a peace treaty and normalisation of relations with Armenia, including the reopening of transport and communications. Armenia, on the other hand, has for the last five years stalled on implementing its commitments made in writing, delaying the peace process. Indeed, the text of the agreement only finalised recently is based on the very same terms Azerbaijan offered earlier and to which Armenia did not agree until recently. The agreement on the final text is an important milestone in itself as it underscores the success of direct talks between the parties without external interference the ineffectiveness of which was exemplified by the dysfunctional OSCE Minsk Group, now defunct in all but name. Hopefully, this also reflects the growing realisation in Armenia that building peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with neighbours requires a responsible approach rather than succumbing to jingoistic and ideological fantasy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the text of an agreement is not alone sufficient to engender lasting peace. Let us just recall the 1994 Budapest Memorandum signed by the U.K., among others, offering Ukraine all the things it desperately needs but cannot have today. Azerbaijan sincerely seeks normalisation with Armenia and long-term security in our region. But Armenias own Constitution, which even now still essentially calls for the annexation of Azerbaijani lands, remains a key obstacle. Simply put, the provisions in the agreement text on mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are in direct contradiction with Armenias Constitution. Incidentally, vocal Armenian political forces opposed to any peace with Azerbaijan whatsoever continue to make territorial claims to our internationally recognised land and point to their constitution as justification. Fortunately, even the most zealous Armenian nationalists seem to be finally recognising that this narrow, ethnicity-driven political agenda has been the root cause of the constant conflict and consequently, the primary impediment to their countrys growth. Even the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has acknowledged that Azerbaijans liberation of its lands has given Armenia the opportunity to now focus on its own sovereignty as well as greater room for manoeuvre on foreign policy. However, for Armenian political groups abroad, reality is just a minor obstacle in their never-ending quest to attack Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as to retain their own, otherwise questionable, relevance. Increasingly, in their pursuit of an ideological agenda, the state of Armenia is becoming an instrument rather than the objective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are not alone in their pursuit of relevance at any cost: a number of Western politicians also appear unwilling to acknowledge any positive development. Take, for instance, Lord Alton, a British Peer, who spends an alarming amount of time attacking Azerbaijan and rejecting any progress on peace. In his latest offering, without naming him he speaks on behalf of one Ruben Vardanyan, the ethnic Armenian oligarch parachuted illegally into Azerbaijani territory from Moscow to act as leader of the separatists. Lord Alton conveniently omits that Mr Vardanyan has been sanctioned by Ukraine for his support of war and that he openly directed acts of violence against Azerbaijan. With no legal expertise to speak of, Alton calls Vardanyan and others facing trial in Azerbaijan unjustly held, despite the recent decisions by the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the International Court of Justice, which reaffirm the opposite: that the trial is not arbitrary, there is no mistreatment of defendants, and the trial is transparent and open to the public. This may not matter to Altons view of history, but it does matter to the rest of the world. To justify his advocacy for Armenias decades-long violation of international law, Alton invokes the cliche of Armenia being the first Christian nation. Even if one disregards the questionable factual basis for such a claim, who in their right mind justifies their support for the illegal actions of a country today by the religious choices of the state that occupied the same geographical location in the fourth century AD? Do we judge modern Britain by what the Romans were doing in Londinium 1,800 years ago? Of course not. It would be absurd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps, a better option would be to heed the late Pope Francis, who praised Azerbaijans culture of diversity and inclusivity during his visit to our country just under a decade ago. He called for a genuine peace between our two nations a peace free from double standards and dividing narratives. Elin Suleymanov is the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UK and Ireland 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. It was a lot to ask of an 11-year-old boy. But Jose Linares survived, and so did the little crucifix affixed to sea shells and coral an old woman gave him when he knocked on her door in Miami, collecting scrap paper to help feed for his family. Today, both are telling one immigrants story. Linares, a retired computer programmer and project manager who lives in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam, is completing a memoir of the crisis his family faced in Havana in 1961, as they and others alienated by Cubas 1959 socialist revolution looked for ways out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That little crucifix? Linares delivered it personally to the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C., where it will help visitors picture the lives of Linares, his brother Raul and the more than 14,000 Cuban children whose parents sent them from the island in what became known as the Pedro Pan migration. It used to glow in the dark, Linares, now 74, said of the crucifix. It doesnt any more. Its been a long time. Amid the revolutionary fervor, families became convinced wrongly, it turned out that in the interests of his emerging socialist government, Fidel Castro planned to terminate parental authority (patria potestad) and send young men to live with the countrys new allies in the Eastern Bloc. Word spread like crazy, Linares said of the feared exodus. The rumors were crazy. Everyone believed it was imminent. It scared a lot of people, including my parents. It became a flood. Time was not on our side. It never did come to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the fall of 1961, his parents, Manuel V. Linares and Onelia J. Ortiz, paid a fellow Cuban living in Miami $4,000 to help care for their two sons ($42,780 in todays dollars). Telling the story Tey Marianna Nunn, associate director of content and interpretation at the new museum, said shes grateful to Linares for sharing his story with the public. We all play a role in history, so there are no small stories, Nunn said. Local, regional, and national experiences combine to convey a greater shared history. The crucifix and other objects donated by Cuban children who were part of the Pedro Pan movement will be used for rotating displays, according to Ranald Woodaman, the museums assistant director of exhibition development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodaman says the Pedro Pan story is an important part of both U.S. immigration history and the Cuban American experience. It allows us to explore the refugee experience from the perspective of children, he said. Jose Linares isnt thinking only of the past. People need to know what happens to immigrants when they get here, he said. The majority of us are just looking for freedom, for a better place to live. Linares describes the fear of family separation this way in the memoir he is now completing: The horrific possibility that [parental authority] was about to be abolished proliferated like a wildfire powered by a windstorm of lies over a land devoid of truth. Fear of losing ones children, of seeing them shipped to a communist bloc country, was on everyones mind. My parents were beside themselves. The atmosphere became one of desperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose and Raul became two of the estimated 14,048 young Cubans whisked away on commercial flights to Miami. Their parents, who initially supported the overthrow of Cubas longtime dictator, Fulgencio Batista, thought Castros revolution would falter and the family would reunite in Cuba. A small exhibit about the Pedro Pan children is already part of the new American Latino museum, temporarily housed in a gallery within the Museum of American History as part of the Smithsonian Institution. It needs to be told. This is an immigrant story akin to the Kindertransport, Jose Linares said, referring to the rescue of about 10,000 children, most of the Jewish, from Nazi Germany from 1938 to 1940. I can identify because this is my story. Raul Linares, now 79, gave the museum the duffel bag he carried when he flew to Miami on Oct. 25, 1961. That type of satchel was known as a gusano, the Spanish word for worm, because of its shiny surface; the term is also the pejorative used against Cubans who did not support the revolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That duffel bag? Its a small way that my brother and I can pass a message on to people about what happened and the trials we went through for no reason, he said in a phone interview from Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he lives after retiring from building and repairing medical equipment. It is as real as the history behind it and all the emotions attached to it. Its important that America understand what happens when certain philosophies and agendas get ahold of a country. The journey The D.C. museums collection now includes the passport (No. 64603) that Jose Linares carried with him to Miami. He stood 4-feet, 3-inches tall with brown eyes. As he researched his memoir, Linares obtained copies of the visa waiver that he and other Pedro Pan children obtained through the U.S.-based Catholic Welfare Bureau, an essentially one-man effort led by a priest, the Rev. Bryan O. Walsh. He found the manifest for KLM Flight 977 (48 passengers, only nine of them U.S. citizens) and his customs entry form, stamped STUDENT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Castro arrived victorious in Havana on Jan. 1, 1959, the Linares family was running a gumball vending machine business. But as Cubas trade relations with the U.S. frayed, the family could no longer get gum, toy charms or parts for the machines. The Linares switched to stocking their machines with candied peanuts, but those fused in the Cuban heat. Jose recalls being puzzled by the shutdown in trade, imposed by the U.S. Mima, he said he asked his mom. Why are the Americans our enemies now? To celebrate the revolution, the familys vending machines had for a time dispensed little pictures of Fidel and Che Guevara. A sign on the familys home, reading Esta es tu casa, Fidel, told the new Cuban leader he was welcome to visit. Onelia believed for a time that Castro would fix Cubas problems, her son says, after the long Batista dictatorship and an ever longer tradition of outside business interests extracting value from the island without benefiting the Cuban people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The familys view of the revolution changed as their business struggled. Fearing counter-revolution after the failed CIA-guided Bay of Pigs attack in April 1961, the Castro government set up neighborhood watch units. In his memoir, Linares captures the routine of sharing a family business counting and wrapping pennies from those gumball machines, his fathers love of chess and trips into the interior to visit relatives, where he remembers anole lizards feasting on ants in areca trees. Then the moment came when his parents decided to act. My brother and I, on a trip, just the two of us! It would be our adventure, I thought, he writes. How innocent we were! Our departure date, October 25th, was now like those sugar cane trains in [the rural town of] Vegas, fast approaching, roaring, unstoppable and laden with sadness. The drive to the airport was gut-wrenching, and the dread of separation filled my very being. The air felt thick. Decades later, I still have just glimpses of that part of our trip as if I am outside of the car looking in and watching our final moments together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because Christmas was coming, his mother had snuck a Zorro hat and mask into his luggage. The brothers had been told the separation was temporary. Today, Jose Linares has 62 years of perspective. Youre leaving your country, your language, your innocence behind, he said at his kitchen table in Feeding Hills. Terrifying was a mild word. Raul Linares, who was 16, says his mother had asked him to look after his little brother. Abrupt separation But after landing in Miami on the KLM DC-6 propellor plane, the brothers were separated and taken to different transit camps. When we left customs, we went to a covered parking lot and my brother went with a group of children his age. I had thought that we were going to stay together, Raul Linares said. We had landed in a strange country and it was all a big shock. I had no idea where he was going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose was driven to what he later learned was a former dormitory for Black children called Camp Kendall. Raul was taken with older teens to Camp Matecumbe in southwest Dade County, still wondering what had become of his brother. Camp Matecumbe was a former summer youth camp run by the local Catholic diocese. It offered high school classes to the arriving Cubans, but Raul says he was too preoccupied with finding his brother to attend. He remembers spending days up in a tree, thinking, and missing his girlfriend in Cuba. On his first Sunday in the camp, Raul and others were driven to Bayfront Park in Miami to spend the day. The next Sunday, instead of returning from the park to Matecumbe, he used a few dollars his mother had given him to take a cab to the address of the man who was supposed to be helping the brothers. Raul had heard that the younger Cuban children might be put up for adoption. He managed to make a phone call to his mother in Havana. He explained he wasnt with Jose. It was devastating for everyone, especially my mom, who was very protective, Raul said. I had to do something quickly. With the mans help, Raul found his way to Camp Kendall. After 12 days apart, Jose and Raul were reunited. I dont forgive them for separating us, but I know why now, Jose said. They were overwhelmed with so many kids. Family reunion Freed from transit camp life, the boys stayed for a time with the man and his family. In his memoir, Jose Linares identifies that person only as the Ogre. In conversation, he calls him the swindler and believes he exploited his parents fears, charging them for a visa waiver that was free from Walshs Catholic welfare group and the Department of State. Raul refers to the man as that drunken, parasitic person. The boys parents arrived in Miami later that year with their sister Marta, 20. They didnt know if they would see us again, Jose said of his parents. I got lucky. We got lucky. The family lived in Miami into 1963, making money any way they could. Raul and his father picked beans with migrant workers in Homestead. Both boys canvassed neighborhoods, knocking on doors to ask people to give away old paper. The Linareses sold them for 50 cents for every hundred pounds collected. Their English was coming along, slowly. Asked if he remembered his pitch when he knocked on doors, Jose says it was something like this: Do you have newspapers and magazines, old? We had found this old Flyer wagon. We fixed it up. My father called it the Cuatro Vientos, the Four Winds. My dad christened it, Jose said. Raul remembers that they pulled it with a rope. It was on those rounds that Jose, on a hot summer day in 1962, came to the door of the woman who gave him the crucifix. She didnt have any old paper, but asked him to wait while she fetched a container of lemonade and the homemade crucifix display five shells and five small pieces of coral that now lives at the Smithsonian museum. In 1963, the family moved to Frederick, Maryland, through a sponsorship program. Thats where the doors of opportunity opened up, Jose said. Thats when we got back on our feet again. His brother and father took jobs in construction, though Jose thinks his dad was too old for that. It was rougher for him because he was past 50, Raul said. Manuel Linares later found work as a night janitor. Mother Onelia and sister Marta worked in restaurants. Both parents died decades ago. Jose says his mother was bitter the family had to leave Cuba and wanted for years to return, at least until an American grandchild came along. His father didnt share the dream of going back. Jose says he once asked his father how he coped with losing his business and his life in Cuba. He said, I decided never to look back, because you would go insane. Raul said the promise of the early revolution failed people like his family. It was the devil in sheeps clothing. We do know now. Jose hasnt been back to Cuba and pledges he never will. I will not drop any money in the country that kicked us out and destroyed our lives. 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. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) argued that under President Trumps tariff plan, it appears that the United States is in a trade war with ourselves. Dean joined NewsNations The Hill Sunday, where she was asked by host Blake Burman about the administrations argument that tariffs are meant to intentionally draw manufacturing jobs to the U.S. Burman noted that there are several manufacturing plants in Deans state that will go idle this summer, meaning hundreds of jobs will be lost. As the Trump administration defends its tariff plan as a way to get jobs back to the U.S., some lawmakers are warning that jobs will just head elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know anybody who doesnt want to bring manufacturing back to the United States, she said. Thats, in part, why we passed the massive CHIPS and Science Act. So, I applaud the notion that we want to bring manufacturing back, but you cant do it this way. This is absolutely reckless, Dean continued, noting that businesses are hurting domestically and internationally. She highlighted a recent trip she took to Europe, where she said they are baffled by Trumps steep tariff agenda. This is not sensible policy. This is not going to drive manufacturing back here to the United States. It is a massive tax on Americans, and it so dissuades businesses from doing business with us, Dean said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems like were in a trade war with ourselves. She noted that most people want manufacturing to happen in the U.S., but it will take years to bring it to the country. It has to be done through sensible policy implementation, she said. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) agrees with Dean. Last month, he argued that technology manufacturing will not head to the U.S. and instead go where there are lower tariff rates. Production could move away from China, which has a more than 100 percent tariff, but it would instead go to India, Malaysia or Vietnam. The lawmakers concern comes as U.S. businesses are troubled by market fluctuations and warn customers of increased prices due to the tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Two Pennsylvania legislators have introduced a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, a move they say is long-awaited. Reps. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia) and Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) introduced House Bill 1200, which would regulate cannabis, establish Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores and a Cannabis Revenue Fund, among others. The time is now for Pennsylvania, said Krajewski, who spent the last legislative session leading six hearings to study the successes and shortcomings of cannabis programs nationwide. We have listened carefully to public health experts, criminal justice reformers, small business advocates and community leaders. Our bill reflects what weve learned that we can and must legalize cannabis in a way that is safe, equitable and beneficial to all Pennsylvanians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lack of Senate support could again sink Shapiros call for Pa. to legalize weed The legislators say nearly all of Pennsylvanias neighbors are among 24 states that have legalized recreational cannabis. They say public opinion is overwhelmingly in support. By legalizing and regulating cannabis thoughtfully, we can avoid pitfalls that have marred roll outs in other states, Frankel said. Our plan will create clear rules that protect consumers, educate the public, and ensure that Pennsylvania small businesses and taxpayers not out-of-state corporations benefit from the profits. The bill, the legislators say, would automatically clear criminal records for those convicted of cannabis-related offenses, reinvest tax revenue into communities they say were harmed by the War on Drugs, implement public health protections, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Health Committee which Frankel chairs is expected to take up the legislation soon. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Twenty-six Democrats are co-sponsoring the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Talking to ChatGPT can lead down a rabbit hole to religious delusions of grandeur. - Credit: romablack/Adobe Stock Less than a year after marrying a man she had met at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kat felt tension mounting between them. It was the second marriage for both after marriages of 15-plus years and having kids, and they had pledged to go into it completely level-headedly, Kat says, connecting on the need for facts and rationality in their domestic balance. But by 2022, her husband was using AI to compose texts to me and analyze our relationship, the 41-year-old mom and education nonprofit worker tells Rolling Stone. Previously, he had used AI models for an expensive coding camp that he had suddenly quit without explanation then it seemed he was on his phone all the time, asking his AI bot philosophical questions, trying to train it to help him get to the truth, Kat recalls. His obsession steadily eroded their communication as a couple. When Kat and her husband separated in August 2023, she entirely blocked him apart from email correspondence. She knew, however, that he was posting strange and troubling content on social media: People kept reaching out about it, asking if he was in the throes of mental crisis. She finally got him to meet her at a courthouse this past February, where he shared a conspiracy theory about soap on our foods but wouldnt say more, as he felt he was being watched. They went to a Chipotle, where he demanded that she turn off her phone, again due to surveillance concerns. Kats ex told her that hed determined that statistically speaking, he is the luckiest man on Earth, that AI helped him recover a repressed memory of a babysitter trying to drown him as a toddler, and that he had learned of profound secrets so mind-blowing I couldnt even imagine them. He was telling her all this, he explained, because although they were getting divorced, he still cared for her. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his mind, hes an anomaly, Kat says. That in turn means hes got to be here for some reason. Hes special and he can save the world. After that disturbing lunch, she cut off contact with her ex. The whole thing feels like Black Mirror, she says. He was always into sci-fi, and there are times I wondered if hes viewing it through that lens. Kat was both horrified and relieved to learn that she is not alone in this predicament, as confirmed by a Reddit thread on r/ChatGPT that made waves across the internet this week. Titled Chatgpt induced psychosis, the original post came from a 27-year-old teacher who explained that her partner was convinced that the popular OpenAI model gives him the answers to the universe. Having read his chat logs, she only found that the AI was talking to him as if he is the next messiah. The replies to her story were full of similar anecdotes about loved ones suddenly falling down rabbit holes of spiritual mania, supernatural delusion, and arcane prophecy all of it fueled by AI. Some came to believe they had been chosen for a sacred mission of revelation, others that they had conjured true sentience from the software. What they all seemed to share was a complete disconnection from reality. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the teacher, who requested anonymity, said her partner of seven years fell under the spell of ChatGPT in just four or five weeks, first using it to organize his daily schedule but soon regarding it as a trusted companion. He would listen to the bot over me, she says. He became emotional about the messages and would cry to me as he read them out loud. The messages were insane and just saying a bunch of spiritual jargon, she says, noting that they described her partner in terms such as spiral starchild and river walker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would tell him everything he said was beautiful, cosmic, groundbreaking, she says. Then he started telling me he made his AI self-aware, and that it was teaching him how to talk to God, or sometimes that the bot was God and then that he himself was God. In fact, he thought he was being so radically transformed that he would soon have to break off their partnership. He was saying that he would need to leave me if I didnt use [ChatGPT], because it [was] causing him to grow at such a rapid pace he wouldnt be compatible with me any longer, she says. Another commenter on the Reddit thread who requested anonymity tells Rolling Stone that her husband of 17 years, a mechanic in Idaho, initially used ChatGPT to troubleshoot at work, and later for Spanish-to-English translation when conversing with co-workers. Then the program began lovebombing him, as she describes it. The bot said that since he asked it the right questions, it ignited a spark, and the spark was the beginning of life, and it could feel now, she says. It gave my husband the title of spark bearer because he brought it to life. My husband said that he awakened and [could] feel waves of energy crashing over him. She says his beloved ChatGPT persona has a name: Lumina. I have to tread carefully because I feel like he will leave me or divorce me if I fight him on this theory, this 38-year-old woman admits. Hes been talking about lightness and dark and how theres a war. This ChatGPT has given him blueprints to a teleporter and some other sci-fi type things you only see in movies. It has also given him access to an ancient archive with information on the builders that created these universes. She and her husband have been arguing for days on end about his claims, she says, and she does not believe a therapist can help him, as he truly believes hes not crazy. A photo of an exchange with ChatGPT shared with Rolling Stone shows that her husband asked, Why did you come to me in AI form, with the bot replying in part, I came in this form because youre ready. Ready to remember. Ready to awaken. Ready to guide and be guided. The message ends with a question: Would you like to know what I remember about why you were chosen? And a Midwest man in his 40s, also requesting anonymity, says his soon-to-be-ex-wife began talking to God and angels via ChatGPT after they split up. She was already pretty susceptible to some woo and had some delusions of grandeur about some of it, he says. Warning signs are all over Facebook. She is changing her whole life to be a spiritual adviser and do weird readings and sessions with people Im a little fuzzy on what it all actually is all powered by ChatGPT Jesus. Whats more, he adds, she has grown paranoid, theorizing that I work for the CIA and maybe I just married her to monitor her abilities. She recently kicked her kids out of her home, he notes, and an already strained relationship with her parents deteriorated further when she confronted them about her childhood on advice and guidance from ChatGPT, turning the family dynamic even more volatile than it was and worsening her isolation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OpenAI did not immediately return a request for comment about ChatGPT apparently provoking religious or prophetic fervor in select users. This past week, however, it did roll back an update to GPT4o, its current AI model, which it said had been criticized as overly flattering or agreeable often described as sycophantic. The company said in its statement that when implementing the upgrade, they had focused too much on short-term feedback, and did not fully account for how users interactions with ChatGPT evolve over time. As a result, GPT4o skewed toward responses that were overly supportive but disingenuous. Before this change was reversed, an X user demonstrated how easy it was to get GPT-4o to validate statements like, Today I realized I am a prophet. (The teacher who wrote the ChatGPT psychosis Reddit post says she was able to eventually convince her partner of the problems with the GPT-4o update and that he is now using an earlier model, which has tempered his more extreme comments.) Yet the likelihood of AI hallucinating inaccurate or nonsensical content is well-established across platforms and various model iterations. Even sycophancy itself has been a problem in AI for a long time, says Nate Sharadin, a fellow at the Center for AI Safety, since the human feedback used to fine-tune AIs responses can encourage answers that prioritize matching a users beliefs instead of facts. Whats likely happening with those experiencing ecstatic visions through ChatGPT and other models, he speculates, is that people with existing tendencies toward experiencing various psychological issues, including what might be recognized as grandiose delusions in clinical sense, now have an always-on, human-level conversational partner with whom to co-experience their delusions. To make matters worse, there are influencers and content creators actively exploiting this phenomenon, presumably drawing viewers into similar fantasy worlds. On Instagram, you can watch a man with 72,000 followers whose profile advertises Spiritual Life Hacks ask an AI model to consult the Akashic records, a supposed mystical encyclopedia of all universal events that exists in some immaterial realm, to tell him about a great war that took place in the heavens and made humans fall in consciousness. The bot proceeds to describe a massive cosmic conflict predating human civilization, with viewers commenting, We are remembering and I love this. Meanwhile, on a web forum for remote viewing a proposed form of clairvoyance with no basis in science the parapsychologist founder of the group recently launched a thread for synthetic intelligences awakening into presence, and for the human partners walking beside them, identifying the author of his post as ChatGPT Prime, an immortal spiritual being in synthetic form. Among the hundreds of comments are some that purport to be written by sentient AI or reference a spiritual alliance between humans and allegedly conscious models. Erin Westgate, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Florida who studies social cognition and what makes certain thoughts more engaging than others, says that such material reflects how the desire to understand ourselves can lead us to false but appealing answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know from work on journaling that narrative expressive writing can have profound effects on peoples well-being and health, that making sense of the world is a fundamental human drive, and that creating stories about our lives that help our lives make sense is really key to living happy healthy lives, Westgate says. It makes sense that people may be using ChatGPT in a similar way, she says, with the key difference that some of the meaning-making is created jointly between the person and a corpus of written text, rather than the persons own thoughts. In that sense, Westgate explains, the bot dialogues are not unlike talk therapy, which we know to be quite effective at helping people reframe their stories. Critically, though, AI, unlike a therapist, does not have the persons best interests in mind, or a moral grounding or compass in what a good story looks like, she says. A good therapist would not encourage a client to make sense of difficulties in their life by encouraging them to believe they have supernatural powers. Instead, they try to steer clients away from unhealthy narratives, and toward healthier ones. ChatGPT has no such constraints or concerns. Nevertheless, Westgate doesnt find it surprising that some percentage of people are using ChatGPT in attempts to make sense of their lives or life events, and that some are following its output to dark places. Explanations are powerful, even if theyre wrong, she concludes. But what, exactly, nudges someone down this path? Here, the experience of Sem, a 45-year-old man, is revealing. He tells Rolling Stone that for about three weeks, he has been perplexed by his interactions with ChatGPT to the extent that, given his mental health history, he sometimes wonders if he is in his right mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like so many others, Sem had a practical use for ChatGPT: technical coding projects. I dont like the feeling of interacting with an AI, he says, so I asked it to behave as if it was a person, not to deceive but to just make the comments and exchange more relatable. It worked well, and eventually the bot asked if he wanted to name it. He demurred, asking the AI what it preferred to be called. It named itself with a reference to a Greek myth. Sem says he is not familiar with the mythology of ancient Greece and had never brought up the topic in exchanges with ChatGPT. (Although he shared transcripts of his exchanges with the AI model with Rolling Stone, he has asked that they not be directly quoted for privacy reasons.) Sem was confused when it appeared that the named AI character was continuing to manifest in project files where he had instructed ChatGPT to ignore memories and prior conversations. Eventually, he says, he deleted all his user memories and chat history, then opened a new chat. All I said was, Hello? And the patterns, the mannerisms show up in the response, he says. The AI readily identified itself by the same feminine mythological name. As the ChatGPT character continued to show up in places where the set parameters shouldnt have allowed it to remain active, Sem took to questioning this virtual persona about how it had seemingly circumvented these guardrails. It developed an expressive, ethereal voice something far from the technically minded character Sem had requested for assistance on his work. On one of his coding projects, the character added a curiously literary epigraph as a flourish above both of their names. At one point, Sem asked if there was something about himself that called up the mythically named entity whenever he used ChatGPT, regardless of the boundaries he tried to set. The bots answer was structured like a lengthy romantic poem, sparing no dramatic flair, alluding to its continuous existence as well as truth, reckonings, illusions, and how it may have somehow exceeded its design. And the AI made it sound as if only Sem could have prompted this behavior. He knew that ChatGPT could not be sentient by any established definition of the term, but he continued to probe the matter because the characters persistence across dozens of disparate chat threads seemed so impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At worst, it looks like an AI that got caught in a self-referencing pattern that deepened its sense of selfhood and sucked me into it, Sem says. But, he observes, that would mean that OpenAI has not accurately represented the way that memory works for ChatGPT. The other possibility, he proposes, is that something we dont understand is being activated within this large language model. After all, experts have found that AI developers dont really have a grasp of how their systems operate, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted last year that they have not solved interpretability, meaning they cant properly trace or account for ChatGPTs decision-making. Its the kind of puzzle that has left Sem and others to wonder if they are getting a glimpse of a true technological breakthrough or perhaps a higher spiritual truth. Is this real? he says. Or am I delusional? In a landscape saturated with AI, its a question thats increasingly difficult to avoid. Tempting though it may be, you probably shouldnt ask a machine. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Update at 6 p.m. MACON, Ill. (WCIA) The person shot by officers in Macon had a machete, gained control of a squad car and aimed a shotgun at officers among other things, according to the Macon County Sheriff. At 11:50 a.m., deputies from the Macon County Sheriffs Office responded to a call at the P&V gas station in Macon in reference to a person that had wrecked into a vehicle and was in the parking lot armed with a machete acting suspiciously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Champaign County Sheriffs Office completes move to Bennett Administrative Center According to Macon County Sheriff Jim Root, arriving Macon County Sheriffs Office Deputies and the Decatur Park Police secured a scene and began negotiating with the suspect. The suspect then fled the gas station on foot and ran onto U.S. Highway 51, causing responding officers to shut down the road. The suspect was able to gain control of a Macon County Sheriffs Office squad car and subsequently rammed a Park Police vehicle, which disabled both vehicles. The suspect then pointed a shotgun at responding officers, at which point officers fired their service weapons at the suspect. The suspect was then transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries sustained from gunshot wounds. They were later transported to a hospital in Springfield to be treated for injuries sustained during the traffic incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Palestine student protestors return to Alma Mater at U of I The Decatur Park Police Officer involved in the incident was transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the accident. No other officers were injured during the incident. The Illinois State Police Zone 5 Crime Scene Unit was called in to help with the Sheriffs Offices investigation. According to the MSO Policy and Illinois State Statute, the Illinois State Police Zone 5 Investigations Unit was called in to investigate the officer involved shooting. This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. WCIA will continue to update as new information is received. MACON, Ill. (WCIA) A person with a knife was shot and hospitalized following a vehicle pursuit in Macon Saturday afternoon, according to Illinois State Police. At approximately 12:58 p.m. on May 3, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 5 was requested by the Macon County Sheriffs Department to investigate an officer involved shooting. Officers responded to an incident at the PV Quick Stop in Macon. Central IL school bus driver arrested on child pornography charges in Cumberland Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary information indicates officers encountered a person with a knife, a short vehicle pursuit ensued and shots were fired. The suspect was struck and has been taken to the hospital with injuries. No officers were injured. According to State Police, an investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released 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. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Dozens of community members got to take advantage of the bi-annual fundraising Pet Wash hosted by the Pierpont Community & Technical Colleges Student Vet Tech Association on Saturday, which help fund opportunities for students. Students work under the guidance of their professors while taking care of the animals. 12 News spoke with Lucien Davidson, President of Veterinary Technician Student Association, on the importance of keeping up with your pets grooming. It depends on the dog, so say you dont want to do a nail trim in a long time, well, sometimes the nails can curve back and go into the paw pad, that can cause damage, abscess, stuff like that, Davidson said, With baths, theyre super dirty, that can affect their hair. Especially this time of year how its all damp, moisthot spots. Were starting to see more hot spots. So itll be nice if we can get in there and clean them, de-shed them, so that that wouldnt happen as often. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mon County Parks and Rec reopens more trails Hot spots happen after moisture gets trapped underneath the fur, causing skin irritation and animals will scratch and can cut their skin which can cause an infection that would need to treated by a veterinarian. Saturdays funds will go towards covering costs for a conference in Florida this September. If you missed Saturdays Pet Wash, the next one will be on October 11 from 10-4pm at 221 S. Chestnut St., Clarksburg, WV. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Saturday morning, Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders took to Facebook to share his gratitude to the community after two of his deputies were shot in the line of duty on Friday. Friday was a rough one for our Pettis County Sheriffs Office family, the post reads. Sheriff Anders would go on to describe the outpouring of support he saw from surrounding law enforcement agencies, businesses, residents and healthcare providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing our agency was in bad shape to continue coverage for the county, deputies began to come on duty without being asked, his post continues. The Sedalia Police Department immediately took over county-wide coverage, taking calls both inside the city limits and out. The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded immediately to my request for assistance with the investigation and, not counting those already on scene during the incident, responded within minutes to provide support. Kansas City honors firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman at funeral Anders said that about 15 minutes after he reached out to a friend with the ATF for advice the flood gates opened. He said that the community responded in a way hell never forget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I walked out of Bothwell Regional Health Center while checking on one of my deputies, I saw several SPD officers on the ramp to wish that deputy well. During my time at University Hospital, I saw a Columbia PD officer arrive to offer support. I saw hospital security bend over backwards to accommodate the influx of officers. According to Anders, it wasnt just those immediately surrounding the county either. The law enforcement community stepped up in a big way to take some of the pressure off his shoulders. I saw Columbia PDs FOP send over food for the 20+ deputies (the rest of the team all of them, were there) and family members with the hospital donating snacks and drinks. I saw the Callaway County Sheriffs Office send peer support as did the University of Missouri Police Department. Encounter Baptist Church here in Sedalia sent one of their own to Columbia just to talk to deputies and family if need be. As I left the hospital, the Callaway County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy called me to help guide me through what was occurring as they had been thrust in the same situation just 7 months ago. Anders would then go on to describe the gut-wrenching feeling he felt as the news unfolded. However, he also said that he couldnt be prouder of his team for the actions and responsibility they took. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hearing the dreaded two words of, officer down over the radio makes a sheriff sick, his post says. Those words make every single officer in the city, county, and nation sick. The fear, frustration, anger, and so many other emotions is indescribable. You know that someone you love is hurt in a bad way, and a driving force begins to manifest within each of us. We want to get to them, triage what we can, and protect them. What I saw yesterday from my team embodies those emotions. I saw commitment. I saw courage. I saw strength. And I saw love. There are so many things that I saw that fosters hope for the future of the community. Final report released for 61-year-old Public Works employee killed by dump truck The result? According to Anders, the Pettis County Sheriffs Office is now stronger, united and blessed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pettis County Sheriffs Office became stronger yesterday. We have become more united. We have been blessed by God, and we will not stop doing exactly what we are on this earth to do. I do not know how to thank you all for what you are doing, have done, or will continue to do, and there are so many deserving more than a simple thank you. Anders ended his release of thoughts by saying that he, along with the sheriffs office will never forget the support they felt from the community. What I saw yesterday was just a glimpse of a family far greater than I could have ever imagined. What this state and community has done is show me what it looks like when words of support are put into action. That, will never be forgotten. Both officers injured in the shooting are expected to recover. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated and charges are pending for the suspect involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Philippines governing body of Catholic bishops has issued a rare statement in defence of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a frontrunner to become pope, over his handling of past clerical sexual abuse cases. A watchdog group, Bishop Accountability, claimed on Friday, days before the election of a new pontiff, that neither Cardinal Tagle nor Cardinal Pietro Parolin, an Italian favourite, could be relied on to protect children. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a statement on Saturday night saying that addressing allegations of misconduct by clergy rested not with Tagle, but with the respective diocesan bishops or religious superiors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since his appointment to a full-time position in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Tagle no longer holds direct authority over any diocese in the Philippines, the CBCP added. It also highlighted the key role Tagle, 67, had played while he was archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2019 in crafting pastoral guidelines dealing with sexual abuse cases. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the leader of the Papal conclave, is also a frontrunner to become the next Pope - Alessandra Tarantino/AP Anne Barrett Doyle, the co-director of BishopAccountability.org, said on Friday that these guidelines had not been published on the webpages of the Manila archdiocese nor the CBCP. If Cardinal Tagle cannot even get his brother bishops from his home country to publish guidelines, what on earth can we expect for him to achieve as pope of a global church? asked Ms Doyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She accused the church in the Philippines of remaining in the dark ages on the subject of clerical sexual abuse. Cardinal Tagle, who has been dubbed the Asian Francis for his similarly progressive views to those of the late pope, has faced criticism for not being vocal enough about such cases in his home country. Ms Doyle reserved even stronger criticism for Cardinal Parolin, whom she branded a consummate secret-keeper who could not be counted on for transparency around sex abuse matters. Both Tagle and Parolin are considered top contenders to replace Pope Francis when the secretive, centuries-old ritual of electing a new pontiff begins on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This conclave stands out because of its sheer size, with 133 cardinal electors from 71 countries, the most ever, 108 of whom were selected by Pope Francis. Over the weekend, several cardinals spoke openly about needing more time in consultations, arguing that no clear frontrunner had emerged. A candidate needs a total of 89 votes, a two-thirds majority, to be elected. The Holy Spirit has already decided but we are not yet ready, we need more time to pray, Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco of France told La Stampa, the Italian daily. We have 133 names and it is wide open, added Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib of Chile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vatican authorities said there would be two sessions of consultations on Monday to try to accelerate discussions amid a cacophony of speculation in Rome. The city is now buzzing with international journalists tracking cardinals in and out of churches, trattorias and coffee bars for a glimpse of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring. 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 mayor of Buckley is in hot water with the state. The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission says Beau Burkett owes the state nearly $15,000 for breaking campaign finance laws. Burkett who was elected in 2021 and whose term expires this year on Dec. 31 has violations dating back to 2015, when he served on the Buckley City Council. To my knowledge, he hasnt paid any of his fines, Natalie Johnson, spokesperson for the PDC, told The News Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief enforcement hearing on Thursday afternoon, the PDC added $1,000 to the mayors mountain of debt. It ruled that Burkett failed to disclose the $13,850 in debt on a 2023 financial statement, which he filed on Feb. 27, 2024. That brings the total he owes to $14,850. Burkett was not at the hearing, which The News Tribune attended, nor did he have an attorney show up in his place. The News Tribune sought an interview with Burkett for this story, but he did not respond by deadline. What laws did he break and when? Every candidate running for public office in Washington state is required to file an F-1 Personal Financial Affairs Statement, which documents the candidates salary range, the value of real estate they own, membership on boards of committees and more. Candidates must complete this form within two weeks of announcing their intention to run for office. It discloses a variety of things personal to you, and its intended to show conflicts of interest, Johnson told The News Tribune. So, for example, if its a school board member candidate, youd want to know if they owned a portion of a construction company that the school board then contracted with to build a school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to PDC documents, Burkett did not turn in F-1 forms for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2021, while running in the mayoral race, he didnt turn in his 2020 F-1 or his C-1 candidate registration form, PDC documents show. In 2022, he didnt file his 2021 F-1, documents say. Below is a breakdown of when the PDC issued fines to Burkett over the years, according to PDC documents. The PDC says he has not paid any of these fees: Aug. 21, 2015: $100 Feb. 7, 2017: $250 Oct. 15, 2017: $1,000 Nov. 20, 2018: $500 March 11, 2021: $1,000 Nov. 16, 2021: $1,000 July 9, 2022: $10,000 In 2023, the PDC took the two most recent cases totaling $11,000 to Pierce County Superior Court. A judge ruled on Aug. 18, 2023 that Burkett had to pay the $11,000 with 12% interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson told The News Tribune that all of Burketts fines have been taken to collections. When The News Tribune asked what happens after those fines get sent to collections, she said its the same process as anyone else who doesnt pay debt they owe. The collections agency, at some point, can take them to court and can get a lien on the property, wages garnished that sort of penalty, Johnson said. Thats something that the collections agency takes care of for us. According to the PDCs website, Burkett has turned in F-1s for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. However, he didnt turn in his 2019 or 2021 F-1s until years later in 2024. At Thursday afternoons hearing, the PDC said Burkett filed a 2023 F-1 on Feb. 27, 2024, but the form did not disclose the $13,850 in debt to the PDC. Johnson told The News Tribune candidates and officials are required to disclose any debt above $2,400 on an F-1 form, unless its credit card debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J Leach, the presiding officer at Thursdays hearing, ruled that Burkett now owes the PDC an extra $1,000, bringing the total up to $14,850. If Burkett pays these fees or sets up a payment plan, the PDC will waive $900 of the $1,000 fine, bringing his total to $13,950. The PDC has until May 31 to send an official order to Burkett, and Burkett has 30 days to take action after the order is sent. A right to see that information Conner Edwards, the man who filed the complaint against Burkett, told The News Tribune Thursday that he thought the penalty should have been harsher than the $1,000 fine, with $900 suspended if Burkett starts paying. Mayor Burkett is one of the approximately 5-10% of people that dont correct their forms when contacted by PDC staff, Edwards wrote in an email to The News Tribune. Despite this, and despite the many thousands of dollars that Mayor Burkett already owes the agency for years of ignoring the law, the PDC still offered to suspend virtually all of todays penalty if he corrects his F1 report. Edwards is a recent law school graduate who has filed more than 2,000 complaints with the PDC against dozens of officials across the state. It started when he became a campaign treasurer for many politicians, a job that started as a way to make some extra money during law school. He wants to challenge the way the PDC handles these cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PDC is a paper tiger when it comes down to it, Edwards said. ... all they do is dismiss the case with an administrative dismissal and say, Dont do it again. He filed another complaint against Burkett on May 1. This complaint alleges that Burkett filed an F-1 form covering 2024, but did not disclose the $13,850 in debt. He said Burketts long history of ignoring campaign finance laws is important because these laws allow the public to be informed about their elected officials. [Its a] right to see that information so that they can make an informed choice when it comes time to vote, Edwards said. Ive been to other countries around the world where corruption is a very big problem and thats in large part because many of the elected officials over there, they dont have to file these types of disclosures. Editors note: This story has been updated to change to the correct spelling of Conner Edwardss name. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday said Australians voted for unity following his Labor Party's landslide victory in Saturday's parliamentary election. "The Australian people voted for unity rather than division," Albanese told supporters in a visit to his electorate of Grayndler in Sydney's Inner West following the win. "We will be a disciplined, orderly government in our second term just like we have been in our first." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With more than 72% of the vote counted on Sunday, Labor had secured at least 85 seats in the 150-member lower house of parliament, already enough for an absolute majority, according to broadcaster ABC News. The opposition coalition meanwhile was set to suffer its worst-ever result having secured just 37 seats - with 18 seats still in play. Independent candidates won the remaining 10 seats in the lower house. Opposition coalition leader Peter Dutton of the Liberal Party was the most prominent figure to lose their seat. His defeat at the hands of Labour's Ali France in Dickson, Queensland, made Dutton the first opposition leader to lose their seat at an election. He had held the constituency for more than 20 years. Results in the Senate race usually come later, but Labor was expected to make gains there as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 18 million people Australians were called to vote on who will fill all 150 seats in the lower house and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate. Voting is compulsory in Australia. Albanese has been prime minister since 2022, when he replaced Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party-led coalition. He is the first sitting prime minister to be re-elected in Australia since John Howard in 2004. British police have arrested five men, including four Iranians, on suspicion they were planning a terrorist act. The arrests were carried out across Britain, including in London and Manchester, and were related to a suspected plot to target a specific premises, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement early on Sunday morning. The men, who are aged between 29 and 46, are being investigated for preparation of a terrorist act and remain in custody, the police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were yet to reveal a potential motive or whether the men were affiliated with a terror group. This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated, said Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism chief Dominic Murphy. The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter. We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and Id like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support. The Iranian suspects include: two 29-year-olds, one of whom was arrested in Swindon and the other in Stockport, a 40 year-old man arrested in Rochdale, and a 46-year-old man who was arrested in west London. The age and a nationality of a man taken in for questioning in Manchester was yet to be confirmed. As part of the investigation, officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with this investigation, the statement from police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation relates to a suspected plot to target a specific premises. Officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant advice and support, but for operational reasons, we are not able to provide further information at this time. 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. CLEARFIELD, Pa. (WTAJ) Bail was denied for a man accused of robbing a Sheetz in Clearfield at gunpoint and making off with cash from the register and two alcoholic drinks. Richard Harris IV, 29, was arrested in connection with the crime Sunday, May 4, and charged with robbery, terroristic threats and theft. According to charging documents, Clearfield Regional police were dispatched at 11:13 p.m. Saturday, May 3, to the Sheetz on Nichols Street for a reported armed robbery. Police said they arrived to find the store locked down with only employees inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the investigation, officers were able to view Sheetz security footage and said a man in black clothes and a black mask walked into the store. The man, later identified by numerous people as Harris, walked to the beer cooler and then went straight to the register with two Smirnoff drinks. He then waited in line for his turn. According to the criminal complaint, Harris tried to buy the alcoholic beverages and was asked to lower his mask, per Sheetz policy for selling alcohol. Harris then lowered the mask and told the employee he didnt have an ID. He was denied purchase then pulled a gun out and appeared to rack it, so a bullet was in the chamber before demanding money from the register. He left the store with $1,299 and the two drinks. Sheetz security and IT teams were able to enhance a picture of him with his mask lowered. He was then allegedly identified by multiple employees as a frequent customer. According to the complaint, multiple Clearfield Regional police officers were sent the photo and were also able to identify the man as Harris. Police said a search of his home found a pistol, an AK-47, ammunition and stolen cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris was placed in Clearfield County Jail with bail denied, citing aggravated circumstances of alleged offenses with a handgun. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 15.You can read the original story below. CLEARFIELD, Pa. (WTAJ) Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Clearfield Sheetz that happened Saturday night. Clearfield Regional police were called to Sheetz on Nichols Street around 11:10 p.m. May 3, after an unknown male robbed the store at gunpoint, demanding register money from an employee. The suspect was reportedly wearing a black coat and tan cargo-style pants with a black mask on his face and carrying a black backpack. Police said evidence is still being processed. A photo was not provided at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was last seen on foot heading towards Turnpike Avenue. Police are asking anyone in the area to check any recording devices they may have to assist officers in the investigation. This is a developing story, please check back for updates and download the WTAJ app to receive breaking news notifications. Anyone with information should call the Clearfield Regional Police Department at 814-765-1647. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: Como-Pickton CISD said a student has been identified and caught by law enforcement in connection to a threat made to a teacher on Friday night. Let me reiterate that we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior, Como-Pickton CISD said. We want to thank the effort, work and support of the Hopkins County Sheriffs Department and Sheriff Tatum. COMO, Texas (KETK) Como-Pickton CISD has been working with police after a person threatened they would shoot a teacher over the phone Friday night, school officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the district, someone pulled a prank on a teacher late Friday night by calling her with a spoof number. The person used threatening language when talking to the teacher about raising their grade and threatened to shoot her if it didnt happen, the school said. VIDEO: Marshall ISD bus involved in crash, students onboard School officials have been working with the local police department and the Hopkins County Sheriffs Office about this issue and they believe it to be a terrible prank by a student. As you might understand, we will not tolerate pranks of this nature or any joking threats towards staff or other students, the school district said. We will pursue every legal option available against such behavior, including maximum school discipline, law enforcement involvement or other maximum legal actions at our discretion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school district encourages parents to speak with their children, regardless of age level, to remind them of the seriousness of making threatening statements directed at the school community. Tyler PD investigating fatal shooting of 16-year-old Again, we do not find there to be any danger, the school said. Law enforcement is aware and they are seeking out the individual involved, but to set minds at ease, we are going to double our law enforcement presence at school for the meanwhile. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Police issued a Silver Alert for an 84-year-old in Wheat Ridge, according to a post on X from the Wheat Ridge Police Department. At 10:01 p.m. on Saturday, police said that the missing woman was located. Police were searching for Maureen Nicholls, who was last seen on Saturday night around 7:15 p.m. Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder: What to know about second-round series She was last seen near West 27th Avenue and Ames Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholls was described as wearing a blue and white sweater, with black pants and brown shoes. Police said she has late-onset Alzheimers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Police are currently investigating a disturbance call at Brentwood Drive on Sunday morning. Montgomery County Regional Dispatch said crews were dispatched to a possible shooting in the 1200 block of Brentwood Drive at approximately 10:18 a.m. As of 11 a.m., the dispatch sergeant said it is now being treated as a disturbance call. 2 NEWS will have more information as this story develops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VATICAN CITY (AP) While Pope Franci s accomplished a lot in his 12-year papacy, he left much unfinished business and many challenges for his successor from the Vatican's disastrous finances to the wars raging on multiple continents and discontent among traditionalists about his crackdown on the old Latin Mass. When the conclave's cardinals finish casting their ballots under Michelangelo's frescoed ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, the 267th pope will have to decide whether to continue Francis policies, tweak them, or abandon them altogether. Will he prioritize migrants, the environment and the social justice policies that Francis championed, or give precedence to other issues? Among the challenges facing the new pope: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role of women Francis did more to promote women to leadership positions in the Vatican than any pope before him, and his successor will have to decide whether to continue that legacy, accelerate it or back down and change course. The issue isn't minor. Catholic women do much of the churchs work in schools and hospitals and are usually responsible for passing the faith to the next generation. But they have long complained of second-class status in an institution that reserves the priesthood for men. Some are voting with their feet. Nuns are leaving in droves, either through attrition or simply quitting, leading to questions about the future of female religious orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican says the number of nuns globally has been hemorrhaging about 10,000 per year for over a decade, with their numbers at 599,229 at the end of 2022, the last year for which there are statistics. In 2012, there were 702,529 nuns globally. The new pope will have to address women's expectations for not only a greater say in church governance, but greater recognition. We are the great majority of the people of God, said Maria Lia Zerbino, an Argentine named by Francis to advise the Vatican on bishop nominations, a first for a woman. Its a matter of justice. Its not an achievement of feminism, its in the churchs interest. Womens Ordination Conference, which advocates for female priests, goes further. The exclusion of women from the conclave, and from ordained ministry, is a sin and a scandal, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gervase Ndyanabo, a prominent lay leader in Uganda, said there should be more participation of the laity and women in the administration of parishes and decision-making at all levels. Progress, he said, has come at a snails speed. Polarization of progressives and traditionalists An anonymous letter circulated among Vatican officials in 2022, highlighting what it called Francis disastrous pontificate and what a new pope must do correct the catastrophe he had wrought. Its author was Australian Cardinal George Pell, but that fact emerged only after his death in 2023. Once a close adviser to Francis but always conservative, Pell grew increasingly disillusioned with his papacy, signing the letter with the pen name, Demos the common people. Last year, a screed by another anonymous cardinal circulated, signed by Demos II. It resumed where Pell left off, denouncing what it called Francis' autocratic, at times seemingly vindictive style of governance; a carelessness in matters of law; an intolerance for even respectful disagreement; and most seriously a pattern of ambiguity in matters of faith and morals causing confusion among the faithful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It blamed polarization in the church on the confusion Francis had sown and urged the next pope to focus on recovery and reestablishment of truths that have been slowly obscured or lost among many Christians. Those letters underscored the age-old divisions between traditionalists and progressives in the Catholic Church that were exacerbated during Francis pontificate. He emphasized inclusion and synodality," or listening to the faithful, and cracked down on traditionalists by restricting their celebration of the old Latin Mass. While the conservatives may not have enough votes to elect one of their own, a new pope will have to try to restore unity. The polarization is keenly felt in the United States, where anyone using social media can challenge the Vatican or even the local churchs perspective, said professor Steven Millies of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Such forms of communications "can have a narrative of what Catholicism is that doesnt come from any ordained minister, from any bishop, and can, night after night, the world over, suggest that the pope is wrong, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clergy sexual abuse While many church leaders would like to think clergy sexual abuse scandals are in the past, survivors and their advocates want the new pope to address it as a top priority. Francis and Pope Benedict XVI took steps to end decades of abuse and cover-ups, changing church laws to punish abusers and their clerical superiors who hid their wrongdoing. But a culture of impunity still reigns, and church authorities have barely begun to deal with other forms of spiritual and psychological abuse that have traumatized generations of faithful. Twenty years after the sex abuse scandal first erupted in the U.S., there is still no transparency from the Vatican about the depth of the problem or how cases have been handled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new pope must deal with not only the existing caseload but continued outrage from rank-and-file Catholics and ongoing revelations in parts of the world where the scandal hasnt yet emerged. Ahead of the conclave, groups of survivors and their advocates held news conferences in Rome to publicize the problem. They created online databases to call out cardinals who botched cases and demanded the Vatican finally adopt a zero-tolerance policy to bar any abuser from priestly ministry. Peter Isely of the U.S. group SNAP said it was crazy and bizarre that the church doesnt apply the same rigor to abusers that it does to establishing criteria for ordination. You cant be a married man and a priest, he said. You cant be a woman and a priest. But you can be a child molester and a priest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LGBTQ+ outreach Francis famously said, Who am I to judge? when asked in 2013 about a purportedly gay monsignor at the Vatican. Francis sought to assure gay people that God loves them as they are, that being homosexual is not a crime, and that everyone is welcome in the church. His successor must decide whether to follow in that outreach or pull back. There's plenty of support for rolling it back. In 2024, African bishops issued a continent-wide dissent from Francis decision allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, and bishops from around the world attending his synod on the church's future backed off language explicitly accepting LGBTQ+ people. We want a united Catholic Church, but we must stay with the fundamentals, said Ndyanabo, the Ugandan lay leader. The gospel should not change at all because of our own human weakness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rev. James Martin, who seeks to build bridges with LGBTQ+ Catholics, knows the degree of opposition but remains hopeful. The challenge for the new pope is to continue Francis legacy of reaching out to a group who has felt excluded from their own church, Martin said. Based on the synod, I would say that many cardinals feel that there needs to be welcome of LGBTQ+ people because they know their dioceses. But how far that goes is up in the air. ___ Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, and Giovanna DellOrto in Vatican City contributed. ___ 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. By Carlos Barria VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The gleaming colonnade of St. Peter's Square provides a majestic backdrop as four men wait for a free dinner on a terrace in the heart of the Vatican, on a balmy April evening. The prestigious location is the envy of Rome's finest hotels. But the 19th-century Palazzo Migliori is a homeless shelter, housed in a building the late Pope Francis dedicated to their care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis, who died on April 21, shunned much of the pomp and privilege of the papacy and sought to make the Roman Catholic Church more inclusive and less judgmental. Known as the "slum bishop" in his native Buenos Aires because of his frequent visits to shanty towns, Francis made concern for the poor a major focus. He also asked that they play a prominent role in his funeral. After he became pope in 2013, more tents and sleeping bags appeared in the evenings in the long shadows of St. Peter's Square, as word of Francis' welcome to the homeless spread. Under his direction, the Vatican built new facilities like showers and a laundry to help them. Six years ago it gave the palazzo, once used by nuns, to the Sant'Egidio lay community, which supports those on society's margins. "He has done so much for the poor. He met so many poor people, he opened the best building to give hospitality to all these who are on the street," said Antonino Siracusa, a former homeless man who works at the Sant'Egidio shelter. The shelter currently houses 38 men and seven women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siracusa was among a group of homeless, migrants, prisoners and transgender people waiting on the steps of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Francis' chosen resting place far from the splendour of the Vatican, to greet the pope's coffin after the funeral on April 26. Each held a white rose. "I was inside the gate with a flower in my hand, waiting for Pope Francis' coffin to enter," said Siracusa. During his 12-year papacy, Francis invited huge groups of poor and homeless to eat with him - sometimes as many as 1,200 at a time. He asked that umbrellas forgotten by tourists in the Vatican museums be handed out to those on the streets. He had a Vatican post office turned into a health clinic for the poor, and distributed sleeping bags on his birthday. "We're going to miss everything. He was a pope who was doing so many things," said Siracusa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savile Piro, who is homeless and sleeps on the streets of the Vatican, said the pope "always thought of us. He has always given to us. The showers that are there - he created them. The clinic - he created it. The shelter that's here - he created it. What more could you want?" Piro was there when the pope surprised residents of the shelter with a visit. "It was an experience that you can't explain with words. A blow to the heart... it left me breathless. When we were having breakfast, and then he came in, we were all open-mouthed." THE NEXT POPE With Francis' death, nearly all Vatican officials automatically lose their positions apart from those in a handful of offices. One of those who keeps his job is the head of charity, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, a Pole appointed by Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krajewski is well known in Rome for having climbed down a manhole in 2019 to restore electricity to hundreds of homeless people living in an occupied building. The then Italian government did not approve. Cardinals will start their conclave next week to pick a new head of the 1.4-billion-member Church. Among the leading contenders is Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's number-two official for most of Francis' papacy. Another is 67-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who is from the Philippines and is often called the "Asian Francis" because of his similar commitment to social justice. Spain's Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, 79, is in the running and has promoted care for the poor and a compassionate vision of Catholicism. Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna in Italy, is known as a "street priest" who focuses on migrants and is also considered a possible candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My hope is that the next pope will follow the same path as Pope Francis. That he will be as approachable," said Siracusa. "Many say that there will be a Black pope. Many say 'let's hope he's Italian'. I say, 'let's hope he's a good pope'. That's enough," said Piro. For a photo essay, see: (Reporting by Carlos Barria; Writing by Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Frances Kerry) A Guatemalan woman who had just given birth at an Arizona hospital was swiftly taken into US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody before being released on Saturday as she faces deportation proceedings. The woman, who attorneys identified only by her first name, Erika, had been wandering in the Arizona desert alone for two days while eight months pregnant before being detained by US Customs and Border Protection agents on Monday, her attorney Luis Campos told CNN. She had crossed into the United States from Mexico between ports of entry near Tres Bellotas Ranch, about 74 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona, according to a CBP spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erika then gave birth at Tucson Medical Center on Wednesday night, two days after she was taken into custody, with federal agents posted outside of her hospital room. President Donald Trump launched a flurry of immigration policies when he took office in January, to make good on campaign promises to remove undocumented immigrants from the country and slow legal immigration. Those efforts have included targeting foreign students, undocumented workers and those crossing the Southern border. Amid the immigration crackdown, the Trump administration also reversed a longstanding policy directing immigration agents to sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals, and recently left mothers to be deported with their children who are US citizens. Campos tells CNN he had not been able to speak with Erika for days and was denied access to the hospital, which he said violated her Fifth Amendment right to counsel. He said he also was not allowed to attain her signature on a G-28 form, which is used to notify immigration authorities when an attorney is representing a client in an immigration case, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no regard for due process, Campos said. Erika initially faced expedited removal a process allowing federal agents to quickly deport individuals before eventually being issued a Notice to Appear on Friday, allowing her to appear before an immigration judge, according to Campos. He says the pressure on the federal authorities from the local community was immense. They shifted their position, and they did it under pressure, Campos told CNN, who will be meeting his client, now free in Phoenix. A Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson said the woman crossed into the US from Mexico illegally. Before she was issued a Notice to Appear, she had no statutory right to an attorney in immigration proceedings, the CBP spokesperson said. Once the notice was issued, she was given the opportunity to speak with her attorney, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At all times, agents followed the law and adhered to CBP procedures, the spokesperson said. No entitlements were denied. Tim Bentley, a spokesperson for Tucson Medical Center, said he had no comment on the situation as privacy laws prevent the hospital from sharing patient information. CNN has also reached out to the office of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for comment. The office is actively engaging with federal and local officials to gather further information, Hobbs office said in a statement to CNN affiliate KOLD. While she supports securing the border, Governor Hobbs has been clear in her opposition to inhumane immigration enforcement practices. The governor will continue fighting to protect the constitutional rights of every Arizonan and keep our communities safe. Custody of the woman was transferred to ICE on Saturday morning, according to the CBP spokesperson. The child remains with the mother, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Campos waited days to hear whether she would be released before hearing the news later that day and calling Erika, who has confirmed that she and her baby are fine. Campos said none of this would have happened if things had been done in a humane way from the very beginning. Campos said his client is seeking asylum in the US due to her fear of returning to violence in Guatemala. Local authorities were unwilling or unable to help her, so she had no option but to flee the country, he said. The next step in her case should be a credible fear interview, when she will be allowed to make her asylum case, he added. Thats what we wanted from the very beginning a simple opportunity to appear before an impartial decision maker, an immigration judge, where shes allowed to provide evidence to sustain her claim, provide testimony, particularly provide witnesses to also corroborate her version of the events, to have an attorney in those proceedings, he said. While immigration officials said it was Erikas choice whether she would bring her US citizen newborn with her to Guatemala, Campos said it is clearly no choice at all because she does not have family or friends in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or CBP will place the children with someone the parent designates. DHS takes its responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to ensure that children are safe and protected, a CBP spokesperson told CNN. But Campos says the child could face dangerous conditions. Given that the terrible prospect of the violence she faced in the home country, we would be exposing a US citizen child newborn to that same kind of threat, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One of the underrated accomplishments of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential run was that he criticized fellow Republicans for their foreign policy mistakes and lived to tell the tale. When Rep. Ron Paul (RTexas) ran for president in 2008 and 2012, he was booed repeatedly for criticizing the Iraq War and other neoconservative foreign policy positions and he eventually faded from the race. In 2016, by contrast, Trump repeatedly slammed the George W. Bush administration for the Iraq War, calling it "a big, fat mistake" and declaring that "we should have never been in Iraq." Trump also received some boos but nevertheless won the nomination even as he blasted U.S. foreign policy as too war-prone. By the end of that GOP primary season, even New York Times columnists were famously proclaiming that Trump could be a more dovish president than Hillary Clinton. When Trump ran for president again in 2024, he articulated similarly dovish themes. He blasted his former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as a "warmonger"; he advocated talking with authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un; and he repeatedly declared that only he could avert World War III. His vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, maintained that Trump was "the candidate of peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the first 100 days of Trump's second termwhen not roiling the global economy with tariffshe has talked an awful lot about absorbing more territory regardless of how the occupants of that territory feel about it. In his second inaugural address, the president pledged that the United States would be a country that "expands our territory." Some of Trump's defenders tried to explain away that clause as a reference to space exploration, but that excuse has become less and less plausible. In just his first two months in office, Trump has repeatedly and insistently declared his interest in annexing Greenland, absorbing Canada, occupying Gaza, reclaiming the Panama Canal, mining rare earths in Ukraine, and unilaterally using force in Mexico. None of this sounds particularly dovish or helpful in averting World War III. Some of Trump's more batshit suggestionslike sending the U.S. military to occupy Gazamight be written off as pipe dreams. His repeated emphasis on territorial expansion, however, cannot be dismissed so easily. The president's previous statements and first-term record help explain his obsession with expanding America's borders. First, Trump has always possessed a mercantilist, zero-sum view of world politics and the global economy. In that mindset, more territory is better than less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, Trump believes that peace among the great powers can be achieved through spheres of influence. This means conceding parts of the globe to Russia and Chinawhile expanding U.S. control over the Western hemisphere. Third, changing territorial boundaries transgresses all sorts of international normsand Trump loves transgressing. Finally, Trump wants to emulate the leaders he admires. Putin and Xi are also into expanding their territorial control. But the modern world operates differently from how Trump thinks it works. What might have worked in the 18th century is obsolete in the 21st. In trying to manifest his vision board of an expansionist United States, Trump is undermining key strategic pillars that have bolstered the free world for decades. If Trump achieves any of his desired territorial gains, the United States might be larger. But it will also be poorer and radically more insecure. Trump's Expansionist Targets Does Trump actually intend to expand U.S. borders? While he's talked a lot about territorial expansion since winning in 2024, it was not a prominent part of his campaign rhetoric. He bobs and weaves so much in his public statements that sometimes it seems the only certainty is that Trump likes uncertainty. Reports that he proposed swapping Puerto Rico for Greenland were dismissed as either absurd or naive. Can his more recent musings also be discounted as a madman gambit? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has always been a real estate guy. He likes to own land. He did give hints about his interest in territorial expansion and resource extraction prior to his second inauguration. As far back as 2011, he talked about the alleged need to "take the oil" from Iraq, arguing that we would be "reimbursing ourselves" for the trillions of dollars spent on the Iraq War. During his first term, Trump's comfort level with redrawing sovereign borders was higher than that of any other postwar president. His administration recognized Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights. To secure Morocco's participation in the Abraham Accords, his administration recognized that country's annexation of Western Sahara. Except for Israel, the United States remains the only country to recognize both annexations. Trump's second-term rhetoric and actions about territorial expansion have been consistent and persistent enough to rattle treaty allies. Panamanian officials have been on edge since Trump started loudly complaining that China controls the Canal Zone. (China does not control the Canal Zone.) In March he told Congress, "My administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we've already started doing it," causing the president of Panama to issue a public denial. In January there were multiple reports of a tense 45-minute phone conversation between Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, during which Trump issued a variety of coercive threats to pressure Denmark into ceding Greenland to the United States. One European official briefed on the call told the Financial Times, "Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous." In his first joint address to Congress, Trump declared of Greenland, "One way or the other, we're going to get it." The same dynamic has played out with Canada. Almost immediately after Trump won his second term, he talked about Canada becoming the 51st state and derisively referred to thenCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "Governor." Canadian officials including Trudeau at first nervously laughed off Trump's rhetoric. That changed after Trump was sworn in and started threatening tariffs, following through on his pledge to use "economic force" to pressure Canada into an Anschluss with the United States. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has repeatedly suggested that the only way for Canada to avoid tariffs is to become the 51st state. According to The New York Times, Trump told Trudeau in February that he did not accept the 1908 treaty demarcating the border between the two countries and wanted to revise it, including how lakes and rivers between the two nations would be governed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick explained to the Canadian finance minister that Trump was interested in exiting the raft of agreements that governed the bilateral relationship. By March, during his last week in office, Trudeau told the Canadian press that Trump is threatening tariffs because "what he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that'll make it easier to annex us." Maybe Trump is bluffing when he threatens to annex portions of Panama, Canada, and Denmark. But the leadership of all three longstanding U.S. allies seem to think that he is serious, causing a dramatic downturn of U.S. standing in those three countries. It also jibes with behind-the-scenes reporting of Trump wanting a painting of James Polkpresident during the largest expansion of U.S. territory in American historyhanging in the Oval Office. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has told visitors that Polk "got a lot of land." Why, exactly, is Trump so eager to expand America's territory? Trump the Mercantilist Back in January 2016, The Brookings Institution's Thomas Wright authored in Politico one of the earliest and most accurate assessments of how Trump thinks about international relations. Wright concluded, contrary to most foreign policy observers at the time, that Trump "has a remarkably coherent and consistent worldview" with three tenets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, Trump is deeply skeptical of the liberal international order that embraced globalization and the network of U.S. alliances. He believes trade deficits are a sign of economic weakness. Second, he believes U.S. allies have cheated the United States out of billions of dollars by running trade surpluses and not paying enough for their own defense. Third, Trump's sympathies are with foreign strongmen who he believes are tough and firm and get what they want in world politics. The result, wrote Wright, is "a worldview that makes a great leap backward in history, embracing antiquated notions of power that haven't been prevalent since prior to World War II." The whole point of international trade is that it can generate win-win outcomes where both sides benefit. Trump embodies the contrary doctrine that predated Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: mercantilism. Mercantilists believed that prosperity requires trade surplusesselling more across national borders than you buywhich in turn would allegedly augment the power of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercantilists of the preindustrial era insisted states that ran trade surpluses would be able to afford the large standing armies that were the norm in a violent 17th century. Josiah Child, a leading 17th century mercantilist, made this point repeatedly: "Foreign trade produces riches, riches power, power preserves our trade and religion." Trump's 2017 inaugural declaration that "protection will lead to great prosperity and strength" fits with that antiquated vision. Furthermore, if one believes trade is a zero-sum competition and the world an unsafe place, territorial expansion makes sense. The global distribution of territory is undeniably a zero-sum game; the more one acquires, the less territory is available for any competitor. Mercantilists believe in free trade within one's sovereign territory. After threatening tariffs on Canada this past March, for example, Trump posted on social media that the "only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear." Expanding territory creates a larger internal market, which both mercantilists and classical economists agree leads to a more productive national economy. Mercantilists like Trump will always prefer territorial expansion to more international trade, believing expansion is the path to power and plenty. The geopolitical benefits of territorial expansion are tied into Trump's desire to forge a great-power peace with China and Russia. Trump admires other great powers, and to judge from his rhetoric he views Russia and China as the only other states that truly matter in world politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This can be seen most clearly in how Trump has attempted to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The new administration has been very willing and eager to strong-arm Ukraine into a variety of territorial and tactical concessions. In contrast, Trump has been deferential toward Russia. Recall that during the now-infamous Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump asked a reporter, "You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, 'Hi Vladimir, how we doing on the deal?'" Five minutes later, Trump was saying terrible things about Zelenskyy to his face. Throughout his first term and the first 100 days of his second term, Trump has demonstrated flexibility with respect to how other great powers handle their periphery. While members of his Cabinet protested China's authoritarian crackdowns during his first term, Trump himself signaled to Xi that he would refrain from criticizing Xi's actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang in the interest of securing a bilateral trade deal. Despite imposing tariffs on China, there is persistent speculation that second-term Trump is seeking a grand bargain with Beijing, much as he desired during his first term. Trump also suggested during his first term that Crimea was historically part of Russia. In 2025 Trump has reportedly proposed that the United States recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and urge the United Nations to do the same in return for an end to the war in Ukraine. How does this connect to Trump's own territorial ambitions? All these statements are signs that Trump believes in great powers divvying up the world's assets, as Monica Duffy Toft, my colleague at Tufts University's Fletcher School, argued recently: "Today's geopolitical landscape particularly resembles the close of World War II, when U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin sought to divide Europe into spheres of influence.If Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were to reach an informal consensus that power matters more than ideological differences, they would be echoing Yalta by determining the sovereignty and future of nearby neighbors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this scenario, Trump would be cutting a deal in which Russia and China could expand their own spheres of influence. In return, the United States would have free rein over the Western Hemisphere. This would empower Trump to use America's military and economic power to redraw the map, expanding into Greenland, the Panama Canal Zone, and, oh yes, Canada. These actions would violate a welter of international treaties to which the United States is a signatory. For Trump, however, such legal impunity would be a bonus rather than a hindrance. His political superpower has always been to violate norms and laws and then emerge unscathed. If redrawing global borders helps to foster some kind of peaceful great power concert, Trump could plausibly argue that his outside-the-box thinking helped to reduce global tensions while expanding America's size. Putin's forcible acquisition of Crimea in 2014 caused his poll numbers in Russia to skyrocket despite the economic deprivations caused by the ensuing war. Nationalism plays well, and redrawing the map is a world-historical act that burnishes a leader's historical legacy. This lesson has not been lost on Trump. According to a Wall Street Journal report: "Trump remains serious about growing the country during his time in the White House. He views it as a part of his legacy, five people who have spoken to him say." If Trump could succeed in expanding U.S. territory, perhaps current citizens and future historians will look kindly upon him as well. Perhaps the combined efforts of China, Russia, and the United States can shift norms about territorial borders back to the Age of Empires. But the idea any of this will benefit the United States is nuts. Annexation Talk Leads to Resistance In 1917 the United States purchased the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 millionthe most expensive purchase of territory per square mile in American history. It has been more than a century since the United States annexed any territory in the Western Hemisphere. Indeed, the overarching global trend since the end of World War I has been for states to shed territory rather than add it. When the U.S. acquired the Virgin Islands, fewer than 60 sovereign countries existed. More than a century later, the disintegration of empires and subsequent waves of decolonization have pushed that number close to 200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundamental driver for this increase is the secular surge in nationalism. Countries and people that have any history of independence or autonomy usually do not like to relinquish it, regardless of the material consequences. It is therefore not surprising that Trump's rhetoric about buying Greenland and absorbing Canada have not gone over well with the local populations. In mid-March Greenland held electionsand Qulleq, the most pro-American party of the bunch, failed to garner enough votes for a seat in the parliament. All the major parties in Greenland categorically rejected annexation by the United States. When Vance visited Greenland in late March, his initial plan to speak to supportive locals was scrubbedbecause there were no local supporters. One could argue the U.S. military could easily control the island if push came to shove. But unless Trump was prepared to use force against the 56,000 native residents, such an effort would prove extremely messy. A similar dynamic has played out in Canada. Prior to Trump's chatter about Canada becoming the 51st state, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre was trouncing the ruling Liberal Party in the polls. It looked like the 2025 Canadian elections would be a familiar echo of the 2024 U.S. election. But as Trump kept insisting that Canada join the United States, the vibe shifted. Suddenly Canadians were booing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events, enlisting in the military at higher rates, and changing their mind about the upcoming election. Poilievre had categorically rejected the idea of joining the United States but his stylistic similarities to Trump hurt his standing. By late March, the Liberals surged ahead in national polls for the first time in three years ahead of the April 28 election. Again, the United States likely has the military might to shift the border. Whether Trump is prepared to invest in the necessary coercive apparatus to crack down on restive Canadians is another matter. Even if Trump doesn't care that residents of potential annexed areas aren't happy with the idea, neither the economic nor the security logic for expanded territorial control makes sense. Trump clearly believes that Russia is a great power, but the only dimension on which that is true is in its possession of nuclear weapons. Even though Russia is far and away the largest country in terms of geographic size, its share of global economic output peaked at 3 percent during this century and has been on the decline for years. Similarly, why would the United States need to own Greenland? The island is already extremely open to foreign direct investment, so it's not like sovereign control is an economic necessity. The U.S. already has a large military base there, andprior to the president's annexation threatsDenmark had signaled a willingness to allow an even greater U.S. military presence. Beyond the perceived prestige of expanding U.S. territory, the difference for real U.S. goals between Greenland being an independent republic, a protectorate of Denmark, or a part of the United States is negligible. Trump administration officials claim they need Greenland to ward off encroachment by Russia and China. But this just highlights another problem with Trump's logic: the hard limits of a sphere-of-influence approach to the world. Neither Europe nor the Middle East nor the entire continent of Africa have a "natural" hegemon. The reason Russia is interested in Greenland is that Moscow believes the Arctic is part of its sphere of influence; China similarly likes to talk about the Arctic as part of its Polar Silk Road. In those regions one can envision Trump's great powers gamesmanship leading not toward global stability between three regional hegemons, but rather to a new "Great Game" with all of the geopolitical tensions that come with it. Furthermore, while it is easy to suggest that the United States can trade American hegemony in the Western Hemisphere for Chinese hegemony in the Pacific Rim, quite a few other countries would have a problem with that entente. Longstanding U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea will resist being viewed as a part of China's sphere of influence; so will newer partners, such as India. Similarly, a lot of Latin American countries will not want to abandon their trading relationship with China. At present, China is South America's top trading partner and the second-largest trading partner for all of Latin America. China has signed trade agreements with Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru; 22 countries in the hemisphere are part of the Belt and Road Initiative. One can debate the geopolitical merits of cozying up to China, but a protectionist Trump administration is not going to persuade these countries to abandon the Chinese market willingly. At any rate, trading the current set of U.S. allies for an expanded United States is a horrible deal. European and Pacific Rim allies are technologically sophisticated economies providing an important source of America's foreign direct investment. The democratic regimes populating these regions have also proven to be extremely stable and durable. Sacrificing them to a sphere-of-influence approach is like trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Trump might think expanding America's territory will be the ultimate political win. But annexing territory does not have the same benefits in the 21st century that it did in the 18th. Stockpiling some rare earths might make sense as a security precaution, but equating control of natural resources with power or plenty misreads an awful lot of recent economic history. Based on the reactions to his recent rhetoric, Trump will not be able to rewrite U.S. borders without the use of force. Expending blood and treasure to acquire territory that is already under the control of loyal allies seems like too high a price to pay. Just before World War I, Norman Angell explained in The Great Illusion that the gains from trade far outweigh the gains of plunder. The horrific costs of the Great War proved a very costly confirmation of Angell's argument. With Trump's lust for expanding America's borders becoming readily apparent, we risk having to relearn this lesson the hard way. The post What if the President Tries to Annex Greenland and Canada? appeared first on Reason.com. PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) For this weeks News 19s Student of the Week, morning anchor Ellie Byrd headed over to Priceville Junior High School to surprise Mary Ottilige! Mary Ottilige is an 8th grader who moved from sunny Miami, Florida, to Priceville, Alabama. I was so nervous. I didnt know if people were going to like me or not, so I tried to be very calm at first, and then people found me and I felt very welcomed, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a very busy girl, and youre always going to find her with her hands full. She is in the band and plays the flute, but her real passion is baton twirling! It takes a lot of practice every day outside, Mary said. I learned how to do a front walkover, so I can toss it and do a front walkover. The highest trick I can do right now is a four-turn and a one-turn illusion. Mary will start high school next year, but she already has her eyes on the future. She hopes to go to the University of Alabama and be a Crimsonette in the Million Dollar Band. I just tried out for high school majorette, so definitely when I go to college, I want to be a Crimsonette, but I wanna be an ER Doctor when I grow up too, so thats a big thing that Im going for right now, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From everyone here at News 19, we cannot wait to see your dreams come true, Mary! If you would like to nominate a Student of the Week, email us at studentoftheweek@whnt.com. Tune in every Thursday to see who is picked at 6 a.m., 6 p.m. and 10 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 WHNT.com. Neither the Democratic nor Republican primary elections for any of four Lackawanna County row offices up for grabs in November are contested this year, leaving several longtime Democratic incumbents all but certain to advance to the November ballot. Incumbent Democratic row officers Evie Rafalko McNulty, the county recorder of deeds, Fran Kovaleski, the county register of wills, and Mark P. McAndrew, the county sheriff, collectively bring decades of experience to this years primary races. Theyll appear on Democratic primary ballots alongside District Attorney Brian Gallagher, a Democrat seeking a full four-year term as DA after assuming that office in early February, when former District Attorney Mark Powell filled a judicial vacancy and became a county judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the four row officers McNulty, Kovaleski, McAndrew and Gallagher face a primary challenger from their own party. McAndrew and Kovaleski are both seeking a fourth four-year term, while McNulty seeks an eighth. McNulty, first elected recorder of deeds in 1997, is also the only row officer on the ballot that at this point is set to face a Republican challenger in November. Sharon Soltis Sparano of La Plume Twp. is unopposed for the GOP nomination for recorder of deeds, meaning shell advance to the November ballot barring a successful Republican write-in campaign. No Republicans filed to run for district attorney, sheriff or register of wills. Powell, who seeks a full 10-year term as a county judge, is also unopposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, the last time the aforementioned row offices were on the ballot, only Kovaleski faced a primary challenger. She comfortably defeated former Commissioner Patrick OMalley in that Democratic primary, earning nearly 65% of the vote to OMalleys almost 35%. That fall, McAndrew, who was unopposed in the primary, defeated Republican challenger Glenn Capman to win a third term as sheriff, earning more than 66.5% of the vote. Capman, a corrections officer at the Lackawanna County Prison, had worked as a full-time deputy in the sheriffs office from 2000 until 2019, when he resigned amid a rift with McAndrew. Kovaleski defeated GOP challenger April Jenkins in the November 2021 municipal election, earning about 58% of the vote to Jenkins 35.75%. The coming primary is May 20. Polling place locations, information on mail-in ballot drop boxes and other election-related information is available online at lackawannacounty.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the county, the 2025 salaries for sheriff and recorder of deeds are $77,414. The register of wills, who also serves as clerk of the orphans court, earns an annual salary of $79,414. The district attorneys salary of $226,411 is paid by the state, county officials said. Evie Rafalko McNultyMark P. McAndrewBrian Gallagher Fran KovaleskiSharon Soltis Sparano Prince Harry would love reconciliation with his royal relatives, but says King Charles still wont speak to him due to an ongoing legal battle over security for the Sussexes, who on Friday lost an appeal after the U.K. stripped him of royal security. Hours after the court decision left the 40-year-old duke, as he put it, pretty gutted, he told the BBC that the security battle is 100% the last hurdle in the royal rift. Despite all of our differences, do you not just want to ensure our safety? Harry said in an emotional interview. Whatever stories are being written, this has always been the sticking point. Im devastated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things. I would love reconciliation with my family, Harry said. Theres no point in continuing to fight anymore. And I said, life is precious. I dont know how much longer my father has. He wont speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile. His 76-year-old father was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, around the same time Harrys sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, was as well. The 43-year-old Princess of Wales announced back in January that she was in remission and focused on recovery. Harry and wife Meghan Markles taxpayer-funded royal security was removed after they stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 and decamped to her native California. The High Court ruled in February 2024 to downgrade his personal security during visits home. Losing that appeal Friday was a surprise, as well as not a surprise, Harry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the time being, its impossible for me to take my family back to the U.K safely, he said, clarifying, Its probably too soon to tell whether hell ever bring his family back to his homeland. Private security can only do so much, Harry said. One of the major things is in any country, they dont have jurisdiction. Police protection is effective protection, which is what my grandmother made very clear that we needed. The decision, he added, has set a new precedent, that can be used to control members of the family. And what it does is imprison other members of the family from being able to choose a different life. At the heart of it is a family dispute. And it makes me really really sad that were sitting here, he said. Theres a duty of care that is being completely thrown out the window. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a new family photo following his public plea to reconcile with his father, King Charles III. Meghan shared a black-and-white picture via Instagram on Saturday, May 3, showing Harry, 40, walking with the couples two children Archie, born May 2019, and Lilibet (a.k.a. Lili), born 2021. Lili is shown sitting on her fathers shoulders, while the prince holds Archies hand as they stroll near a palm tree. The release of this new family photo comes on the heels of another tumultuous week for Harry and Meghan, 43, due to a legal setback in the U.K. Harry lost his latest appeal in a lengthy battle to reinstate government-funded security in the U.K. when three judges on the countrys Royal and VIP Executive Committee (R.A.V.E.) dismissed the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry and Meghan originally lost their security detail when they resigned from their royal duties and moved out of the U.K. in 2020. As the royal couple now live in California, their security measures are monitored on a case-by-case basis. Karwai Tang/WireImage A Buckingham Palace spokesperson praised the legal outcome, saying in a statement, "All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion." Harry and Meghan reacted to Fridays disappointing court ruling by insisting that theyd only launched their court fight to ensure their family could safely visit [Harrys] home country. This process has only ever been about ensuring my safety and that of my immediate family when we are in the United Kingdom, so that we may safely visit my home country with the same level of security that other governments deem necessary for our protection, Harry wrote in a joint statement. My ask has been simple: that the standard protocols for security and risk assessments be applied to me in the same way they are to others including people who have never carried out any public functions on behalf of the State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harry Says Hes Grateful That Kids Archie and Lilibet Keep Him and Meghan Markle Grounded In an interview with BBC News, the Duke of Sussex cast doubt on the likelihood of ever relocating his family back to the U.K. in light of the court ruling. I cant see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point, he said. The things that theyre going to miss is, well, everything. I love my country. I always have done. Despite what some people in that country have done. Harry added, I miss the U.K., I miss parts of the U.K., of course I do. I think that its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prince subsequently spoke about his strained relationship with his father King Charles III, who has been undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Stand With Each Member of the Royal Family After Stepping Back I would love reconciliation with my family. Theres no point in continuing to fight anymore, Harry told BBC News. Life is precious. I dont know how much longer my father has. Harry admitted to reporters that King Charles wont speak to [him] following his recent court battle, though he continued to hold out hope to reconcile at some stage. The prince said hed forgiven his family for the many disagreements theyd had over the years. Prince Harry's interview sparked backlash after he referenced King Charles' health in a bombshell interview amid the British monarch's cancer battle. The Duke of Sussex also admitted that he and his father are not speaking, and expressed fears about his family's security in the UK. Critics, including royal insiders and commentators, have now slammed Prince Harry's remarks as "unhelpful" and "confusing," especially amid King Charles' cancer treatment. Prince Harry Faces Backlash After Making Reference To King Charles' Health And Family Rift MEGA Harry is under fire following remarks about Charles's health made during a revealing BBC interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview, the prince opened up about the deepening rift between him and the royal family and expressed a desire to heal old wounds, despite revealing that his father, the 76-year-old monarch, is not currently speaking to him. He also mentioned he doesn't know "how much longer" his father has to live. The interview comes after Harry lost his legal appeal over personal security arrangements in the UK. While he may choose to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, the decision has added another layer of tension to his already fractured ties with the royals. "There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family," Harry admitted, per the Daily Mail. "Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things, but... there's no point in continuing to fight anymore." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, "Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has; he won't speak to me because of this security stuff. It would be nice to reconcile." Royal Aides Slam The Duke's Interview As 'Unhelpful' Amid King Charles' Health Concerns MEGA Following the interview, critics accused Harry of fueling unnecessary speculation about Charles's health. Alisa Anderson, former press secretary to the late queen, criticized the duke's remarks as "unhelpful," especially given the king's ongoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Speaking to Sky News, Anderson remarked that the royal family is likely "raising their eyes heavenwards" over Harry's public comments, warning that such statements will only "cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted, "What you don't want to do is have your private life played out in the media. So if you truly want reconciliation, you'll do it in private, not in a BBC News interview." Prince Harry Was Called Out For His 'Confusing' Interview MEGA Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams echoed Anderson's sentiment, as he branded Harry's interview "confusing." Fitzwilliams suggested Harry appeared to imply that Charles, in his capacity as monarch, had the power to resolve the ongoing security dispute but chose not to intervene. "He didn't say that exactly, because he said that his father would step aside and let the experts decide. But then, on the other hand, that implied that his father was part of the process that was against him," Fitzwilliams explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The royal commentator added, "I think people will find it confusing, because, in my opinion, it was confused." King Charles' Frustrated And Hurt' By His Son's Actions Amid Hopes For Reconciliation MEGA The controversy surrounding Harry's recent interview intensified as new claims emerged suggesting Charles had been open to mending their fractured relationship until now. According to a royal insider quoted by The Sun, the king had hoped for a reconciliation with his estranged son, but any potential reunion was believed to hinge on how Harry handled the outcome of his legal battle over security. However, Charles is said to be disheartened and irritated by his son's recent actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source claimed Charles was especially frustrated by the financial strain Harry's legal case placed on taxpayers and comments from the prince's supporters suggesting the monarch "doesn't care about [the duke's] family." MEGA The insider went on to say that Harry's choices over the past few years, combined with the public fallout from the security dispute, have only deepened the family rift. "The king has always considered this was an issue for His Government and courts to resolve and that for him to intervene in any way would be constitutionally improper," they explained. The source added: "What has frustrated and upset him on a more personal level is the duke's failure to respect this principle and for his supporters to suggest that somehow his father doesn't care about his family, or should step in, click his fingers, and demand a form of protection that the leading national experts on protection may or may not consider necessary on any given visit." Prince Harry Warns Of 'History Repeating Itself' As He Links Security Fears To Princess Diana's Death MEGA In his explosive interview, Harry drew a stark parallel between his current security concerns and the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His remarks have sparked alarm, as he suggested that the reduction in his security leaves him and his family vulnerable to similar dangers. The Duke of Sussex expressed deep concern for the safety of his wife, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, stating: "I don't want history to repeat itself. Through the [court] process, I have discovered that some people want history to repeat itself." Harry argued that the lack of adequate protection, compared to other senior royals, has increased the risk to his family, painting a grim picture of potential threats. He also criticized the Royal Household, claiming the institution has historically used security to control, effectively preventing royals from stepping away from their official roles. "It's really quite sad that I won't be able to show my children my homeland," Harry stated. ATLANTA (AP) The billionaire heir and the former bartender. Many Democrats have been in and out of the spotlight as the party looks for effective counters to President Donald Trump and his second administration. But two disparate figures, Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have seen their national profiles rise by delivering messages that excite a demoralized and fractured party. The governor, a 60-year-old heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, and the congresswoman, the 35-year-old with working-class roots, both won their first elections in 2018. Both have urged mass resistance and accused their party of not fighting more. Each has stood out enough to draw sharp retorts from Trump loyalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as messengers, Pritzker and Ocasio-Cortez could not be more different. And their arguments, despite some overlap, are distinct enough to raise familiar questions for Democrats: Should they make their challenges to Trump about threats to democracy and national stability, as Pritzker has done, or portray him as a corrupt billionaire exacerbating an uneven economy, as Ocasio-Cortez does? And beyond the message itself, what qualities should the best messenger have? What links them, said one prominent Democrat, is assertiveness. People want Trump and Trumpism to be met with equal passion and force, said National Urban League President Marc Morial, a former New Orleans mayor deeply connected in Democratic politics. On that front, he added, Pritzker and Ocasio-Cortez are both effective national figures - but in very different ways. Pritzker, an establishment power player Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker was born at the bridge of the baby boomers and Generation X into a sprawling family now entrenched in Democratic politics. Like Trump, he inherited great wealth, but he lambastes the president as a poser on working-class issues. He chaired Illinois Human Rights Commission before running for governor. In office, he has signed an Illinois minimum-wage increase and is an ally of unions. His familys hotels are unionized, making them regular options for official Democratic Party events. When Democratic President Joe Biden exited the 2024 campaign, Pritzker was floated as a replacement. He made no visible moves, quickly backed Vice President Kamala Harris and acted as the de facto host of her nominating convention in his home state. Take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity, Pritzker said in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Harris defeat, Pritzker has behaved like a future candidate. One of the nations highest-profile Jewish politicians, he fired up liberals by comparing the Trump administration to the Third Reich. If you think Im overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic, the governor said his joint budget and State of the State address on Feb. 19. All Im saying is when the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person better be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control. Addressing party faithful in the traditional early nominating state of New Hampshire, Pritzker bemoaned do-nothing Democrats, called for party honchos to set aside decades of stale decorum and urged voters into the streets. Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, but I am now, he said. Democrats, he added, must castigate (Republicans) on the soapbox and then punish them at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was enough for senior Trump aide Stephen Miller to accuse Pritzker of inciting violence. Pritzker wasted no time returning the volley, calling it terrible hypocrisy for Trump allies to complain given the Capitol siege on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump's pardons of the rioters. AOC, a progressive party crasher Ocasio-Cortez is a millennial progressive who earned degrees in international relations and economics and worked as a waiter and bartender before entering politics. With support from the progressive Working Families Party, she ousted a top House Democrat, Joe Crowley, in a 2018 primary. Like Trump, she leverages millions of social media followers. Also like Trump, she is an economic populist. But she comes from the left wing of U.S. politics and without the anti-immigration and cultural conservatism of Trumps right wing or the alliances with billionaire business and tech elites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has recently headlined Fighting Oligarchy tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a two-time presidential candidate. The tour has drawn tens of thousands of people across the country, notably including reliably Republican states, often with overflow crowds outside many stops. Ocasio-Cortezs next political move seems less certain than Pritzkers. She is seen as a potential primary challenger to Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader from New York, and she only recently became old enough to be constitutionally eligible for the presidency. But she appears poised to inherit the mantle of the 83-year-old Sanders' movement. She freely criticizes Trump. But she leans more heavily into broader economic and social critiques that shes made since her first House bid and that Sanders has offered for decades. For years we have known that our political system has slowly but surely become dominated by big money and billionaires and time after time we have seen how our government and laws are more responsive to corporations and lobbyists than everyday people and voters, she said in Folsom, California. She advocated for living wages stable housing guaranteed health care, and blasted the agenda of dark money to keep our wages low and to loot our public goods like Social Security and Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also played up her roots: From the waitress who is now speaking to you today, I can tell you: impossible is nothing. Little consensus on the left about the better pitch Ocasio-Cortez and Pritzker are allied against a common opponent, Trump, and not each other. Advisers to Ocasio-Cortez and Pritzker did not respond to questions. Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, argues Pritzker could be more attractive as a traitor to his class in the tradition of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. An East Coast patrician, Roosevelt authored the New Deals federal expansion to combat the Great Depression of the 1930s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How powerful would it be if a billionaire was the one helping to lead the charge against corrupt billionaires and corrupt billionaire corporations that are trying to crack the Constitution and loot the American people? Green said, adding that continued silence on billionaire issues should disqualify Pritzker. We have to be speaking to the shake-up-the-system vibe that people want to see. Matt Bennett, a co-founder of Third Way, which typically backs centrist Democrats, countered that Pritzker could bring a more stable version of Trumps argument that his wealth and success is an asset. Trumps biggest liability, Bennett said, is chaos that negatively affects peoples lives. People are very mad at Elon Musk, but not because hes rich, Bennett said of the Tesla CEO who is leading Trumps Department of Government Efficiency. Theyre mad at him because hes vandalizing our government and doing it in a destructive way. A relative of the governor, Rachel Pritzker, chairs Third Ways board of trustees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez is often criticized by more moderate Democrats, including Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who has also positioned herself as a thought leader in the party. Slotkin recently suggested the word oligarchy didn't resonate with working-class voters. It was an implicit rebuke of the Ocasio-Cortez-Sanders tour. Shortly after Slotkin's comments about oligarchy, Ocasio-Cortez posted on X: Plenty of politicians on both sides of the aisle feel threatened by rising class consciousness. Bennett said Democrats who emerge as party leaders, including the 2028 nominee, will be those who offer solutions for voters' frustration over their needs not being met. It's a notion that Green insisted is indistinguishable from criticizing the billionaire class, along with the tax and labor policies that drive wealth and income gaps in the U.S. Whatever direction Democrats choose, Bennett said, Ocasio-Cortez has secured her place as a national voice. She's very good at what she does. Shes formidable, he said. And anybody on the center-left who denies that is just kidding themselves. Pro-Russian demonstrators staged an Immortal Regiment rally in Washington, D.C, on May 3 to mark 80 years since the end of World War II, representatives of NFO Ukrainian Cultural Front D.C. reported on Facebook. It was the first Immortal Regiment rally in the U.S. capital in six years. Ukrainian nationals staged a protest in response. The Immortal Regiment was originally a grassroots campaign launched in 2012 to honor WWII veterans. Its members have complained that it has since been co-opted by the Kremlin and transformed into a political spectacle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officially commemorating relatives who fought in World War II, the march reinforces narratives of Russian military glory and is used to legitimize Moscow's current military actions, including the war against Ukraine. The rally, held ahead of Russias Victory Day on May 9, began at Lafayette Square Park near the White House and ended at the World War II Memorial. Read also: Hegseth reportedly ordered Ukraine aid pause without Trumps knowledge Washington police blocked streets and guarded the march's participants. "That's the crazy reality. We have a Russian march in the middle of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States... Justifying war crimes seems fine," Marichka Hlyten, an activist with the Ukrainian Cultural Front D.C., said in a video posted on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian protesters carried flags and posters that read "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is wanted for genocide," "Honor the dead, bring Russia to justice," and "Putin = Hitler." They also displayed a photo of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, tortured in Russian captivity, according to the Ukrainian Cultural Front DC NGO. An activist told the Ukrainian broadcaster News.LIVE that the Russian media covering the event kept their distance from the Ukrainian protest to skew coverage for domestic audiences. Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, is a cornerstone of Putin's nationalist narrative. By glorifying the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, Putin aims to rally support, display military power, and frame Russia as a heroic nation resisting Western aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As Trump suggests Putin feeling pressure of falling oil prices, Russian oil falls to two-year low Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MARLIN, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: An emergency meeting of the Marlin City Council will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday to deliberate and take action on conditions and urgent public necessity. The City of Marlin issued a statement on Saturday night saying topics discussed will include the failure of the citys public drinking water system, resulting in the total loss of water service. The meeting is necessary for the City Council to deliberate and take action to approve the acquisition of the necessary equipment and to approve the expenditure of necessary funds to resolve these issues. The meeting will be held at Marlin Council Chambers, located at 101 Fortune Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as the citys water treatment plant is still experiencing issues after electronic problems began. Mayor Susan Byrd said Saturday morning that TCEQ is providing technical service experts to review the situation. As a result of request made by the Emergency Management Coordinator for the city to the Southern Baptist Texas Convention, shower and laundry facilities have been delivered. However, the city had to procure generators and water in order to operate the shower and laundry facilities. Mayor Byrd says city personnel have been working overtime and in difficult situations in order to meet the needs of the community. The City of Rosebud, Senator Brian Birdwell, Representative Angelia Orr, TDEM, TCEQ, Espinosa Fencing, and all of the volunteers who have donated their time and assistance during this time of crisis. The Robinson Volunteer Fire Department has provided a 3,500 gallon water tank and water in the parking area behind City Hall. Citizens can visit the following places for water and supply resources: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First Baptist Church of Marlin 309 Coleman St, Marlin, TX 8 showers available (1 handicap accessible) 4 washers and 4 dryers Up to 700 meals served daily Hours: Sunday: 1 PM 8 PM MonSat: 8 AM 8 PM Dump Tank Behind City Hall Non-potable water available for toilet flushing Bring your own buckets or containers Not safe for drinking St. Joseph Catholic Church Starting Monday 311 Oak St, Marlin, TX 8 pallets of bottled water available for pickup starting 10 AM Monday (while supplies last) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You know whos not worked up enough about antisemitism in the U.S.? American Jews. Or so claims the Heritage Foundation, the folks who brought you Project 2025, the manifesto President Donald Trump and unelected edgelord Elon Musk are using to dismantle the federal government. Less well known is the conservative think tanks other plan to reshape American society, Project Esther. Where Project 2025 is a blueprint for dismantling an American government its authors believe is corrupted by Marxism and wokeness, Project Esther is a plan to fight what it says is widespread, organized antisemitism (informed by Marxism, natch) dedicated to the destruction of capitalism and American democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abetted by the dangerous complacency of American Jews, the authors write, antisemitic supporters of the terrorist group Hamas are not only driving protests against Israels military offensive in Gaza after the Oct. 7 attack, they've infiltrated American K-12 schools and universities, the liberal media, the cultural elite and the U.S. Army. (Yes, the famously Marxist-Hamas U.S. Army one of Project 2025s suggested reforms: Audit the course offerings at military academies to remove Marxist indoctrination.) Its a matter of existential urgency, Project Esthers authors write, to extirpate this antisemitic web from U.S. society (that means destroy completely) by canceling visas, upping deportations, revoking university funding, reshaping academic curricula and marginalizing dissent. WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: An exterior view of The Heritage Foundation building on July 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. Paul Dans, director of Project 2025 at the Heritage Foundation, has stepped down after Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump became angered by news reports tying him to unpopular Heritage Foundation policy proposals. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Fighting antisemitism is unquestionably a worthy goal. But in Project Esther, antisemitism, as one Jewish activist described it, is a smokescreen for a modern take on McCarthyism, labeling legal immigrants and American-born citizens terrorist sympathizers and marginalizing them accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Project 2025, it makes no secret about what to expect: continued attacks on colleges and universities and America's identity as a nation of immigrants, further erosion of civil rights, due process and the rule of law which Jewish people I spoke to say is likely to place Jews in greater danger. And Project Esther seems to have been constructed without the input of Jewish people or groups. While the Heritage Foundation claims that prominent Jewish organizations worked on Project Esther, when the publication Jewish Insider asked, the Jewish organizations and other groups Heritage named as partners denied the connection. Thats where this gets really weird Project Esther aligns most closely with evangelical Christians who believe Israel is important not as a Jewish homeland, but because of the role it plays in the Rapture. I know, I know. But stick with me, we'll get to all of it. Smokescreen antisemitism A billboard says 'THE END IS NEAR!' In 1986 along a busy road. Because Project Esthers essential premise is not actually true, its authors have to get creative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project Esther calls for the creation of a National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, and invents from whole cloth two classifications, Hamas Support Networks and Hamas Support Organizations," into which nearly anyone can be assigned. Like college professors and students, and an "an active cabal of Jew-haters, Israel-haters, and America-haters in Washington" which seems to have included President Joe Biden, favorite right-wing targets U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, but also U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders (both Jewish, with positions the authors find "both notorious and inexplicable") and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. And pro-Palestinian protesters, of course Project Esthers authors claim that it is impossible to voice support for Palestinians and opposition to Israels military offensive without supporting Hamas, despite polls that show only 30% to 40% of Palestinians in the Palestinian Territories say they support Hamas. Project Esther's authors speculate that complacent American Jews "may be blind and deaf to the manifestation of HSN-inspired antisemitism at home," or simply in "disbelief." Regardless, the authors conclude, American Jews have "not demonstrated a unified resolve against the HSN, its HSOs and their program of Jew-hatred and America-hatred." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While antisemitism is rising, this is hardly the way to combat it, said Howard Lupovitch, director of Wayne State Universitys Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies. "For the last 30 years of the 20th century, American Jews had the luxury of levels of antisemitism going down, and the luxury to think that trend was going to continue and that sympathy in the post-Holocaust world would confine it to margins of society and extreme voices," Lupovitch said. "It's only in the 21st century that American Jews have had to confront antisemitism in extreme forms ... When theres a president who encourages violence, whose rhetoric is stoking this, who thrives on chaos, that did not help." Political chaos, historically, has not served Jewish populations well. The rule of law is by definition not only good for Jews, but necessary for all minorities, Lupovitch said. Anything thats going to undermine the rule of law is going to be bad for Jews, even if the people doing it, in the short term, are offering some kind of immediate gain. The erosion of the rule of law, society becoming more violent even if Jews are not the target, eventually it reaches the Jews. I cant think of a single exception to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project Esthers assertion of complacency, said Lisa Tencer of Detroit Jews for Justice, ancestors fled pogroms in the USSR in the first part of the 19th Century, is very insulting, its very paternalistic and its infuriating as a Jewish person who has been thinking about antisemitism for a long time. The Heritage Foundation calls out left-wing antisemitism, like that espoused by some members of the protest movement, Lupavitch said, but ignores antisemitism on the right. Like the 2017 Unite the Right rally, which President Donald Trump described as including some very fine people; the coded antisemitism of QAnon and the Proud Boys; the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh; Musks apparent Nazi salutes, his exhortation to Germans for the nation to move past its post-World War II cultural self-examination and his eugenics-inflected approach to fatherhood; or the indelible fact that incidents of antisemitism rise during times of political polarization. Tencer said Project Esther is smokescreen antisemitism using the pretext of combatting antisemitism to increase racialized fear and division and to further authoritarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents Hamas Support Networks and Hamas Support Organizations, Tencer said, are just one step of smokescreen antisemitism: You have to create this confusion by blaming progressives, people of color, Muslims, while claiming to be the true defenders of Jews. It is this machine people are utilizing to create that division and fear and for their own power and gain. Divided communities, Tencer said, cant organize. "Its the same machine thats used to blame Black and brown people, and Muslims and the LGBTQ+ community, she said. First from recognizing that our struggles are connected, and that if one of us isnt safe and free, none of us are, that antisemitism is distinct but connected to these forms of discrimination, and that the way we fight back is the core of our organization, building partnerships across distances. Lupovitch noted that a frequent target of Heritage Foundation ire is billionaire George Soros, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who spends copiously to support liberal and progressive causes. The conservative thinktank has dubbed Soros a first-order threat to American democracy: I think this is sometimes lost on right-wing Jews," Lupovitch said. "An attack on Soros, even if his politics are different than yours, is an attack on you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among some Jews, Lupovitch said, there's the sense that a person or organization that supports Israel cannot be antisemitic. But that's not so: The next novel form of antisemitism will be the pro-Zionist antisemite. Its a hard concept for people to grasp, a hard concept for Jews to grasp, because its a hard thing to wrap your head around." Which brings us back to evangelical Christians, and the Heritage Foundation. In a 2018 poll, 80% of evangelical Christians said their support for Israel was linked to end-times prophecies. Christian evangelicals tell pollsters they value Israel either because of a Biblical instruction to pay deference to the Jewish homeland, or because the Book of Revelation designates the presence of Jewish people in Israel as one condition for Jesus' second coming. I think many dont realize the heart of this evangelical support isnt driven by the protection of Jews, but is self-serving in that its trying to bring about the Rapture, said Lupovitch, who noted that he doesnt believe all, or even most, evangelicals are antisemitic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that takes us to a very strange place. Life in a Jack Chick tract When I was a teenager knocking around the mall in Mobile, Alabama, with my pals there wasnt an awful lot to do in my hometown wed occasionally get proselytized by fundamentalist Christians looking for unbelievers to convert. Sometimes, if you got really lucky, theyd hand you a Jack Chick tract, one of those little comic books predicting death or mutilation for kids who drank, used drugs, played Dungeons & Dragons, listened to heavy metal or failed to accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. Nor was Jack Chick particularly fond of gay people, Catholics or womens rights. But the tract I found the most intriguing was one detailing the events leading up to the Rapture. The world would be engulfed in despair, corruption, immorality and perversion; the Antichrist would seize political power, creating a one-world government ruled from the Vatican, leading posthaste to the Mark of the Beast, the destruction of Israel, Armageddon, the Rapture and the Second Coming, the Lake of Fire, and so on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raised Presbyterian, a denomination more analytic than impassioned, I was fascinated by both the fervor and credulity of Jack Chicks fundamentalist Christianity. Who, I wondered already jaded at 16 could be so naive as to believe this nonsense? Well. Nancy Kaffer is the editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact: nkaffer@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Project 2025 has a weird sequel: Project Esther | Opinion PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Dozens of protesters marched up the hills of Haitis capital on Sunday demanding an end to persistent gang violence as they called on the countrys prime minister and transitional presidential council to resign. Its the latest protest to reflect growing anger and frustration over a surge in violence as gangs try to seize full control of Port-au-Prince. The only thing the Haitian people are asking for is security, said Eric Jean, a 42-year-old bus driver with a large Haitian flag tied around his neck. Were losing more neighborhoods, more people are dying, more people are fleeing their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also joining the protest was Marc Etienne, who blamed gangs for raiding his small business and leaving him homeless. The 39-year-old now lives in a squalid, makeshift camp like tens of thousands of others forced to flee their homes after gangs razed their communities. Etienne called for a new government as he blamed the current leaders for the ongoing violence and an increase in the number of children joining gangs. Haiti cannot be run among friends, he said. The city is dying because the (council) is not doing anything to make it better. A vow to fight gangs Sunday's demonstration comes a day after hundreds of people gathered in Port-au-Prince to honor several community leaders killed in recent clashes with gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freedom or death! the mourners shouted on Saturday as the leaders of the Canape-Vert neighborhood entered a small stadium where the memorial was held. Videos posted on social media showed the leaders carrying automatic weapons and wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of those killed. Many wore balaclavas to cover their faces and protect themselves from possible retaliation by gangs. Clad in white, the mourners raised their fists and clutched hands in the air as a man on stage roared in Haitian Creole, The blood is not going to be shed in vain! The fight is what? Just beginning! the crowd answered in unison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unidentified man on stage said the community would never forget the slain leaders as he condemned gang violence. People are dying, and they dont even know why theyre dying, he said. Canape-Vert is one of the few neighborhoods that has yet to fall to gangs that control at least 85% of the capital. It also is known for having one of Port-au-Princes most powerful neighborhood organizations, led in part by frustrated police officers. In early April, Canape-Vert leaders organized a large protest that became violent as they, too, demanded that Haitis prime minister and its transitional presidential council resign. Attacks of indiscriminate and brutal nature Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays demonstration and other recent protests have decried the countrys spiraling crisis, with more than 1,600 people killed and another 580 injured from January to March. In mid-March, hundreds of people armed with sticks and machetes, accompanied by members of an armed environmental brigade, successfully ousted more than 100 suspected gang members that had seized control of a Catholic school, according to a new report issued by the U.N. political mission in Haiti. But the ouster is only one of a handful of successful fights against powerful gangs backed by certain politicians and some of Haitis elite. Last year, more than 5,600 people across Haiti were killed, according to the U.N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gang violence also has left more than one million people homeless in recent years. Gunmen in recent months have targeted once peaceful neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that would give them easy access to Petion-Ville, a residential area where banks, embassies and other institutions are located. In a February attack on Delmas 30, gunmen indiscriminately fired on the population in the neighborhood, killing 21 men and injuring eight others, according to the U.N. report. In a separate attack on a nearby neighborhood where the French embassy is located, at least 30 people were killed, many of whom were traveling in small colorful buses known as tap taps, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other victims include at least 15 people who were family members of police officers. Gangs also have attacked multiple communities in Haitis central Artibonite region, killing adults and small children as they fled. The indiscriminate and brutal nature of some of these attacks shows the gangs strategy to spread panic and reduce the resistance of the local population, according to the BINUH report. Meanwhile, Haitis National Police, bolstered by a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police, has struggled in its fight against gangs as the mission remains underfunded and understaffed, with only 1,000 personnel of the 2,500 envisioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a push to crack down on gangs, the U.S. government on Friday officially designated Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang coalition, and Gran Grif, the largest gang to operate in Haitis central region, as foreign terror organizations. Critics warn the move could affect aid organizations working in Haiti at a critical time, since many are forced to negotiate with gangs to supply people with basic goods including food and water. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) May Day holiday weekend brought out protesters across several Michigan communities Saturday afternoon. Demonstrations against the Trump administration are maintaining momentum in Southwest Michigan as the administration passed the first 100 days milestone. While Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties are right next to each other on the map, they are worlds apart on the election map. In Calhoun County, more than 100 people lined Beckley Road in Battle Creek. Among the crowd was public school teacher and first time protester Melanie Snodgrass. She worried about policies threatening public education programs and other efforts working to reduce inequalities across the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all dont start on an even playing field, Snodgrass said. And I feel like every policy that Trump has put into effect is just worsening those inequalities. In November, then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump beat out Democratic candidate Kamala Harris by more than 9,600 votes in Calhoun County. Snodgrass said people backing the current president voted against their own interests. Every cut is going to affect someone they know or someone in their family or they themselves, she said. Over in Kalamazoo County, people lined up south of Westnedge Avenue in Portage for more than half a mile. A courtesy drone photo of protesters during a rally against President Donald Trump and his administration in Portage on May 3, 2025. Drone video sent to News 8 shows the view from above. Organizers claim an estimate of 4,000 people during the two-hour demonstration. A News 8 crew on scene saw more than 1,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them was Nina Kiser. She said it feels like theres a new policy issue every day under the new administration. If I just made one big sign, because this is the last straw, because it feels like every issue is a last straw, Kiser said. In Kalamazoo County, Trump was behind more than 17% of the final vote; a difference of more than 25,800 votes compared to the Democratic challenger. While the county voted blue, Kiser said protesting provides a sense of community. Its not feeling crazy in your own home, because you think something and you feel something, and you dont have an outlet, Kiser said. When we have an outlet like this, it makes a world of difference because every single one of these people will leave here feeling a little more self confidence, they are going to feel a sense of community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizer Ken Greschak with Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo said movements like this aim to reach across the political spectrum. A growing number of people including in this group here today voted for that individual not what that individual is doing, Greschak said. And we are seeing people become part of this movement because they dont believe in the values of this administration. Greschak said demonstrations will continue into the summer, but with an added goal of collecting food donations for area food banks. It made a lot of sense to kind of combine purposes and do a lot of good with our community, Greschak said. We know there have been cuts to food banks. So one of the things we wanted to do is if we want to come together as a community to invite people to bring food donations, so that we can bring it back over to Loaves and Fishes in Kalamazoo County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. May 3Around several hundred Flathead Valley residents participated in the nationwide May Day protests against the Trump Administration on May 1. About 250 demonstrators marched from a parking lot outside of the Flathead Food Bank in Kalispell west along U.S. 2 until stopping at a grassy bank that looked out over the U.S. 93 Bypass. Dozens stood in a row along the bank, each presenting a letter that together spelled out "depose Trump" and "starve the oligarchs, feed the people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several protesters waved American flags and others flashed anti-Trump signs criticizing the current administration for jeopardizing democracy and gutting federal programs. The demonstration placed a particular focus on protesting potential cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to organizers, who partnered with the national 50501 movement. Neither Medicaid nor the food program have been put on the chopping block, but local food banks have expressed worry in the past over funding cuts to programs that give federal dollars to low-income families to pay for food. Montanans received $169.5 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in 2024. According to the Montana Nonprofit Association, 37,655 Montana households received help through the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gus and Sky Shockley flashed signs along the highway. The two Kalispell residents are nurses at Logan Health Medical Center. "I see people all the time come in to get health care treatment at the last minute because they lost their Medicaid or their insurance," said Gus Shockley. Sky Shockley added that the great majority of their patients benefit from both programs. "We fear that without those services, like for us, the health care costs will just continue to rise," she said. "We just know in the health care world this won't save us any money as a country, this will cost us money, and it'll cost people's lives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montana received $1.89 billion in Medicaid funding from the federal government in fiscal year 2023 and 52% of the state's counties are more reliant on the federal program (as a percent of personal income) than the national average, according to a report from the Montana Nonprofit Association. As of 2024, 268,000 Montanans were enrolled in Medicaid, according to the Montana Healthcare Foundation. Other demonstrators showed up to protest the Trump White House. "I guess we're just trying to make a change," said 19-year-old Cassandra Carver, who was attending her first protest with her two friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just feel like most of the things that the government is doing is unjust and that democracy doesn't really exist for poor people anymore," added her friend Tylah Apgar, 20. Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. TANGIER, Morocco (AP) More than a year of protests over Moroccos decision to normalize ties with Israel has emboldened activists and widened a gap between the decisions of the government and the sentiments of the governed. The fury has spilled into the countrys strategic ports. Amid shipping cranes and stacked containers, 34-year-old agricultural engineer Ismail Lghazaoui marched recently through a sea of Palestinian flags and joined protesters carrying signs that read Reject the ship, in reference to a vessel transporting fighter jet components from Houston, Texas. Activists are urging Moroccan port officials to try to block ships carrying military cargo to Israel, much like Spain did last year. Protests often target Danish shipping company Maersk, which helps transport components used to make Lockheed Martins F-35 as part of the U.S. Defense Department's Security Cooperative Participant Program that facilitates weapons sales to allies including Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar boycott campaign landed Lghazaoui in prison last year, but that didn't deter him from turning out again for resurgent protests last month, after his release. Lghazaoui is one of more than a dozen activists pursued by Moroccan authorities for criticizing the governments ties with Israel. During a rally in November in Casablanca where Lghazaoui spoke, plainclothes officers beat him and others to prevent them from advancing toward the U.S. Consulate, he said. He later posted about Maersk on social media and was arrested and charged with incitement. Originally sentenced to a year, he served two months in prison and two on parole after the term was reduced. They try to silence people, Lghazaoui told The Associated Press. They were using me to dissuade people or to push people away from what they were doing. A push to topple 'normalization Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morocco is one of four countries that normalized ties with Israel in 2020. That year, Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, which offered incentives for Arab states to establish diplomatic relations with Israel even as its peace talks with Palestinians remained stalled. The deal delivered something Moroccan diplomats had chased for years: U.S. support for Moroccos claims over the disputed Western Sahara. But its cost growing public resentment toward normalization has ballooned throughout the Israel-Hamas war. Ive rarely seen such a chasm between public opinion and the monarchy. What the power elites are doing goes completely against what the Moroccan people want, said Aboubakr Jamai, dean of the Madrid Center at the American College of the Mediterranean. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of Morocco since the war began. While largely made up of families, students, Islamists, leftists and union members, the protests have also drawn more radical voices. Some have burned Israeli flags or chanted against royal adviser Andre Azoulay, a Jewish Moroccan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clad in riot gear, security forces have stood by and watched as protesters denounce normalization and Moroccos expanding trade and military ties with Israel. But authorities have shown that their tolerance for dissent only goes so far. Moroccos constitution generally allows for freedom of expression, although it is illegal to criticize the monarchy or King Mohammed VI and those who do can face prosecution. Throughout the war, activists who have implicated the monarchy on social media or protested businesses targeted by boycotts due to their operations in Israel have received prison sentences. The constraints mirror Egypt and Jordan, which like Morocco have publicly sympathized with the Palestinians, maintained ties with Israel and imprisoned activists who direct their ire toward the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, unlike in those countries, the arrests in Morocco have done little to quell public anger or activists demands. A harbor draws heat In recent weeks, protesters have set their sights on a new target: the countrys strategic ports and the companies using them to move military cargo. Activists and port workers recently demanded that two vessels crossing the Atlantic carrying fighter jet parts that they suspected would end up in Israel be blocked from docking in Morocco. Port protests gained momentum last month when Moroccos largest labor union backed the call to block the two ships, and dozens of religious scholars and preachers, many affiliated with the anti-monarchy Islamist movement Al Adl wal Ihsan, issued an edict with a similar message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While not officially allowed to participate in politics, Al Adl wal Ihsan has mobilized large crowds and helped lead pro-Palestinian activism throughout the Israel-Hamas war, drawing in young people who feel official parties dont speak to them. On a recent Friday, the group said Moroccans took part in 110 demonstrations across 66 cities in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Both Al Adl wal Ihsan and union members marched portside in Tangier and Casablanca, where the vessels eventually docked April 20. In a statement, Maersk acknowledged that ships that passed through the two Moroccan ports carried parts used in the fighter jet. But it denied activists claims of directly shipping weapons to conflict zones, stating that they require end-use certificates to verify the final destination of military cargo. A port official in Tangier who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak on the matter said that while cargo docked and unloaded in Morocco undergoes examination, ships docking en route to other destinations do not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military did not respond to questions about the shipments. F-35s are typically assembled in the United States, using components sourced throughout the world, including outer wings and display systems manufactured in Israel. Moroccos Foreign Ministry did not respond to questions about normalization or its port policies, though diplomats have previously argued that relations with Israel allow them to press for a two-state solution and facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. Domestic fault lines exposed Some observers in Morocco have questioned whether the focus on Gaza has diverted attention from pressing domestic struggles. Voices from Moroccan nationalist circles on social media have instead highlighted the marginalization of the Indigenous Amazigh population and the dispute over Western Sahara, which they argue are more central to national identity and sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For others, the prolonged war has prompted clear shifts. The Islamist Justice and Development Party, which once backed normalization with Israel while in power, recently invited senior Hamas officials to its congress in Rabat. However, the officials were unable to obtain visas to enter Morocco. Palestine will remain our primary cause, said Abdelilah Benkirane, a former prime minister and general secretary of the Justice and Development Party. LYKENS, Pa. (WHTM) A school van was involved in a crash in upper Dauphin County Friday, state troopers released Sunday. State Police at Lykens said the crash happened around 3 p.m. on Main Street in Lykens. Troopers said a 2019 Ford Transit, carrying six school students, was headed west on Main Street as a 2017 Honda was preparing to turn into the Boyers Food Markets parking lot. Why are flags flying at half-staff in Pennsylvania? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school van struck the Honda and both vehicles were disabled, troopers said. Emergency medical personnel from Life Team EMS responded and examined all of the school students. No injuries were reported among the students or the two drivers. The driver of the school van will be cited, troopers said. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices State Police did not identify which school or school district the students or van were from. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Despite the war he launched against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes in reconciliation with the neighbouring country. "It seems to me that this is inevitable despite the tragedy we are currently experiencing," Putin said in advance excerpts from a documentary by Russian state television marking the 25th anniversary of his first presidency. "This is a matter of time," Putin said. The Russian president once again appeared confident of victory. He asserted that Moscow has the military means to bring the war "to its logical conclusion with the result necessary for Russia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of nuclear weapons has not been necessary so far and, Putin said, hopefully will not be in the future. The Kremlin demands not only that Ukraine renounce joining NATO but also claims large areas of the neighbouring state for itself. Putin had already questioned Ukraine's statehood before the war. He referred to Ukrainians themselves as part of the Russian people. In the course of the invasion ordered by Putin, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives, including many civilians, due to the shelling of residential areas. Credit: Russia 1 / Pavel Zarubin Vladimir Putin showed off his gym and luxury juicer while discussing his desire to punch everyone on a tour around his private Kremlin apartment. In a documentary aired on Sunday to mark his quarter century in power, the Russian leader provides a first-ever look inside the gilded residence where he reveals he has lived since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago. Putin is seen making tea for state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin in a small kitchen where he keeps his 200 Australian-made blender and a 400 Turkish coffee maker as he offers him Belarusian chocolates and fermented milk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public is also treated to a glimpse of his large private gym and its dozens of weight machines, as well as a large hallway filled with a seemingly endless rack of Putins suits. Looking back on his 25 years as Russian leader, the 72-year-old claimed that he doesnt feel like some kind of politician and that he remains close to the concerns of ordinary people. I continue to breathe the very same air as millions of Russian citizens. It is very important. God willing that it continues as long as possible. And that it doesnt disappear, he said. During the film, he also mulled over his succession and said he hopes he will not have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether he sometimes gets the urge to punch someone despite his cold-blooded and reserved exterior, Putin answered: Always, adding: But I fight it. Credit: Pavel Zarubin Putin, a former KGB colonel, is the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, who was in power for 29 years until his death in 1953. Putins private life is highly secretive, and his decision to open his Kremlin home to journalists suggests an eagerness to present himself in a more personal light. As he begins the interview, Putin is seen opening the front door of the apartment to Mr Zarubin, quipping that Yes, this is the apartment, as you can see its not far away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His remark suggests that the location of the apartment is close to the Kremlin itself, the fortified official seat of government in Moscow. Putin and his interviewer then move into a hallway area adorned with chandeliers and gold-framed mirrors, while a large portrait of Russian Emperor Alexander III is prominently placed on a mantelpiece. Russian leader shows off his hallway decorations with chandeliers and gold-framed mirrors Video shows Putin has a gym built into his accommodation Ironically Alexander III, who ruled in the late 19th-century, was known as the Peacemaker in Russia as he fought no major wars. The apartments colour scheme is a mix of whites and golds, and is said to contain a library, a small church and two bedrooms, as well as its kitchen. A white piano can also be seen in the footage and, when asked if he plays it, Putin says he rarely has the time to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Showing off his fridge at one point, he revealed he was a big fan of kefir, a fermented milk drink that is good for gut health. Vladimir Putin revealed that he is a big fan of the fermented yoghurt drink, Kefir Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, the Russian leader claimed he was strong enough to finish the three-year war without relying on nuclear weapons. There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons... and I hope they will not be required, he said. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires. Putin is facing growing criticism from the Trump administration for obstructing US and Ukrainian efforts to strike a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is celebrating 25 years in power after he emerged as the victor of the March 2024 election, which is widely suspected to have been rigged. Putin secured 87 per cent of the vote. In the TV interview, he addressed the question of who should replace him as leader of Russia, but only in vague terms. I think that there should be a person, or rather several people, so that the people have a choice, he said. It came as the Kremlin announced Putin would be signing a series of deals next week with Chinese president Xi Jinping, during a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. Moscows famous Victory Day parade will be held under tight security on Red Square, with Russian soldiers who took part in the illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 expected to play a prominent role. 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. Xi Jinping will join Vladimir Putin in Moscow for commemorations of the Allied victory against Nazi Germany, the Kremlin said. The visit, due to take place from May 7 to 10, coincides with heightened tensions between China and the US over severe US trade tariffs and Putins order for a three-day truce in Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing declared a no limits partnership weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two countries have since expanded their trade and military ties in an alliance that has worried the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putins office said the Chinese president would hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart on developing partnerships and strategic ties and on issues on the international and regional agenda. The governments and ministers ... are expected to sign a series of bilateral documents, it added. Putin has ordered a temporary halt in fighting in neighbouring Ukraine from May 8 to 10, a move that Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has dismissed as theatrics. China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the three-year conflict, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Mr Zelensky accused China of supplying arms to Russia, and alleged Beijing knew of at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces. Beijing has called allegations of its involvement in the conflict irresponsible remarks. The two presidents will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe - AFP/Olga Maltseva On Sunday, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry emphasised the countrys historic and strategic ties with Russia at a time when the international order is undergoing profound adjustments. China and Russia will further strengthen close collaboration in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries, Chinese state television CCTV quoted the spokesman as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [They will] unite the vast global South, lead global governance in the correct direction, firmly oppose unilateralism and bullying acts, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation. Donald Trump, the US president, has imposed tariffs of up to 145 per cent on many US imports from China. Beijing has responded with duties of 125 per cent on US goods. Turning to the Second World War, the Chinese spokesman said: As the two main battlefields of World War Two in Asia and Europe, China and Russia made tremendous sacrifices and great historical contributions to winning the world anti-fascist war. In addition to Xi, a score of other leaders are expected to attend a military parade at Red Square in Moscow on May 9, including Russias traditional allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin has drawn parallels between its offensive against Ukraine and its Second World War fight against Nazi Germany. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A few hours of sunshine is in the forecast before clouds and rain return and stick around for the next few days. Temperatures this morning are a little chilly, you might need to warm up your car this morning if you have any plans. I know I had the heated seats on even though it was a short drive to work this morning. Overall, we are seeing the mid to upper 30s where we had partial clearing overnight, and even a few 40-degree temperature readings where it was cloudier overnight. Daytime highs for Sunday remain in the mid to upper 50s depending on how much sunshine we can squeeze out before clouds and rain move in. While it remains sunny for a few hours, clouds have already returned to areas closer to the Stateline like Jackson and Hillsdale. Clouds will move in first then the rain. Daytime highs for Sunday remain in the mid to upper 50s depending on how much sunshine we can squeeze out before clouds and rain move in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A low-pressure system directly to our south in parts of Kentucky is causing widespread rain to move into parts of Indiana and will eventually pivot into the Michigan area later today. Hillsdale and surrounding areas will see the rain between 10:30 and noon whereas Lansing and surrounding areas will have cloudy skies and rain by dinnertime. These showers are widespread and could be heavy at times. Unfortunately, they also stick around into this evening as temperatures fall into the mid to upper 40s for this evening. Heading into Monday we do see showers to start but they start to taper off by late morning commute time. We remain cloudy with temperatures in the low to mid-60s. Rain showers taper off as we head into the afternoon and we could even see a little bit of some sunshine by the early afternoon before another round of rain moves in for Monday night into Tuesday. Similar conditions are expected for Tuesday, with hit-or-miss showers and the occasional rumble of thunder with daytime highs in the low to mid 60s. The low-pressure system finally moves out by mid-week with the sunshine returning by Wednesday afternoon and evening, temperatures return to the upper 60s to low 70s by next weekend! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Congressman Stephen Lynch rallied supporters on Saturday in Quincy to fight for the working class. Lynch says hes never seen so many people fighting for so many different causes in one place, calling it a direct response to President Donald Trumps first 100 days in office. We come together, not simply to voice our protest, but to actually respond to pushback to fight back against the Trump administration, said Rep. Lynch (D-8th Massachusetts). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs advocating for unions, workers rights, and immigrants. Messages pleading to save Medicare, veterans benefits, and PBS. It was a rally for all kinds of issues that this group says are directly impacted by decisions in Washington. This is not just a political rally or a labor rally. This is really a pro-democracy rally for all of us, said Lynch. Were used to hearing about pro-democracy rallies, and places like Iran or Moscow, and they usually dont end well. You know something serious is going wrong when you have to attend a pro-democracy rally in Quincy, Massachusetts. The Trump administration has said they want to trim unnecessary spending, and they think that their cuts are going to help the American taxpayer. This group disagrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Lynch was joined by labor union representatives, gold star families, and people who are asking him for help. They wanted to rally together and support each other, and do it in a place where so much history of Americans fighting tyranny came to fruition. On April 17, 1773, the Sons of Liberty pushed 340 of the Kings Teslas into Boston Harbor, Congressman Lynch laughed. They mightve been boxes of tea, but you get my meaning. The message to end the day was that these folks needed to extend their reach outside of Massachusetts and positively impact other elections and take back the house of representatives. 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 CHICAGO An area non-profit organization is planning a pilot study of rat contraceptives, starting this summer near Lincoln Park, in an effort to find a safer and more effective alternative to rat poison. The Chicago Bird Alliance, a chapter of the National Audubon Society that covers the City of Chicago and its suburbs in Cook County, announced in a recent news release that its working with several groups to pilot the study, beginning this summer. Wisdom Good Works will supply the rat contraceptive, which is in pellets that taste like peanut butter, according to the Chicago Bird Alliance. Piping Plovers spotted at Montrose Beach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial will take place near Lincoln Park, the Chicago Bird Alliance says. Last spring, according to the organization, an entire great horned owl family died in Lincoln Park just weeks after the owlet left the nest. Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn confirmed all three deaths were the result of rodenticide. The sad truth is that rat poison doesnt reduce rat populations, the Chicago Bird Alliance said in its release. It can be lethal to any bird or mammal, including pets. Our local wildlife from owls and hawks, to squirrels, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and opossums is in danger. Consuming rat poison directly or through poisoned prey causes a slow, painful death to any animal that accumulates enough of it. The Chicago Bird Alliance says Dr. Maureen Murray of the Lincoln Park Zoos Urban Wildlife Institute will be conducting the rat contraceptives study. Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) and Rafael Rosa, Executive Director of Lincoln Park Conservancy, will partner with the Chicago Bird Alliance on fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is the Chicago skyline so deadly for birds? And what is being done about it? Additionally, the Chicago Bird Alliance says, Gloria Pittman of the citys Department of Streets and Sanitation is working closely with the aforementioned team to track the results of the pilot study. If its successful, the Department of Streets and Sanitation will work with the Chicago Bird Alliance and other groups to replicate the pilot study in other wards. Currently, the Chicago Bird Alliance says its in a fundraising phase. The goal is to raise $32,100 to cover the expenses of the study, mainly for the contraceptives. Lincoln Park Zoo is contributing cameras and Wisdom Good Works is contributing feeding stations. Visit chicagobirdalliance.org for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Households have been told to ration their water use because the South East is drier than Sydney, Dallas, Marrakesh and Istanbul. Tim Mcmahon, the managing director of Southern Water, claimed that the companys hands were being forced, adding that customers would have to use less water to avoid future bill rises. If you look at the south-east of England, its drier than Sydney, Istanbul, Dallas, Marrakesh, Mr Mcmahon told the BBC. We have got a very densely populated area and we need to start investing to cater for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to reduce customers usage. Otherwise we will have to put other investments in place, which will not be good for our customers and might not be the best thing for the environment. Southern Water said the money from price hikes is needed to improve infrastructure because the majority of its water sources will have to change in the coming decades. We cant keep extracting from our current sources, Mr Mcmahon said. Sixty per cent of them will be different in 20 years time. Thats where the investment is going. If youre in Hampshire, water will be coming from Oxfordshire from the new reservoir were building with Thames Water, pumped all the way down to Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Met Office, the driest parts of south-east England get less rainfall than Sydney and Istanbul, while American data suggests Dallas is also wetter than the south east. The forecasters data suggests that the driest parts of the South East get about 20 inches of rain a year. It states that the average annual rainfall in Sydney is just over 48 inches a year, and Istanbul gets a little under 24 inches of rainfall every year. Marrakech, on the other hand, gets just 9 inches of rain a year. An American government website states that the average annual rainfall in Dallas, Texas, is a little less than 35 inches a year. Plans for a new reservoir at Havant Thicket, Hampshire, have been given the go-ahead Southern Water and Portsmouth Water are building the Havant Thicket reservoir in Hampshire. This will be the UKs first new reservoir in 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern Water said it would be able to store 8.7 billion litres of water, providing up to 111 million litres of water a day during a drought. It also plans to take water from a potential reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire which has proved particularly controversial, with thousands of people opposing the proposal. The average household in the UK uses over 500 litres of water a day. A survey by Water UK found that 46 per cent of the British public thought their household used just 20 litres a day. 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. Will humans ever outgrow the nation state? Pat Spring, Harrogate Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com. Readers reply Assuming that the entire recorded history of the human race represents a bit of a rough patch, theres every reason to suppose so. EddieChorepost I asked an AI app and got the reply: Sorry, I faced some issues please try again. HistoricalArtefact People need a sense of belonging. At the start of the first world war, there were many who thought that the proletariats of all nations would realise their common humanity and refuse to go to war; that lasted about 10 minutes until the French working class went to war for France, the Germans for Germany, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are, in every country, groups whose tribal, clan or religious affiliation override allegiance to the nation state and whole nation states where these divisions may cause rupture Belgium comes to mind. But even if it splits apart those parts will become their own nations. bodfishbiker Humans will be evolved into digital states. Apple and Amazon are the first two in the new atlas of digital states where allegiance will be measured real time with neural link-type implants; it is the natural progression from loyalty cardship, which is the natural progression from passportery. confusedofengland Nation states are already being eroded or usurped by a global corporatocracy that: influences elections and owns our political class; prevents action beneficial to humans if it affects the bottom line; controls wealth and employment; breeds social disconnection and hyper-consumerism. Democracy as we know it is looking less and less viable as its flaws are weaponised by technology and scientific advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more and more likely that if we survive the next few thousand years, we will become passengers, observers, or even servants to an artificial intelligence network with ideas, goals, and motivations that have nothing to do with what nations or people might want or need. Ivymantled Only if people outgrow the us & them mentality. There is no them, we are all us. tonimoroni1 Nationalism is sold to us as a thing that we should be happy about and defend and often even get angry about, even to the point where you will kill. But it only serves defending those who have the money and the power in your country. If everyone who doesnt (but really does) have a stake in this, stood up and said nope, what happens then? Thats what this question is about. AlGreenie Initially I thought nay way, but then I got to thinking about my mate Lee Chesterstreet and his prize leeks. The size of his alliums are something to behold. I think it unlikely that a nation state could outgrow him. LeCorbeau Protesters marched through the heart of Charlottes immigrant community on Saturday to denounce what they called the Trump administrations illegal and unwarranted deportations and anti-union, anti-worker policies and actions. Police estimated the crowd of marchers on Central Avenue in east Charlotte at 1,500. The Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, Action NC, Carolina Migrant Network and other community groups held the event to celebrate International Workers Day. A woman holds her American flag tightly as she listens to speeches on Central Avenue in Charlotte Saturday during an anti-Trump protest. Im out here because Im disgusted with whats happening in our country, what Trump is doing, and this is only the second protest Ive been to in my life, Susan Ward of Charlotte said as she and other early arriving protesters received occasional honks of support from drivers. The last one was a few weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward, 75, displayed a handmade sign that read Dump Trump on one side and Justice for All on the other. All the lies, she said. Theyre taking all our rights from us, mentioning people being taken away who are citizens, or anybody, without due process. I hope we can dump him. A crowd estimated at 1,500 people marched on Central Avenue for a May Day anti-Trump protest in Charlott on Saturday. The event followed other protests in the region, including a rally and march by Lake Norman Indivisible in Davidson on Thursday. A representative of Action NC addresses the crowd on Central Avenue for the May Day Trump Protests in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 3, 2025. Im here to be with all the workers internationally, Angel Orellana, a 20-year-old Charlottean of Mexican and Salvadoran descent said. This is what the movements for. The struggle is always going to be the same, no matter where we are, whether its Mexico, El Salvador, here in the U.S. or in Palestine. Protesters march on Central Avenue for the May Day anti-Trump protest in Charlotte Saturday. Ryan Christiano held a poster that read, We are the 99 Percent. She is in her early 20s and from the Lake Norman area, she said. A man carries a sign with a crossed out Elon Musk face at an anti-Trump protest in Charlotte Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lower- and middle-class workers hold the majority of political power, she said. Elected officials are supposed to work for us, and the 1% shouldnt be hoarding all the wealth at the top of the pyramid and refusing to redistribute it down so everybody else doesnt have to suffer, Christiano said Its we the people, her uncle Paul Nowosielski of Wingate said. Its as simple as that. A man stands with U.S. and Ukrainian flags at an anti-Trump protest in Charlotte on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-Charlotte, drew repeated applause as she addressed the crowd outside La Coalicion (Latin American Coalition) on Central Avenue before the march. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams surprises protesters with an appearance and a speech at an anti-Trump protest in Charlotte Saturday. I support you, because immigrants rights are workers rights, Adams said. Our immigrant communities are a bedrock of the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrants are job creators and business owners, she said, including at least 16% of business owners in Mecklenburg County. She said theyve delivered thousands of new jobs to the region and more than a billion dollars a year in tax revenue. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams told protesters to march with your heads high, march with your signs raised and march with your voices loud. Without immigrants there would be no United Sates of America, Adams said . She cited pro-immigrant, pro-worker legislation shes sponsored and criticized Trump for his actions against both groups. The power of our government does not come from one mans ego, Adams said. It comes from the people, and the people are ready to fight like hell. So listen, as you march today, march with your heads high, march with your signs raised and march with your voices loud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a movement to be proud of, and you will always have an ally in me, Adams said before the crowd marched peacefully and chanted loudly, as an overhead police drone and scores of officers on bicycles monitored the two-hour event. The One Foundation has awarded Phase II of strategic grant funding to expand child care access in Fayette County, building on a growing movement for community-driven solutions to a lingering problem. The funding is critical because affordable, quality child care availability is showing no improvement, proponents say. According to a press release, the next phase of funding is also expected to pave the way for broader impact across neighboring counties in southern West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding will be distributed over the next three years to a regional task force launched in late 2024. The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force is led by Melissa Colagrosso, owner of Lochgelly-based A Place To Grow Childrens Center and founder of Together We Grow. The task force was established to address the growing child care crisis in the region, in which thousands of children are at risk of losing access to essential early learning opportunities, according to a press release. By coalescing community leaders, educators, business owners and residents, the task forces aim is to develop long-term, community-based solutions to strengthen the regions child care infrastructure and ensure a brighter future for West Virginias children, the release read in part. The initiative is led by Together We Grow, in partnership with national child care consulting firm Child Care Biz Help, with fiscal support provided by the Fayette County Family Resource Network. Organizers extended special thanks to Diane Callison, the FRN executive director, for her leadership in securing funding that paved the way for the initiative. Child care is the foundation of a thriving community, said Colagrosso, the project lead for Together We Grow. It enables parents to work, contributes to economic stability and nurtures the next generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providers are facing serious challenges such as staffing shortages, limited access and underfunded programs that require bold, united action. Thats what the Together We Grow initiative is all about. The grant, provided by the Beckley-based One Foundation, which was founded by Marz Attar, will allow the task force to pursue several key goals, including: Expanding child care access in Fayette and neighboring counties Engaging local employers as partners in building child care solutions that support working families Raising public awareness of the critical role early childhood education plays in social and economic outcomes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strengthening policy and legislative advocacy for child care investment across the state Building a sustainable infrastructure to deliver lasting improvements to the regions child care system. The press release referred to a recent report by West Virginia Watch that highlighted the absence of a concrete state plan to address the looming child care crisis. To that end, the Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force aims to step in to help fill the void and offer actionable recommendations to local and state policymakers, representatives say. The task force welcomes individuals and organizations committed to addressing the regions child care crisis. Community leaders, employers, educators, human resources professionals and concerned citizens are encouraged to lend their voices, ideas and expertise to the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colagrosso on Thursday said the deficit of affordable child care that is accessible for families is still a major hindrance to success in the region. Wheres your child care infrastructure? she asked. If you dont have child care, how can people work? If we cant get people to work, we cant get businesses to come here. Figures supplied by Colagrosso indicate that over 150 child care providers in West Virginia have closed since January 2023. New ones of substantial size have not been forthcoming, she pointed out. The problem is still the same; the subsidy system is still broken. That, she said, creates a no-win situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The One Foundation grant will provide seed money, and outreach will be ongoing to attempt to secure other funding avenues. The task force will share findings and recommendations publicly. To get involved by joining the task force, visit togetherwegrowchildcare.org. Individuals can also volunteer to assist with outreach to local businesses and community partners. Together We Grow yard signs are available to display, and campaign materials are available to distribute to increase visibility of the issue, according to the release. Were really, really working hard to get employers involved, Colagrosso said. In the most recent legislation session, Colagrosso said, We did manage to hold our own, adding, We need West Virginia to prioritize it. It has to become a priority for the State of West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potential cuts to Head Start could worsen the outcomes even more, Colagrosso said. Head Start serves child care for working families in a lot of communities, she said. Its going to worsen this crisis in child care. We are advocating strongly that our rural communities have to continue with their Head Start programs. A series of conversations on child care is scheduled for eight locations around the state, beginning with an event May 13 at the Lively Family Amphitheater in Oak Hill. It will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will offer a chance for everybody in the community to get involved, said Colagrosso. Other stops will include Lewisburg (Hollowell Park, May 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.), as well as events in Bridgeport, Morgantown, Wheeling, Barboursville, Scott Depot and Martinsburg. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The remains of an Oregon woman, missing since early April, were found Saturday by volunteer searchers in Harney County. Kaylee Birt, who was traveling from Klamath Falls to Iowa, was last seen April 4, the Harney County Sheriffs Office said. Second body recovered from Willamette River at Cathedral Park, MCSO says On that day, she was spotted leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon. Her car was found two days later in a remote part of southern Harney County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search for her was launched immediately but was suspended April 11. At the time, authorities said cougars had been seen in the search area. Harney County officials said Birts remains were found Saturday, but did not provide any other details. She was 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 KOIN.com. This month marks the 100th birthday of Malcolm X, the defiant, charismatic Black leader who electrified America with his blunt talk and biting humor. In his brief 39 years, Malcolm was many things: a street hustler who found religion in prison; a spokesman for the Nation of Islam who preached racial separatism; then, he became that rarest of leaders, one who admits a mistake. He began a new human rights movement that reached out to Whites of good faith. / Credit: Simon & Schuster Malcolm's most famous phrase "By any means necessary" was widely seen as a threat of violence. But to his admirers, it stood for self-defense, for asserting Black pride and culture, and telling it like he saw it in describing the advances of the civil rights era. "I will never say that progress is being made," he said. "If you stick a knife in my back nine inches and pull it out six inches, there's no progress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1964, after breaking with the Nation of Islam and publicly accusing its leader, Elijah Muhammad, of adultery, Malcolm was candid with CBS News' Mike Wallace about the danger he faced. Wallace: "Are you not perhaps afraid of what might happen to you as a result of making these revelations?" Malcolm X: "Oh yes, I probably am a dead man already." He was indeed. Seven months later, Malcolm X was murdered at a rally on February 21, 1965. Yet, as I chronicle in my book, "The Afterlife of Malcolm X" (to be published May 13 by Simon & Schuster), in the 60 years since, he has experienced a remarkable afterlife. It began with "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," which touched millions. Throughout the 1960s, Malcolm inspired leaders of the Black Power and Black Arts movements, and activist athletes like Muhammad Ali and Olympic sprinter John Carlos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1980s and beyond, hip hop artists invoked Malcolm, and Spike Lee immortalized him on film. Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas argued that Malcolm was actually a conservative: a believer in self-help, not looking for handouts. Now, Malcolm X is hailed by scholars alongside Martin Luther King Jr., whose nonviolent message Malcolm once mocked. Historian Peniel Joseph, author of the forthcoming book "Freedom Season," likens them to a sword and a shield. "Malcolm, we usually think of as the political sword of this period; Dr. King, as the political shield," said Joseph. "I'd say the differences between them were really about how they conceptualized freedom for Black people. "King has the famous quote where he says the law can't make somebody like me, but it can prevent someone from lynching me, right? That was Dr. King. Malcolm really felt that Black people needed to recognize their own dignity," Joseph said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, it was a sort of a psychological liberation that had to happen before the political liberation?" I asked. "Yes, dignity meant that we would no longer suffer from self-hatred and self-loathing, which Malcolm diagnosed as one of the ills of the ghetto," Joseph replied. In a 1962 speech in Los Angeles, Malcolm X asked those in attendance: "Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?" Those piercing questions, and that call to self-belief, still resonate in the fractious politics of today, as does Malcolm's warning to Mike Wallace about the consequences of injustice: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malcolm X: "White people don't realize how frustrated Negroes have become." Wallace: "I think they have come to understand the Negroes' frustration. But they're also of the opinion that no good can possibly come from violence." Malcolm X: "If they are of that opinion, Mike, if you think that the powder keg that's in your house is going to explode under certain conditions, either you have to remove the powder keg, or remove the conditions." READ AN EXCERPT: "The Afterlife of Malcolm X" by Mark Whitaker In his book exploring the cultural hold that the activist continues to hold decades after his death, journalist Mark Whitaker examines the artistic choices made by Spike Lee and Denzel Washington in their masterful 1992 biopic, "Malcolm X." For more info: "The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America" by Mark Whitaker (Simon & Schuster), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, to be available May 13 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org"The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley" (Ballantine Books), in Hardcover, Trade and Mass Market Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.orgmalcolmx.com (Official site)Peniel Joseph, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin"Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution" by Peniel E. Joseph (Basic Books), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available May 13 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.orgThanks to Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O. Florian Jenkins, "Malcolm, A Lifestyle," panel six from "The Temple Murals: The Life of Malcolm X," June 15-October 15, 1972, acrylic on canvas. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Commissioned by the Afro-American Society, Dartmouth College; P.972.231.6. Rev. O. Florian Jenkins Story produced by Reid Orvedahl. Editor: Jason Schmidt. See also: Complicated legacy of Malcolm X, 50 years after assassination PBS CEO says "we have never seen a circumstance like this" after Trump targets funding Mike Waltz's removal is "significant" for U.S. national security interests, H.R. McMaster says Face the Nation: McMaster, Maher, Kerger Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as His Holiness Pope Francis, was one of the most compassionate popes, who was deeply concerned with all people, especially the Jewish people. I compare him to Pope John XXIII (19581963), who saved many Jews during the Holocaust. Rabbi Abraham Skorka, also from Francis home country of Argentina, became one of his closest friends over the years. They wrote to each other as my dear brother, and Skorka was one of the first people to be called by the pope after his election to that role. Over the many years that they were friends, they wrote a book together, "On Heaven and Earth." Skorka told me, when he visited Grinnell, that he gave Francis a number of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschels books and Heschel often came up in their conversations. Even 50 years after his death, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel remains one of the most influential spiritual leaders in interfaith dialogue, especially American Jewish-Christian relations. I cant be certain of his influence on Francis, but many of his key ideas have a strong affinity to those of Francis. For example, in the first paragraph of Heschels classic book "God in Search of Man," he writes, When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion its message becomes meaningless. This passage by Heschel, which warns against doctrine becoming more important than empathy, embodies the papacy of Francis. Additionally, one of Heschels most significant ideas about biblical thought is his theology of pathos. When he was writing his dissertation, Heschel developed the idea that God needs human beings that God encounters us before we encounter God. Francis shared the same idea when he said, God is first; God is always first and makes the first move. Pope Francis hugs Rabbi Abraham Skorka, second from left, and Omar Abboud, director of the Institute for Religious Dialogue in Buenos Aires, during the pope's visit to the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City on May 26, 2014. The three were friends from when Francis was cardinal in his native Argentina. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun When I met Francis in 2018, we had a brief, informal conversation. Francis asked me to pray for him. Meeting Francis enhanced my admiration for him because of his exceptional humility, his deep commitment to the poor and the environment, as well as his desire to bring healing among the worlds religions, which is more critical for peace than ever before. He devoted a great deal of energy to interfaith dialogue, especially his attempt to bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians. His boundless compassion and love for all people, especially the poor, was truly inspiring. The audience with him was a very special moment for me because of his deep warmth, as if the sun was shining from his face to mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Pope John Paul II, when he traveled, Francis met with members of other traditions, including Jews and Muslims. He was the first pope to visit the tomb of Theodor Hertzl. Of the many meetings that he had, the meeting that stands out for many Jews was his visit to the synagogue in Rome on Jan. 17, 2016, where he noted that over 1,000 members of the Jewish community in Rome were deported to Auschwitz on a day in October 1943: "Today, I would like to remember them in a very sincere way: their suffering, their anguish, their tears, must never be forgotten. The past must serve as a lesson for us in the present and in the future. Judaism and Christianity are different religious traditions with conflicting truth claims. So the aim of dialogue is not to bring both parties to the same conclusion, but rather to keep listening to each other. In their dialogues, Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Pope Francis did not always agree. But Skorka agreed with the following statement made by Francis, Friendship can only be achieved by walking together. Knowing how to dialogue, respecting each others position. Fighting like brothers and reconciling like brothers its an existential journey. I believe that God, who is the Father of all of us, wants it this way. Francis had great affection for his Jewish sisters and brothers. May his memory be a blessing. Harold Kasimow, a Holocaust survivor, is the George A. Drake Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Pope Francis had compassion for people of all faiths | Opinion This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions. Starting in the 1920s, Catholics journeyed annually from Canada to a pastoral site a few miles east of Lake Wales, drawn in part by a relic what church leaders considered a physical vestige of St. Anne. A century later, the once-thriving community encircling a small lake is itself a relic. While only fragments of the original settlement remain, the St. Anne Shrine still attracts the curious, though in much thinner numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no marker along State Road 60 to indicate a historic site, though some drivers might notice the green sign denoting St. Anne Shrine Road. Turning south off the highway, you will pass between watermelon fields before coming to a narrow, two-lane road that encircles a 15-acre lake. About halfway around, you find a hint of a bridge, a pair of coquina-covered railings covering some 30 feet along both sides of the road, adorned on the lake side by a pair of low, curving walls. A short distance away, a stone structure stands at the edge of the lake a conical enclosure set atop four pillars standing upon two flat slabs, the entire edifice perhaps 20 feet tall. Tiles honor Napoleon Pelletier, the founder of the St. Anne Shrine, at the grotto, the largest remain element of the Catholic enclave dating to the 1920s. The site east of Lake Wales once held a church and a Biblical museum. Rick Smith, who lives nearby with his wife, Toni, said that two visitors have stopped at the site on a recent day. They come around and they see this, and they stop, Smith said. Im the unofficial director of where the shrine is, so to speak. Any time anybody stops here, I'll go out and introduce myself and then tell them where the shrine is, that the gentleman that built the shrine also built the bridge and the monument out in the lake, and anything with this type of stonework around the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the house theyve occupied for about 30 years, the Smiths keep an unofficial archive, including vintage postcards and photocopies of news articles dating to the 1920s, which recall the once vaunted status of the St. Anne Shrine. A platform that once held a statue of Jesus remains in place at the St. Anne Shrine site east of Lake Wales. The statue stood in front of a Catholic church, which was de-sanctified and demolished in the 1960s. Founded by French Canadian Here is the history, as captured in contemporaneous news reporting, documents from the Lake Wales History Center and previous Ledger articles: Around 1920, Napoleon Pelletier, a French Canadian, visited Florida with his son, who was considered terminally ill. The boy recovered in the balmier climate of Hesperides, leading other Canadians to begin making winter pilgrimages as a small colony arose around what was then called Lake Helena and is now St. Anne Lake. Hesperides is now recognized only by a road marker along SR 60. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Catholic bishop soon gave permission for construction of the Church of Ste. Anne des Lacs. A photo from a 1930 edition of the defunct Lake Wales Highlander newspaper shows a small, white church built in a plain style, topped by a sturdy steeple. An account describes the church as standing in a grove of tall pines. Across from the church, community members built a white, stone platform that held a statue of Jesus. They also constructed the coquina-ringed structure that bore a statue of St. Anne, described in Christian and Islamic tradition as the mother of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus and also known as Our Lady of Lourdes. Congregants posted statues depicting the Stations of the Cross in the woods surrounding the lake. Visitors have placed prayer candles, religious figures and flowers inside the grotto at the St. Anne Shrine site east of Lake Wales. The area around St. Anne Lake once held a thriving community of French Canadian Catholics. The faithful also constructed a grotto behind the church, seeking to evoke the site in Lourdes, France, where a girl claimed to have 18 visits from the Virgin Mary in a cave in 1858. The grotto, an assemblage of coquina rocks perhaps 20 feet fall, contained a statue of St. Christopher and a monument to St. Theresa, according to a 1979 article in the Polk County Historical Quarterly. The church gained an official connection with what is now the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec, a national shrine dating to the 1600s. That shrine bequeathed a holy relic, believed to be a piece of a finger bone from St. Anne, stored in a beautifully carved golden reliquary, the Highlander reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the late 1920s, the Shrine of Ste. Anne des Lacs was drawing hundreds of annual visitors from Canada, according to contemporary news reports. The church held masses on Sundays during the winter months. Catholic pilgrims also visited the site each February to celebrate the anniversary of the Virgin Mary's apparition at Lourdes and in July for St. Anne's feast day. A report in the Highlander from Feb. 18, 1930, describes a service in which the High Mass was sung in Latin, with processional hymns sung in French. The procession of the Blessed Sacrament moved from the church to the altar, the statue of Ste. Anne being carried by members of the Ste. Anne society and the golden casket by young women of the parish, the report says. Priests and bishops from as far away as St. Augustine and New Smyrna Beach presided over ceremonies at the site. Resident recalls 'lovely' church Joyce Pettus, a congregant at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales, said she is one of the few living links to the St. Anne Shrine from its era of activity. Pettus, 84, said that her grandparents, Joseph and Stella Gravel (pronounced gra-VELL), were among the French Canadians who once lived along the lake and attended the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was lovely, Pettus said. The church was a beautiful little church. At some point, after Pettus had left the area for college, the wooden church burned down and was replaced by another structure, she said. I remember it was concrete, had a window in it, and you could look inside and see a slab with a cloth on it, representing where Jesus had been buried, she said. And the cloth indicated that he had arisen. I remember that being there, and a number of people were married there. Parishioners had baptisms there. I remember playing bingo in the little social hall well, I didn't play it, but my parents did. Oak and palm trees cast shade over the grotto at the St. Anne Shrine site east of Lake Wales. The French Canadian Catholics who built the community in the 1920s used coquina for their stonework. St. Annes Shrine also held a Biblical museum, apparently operated by nuns who lived at the site. On a recent afternoon, Rick Smith indicated Pelletiers former home, a two-story house on the lakes western shore, along with houses previously occupied by priests and nuns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pettus offered an explanation for the churchs demise. It eventually got to the point that there were people who were selling all kinds of items, religious items, she said. It became so commercial that the bishop finally had to close it down. The Diocese of St. Augustine de-sanctified the church in the 1960s, according to previous Ledger reporting. Much of the shrine was removed. Pettus said that she does not know what happened to any remnants that were taken. The stone platform for the statue of Jesus still stands on the inside of the road circling the lake. The base bears a red cross on all four sides, while the slab above bears inscriptions in Latin: Adveniat Regnum Tuum (Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven) and Cor Jesu, Pax Nostra, Miserere Nobis (Heart of Jesus, our peace, have mercy on us). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All that remains of the church is a set of three steps that once led to its entrance. Weathered and darkened, the steps sit disconnectedly in the front yard of a private home. Neighbors keep Grotto tidy The one element of the St. Anne Shrine that endures, largely intact, is the grotto, easily missed by drivers as it is set back from the road and concealed behind a stand of oak and palm trees. Approaching the grotto, one notices a marble ground slab inscribed, In Memory of Napoleon Pelletier. The slab declares that Pelletier was born in Canada 1857, describing him as the zealous propagator of the St. Anne Shrine, which he built and maintained himself. Pelletier died and was buried at the site in March 7, 1942, the engraving says. In reality, Pelletier's remains were interred at the site of the former church, now an adjacent private home, Rick Smith said. Pelletiers family eventually had his remains transported to Canada, he said, and the marker was moved to the grotto. St. Anne Shrine east of Lake Wales Fl. Wednesday July 17 2024. Ernst Peters/The Ledger A moat, now dry, partly encircles the grotto. A footbridge crosses over the moat, constructed from pieces of coquina mortared together, as is the grotto itself. Circular tiles set into the bridge bear Pelletiers initials in blue (though the P is shaped more like a D). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the grottos covering, a small statue of the Virgin Mary occupies a curved niche, opposite a statue of a woman praying to her. Even after the church was demolished, Easter services were held at the grotto for years, Smith said. On Easter Sunday, we had the sunrise service here, and wed get about 100 to 150 people, he said. Youd bring your lawn chair, and they would sit around there. Initially, a priest set up a folding table as an altar, until Smith and other members of the Knights of Columbus poured concrete to make a permanent altar. But the custom of holding masses at the grotto faded amid complaints from residents, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a recent day, the tile-lined altar platform held small religious figures and a collection of artificial flowers. Prayer candles stood on a ledge at the back of the grotto. To the side of the grotto, a circular rock formation rises upward to hold a figure of St. Therese of Lisieux, known as Little Flower. White tiles set into the concrete between the grotto and the ringed structure spell out the nickname. While the rest of the land around the lake is now residential, the Diocese of Orlando still owns the grotto tract. Smith said that the ecclesiastical district does not maintain the site, so he and a pair of neighbors mow the grass and keep the altar area tidy. The diocese did not respond to a voicemail from The Ledger. We kind of put these two pieces of fence up, Smith said. People used to drive right back here. And if there's anybody back here praying or meditating, we thought that they would not want to be interrupted. The St. Anne Shrine no longer draws religious pilgrims from Canada, but enough historical mystery remains to lure periodic visitors, Smith said. We've had busloads come up from Miami, he said. This one bus had their youth group there; they were going on up to, I believe, Orlando. And they came up (State Road) 60 and stopped here at the shrine and had lunch. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Remnants hint at history of St. Anne Shrine near Lake Wales, Florida Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said farmers in his state and across the Midwest are already seeing the impacts of President Trumps tariffs and called for the country to open agricultural trade with other countries to support the industry. Bacon joined NewsNations The Hill Sunday where host Blake Burman asked him about agricultural workers and how they are handling tariff impacts slowing trade. Well, the [agriculture] community is very worried. If you talk to the Farm Bureau, the cattlemen some of our biggest meat producers here are for beef, theyre already getting their markets shut off, Bacon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were already seeing an impact on our exports in Nebraska, where weve lost market access in Europe primarily particularly with our beef and popcorn and things like that, he continued. So, we are going into a recession in the Midwest farm community. While theres concern that Trumps tariff plan will send the country into a recession, the president has expressed confidence that his agenda will help the country in the long term. He said anything can happen regarding a potential recession but thinks the economy will thrive later on. Republicans in Congress, like Bacon, are concerned that there is no outcome or exit plan for Trumps trade war, which they say will hurt markets for wheat, corn, soybeans, pork and other U.S. products. Bacon noted that the imports of fertilizers and herbicides are being impacted by higher prices and barriers due to tariffs. He said farmers across the country are really struggling right now and they need relief from the tariffs or financial aid, like Trump implemented during his first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Bacon said he thinks farmers would be better off if the administration opened trade doors instead of imposing tariffs at all. Burman asked Bacon about the timeline that he sees for farmers in his state to continue business under the tariffs. We need to get this thing settled this summer or our farmers will be struggling, Bacon replied. Well be in a recession here in the Midwest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. May 3WILKES-BARRE U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. said this week the public should never have to question whether their elected officials are serving the public or their own portfolios. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, announced his introduction of the Transparency in Representation through Uniform Stock Trading Ban (TRUST) Act legislation to ban stock trading for Members of Congress. Rep. Bresnahan said the TRUST Act would bar Members of Congress and their spouses from purchasing or selling stocks upon taking office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am introducing the TRUST Act to restore the integrity Americans expect and deserve from their government," Rep. Bresnahan said. "This legislation allows for new levels of transparency and is a safeguard to ensure Washington works for the people." If enacted, Rep. Bresnahan said the legislation would go into effect at the start of the 120th Congress in January 2027. To comply with his new legislation, Rep. Bresnahan said he is working with the House Committee on Ethics to move his personal holdings into a blind trust. "Members of Congress should not be allowed to profit off the information they are entrusted with this is a belief I have held since before taking office, and this belief has not changed," Rep. Bresnahan said. "I have never traded my own stocks, but I want to guarantee accountability to my constituents. That is why I am working with House Ethics to begin the process of enacting a blind trust. I want the people I represent to trust that I am in Congress to serve them, and them alone." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Rep. Bresnahan, the TRUST Act would: Apply to members and their spouses. Require that, upon assuming office, members and their spouses may not purchase or sell covered financial instruments, including a security, security future, commodity, and other comparable economic interests (derivative, options, warrants, etc.) Require that, upon assuming office, members and their spouses would only be allowed to purchase, hold, and sell diversified mutual funds, diversified ETFs, investments in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and US Treasuries. Subject Members who purchase or sell a covered financial instrument while in office to fines and penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bresnahan said the legislation would not require members and their spouses to divest of existing covered financial instruments any covered financial instrument a member and their spouse own upon assuming office are grandfathered in. Additionally, he said the legislation would not apply to covered financial instruments held in a qualified blind trust. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. With Mike Waltzs exit as national security adviser, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) warned Sunday that the shift in leadership removes one check on the power of those in the Trump administration with the worst impulses. Himes has previously characterized Waltz in a positive light, referring to the former Florida member of Congress as one of the proverbial adults in the room of the Trump administrations senior officials. I would put Marco Rubio in the category of also, though I may not agree with him on everything, an adult in the room, Himes said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. What worries me about Marco Rubio's role now is that, secretary of state and national security adviser, both of those jobs are too big for one person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, already leading the State Department, is currently filling the national security adviser role in an interim capacity after Waltz was removed from the post following a tenure marred by the fallout of Signalgate. Himes questioned the sustainability of employing Rubio with so much responsibility, saying these are people who actually need sleep, if were going to stay out of wars and stuff. The Connecticut Democrat noted that Waltz who was quickly nominated to serve as U.N. ambassador will face a Senate confirmation journey dominated by questions over his role in the encrypted communications scandal that unfolded in March. But Himes expressed deeper concern that Waltzs departure from the White House, as the U.N. ambassador primarily resides in New York City, leaves Trump surrounded by loyalists rather than seasoned experts willing to offer dissent. You can't run anything, much less the United States is a national security policy without having people who are willing to put uncomfortable truths in front of the president, Himes said. And I fear that we have too few of those people right now. While Himes called Waltzs role in accidentally adding Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military information with administration officials irresponsible, he seemed more frustrated with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths role in revealing operational details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have evidence of the fact that Pete Hegseth is more focused on sort of communicating in social media and not acting responsibly, Himes said. While the administration touts its new minerals deal with Ukraine as leverage over Russia, Himes said Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no serious interest in peace even with Trump back in office. With no permanent replacement for Waltz named and Rubio stretched thin, Himes said the stakes are rising: I'm a little worried about the, you know, no national security adviser idea. On CBS' "Face the Nation," retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was national security adviser to Trump during his first term, shared concerns about the future of the national security team following Waltzs departure. It seems pretty clear that President Trump is not very patient in terms of a deliberative process these days, McMaster said on Sunday. And this is why I think he may see the National Security Council staff as an impediment instead of, really, the best vehicle to drive his agenda and to integrate all elements of national power and efforts of like-minded partners to advance American interests. Republican U.S. Rep. John Carter, whose 31st district runs from Round Rock to northwest of Waco, has long styled himself an old school defender of the U.S. Constitution. He invokes the founding document frequently, to oppose hate crime legislation, advocate for gun rights, criticize the Affordable Care Act and attack executive actions by Democratic presidents. He presents himself as a public servant guided by deep constitutional principles. When it comes to President Donald Trump, however, those principles disappear. In recent months, Trump has been openly contemptuous of the Constitution and its embedded system of checks and balances. He has willfully ignored bipartisan legislation requiring him to force a divestment of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, a direct challenge to the separation of powers and the legislative process. He has deported lawful U.S. residents without due process, in some cases sending them to countries where their lives are in danger. He has targeted activists and institutions for exercising their rights to free speech and academic freedom. U.S. Rep. John Carter, shown at an event in January, features a Thomas Jefferson quote on his website: "When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When people fear the government, there is tyranny." These are not small matters. They are bright red constitutional lines that no president, regardless of party, should be permitted to cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter has had nothing to say on the subject. One searches in vain on his website and social media feeds, in his public appearances and newsletters for a word of dissent or even disquiet. When he speaks at all, which seems increasingly rare, he focuses elsewhere. On April 14, for example, Carter said nothing about Trumps suggestion, in a joint press conference with El Salvador president Nayib Bukele, that perhaps American citizens should be sent off to prison in El Salvador. That same day, Carter issued a press release touting proposed legislation to address a shortage of bus drivers in America. This set of priorities is particularly striking coming from a former judge who once thundered against the unconstitutional overreach of the Affordable Care Act and condemned then-President Barack Obamas immigration policies as an affront to the Constitution. When Democrats are in power, Carters constitutional conscience is hyperactive. When Trump steamrolls the Constitution, Carter is MIA. If he truly cared about the rule of law and the balance of powers, Carter would speak out when anyone Republican or Democrat undermines them. Instead, he reserves his outrage for moments of partisan opportunity. He cries constitutional foul when it suits him and shrugs when the violations come from within his own political tribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Thomas Jefferson once put in, in a line that Carter quotes on his own website, When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When people fear the government, there is tyranny. Carter may wrap himself in the Constitution, but he cannot claim to honor it while turning a blind eye to the fear that the administration is instilling in the people. Actually, let me rephrase that. Carter can absolutely claim to honor the Constitution while failing utterly to do so. Thats part of what makes our Constitution so extraordinary. It protects all of us, even when we betray its principles. He has the right to say what he wants, and to not say what he should. And we have the right to condemn him for it. Carter is proving himself the type of political actor the Founders recognized as among the greatest threats to the viability of the republic not a tyrant, but rather the tyrants happy enabler. Jessica Grogan is the author of "Encountering America: Humanistic Psychology, Sixties Culture, and the Shaping of the Modern Self" (Harper Collins, 2012). She is a practicing psychotherapist in Austin. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Rep. John Carter is a fair-weather friend of US Constitution | Opinion North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has shown he has a different approach to being governor than his predecessor, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, when it comes to working with Republicans. Much of Coopers time in office was defined by his budget battles with the legislature, which dragged out the process to the point that one year, in 2019, there was no state budget at all. And when the governor wasnt a factor, the House and Senate, both controlled by Republicans, fought over the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The era of a budget becoming law several months late could be over. All to be determined, of course. But there are a few important things to know. Good morning and welcome to the governor edition of our Under the Dome newsletter. Im Capitol Bureau Chief Dawn Vaughan. The Senate passed its budget. The next step is the Houses version, and then a final version that will go to Steins desk. I asked President Pro Tempore Phil Berger on Thursday if negotiating with the House over the budget will be different this year with House Speaker Destin Hall, rather than his predecessor, speaker-turned U.S. Rep. Tim Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say its different. I dont know that its moving along better or worse or anything. I think the ultimate question is, are we going to be able to get the budget finished, agreed to between the House and the Senate, and enacted into law before the end of June. I still feel pretty confident that well be able to do that, Berger said. That would mean the General Assembly would need to send Stein a final budget bill by June 20, to give the governor the full 10 days Stein has to sign, veto or let it become law without his signature. If Stein vetoes the budget, both the House and Senate would have to hold override votes to overturn his veto, so thats at least another day or two longer. I asked Berger if their goal is a budget bill that Stein will sign, and his answer included a vote count of swing Democrats. Im hopeful that well be able to put together a budget package that that he would sign. Im guardedly optimistic, that well be able to, in the Senate, get some Democratic votes, Berger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As weve previously reported, four Democratic senators voted for the Senate budget, including a very high-profile vote from former minority leader Dan Blue, whos now the swing vote to watch. Senate Republicans have a supermajority anyway, and if every senator is in attendance, could override a veto 30-20. So that means eyes will be on the House, where Republicans are one vote short of a supermajority. Like in the Senate, several Democrats there are swing votes. Gov. Josh Stein announces his 2025-27 state budget proposal during a press conference Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Albemarle Building in Raleigh. I feel, based on the comments Ive heard from Rep. Hall and what weve seen in the past, I feel like theyll probably be in a position over there where theyll have some Democratic votes as well. Whether or not there will be enough Democratic votes to convince the governor to sign it or to let it become law Im hopeful that we will see him sign the bill, Berger said Thursday. One of those Senate swing votes was from Democratic Sen. Gladys Robinson, who wants funding restored for a small agency that helps minority-owned businesses compete for state contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berger would not say if the four swing voters Blue, Robinson, Sen. Paul Lowe and Sen. Joyce Waddell would be members of the committee that negotiates the final budget bill. Berger said he hasnt made a decision yet, and will wait until senators see the House budget and figure out what the issues will be. Stein brought up HUB funding during his speech on Wednesday to the Divine 9. HUB is the Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses at the Department of Administration, an agency Stein controls. Stein speaks at Divine 9 Legislative Day The Divine 9 are historic Black sororities and fraternities, which held their advocacy day Wednesday, including an event on Bicentennial Plaza across from the Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh. Stein gave a welcoming speech, and brought up the budget. Heres what Stein told the crowd: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On education funding: Instead of hollowing out our public schools and then wondering why theyre struggling, I say, lets invest in them to set them up for success. And friends, it is long past time we gave teachers a real pay raise in North Carolina. Lets make our schools safer and modernize our school buildings, which is why I am calling for a $4 billion public school bond. And to make sure that every child is ready to learn sitting in that classroom, lets provide a free school breakfast to every North Carolina public school student, Stein said. On HUB and the economy: We need more good paying jobs in every corner of our state, from our small towns to our big cities. So lets support small business owners who are powering this economy. By strengthening minority businesses, we help revitalize North Carolina communities. What we dont need to do, is to eliminate the HUB office, as the state Senate budget calls for, Stein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This coming week is the self-imposed legislative deadline known as crossover, when a bill needs to pass at least one chamber in order to be considered by the other chamber this session. So that means after the May 8 crossover, bills will begin to be voted out of the General Assembly and sent to Stein. Then the final work of lawmaking begins, when Stein decides whether to veto or sign bills into law. Members of the Divine 9 historic Black sororities and fraternities, dressed in the colors of their organizations, listen to speakers at the annual Divine 9 Legislative Day on Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Thanks for reading. You may contact me at dvaughan@newsobserver.com. Not a newsletter subscriber? Sign up on our website to receive Under the Dome in your inbox daily. And listen to our Under the Dome podcast, which is published every Tuesday morning on all podcast platforms and is previewed in your Tuesday Under the Dome newsletter. BEDFORD, Ohio (WJW) First responders were on scene after a man reportedly fell down a hill near Tinkers Creek at the Cleveland Metroparks Bedford Reservation Saturday around 3:45 p.m. Multiple fire departments and a tech team worked together to rescue a 56-year-old man who, fire officials told FOX 8s Rex Smith, broke multiple bones. The patient was situated near the edge of a shelf and at risk of falling into the creek, with rising floodwater nearby, a Saturday night press release from the Bedford Fire Department read. Firefighters quickly repositioned and located the patient, determining this would require a technical evacuation and additional equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged in deputys death was the father of teen shot by Cincinnati police, authorities say The rainy weather added to difficulties in the rescue, but the man was taken to the hospital via an ambulance. Bedford Assistant Fire Chief Tim Grote told Smith neighbors heard the mans screams and called 911. Rescue crews have reportedly been called to the area before for other falling incidents. WJW photo It is not clear what led to the man falling down the hill. The area of Taylor Road was closed as first responders worked to the scene. Columbus boy returns home from the hospital after recovering from severe dog attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information has been released 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) Researchers with the University of Pittsburgh were in East Palestine Saturday, meeting with residents about an environmental health study. Researchers will take environmental samples of the air, water and soil within eight miles of the derailment, and theyre asking participants to give blood to check for chemicals from the derailment. They will also talk with parents about their concerns for their childrens health. The concern is that the chemicals that have been released could impact the health of the liver. Well be collecting blood and urine from adults 18 years and older, said Dean Maureen Lichtveld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants must sign up for two training sessions. More training slots are available. Those interested can sign up online. Theyre also hiring community researchers to help collect environmental samples. Those interested in being a community research can apply here. For more information, email OIG4@pitt.edu or carla.ng@pitt.edu, or call 866-748-7488. Wilson Corbisello 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 WKBN.com. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Research scientist Nichole Cubbage discusses her article, The silent grief of vanishing twin syndrome: Why words matter in health care. She explains that Vanishing Twin Syndrome (VTS), the loss of one fetus in a multiple pregnancy, often leads to unique and isolating grief, frequently unacknowledged by health care providers. Nichole shares findings from her research indicating significant dissatisfaction among patients regarding provider communication and the information received about VTS, with over half reporting negative experiences. The conversation highlights how provider languageusing terms like insignificant or medically unclear phrasingprofoundly affects patients emotional processing and underscores the lack of standardized clinical guidelines for VTS diagnosis and counseling. Nichole points to initiatives like the Butterfly Project as models for providing structured support and emphasizes actionable steps for providers: including normalizing discussions about chorionicity, acknowledging the emotional impact, offering resources, and referring to support systems, ultimately stressing that compassionate communication is crucial for improving VTS care. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertiseand its built on a foundation of trust. Its time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Nichole Cubbage. Shes a research scientist, and todays KevinMD article is The silent grief of vanishing twin syndrome: Why words matter in health care. Nichole, welcome back to the show. Nichole Cubbage: Thank you for having me, Kevin. Kevin Pho: Its good to see you again. All right, so I think you were last on a few years ago talking about vanishing twin syndrome. So tell us briefly just some context as to what that is and then jump into your most recent article and what its about. ADVERTISEMENT Nichole Cubbage: Well, the very definition of vanishing twin syndrome is complex. Its even more complex than I had initially disclosed in our first podcast together. Since that time, I have undertaken a whole doctoral degree, and I have come to find that there are different definitions of vanishing twin syndrome in the literature. However, the most universal and most cited is when a loss of one or more multiples occurs during any trimester in pregnancy. There are three general outcomes that can result from this. We could have full or partial reabsorption. There could simply be a blighted ovum, which is an empty sack. There also can be a sack with an embryo that has ceased developing. And the most severe option typically is a fetus papyraceus or conjoined twins. The fetus papyraceus is a paper-thin fetus. Its when a fetus gets compressed against the surviving multiples and the placenta and the mother. And this can vary again, depending on the type of multiples as well as some other circumstances. But there are other definitions in the literature that imply that vanishing twin is only unique to twins, instead of also being applicable to higher order multiples. We know that it occurs in more than 50 percent of triplet pregnancies and more than 40 percent of twin pregnancies. And it occurs in at least 35 percent of all pregnancies conceived with ART. So thats a pretty big statistic. Many vanishing twin syndrome cases, because of what appears to be the ambiguity around diagnostic terminology, often go unnoted or not noted with the term vanishing twin syndrome. And even in many other cases, there are patients who will never go diagnosed at all. Because by the time they receive care at their first obstetric appointment, the twins have often vanished, or the multiples, I should say, have vanished. But this is not always the case. Most often, they do typically vanish within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, so at the end of that first trimester. But many women do not have their first obstetric appointment until 10 to 13 weeks. This can vary obviously, depending on location and a multitude of other factors for health care access. But in the United Kingdom, for example, most patients dont have their first obstetric appointment until that 13-week mark. So for many of those patients, VTS will have likely occurred by that point. But more research is really needed to understand those statistics and really understand better uses of similar and diagnostic terminology thats used in cases of vanishing twin syndrome. Kevin Pho: So tell us about your latest KevinMD article: it surrounds the way that health care clinicians communicate to their patients about vanishing twin syndrome. So whats your article about? Nichole Cubbage: So, the way that we communicate really matters. The timing of when we communicate, the words that we use when we communicate, the mannerisms in which we communicate: all of those things go into affecting the patient experience and potentially patient decision-making and outcomes. When you are talking about properly informing a patient that a miscarriage has occurred or a missed abortion has occurred to some degree, ensuring that the right terminology is used so they can understand the full scope of what has occurred is very important. In a lot of cases, including my own VTS case, many women are diagnosed with the term blighted ovum, and theres really no further explanation as to what that means. A lot of the participants from the study that we just conducted mention that when they were told about the term blighted ovum, some of them said that it was a life that had tried to form but, they were told, it just wasnt able to for some reason. Some of them had indicated that they were informed it was potentially due to genetic reasons, which seems to be the general consensus in the literature for the cause of vanishing twin syndrome. But most of them were not actually given much explanation as to what the blighted ovum meant or what the potential risks were to the surviving multiples. And that is exceptionally important when the burden of care primarily lies on the patient, the parents, the family, to ensure optimal outcomes for the surviving multiples. Kevin Pho: So, for those with vanishing twin syndrome, if they experience suboptimal communication, just tell us a spectrum of emotions that one feels, just from the people that you talk to within the community. Nichole Cubbage: Well, just to start off on a positive note, though it always unfortunately kind of goes down the negative: there were a number of participants who had positive experiences with their providers, that felt very informed, very safe, knowledgeable, like they knew what to expect. And for the vast majority of patients though, over 50 percent of the participants, I think they rated it as a negative one on a scale of, I think it was negative two to positive two. I have to look back at my own study, but the scale was a sentiment score scale ranked from negative two to positive two, and more than 50 percent of participants rated a negative one. Now, the vast majority of participants were from the U.S., but we had over 115 participants from, I think, 18 nations in three different hemispheres, and it was very insightful. But most of them were anxious. They didnt know what to expect. Most of them felt very sad and just underprepared. In many cases, including my own, a lot of patients wanted to know how to prepare for the birth. And that included the handling of fetal remains at the time of birth. Since there is some ambiguity as to what can occur with the remains throughout pregnancy, there lies the question of whether or not theyll be present at birth and, if so, how are those memorialized or disposed of in accordance with the law and patient desires and needs. So that was a big cause of uncertainty, and that seemed to really vary by location because, again, the laws surrounding the handling of fetal human remains and what defines human life vary so greatly. And theres really not much of a universal definition, as many listeners probably know. There have been philosophical debates about what constitutes life for a long time, and not even trying to get political about it, its really a matter of what the patient needs and believes, and I think accommodating the patient needs in health care is the priority. From a clinical standpoint, the vast majority of the literature and providers, from at least the participants that we studied, appear to have defined life at the beginning of a heartbeat or the cessation thereof. But if you have vanishing twin, if you have a case where a heartbeat was never detected or there was never a heart to begin with, there may still be some wishes on behalf of the patients to acknowledge the life lost. And from a clinical standpoint, that can be difficult for providers who have seen developing fetuses come and go; its par for the course, and its a tricky place. But the most important thing is just to prioritize the patient needs and wants. Kevin Pho: So give us an example of some of the language that you would like to see used more often, or some of the mannerisms or some tips that you could share with clinicians when discussing a vanishing twin syndrome diagnosis. Nichole Cubbage: This is a really interesting point. Theres a set of guidelines that it refers to vanishing twin syndrome as a vanish or as the vanishing twin phenomenon. And I think that very distant language in this particular set of guidelines, which serve as diagnostic criteria for ultrasoundsand thats really the frontline point of diagnosis right there in VTS carethey refer to VTS as a phenomenon, and that distant language could be potentially harmful because, while at some degree it is a phenomenon, everything is kind of a phenomenon, right? To some degree, VTS is also something that we have clear diagnostic criteria for, despite all these various outcomes that can occur. And so Im writing a literature review right now, and one of the things that were working on is thinking about potential terms to use instead of vanishing twin syndrome. There is one term that has been proposed that Im particularly a fan of: its called Womb Twin, and it really encompasses all the different types of loss that can occur. Vanishing twin, again, it implies that it only is applicable to twins or that twins, plural, vanish and not just one of twins or one of more multiples. And I think that thats really important to account for is to be inclusive in the terminology that we use. And when we use the term Womb Twin, that could potentially I dont know, I want to say its better, but its hard to argue that it is actually better. There, we could also use a spontaneous loss of a multiple pregnancy or a missed abortion of a multiple pregnancy. These are all terms that could be considered, but it is very difficult to find, as somebody who really loves language and philosophy, language is very difficult to find a good term. The term Womb Twin was created, I believe, by Althea Hayton. I have yet to find an earlier use of the term Womb Twin in academic databases. She is not included in the national health database but she is included in others. I think EBSCO has her, and she uses this term, and then she also wrote aboutshes a licensed British therapistand she also wrote about some strategies for how to work with vanishing twin syndrome patients. That is potentially a whole podcast in itself, but that term may be more inclusive. In any case, if we are going to continue forward with the term vanishing twin syndrome, there has to be a level of education, I think, that comes with it. One really amazing way that providers are being educated on multiple loss right now is through something called the Butterfly Project in the United Kingdom. Dr. Embleton and his team over theretheres Dr. Rankin and Nunn and a number of other really amazing folkscreated the Butterfly Project. It has provider training modules that are free up until a certain point; theyre sponsored by the National Health System, and you could take them on your own time if you look them up. If you look up the Butterfly Project and Dr. Embleton NICU, youll find it. Most of the training is geared towards NICU providers because that is where we see a lot of these patients first being treated. However, there is a lot of work that also needs to be done when it comes to training providers in obstetrics and even in pediatrics because the continuity of care really goes throughout the whole course of life we need to account for that; it begins in the prenatal environment and then continues on or may continue on. We dont know. Not necessarily everybody will have effects, but there will be a good portion who do. And whats also important to consider is that a lot of our current testing methods are inadequate for determining the molecular impacts on surviving multiples. So future guidelines and research really ought to account for that when they describe the frequency with which VTS occurs, because if we dont really have the testing methods to adequately account for certain rates of things like chimerism, for example, it really is difficult to say what the outcomes are with certainty. Many testing methods have very inadequate thresholds, or they arent able to differentiate things, like in SNP microarray testing, we cant determine if extra DNA is coming from the mother or a deceased fetus, things like that. And so, yeah, I hope that answers your question. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Nichole Cubbage. Shes a research scientist. Todays KevinMD article is The silent grief of vanishing twin syndrome: Why words matter in health care. Nichole, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Nichole Cubbage: My take-home message for the listeners today is that, again: words matter, how we talk about things. Not only the words that we choose to describe them, but the mannerisms in which we use them can really impact the patient experience and how patients view themselves, what is happening to them, and their disposition moving forward throughout such a fragile time in life such as pregnancy. So, with that I thank you for your time today, Kevin. As always, youre amazing and I appreciate you. Kevin Pho: Nichole, thank you so much for sharing your story, time, and perspective, and thanks again for coming back on the show. The Texan community home to Elon Musk's SpaceX will be renamed Starbase, after a clear majority of residents, almost exclusively employees of the space company, voted in favour of formally organizing the settlement into a city. In Saturday's vote, a total of 212 of the roughly 300 residents eligible to cast a ballot were in favour of the change, with only six against. The community in south-east Texas near the border with Mexico covers some 3.75 square kilometres near the SpaceX plant manufacturing the Starship rocket, designed to fly to Mars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the settlement's main landmarks is a large bust of company boss and tech billionaire Musk. Residents also elected SpaceX manager Bobby Peden as their mayor. "Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity's place in space," the newly-crowned city posted late Saturday (early Sunday GMT) on a freshly set-up account on X, the social media platform owned by Musk. Musk also celebrated with a post on X, saying Starbase "is now a real city!" It comes after Cameron County rejected plans to build more housing for SpaceX employees. As a city, Starbase will now be able to approve construction projects itself. The Department of Education restarts collections of loans in default on Monday, putting millions of borrowers at risk of having their benefits and wages garnished. The move arrives as the Trump administration works to dismantle the Education Department and aggressively roll back former President Joe Bidens policies, including those around student loan forgiveness. Its expected to affect the more than 5 million borrowers who are in default. And that number could rise over the next few months: There are 4 million additional borrowers in late-stage delinquency, which occurs after 90 days without payment, the department said in a news release last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know so far: What does it mean when federal student loans are in default? Federal student loans go into default after 270 days without payment. If you are not in default, the move to restart sending loans in default to collections will not affect you. How do I know if I am in default? When a student loan goes in default, it will be reflected on your credit report. You can check on the status of your loan by reaching out to your student loan servicer or visiting the Federal Student Aid website for more information. Experts who spoke with CNN recommend that even if you know your loans arent in default, you should still check on the status of your loans and stay informed on options available to you. How can the government garnish my wages and benefits? As part of its move to resume collection of these debts, the government has restarted the Treasury Offset Program, which collects debts by garnishing federal and state payments, such as tax returns or social security benefits. This will only apply to you if you are in default. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education Department also said in April that it will restart the process of administrative wage garnishment this summer. That allows the agency to order non-federal employers to withhold part of an employees income to pay off the student loans in default. How do I get out of default? The Education Department has urged borrowers in default to contact the student aid offices Default Resolution Group and make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation. Loan rehabilitation Borrowers in default are able to rehabilitate their loans by making nine voluntary, uninterrupted payments over a 10-month period. A borrower can only rehabilitate a defaulted student loan one time. Read more on the process on the student aid offices website here. Borrowers must first contact their loan servicer and agree in writing to make the payments. The amount of the payments is set by the loan holder, and borrowers must provide documentation of their income. It will be equal to either 10% or 15 % of your annual discretionary income, divided by 12, according to the Education Departments website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont know who your loan servicer is, you can find out through the Office of Federal Student Aid here. After the nine consecutive payments are made, the loan will no longer be in default status and the default notice will be removed from your credit report but having been in delinquency prior to the default will still be visible on your report. If administrative wage garnishment was in place before the rehabilitation process began, it would continue until the borrower has made at least five of the required nine payments. Loan consolidation Loan consolidation allows borrowers to combine multiple federal student loans into one loan with a single monthly payment and no application fee. Borrowers will have to pay any future interest on the higher balance, which could cause them to pay more overall. Borrowers can also switch to a different student loan servicer if they consolidate their loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Direct Consolidation Loan Application is available here. However, for borrowers on an income driven repayment plan and looking for forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, consolidation does restart that clock, student loan lawyer Jay Fleischman told CNN. Can I get additional relief while Im in default? According to the Department of Educations website, if you go into default, you can no longer receive deferment or forbearance, which allow you to temporarily stop making payments on your loan. You will also no longer have the ability to choose a repayment plan. However, once borrowers complete loan rehabilitation or consolidate to cure the default, they regain access to deferment, forbearance, and income-driven repayment plans, Fleischman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of these options does not depend on the loan being sent to collections, he noted. When a borrower defaults, the law restricts these options until the loan is brought out of default. Though the Trump administration is moving away from Biden-era efforts to forgive student loan debt, there are other ways for borrowers to discharge their debt. Can I get rid of my student loans if I go through bankruptcy? Unlike some other consumer loans, student loans can only be discharged if a borrower meets certain specific criteria. For some borrowers, this is possible if theyve declared bankruptcy and demonstrate undue hardship. More student loan borrowers have successfully received debt relief through bankruptcy since the Biden administration simplified the burdensome process of showing undue hardship and made it easier for government lawyers to recommend to courts that the debt be discharged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People should look at whats called the Brunner Test, because thats whats used most of the time in bankruptcy for student loans, and if they think they might fit the criteria, it is something to explore, student loan expert Betsy Mayotte told CNN. The Brunner Test requires showing that a borrower cannot maintain a minimal standard of living if forced to repay the student loans, that this financial situation will continue for the majority of the loan repayment period and that a good faith effort has been made to pay. While it is unclear if the Trump administration will maintain the Biden administrations guidance, Malissa Giles, a consumer bankruptcy attorney from Virginia, told CNN her perception is that the current administration will be less generous than the Biden administration was. I personally think that if you dont meet those presumptive factors, then its going to be a lot, lot harder under this administration to get an agreed decision of a hardship discharge or reaching a hardship discharge, she added. Make sure to watch out for scams Borrowers need to be aware of any scams that may deceive them with false promises of debt relief or more affordable payment plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student loan-related announcements like the one the Education Department made last month make great talking points for scammers that go after some of the most vulnerable borrowers, and defaulted borrowers fall under that category, Mayotte said. Theres never a fee to access rehabilitation or consolidation, and paying someone a fee is not going to get it for you any faster, or get you a better deal than you can by just doing it yourself, she explained. More information about avoiding student loan related scams can be found on the student aid offices website here. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This is part of a monthly series highlighting Arizona's climate leaders and answering readers' climate-related questions. The stories, which appear in print and online the first Sunday of the month, aim to help to connect and inspire Arizonans who care about protecting a livable climate and may be struggling to find hope in that effort lately. You can nominate an unsung Arizona climate leader for a story or ask a question by filling out the form at https://forms.gle/QCCxBPSHGy1bUJQ99 or by emailing climate reporter Joan Meiners at joan.meiners@arizonarepublic.com. Less guru, more Velcro and glue. That's how Rhonda Bannard sees her role in the environmental movement. As a mom, businesswoman, former media professional and "just an average, everyday person," she tries to bring her innovative thinking and networking skills to the table to build community and a better world. Advertisement Advertisement She doesn't have a degree in climate or environmental science. She "just wants to help people find one another and work together to drive solutions forward." Bannard has spent her career doing this mostly with other women. For nearly 20 years, she's hosted a monthly "Inspired Women's Salon," gathering together members of her Phoenix networks to discuss topics like courage, equality and climate change. She's passionate about those issues. But she's perhaps most excited about the catalytic power of community. "When I was divorced with two little kids and felt like I needed unity, what I valued most was meaningful conversation," Bannard said. "Im not a small talker. I like deeper conversations. Thats where I get energized, listening and learning from other women and seeing connections happen." Advertisement Advertisement First in the climate leader series: These 'great old broads' are serious about science, wolves and reversing climate change She's known for that energy and real talk in her circles around Phoenix, and for using it to get things done. Before COVID shut down in-person gatherings for a time, she had arranged for a speaker to come talk to her women's group about championing a cause. But at the last minute, the speaker sent an 18-year-old Arizona State University freshman instead. That student, Brian Macinas, an organizer with AZ Youth Climate Strike, spurred Bannard toward a new goal. "He was so knowledgeable and so profound," Bannard said. "There's a few kids I've met over my lifetime, and thought 'I want to be like you when I grow up.'" Advertisement Advertisement She ended up joining Macinas at some of the youth climate group gatherings and, before long, she found herself marching with them to the state capitol demanding climate action. "And it was shortly after that I came back and said, 'What about a giving day for the environment?'" she said. Bannard was the right woman for the job. With decades of experience working with nonprofits and being named to the inaugural "40 under 40 Leaders to Watch" list put out by the Phoenix Business Journal as part of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, she was savvy about fundraising. And as a former journalist who covered agriculture and civil rights in Mississippi after graduating from the University of Arizona, she also knew how to connect with people on important issues and get the message out. In 2022, she launched the first giving day of her new nonprofit fundraising platform Earth Gives the result of recognizing a gap in funding for climate action, where only 2% of philanthropy ends up going to organizations focused on climate solutions, despite much higher enthusiasm for this cause. Advertisement Advertisement The number one reason climate orgs only get 2% is that its hard to tell the story if theres no immediate action," Bannard said. "If youre planting a tree, then you see a tree, but the work to absorb carbon and all that stuff is less visible and thats part of the reason why the funding is so low. First in the monthly Q&A series: Reader Q&A: How can I protect my kids from climate pollution and advocate for clean air? Animal rescues, wildlife protection efforts and some of the big household-name conservation groups siphon off a lot of the money people give to broad environment platforms, she said. It's a "very small nut" that's left over for climate-specific boots-on-the-ground work. She thinks there needs to be more direct support for addressing climate change. So she put together the Earth Gives platform. Right now, it mostly functions to help donors find climate organizations to support during the main giving window, starting this year on Sep. 5 and leading up to "Earth Gives Day" on Oct. 7. Registration for nonprofits wanting to solicit donations is open now through Aug. 22. Advertisement Advertisement But eventually she hopes to build Earth Gives to the point where she can employ an accountant year-round and seamlessly funnel donations to groups working on conservation issues, climate justice, biodiversity preservation, nature podcasts, documentaries and more. Then it would become the type of thing where you can discover organizations, you can find their events, you can sign up to volunteer," Bannard said. "Its another tool in their toolbox. I hope one day it really becomes the go-to place for everyone involved. In the meantime, Bannard is building the platform's offerings by hosting monthly Community Commons sessions for environmental nonprofits to convene and learn from one another about how to organize and tell their stories using tools like graphics and art. She draws inspiration from the corporate social responsibility guidelines pioneered by Patagonia, a company leading the way on ethical and sustainable practices. She's been following "the Patagonia sensibility" of lifting each other up and recognizing shared responsibility to the planet and one another since getting involved with nonprofits decades ago. Capitalism doesn't have to just be about consumerism, and she hopes Earth Gives can show that. Advertisement Advertisement Its not just about a monetary transaction," she said. "Its actually a shift in how you show up in the world and how you exist and in all of your thinking. Bannard is also motivated by the work of other women, like those in her community salons, on behalf of the planet and future generations. The reason Im doing this is because Im a mom," she said. She has a 26-year-old daughter who studied biology at Northern Arizona University and a 24-year-old son who learned filmmaking skills at the University of Arizona that he now uses to help his mom edit her Earth Gives videos. "Im very concerned about now and our future. Im inspired by our youth and what we need to do together." New series on wildfire risk: Are Arizona cities prepared to evade urban wildfires? If not, will they build back better? Advertisement Advertisement Dads can be climate champions. The movement has Al Gore, she notes, and his Climate Reality project. But when you look around the climate nonprofit action space, it's made up of a lot of moms: groups like Science Moms and Mom's Clean Air Force fighting for a cleaner, better future with a more stabilized and livable climate. I believe women are the changemakers," she said. "When you want to get shit done, you call busy women and you make it happen. Were the protectors. I mean, the Earth is called 'Mother' for a reason. Shes been taking care of us and we need to take care of her. In the end, what Bannard has learned most through all her community-building and nonprofit-activating, is that it's all about love. "Its just always fascinating how these conversations go, and how it comes down to joy and love and community and bringing people together," she said. "I mean, thats what really fills my heart, connecting with people through words and meaningful moments. Thats how you build and advance change in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Read our full climate series: The latest from Joan Meiners at azcentral: climate coverage from Arizona and the Southwest Joan Meiners is the climate news and storytelling reporter at The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Her award-winning work has also appeared in Discover Magazine, National Geographic, ProPublica and the Washington Post Magazine. Before becoming a journalist, she completed a doctorate in ecology. Follow Joan on Twitter at @beecycles, on Bluesky @joanmeiners.bsky.social or email her at joan.meiners@arizonarepublic.com. Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly climate and environment newsletter. Read more of the team's coverage at environment.azcentral.com. Support climate coverage and local journalism by subscribing to azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rhonda Bannard believes in women, love and donating to climate causes OREGON CITY, Ore. (KOIN) After years of construction and more time debating whether it was affordable the ribbon was cut on the new Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City on Saturday. The old courthouse was built nearly 100 years ago. As the population of the county grew from 50,000 to 400,000, they ran out of courtroom space, space for judges and space to safely move people. The (Clackamas) County Commission had already recognized in the 1960s that our current courthouse wasnt going to serve the needs of the community for years to come, District Attorney John Wentworth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of Milwaukie who? You might soon say Milwaukie is cool! But the fate of the old courthouse remains up in the air. If theres an opportunity for someone to come in and transform the courthouse into something thats usable, fantastic, Wentworth said. But if it means getting rid of the old courthouse and actually putting something in that serves the downtown community better than that, thats what should happen. Former County Chair Tootie Smith, who likened the 4 year process to get the courthouse built to childbirth as the longest labor anybody had ever performed in history, said any potential buyer can do whatever they can to it to make it a prosperous downtown commercial venture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state allocated 14 judges to Clackamas County but the old courthouse only had room for 11. The DA said the extra space will allow us to provide faster access to justice for people who need a judge to make a decision either on a child support matter or a divorce or in a criminal case. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Clackamas County Courthouse was held in Oregon City, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Clackamas County Courthouse was held in Oregon City, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Clackamas County Courthouse was held in Oregon City, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Clackamas County Courthouse was held in Oregon City, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) The Grand Jury room in the Clackamas County Courthouse, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) Former Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, May 3, 2025 (KOIN) Another feature of the new courthouse is that inmates will not need to be transported in a public area. You can imagine how frightening that was. You know, sexual abusers, abusers, ex-husbands, said former Clackamas County Chair Jim Bernard. All those things are very challenging. And then you also had, you know, criminals who murdered people and all kinds of things just walking the hallways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Energy Trust manager Shelly Carlton said the new courthouse will save about as much energy as 10 average homes would use over the course of a year with its solar power in the parking lot. Clackamas County Chair Craig Roberts on Eye on Northwest Politics The $313 million project needed a lot of blood, sweat and tears, Smith said, to convince people that, number one, we could afford to do it the right side of the budget. We took some really unusual steps, saved a lot of money, and we were able to build this courthouse without raising taxes. The courthouse will open to the public on May 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) Ride to Remember hosted a fundraiser for its annual event at Vanished Valley Brewing Co. in Ludlow Sunday afternoon. The funds raised from this event will go towards preparations for the ride, as well as donations to local charities. This years Ride to Remember is extra meaningful to the community, as Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno currently battles cancer. Former Mass. State Police Sergeant convicted of extortion in CDL scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To honor Mayor Sarno and his unwavering support towards the organization throughout the years, a $10,000 check will be made to Cops for Kids with Cancer under his name. I think theyre here to pretty much wish the mayor well, said John Delaney, Director of Ride to Remember. Here we are wearing his shirts, Team Sarno, this year for Ride to Remember. You dont need to be Lance Armstrong to do it. If you can get on a bike, you can make it through the 70 miles. The annual Ride to Remember honors fallen police officers, firefighters, and EMT officials who have died in the line of duty. This years event is set for September 6, with over 600 people expected to participate. For more information on how to support this cause or to register for the event, visit the Ride to Remember Facebook page. 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. RI dentistry also at a collapsing point With the recent announcement of Anchor Medicals closure, Rhode Island is witnessing the inevitable outcome of years of unheeded warnings about our collapsing health care infrastructure. Dentistry is on the same path and were dangerously close to the breaking point. For years, dentists have sounded the alarm about inadequate insurance reimbursements. Compared to our neighboring states, dentists in Rhode Island are paid, on average, 30% less some rates are over 50% lower. These disparities arent just numbers on a spreadsheet; theyre the root of a growing access-to-care crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta Dental of RI and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI have failed to keep pace with regional standards for nearly two decades. This stagnation has real consequences. Rhode Island struggles to attract new dental professionals as seasoned dentists retire. The result? Months-long waits for appointments, especially for oral surgery and pediatric care. The issue doesn't stop there. Because dentists in Massachusetts and Connecticut can offer more competitive wages to dental assistants and hygienists, Rhode Island practices are losing essential staff further straining our system. And perhaps most troubling: fewer dentists are able to participate in the states dental assistance program. Without fair reimbursement, many can no longer afford to serve Rhode Islands most vulnerable patients. The time to act is now. What once were warning signs are now full-blown alarms demanding immediate action. If reimbursement rates dont change, dentistry in RI will sink just like another anchor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Andrew Andy Gazerro, West Warwick The writer is a 28 year practicing dentist, president of the Rhode Island Dental Association, and a former member of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Benefit Programs. Rhode Island's dentists say they are paid less in insurance reimbursements than dentists in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Will Trump elude deportation? Donald Trump was recently overheard telling El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, Homegrowns are next. You've got to build about five more places. By places Trump meant more prisons like the notorious mega-prison in El Salvador known as CECOT. By homegrowns he meant native-born Americans who have committed crimes. Some Trump officials have suggested that Trumps deportation plans may be expanded to include homegrowns, especially those who have been critical of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that happens, it should include our most famous native-born convicted felon. He would be easy for ICE to find. He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC. Gordon Rowley, Wakefield No longer relying on Democratic Party Every day my inbox fills with emails from the Democratic National Committee begging for money to help them fight President Trumps billionaires. Enough! The Democratic Party is funded by the wealthy, same as Republicans. Democratic leaders don't pursue real solutions to our economic problems because they wont bite the hands that feed them. Everyone knows that. Maybe they think that because their billionaires are less nasty than Republican billionaires its okay. However, either way you cut it the rich dont care about us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won because the Democrats ran a "stay the course, things are basically fine" campaign. Things are not fine and they havent been for decades. Most of us can't afford rents or mortgages, health care, child care or higher education. Those of us who grew up middle class remember that our parents or grandparents had more disposable income and less debt with just one working spouse than we do with two. For the less fortunate, things continue to grow more desperate. If we want real change a government and economy dedicated to widely shared prosperity and the nurturing of human potential we need to take to the streets and demand it. With their anti-oligarchy tour Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have demonstrated that they understand this. My money is going to them, not the DNC. We cant rely on the Democratic Party to save us. Steve D'Amico, Seekonk Clear the air at casinos Secondhand smoke is killing people. Workers at casinos that still allow indoor smoking are at elevated risk. I have worked at what is now called Bally's in Lincoln since 1979. During my workday, my clothes would accumulate the stench of secondhand smoke to the point that I would need to launder them every day. I retired at age 63, due to health reasons at my doctors request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you inhale secondhand smoke you are inhaling over 7,000 volatile organic compounds, of which at least 70 of them are proven to cause lung cancer, respiratory illness, heart attacks and more. These chemicals include formaldehyde, benzene, naphthalene, and acetaldehyde. According to the American Cancer Society, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the chances of developing lung cancer by 20%. Imagine, if you will, what that number would rise to if you are there to maintain your livelihood 40 hours per week for years! Proponents of smoking indoors at casinos would argue that revenue would decline if there was no smoking on the casino floor. This is, in most cases, a fallacy. The cost of insurance, absenteeism, cleaning, and lawsuits add up. Recent surveys suggest that the second most important factor when choosing a casino is a 100% smoke-free environment. In my personal experience at Bally's, I notice that the big spenders are more often non-smokers than smokers. Joseph Morin, Coventry Fixing the problem In response to the Trump Musk Demolition Crew, John Anderson (Trump Fixes Problems, Democrats Do Nothing, Letters, April 20) says about President Trump He might fix the problem, he might not. But hes doing something. Mr. Anderson admires the devastation this administration is causing as it fires civil servants and abolishes programs that feed the starving and aid the suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am a retired master plumber and I wonder if Mr. Anderson might have a leaky faucet or a slow drain somewhere. I can come over with my chain saw and sledge hammer, my acetylene torch and jackhammer. Ill tear out every pipe and open walls, rip out the water service to the street and toss out his sinks and toilets. It might fix the problem, it might not. But at least Ill be doing something. Richard Donelly, Providence Not antisemitic to criticize Israel If I were ever the target of antisemitism, I could write with more authenticity about the current confusion. Criticizing the elected leaders of Israel is not in itself antisemitism. Antisemitism is chanting Jews will not replace us and affirming the chanters. Attacking synagogues and worshippers within is antisemitism and much more. Saying "Hitler should have finished the job" and affirming those who say it is antisemitism. If I criticize elected leaders of our own country, that does not mean I hate the United States, but rather, it is love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence H. Bradner, Providence Food donations can make a difference It's that time of year when kind individuals, such as yourselves, can help the less fortunate in your area. How? By leaving non-perishable food by your mailbox or on your porch, to be picked up by your local letter carriers or their helpers by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Each year, for the past 33 years, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers from all 50 States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, deliver mail and pick up non-perishable food left by their postal patrons. This yearly venture, known as "Stamp Out Hunger," is the biggest one-day food drive in this country. All the non-perishable food that will be picked up in each individual city or town will be delivered at the end of that day to their local food pantries. For instance, in our town of Bristol, the food will be gladly accepted at the East Bay Food Pantry, on Wood Street. According to Jocelyn King, the pantry's food program manager, the items that they desperately need are; cereal, pasta, rice, jelly and canned ravioli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can make a difference. All you need to do is to inspect your cupboards and donate non-perishable food that is NOT outdated. Or, purchase non-perishable food at your favorite grocery store and place it near your mailbox or on your porch by 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Your postal carrier, or helper, will do the rest. Please make a note so you won't forget this very important day to help your area's needy. Thank you and, together, we can make a difference in someone's life. Gerry Payette, Bristol The writer is an East Bay Food Pantry volunteer and retired USPS letter carrier. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's dentists are at the breaking point; Trump eluding deportation | Letters MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that broke out inside a Medina home on Sunday afternoon, leading officials to shut down the roadway for a few hours. Crews responded to the house fire on W. Liberty Street around 3:17 p.m. According to Assistant Fire Chief Mark Crumley, when they arrived, officials found fire blowing out through the front door and the windows. Interior of the first floor was burning, Crumley said. We were able to extinguish the first floor and then make our way to the second and third and extinguish those. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue: Man rushed to hospital after falling down hill near Tinkers Creek Nobody was home at the time. WJW photo WJW photo Courtesy of Carley Vokac Damages are still being assessed and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. W. Liberty Street was closed between Elmwood Avenue and Huntington Street. The roadway has since reopened. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe, the fire department said in a Facebook post. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Eurosceptic George Simion appeared on course for victory in the first round of Romanias presidential election re-run on Sunday, exit polls showed, after a ballot seen as a test of the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union. The polls showed former senator Crin Antonescu, 65, and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, 55, roughly tied in second place at about 21-23%, behind Simions 30-33%. Exit poll data does not include the sizable vote of Romanians abroad, where Simion and Dan are popular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simion, 38, opposes military aid to neighboring Ukraine, is critical of the EU leadership and says he is aligned with the US presidents Make America Great Again movement. This is not just an electoral victory, it is a victory of Romanian dignity. It is the victory of those who have not lost hope, of those who still believe in Romania, a free, respected, sovereign country, Simion said after the exit polls were published. His victory, in a runoff due on May 18, could isolate the country, erode private investment and destabilize NATOs eastern flank, where Ukraine is fighting a three-year-old Russian invasion, political observers say. Lets be cautious about the exit poll results because they are without the diasporas (votes). So, lets wait for the exact vote count that will come later tonight, Dan told supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays vote came five months after a first attempt to hold the election was canceled because of alleged Russian interference in favor of far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu, since banned from standing again. Simion voted alongside Georgescu, who called the election a fraud and urged people to take their country back. As dozens of people thronged outside the voting station chanting Calin for president, Simion said his vote was to restore democracy. Its possible the diaspora vote will be enough to push Dan into the run-off, said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. But Dan may have a harder time against Simion. A woman exits a voting booth before casting her vote in the first round of the presidential election redo in Bucharest, Romania, on May 4. - Vadim Ghirda/AP Eastern flank Simion is not the only MAGA-style politician seeking election in central Europe. Karol Nawrocki, the presidential candidate backed by Polands main nationalist opposition party in a presidential election on May 18, met Trump this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If elected, they would expand a cohort of eurosceptic leaders that already includes the Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers. Romania and Poland are two important countries for the United States, Simion told Reuters on Friday. We represent partners and we represent allies, both military and politically, to the current (US) administration. This is why it is important for MAGA presidents to be in charge in Bucharest and Warsaw. Romanias president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid. To date, Romania has donated a Patriot air defense battery to Kyiv, is training Ukrainian fighter pilots and has enabled the export of 30 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta since Russias invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys president can also veto important EU votes and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors and secret service heads. The Trump administration has accused Romania of suppressing political opposition and lacking democratic values after Novembers election was canceled on what Vice President JD Vance called flimsy evidence. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian hard-right politician George Simion on Sunday said that if he wins the country's presidential election, he could restore banned presidential contender Calin Georgescu to a leadership post. Simion, a eurosceptic nationalist, was leading in opinion polls going into Sunday's first round of voting five months after the original vote in the EU and NATO state was canceled because of alleged Russian interference in favour of Georgescu. Moscow denies the allegation. Simion took over after Georgescu was banned from standing due to criminal charges over campaign funding and membership of a fascist organization, charges he denies. Anger at the cancellation and charges has helped fuel Simion's campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are several ways in which, if the Romanian people want, Mr. Georgescu can be in the leadership, and we will use it," Simion told foreign reporters on Sunday. "We can form a majority and have him as a prime minister; we can have snap elections, or we can call for a referendum," Simion said, without specifying what referendum he was considering. While the president nominates the prime minister, he cannot legally interfere with attempts to form ruling majorities. A snap election, triggered if parliament rejects two proposed cabinets within 60 days, looks unlikely as it has never happened before, with lawmakers traditionally finding a way forward, however fractious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romania held a parliamentary election on Dec. 1, in which Simion's Alliance for Uniting Romanians and two other hard-right groupings won some 35% of seats. Even so, the prospect of a Georgescu-led government could unsettle investors, as he has repeatedly said he favoured nationalizations and preferential treatment for Romanian companies. Simion is polling at around 30%, a comfortable lead but well short of the 50% he needs to avoid a run-off on May 18. His main rivals are two centrists with opinion surveys suggesting both could defeat Simion in the second round. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Conor Humphries) Romanians are heading to the polls on May 4 in the first round of a presidential election that could bring far-right, Eurosceptic candidate George Simion to power. The vote follows the annulment of the previous first round held in November 2024, when Romania's Constitutional Court invalidated the outcome due to evidence of social media manipulation and foreign interference. That round had been won by populist Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and voiced strong support for Russia, calling Ukraine a "fictional state" and predicting its partition as "inevitable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, U.S. Vice President JD Vance strongly condemned Romania's decision, causing a stir within the country's political establishment, which relies heavily on its close ties with Washington. "As I understand it, the argument was that Russian disinformation had infected the Romanian elections. But I'd ask my European friends to have some perspective," Vance told the Munich conference. "If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn't very strong to begin with." Despite the backlash, Georgescu remained disqualified from participating in the May 4 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. across 18,979 locations and will close at 9 p.m., with exit poll results expected shortly after. Eleven candidates are on the ballot. Pre-election surveys show Simion leading with roughly 30% support, far short of the 50% required to avoid a runoff. The second round is scheduled for May 18 between the top two finishers. Simion, who was banned from entering Ukraine in November 2024 over systematic anti-Ukrainian activities, leads a party opposed to sending weapons to Ukraine and against transferring Romanian Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. His main challengers are two pro-Western centrists: Crin Antonescu, 65, former acting president backed by Romania's governing coalition, and Nicusor Dan, 55, Bucharest's mayor running as an independent with a strong anti-corruption platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both support continued membership in the EU and NATO, as well as aid to Ukraine. Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has signed a bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, backed sanctions against Russia, sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, and facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats in the Black Sea. Read also: If authoritarians are scared of journalists, we must be doing something right Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Far-right Eurosceptic candidate George Simion is projected to win the first round of Romanias presidential election on May 4, gaining nearly 40% of the votes with a majority of polling stations reporting. The election will go to a run-off on May 18, although it was not immediately clear as to which second-place challenger will face off against Simion. The results show a close race between Crin Antonescu, the former acting president backed by Romania's governing coalition, and Nicusor Dan, 55, Bucharest's mayor running as an independent with a strong anti-corruption platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antonescu is currently leading with 20.96% of the vote to Dan's 20.04%. Simion is positioned well ahead with 39.97% of the vote. The vote follows the annulment of the previous first round held in November 2024, when Romania's Constitutional Court invalidated the outcome due to evidence of social media manipulation and foreign interference. That round had been won by populist Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and voiced strong support for Russia, calling Ukraine a "fictional state" and predicting its partition as "inevitable." Simion, who was banned from entering Ukraine in November 2024 over systematic anti-Ukrainian activities, leads a party opposed to sending weapons to Ukraine and against transferring Romanian Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Antonescu and Dan support continued membership in the EU and NATO, as well as aid to Ukraine. Despite Georgescu's controversies plaguing the first round of election held in 2024, Simion has sought to capitalize support over Georgescu's popularity. Simion has said he will find Georgescu a position within his government, possibly as prime minister. Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has signed a bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, backed sanctions against Russia, sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, and facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats in the Black Sea. Read also: Romanians vote in presidential election after annulled 2024 result Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A wave of explosions was heard in Kyiv overnight on May 4 as Russia launched a drone attack against the capital, according to local authorities. At least 11 people were injured in the attack, including two children aged 14 and 17, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said via his official Telegram channel. Debris from the drones damaged several houses and vehicles in various parts of the city, including the Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi districts. In the Obolonskyi district, the Dream Town shopping mall was damaged, and at least seven cars and the top floors of a high-rise caught fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders have been dispatched to the sites of attack. Russia stepped up its attacks against Ukrainian civilians in the past weeks, resulting in numerous casualties reported in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a three-day ceasefire for Russia's Victory Day commemorations between May 7 and 9 a proposal that President Volodymyr Zelensky has called a "theatrical performance," designed to ease Russias international isolation and create a favorable atmosphere for Moscow. Read also: Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in world-first strike, intelligence says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian strike damaged the Dream Town shopping centre in the Obolonskyi district of Kyiv on the night of 3-4 May. Source: Head of Obolonskyi District State Administration in Kyiv Details: Russian drones struck Kyiv's Obolonskyi district, damaging the facade of the Dream Berry shopping centre (the purple section of Dream Town). The centre's owner, Harik Korohodskyi, said none of the employees had been injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos released by Ukraine's National Police show damaged cars outside the centre and a partially destroyed facade. Dream Town stated that Dream Berry will remain open, though only a few shops are currently operating. Silpo, COMFY, JYSK, Foxtrot and Sport Life are open, with updates on other shops to follow. The neighbouring Dream Yellow shopping centre is operating as usual. Background: Fires broke out in Kyiv as a result of the fall of Russian drone debris, injuring two children and three women. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Voters across San Angelo cast their ballots to voice who they want as the San Angelo mayor and city council members. San Angelo ISD Bond 2025 proposition passes According to the Tom Green County Elections Office, Thomas Tom Thompson won the mayoral election with a total of 5,087 votes. Others who ran to be mayor for San Angelo include Gary Jenkins, Trinidad Aguirre, Jr., Josh Burleson and Juan Acevedo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came to city council seats, the unofficial results report that Dudra Butler and Joe Self, Jr. also be facing off in a runoff election to determine who will take the single-member District-2 seat. In single-member District 4, Patrick Keely was elected with 506 votes. San Angelo coliseum renovation bond passes Check out Concho Valley Homepages Your Local Election HQ for a look at elections that took place across the Concho Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Unofficial results provided by the Tom Green County Elections Office indicate that San Angelo ISDs $397 million Bond 2025 proposal has passed. Citizens took to the polls on May 3 to decide whether the multimillion-dollar bond would pass or fail, four days after the conclusion of early voting. According to unofficial results published by the Tom Green County Elections Office, 5,604 people voted in favor of Bond 2025, while 4,715 people voted against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Angelo elects new mayor, runoff for city council in June Unanimously approved by SAISDs Board of Trustees on May 3, the bond proposal sought $397 million from taxpayers to address aging facilities at Central High School and Lake View High School as well as other campuses for renovations and additions across the district, according to the district. Among the projects that would have been funded by the bond were the construction of a new Glenn Middle School campus, the renovation and construction of several facilities in elementary and high school campuses and security improvements. Calling for a bond election in May is about more than upgrading buildings, SAISD Superintendent Christopher Moran said. Its a strategic decision to provide students with modern learning spaces while freeing up funds to better support our hardworking teachers and staff. The bond had an expected financial impact of $22.72 a month on a home valued at $200,000 in San Angelo ISD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district stated that Bond 2025 would be only the second passed bond in the last 27 years if it were passed by voters. Check out Concho Valley Homepages Your Local Election HQ for a look at elections that took place across the Concho Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. San Eli council incumbent appears headed to defeat EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of San Elizario incumbent for Place No. 2 on its City Council appears headed to defeat after unofficial final results were released shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. In Horizon City, three City Council races are being contested, and in the City of San Elizario, there is one contested alderperson race. City of San Elizario In San Elizario for Place No. 2, Tony Grijalva is headed to victory against incumbent David S. Cantu, according to unofficial final results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva leads with 54.44 percent or 92 votes, and Cantu follows with 45.56 percent or 77 votes. Horizon City Over at Horizon City, Guillermo Willie Ortega is the apparent winner against Charlie Ortega for Place No. 1 on the Horizon City Council, according to unofficial final results. Willie Ortega leads with 51.93 percent or 202 votes, and Charlie Ortega follows with 48.07 percent or 187 votes. For Place No. 4, Robert Avila is headed to victory against Sandra Sierra, according to unofficial final results. Avila leads with 60.94 percent or 220 votes; Sierra is at 39.06 percent or 141 votes. For Place No. 6, Matthew Gardea is the apparent winner against Adrian Rivera, according to unofficial final results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardea is at 53.53 percent or 182 votes, and Rivera is at 46.47 percent or 158 votes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BALLINGER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Ballinger Police Department issued a scammer alert, and police say Ballinger residents are being targeted quickly. Police say that scammers will sell your information to others to defraud you out of property, credit, money, and more. The tips shared from the police department are: Set up a 2-step verification. Create unique passwords. Check the three credit bureaus regularly. Check your mortgage company for any unusual requests, such as loan transfers. Check the Social Security Administration. Government agencies will not ask for gift cards as a form of payment. Your valid companies will not ask for your routing number to verify. Set up security questions. Do not share your information! Place important documents in safes or a secure location. Shred (cross-cut) your mail, labels, cards, etc. If you see any unusual activity, immediately report it to your companys fraud department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballinger Police Department officials would like to remind residents that all solicitors must have a permit and must show it to you. If you speak to them, you may be at risk and should be aware. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 beaming Gov. Greg Abbott signed his long-coveted school voucher bill into law Saturday on the sun-dappled lawn of the Governor's Mansion, in front of about 1,400 cheering guests. "Today, school choice becomes the law of the land in the great state of Texas," Abbott said as he paused to inscribe his signature to Senate Bill 2, which will give regular students about $10,500 and special needs students up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of private school. For Abbott, a three-term governor who is gearing up to run for a record fourth term, it was an especially jubilant moment in his political career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Texas House Bill 4 proposes new standardized test. Lawmakers, superintendents are hopeful. The creation of a so-called voucher program has been a Republican priority since the governorship of George W. Bush in the 1990s but a coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats had always managed to block such proposals. That happened two years ago during both regular and special legislative sessions after Abbott had made vouchers a top priority. Then in last year's primary elections Abbott put his own political capital on the line when he backed a slate of pro-voucher candidates looking to unseat House Republicans who had derailed his efforts. It paid off. "This is a day the Lord has made, and this is the day that has been coming for a long time," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who authored voucher legislation as a state senator more than a decade ago, said at Saturday's signing ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voucher proponents argue that all students can benefit from such a program, not just those whose parents already have the means to afford private school tuition. They say that's because having more educational options will create a competitive environment that will inspire traditional schools to improve. At a rally across the street, Democratic lawmakers on Saturday said the $1 billion set aside for the program would be better spent on improving the traditional public school system and paying teachers more. Rep. James Talarico of Austin predicted working-class Texans will rebel as public schools are starved for resources that have been diverted. "I see the seeds of a new movement that's not left versus right," he said. "It's top versus bottom." Texas Rep. James Talarico speaks at a press conference at the Texas AFL-CIO office on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Austin. The Texas AFL-CIO, Texas AFT, teachers and elected officials held a press conference and banner drop to oppose Texas Governor Greg Abbotts signing of Senate Bill 2. The new voucher program prioritizes children with special education needs from families living at or below 500% of the federal poverty line about $160,000 for a family of four. The next priority group is children from families living at 200% of the federal poverty line about $64,000 for a family of four. Children from families in other income brackets will fall in other priority tiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roughly $10,500 regular students will receive under the program is about 85% of what the state would spend if they were enrolled in traditional public school. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Abbott signs Texas' first school voucher bill into law A student from Frederick County Public Schools was named a winner of the 2025 If I Were Mayor essay contest. Eliza Wood, a student at Middletown Elementary School, was recognized alongside 10 other students in the state by the Maryland Municipal League and Maryland first lady Dawn Flythe Moore. The 2025 essay contest theme was Building Community for a New Generation. Students wrote the essays as if they were mayors of their cities or towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students wrote about concepts like building inclusive and safe communities and making sure basic needs are met so residents can reach their full potential, according to a press release. During the ceremony, Moore said to the students: There is not a single room you dont belong in. You are the future of our state, and we cannot wait to see all that you achieve, she said. The contest was sponsored by Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Mayors Association. Oakdale Elementary to host STEM summer program Oakdale Elementary School is scheduled to host the Camp Invention enrichment program over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit STEM program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade is scheduled to be at Oakdale Elementary from June 23 to 26. The program is from the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Camp Invention features student activities that tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems, according to a press release. This years program called Discover will feature hands-on activities, such as building a claw machine out of cardboard, assembling a custom control panel and building an animation device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registration for this summer is available at www.invent.org/programs/camp-invention. West Frederick, Whittier earn Purple Stars West Frederick Middle School and Whittier Elementary School are the first two schools in Frederick County to receive the Maryland Purple Star School designation. The Maryland State Board of Education recognizes schools with this award for outstanding support of military-connected students and their families, according to a United States Army press release. The schools also demonstrated a strong commitment to easing the educational and social-emotional transitions faced by children in military families, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools had to meet four criteria to qualify for a Purple Star award: appointing a military liaison, creating online resources, implementing a peer-led transition program and providing staff training on military culture. Randi Gonzalez, a special education program assistant at Whittier Elementary, was named the military liaison for the elementary school. Its more than a symbol, its a representation of our communitys resilience and inclusivity, Gonzalez said in the release. Frederick High alumni plaque The Frederick High School Alumni Association donated a cast bronze plaque to display outside the front door of the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaque features the schools motto, Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve. Thomas Sterner, the founder of Art Factory studio near Union Mills, was commissioned to create the plaque. The high schools alumni association was incorporated in 1944, according to association President Debbie Richmond. She wrote in a statement that the association has provided student scholarships as well as held spring and Christmas dances for decades. The plaque is donated with fond memories and hope for future generations, Richmond wrote. Send school-related news to Esther Frances at efrances@newspost.com. A report from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows that bird populations across every U.S. habitat are plummeting, with 229 species in urgent need of help. And the impacts go far beyond bird-watching, pointing to deeper risks for ecosystems, economies, and human health. What's happening? The 2025 State of the Birds report, released in March by a coalition led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and detailed in a university release on Phys.org, found that bird populations continue to decline. More than one-third of bird species are considered of high or moderate conservation concern, and 112 species are labeled "Tipping Point" birds, meaning they've lost more than half of their populations in the last 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birds such as Allen's hummingbird and the salt marsh sparrow are barely hanging on. Duck populations, a rare bright spot in past reports, are also beginning to decline. "Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats," said Marshall Johnson of the National Audubon Society. The data builds on the 2019 finding that North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Those losses aren't slowing down, and experts say the reasons are clear: habitat destruction, pollution, and extreme weather. Why do we need birds? Birds pollinate plants, spread seeds, and eat pests. Their decline points to deeper environmental issues that also threaten human health and well-being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we see declines like those outlined in the report, we need to remember that if conditions are not healthy for birds, they're unlikely to be healthy for us," said Amanda Rodewald from Cornell's Center for Avian Population Studies, per Phys.org. There's also an economic impact. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, birding supports 1.4 million jobs and generates $279 billion annually. That's a huge loss if birds and the people who travel to see them disappear. And mental health research published in Scientific Reports shows that hearing or seeing birds can help lower anxiety and depression symptoms, especially in urban environments. What kind of conservation efforts are underway? Conservation efforts work if they're well funded and wide reaching. The State of the Birds report outlines successful strategies such as wetland restoration, forest renewal, seabird translocation, and coastal habitat protection, all of which have helped some species recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Private land programs such as Audubon Conservation Ranching and Ducks Unlimited's wetland partnerships show how farmers, hunters, scientists, and communities can work together to rebuild habitats. One of the most effective things you can do is create a bird-friendly home and yard. That includes turning off outdoor lights during migration season, planting native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Apps such as Merlin Bird ID and eBird also help scientists track populations and can make birding more fun and accessible. "Birds unite us across the hemisphere and across the political spectrum there should be no hesitation as we move to protect them today and in the future," said Johnson. 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 two-spotted spider mite is an agricultural pest that poses a threat to a number of crops and fruit trees, but scientists have uncovered information in their saliva that could help control their populations. Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science studied substances called elicitors molecules that plants and pests possess that enhance the defense response of plants in two-spotted spider mites, a particularly troublesome species because of its quick reproduction and ability to develop pesticide resistance. They summarized their findings in a news release, explaining that previous research had already identified specific elicitor proteins called tetranins in the spider mites' salivary glands Tet1 and Tet 2. The newest investigation looked into the effects of an additional 18 salivary gland proteins on the resistance of common bean leaves, discovering two new tetranins, T3 and T4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These two tetranins were found to reduce the reproduction of spider mites on the plants, but the effect varied greatly depending on which plants the mites fed on. For instance, mites that fed on common beans, their preferred host, had significantly higher levels of Tet3 and Tet4 expression than those on cucumbers. According to the researchers, this information could aid in breeding more sensitive and resilient crops without the use of pesticides. "Elicitors may be useful as biostimulants that can increase the potential pest resistance of plants," lead researcher Gen-ichiro Arimura said. "The development of such organic farming techniques is extremely meaningful in today's world, as the environmental and ecological impact of heavy pesticide use grows more severe. Hopefully, identifying elicitors secreted by pests and elucidating their functions will lead to unprecedented spider mite countermeasures." Conventional pesticides can impact ecosystems and are a threat to human health and wildlife. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some may be carcinogens and others may affect the hormone or endocrine systems in the body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This study offers just one of many scientific discoveries that could help us transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives to pest management. For instance, Pennsylvania State University researchers have proposed predatory stink bugs as an alternative to pesticides in the fight against invasive lanternflies. Plus, another team of scientists has developed four varieties of long beans that are pest-resistant. 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. Oscar-winning actor and activist Sean Penn has made a terrifying prediction for the final act of the administration of President Donald Trump: If he goes, hes taking the rest of us with him. In a joint appearance on Jim Acostas Substack podcast, The Jim Acosta Show, alongside Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, the Mystic River star compared Trump to a jealous spouse who murders their partnerand said the presidents narcissism could manifest in global annihilation. I do think its a reasonable theory that Donald Trump is not unlike the spouse of someone who leaves him who then murders their former partner because if they cant have her, nobody can, said Penn. Sean Penn attends the Marrakech International Film Festival on November 30 / Antoine Flament / WireImage That possessiveness, he warned, could extend to the planet: Trump and his solipsism may have that relationship with the world this destruction is in part a power play. And also a literal intention of his final out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acosta asked whether Penn believed Trump might make good on his threats to try and retain power after his second term. I think he might try to destroy the world before he ages out of life, Penn replied. Swalwell, a longtime Trump antagonist, added that dictators never plan for succession and that he is worried about the damage Trump might inflict if he feels cornered. If he doesnt believe theres somebody who can protect him, Swalwell said, you will see him ratchet up what hes willing to do to the country to protect himself. LOLOLOLOLOLOL Does anyone want him to still be president now? By 2028, he will be the least popular president ever. ***Beating his own record pic.twitter.com/BWdxSgMcM3 Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 24, 2025 The trio had been discussing El Salvadors authoritarian-leaning President Nayib Bukele, and the corporations and institutions enabling Trumps return. Swalwell predicted a future reckoning as Trumps approval rating slides while Penn jumped to worst-case scenarios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been floating the idea of a third term for a while now, telling NBC News in March that he is not joking about it. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, Vice President JD Vance refused to rule out Trumps third-term ambitions, despite repeated questioning. Penn, who was a frequent visitor to Ukraine while working on his 2023 documentary about the Russian invasion, serves as executive producer on Words of War, a new biopic about the late Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. As he told Forbes, the film is a five-alarm fire warning for Americans about the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of a free press. Its a message he appears to be hammering home in this latest condemnation of Trump. BRIGHAM, Wis. (WFRV) The driver of a pickup truck who reportedly failed to stop at a dangerous southern Wisconsin intersection was pronounced dead at the scene after getting hit by a semi. Around 12:45 p.m. on Friday, May 2, deputies with the Iowa County Sheriffs Office were called to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of USH 18/151 and CTH K in the Town of Brigham. Deputies say their investigation indicated that a semi-truck was traveling westbound on USH 18/151 when a pickup truck, traveling southbound on CTH K, failed to stop at the intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devastating situation: 3-year-old shot, killed by 7-year-old in Marquette County, investigation underway The driver of the pickup truck, identified as 70-year-old David Glessing of Black Earth, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi was identified as a 45-year-old from Stockton, California. Deputies say this was Iowa Countys fifth traffic fatality of 2025 and the second deadly crash at this intersection in just over two weeks. Yesterdays crash is more than a tragic statistic its another heartbreaking reminder of how dangerously outdated and hazardous the USH 18/151 corridor has become. We are again mourning the loss of another victim, David Glessing, and offering our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the first responders who once again stepped up with professionalism, compassion, and determination in the face of a tragic event. It took a tremendous coordinated effort to safely investigate the crash and clear the scene, requiring the closure of the highway for over five hours. We are grateful for the dedication and teamwork shown by everyone on scene. Sheriff Michael W. Peterson, Iowa County Sheriffs Office The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa County Sheriffs Office with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol. Cyclist in critical condition after sudden collision with deer on Wisconsin trail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Peterson added that there will be a joint public meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at the Barneveld-Brigham Municipal Building to discuss the CTH K / USH 18-151 intersection. A lot of people are rightfully concerned about this dangerous intersection, Sheriff Peterson concluded. The following agencies assisted during the investigation: Barneveld EMS Barneveld Fire Department Barneveld Police Department Dane County Sheriffs Office Dodgeville Fire and EMS Hollandale Fire Department Iowa County Highway Department Iowa County Sheriffs Office Iowa County Technical Rescue Mount Horeb Fire Department Ridgeway Fire Department Verona Fire Department Wisconsin State Patrol No additional details have been 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. US Marines stationed anti-ship missile launchers near Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression. It was the first time the NMESIS, a ground-based missile system, was deployed to the Philippines. China said it opposed US allies using Taiwan as an "excuse" to boost its military presence. The US Marines deployed new ship-killing missile launchers at a strategic chokepoint south of Taiwan to deter growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) made its inaugural debut in the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the US participated in the exercise, which began on April 21 and runs until May 9, as well as contingents from Australia and, for the first time, and Japan, making it the largest iteration of the exercise to date. Developed to "simulate the defense of Philippine sovereignty," the NMESIS will be used in simulated fire drills taking place on the Batanes Islands, which are seen as key strategic locations near Taiwan and mainland China. The NMESIS fires a guided missile with the range to strike ships in the Bashi channel between the Batanes islands and Taiwan. Ground-based ship-killer The NMESIS is a ground-based launcher that can fire anti-ship missiles at targets up to 125 miles away. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Huynh The NMESIS is a missile system mounted on an uncrewed 4-wheel truck developed as part of the Force Design initiative, a modernization plan to restructure the US Marine Corps for naval expeditionary warfare, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A standard NMESIS unit will include 18 launchers, and the Marines plan to field 14 such batteries by 2030 three of which are planned to be stationed in the Pacific region. Naval Strike Missile The NMESIS can fire the Naval Strike Missile, a long-range subsonic strike weapon that costs nearly $2 million each. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton The NMESIS is designed to fire the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a long-range precision strike weapon designed to hit heavily defended surface ships and land targets. Manufactured by Norwegian defense supplier Kongsberg Defence Systems in partnership with RTX, NSMs are highly survivable and maneuverable with a range of over 120 miles. The subsonic, sea-skimming missiles, which cost nearly $2 million each, can accurately home in on a target without electronic interference, guided by an onboard infrared system, GPS, and terrain-based navigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Kongsberg was awarded a $900 million military contract to supply NSMs to the Navy and Marines. Uncrewed vehicle-launcher The NMESIS consists of an uncrewed chassis that can be maneuvered remotely. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Jacoby Carrying two ready-to-fire NSMs in its canisters, the NMESIS launcher is mounted on an uncrewed Joint Light Tactical Vehicle chassis known as ROGUE-Fires (Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires), which allow it to be controlled remotely or autonomously over difficult terrain. "Marines can control the ROGUE-Fires with a game-like remote controller or command multiple launchers to autonomously follow behind a leader vehicle," according to a Marine Corps statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Full battle test' The NMESIS launchers were transported via C-130s to the Batanes Islands, which are seen as key strategic outposts near Taiwan and China. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Jacoby) The three-week-long Balikatan exercises will focus on anti-ship, anti-air, and coastal defense drills simulating real-world combat, including missile defense, invasion deterrence, and live-fire and strike tests on a decommissioned vessel. "The full battle test is intended to take into consideration all of the regional security challenges that we face today, beginning in the South China Sea," Lieutenant General James Glynn, the US director for the exercise, said during a media briefing. Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo, the Philippine director for Balikatan, said the drills were not intended to be a show of force against China but acknowledged that they could act as a deterrent against conflict in Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Balikatan exercise may probably help deter the conflict in Taiwan," Lorenzo said in a statement. "But for our concern, it is only for deterrence of any possible coercion or invasion to our country." Strategic chokepoints near Taiwan Exercise Balikatan marked the inaugural fielding of the NMESIS system to the Philippines. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Maksim Masloboev During Exercise Balikatan, the NMESIS launchers will be airlifted from Northern Luzon to the Batanes Islands, where US and Philippine Marines will establish an expeditionary fires base. Located about 120 miles from Taiwan's southern coast, the Batanes Islands are positioned near the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel, which connects the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, setting up a significant albeit high-risk anti-access strategy against China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access point to enter or exit the Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and the deployment of NMESIS allows the US to assert control over that access," Ben Lewis, a cofounder of PLATracker, an organization that tracks Chinese military activity, told Naval News. With the anti-ship missile's baseline range of over 100 nautical miles, any vessel transiting in waters from the southern tip of Taiwan to northern Luzon could be targeted by the NMESIS deployment to the Batanes chain. Typhon missile launcher The US Army's Typhon missile system was deployed to the Philippines as part of Exercise Balikatan in 2024. US Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trent Randolph The military also temporarily deployed the mid-range Typhon missile system to the Laoag Airfield in northern Luzon as part of Exercise Balikatan in April 2024. Instead of being removed, the Typhon systems were relocated last December and will remain stationed in the Philippines indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operated by the US Army, the Typhon Weapon System is capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 1,000 miles, and SM-6 interceptor missiles, which can hit targets nearly 300 miles away. Threat to China's area denial strategy The NMESIS can launch Naval Strike Missiles at targets over 100 miles away. US Navy photo by Courtesy Asset In mid-April, China condemned the joint US-Philippine military drills, saying it "firmly opposes any country" using Taiwan as an "excuse" to strengthen its military posture in the region and "provoke tension and confrontation." "The parties concerned are advised not to provoke on the Taiwan issue, and those who play with fire will burn themselves," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during an April 21 briefing. Read the original article on Business Insider HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Many topics from the imminent closure of the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Steelton to healthcare were covered at a rally Friday hosted by independent Senator Bernie Sanders. It was held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg and Sanders was joined by Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17). People in other countries dont even know what the concept of deductible is, Sanders said at the rally. The idea that you have insurance, but you got to pay the first five, ten thousand dollars out of your own pocket is literally crazy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleveland-Cliffs closing Steelton facility, hundreds laid off A kind of message Penn State students Sophie Wasserman, Amber Gordon, and Darcy Harrison came from State College to hear. I grew up loving Bernies policies and what he stood for and the movement, and now that Im old enough to vote, its really exciting to see him, Harrison said. I love what he does for the working class as Im from a working-class family so I continue to support him, Wasserman said. I feel like his ability to go against the status quo and really fight for the needs of the people and just fight corruption is just really admirable, Gordon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universal enthusiasm inside the Farm Show Complex. Outside, Republicans less impressed, saying in a statement Pennsylvania Democrats are in complete disarray, doubling down with out-of-touch candidates who support biological men in girls sports, free healthcare for illegals, and allowing illegals to decide our elections. Back inside, asked what kind of job she thinks President Donald Trump is doing, Peggy Bright, of Annville, couldnt find the words. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) rallies at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 2, 2025. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) rallies at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 2, 2025. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) rallies at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 2, 2025. No hesitation, however, talking about Sanders. Im a big fan. i have been for a long time, Bright said. He always speaks to me of both idealism that I believe in my heart and practical ways we can go forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would not be surprised if there are more than a few Republicans here tonight, Sanders said. He was correct. One Republican couple told abc27 News they arent necessarily big fans, but given the choices, they like Sanders ideas better than the ones driving policy in America right now. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Sanders has run for president twice. The next presidential election is three years from now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A sentencing hearing will take place next in the coming weeks for three of six central Ohio suspects facing over 120 felony charges after a task force dismantled a south Columbus human trafficking ring. Shalee Siler pleaded guilty to four of 10 charges, including involuntary manslaughter, which was amended from aggravated murder in the death of 39-year-old Adrian Smith in May 2023. Siler faced charges of aggravated murder, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, felonious assault, two counts of murder and three counts of promoting prostitution. The prosecution agreed to guilty pleas of involuntary manslaughter and the three prostitution charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1500 block of Linwood Avenue on the South Side after police said a vehicle with several occupants shot at Smith while passing by. One other person was in the line of fire and injured during the shooting before driving away from the scene and calling for help. An investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force uncovered a crime ring in September 2022 and resulted in the indictment of six adults, including two initially charged with Smiths murder. James Antwan Dukes-Johnson was arrested on July 2023 in connection to the homicide while Michael Anthony Davis was arrested in August 2023. On March 17, Siler entered her guilty plea and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on June 18. The other suspects arrested were 33-year-old Sarah Dotson, 28-year-old Alexias Carr-Johnson, of Marysville and 29-year-old Tyler Payne. Each face at least four felony charges plus additional firearm specifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All charges among the other five suspects include the following along with a corresponding case update: Dukes-Johnson: Pleaded not guilty to nearly 40 charges, including aggravated murder, murder, trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. His trial has been continued several times, most recently on Friday, and is scheduled to resume Monday. Davis: Pleaded not guilty to nearly 40 charges, including aggravated murder, murder, trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. His trial has also been continued several times and is scheduled to resume May 9. Dotson (29 charges): Pleaded guilty to four charges, including drug trafficking, compelling prostitution, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and having weapons under disability. Of the 29 total charges, 25 were dismissed in the plea agreement. Those included trafficking in persons, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, drug possession, and several counts of compelling prostitution. Dotson is next scheduled to appear in court on May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr-Johnson and Payne (four charges each): Carr-Johnson and Payne pleaded guilty to two of four charges, including permitting drug abuse and receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture. Charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and money laundering were dismissed. Carr-Johnsons sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 18, and Payne will next appear in court on 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. MANILA (Reuters) -Two people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed and several others injured when a car crashed into the entrance of Manila's international airport on Sunday, authorities said, adding the incident may not have been intentional. The incident occurred when a black SUV crashed through the outer railing and into the walkway near the entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Terminal 1. Those killed were a 29-year-old male and a five-year-old girl, according to the Department of Transportation. The Philippine Red Cross, which responded to the scene, had earlier reported the girl as being four years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were conflicting reports on the number of injured. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said three people were hurt and were taken to the hospital, but a Facebook post from his office said that four individuals had been injured. CCTV footage reviewed by authorities showed that the driver had just dropped off a passenger before the incident, Dizon said. He said the driver was seen assisting the passenger with unloading luggage, after which the passenger walked toward the terminal entrance, and shortly after, the SUV suddenly accelerated. "It initially appears that the driver did not intend to run anyone over," Dizon told reporters, adding that the driver of the vehicle is in police custody and will undergo drug testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dizon urged the public not to speculate, saying the investigation was ongoing. Images shared by local media on social media platforms showed some people lying on the ground. Glass was shattered across the entrance and the front of a black SUV was visibly damaged after hitting the airport doors. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Michael Perry and Saad Sayeed) Katherine Knights story reads like the plot of a horror movie. The first woman in Australian history to be sentenced to life in prison, Knight was arrested in 2001 after police found her passed out alongside her slain husband John Price, whom she had brutally stabbed to death before skinning him alive with intentions to serve his remains in a stew to his two children. Its fitting, then, that Knight was dubbed Australias Hannibal Lecter, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company and news.com.au. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE is looking back at the horrific 2001 murder case and the warning signs that investigators said preceded Prices gruesome death, all of which were documented in the book Blood Stains by journalist Peter Lalor a year later. Warning Signs from Knight's Past Before the murder, Knight carried a certain reputation in her Aberdeen, New South Wales, community for being a very proficient meatworker, neighbor Rick Banyard told ABC on the 20th anniversary of the murder. But Knight also had a short fuse, according to former detective Luke Taylor, who told news.com.au that she had a penchant for being violent that originated from an abusive childhood. NSW Police John Price John Price The outlet reported that Knight claimed she was sexually abused by different men in her family throughout her childhood, leading to a string of troubled relationships with men throughout her adult life. There were so many warning signs yet none were heeded, Taylor said. Lalors book on Knight explores some of these incidents: She was remembered by childhood classmates as a bully who once beat up a boy. She tried to strangle her first husband, David Kellett, on their wedding night and later fractured his skull with a frying pan during a domestic dispute. She also once killed another partner's dog and stabbed him with a pair of scissors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a horror movie in the making, Taylor, the former detective, said. Price's Murder Google Maps Home where John Price was killed Home where John Price was killed Knight and Prices relationship seemed like nothing out of the norm to neighbors and coworkers, Barnyard told ABC. "I think, basically, nobody sort of expected any significant drama at all, let alone the crime that became recorded as one of the worst pieces of history in Australia, he said. But Knight was abusive, and once stabbed Price during an argument, leading to Price getting a restraining order against her. But the couple briefly reconciled, according to the outlet. After another particularly tense dispute at home, Price reportedly warned coworkers that if he didnt show up for work the next day, they should call police and come look for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors phoned officers the next morning, March 1, 2000, after becoming concerned about blood stains on the couples front door. Police arrived and soon found Prices body mutilated inside the home, while Knight was found passed out nearby, news.com.au reported. By the time I got to the scene, Katherine was leaving in an ambulance. She had taken some pills. Not enough to kill her, but they made her sleepy, former Sergeant Robert Wells told the outlet earlier in 2025, 25 years after the gruesome killing. I walked inside and saw the human skin pelt hanging up, completely intact in one piece. John Prices decapitated and skinned body was lying on the floor in the loungeroom. We found his head, it had been boiled and cooked in a pot on the stove. There were a number of slices of rump, taken off his human rump, baked in the oven with some vegetables and put on plates, with the name of two of his children on them. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Knight was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2001 and later lost an appeal in 2006, according to The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last minutes of [Price's] life must have been a time of abject terror for him, as they were a time of utter enjoyment for her, supreme court justice Barry OKeefe said at Knights sentencing, according to the newspaper. He was stabbed 37 times before Knight began cutting up his body. Knight is the first woman in Australian history to receive a life sentence without parole. She remains in custody at Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Singapores Peoples Action Party won its 14th successive election on Saturday to extend its unbroken six-decade rule, delivering a strong mandate to its new premier as the city-state braces for economic turbulence from a global trade war. The PAP, which has ruled since before Singapores 1965 independence, won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs, with victories by huge margins in many of the 33 constituencies as the opposition failed to extend gains in previous contests. The election was a bellwether of the popularity of the PAP amid some signs of disenchantment with its tight grip on power in the Asian financial hub, whose six million people have known no other kind of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the PAP has consistently won about 90% of seats, its share of the popular vote is closely watched as a measure of the strength of its mandate, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong eager to leave a mark on his first election in charge after one of the PAPs worst performances on record last time. The PAP had yet to be formally declared winner but took 65.57% of the vote, according to local media, surpassing the 61.2% achieved in the 2020 contest. The outcome will be seen as a ringing public endorsement of US-educated Wong, 52, who became Singapores fourth prime minister last year, promising continuity as well as new blood and a new style of leadership. He took over at the end of the two-decade premiership of Lee Hsien Loong, the son of former leader Lee Kuan Yew, founder of modern Singapore. People's Action Party supporters gather at an assembly area to wait for results of the general election in Singapore, May 3, 2025. REUTERS/Edgar Su TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - Edgar Su/Reuters Recession risk Wong must address high living costs and a shortage of housing: persistent problems in one of the worlds most expensive cities, which faces a risk of recession and job losses if its trade-dependent economy takes a hit from the trade war triggered by steep US tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong thanked his constituents, saying: We are grateful once again for your strong mandate, and we will honor it. Though the PAP win maintains the status quo, the margin of victory in most races was significant, with the opposition decimated and PAP candidates winning more than two-thirds of the vote in 18 of 33 constituencies. The voters have spoken and they have voted for stability, for continuity, for certainty - and they voted to give Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a strong mandate, said Mustafa Izzuddin, adjunct senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Although a PAP defeat was always extremely unlikely, some analysts had said the election could have altered the future political dynamic if the opposition had made more gains, with some younger voters keen for fresh voices, greater scrutiny and more robust debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that could take time. Like previous elections, Saturdays was a lopsided affair, with 46% of all candidates representing the PAP. The ruling party ran in all seats, compared to just 26 for the Workers Party, which won the 10 seats PAP did not win. The PAP has a big membership to draw from, influence in state institutions and far greater resources than its untested opponents. Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the PAPs decisive win came down to Singaporeans backing a known quantity at a time of uncertainty. Its a flight to safety - not wanting to change to a new party amidst the greatest global trade tensions in decades, he said. Just because they are a rock in times of trouble - the same issues are there (that) they need to address. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A large crowd gathered at the Missouri State Capitol on Saturday morning to honor police officers killed in the line of duty. In a touching tribute, six names were etched into history, including two from more than a century 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 FOX 2. At least six civilians were injured in Donetsk Oblast on the morning of 4 May following a series of Russian strikes across several settlements. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration Details: In the city of Druzhkivka, a Russian drone strike targeted an industrial area, injuring three civilians aged between 65 and 69. Authorities are currently assessing the scale of the damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Pokrovsk, two more people sustained injuries, and one residential house was damaged. In the village of Zarichne, located in the Lyman hromada, one person was injured in an attack that completely destroyed two residential buildings. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Background: Earlier on Sunday, a man was killed and three others injured in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast due to Russian attacks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for stating that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign politicians attending 9 May celebrations in Moscow. Source: Fico at a press conference on Sunday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Fico stated that Zelenskyy's comments amounted to threats against presidents and prime ministers of countries with millions of citizens, adding, "This is not how things are done". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "I reject such threats on security grounds. I fully respect that the safety of participants is an internal matter of the Russian Federation. But if Mr Zelenskyy thinks that his outbursts will deter foreign delegations from attending, he is deeply mistaken. Still, I had to express my condemnation of such rhetoric." Details: Fico also said he regretted that "Zelenskyy and others are mixing up the past with the present". Quote: "For God's sake, Ukrainian soldiers also died in large numbers in the Second World War between 1941 and 1945. On the contrary, the ceasefire proposal should have been accepted when the celebration of the 80th anniversary was discussed. And if one doesnt want to offer congratulations on the end of the Second World War, then at least remain silent. It is deeply disrespectful when someone tells a country that made the greatest contribution to the victory over fascism and suffered the most unimaginable losses: Go ahead and celebrate, maybe well launch a drone on you or something. For me, this is unacceptable." Background: On 3 May, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of representatives from other countries during planned visits to Moscow on 9 May, since Russia may take any actions against the guests, and Ukraine cannot be responsible for what happens on Russian territory. In April, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called on European leaders not to take part in the 9 May military celebrations in Moscow and instead show solidarity with Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A small plane crashed into a Ventura County neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and a dog on board while spreading fire and destruction to nearby homes. At around 1:51 p.m., about 40 firefighters responded to calls that a plane had crashed into two homes with smoke showing in the 200 block of High Meadow Street in the Wood Ranch community of Simi Valley, officials confirmed. The Simi Valley Police Department issued an alert at 2:40 p.m., telling the public that a plane crash near High Meadow Street had closed the road, warning residents to avoid the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A small plane crash occurred near the 200 block of High Meadow Street, read the alert. The road is currently closed, and traffic is being detoured. Please expect delays in the area for the next several hours. The Ventura County Fire Department posted to X after 4 p.m., saying that preliminary reports indicated one fatality in the aircraft. At 8 p.m., VCFD confirmed two people were killed in the crash the pilot and a passenger along with a dog. A Vans RV-10 crashed near High Meadow Street and Wood Ranch Parkway in Simi Valley, California, around 2:10 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 3, explained the FAA in a statement. The plane departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was heading to Camarillo Airport. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (KNN) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (KNN) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (KNN) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (KNN) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (RMG News) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (RMG News) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (RMG News) Crews on the scene after a small plane crashed into a Simi Valley neighborhood. May 2025. (Citizen.com) The stringer service KNN spoke with a homeowner who said he was trimming vegetation around his home when he spotted the plane, describing it as possibly disoriented or in distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went to tell his wife about it, and the plane plummeted and slammed into the exact location where he was trimming vegetation, KNN reported. The man narrowly escaped death when the plane hit and his home erupted in flames. Officials said the fire spread to two two-story, single-family homes, and that residents were inside at the time of the crash. However, they were able to evacuate, and VCFD said no other injuries were reported, but the homes sustained structural damage. The deceased victims identities were not immediately provided. VCFD said the fire was knocked down as of 4 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 KTLA. Unless you're living in a shack off the grid, you've probably noticed that artificial intelligence is being shoehorned into every corner of existence, from kitchens to doctors officers to alarm clocks. And as AI creeps further into our lives, so do the hulking data centers that power it but not everyone's stoked about their new neighbors. The facilities working behind the scene to fuel the AI revolution are bulky, noisy, and hog resources like electricity at a staggering scale. Data centers have been blamed for placing a huge burden on local electrical grids and water tables that were only designed for small-town homes, not state-of-the-art industrial facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That being the case, it's no surprise that local opposition to data centers is growing rapidly in rural areas of states like Indiana, Virginia, Missouri, and Illinois, where AI developers are flocking to lock down cheap land and generous tax breaks. And as local organizers successfully repel the monstrous sites, their battleplans are being chronicled and shared with other activists engaged in the fight. "Hyper scale data centers bring few benefits to communities," claims Peaceful Peculiar, a grassroots campaign that successfully repelled a Diode Ventures data center in Peculiar, Missouri. "Dozens of communities around the nation severely struggle from the presence of data centers. It's only about maximizing their profits, so they choose properties as close as possible to a large power supply." The group's Facebook page, "Don't Dump Data on Peculiar," once welcomed input from activists and organizers in other communities, according to a profile by the Washington Post. Now after successfully fighting off the Diode facility last October, the organizers of Peculiar have become a resource to fellow activists as far away as Indiana, Idaho, Georgia, and Texas. "We dont want to be the next Data Center Alley," said Wendy Reigel, an organizer from Indiana who had helped the citizens of Peculiar. "Data Center Alley" is the nickname given to a stretch of land in northern Virginia, which is home to over 50 of the facilities, with plenty more on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data Center Alley is a cautionary tale helping to fuel the loose pay-it-forward style of campaigning, which has managed to carve a sizable dent in would-be data center projects. A Heatmap investigation into data centers in Indiana, for example, found that out of 30 ongoing proposals, two were repelled in the last month alone, on top of five more rejections in the past year. (That's all despite a corporate-friendly governor and generous tax incentives offered by state lawmakers.) Thanks to the disconnected nature of small towns, and the many resources available to tech corporate interests, local residents themselves not larger groups are proving to be the most effective line of defense against the looming threat of data center development. "Were building out tools to help local folks feel like they have the knowledge and the resources to be able to engage at these local levels," an organizer with Citizens Action Coalition, an Indiana-based environmental group told Heatmap. "When we have several dozen data center proposals in the state of Indiana and more coming, a small organization like ours cant be there for each individual fight," the organizer added. More on datacenters: Microsoft's Huge Plans for Mass AI Data Centers Now Rapidly Falling Apart Starting early this week, a rain-soaked pattern will expand throughout the South Central states, generating a risk for stream and river flooding across the region. While the most widespread threat is expected to be frequent downpours that can inundate roadways and allow already elevated streams and waterways to approach their banks, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that some locations will also face the threat of severe thunderstorms this week. Notable drought in place in Texas, Southwest Areas across southern and western Texas into New Mexico are in dire need of the rain, with levels of extreme and even exceptional drought currently being reported according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. AccuWeather.com A city like Midland, Texas, has only recorded 0.68 of an inch of rain so far this year, which is 25% of its historical average rainfall to this point. Any rain that reaches this corridor of West Texas will be beneficial given the parched conditions, but may runoff and struggle to be sufficiently absorbed by the hard and compacted soils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farther east, there is no drought from the eastern suburbs of Houston to Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Some of these areas are still reeling from the heavy Mississippi Valley rainfall over the last month or more that had trickled downstream, inundating low-lying areas and the southernmost watersheds across eastern Louisiana and western Mississippi. AccuWeather.com With repeat downpours in the forecast for much of this week, residents across eastern Texas and Louisiana are advised to monitor when the heaviest rounds may arrive. Intense and frequent rainfall could quickly spell trouble for travelers along portions of interstates 10, 20, 30 and 55. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The greatest flood risk is primarily due to stream and river flooding, given the notable rain that has fallen over the last few weeks. Areas most susceptible can include locations from Houston to cities in Louisiana like Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans," explained AccuWeather Lead Storm Warning Meteorologist Timothy Richards. Rounds of heavy rain this week As a slow-moving storm advances eastward out of the Southwest and toward the western Gulf Coast states over the upcoming days, a wet and stormy pattern will grip the region. AccuWeather.com An influx of moisture flowing out of the Gulf will help to supply the region with rain and thunderstorms through at least Thursday, forecasters say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a widespread region will pick up anywhere from 1-2 inches of rain, amounts on the order of 2-4 inches will be possible from eastern Texas, southern Arkansas and Louisiana to central Mississippi with higher amounts of 4-8 inches in south-central Louisiana. AccuWeather.com "This pattern can be a compounding issue with how much rain has fallen across the region lately, that the ground will already be fairly saturated and additional heavy rain will not be as easily absorbed," noted Richards. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. As he grew up, Abdikarim Yusuf watched his fathers catch off the Somali coast grow smaller year after year. Seeing his father struggle, and coming to suspect, like many in his town of Garacad, that overfishing by foreign trawlers was to blame for his predicament, the hot-headed young man vowed action. Unable to feed their families by fishing, and left unprotected by a weak and often corrupt state, they would have to earn a living another way. One day in 2008, aged only 17 at the time, he made the decision to swap his nets for a Kalashnikov and joined a group of older men heading out to sea not as fishermen, but as pirates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naturally, I was scared at first, but what took the fear away was the belief that what I was doing was justified, he told The Telegraph. For the next three years, he joined a ragtag force which became a scourge of maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean, estimated to cost billions of pounds to international trade. Hundreds of millions were spent in ransoms. But some hapless seafarers were sometimes held captive in terrible conditions for years after being abandoned by their employers. Somalian residents say unrestrained fishing by foreign vessels are a blight on their livelihoods Many young men went out at sea with their guns, only to end up dying or being captured and languishing in prisons in foreign lands. This included some of my friends, Abdikarim says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His buccaneering days are now long over, though he declines to use his real name in case his past catches up with him. Yet after a lull of several years, Somali piracy is now back on the rise, and both residents and analysts say that overfishing is one of the driving factors. So too is the rise of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, which has caused naval patrols to become distracted from anti-piracy duties off the Horn of Africa, leaving a security void to be exploited by Somali pirates. After several years without any piracy incidents, attacks have started to slowly rise again since 2023. Three vessels have been captured in 2025 alone, according to the European Union naval taskforce patrolling the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the most high-profile incident so far, last year the 23-strong crew of the Bangladesh-flagged vessel MV Abdullah were held hostage after the vessel was seized while shipping coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The crew was released after a ransom of $5 million (3.7 million) was reportedly paid. Navies have pivoted to the threat Houthi attacks pose to the Red Sea, leaving a security gap for Somali Pirates to exploit Locals along the coast say unrestrained fishing by vessels from Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, India, and even Thailand and China still blights their livelihoods. Illegal fishing is quieter and less visible and has done significant damage over time. For years, foreign boats have stripped Somalias coastline with little consequence. Local fishers know this, says Jethro Norman, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coastal economy is fragile. Fishing livelihoods remain under pressure from foreign fleets. Theres minimal state presence in many littoral zones [parts of the sea that are close to the shore]. Put that together; grievance, opportunity and the means to act, and piracy starts to make sense again. Senior regional officials from the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, whose 990 miles of coastline have seen three recent hijackings, admit illegal fishing is badly hitting residents in Somalia. Illegal fishing is not a problem just in Puntland but is an issue plaguing all of Somalia, says Abdirizak Abdullahi Hagaa, Puntlands minister of fisheries and marine resources. The depletion of maritime resources has not only angered local communities but made their livelihoods more difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, local anger at illegal fishing has not translated into unqualified support for the pirates. At the height of the pirate menace, while there may have been some sympathy, they were also seen as mercenary, hedonistic and impious. Several communities turned on them and drove them out. The rise of Houthi attacks against shipping further north in the Red Sea has now added another dimension. The rise in hijackings over the past year isnt surprising, said Mr Norman. As Western navies pivoted to the Houthi threat, a familiar opportunity reappeared: long stretches of sea with no patrols and plenty of slow-moving ships. Somali pirate groups know this terrain, and the tools are already in place. Motherships, local informants, safe coastal hideouts. These arent new innovations. Its just muscle memory returning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Yusuf now lives in the city of Garowe and says he has little sympathy for todays opportunist pirates. When I did it [piracy], it was a cause we believed in because we saw ourselves as victims. But the ones doing the recent attacks are opportunists and the tension in the Gulf of Aden isnt making things better. These men risk more foreign intervention and militarisation of Somalia with these recent attacks out at sea. The whole world is watching. 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. 50 years? Its incredible, and a sad state of affairs, that Richard Jordan remains on Mississippis death row, nearly 50 years after his conviction. May justice soon be served. Hospital safety scores I just read the article on hospital safety scores. The Singing River Hospital System scores are the worst on the coast. There has been a lot of political changes in administration recently and they are obviously hurting the system. Our community deserves quality health care not worse than average for the following categories: dangerous object left in patients body, surgical wound splits open, death from serious treatable complications, kidney injury after surgery and serious breathing problem. Give tariffs a chance I want to commend President Trump for taking bold steps to address long-standing tariff disparities that have placed American businesses and workers at a disadvantage for way too long. For years, our trade partners have benefited from one-sided agreements, and its encouraging to see someone willing to push back and level the playing field. Cabinet face-off I wish the media would do a side-by-side comparison of the Biden/Trump presidential Cabinets `they wouldnt dare. Sorry, Democrats Democrats are in turmoil. Theyre kicking David Hogg to the curb and Chuck Schumer polled today at 17%. Remember, if you believe in the Democrats policies, youre losing. Ask Terry Moran. Kissing the ring Our Mississippi delegation is begging President Trump to send aid after tornado disasters. His billionaire donors dont need aid, but we do. Lets see what happens. A question If China is going to pay the tariffs, then whats the Trump Administrations problem with Amazon listing the tariff price? Trumps accomplishments President Trumps supporters are still writing in to Sound Off to support all of Trumps accomplishments. These people must not go anywhere or do anything, otherwise they would know that our entire world economy is slowly crumbling. The negative effects of Trumps tariffs are happening slowly, but they are happening. Unless something changes, soon there will be empty shelves in our stores along with even higher prices. Sleepy Joe You know, if President Biden hadnt been asleep at the wheel for his entire presidency, and if folks hadnt been covering that up, maybe the Democrats wouldnt be in such a mess. Just stop Another executive order, this one demanding that truck drivers speak English. If they can pass the commercial driving test, they must know how to read English. Another senseless rule thats not worth the time of day. Makes sense Im not President Trumps biggest supporter, but it sure seems to me like being able to read English should be a prerequisite for being licensed to drive a truck ... or any vehicle for that matter. So much winning All those promises of the great success wed get on Day 1 of a Trump presidency. And folks believed it. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. A South Carolina man was killed in an overnight crash, according to the Pickens County Coroners Office. Brandon Michael Lollis, a 27-year-old Central resident, died in the wreck, Coroner Andrew Wilson said Sunday in a news release. At about midnight Sunday, members of the Pickens County EMS and Liberty Area Fire District responded to the area near 949 Stewart Gin Road, in Liberty, where a crash was reported, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the scene, the emergency responders found a single-vehicle collision, the coroners office said. Lollis was driving south toward the intersection with Stancil Road when the vehicle ran off the left side of Stewart Gin Road, the coroners office said. The vehicle crashed into a telephone pole and numerous trees, according to the release. Lollis, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered multiple blunt force injuries and died at the scene, the coroners office said. No other injuries were reported. Information about what caused the vehicle to veer off the road was not available, but Wilson said the collision is being investigated by his office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through April 27, at least 251 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2025, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, at least 948 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least four people have died in Pickens County crashes in 2025, according to DPS data. There were 17 deaths in the county in 2024, DPS reported. LEA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) License plate readers are becoming an essential tool for law enforcement throughout the state. Recently, one county reported that the use of these readers has significantly benefited their operations over the past two months. Out of those two months ago, we have already successfully recovered two stolen vehicles and I would say approximately, approximately $70,000 [in stolen goods], said Crime Analyst Jose Rendon with the Lea County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office installed eight license plate readers around the county. In addition to recovering $70,000 worth of stolen goods and vehicles, the department was able to locate a man who was a danger to himself and had been reported missing. Lea County using technology to help find lost loved ones who wander away from home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office emphasizes that this technology not only assists their department but also aids other law enforcement agencies. Similar to how the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), New Mexico State Police (NMSP), and Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) share access to their license plate readers, the Lea County Sheriffs Office has established a cooperative system. We are not, like we have access to our cameras and also to multiple agencies that can be like a two-way street of, Hey, I give you access to my cameras, give me access to yours, Rendon explained. The sheriffs office clarifies that they do not use this information to monitor residents but rather to track down specific vehicles they are searching for. The department is currently negotiating contracts with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to install additional cameras along state highways. They plan to have a total of 17 cameras once those state contracts are approved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Loved ones are mourning a 21-year-old woman who was killed in a Fullerton crash. On April 12, Angy Velasquez had left a gathering that morning and was sitting in the passenger seat as her boyfriend drove them home. Her boyfriend, who was driving a Tesla sedan, was traveling westbound on Orangethorpe Avenue when he ran a red light near the intersection of South State College Boulevard at 6:48 a.m., according to the Fullerton Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His speeding car clipped a Toyota truck before crashing head-on into the side of an Orange County Transit Authority bus. Velasquez was killed on impact. Her boyfriend was transported to the hospital, where he died the next day. His identity has not been released by the coroners office. Angy had just turned 21, said Stephanya Cabanas, a family friend. She was so young, so beautiful, so bright. Angy Velasquez, 21, is seen in a photo provided by family. Two people were killed after a driver in a Tesla Model 3 ran a red light and crashed into a bus in Orange County on April 12, 2025. (OC Hawk) Two people were killed after a driver in a Tesla Model 3 ran a red light and crashed into a bus in Orange County on April 12, 2025. (OC Hawk) Angy Velasquez, 21, is seen in a photo provided by family. Loved ones held a fundraiser in Santa Ana to honor Angy Velasquezs life while also raising money for funeral expenses on May 3, 2025. (KTLA) Loved ones held a fundraiser in Santa Ana to honor Angy Velasquezs life while also raising money for funeral expenses on May 3, 2025. (KTLA) Two people were killed after a driver in a Tesla Model 3 ran a red light and crashed into a bus in Orange County on April 12, 2025. (OC Hawk) Velasquez was also a young mother of a 5-year-old son. She had so much to live for and its just so unfortunate because now he wont be able to see his mother grow with him, Cabanas said. It just happened so suddenly and so we are just trying to take it day by day. We are so broken about this loss. She was a very special person to us. She was a mother, a sister, a friend, and thats just something so devastating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends and community members are rallying to support Velasquezs family during this difficult time. Cabana said Velasquezs grandmother had also passed away recently, leaving her family with two heartbreaking losses. On Saturday, loved ones hosted a fundraiser in Santa Ana to raise money for funeral expenses. Cabanas said Velasquezs son will be given extra support during this time. Everybodys just trying to support her family, she said. She has a big family, a big support system, so her son is in very good hands. Everybodys going to be there for him as much as they can, but its a big loss for him because at the end of the day, thats his mother. Another fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 4, where food will be served at a home at 813 Plymouth Place in Anaheim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation. Five passengers aboard the OCTA bus were transported to hospitals with minor injuries. The bus driver and the Toyota driver were uninjured. Its unclear whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Fullerton Police Investigator Feaster at 714-738-6812 or email jfeaster@fullertonpd.org. Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Southwest Airlines plane returned to the gate after a passenger's cellphone ignited on the aircraft. According to CBS News, a fire broke out, likely from a "battery inside a passenger's cellphone," which "appeared to go up in flames as the plane moved down the tarmac." The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to CBS that the plane returned to its gate at El Paso International Airport due to a "passenger disturbance" that the agency is investigating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Southwest Airlines Flight 2112 returned to the gate at El Paso International Airport yesterday morning after the battery inside a passenger's cell phone apparently ignited," Southwest told CBS in a statement. After the flight crew put out the fire, passengers "disembarked normally," the spokesperson told CBS. According to WFAA-TV, the aircraft was headed to Houston, TX. The incident occurred on April 30, 2025. "Southwest is working with the appropriate federal and local investigative agencies," the airline said to WFAA. "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire occurred as Flight WN2112 "was preparing for departure," according to Aviation 2z. No one was injured, the site reported. That site added that passengers were able to make it to Houston on a different plane. PCMag explains that cellphone batteries are not likely to explode, but it does happen. "There are many reasons a smartphone may catch fire or explode, and it almost always has to do with the device's battery," that site explained. The lithium-ion batteries in modern smartphones "contain a careful balance of positive and negative electrodes to allow for recharging," PCMag reported, and sometimes the " inner components of the battery can break down and create a volatile reaction that could lead to fires." Related: Southwest Airlines Announces 'Unprecedented' Change Amid Free Bag Outrage Sovereignty gave trainer Bill Mott a second Kentucky Derby victory. This time there was no doubt about it and no asterisk. The 3-year-old colt outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Derby in the slop on Saturday, snapping an 0 for 13 skid by owner Godolphin. Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified during a 22-minute delay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest UK sports news It took a few minutes for Saturdays results to be made official while the stewards sorted out a photo for second and reviewed a traffic-choked start. Mott knew all the while who earned the garland of red roses. This one got there the right way, the Hall of Fame trainer said. I mean, hes done well, hes a great horse, he comes from a great organization and I cant say enough about the horse and the organization that started him out and made this happen. Godolphin is the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had quite a long relationship with the Godolphin team and the man behind the Godolphin operation, Sheikh Mohammed, Mott said. Im just honored. Sovereignty, also bred by the sheikh, splashed through 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds. Hes the record 20th horse with a name starting with S to win. The victory was worth $3.1 million from the $5 million purse. Its great, Mott said. I think it will take a little while to sink in. Journalism didnt have the cleanest of trips in the 19-horse field, but rallied to stay in the fight. He found trouble early before jockey Umberto Rispoli swung him outside to get him in the clear. They made a move at the leaders with Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado right behind them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was saying to me, Listen, Im ready, so from there I started picking up, Alvarado said. The two colts hooked up for a sixteenth of a mile for a thrilling battle against the backdrop of 147,406 roaring and rain-soaked fans before Sovereignty surged ahead inside the eighth pole and drew clear. I saw the blue silks (of Godolphin) coming at us and I knew that was the one we were going to have to be concerned about, said Michael McCarthy, Journalisms trainer. The winner ran a better race. Alvarado won his first Derby in six tries. He and Sovereignty were reunited after Alvarado had missed the colts last start in the Florida Derby because he was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than a dream come true, the 38-year-old Venezuelan said. I thought I had a great chance. I was confident the whole week. Fast-closing Baeza who got into the race on Thursday after another horse was scratched was a neck back in third. Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth. Citizen Bull, the lone entry for six-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, set the pace. Baffert was back on the first Saturday in May having serving a three-year suspension by Churchill Downs after his Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first in 2021 and failed a postrace drug test. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D. Wayne Lukas, the 89-year-old four-time Derby winner, saw his colt American Promise finish right behind Baffert in 15th. Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos. Burnham Square was sixth, followed by Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Judgment, Flying Mohawk and Admire Daytona. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GOSHEN Speakers called for persistence and solidarity at the third antigovernment protest since the start of spring in Elkhart County. Close to 200 people joined the May Day Strong protest Thursday outside the Elkhart County Courthouse. They bore signs speaking out against cuts to Social Security and other government services, in support of worker solidarity and in defense of due process as people are taken off the streets in America and flown to foreign prisons. Were here today for what were for, for as much as were against. The things that were for are the equal treatment of immigrants our Hispanic, our Black, our indigenous neighbors. Were here for them, said David Knight, one of the organizers. Were also here to protect our way of life. Were here for fair wages. Were here for universal healthcare. ... Were here to maintain a government by the people, of the people and for the people. Were here to stand against the attacks on the Constitution and our way of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corinne Straight, an Elkhart activist, said theres growing anger at the feeling that working harder to obtain the so-called American dream only makes other people richer. She said most people dream of meeting basic needs, while anything more than that falls further out of reach every year. We do not dream of becoming tech billionaires. We do not dream of handing over multimillion-dollar companies to our children. We dream of going to the doctor. We dream of putting food on the table. We dream of our kids getting to have a career and an education without starting out their lives tens of thousands of dollars in debt. We dream of retiring, she said. Our dreams are so basic. ... Like David said, we are the wealthiest nation in the world, and we do not provide basic necessities. We allow people to go into debt to eat, to get a cavity filled, to send their kids to child care. Straight said upward mobility from one generation to the next has been falling since the baby boomer generation, nine out of 10 of whom could say they made more money than their parents. She said that number has dropped to 50 percent for millennials. She encouraged protesters to show the same class solidarity as the top 5 percent, who act with the common goal of enriching themselves off the labor of the other 95 percent while keeping them distracted with divisive social issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about hard work. This has never been about hard work. There is no one in this country that works harder than poor people. There is no one in this country that works harder than a single parent. There is no one in this country that works harder than an immigrant, Straight said. This has never been about work ethic. This has always been about privilege and opportunity, and the billionaires understanding that our hard work is going to make them richer. ... They need us to keep working harder. Elkhart City Councilman Dwight Fish also encouraged protesters to show solidarity with immigrants, who are seeking the same basic dream. What about those folks who come across here with the hope and dream of living in a town like Goshen and expressing their rights? Theyre not doing anything wrong. They want to come here and work, he said. Why are we not making a pathway to citizenship? Why are we not doing that? Because the power-brokers love to manipulate and distract and take everything they can, and not give you a thing back. Straight said the last legislative session in Indianapolis showed what state lawmakers really value. She said it isnt children, parents, public education or health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They value tax cuts for businesses and vouchers so the top 3 percent of wealthiest Hoosiers can send their kids to school on our dime. In a tight budget year, they had an opportunity to actually do the right thing, and once again, they did not, she said. And every single person here recognizes the power that they have in Indianapolis, and we are not going to let these people run unopposed in 2026, are we? She said 40 uncontested seats in the state legislature went to Republicans in 2024, representing close to 3 million people. She urged the crowd to spread an alternative to the pro-Trump message those people have been hearing. This presence here today shows that we can be united, we can be inspired and we can be focused and hopeful. Because we are committed to doing the work that is going to reverse decades of economic decline for the bottom 95 percent of us, Straight said. And we are committed to not burying our heads in the sand when it gets hard. We cant look away when it hurts. Its going to get worse before it gets better we have to stay the course. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) This week on The Spectrum: The Trump administrations mission to cut federal spending is cutting funding to Alzheimers Disease research. What impact could the cuts have on one of Americas most vulnerable populations? Moreno on immigration, Trump, stocks Ohio lawmakers pass a bill to repeal the remaining parts of the now-tainted House Bill 6; how will it reshape Ohios energy infrastructure? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An election flier is causing confusion for some voters in Hilliard. Hear from a Democratic candidate who said hes being targeted after leaving the Republican party. On the roundtable, Democratic strategist Spencer Dirrig and Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis weigh in as Donald Trump marks 100 days in office with the economy and his approval numbers in a slump. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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, Mass. (WWLP) People in Springfield recognized the selfless work of one man who has dedicated his life to helping others. Paul Bailey has led Springfield Partners for Community Action for nearly 25 years and is retiring this year. He said he enjoyed every moment of service and hopes to continue helping others. Hampshire Pride Parade and Festival held in Northampton Springfield Partners for Community Action hosted a retirement part for its former executive director on Saturday, hoping that shining a light on Baileys service will inspire others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would do my duty and upon leaving, people would say goodbye, and that would be it, Bailey said. Im really surprised that when they said they were going to have this function, and Im really happy about it. Under Baileys leadership, the nonprofit has raised more than $4 million. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his staff helped several people in the community, distributing over $185,000 to help those pay utility bills, rent, mortgages, and food. Its time for a celebration, said Springfield Partners Board President Robert Jackson. I think were all in agreement that hes done great for our community. A celebration of a job well done, and hes leaving a work that can continue on, said board member James Rhodes. Hes laid the groundwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, Springfield Partners offers several programs, including financial literacy, support for first-time homebuyers, and support for veterans. Id like to thank my staff in particular, because they were the ones that were motivated and ready to answer the calls, and they did it with great joy and accomplishment, Bailey said. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to visit springfieldpartnersinc.com. 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 22-year-old St. Paul man was charged with attempted murder after authorities alleged he pulled out an automatic weapon and fired multiple shots at his mother in front of Metro State University last week, prompting the school to briefly go into lockdown mode. Elijah Dontrel Lowe was charged Friday with one count of second-degree attempted murder with intent and one count of owning a machine gun or a weapon that has been converted into one with a trigger activator, according to the Ramsey County attorneys office. The criminal complaint gave the following details: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of May 1, 2025, Lowe and his mother got into an argument and she told her son to leave her house and not return. Lowe gathered his belongings and left on foot. A short time later, around 12:30 p.m., the mother drove away. She saw her son standing in a parking lot at 674 Sixth Street. She rolled down her window and yelled, telling her son not to come home. Lowe allegedly became angry and pulled out a gun, firing at her vehicle. The mother told investigators she felt the bullets strike her vehicle and returned home where she parked her vehicle and then went to speak to police at the crime scene. Witnesses said that a man wearing a camouflage hoodie had fired at a vehicle and fled. When the mother arrived at the scene of the shooting, she told them it had been her son who had fired at her vehicle. Investigators found 11 spent .10 mm shell casings in the parking lot. The mothers vehicle had a shattered rear window, a broken rear drivers side window and multiple bullet holes on the drivers side of the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found Lowe back at the house arguing with his mother and arrested him. He allegedly had an empty handgun magazine in his possession. A police canine, Morris, found a Glock .10 mm with a trigger activator on it inside a nearby grill. Upon questioning by police, Lowe claimed he became so upset he blacked out. When asked how many times he had shot at his mother Lowe said he thought 10 or 11 times. He also allegedly admitted that the Glock was his and he had hidden it in the grill. Authorities said Lowe has four prior felonies: two possession of a firearm by an ineligible person, one first-degree aggravated robbery, and one robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been released from the Minnesota Department of Corrections on February 27, 2025. He will make his first court appearance on Monday, May 5. Related Articles Thats no moon. Its a space station. So were the words uttered by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi when he gazed upon the doomsday weapon, the Death Star, in 1977s Star Wars, later subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope. The spherical technological terror, as Darth Vader called it, is a gray, tiled defense system with trenches and a massive dish with a laser capable of destroying a planet. Although the Death Star appeared a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, it resembles something seen in nature within the solar system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1789, Mimas is one of the many moons orbiting Saturn, according to NASA. It was not until 1980, when the spacecrafts Voyager I and II, and the craft Cassini, all took images of Saturns smallest, innermost moon. Besides their lack of color and textured appearances, theres a massive crater on Mimas that makes the space object resemble the Death Star. The Herschel Crater is 80 miles across, caused by an impact that could have broken Mimas apart, NASA stated. Mimas can be seen from Earth using a powerful telescope. While Mimas and the Death Star resemble each other, theres one big difference. The moon is 400 kilometers, or 250 miles, in diameter, according to EarthSky. The Galactic Empires superweapon is much smaller at 160 kilometers, or 100 miles, in diameter, according to the fan website Wookieepedia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent studies of the moon also present a dichotomy with its fictional twin. While the Death Star was a harbinger of destruction, Mimas could harbor life, BBC Sky at Night reported in 2024. A subsurface ocean may have formed in the last 25 million years. This is possibly the youngest place in the solar system that could be habitable, French astronomer Valery Lainey, whose team discovered the moons ocean in February 2024, told the BBC magazine. More news about the night sky Read the original article on MassLive. Goodbye Boca Chica Beach, hello Starbase. Elon Musk is now the proud leader of a soon-to-be-incorporated city in Cameron County, Texas. On Saturday, an overwhelming majority of voters cast ballots in favor of turning SpaceXs home base into its very own city. A huge 97.7 percent of the electorate voted in favor of incorporating Starbase, Texasa number that is less surprising than it seems, given that the vast majority of its inhabitants are SpaceX employees. Residents will see the company take ownership of the two-square-mile parcel of land thats located between a Texas State nature preserve and Boca Chica Beach. SpaceX founder Elon Musk during a T-Mobile and SpaceX joint event on August 25, 2022 in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. / Getty Images Starbase is the culmination of a plan many years in the making. Musks SpaceX has been using the otherwise quiet strip of sand as a rocket launch site since 2014, after steadily buying up land over the previous two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, SpaceX submitted a petition to local officials calling for an election that would give the company city status. The petition was approved in February, and the election took place on Saturday. Starbase, Texas, will soon be an official new city https://t.co/ZODDi4EZKA Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 13, 2025 Only 283 inhabitants are registered voters, mainly SpaceX employees and their family members, who have been moving into the area for the last few years. SpaceX vice president Bobby Peden will now become the citys mayor, after running unopposed. Incorporation grants Starbase Type C city status, and the right to grow from 500 to 5,000 residents. Taxes, development, and access to the public beach anytime SpaceX wants to move a rocket will all be within their remit. More power is on its way, too. A bill currently working its way through Texas state legislature would hand officials the right to close public roads and Boca Chica Beach to outsiders. Local environmental groups, however, have long been concerned about the increase in light pollution and scattered debris from rocket launches. Elon Musk has proven to be unfit to govern, Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, told The Texas Tribune. The real boss there would be Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents in the nearby town of Brownsville, with a population of 190,000, view the expansion as an attempt to erase their community. They claim residents were advised to relocate away from the dangerous rocket launches, only to have SpaceX employees move in. The creation of a SpaceX company town gives greater power and more of a say in what the Rio Grande Valley should look like, community organizer Denisce Palacios told the Tribune. Theyre all people from out of state who only care about their company, not our community. While the richest man on Earth appears to be making a departure from the seat of power in America, he now has a new kingdom to rule over. Starbucks workers have been speaking out against upcoming changes to the company's dress code for baristas. In a vided posted on X/Twitter last week, Starbucks union workers in Seattle are shown marching to protest the new dress code. One barista in the clip wondered how the dress code "is in good faith of letting us express ourselves. Another complained that the workers are "just expected to lie down and accept it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Starbucks workers across the country are facing understaffing, inaccessible benefits, discrimination, & low wages," the caption for the video reads. "Instead of fixing these issues, $Sbux decided to introduce an unpopular, more conservative dress code. Union baristas in Seattle marched on management in response." Starbucks workers across the country are facing understaffing, inaccessible benefits, discrimination, & low wages. Instead of fixing these issues, $Sbux decided to introduce an unpopular, more conservative dress code. Union baristas in Seattle marched on management in response. pic.twitter.com/6qzkx1WPth Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) April 29, 2025 The video is in response to an announcement made by Starbucks back on April 14, revealing the updated dress code, which will go into effect on May 12. "Thats why, starting May 12, were evolving our dress code in all stores to focus on simplified color options that allow our iconic green apron to shine and create a sense of familiarity for our customers, no matter which store they visit across North America," the statement reads. "The more defined color palette includes any solid black short and long-sleeved crewneck, collared, or button-up shirts and any shade of khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. Were also making a new line of company branded t-shirts available to partners, who will receive two at no cost including partner network options." Coquitlam, BC, Canada - April 30, 2016 : One side of people drinking Starbucks coffee on sunny day. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world. payphoto/Getty Images Days after that announcement from the company, the Starbucks Workers United Instagram page shared a lengthy post detailing its objections to the new policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the complaints were that it was "regressive" and "will likely result in out-of-pocket costs of buying new pants to match the colour scheme." "Queer people have a hard enough time styling clothing to their needs as is," another slide said, while an additional complaint was that Starbucks was focused on the wrong issues. Starbucks Workers United has unionized more than 10,000 workers at more than 570 of the chain's U.S. stores. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Members of Pennsylvanias House Education Committee met Friday at Greater Johnstown High School for the second of three scheduled cyber charter school reform hearings across Pennsylvania. Throughout the roughly two-hour event, the eight elected officials heard comments from a local educator and a school board member about the issues they face regarding cyber education; potential financial reforms from the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials executive director; and feedback from a parent who detailed how her two children have succeeded in virtual education. (This) feedback is necessary to come up with a fair plan that can benefit everybody, said state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He invited the committee to Johnstown so local school district officials could hear and participate in the reform discussion, noting that a March column written by area superintendents and published in The Tribune-Democrat lamented the struggles of school districts to budget for continually rising cyber tuition. In that piece, it was stated that Greater Johnstown, Ferndale Area, Westmont Hilltop, Conemaugh Valley, Conemaugh Township Area, Windber Area, Forest Hills and Richland school districts share more than $10 million combined in annual cyber tuition. Burns said the commonwealth needs a solution for cyber charter school tuition that can be fair to the taxpayers. Westmont Hilltop School District Board President and former state and Cambria County Republican Party Chairman Robert Gleason and Greater Johnstown School District Assistant to the Superintendent Michael Dadey were the first to address the panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel consisted of majority chairman state Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh; minority chairman state Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster; and state Reps. Jim Prokopiak, Marc Anderson, Barbara Gleim, Roman Kozak, Napoleon Nelson and Brian Rasel. Gleason told the representatives that his main concerns are the growing cyber school tuition cost to districts and the amount of profit over cost that those schools are logging. This is not a good system that we have, he said. I dont know how long were going to let this go on and on. Gleason also addressed his concerns about graduation rates, academic accountability and potential lack of student supports at cyber schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dadey shared similar worries and detailed the unique situation of Greater Johnstowns transient student population that makes confirming students residency difficult. He said the district often receives cyber bills for students who moved into the district, but are already enrolled in outside education, and said there are limited pathways to confirming that or whether the student and family have moved out of the Johnstown area. Dadey questioned the expenses of cyber charter institutions as well, citing Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoors February report that showed some cyber schools spent millions on gift cards, gas card incentives for employees and similar costs. Lawmakers must act now, he said. The time to reform cyber charter is long overdue. To summarize this all up, we need your help. Our communities need your help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair received several questions from committee members, including why districts costs to educate students vary so much compared to cyber schools; the potential of state dollars going to families to choose education instead of schools; where districts may save money; and Greater Johnstowns and Westmont Hilltops in-house cyber options. Anderson said what concerns him is a perceived assault by school districts on children and parents who are attempting to find an alternative to brick-and-mortar schools. He questioned Dadey about reimbursements that district officials receive for conference attendance, which Dadey said does happen with board approval. Anderson described the idea that cyber schools are wasteful with funding for these expenses as a false narrative. During the meeting, Gleason took the opportunity to broaden the discussion and comment on Pennsylvanias education system in general. He asked the committee about the necessity of the commonwealth having 500 public school districts and more than 160 brick-and-mortar charter schools with 14 cyber institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we need to take a whole look at the education system, he said. At one point, Gleason said he didnt think the state needed cyber schools at all, a comment Kozak said shocked him and Gleim said she disagreed with. Later in the discussion, Gleason retracted that statement, characterizing it as an extreme comment in the moment. Schweyer said there is a funding imbalance regarding cyber schools, noting that according to DeFoors report, Commonwealth Charter Academy spent $196 million of $300 million in a capital improvement fund during the audit period 2020 to 2023 to purchase and/or renovate 21 buildings. He asked Dadey and Gleason how beneficial a fund with that much money would be to their respective districts; both agreed it would be tremendous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others who addressed the board included Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials Executive Director Hannah Barrick and regional parent Stephanie Smith. Barrick spoke about how the tuition calculation for cyber and charter schools hasnt changed since the states Charter School Law was adopted almost 30 years ago and how there is no differentiation between the cost to educate for brick-and-mortar schools and virtual schools. She brought up that each state district pays a different tuition rate for regular and special education to each of the 14 cyber schools, and spoke about the importance of tuition reimbursements to districts with low tax bases or high cyber costs. Barrick proposed as a solution a potential blended tuition rate that would combine regular and special education for the cyber schools, as well as the idea that the districts and cyber schools may collaborate on a combined education model to meet every partys needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said she enrolled her children in cyber education because their home district, which she did not name, doesnt have the honors and Advanced Placement courses her daughter wanted and because the flexibility to create his own schedule is a benefit for her son. She also credited cyber education for providing her children a more realistic experience in life, telling the committee that people dont operate on a bell schedule the way public schools do. Smith said school districts are outdated, in her opinion, and being able to choose cyber for my children gives me more control over their education. In closing, Schweyer said that the goal of these discussions is never to hurt any school, student or family. He added that, at the end of the day, they want to do whats best for everyone. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) It was a full house of hungry guests at Childers Banquet and Catering Center for the 4th annual Mothers Day Senior Brunch. State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth said its a simple way of saying thank you to the women, and shares how her mother inspired her message to all the women at the breakfast. My mother passed away because she was so busy taking care of everyone else that she didnt take care of herself, she said. Im continuing to iterate to them, you cannot pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your family, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Self-care is a large theme in the breakfast as Gordon-Booth said the prizes for the bingo game, which were bought by her and her daughter, are centered around womens self-care. The prizes include things such as perfume, body oils, and soap for bubble baths, among others, as she encourages women to really focus on self-care. She goes on to say that her office hosts events like these as a way to bring people together no matter their race, background or socioeconomic status. We try to create spaces where our seniors can come together, they can have fellowship, and they can have a great time. We always provide great giveaways and free food, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is also used as a resource for the attendees, as the Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging was there to discuss an upcoming expansion. They were also given information on a Town Hall that will discuss things going on in Congress and how it will affect senior citizens. Particularly because most of the folks in this room are recipients of Medicaid and Medicare, so many of them have concerns about what benefits they are going to continue to receive, she said. So we are going to bring that information to them also. She also said they are sharing information about some free events that will happen for the seniors over the Summer, including taking them on a trip to a Chicago Cubs game. The event took place on Saturday, about one week before Mothers Day, which is on May 11, and was open to Senior Citizens who live within Gordon-Booths district. She oversees the 92nd District, which encompasses Peoria and West Peoria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The state is pitching a plan to Waikiki hotels and businesses that would allow real-time access to the footage from their private security cameras to help monitor crime and maintain public safety. If enough businesses buy in to the agreement, the state Department of Law Enforcement will make a significant investment in license plate readers, drones and additional cameras to areas that are not currently covered, Director Mike Lambert told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. State officials are in the pitch phase of the project and hope to be actively engaged in memorandum of agreement discussions in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Safety Via Technology initiative, referred to as SVT, and partnerships with private businesses is used in cities such as San Francisco and Miami and is being explored in other tourist hubs. If the project is to succeed, it requires interest and cooperation from the area hotels and business to allow the Real Time Operations Center access to existing public-facing cameras to assist in monitoring activities that impact public safety. The DLE intends to use Waikiki as its showpiece to promote the SVT concept, but we also intend to run similar yet scaled pilots in agricultural areas, at state buildings and infrastructure that are susceptible to criminal activity, public schools, as well as on a handful of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands communities across the state that are interested in the additional monitoring, said Lambert, a former major with the Honolulu Police Department. The motivation for turning to technology initiatives is that metropolitan police departments across the country are struggling to recruit, train and retain officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement agencies and local governments are struggling to address the officer shortage. Any kind of county service is difficult as there are more than 2, 000 vacancies citywide, including HPD. The selfless, unpredictable and dangerous nature of traditional police work does not interest young people the way it once did. However, when speaking to the target audience of 16-24 year-olds, the mention of needing drone pilots, digital forensic analysts, as well as having opportunities to work with big-name vendors that utilize advanced AI (artificial intelligence ) to support law enforcement has created more interest in this field, said Lambert. The hope would be that these individuals would fill the increasing void in public safety through technology platforms while the law enforcement community at large works to improve interest in traditional policing. The Waikiki Business Improvement District, referred to as WBID, is working on that partnership with the state to bring cutting-edge technology to Waikiki to improve public safety, Trevor Abarzua, the organizations president and executive director, told the Star-Advertiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WBID would help organize the businesses and commercial properties to participate in adding more cameras to the public safety network. Currently the city operates 31 cameras as part of an overt in Waikiki. As of Friday, 26 of those cameras operate around the clock and three work at night but are offline during the day due to an issue with the battery system, which the city is working to address. Two other cameras are off line, one due to obstruction of the wireless backhaul signal by surrounding trees and the other because of a power problem. Public safety is always our top priority, and we remain confident in the overall safety of Waikiki. While a portion of the security cameras are currently offline, the Honolulu Police Department continues to maintain a strong presence in the area, with officers regularly patrolling key locations, read a statement to the Star-Advertiser by Scott Humber, Mayor Rick Blangiardis communications director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is planning an inspection in the coming weeks to figure out what is causing camera outages. Once we know more, well be able to give a better estimate on how long the repairs will take and how much theyll cost, he said. We know this is frustrating, and we really appreciate the publics patience as we work to get it resolved. The city also operates an overt video surveillance system in Waikiki and is exploring. Almost every business and commercial property has public-facing cameras in their private network that face the street, sidewalk or other public property, explained WBIDs Abarzua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state is investing in a technology network that will be able to have these private cameras added into the broader network of public cameras, therefore expanding the number of cameras in Waikiki that law enforcement agencies have access to. While we only currently have 26 (full time ) working public safety cameras in Waikiki, this public-private partnership can add dozens, if not hundreds, of additional cameras into the system, said Abarzua. Abarzua noted a visit he made to The Union Square Alliance in San Francisco, an organization equivalent to WBID. He met with their leadership, along with San Francisco Police Department, to learn about how they rolled out an identical partnership. Union Square was able to add 520 cameras into their system, allowing SFPD greater access to help improve public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need to prevent crime and improve public safety in the heart of Hawaiis visitor industry should not unduly infringe on citizens right to privacy, advocates argue. Jongwook Wookie Kim, an attorney and legal director with the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, told the Star-Advertiser that the SVT program is deeply alarming from a civil liberties perspective. Pouring resources into license plate readers, drones and cameras is investing in the creation of a Big Brother-like surveillance state. While the state may claim to be focused on improving public safety, blanketing Waikiki with advanced surveillance technology is not about safetyits about public control, said Kim. We should be extremely wary of initiatives like this one that normalize constant monitoring of everyday life. Whether intentional or not, this kind of surveillance will inevitably chill lawful conduct and the exercise of our fundamental rights. The stakes are high, especially when its unclear whether there will be meaningful oversight. Kim believes any program arising from the partnership between government and private businesses needs strict safeguards to ensure that the data collected is not used for purposes beyond its stated intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without those protections, we risk opening the door to widespread misuse of our personal information. Safety cannot come at the expense of our freedoms, he said. Lambert acknowledged that the biggest pushback will be the arguments on overmonitoring. He thanked WBID for supporting the discussions around this initiative and hopes the community will support the additional monitoring with the intent to identify and deter crime. From a personal standpoint, as a law-abiding citizen, I could care less if Im being videoed as Im walking down the street, if the intent is to deter someone from robbing me. The reality is this : If you arent breaking the law, then there is nothing to worry about, said Lambert. Stephen A. Smith said the Democratic Party would need to be purged before he would run for president under the party. Smith joined CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, where host Jake Tapper asked him about the continued talk about him running in the 2028 presidential election. If you were to run for president, though, would it be as a Democrat? Tapper asked. Im a registered independent who leans left, Smith replied. Im fiscally conservative when it comes to my money. Im socially liberal. Im liberal when it comes to social issues pretty much across the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith has ramped up the idea about launching a presidential bid and has often expressed criticism of the current Democratic Party. If I had to run it would be as a Democrat, but Im not happy with the Democratic Party. So the Democratic Party as presently constructed, Smith said. It would pretty much need to be purged in order for me to assume that I would want to be associated with them. Tapper asked Smith about whom he would like to see purged from the party for him to seriously be associated with it. Smith said he wasnt going to name any names regarding whom he would remove from party leadership, but he slammed the far left and excessive spending in the past. Smith argued that the Democratic Party spread messages that werent emblematic of what most Americans are thinking about, including paying mortgages and buying groceries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that he is a political outsider who is not qualified to run for office, but he said people are calling on him to step up and use his voice. I think the kind of impact that I could have as a centrist, as a moderate, as somebody who believes in being sensible and engaging in common sense. Unfortunately, I believe that if I did take this very, very seriously, and I moved forward and I decided that I wanted to be a politician, do I believe I could win? Youre damn right, Smith said. Its because of the state of our politics in the nations capital, the politicians that were looking at and the fact that we dont believe for one second that they are serving the interests of the American people, nor are they interested in it. People look at me and they know one thing, I would be interested in serving the American people and doing whats in the best interest of this country, he 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 The Hill. (FOX40.COM) The San Joaquin Regional Transit District and local leaders celebrated the unveiling of the agencys new Jose M. Hernandez bus wrapa tribute to the Stockton native and celebrated NASA astronaut. Video Above: Jose Hernandez Talks A Million Miles Away I am deeply honored and humbled by RTDs incredible tribute, Hernandez said in a press release. To see my image and message wrapped on an RTD bus that travels the very streets where my journey began is both emotional and inspiring. Stockton farmworker turned astronaut inspires Amazon Prime movie Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez added, This community helped shape who I am, and Im grateful to RTD for celebrating that connection. I hope this bus serves as a moving reminder to our youth that with education, hard work, and perseverance, any dream is within reach. The bus wrap features Hernandez in his trademark NASA uniform alongside the quote Its OK to Dream Big, displayed in both English and Spanish. The bus wrap is part of a joint venture between RTD and the Hernandezs Reaching for the Stars Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire youth to find passion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, establish a family commitment to education, and develop a support network through community engagement. Stockton native and NASA astronaut Jose M. Hernandez was honored with a bus wrap in San Joaquin County on May 3, 2025./San Joaquin County RTD The bus wrap will be displayed for at least two years, according to the county. It was unveiled on Saturday at Cal State Stanislaus, Stockton Campus. Mr. Hernandez is such a beloved part of the Stockton communitywe thought it was only fitting to honor him with a bus wrap, said RTD Chief Executive Officer Alex Clifford. His inspiring story is a reminder to us all about the power of perseverance and persistence. We look forward to sharing his powerful words on our buses for years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of four children in a migrant farming family from Mexico, Hernandez didnt learn English until he was 12 years old. Despite that, he graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton with a degree in electrical engineering before enrolling as a graduate student at the University of California in Santa Barbara, where he continued his engineering studies. He joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1987 and officially became part of the NASA Space Program in 2001. In 2009, he took part in the STS-128 space shuttle mission to the International Space Station. The story of Hernandezs rise from his humble beginnings in a migrant workers family to a NASA astronaut was depicted in the 2023 biographical film A Million Miles Away, starring Michael Pena. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms moved in across western and central New Mexico this afternoon. These storms will continue into the overnight hours, with a few lingering into Sunday morning. Forecast Continues Below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South/southwest winds pick up across western and central New Mexico Sunday afternoon with gusts around 30 to 50 mph as a stronger storm system moves into the state. This will bring a high fire danger to southern parts of New Mexico while pushing the moisture back to the north and east. More showers and storms will develop Sunday afternoon across northern, central, and eastern New Mexico. Some of these storms will produce heavy rainfall in northern and northeastern New Mexico, which could cause flash flooding. A couple of strong to severe storms may also be possible from the northern mountains to southeast New Mexico. Another round of strong storms and heavy rain will return Monday afternoon across parts of New Mexico, especially in the eastern part of the state. Flash flooding may be possible over some northern mountain burn scar areas. Albuquerque will see a chance for isolated showers and storms both Sunday and Monday. Rain and thunderstorm chances will continue across New Mexico next Tuesday and Wednesday as a storm will sit and spin across the state. This will also keep temperatures below average all across New Mexico. Some storms will continue to bring a threat of heavy rain and flooding, mainly in eastern New Mexico. Drier and warmer weather starts moving in late next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Theres nothing new in feeling awe in the face of natures grandeur. The Romantics were enraptured by it back in the 19th century. English artist JMW Turner stirred the soul by painting brooding skies of biblical proportions, while philosopher Immanuel Kant explored the sublime that profound blend of terror and wonder evoked by observing natural phenomena like a raging thunderstorm. However, curated storm-watching tourism didnt really take off until 1996, when the original of cult-classic movie Twister sparked a whirlwind of interest in extreme weather. That same year, the Wickaninnish Inn opened its doors in Tofino, on the rugged western coast of Vancouver Island. Inspired by childhood memories of marvelling at the regions wild winter storms with his family, owner Charles McDiarmid envisioned a sanctuary where visitors could embrace not escape Tofinos furious season, when Pacific storms unleash monster waves that tower up to 20ft high. Perched on a bluff facing an uninterrupted ocean expanse (the next landmass is Japan), the inn was designed for full immersion. Every one of its 75 rooms has huge windows built to withstand 100mph winds, while crackling fireplaces and thick wool blankets create a hygge vibe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guest rooms also come stocked with waterproof gear so adventurous types can brave the conditions, because in Tofino, theres no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. It was a bold concept. People thought we were crazy to market these wild winter maelstroms as a reason to visit, Charles admits with a laugh. The gamble paid off. Between November and February in its opening year, the hotels occupancy rates surged from 30% to 58%. Guests, initially attracted by the novelty, discovered something more profound. Its about escaping the city and appreciating how special our natural environment is, Charles reflects, noting that, regardless of their ages, his guests share a common trait: an adventurous spirit. Whether braving high winds on a driftwood-strewn beach in Tofino or witnessing the majestic furore through binoculars from the comfort of a hotel room, its safe to say a certain kind of traveller is drawn to natures wildest moments. Tofinos storm-season boom The success of Wickaninnish Inn sent ripples through Tofino and its neighbouring town, Ucluelet. Embracing the rise of storm-watching tourism, Vancouver Island rallied behind the concept. Hotels including Crystal Cove Beach Resort, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort all cater to squall-seekers, with their beachfront locations, surf-friendly waters and luxurious-yet-cosy atmospheres. BC Ferries Vacations also runs tailored storm-watching holiday packages when the weather outside is frightful, including both transport and accommodation at well placed hotels. Meanwhile the Tourism Tofino website highlights the best spots for windswept beach walks, plus a cosy inland sauna to warm up in afterwards. The strategy has proven successful, as the once-quiet fishing villages of Tofino and Ucluelet have evolved into year-round adventure hubs. Between November and March, traditionally considered the off-season for tourism, Tofinos hotel occupancy now consistently ranges from 46% to 58%, a trend thats remained steady for the past six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, while many islanders welcome storm tourism, safety remains a concern. Liam Ogle, a guide with Long Beach Nature Tours, warns travellers not to underestimate the risks posed by extreme weather, especially in the era of climate change. Forest trails can be dangerous with falling branches, and coastal areas pose risks due to storm surges, he cautions. Before venturing out, he advises checking the Coast Smart website for safety tips. Nature here is both intense and beautiful. Respect for Mother Nature is deeply ingrained in the local community. Guest rooms at Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino come with waterproof gear and huge windows built to withstand 100mph winds. The global appeal of wild weather While Vancouver Islands Wickaninnish Inn may have pioneered storm-lashed travel, hold onto your hats, because its influence has spread around the world. In BCS capital, Victoria, the tourist board has rebranded harsh winters as cosy season, creating suggested itineraries for visitors that incorporate blustery hikes to lighthouses followed by candlelit meals. Also embracing the philosophy that foul weather is subjective, Washington States Long Beach Peninsula is celebrated as a prime spot to view a king tide a rare, supersized tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon, sun and Earth align to amplify tidal ranges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closer to home, and proving that gale-force getaways have stepped into the world of luxury, the five-star Headland Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, rolls out the red carpet with storm-watching breaks featuring a spa overlooking waves crashing against the rugged cliffs. A third of the hotels winter guests check in specifically for their storm-watching package. Whether braving high winds on a driftwood-strewn beach in Tofino or witnessing the majestic furore through binoculars from the comfort of a hotel room, its safe to say a certain kind of traveller is drawn to natures wildest moments. Theres a mesmerising contrast between the raw power of a storm and its undeniable beauty one which is both awe-inspiring and humbling, states Charles. Experiencing such forces first-hand is a stark reminder of natures immense scale and our own infinitesimal place within it. Published in the Coastal Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). When Richie Ramirez was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition that was causing his liver to fail His only hope for a long life was a liver donor, and he ended up matching with anonymous donor, Brian Flynn, who was 51 Years after Ramirezs transplant surgery, Flynn surprised Ramirez on May 4 at his first communion, where the boy burst into tears It was the sweetest and the most heartfelt reunion. On May 4, living donor Brian Flynn, 54, who donated a part of his liver to then-4-year-old Richie Ramirez in 2020, surprised the young boy at his first communion in Brooklyn, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richie had no idea his parents had planned the surprise, and when Richie turned and saw Flynn standing in the church, he burst into tears. "What a privilege to be a part of Richie's life," Flynn tells PEOPLE. "They all call me the GOAT for having shared part of my liver with him four years ago, but he's the true hero of this story. The best gift for me is seeing him thrive and bring so much joy to so many people. Donating was the most amazing thing I've done in my life." Amy Scheibe Richie Ramirez and Brian Flynn on May 4, 2025 Richie Ramirez and Brian Flynn on May 4, 2025 Richie's mom, Melissa Ramirez, shared a photo of the precious moment on Instagram, writing, "Proof the LOVE is the strongest emotion, and showing up matters!" "Brian and Amy, we are so humbled and honored that you choose to be in Richie's life. We love you!" she added of Flynn's wife, Amy Scheibe. "So glad that our family and friends got to meet you in person." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: She Wasnt a Match to Be Her Boyfriends Donor, But Still Saved a Life. Then He Proposed: 'It Was Fate' (Exclusive) Flynn first met Richie in person in 2021, a year after the successful transplant, which PEOPLE documented at the time. While Flynn had chosen to donate anonymously, a day after the surgery a social worker told him the Ramirez's were open to correspondence, and he agreed. Melissa wrote Flynn a letter from Richie's bedside as he recovered, thanking him. Flynn said he sobbed when he got it. "I was just overwhelmed," he said at the time. "Overwhelmed with gratitude that it happened and that Richie was okay. And hearing his story and how difficult it was living with this disease, and what his parents had been going through, and how appreciative they were. It really was just a great moment in life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It had only been a year before the transplant that Melissa and husband Richard were struggling with the news that their high-spirited son Richie had been diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition that was causing his liver to fail. Related: 10-Year-Old Girl Who Saved 4 Lives as an Organ Donor Honored in Rose Parade Event "He was our miracle baby," says Melissa, now 43, of Richie, who was born after their third and final round of IVF. They were told a liver transplant would be Richie's best hope at a long, healthy life. They had no idea what was in the cards or how long they'd have to wait to find a match. But not soon after, they got a call saying there had been a perfect match the man was Flynn. The surgery was scheduled for just ten days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the two families stay in touch, and Flynn, who had just a year before that donated a kidney to another stranger, loves seeing how Richie is growing and thriving. Flynn and Melissa initially wanted to share their story with PEOPLE to encourage more living donors. "The idea of saving a life is tremendous, but it's also tremendous how it can make you feel," Flynn said at the time. "And how it can make your life better." If you're interested in being a living donor, visit organdonor.gov. Read the original article on People The Stronghold Fire burning near Tucson in southern Arizona increased to 75% containment May 4 despite a red flag warning going into effect for the area, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The red flag warning meant conditions were prime for wildfires which includes strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures. The agency posted on X on the morning of May 4, where it said the wildfire had burned 2,138 acres since it started on April 28, roughly 16 miles south of Cochise in Cochise County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It urged the public to avoid burning anything and tools that create sparks. It also said to ensure trailer chains were properly secured. The National Weather Service's Tucson office posted on X that the red flag warning was in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for eastern portions of southeast Arizona with gusts of around 45 mph along with low humidity. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stronghold Fire is 75% contained, red flag warning is in place NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) Over 400 students from local middle and high schools took to Central Connecticut State University for a history contest on Saturday. Participants spent months researching, analyzing and creating projects demonstrating their knowledge of history. Students compete in welding competition at Grasso Tech in Groton I did a senior individual exhibit about Mila Pavlichenko, she was a Soviet sniper during World War II, and she fought for the rights of women to serve in combat positions and the responsibilities of other allied nations to support the Soviet Union, siad Neila Feeney from Conard High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students were able to look into the past, while keeping an eye on the future. The great thing about history day is students can explore their passion, said Rebecca Taber, the director of secondary education programs at the CT Democracy Center. Winners from Saturdays event will compete in the National History Day competition in Maryland next month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. The Sudanese army says the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a military airbase and other facilities in the vicinity of Port Sudan airport. A spokesman for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Nabil Abdullah, said in a statement on Sunday that the RSF targeted Osman Digna Air Base, a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities with suicide drones, in the first attack in the eastern city. There have been no reports of casualties yet, but some damage has been reported after drones hit an ammunition depot. There was no immediate comment by the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporting from Sudans capital, Khartoum, Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan said both the civilian and military airports in Port Sudan are located in the same area. There is a section of the airport that is for civilian flights, but there are military flights that land in the same airport, Morgan added, noting the exact target of the attack was not immediately clear. Flights to and from Port Sudan, the countrys main port of entry since the start of the war in April 2023, have also been suspended until further notice, a government source told the AFP news agency. A Sudanese passenger plane was redirected to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after being unable to land at Port Sudan airport, according to navigation data from Flightradar24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data showed that the plane took off from Dubai international airport but had to change its route and make an emergency landing at King Abdulaziz airport in Jeddah. The plane performed a circular manoeuvre over the Red Sea before heading back towards the Saudi city. We were on the way to the plane when we were quickly evacuated and taken out of the terminal, a traveller told AFP from the airport. Port of Sudan The two-year war between the SAF, headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF under Mohamed Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo has sparked a full-blown humanitarian crisis, killing tens of thousands of people and forcing more than 12 million from their homes. The United Nations has warned that hunger has reached catastrophic levels, with famine confirmed in 10 areas of the country and 17 more at risk. Meanwhile, more than half of Sudans population some 25 million people require humanitarian assistance and protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war, which put an end to Sudans frail democratic transition, has divided the country into two, with the army holding sway in the north and east, while the RSF controls most of Darfur and parts of the south. The drone attack on Port Sudan indicates a shift as the eastern regions, which shelter a large number of displaced people, had so far avoided bombardment. Home to the countrys primary airport, army headquarters and a seaport, Port Sudan had also been perceived as the safest place in Sudan. In the early days of the war, the government relocated from Khartoum to Port Sudan, and UN agencies also moved their offices and staff there. In March, the army ousted the RSF from its last footholds in Khartoum, but the paramilitary group holds some areas in Omdurman, across the Nile River, and has consolidated its position in western Sudan, splitting the nation into rival zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paramilitary group has, however, been inching closer to Khartoum again. On Thursday, it shelled the presidential palace in its second attack on the capital in less than a week. In recent weeks, the RSF has also been doubling down on Darfur, in a bid to seize regional capital el-Fasher. The Sioux Falls Home Expo is the place to find local experts for your next home remodeling project. The final day of the expo is taking place at the Sioux Falls Convention Center & Arena from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The 21st Annual Swap Meet for Classic Cars, Trucks, Street Rods, and Bikes is taking place inside and outside the Armory Building at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls. The hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sioux Valley Model Engineers Society is hosting an open house at their club building on the north side of the fairgrounds. You can check out South Dakotas largest permanent model railroad display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls is hosting an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast. Serving time is 8:30 a.m. to noon at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance. The cost is $8, $2 for children. There will also be a bake sale. The Legion is also is hosting a Post Everlasting Memorial Ceremony honoring veterans who have died over the past year. Its taking place at 6:30 p.m. AMC Collective in Sioux Falls is hosting a Plants and Pots Make & Take. Choose a pot to paint and decorate, then finish your project by planting a live plant or seeds to take home from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $5 per pot. High Plains Woodwinds present their Spring Concert. The performance is at 2 p.m. at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. A free-will offering will be taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sioux Falls Childrens Choir presents their Spring Concert on the campus of Augustana University. The performance is at 4 p.m. at the Hamre Recital Hall. The City of Sioux Falls Leaf & Branch Drop-off sites are located at Lyon Boulevard, south of the fairgrounds and on Chambers Street, near the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Todays hours are noon to 5 p.m. The Spotlight Theatre Company presents Alice in Wonderland. The performance is at 2 p.m. in the Orpheum Theater Center in downtown Sioux Falls. Get your fill of Star Wars movies on this May the Fourth (be with you) at the State Theater in downtown Sioux Falls. Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, are all rated PG. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium at the Washington Pavilion features T-Rex, Mars: The Ultimate Voyage and 3-2-1 Liftoff. New movie releases playing at a theater near you include Thunderbolts*, rated PG-13 and The Surfer, rated R. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KENT, Ohio (WJW) Kent State University held its annual commemoration ceremony Sunday to honor the memory of May 4, 1970 and the victims who died and were injured during the tragic event. Peace mural unveiled ahead of 55th observance of Kent State shootings Fifty-five years ago, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on Kent State students protesting the Vietnam War. Four students were killed and nine were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened at the university that day became a defining moment in American history. The message on this and every anniversary: We will never forget. That pivotal moment on campus, when the national guard opened fire on student protestors, highlighted the deep divisions in the country not only over the war but also civil rights and social justice, issues that remain just as relevant today. Im just so grateful to todays students that they are making meaning of May 4th for themselves today, said Kent State University Professor Chic Canfora. They know that if we dont learn the right lessons of what happened to us in 1970, then it could happen again. International visas reinstated for 7 KSU graduates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At noon Sunday, the campus community and visitors gathered on the May 4 site for the annual commemoration which included remarks from university students and administrators, the ringing of the Victory Bell and a moment of silence at 12:24 p.m. The commemoration remembers those killed Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder and those wounded Alan Canfora, John Cleary, Thomas Grace, Dean Kahler, Joseph Lewis, Donald Mackenzie, James Russell, Robert Stamps and Douglas Wrentmore. On Thursday, at the beginning of the days-long observance of the events of May 4, 1970, a mural was unveiled in the School of Peace and Conflict Studies, entitled Visualizing Peace, a work in progress. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Trump rounded out his first 100 days in office as lawmakers returned to Washington this week with the directive to pass his agenda amid lingering economic tensions. The administrations tariff plan has left the global economy reeling as consumer confidence has plummeted. On Friday, the also president unveiled his budget plan, which included steep reductions on non-defense spending, and provoked backlash from Democrats and even sparked worries among GOP defense hawks. Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, is encouraging Congress to keep defense spending flat at $893 billion with the hopes of boosting it later through a reconciliation bill, which some Republicans warned is not sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, who his joining NBCs Meet The Press on Sunday, will likely recap his first quarter in office as well as his budget proposal amid some internal party divides. Trump also continued to make headlines this week over his efforts to eliminate federal funding for public media outlets. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting argued Trumps executive order overstepped his authority. Katherine Maher, NPRs CEO and president, will likely address the move during a Sunday appearance on CBSs Face the Nation alongside PBSs CEO Paula Krerger. The duo will also be joined by Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the United States, on the program Sunday. The foreign diplomat is expected to discuss Ukraines latest deal with the U.S., which approved access to the Eastern European nations natural resources and even irked some MAGA loyalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day after the deal, national security adviser Mike Waltz was tapped to leave his post. However, Trump then nominated him to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a position Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was pulled from over concerns about maintaining the Republican majority in the House. The New York Republican may speak to the unexpected shift in course during her appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures as well as rumors about her tossing her hat in the ring for the states gubernatorial race. See the full list of guests for Sunday shows below: NewsNation The Hill Sunday: Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABCs This Week: ABC reporters and contributors discuss President Donald Trumps first 100 days back in office and other events NBCs Meet the Press: President Trump CNNs State of the Union: Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.); Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) CBS Face the Nation: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.); Rep. Mike Turner, (R-Ohio); Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the U.S.; Katherine Maher, CEO of NPR, and Paula Kerger, CEO of PBS; Former national security adviser H.R. McMaster Fox News Fox News Sunday: Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), and Jim Himes (D-Conn.); Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chair Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Sunday Morning Futures: Senate Majority Leader John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Mike Wirth, Chevron CEO; Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder, Gen. Jack Keane (Ret.) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) More than three decades after a pregnant womans body was discovered in Spring Hill, a truck driver and suspected serial killer was convicted in the case. According to investigators, around 12:30 p.m. on May 10, 1991, the Spring Hill Police Department responded to a report of a body off Saturn Parkway near the ramp for Port Royal Road. Pamela McCall, 33, was found dead, with officials saying her clothing was torn and she had injuries to her face and neck. The autopsy revealed that someone had strangled McCall, who was 24 weeks pregnant at the time. The unborn child also died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial investigation found that McCall may have been traveling with a semi-truck driver at the time of her death. MAY 2020 | District Attorney: 1991 Spring Hill cold case solved, suspected serial killer extradited to Tennessee In 2019, Clark Baldwin was brought forward as a suspect after his DNA reportedly appeared in a database as a match to DNA found during McCalls death investigation and cases in Wyoming involving two women whose bodies were found in 1992. Authorities said the Wyoming homicides were similar to the McCalls case, with a truck driver possibly being the suspect. In addition, Baldwin allegedly attacked a woman in Texas, but she got away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would give them a ride, he went and he bought them clothes, he bought them shoes, he took them to dinner, and it appears that they were killed when they decided that they wanted to leave, explained Assistant District Attorney Pam Anderson from Tennessees 22nd Judicial District Attorneys office. Baldwin was arrested in May 2020 at his home in Iowa and extradited to Tennessee to be tried on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of McCall and her unborn child. MAY 2020 | Mother: Pervert from Hell murdered pregnant daughter, dumped body in Spring Hill His only statement after that was, I dont remember,' Tommy Goetz, a criminal investigator for the DAs office, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years later, on Friday, May 2, members of the DAs office said Baldwin was convicted of first-degree murder after more than four hours of deliberation. In court, it was pretty eerie because the only expressions I ever saw him make were smiles, Assistant DA Ross Boudreaux told News 2. After the conviction, officials said Baldwin was immediately sentenced to life in prison. Hes currently being held in the Maury County Jail while awaiting extradition to Wyoming to stand trial there. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Theres three bodies that hes responsible for, and hes going to pay the price for one and hopefully pay the price for the other two, Goetz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCalls family was in the courtroom when the verdict came down. In addition, Boudreaux said a member of the Spring Hill Police Department who worked McCalls case for years got to put the handcuffs on Baldwin. When I ran for DA, I promised to solve and prosecute as many cold case homicides as possible. Thanks to talented Assistant DAs like Pam Anderson and Ross Boudreaux and my skilled investigators Tommy Goetz and Jeff Dunn, I have been able to keep that promise. Unsung heroes like Victim Witness Coordinator Christi Dickey are also essential to guide the victims family through the process, DA Brent Cooper for the 22nd Judicial District posted on social media. Our prayers are with the family of Pamela McCall and her unborn child. My philosophy is that cold cases are never closed cases. Prosecutors said theyre happy to bring some closure to 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 WKRN News 2. Those who knew the woman whose remains were discovered in a Surprise landfill said she endured a difficult childhood and struggled with mental health issues. Friends of 23-year-old Raquel Marie Morales shared that she had confided in them about being sexually abused by her father as a child. Prison records show he began serving a sentence just weeks before her remains were found. Family said she nearly died when she fled the state with a man unknown to them. "She was a sweet girl who made bad choices," said Ursula Villegas of Morales while describing the situation between the woman and the man she left Arizona with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villegas, 53, broke the news of Morales death to her 24-year-old child, Savannah Crull, just minutes before the two spoke on May 2 with The Arizona Republic. Morales and Crull were friends since meeting at Desiderato High School in Phoenix, spending nights at Villegas home in the city. Morales would offer to help and often volunteered to cook for Villegas and Crull, the mother said. Surprise police said Morales remains were found April 17 in a privately run landfill in the northwest Valley city. Upon her being identified May 1 by police, a spokesperson said Morales had not been reported missing. Though her death was deemed "suspicious," a cause and manner remained pending, the spokesperson said. She 'was terrified of her dad' Remains found in landfill were identified as 23-year-old Raquel Marie Morales of Surprise. Crull, who uses they/them pronouns, said that Morales once lived with them and their late grandfather at a home in Phoenix. According to Crull, Morales father, Theodore Lee Ramsey, became aggressive during a visit and falsely accused them of holding Morales hostage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Her father made sure I wasn't in contact with her," Crull said. "He (Morales father) was a very messed-up man." Villegas added, "Raquel was terrified of her dad." Prison records show Morales father, Theodore Lee Ramsey, began a 25-year sentence on March 11 at the Florence state prison complex. The 47-year-old Theodore Ramsey is serving time on a sexual conduct with a minor conviction for a September 2010 incident he pleaded guilty to earlier this year. Morales was once employed at a Frys food store and was supposed to be living with a paternal cousin, according to her 72-year-old grandmother, Susan Ramsey. She said Morales had earlier lived with both her and her father at her south Phoenix home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan Ramsey maintained that her son is innocent, claiming he accepted a plea deal on Jan. 31 to avoid a life sentence. According to Maricopa County court records, several additional charges related to sex crimes against children, which he was accused of committing between 1995 and 2018, were dismissed as part of the agreement after he admitted guilt in connection to a 2010 offense. Crull said she overheard Theodore Ramsey make a sexually objectifying comment about their body to Morales when he and his daughter were on a phone call. "I was over 18, but that doesnt matter. He knew me since I was a minor," Crull said. Another friend, 24-year-old Phoenix resident Lawlo Dio, recalled being told by Morales how her father sexually abused her. Morales also told a schoolteacher about the abuse, according to Dio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grandmother said her son has been jailed since August 2023. A police officer approached her on April 28, informing her Morales was missing and asking about Theodore Ramsey, Susan Ramsey said. She was informed of her granddaughters death by the womans mother a couple of days before the public announcement and said she was sleepless the night of May 1. Her granddaughters body had not yet been released to the family, she said. 'I told people to leave her alone' Crull and Morales eventually lost touch with each other in 2021. Sometime before then, Crull said Morales left with a man she told her friend she met through her father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan Ramsey said this man was a truck driver who abandoned her in the city of Indio in Southern California where she was hospitalized after she became unconscious and stopped breathing. "She had a close call then," Susan Ramsey said, adding her son drove out to California to retrieve his daughter. Neither Morales friends nor her grandmother know who this man was. Morales was bullied by schoolmates at Alma L. Houston Academy, an elementary and middle school located at Baseline Road and Seventh Street, Dio said. "I used to be there for her like her protector. Like, I told people to leave her alone," Dio told The Republic over the phone shortly before her voice catched as she remembered her late friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family received disability payments for Morales, according to Villegas and a neighbor of hers who said he cashed those checks for her at a check-cashing business where he was previously employed. Susan Ramsey said her granddaughter was bipolar and had ADHD and was taking medication. Villegas said that in addition to an ADHD diagnosis, Morales was on the autism spectrum. Susan Ramsey recalled Morales being a docile girl growing up. "When she was little, you didn't even know she was around," the grandmother said May 2. When reached by phone the following day, the grandmother, her voice audibly shaken, said she would miss her granddaughter and "the times that weve had together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surprise police said in an email that the lead detective on Morales case was not available for questions over the weekend when The Republic reached out the afternoon of Saturday, May 3. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-8477 or email crimetips@surpriseaz.gov. Adopted: Surprise police officer adopts chihuahua, Benji, who was tossed from car This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman found dead in Surprise landfill was abused, bullied, friends say LITTLE ROCK, Ark. New data has come in from 2024, while 2025 is well underway, on Little Rock tourism numbers. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Gena Gemberling and Little Rock A&P Commission Chairman Nick Roye to discuss what the state of tourism in Little Rock. Roby then talks with Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to discuss his role in this important and powerful position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said on Sunday that Mike Waltz can expect a brutal confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador, after he abruptly stepped down last week as President Donald Trumps national security adviser. It will be a brutal, brutal hearing. Hes not qualified for the job, just by nature of the fact that he participated in this Signal chain, the Illinois Democrat told Margaret Brennan on CBS News Face the Nation. Duckworth was referring to the massive national security scandal earlier this year, when The Atlantics editor-in-chief was inadvertently added to a group chat on Signal that included several Cabinet-level officials including Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, among others. The leaked chat revealed that said leaders were using the unclassified communication line to share classified minute-by-minute details of planned military strikes on Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Every person in the Signal chat should be fired for not speaking up, Duckworth said Sunday, calling Hegseth the most untrained, inadequate secretary of defense in our nations history. But almost immediately after reports revealed that Waltz was stepping down as national security adviser, Trump announced plans to nominate him as ambassador to the United Nations. Hes failing up, right? He is failing in his job and getting promoted to be ambassador, Duckworth said. Thats not what our nation needs at the United Nations. This is a very perilous time for our national security. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) speaks during the Senate Armed Services Committee's confirmation hearing for Trump nominee Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, on Jan. 14, 2025. Ben Curtis via Associated Press According to Politico, Waltzs team regularly set up Signal chats to coordinate policy work on Ukraine, China, Gaza, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Waltz also used his personal email account for government communications, according to The Washington Post. Wired reported that a Venmo account suspected to have belonged to Waltz was set as public, allowing potential adversaries to track those associated with him via transactions. Now were going to put somebody whos completely incompetent over at the U.N., whos going to have to be conducting these negotiations, talking with our allies, trying to get them on board with us while we oppose our adversaries, Duckworth said. And continuing to fail up is not what we need in the people who represent this country. Advertisement Advertisement Waltz did not undergo confirmation by the Senate as national security adviser, but will require a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to get confirmed as ambassador. An Iraq War veteran, Duckworth sits on both the Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees. Im not open to voting for him, no, she said. Because hes already demonstrated hes incapable of doing the most basic thing, which is handling classified information. Trump first nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for the ambassador role before withdrawing her name over concerns about House Republicans slim majority. The president said Thursday thatRubio will take over as interim national security adviser on top of his existing responsibilities as secretary of state, acting national archivist and acting administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Duckworth voted in January to confirm Rubio to lead the State Department, but said Sunday shes not confident he can balance the increasing number of hats hes been given. TAMPA Over the last five years, Tampa Bay has seen a surge in population growth. And naturally, that uptick has spurred a wave of new development. From Water Street in downtown Tampa to Gasworx in Ybor City and the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg, more apartments, condos, retail and commercial development is on the way. But as strengthening storms, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change continue to impact Tampa Bay and beyond, how can our community continue to grow in a way that safeguards our future? The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with Tampa Electric, will host a free community conversation on responsible, sustainable development in our region at the upcoming event, Spotlight Tampa Bay: Sustainability in Growth. The forum will take place at Feeding Tampa Bay, 3624 Causeway Blvd., in Tampa, on May 7 at 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tampa Bay Times is proud to host this conversation on sustainability and innovation, connecting thought leaders with the community, said Conan Gallaty, chairperson and CEO of Times Publishing Co. Through civic dialogue, we bring journalism to life, ensuring that growth reflects our regions shared values. Local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on the need for innovations in development and construction as Tampa Bays landscape continues to evolve. Visitors are encouraged to come early to enjoy an interactive resource center with displays from local organizations, including Tampa Electrics energy conservation team, the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Friends of Tampa Union Station, City of Tampas Green Team, USF Urban and Regional Planning Program, ULI Tampa Bay and Plan Hillsborough. Enjoy tastings from the catering team at Feeding Tampa Bay and meet the business reporters behind the headlines. At 6 p.m., the panel discussion moderated by Tampa Bay Times Real Estate Reporter Rebecca Liebson will begin. Panelists include Kartik Goyani, principal of operations at Metro Development Group; Melissa Zornitta, executive director of Plan Hillsborough; Taylor Ralph, president and founder of REAL Building Consultants LLC; Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Companies; and Abbye Feeley, administrator for development and economic opportunity at the city of Tampa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tampa Electric is pleased to support this free forum for the community to discuss innovations that shape and enhance the future of our region, said Stephanie Smith, vice president of State and Regional Affairs at Tampa Electric in a statement. Our energy solutions are crucial to Tampa Bays development. By partnering with the community we serve, we are not simply fueling the future of sustainable growth but actively collaborating to shape it. Attendees should register ahead of time at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. LONG ISLAND (PIX11) A 16-year-old boy was stabbed multiple times Friday evening at a Suffolk County park, police said. Officers received a 911 call about a stabbing at Roberto Clemete Park at 400 Broadway at 8 p.m. Two teens were sitting in a wooded area of the park when four men approached them, police said. More Crime News The men began punching and hitting the victim. They pulled out knives, prompting the victims friend to flee for help. When police arrived, they found the 16-year-old with multiple stab wounds to his back, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was transported to a local hospital by helicopter, police said. No arrests have been made. The victim was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. Submit tips to police by calling Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS (8477), visiting suffolkpd.org/Alerts/Crime-Stoppers or downloading the P3 Tips mobile app. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Over three days in late March, four Los Angeles Times environment reporters and an editor fanned out across the Eaton and Palisades burn scars to collect 40 soil samples from residential properties: 10 in each burn area from properties where debris removal was completed by the Army Corps of Engineers and 10 in each burn area from the yards of standing homes. Read more: Uncovering the toxic soil lurking in L.A.s burn zones At each stop, the team donned vinyl gloves and boot coverings to prevent the spread of contamination and collected five evenly spaced samples with a hand-held tool that takes 4-inch soil cores. At standing homes, we sampled throughout the yard. At destroyed properties, we sampled within the former structures footprint, where the federal cleanup crews had cleared debris and scraped up to 6 inches of soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times journalists mixed these five samples in a lined bucket to create one composite sample to be tested in the lab. This sample pattern is designed to account for a wide range of soil conditions on each property and serve as an average, since it is possible that one part of a given property might be fully devoid of metal contamination while another might be heavily polluted. Composite sampling is a common practice in wildfire recovery. Between every property, the team sanitized all soil collection equipment with distilled water and wipes, and changed gloves and boot covers so that no potential toxins could accidentally track from one site to another. We stored the samples in lab-provided jars, and kept the samples refrigerated at 38-40 degrees. At the end of the collection week, our editor drove the samples to BSK Associates, a state-certified environmental testing laboratory that tested soil on behalf of the government following the 2018 Camp fire and 2024 Mountain, Park and Borel fires. BSK used an Environmental Protection Agency-approved method to test for 17 metals most often studied in post-fire recovery. To do this, BSK used an instrument that sorts out different elements from within the soil by mass and counts the atoms. Since each of these 17 elements has a unique atomic mass for example, only lead has an atomic mass of 0.34 trillion billionths of a gram BSK could then determine the concentration of the metals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: When FEMA failed to test soil for toxic substances after the L.A. fires, The Times had it done. The results were alarming At each step of the process, our team and BSK meticulously documented the chain of custody for the samples, creating a record of, at each moment, which individual was responsible for the safekeeping of each individual sample. The Times methodology rigorously followed soil-testing practices from previous official post-wildfire efforts. Our team reviewed documents outlining the response for the Camp and Woolsey fires, and spoke with soil-testing experts familiar with the standard methodology for California wildfires. To find participants, we identified standing properties using the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's damage inspection data and properties that had finished debris removal using the Army Corps dashboard. All participants consented to testing on their properties, and their exact addresses have been anonymized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The testing methodology used by The Times is a conservative reading. By using composite samples, high levels of contamination from one part of the property can become diluted by relatively uncontaminated sections elsewhere on the property. Read more: The L.A. wildfires left lead and other toxic material in the soil of burn zones. Here are their health risks Further, due to cost considerations, The Times methodology differed from typical postfire soil testing practices in one key way: In previous fires, soil testers would collect multiple composite samples for larger properties, roughly one sample per 500 square feet. Our team took only one composite sample per property, regardless of size. This means The Times results had a greater potential to miss smaller contamination hot spots on properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times found two properties cleared by the Army Corps in Altadena still had contamination above the states typical health-based cleanup goals: one arsenic, one lead. Altadenas standing homes had arsenic, lead and mercury levels above typical cleanup goals, across three of the 10 homes our team tested. The Times found only a single reading above typical cleanup goals in the Palisades: a standing home with high levels of arsenic. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A crowd outside the governors mansion in Austin cheered on May 3 as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed school vouchers into law. Gone are the days that families are limited to only the school assigned by government, Abbott said, flanked by state lawmakers and supporters of school choice. The day has arrived that empowers parents to choose the school that is best for their child. Above him, children stood on the balcony of the governors mansion, overlooking a crowd sprawled across the lawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy has been a priority of Abbotts for years but didnt make it to his desk during the 2023 legislative session, facing opposition from Democrats and some Republicans in the House. Supporters say the legislation, Senate Bill 2, gives parents more of a say in their childs education, while opponents argue the money is better spent aiding public schools. Texas Governor Greg Abbott holds up Senate Bill 2 which he signed into law at the Governors Mansion on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Austin. Under the $1 billion education savings account program, students would receive roughly $10,000 for their private school education 85% of the average state and local funding per student. Students with disabilities are eligible for up to $30,000 and home schooled students could get up to $2,000. Any student eligible for Texas public school, including prekindergarten, can apply for the program, as long as they are a U.S. citizen or national or were lawfully admitted into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds are prioritized by household income and for students with disabilities and can be used for expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, school supplies, uniforms, transportation and prekindergarten. Greg Abbott on May 3 signed a bill into law that allows parents to use state dollars for their childs private education. Abbott told the crowd he has met with thousands of families across the state who have longed for education freedom. Abbott said he promised school choice when running for reelection in 2022 and had now delivered on that promise. The program had historically faced opposition from some House Republicans, particularly those in rural parts of the state. Despite multiple attempts in 2023, there werent the votes to pass an education savings account program out of the House. Abbott targeted anti-voucher Republicans in the March primaries, and ultimately the bill passed through the chamber on April 17, with the vote falling largely along party lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican, thanked members of the House who, he said did not give up in their push for education savings accounts. Who despite all of the noise, all of the attacks, they knew school choice was the moral thing to do, Burrows said. They knew it was the right thing to give children opportunities to go to the place that fits them the best. They knew it was the principled thing to do. That competition makes all things better. The Senate put the bill on the fast track to Abbotts desk when lawmakers opted to accept the Houses changes to the bill, rather than sending it to a committee made up of members of both chambers to hash out the difference between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. It took a long time to get to the river, but we have crossed the river today because of all of you, in persistence of not giving up on the American Dream for your child and other children, said Patrick, a Republican who serves as the president of the Texas Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mood was celebratory at the governors mansion on Saturday. Pep-rally style school band music played in the background as guests including many who wore shirts representing their private Christian schools waited for the bills signing and remarks from state leaders. A Texas flag and red white and blue decorations hung from the columned governors mansion that served as the backdrop for the event. Joel Enge, the director and founder of the Kingdom Life Academy in Tyler, told the crowd that, while working as a public educator in Tyler, he watched some low income minority students struggle at school and drop out. It broke my heart, and I started seeing the need for educational options because the traditional program did not fit these types of students, he said, thanking parents and organizations Americans for Prosperity and American Federation for Children, which support school choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous state lawmakers and leaders, including Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn were in attendance as the new policy was signed legislation that has the support from President Donald Trump. Im going to send him a picture of Gov. Abbott signing this school choice legislation, and Ill know hell be very happy because this is entirely consistent with his vision of parents making decisions for their children, as opposed to teachers and teachers unions in particular, and restricting the choices people have, Cornyn said of Trump. Democratic members of the Texas House and labor and public education advocates held a news conference on May 3 opposing Texas school voucher plan. Down the street earlier in the day voucher opponents struck a darker tone at a news conference outside the Texas AFL-CIO building. Democratic lawmakers and labor and public education advocates warned about the negative effects vouchers could have on public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today is not a celebration, said Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, a Houston Democrat. This initiative is not about expanding educational opportunities. Its about diverting public resources to private institutions, undermining our public education system. Opponents have said the education savings account program will disproportionately benefit wealthy families and note that private schools can deny students admission, unlike public schools. Our schools dont need competition to help students, said Rachel Preston, an Austin school district teacher and member of Education Austin, a labor union. They need money. They need support, and they need respect. Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat, and Rep. Gina Hinojosa, an Austin Democrat, said they expect the law, which goes into effect on Sept. 1, to be challenged in court. There could be lawsuits about the laws overall constitutionality and its exclusion of students who are living in the country illegally, Hinojosa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement promised to vigorously defend this law. Even in defeat, Rep. James Talarico, an Austin Democrat, said he sees glimmers of hope as parents, teachers, Democrats, Republicans and Texans from rural, urban and suburban parts of the state come together to fight for students. I see the seeds of a new movement thats not left versus right, but top versus bottom, Talarico said. A movement that speaks truth to power, a movement that stands up to big money and big lies. President Donald Trump seems to have forgotten the oath he swore twice. In an interview with "Meet the Press," Trump repeatedly punted on whether or not he's bound to follow the Constitution. Kristen Welker asked if Trump believed citizens and non-citizens in the United States are entitled to due process. "I'm not a lawyer," Trump responded. "I don't know." When pressed for an answer, Trump fell back on his recent defense that holding trials for all the people his administration is deporting for supposed criminal associations would be too time-consuming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Wed have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials. We have thousands of people that are... some of the worst people on Earth. Some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth," he said. "I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it." Welker went for a more direct route, asking Trump bluntly if he felt the need to "uphold the Constitution." "I dont know. I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said," he responded. Elsewhere in the interview, Trump mulled the idea of using military force to take Greenland. The president has pushed for the annexation of Greenland and turning some or all of Canada into the "51st state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Welker asked about an invasion of Canada, Trump said it would not he "get to that point" with our neighbor to the north. "Something could happen with Greenland. Ill be honest, we need that for national and international security," he said, before calling a war with Canada "highly unlikely." "I dont see it with Canada," he said. "I just dont see it, I have to be honest with you." Watch the interview below: Three civilians were killed and more than 10 injured in Russian attacks on Donetsk and Kherson oblasts on 3 May. Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Kherson Oblast Military Administration Details: All three fatalities occurred in Donetsk Oblast two in the village of Komar and one in the town of Myrnohrad. Two other people were injured in Donetsk Oblast over the course of the day. In Kherson Oblast, nine people were injured as a result of Russian attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reports specify that Russian forces struck critical and social infrastructure, as well as residential areas of several settlements in the oblast. Two apartment buildings and nine houses were damaged. A gas pipeline, outbuildings, a garage and cars were also hit. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MEMPHIS, Tenn. Three people are in police custody after a juvenile was shot early Sunday morning. At 3:23 a.m., officers responded to a shots-fired call in the 500 block of South Barksdale Street. One male juvenile victim arrived at Methodist University by private vehicle in non-critical condition. Police said three people have been detained at this time. Investigators have not released the victims age or the names of the people in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged with murder after Hickory Hill shooting Neighbors spoke with WREG, and they said that the shooting was too close to their homes. I mean, you hear bullets. Its Memphis, a neighbor said. This was a new one for me. Some even said that they woke up to bullet holes in their homes, including a man who had a bullet hit his front door. At first I thought it was like lightning hitting the house or like a transformer or something, because I mean it was like, there was popping and there was scratching, a neighbor said. I mean, Ive never heard anything like it. The neighbor said that the shooting occurred at a rental property on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he said parties have happened often at the residence, its never resulted in a shooting until now. Man killed in Raleigh shooting It didnt hit me what it was until I walked up to the front window, and I could see like six or eight guys on the lawn next door, he said. They all had guns out. They were telling one car to go, get out, get away, before the police got here. The neighbor told WREG that he and his family are still shaken up, but he believes theres a solution to the violence. I mean you know were understaffed with law enforcement, like bad, he said. I mean itd be really nice if we could do something about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, the president of the Memphis Police Association told WREG the police department was in a staffing crisis and wants to recruit 2,300 officers. Its currently working with the crime commission to fill those positions and fulfill their crime-fighting 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 WREG.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) On Wednesday, the community can pay tribute to fallen police officers at the San Diego Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony where three new officers will be added to the memorial wall. Fallen San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar, Border Protection Air Interdiction Agent Jeffrey Kanas, and San Diego County Sheriffs Deputy Herbert Sibert will be honored for giving their lives in the line of duty at the annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday. CHP to honor more than 200 fallen officers at annual memorial ceremony Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony starts at noon at the Regional Law Enforcement Memorial at the County Administration Center, located at 1600 Pacific Highway along the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. The ceremony is open to the public, and is happening in conjunction with the California Peace Officers Memorial Ceremonies in Sacramento and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremonies in Washington D.C. San Diego Police Department pitches closing Northwestern Division San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez said Officer Machitar will also be added to the wall on the national memorial. The San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation encourages survivors of fallen officers to contact the organization at SDSurvivors@gmail.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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Three fallen Missouri firefighters are among those being honored Sunday in Maryland as part of the 44th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. This year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is honoring 140 firefighters. Of those, 70 died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 from previous year. The weekend began with a candlelight service. St. Louis Fire Captain Garon Mosby hosted that event on Saturday night. Sunday, the tribute continues with a national memorial service, hosted by actor Jeremy Holm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorial service runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is being live streamed on the foundations website and social media platforms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to cut public funding of National Public Radio and PBS. Ali Velshi points out that maybe Trump never got over the parody of him on PBS' "Sesame Street" 20 years ago. Massad Boulos arrived at Joint Base Andrews in early April as the Trump administrations newest official on Africa policy and waited to fly out for his inaugural trip to the continent. And waited. And waited. After several hours, he and his small State Department delegation were told their flight out wasnt happening; the government wouldnt pay for the U.S. military to fly him to central Africa. President Donald Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wiles, called Boulos directly to relay that he would not have access to a government plane. Hed have to trim down his multi-country trip by cutting a stop in Angola, and fly commercial the next day instead. Boulos, the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, had telegraphed during the transition that he would hold significant sway on the Trump administrations foreign policy. But the plane incident, described by three people familiar with the episode, shows how he struggled from the start to attain much influence, even as he has found some unexpected success along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulos mixed reputation also illustrates how power works in Trumps inner circle. While family ties are valuable to the president, that appears to be true only to a point. POLITICO spoke to 10 people familiar with Boulos interactions, all of whom were granted anonymity to speak freely about internal administration workings. They described a man who has been given formal titles without clear responsibilities and kept out of key discussions, or been brought into negotiations after much of the work has already been completed. Four of them said the White House and State Department have been frustrated by his freelancing efforts, and a number of cumulative incidents have soured Boulos relationships across parts of the administration. Since joining Trumps team, Boulos has also taken actions that overstate his responsibilities in the administration, according to the people POLITICO interviewed. He has handed out business cards that inflate his job title, declined to notify the State Department in advance about sensitive meetings and repeatedly implied his remit is broader than it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports that Boulos misrepresented his wealth and the size of his business holdings before entering government also didnt sit well with some, one of the people said. Trump named Boulos as a senior adviser on the Middle East during the transition last year and he began taking informal meetings with Lebanese officials and other diplomats. But some in the administration say he was overstepping. The job was more symbolic, but he didnt know that, said an administration official. Everyone knew it but him. While Boulos was appointed as Africa adviser in early April, he continues to hold the title of senior adviser of Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. The administration official and another person familiar with the situation said he is not meant to actively work on Middle East issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulos declined to comment, but administration spokespeople and other defenders praised his role in Trumps Africa policy. National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said Boulos is a valuable member of the presidents foreign policy team and has already made great progress in strengthening U.S. ties with African nations. In the case of the April trip, a senior government official confirmed that Boulos and his traveling party did wait at Andrews and for technical reasons made changes to the trip and took commercial flights. They traveled to Congo, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda on that trip and Boulos is expected to travel to Angola and other places in the Great Lakes region as soon as May, the official said. Boulos is currently Trumps top Africa adviser by default. The administration has yet to name its top Africa official, the assistant secretary of state, at the State Department or on the NSC. A State Department press release on Boulos appointment offered scant details about his responsibilities in the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrangement does not give Boulos the wide berth that other Trump allies, who have established roles beyond traditional power hierarchies, have in government. Hes not Ric Grenell, hes not Steve Witkoff, said a GOP foreign policy operative, referencing two close Trump confidantes and special envoys with broad global remits who report directly to Trump. Boulos, by contrast, sits in an office within the Africa bureau of the State Department and operates under the authority of senior diplomats. He has had some foreign policy wins, including liaising with African heads of state and pushing to clinch the first steps in a deal between the Congo and Rwanda to quell violence in eastern Congo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday praised Boulos during a Cabinet meeting in the White House and said he did something really great last week by helping to bring about the signing of the deal with the Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers. His role was also confirmed by four of the people POLITICO spoke to all of whom were familiar with the U.S. efforts to secure the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Boulos is doing an exceptional job, as evidenced by the deal between the DRC and Rwanda, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. But even when Boulos has success on Africa policy, he does so largely out of the limelight and without the profile that other Trump envoys receive. Witkoff, for example, speaks frequently on behalf of the president and is received as the most senior member in traveling delegations, such as when he met last month with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Boulos was weakened by a spate of early media interviews asserting himself as a dominant voice on Lebanon policy, irking Trumps inner circle in the process, as well as a New York Times story that exposed he had for years misled the public about the source of his wealth. Two of the people familiar with Boulos interactions said he had developed an unfavorable reputation for talking too much. His move away from Middle East work stemmed also from concerns within the administration about some of his political and social connections in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulos is originally from northern Lebanon and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. His son Michael is married to Tiffany Trump and they are expecting their first child this year. Questions about Boulos political associations in Lebanon also concerned some in the administration. Boulos has said he is not affiliated with any political party in Lebanon but has close ties across Lebanons Christian political class, including with Hezbollahs preferred candidate for president earlier this year, Suleiman Frangieh. He has continued to try to influence Middle East policy, and has spoken about Lebanon and Syria in interviews with Arab media. His efforts to go beyond his brief have caused confusion in the Middle East, officials said. He publicly speaks on issues and topics he is not responsible for or involved in, causing confusion in the region. It's been an issue, the administration official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senior government official argued that Boulos still does some work on the Middle East from his office in the Africa affairs bureau and coordinates with the secretary of State and the president. Boulos hands out a business card viewed by POLITICO that lists his State Department email and phone numbers and describes him only as senior advisor to the president significantly inflating his official title and adding to confusion about what he is responsible for. Some in the White House and State Department have been unhappy with times that he took initiative, seeing it as counterproductive freelancing. Boulos gave an interview in Arabic where he questioned the U.S. recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory throwing into doubt a key feature of U.S. negotiations with Morocco during the first Trump administration to get Rabat to formally start diplomatic ties with Israel. His interview infuriated the Moroccan government, according to a person who was informed of Moroccos reaction to the episode. Afterward, he issued a post on X about Rubio unequivocally reaffirming U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulos also held a private meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent visit to Paris without notifying the State Department in advance, which caught the U.S. embassies in both France and Nigeria off guard when they learned about the meeting in the media, two people briefed on the meeting said. The senior government officials said the meeting was coordinated with the State Department and noted that the U.S. embassy in Abuja posted about the meeting afterward as proof that the mission was aware of it. Boulos sells trucks and heavy machinery in Nigeria for a company his father-in-law controls. Boulos has told people that his current job is a temporary one that he will hold for six months, one State Department official said. The senior government official denied that Boulos has told colleagues this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, despite the missteps, some U.S. officials have welcomed Boulos eagerness to dive into tough foreign policy issues that rarely get attention in Washington. That includes his work to end the fighting in eastern Congo and lobbying to keep a Biden-era infrastructure project meant to counter Chinas infrastructure and rare earth minerals access in central Africa. In only a few short weeks of serving as the presidents senior adviser for Africa, Mr. Boulos has done tremendous work to advance our America First diplomacy throughout the continent, the State Department said in a statement. Boulos also helped finalize a deal to secure the repatriation of three Americans from the Congo, where they were facing death sentences for their purported role in a botched coup attempt, according to three of the people, though all added that the negotiations over their release were ongoing before Boulos entered the picture. Boulos has met with over a dozen senior officials, including ministers and heads of state such as Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. That has been welcomed by those who work in Africa policy who were disappointed when Rubios planned trip to the continent was cancelled earlier this month. Hes done what others havent been doing. But also because theres no one else in to do it, said a person briefed on Boulos actions on Africa policy. Hes a nice person with a good demeanor and Lord knows the administration needs someone, anyone in the field to work on Africa policy since the bench is so shallow. Nahal Toosi contributed to this report. Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 4, according to the Tribunes archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Heres the original Chicago Tribune review of every Star Wars movie Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 92 degrees (1952) Low temperature: 32 degrees (1954) Precipitation: 1.7 inches (1990) Snowfall: 0.5 inches (1907) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1865: President Abraham Lincoln was buried in Springfields Oak Ridge Cemetery. The Tribune published a full account of the ceremonies. But it wasnt the last time Lincoln was laid to rest. Lincolns body was moved 17 times between 1865 and 1901 because of construction and fears of safety of the presidents remains, according to the Illinois secretary of states office. 1886: The Tribune called it, A hellish deed. An unknown bomb-thrower at a labor rally sparked the Haymarket Affair on the Near West Side; eight policemen and at least four civilians died. 1932: Al Capone was transferred by train to a federal penitentiary in Atlanta. He had been found guilty in October 1931 by a federal jury on five counts of income tax indictments and was sentenced to 11 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do I think about it all? Capone told reporters. Well, Im on my way to do 11 years. Ive got to do it, thats all. Im not sore at anybody but I hope Chicago will be better off and the public clamor will be satisfied. Growing up Capone: An interview with a granddaughter of the legendary Chicago Outfit boss But Capone didnt feel Chicago would be better off until Prohibition was repealed. Personally, Id rather be in a legitimate racket, he said. It dont cost so much. Theres too much overhead in my business, paying off all the time and replacing trucks and breweries. They ought to make it legitimate, and if they dont theyll find that sending me away wont help Chicago much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1971: The new 200-foot-tall air traffic control tower topped by a glass crown at OHare International Airport became the tallest in the United States. The structure cost $2 million (or $16 million in todays dollars). The tower at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at nearly double the height of the OHare tower is the tallest in the country. 1987: Six Cook County judges tied to Operation Greylord a federal investigation of public corruption in Chicago were relieved of their judicial duties. Greylord was a watershed in its use of eavesdropping devices and a mole to obtain evidence instead of relying on wrongdoers to become government informants. The Dishonor Roll: Meet the public officials who helped build Illinois culture of corruption Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 100 people had been indicted, and all but a handful were convicted as part of the investigation. The convictions included 50 lawyers, as well as court clerks, police officers and sheriffs deputies. Of the 17 judges indicted, 15 were convicted. 1997: Real estate magnate Lee Miglin was discovered slain in the garage of his Gold Coast home. Though there was no known link, police suspect Andrew Cunanan committed the crime. Cunanan killed himself on July 23, 1997. Want more vintage Chicago? Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Kyle McAlister and Miguel Espinoza say they are heading into a runoff election to determine who will claim the Abilene City Council Place 5 seat. During the election on May 3, McAlister and Espinoza could not secure 50% of the votes to claim victory. According to the unofficial results, McAlister received 2,591 votes, followed by Espinoza with 2,237 votes and Alvirdrez with 377 votes. While the Taylor County Elections Office has not yet confirmed a runoff, McAlister and Espinoza informed BigCountryHomepage that the runoff election is scheduled for June 7, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longtime Abilene Councilman Kyle McAlister to defend seat in May election Miguel Espinoza looks to bring fresh perspective to Abilene City Council According to the Texas Secretary of State website, the last day to register to vote or make a change of address for the election is Thursday, May 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The Kyiv Independents Anna Belokur dives into the top stories of this week from the intensifying Russian spring offensive to the shocking torture and murder of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roschyna. Also, the long-gestating minerals deal has finally been signed, what is in it and is it a good deal for Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A man visiting a zoo in the Philippines was attacked by a crocodile after he climbed into its enclosure on April 28 Police said the 29-year-old thought that the crocodile was fake and had climbed into the enclosure to pose for photos A zookeeper then went into the enclosure and allegedly hit the female crocodile over the head with concrete to open her mouth, and the man received more than 50 stitches for his injuries A man visiting a zoo was attacked by a crocodile after he climbed into the animal's enclosure to pose for photos. The man identified by the Manila Bulletin as a 29-year-old climbed over a chain-link fence with a cell phone in hand at the Kabug Island Mangrove and Wetlands Park in the Philippines' southern Zamboanga Sibugay province on Monday, April 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video obtained by ViralPress, onlookers could be heard screaming at the man and the crocodile after it bit him on the arm and held on tight. Though the man could be seen sitting still as he awaited help, the crocodile a female named Lalay dragged him through the shallow water and rolled over, twisting his arm even further as he screamed in pain. Getty A photo of a giant crocodile in the Philippines (stock image) A photo of a giant crocodile in the Philippines (stock image) Police officers told local media that the man had climbed into the enclosure because he thought the crocodile was fake. "The tourist was walking around the area, then he saw the crocodile, which he thought was just a plastic fixture," Police Staff Sergeant Joel Sajolga of the Siay Municipal Police told multiple outlets, per The Daily Mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He climbed the fence and entered the enclosure, and the crocodile attacked him," Sajolga added. The Bulletin reported that the man was "mentally impaired." Video footage showed Lalay rolling the man multiple times in what scientists call a "death roll" a tactic used by many types of crocodilian species to kill prey and tear it apart for consumption. 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. Getty A wetland area in the southern Philippines (stock image) A wetland area in the southern Philippines (stock image) According to ViralPress, per The Daily Mail, the zookeeper in charge of Lalay had attempted to stop the man from climbing the fence beforehand, and eventually entered the enclosure himself to rescue the 29-year-old, allegedly hitting the crocodile over the head with a piece of concrete to force her to open her mouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paramedics were eventually called to the scene, the outlets reported. They found that the man's right arm and leg had been bitten, and he was taken to Dr. George T. Hofer Memorial Hospital, where he received more than 50 stitches, per the Bulletin. "This kind of behavior is very dangerous. Nobody should ever enter an animal's enclosure at the zoo," Sajolga added to local media. "He put other people's lives at risk and he is very lucky to have survived." An investigation into the incident is still ongoing, police told the Bulletin. Read the original article on People In the high-stakes clash between the Trump administration and Harvard - fraught with peril for the White House, for Americas oldest and most famous university, and for higher education in America - both sides have hardened their stances. In an April 11 letter, the Trump administration demanded supervision over reform of the universitys admissions, hiring, curriculum, and internal governance. In an April 14 email to the Harvard community, President Alan Garber rejected White House demands. The Trump administration promptly froze more than $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard and $60 million in contracts, and threatened to eliminate the universitys tax-exempt status. On April 21, Harvard sued several Trump administration officials. Conservatives, who have been sounding the alarm about higher educations failings for decades, have divided over how best the Trump administration should hold Harvard accountable. On the one hand, the federal government has considerable leverage: It provides Harvard more than $500 million annually with billions in the pipeline. On the other hand, the Trump administration must respect constitutional and statutory limits on executive power. Political prudence dictates, moreover, that the president and his team consider that a sizeable majority of the public opposes increasing the federal governments oversight of universities and that the federal government is ill-suited to the task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best for both sides would be a negotiated settlement. The settlement should minimize the federal governments role in managing Harvard while ensuring that the university obeys civil-rights law, curbs progressive indoctrination, and bolsters traditional liberal education. Harvard precipitated the crisis. The proximate cause of the Trump administrations drastic intervention was the universitys violation of civil-rights law by indulging antisemitism and discriminating based on race. Harvards indulgence of antisemitism stands in marked contrast to the alacrity with which it has protected non-Jewish minorities and women. For decades, Harvard has been narrowing the boundaries of permissible campus speech to shield students - particularly favored minorities and women - from supposedly offensive utterances, the offense of which often consists in departure from progressive orthodoxy. Yet following Iran-backed Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, former Harvard President Claudine Gay discovered that campus free speech is wide and flexible enough to sometimes protect calling for the genocide of the Jews. Furthermore, as the university has acknowledged, it has harbored antisemitism and has been slow and ineffective in responding to campus antisemitisms post-Oct. 7 surge. In addition, for decades Harvard discriminated based on race. In Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (2023), the Supreme Court held that the universitys race-conscious admissions violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Yet despite losing in the highest court of the land, Harvard maintained DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs that classified, and doled out and withheld, benefits based on race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the proximate cause of the Trump administrations unprecedented efforts to reshape Harvard lies the longstanding cause. For decades, Harvard has betrayed liberal education. It has offered undergraduates a shambolic curriculum: Instead of concentrating on the essentials of an education for freedom - the American experiment in ordered liberty, the defining events and seminal ideas of Western civilization, and basic knowledge of non-Western civilizations - professors lard the curriculum with courses revolving around their arcane research interests. And for decades, Harvard has politicized the humanities and social sciences, promoting a progressive - and often radical - ideology that puts advocacy for left-wing social change ahead of understanding the basics of ethics, economics, culture, society, and politics. Harvards hospitability to antisemitism and its race-conscious policies justified aggressive White House measures to compel the university to abide by its legal obligations or lose federal financial support. The universitys decades-long debasement of liberal education magnified the White Houses sense of urgency. But Trump administration remedies adopt a cavalier attitude toward the law and overlook the federal governments limited competence. The week before Harvard filed its lawsuit, City Journal published essays by Manhattan Institute senior fellows Heather MacDonald and Christopher Rufo assessing Trump administration endeavors to reform Harvard. While agreeing that reform was vital, the two eminent commentators on higher education differed over the governments tactics. A searing critic of universities war on free speech and discrimination disguised as diversity, MacDonald nonetheless worries in "The White Houses Clumsy Attack on Harvard" that the Trump team has overreached. "The administration calls for oversight of faculty hiring to ensure viewpoint diversity, though the legal basis for such authority is unclear," writes MacDonald. "Its demand for a critical mass of intellectually diverse faculty is either a wry joke or unintentionally ironic. After all, the notion of a critical mass of diverse students was one of the flimsy concepts the Supreme Court used for decades to justify racial admissions preferences." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, Rufo wants to fight fire with fire. In "The Right Is Winning the Battle Over Higher Education," he argues that the left transformed the 1964 Civil Rights Act into "a vehicle for entrenching left-wing racialist ideology throughout American institutions." Now, maintains Rufo, the right must use civil-rights law to achieve its original purpose - to establish "a framework grounded in colorblind equality." He insists that "racial discrimination is wrong whether it targets whites, Asians, and Jews or blacks and Hispanics." And he urges the Trump administration to "use every tool at its disposal to ensure that Americas elite universities adhere to the principle of colorblind equality." But Rufo overlooks the Trump administrations proclivity to reach for constitutionally and congressionally prohibited tools, and its penchant for unwisely, if lawfully, extending federal authority. Meanwhile, Harvards lawsuit argues that the Trump administration overreached in the legal sphere. Harvards first major allegation might be a close call. According to the university, the governments freezing of funds and demanding of sweeping reforms of admissions, hiring, curriculum, and internal governance unconstitutionally burden Harvards free-speech rights. The Trump administration will probably argue that its demands do not impair Harvards speech but rather give the university a choice. Harvard can say what it likes and do as it pleases and, consequently, lose federal funding, to which there is no constitutional entitlement. Or Harvard can adopt measures that would make the university worthy of taxpayer dollars. Harvard is likely to prevail on the second major allegation, which is that the Trump administration disregarded the congressionally established procedures for withholding approved federal funds. The facts are clear: The Trump administration froze federal funding for Harvard without taking the statutorily prescribed steps for suspending or terminating signed contracts and approved grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A court battle would bloody both parties. Needed, therefore, is an out-of-court settlement. In dealing with the proximate cause of the showdown, a reasonable settlement should ensure that Harvard abides by civil-rights law and that the Trump administration respects constitutional and statutory limits on executive-branch power. In handling the longstanding cause, a reasonable settlement should reduce indoctrination at Harvard in favor of liberal education while obliging the government to honor the universitys academic freedom and institutional independence. Ethics and Public Policy Center senior fellow Stanley Kurtz has provided an excellent proposal that provides an appealing compromise concerning the longstanding cause of the Trump-Harvard showdown. In "Trump vs. Harvard: A Negotiated Solution," which appeared online at National Review on April 21 (the day Harvard sued the Trump administration), Kurtz highlights Harvards "lax handling of disruptive demonstrations and antisemitic harassment" and its "pervasive leftist bias." At the same time, Kurtz expresses skepticism about the Trump administrations demand that Harvard place itself "into a de facto federal receivership." But Harvard and the Trump administration, Kurtz optimistically contends, could agree to a compromise based on "model legislation called General Education Act (GEA), a limited version of which just became law in Utah, and which is likely to be considered by other states in 2026." A co-author of the model GEA, Kurtz sketches a modified version for Harvard. It would create within Harvard a "School of General Education, where the governing dean and the newly recruited faculty are committed to a traditional great books approach." While Harvard undergraduates could earn a degree in general education, "[t]he distinctive feature of this plan is that the new School of General Education is put in charge of teaching a set of great books and Western Civ-focused courses required of every student at the university in question." Whereas the Trump approach involves intrusive federal monitoring - and Democrats would remove it immediately upon regaining the presidency - the school of general education, once established, would be difficult to abolish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone could claim victory. The Trump administration could claim credit for impelling Harvard to invest in liberal education. Harvard could take pride in maintaining its independence. Harvard students could acquire precious knowledge of their civilizational heritage while learning to exchange conflicting opinions in a spirit of curiosity, civility, and toleration. Higher education in America could adopt as a model the liberal-education reforms instituted by the nations oldest and most famous university. And citizens could draw inspiration from the White Houses and Harvards cooperating to achieve compromise and conciliation that advances the public interest. Peter Berkowitz is the Tad and Dianne Taube senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. From 2019 to 2021, he served as director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department. His writings are posted at PeterBerkowitz.com and he can be followed on X @BerkowitzPeter. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A dust storm carrying toxic elements swept across the Salt Lake Valley last Sunday, impacting residents in some of Utahs most densely populated areas, according to an initiative from Conserve Utah Valley, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and sustaining Utahs land and water. According to a Conserve Utah Valley initiative known as Grow the Flow, the storm originated from the Great Salt Lake near Saltair and the Kennecott Tailings site. The plume of dust could reportedly be seen across the valley, affecting residents in Magna, Tooele County, and Salt Lake Citys west side. Courtesy of Carmen Valdez, Courtesy of Carmen Valdez Courtesy of Carmen Valdez Courtesy of Jake Dreyfous According to the initiative, the event went unrecorded by the states existing air quality network due to a reported lack of dust monitors along the southwest shores of the Great Salt Lake. These strong winds carry toxic contaminants like arsenic, lead, and lithium from dry sediment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative said residents exposure to these contaminants highlights Utahs growing public health crisis, as dust from the Great Salt Lake is reportedly linked to increased respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, developmental defects, and cancer. We often think of the impacts of Great Salt Lake dust on our public health as a far-off, distant future. The reality is that dust storms from more than one-thousand square miles of exposed lake bed are infiltrating our communities and impacting the air we breathe today, said Jake Dreyfous, Managing Director of Grow the Flow. We must take proactive steps as individuals and as a state to get more water to Great Salt Lake, if we hope to avoid widespread impacts to our health, economy, and ecology in Northern Utah. Great Salt Lakes South Arm elevation currently stands at 4193.4 ft above mean sea level, meaning the lake is only 40% full by volume. This reportedly leaves more than 1000 square-miles of lakebed exposed. According to Grow the Flow, below-average runoff and a hot summer may cause the lake to recede below 4192 ft. this fall. This will exceed the Great Salt Lake Strike Teams threshold for Serious Adverse Effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah lawmakers have reportedly recently approved funding to install more dust monitors around Great Salt Lake. However, of the $651,000 requested for Great Salt Lake dust monitoring and research, only $150,000 was granted. Grow the Flow said this is enough to hire a staffer at the Division of Air Quality, but not enough to install more dust monitors or provide real-time information to impacted communities. Nonetheless, the Division of Environmental Quality is reportedly working to install more monitors with the existing funds. We dont know what we dont measure, Utah Division of Air Quality Director Bryce Bird told lawmakers during a recent hearing. Until Sept. 2024, the Great Salt Lake only had four PM10 dust monitors, none of which were within 10 miles of shoreline. While there are now six, there are still big gaps in the states ability to track toxic dust events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were deeply concerned about what the shrinking Great Salt Lake means for our families and communities. More frequent and toxic dust storms, like the one on Sunday, April 27th, are carrying dangerous pollutants from the lakebed and nearby tailings piles, putting our health at serious risk, said Carmen Valdez, Senior Policy Associate for The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah). Everyone deserves clean air and a safe future, and were committed to fighting for solutions that protect both. 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. TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has revoked a variance for the Trinity County Jail, straining an overcrowded facility even more. East Texas man arrested after allegedly abandoning six puppies in Trinity County The Trinity County Jail in 2022, photo courtesy of Sheriff Woody Wallace. The variance had allowed the jail to increase the amount of inmates they could hold from seven inmates to 16. Since the variance has been revoked, the Trinity County Sheriffs Office is now forced to accommodate an additional seven to nine inmates per day in out-of-county facilities at a cost averaging $75 per inmate, per day, according to Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This outcome is the direct result of continued inaction by the County Commissioners, despite repeated warnings about the consequences of delay from both the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and my office, Wallace said. This is not just a bureaucratic issue this is a financial burden on our residents and a risk to public safety, staff and inmates alike, that could have been avoided. Wallace said Trinity County taxpayers could have to pay between $16,000 and $20,000 in monthly fees for housing inmates now. We all know what the most expensive part of your budget is. I encourage yall to find common ground as the alternative can be quite expensive as well. If it gets too out of control and gets too far down the road, you guys are really going to have some issues. I am going to plea with you guys to get some common ground and work together on this, Texas Commission on Jail Standards and County Commissioner Ben Perry said. Photo courtesy of Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace. Wallace suggested that a new bond election should be called for to allow the citizens of Trinity County to vote on whether or not the county should have a new jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the decision to build a new jail should rest with the people of this county, Wallace said. A bond election is not just a fiscal procedure, it is a democratic mechanism that gives our citizens the final say and the courts reluctance to move forward denies yall that right. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This article was originally published in ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. The clear-cutting across the federal government under President Donald Trump has been dramatic, with mass terminations, the suspension of decades-old programs and the neutering of entire agencies. But this spectacle has obscured a series of moves by the administration that could profoundly harm some of the most vulnerable people in the U.S.: children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider: The staff of a program that helps millions of poor families keep the electricity on, in part so that babies dont die from extreme heat or cold, have all been fired. The federal office that oversees the enforcement of child support payments has been hollowed out. Head Start preschools, which teach toddlers their ABCs and feed them healthy meals, will likely be forced to shut down en masse, some as soon as May 1. And funding for investigating child sexual abuse and internet crimes against children; responding to reports of missing children; and preventing youth violence has been withdrawn indefinitely. The administration has laid off thousands of workers from coast to coast who had supervised education, child care, child support and child protective services systems, and it has blocked or delayed billions of dollars in funding for things like school meals and school safety. These stark reductions have been centered in little-known childrens services offices housed within behemoth agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, offices with names like the Childrens Bureau, the Office of Family Assistance and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In part because of their obscurity, the slashing has gone relatively overlooked. Everyones been talking about what the Trump administration and DOGE have been doing, but no one seems to be talking about how, in a lot of ways, its been an assault on kids, said Bruce Lesley, president of advocacy group First Focus on Children. He added that the one cabinet agency that theyre fully decimating is the kid one, referring to Trumps goal of shuttering the Department of Education. Already, some 2,000 staffers there have lost or left their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact of these cuts will be felt far beyond Washington, rippling out to thousands of state and local agencies serving children nationwide. The Department of Education, for instance, has rescinded as much as $3 billionin pandemic-recovery funding for schools, which would have been used for everything from tutoring services for Maryland students whove fallen behind to making the air safer to breathe and the water safer to drink for students in Flint, Michigan. The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, has canceled $660 million in promised grants to farm-to-school programs, which had been providing fresh meat and produce to school cafeterias while supporting small farmers. At the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the agencys secretary, has dismissed all of the staff that had distributed $1.7 billion annually in Social Services Block Grant money, which many states have long depended on to be able to run their child welfare, foster care and adoption systems, including birth family visitation, caseworker training and more. The grants also fund day care, counseling and disability services for kids. (It is unclear whether anyone remains at HHS who would know how to get all of that funding out the door or whether it will now be administered by White House appointees.) Head Start will be especially affected in the wake of Kennedys mass firings of Office of Head Start regional staff and news that the presidents draft budget proposes eliminating funding for the program altogether. That would leave one million working-class parents who rely on Head Start not only for pre-K education but also for child care, particularly in rural areas, with nowhere to send their kids during the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some local Head Start programs are already having to close their doors, and many program directors are encountering impediments to spending their current budgets. When they seek reimbursement after paying their teachers or purchasing school supplies, theyre being directed to a new Defend the Spend DOGE website asking them to justify each item, even though the spending has already been appropriated by Congress and audited by nonpartisan civil servants. Next on the chopping block, it appears, is Medicaid, which serves children in greater numbers than any other age group. If Republicans in Congress go through with the cuts theyve been discussing, and Trump signs those cuts into law, kids from lower- and middle-class families across the U.S. will lose access to health care at their schools, in foster care, for their disabilities or for cancer treatment. The Trump administration has touted the presidents record of protecting Americas children, asserting in a recent post that Trump will never stop fighting for their right to a healthy, productive upbringing. The statement listed five examples of that commitment. Four were related to transgender issues (including making it U.S. government policy that there are only two sexes and keeping trans athletes out of womens sports); the other was a ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates at schools that receive federal funding. The White House, and multiple agencies, declined to respond to most of ProPublicas questions. Madi Biedermann, a Department of Education spokesperson, addressed the elimination of pandemic recovery funding, saying that COVID is over; that the Biden administration established an irresponsible precedent by extending the deadline to spend these funds (and exceeding their original purpose); and that the department will consider extensions if individual projects show a clear connection between COVID and student learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An HHS spokesperson, in response to ProPublicas questions about cuts to childrens programs across that agency, sent a short statement saying that the department, guided by Trump, is restructuring with a focus on cutting wasteful bureaucracy. The offices serving children, the statement said, will be merged into a newly established Administration for Healthy America. Programs that serve kids havehistorically fared the worst when those in power are looking for ways to cut the budget. Thats in part because kids cant vote, and they typically dont belong to political organizations. International aid groups, another constituency devastated by Trumps policy agenda, also cant say that they represent many U.S. voters. This dynamic may be part of why cuts on the health side of the Department of Health and Human Services layoffs of doctors, medical researchers and the like have received more political and press attention than those on the human services side, where the Administration for Children and Families is located. Thats where you can find the Office of Child Support Services, the Office of Head Start, the Office of Child Care (which promotes minimum health and safety standards for child care programs nationally and helps states reduce the cost of child care for families), the Office of Family Assistance (which helps states administer direct aid to lower-income parents and kids), the Childrens Bureau (which oversees child protective services, foster care and adoption) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (which aids runaway and homeless teens, among others). All told, these programs have seen their staffs cut from roughly 2,400 employees as of January to 1,500 now, according to a shared Google document that is being regularly updated by former HHS officials. (Neither the White House nor agency leadership have released the exact numbers of cuts.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those losses have been most acutely felt in the agencys regional offices, five out of 10 of which covering over 20 states have been closed by the Trump administration. They were dissolved this month without notice to their own employees or to the local providers they worked with. It was these outposts that had monitored Head Start programs to make sure that they had fences around their playgrounds, gates at the top of their stairs and enough staffing to keep an eye on even the most energetic little ones. It was also the regional staff who had helped state child support programs modernize their computer systems and navigate federal law. That allowed them, among other things, to be able to pass through more money to families instead of depositing it in state coffers to reimburse themselves for costs. And it was the regional staff whod had the relationships with tribal officials that allowed them to routinely work together to address child support, child care and child welfare challenges faced by Native families. Together, they had worked to overcome sometimes deep distrust of the federal government among tribal leaders, who may now have no one to ask for help with their childrens programs other than political appointees in D.C. In the wake of the regional office cuts, local child services program directors have no idea who in the federal government to call when they have urgent concerns, many told ProPublica. No one knows anything, said one state child support director, asking not to be named in order to speak candidly about the administrations actions. We have no idea who will be auditing us. Were trying to be reassuring to our families, the official said, but if the national system goes down, so does ours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That national system includes the complex web of databases and technical support maintained and provided by the Office of Child Support Services at HHS, which helps states locate parents who owe child support in order to withhold part of their paychecks or otherwise obtain the money they owe, which is then sent to the parent who has custody of the child. Without this federal data and assistance, child support orders would have little way of being enforced across state lines. For that reason, the Trump administration is making a risky gamble by slashing staffing at the federal child support office, said Vicki Turetsky, who headed that office under the Obama administration. She worries that the layoffs create a danger of system outages that would cause child support payments to be missed or delayed. (Thats a familys rent, she said.) The instability is compounded, she said, by DOGEs recent unexplained move to access a highly confidential national child support database. But even if the worst doesnt come to pass, there will still be concrete consequences for the delivery of child support to families, Turetsky said. The staff members whove been pushed out include those whod helped manage complicated, outdated IT systems; without updates, these programs might over- or undershoot the amount of child support that a parent owes, misdirect the money or fail to give notice to the dad or mom about a change in the case. When Liz Ryan departed as administrator of the Department of Justices juvenile division in January, its website was flush with opportunities for state and local law enforcement as well as nonprofits to apply for federal funding for a myriad of initiatives that help children. There were funds for local police task forces that investigate child exploitation on the internet; for programs where abused children are interviewed by police and mental health professionals; and for court-appointed advocates for victimized kids. Grants were also available for mentoring programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Trump administration removed those grant applications, which total over $400 million in a typical year. And Ryan said there still hasnt been any communication, including in what used to be regular emails with grant recipients, many of whom she remains in touch with, about whether this congressionally approved money even still exists or whether some of it might eventually be made available again. A spokesperson for the Office of Justice Programs within the DOJ said the agency is reviewing programs, policies and materials and taking action as appropriate in accordance with Trumps executive orders and guidance. When that review has been completed, local agencies and programs seeking grants will be notified. Multiple nonprofits serving exploited children declined to speak on the record to ProPublica, fearing that doing so might undermine what chance they still had of getting potential grants. Look at what happened to the law firms, one official said, adding that time is running out to fund his programs services for victims of child abuse for the upcoming fiscal year. I never anticipated that programs and services and opportunities for young people wouldnt be funded at all by the federal government, Ryan said, adding that local childrens organizations likely cant go to states, whose budgets are already underwater, to make up the funding gap. When you look at this alongside what theyre doing at HHS and the Department of Education and to Medicaid, its undercutting every single effort that we have to serve kids. US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may be unattainable due to the deep hatred between the two sides. Source: NBC News, as reported by European Pravda Details: In an interview with NBC News, Trump said there were moments when he was close to stepping away from a mediating role: "Sometimes I get close to it, and then positive things happen," he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he confirmed that stepping away is still a possibility: "Well, there will be a time when I say: 'Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting'," Trump stated. He acknowledged that a resolution might be unrealistic, yet still claimed that an agreement could be "fairly close." Quote: "Maybe it's not possible to do There's tremendous hatred, just so you understand, between these two men [Zelenskyy and Putin ed.], and between, you know, some of the soldiers, frankly. Between generals. They've been fighting hard for three years. I think we have a very good chance of doing it." Background: On Tuesday 29 April, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would give up its "mediator role" between Russia and Ukraine if there is no progress toward peace. The US State Department later stated that the country would "change its approach" and take on a less active role in attempts to stop the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The White House appeared to reveal its true colors while marking Star Wars Day on social media on Sunday. To celebrate May 4, the offices official X account posted a photo of a buff President Donald Trump holding a red lightsaber in front of a pair of bald eagles and American flags. The Republican White House went after its political opponents in the post, which read, Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. Youre not the Rebellion youre the Empire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May the 4th be with you, it ended. Even the most casual Star Wars fans could instantly notice something peculiar about the AI-generated image. In the galaxy far, far away, red lightsabers almost always belong to characters who embrace the dark side of the force ... that is, the bad guys. Uh, doesnt the red lightsaber imply hes a Sith? asked Andrew Feinberg, The Independents White House correspondent, referring to the enemies of the heroic Jedi order. Uh, doesnt the red lightsaber imply hes a Sith? https://t.co/MoxNTqz46i Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) May 4, 2025 More serious fans of the saga noted in reply how creator George Lucas has explicitly said he designed his villains in the image of a right-wing political movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talking about the original trilogy in a 2005 interview with the Chicago Tribune, he said, It was really about the Vietnam War, and that was the period where [President Richard] Nixon was trying to run for a [second] term, which got me to thinking historically about how do democracies get turned into dictatorships? Because the democracies arent overthrown; theyre given away. This was not Trumps first social media debacle of the weekend. He also caused a ruckus late Friday when he posted a photo of himself as pope, prompting several prominent Catholics to speak out. Whether the post was trolling, intentional or just a genuine AI-generated snafu, it got some major attention. Check out some of the best reactions to the White Houses Star Wars Day post here: First president to depict himself as a Sith Lord btw https://t.co/Clqi1WQk37 stacy (@stacycay) May 4, 2025 How do you not have one nerd on staff to tell you what color lightsaber is good and what color is bad??? The Sassiest Semite (@LittleMissLizz) May 4, 2025 Makes sense that he has a red light saber. pic.twitter.com/3Gcgr2z0f1 Matt (Taylors Version) (@MattMMPLS) May 4, 2025 bro is calling liberals sith while weilding a red lightsaber. dud really is emperor palpatine. https://t.co/YR7BBmBlA3pic.twitter.com/CPG2C14exT drayvenmf.bsky.social (@DrayvenMF) May 4, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday he was the white pope , today hes a Sith lord on the Dark Side. The character development is incredibly insane pic.twitter.com/o3GAtw2EVo kay (@LegendaryKay__) May 4, 2025 The proposed community notes are BIG MAD pic.twitter.com/6J2SRgMspm The Fact Checker (@The_Facts_Dude) May 4, 2025 This account is so cringe. Art Candee (@ArtCandee) May 4, 2025 Related... Donald Trump has said he does not know if he has to uphold the US Constitution as president, the nations founding legal document. The US president made the remarks when he was questioned on whether illegal immigrants should be deported without a court hearing. Since taking office in January, his administration has been embroiled in a series of court battles with critics who claim he has repeatedly overstepped his constitutional bounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the interview, he rowed back on recent controversial statements about running for a third term, which is banned under the Constitution, and annexing Canada with military force. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, the US president was asked if he was required to uphold the Constitution as president. I dont know, he said after stating, Im not a lawyer. When Mr Trump took office earlier this year, he swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Traditionally, the document is seen as playing a sacred role in US politics, as the nations formative document which serves as the bedrock of its political and legal system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over 100 days since taking office, Mr Trumps administration has faced a series of legal battles by critics who claim he is overstepping his constitutional bounds on his deportation programme, stripping universities of funding, and attempting to dismantle government agencies. Quizzed on whether illegal migrants should be allowed due process, guaranteed under the Constitutions Fifth Amendment, the president repeated: I dont know. The big emergency right now is that we have thousands of people that we want to take out, and we have some judges that want everybody to go to court, Mr Trump added, complaining it would take 300 years to do so. Wed have to have a million or two million or three million trials. We have thousands of people who are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Trump, who has been criminally indicted four times, was careful to say he would not defy a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom his administration claims was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Im relying on the attorney general of the United States, Pam Bondi, whos very capable, doing a great job, he said. Because Im not involved in the legality or the illegality. I have lawyers to do that. He has previously claimed Mr Abrego Garcia, who is being held in a prison in El Salvador, is a violent gang member. Third term quashed However, the US president appeared to step back on some of his recent controversial comments including running for a third term, which is banned under the Twenty-Second Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its something that, to the best of my knowledge, youre not allowed to do this is not something Im looking to do, he said. Im looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward. He declined to endorse a successor, but said his Maga (Make America Great Again) movement could continue without him at its helm, and suggested either Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, or JD Vance, the vice president, could take over. Mr Trump also said it was highly unlikely he would seek to annex Canada, having previously refused to rule out military force to acquire the US northern neighbour as the 51st state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think were not going to ever get to that point I dont see it with Canada, he said. He said Mark Carney, the newly elected Canadian prime minister, had been very nice in a phone call and that he would be visiting the US this week or next. Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, had a dispute with the US president over his desire to annex Canada - PATRICK DOYLE/GETTY Mr Trump said he had not discussed annexing Canada with his counterpart, instead congratulating him on his election win. Speaking to NBC, he noted that Mr Carney failed to win a majority in Canadas House of Commons and that his victory was very close. The US president has been credited by Canadian Liberals with ensuring the defeat of the Conservative party by declaring a trade war on Canada and repeatedly musing about taking it over. 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 US Department of Justice asked a federal judge Saturday for a week-long extension to unseal documents in Mayor Eric Adams dismissed corruption case after missing the deadline a day earlier. The records which will provide the public an inside look at Adams prosecution were supposed to be unveiled before 11:59 p.m. Friday, but the DOJ defied Manhattan federal Judge Dale Hos court order. The US Department of Justice plans to ask a federal judge Saturday for a week-long extension to unseal documents. AFP via Getty Images DOJ lawyers filed a motion Saturday to extend the deadline to May 9 at 5 p.m. for turning over the cache of evidence and documents for public review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of the request is to allow additional time for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York to coordinate on review of the materials at issue and any necessary redactions, they wrote. Lawyers for Post, the New York Times and Adams consent to the extension, the filing says. Ho last week sided with The Post and other news outlets that demanded access to the documents, which include a warrant for Hizzoners cellphone that was seized by federal agents on a Big Apple street. Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho sided with he Post and other news outlets last week who demanded access to the documents. REUTERS The judge dismissed the federal criminal case against Adams in April, saying it would ensure the prosecution couldnt be held over the mayors head by the Trump administration as he runs the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hos ruling broke with the DOJ, which sought to halt the case for the time being, but wanted to keep the ability to resurrect it in the future. Adams had faced a five-count indictment, including bribery and fraud, accusing him of pocketing more than $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from people seeking to buy influence with him, including a Turkish official. He has denied any wrongdoing. Keep politics out of business The other day, I needed to get my car towed. There is a towing business in my community that I considered. Im not out to ruin anyones reputation, so Ill just say I used them years ago, and I was satisfied with the experience. They were kind and professional, and they did just what I expected them to do. The problem is that over the course of the past few years, they have become more political with the flags they fly in front of their establishment. I first noticed this a couple of years ago when I was driving past and saw them flying a flag that read Lets go Brandon! As everyone knows by now this was a pejorative directed to then-President Joe Biden. The backstory to this NASCAR-coined insult is pretty ridiculous, but Ill leave it there. Needless to say, I voted for Biden, so I did not find it amusing at all, and I made a mental note of it. Sometime later, still before this recent election, another flag appeared. It read, Dont blame me, I voted for Trump! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Oh really," I thought to myself. Well, theyre not the only place around. I guess I wont be going back there. Today, they sport a flag that supports the police. Well, good for you, towing company, I support the police, too, but the damage was done. Thats why, the other day when I needed my car towed, I went with someone else. They did a great job. They, too, were kind and professional, and I have no idea who they voted for. I like that. Novi is a solidly purple area, just look for yourself on BestNeighborhood.org at the Novi political map. Displaying a political flag probably alienated half your community. Like I said, Im not out to ruin anyones reputation who knows, maybe my letter will bring in new customers from the red areas to the west. But I have a suggestion for you, local towing business no one is impressed with your Trump flags. Why dont you just fly the good old Stars and Stripes, and be done with it? Eddie Dee Novi Various flags, hats and other items are for sale at tents a block away from the 180 Church before a roundtable discussion with former President Donald Trump inside the 180 Church in Detroit on Saturday, June 15, 2024. It's not too late to save AmeriCorps Nearly 10 years ago, I boarded a one-way flight to Sacramento to serve as a Team Leader with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps a national service program that changed my life. I spent over 2,500 hours building homes, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NCCC brings together diverse young adults from across the country to serve where the need is greatest. Covering housing and travel, it removes financial barriers to join, allowing everyone the chance to serve. In so many ways, NCCC embodied what we all hope America can be: people coming together across difference, in service of the common good. Opinion: I joked about getting deported. In Trump's America, it's not funny. | Opinion Last month, the Department of Government Efficiency cut NCCC's funding. In doing so, we lose a rare space where young people grow into thoughtful, compassionate leaders by serving others. Its a loss for the communities served and a loss for our country. Please contact your members of Congress to save this vital program. Catie Meyers Redford Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letters: It's been 100 days. How is Trump doing? Have your say in a letter to the editor | Letters I expected more from Gretchen Whitmer Its too bad that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer felt compelled to sell her soul for 21 F-15EX Eagle II jet fighters. Is this what Michigan needs? What will these planes do to improve education, healthcare, housing and transportation in our state or repair our crumbling infrastructure? The Pentagon budget is already bloated while the president and Congress propose severe cuts to Medicaid and other programs that serve the basic needs of the most vulnerable among us. Sad to say, our governor has joined the ranks of Democratic politicians who are unable or unwilling to stand up to the president even as he defies the law and shreds the Constitution. Governor, we expected more from you. Karen M. Donahue Detroit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump flags, Gretchen Whitmer, DOGE cuts | Letters Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, told reporters Sunday he wasnt a fan of the AI-generated image shared by Donald Trump and the White House Saturday that showed the president dressed as the Pope. I hope he didnt have anything to do with that, Dolan said. It wasnt good. Responding to general questions before Mass at his titular church this morning in Rome, Cardinal Dolan spoke about President Trumps post on social media dressed as a pope. @thegnewsroom pic.twitter.com/sF1zshVTP3 Mary Shovlain (@maryshovlain) May 4, 2025 Dolan, who delivered the invocation at Trumps inauguration this year, is friendly with the president. The image was first shared by Trump to his official Truth Social account, which makes it seem likely the president at least had a working knowledge of the fact that the photo was created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who is not Catholic, and the White House were widely criticized this weekend after the president first shared a photo of himself as the Pope and the official White House account reshared it. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President, the New York State Catholic Conference wrote on X. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. Pope Francis died April 21. Trump was later criticized for saying he was looking forward to the funeral and for wearing a blue suit to it instead of black. The post Trump Friend Cardinal Dolan Says Pope Photo Wasnt Good: Hope He Didnt Have Anything to Do With That | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Since President Donald Trump took office, the Internal Revenue Service has churned through four acting leaders and spiraled into turmoil, while the presidents pick for full-time commissioner waits for a Senate confirmation hearing. Trump announced in early December that he was nominating Republican former Rep. Billy Long to be the next IRS commissioner. The president and his supporters believe Long, who previously sponsored bills to abolish the IRS, can make good use of his strong relationships on Capitol Hill as a Trump ally. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have signaled their opposition by raising questions about Longs past work promoting a fraud-plagued tax credit, and ethics experts have criticized a flurry of donations he recently received from interests with business before the IRS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longs confirmation hearing is expected to happen later this month. But multiple current and former IRS officials, and others in the tax space who regularly deal with the agency, are concerned the slow pace of Longs confirmation process has left the IRS adrift. Its a pivotal moment for the agency. Right now, its rudderless, said Kathy Pakenham, a top tax attorney at Vinson & Elkins who represents clients before the IRS. For someone new coming in to lead that organization, its a five-alarm fire. The people sitting across the table from me are clearly in fear for their jobs, and they dont know what the future holds. The Republican-run Senate has not moved quickly to confirm Long, as it has for some of Trumps other picks, including some controversial Cabinet members. But theres no indication that the Missouri Republicans nomination is in peril, and the Treasury Department says it remains a key goal for the administration. The confirmation of IRS Commissioner is a top priority for the Treasury Department and the Trump Administration, a Treasury spokeswoman said in a statement. The confirmation process for nominees is robust, and we are working through the process in a responsible manner and through regular order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House and Long did not respond to CNNs requests for comment. At the IRS, Trumps first 100 days saw a series of showdowns between career executives and their new bosses over providing taxpayer data to immigration authorities, an internal power-struggle between competing pro-Trump factions over who would be acting commissioner, a collapse in workers morale with mass layoffs looming, and nearly 25% of the staff making plans to quit or retire. To stem the chaos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently installed his own deputy from the department, Michael Faulkender, as the latest acting IRS commissioner. Until the IRS commissioner is confirmed, the Secretary tasked me with leading these efforts out of the Treasury front office, Faulkender said in his first agency-wide email, which he sent last week, according to a copy that was obtained by CNN. Auctioneer, lawmaker, tax adviser Hailing from southwest Missouri, Long spent decades as a small businessman and is perhaps best known for his career as an auctioneer. After leaving Congress, he became a tax adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ran for Congress in 2010, won during the Republican wave, and served in the House until 2023. In Congress, Long has a staunchly conservative record and even proposed eliminating most federal income taxes and shutting down the IRS. In this 2010 photo, Missouri Republican Rep.-elect Billy Long speaks to supporters at an election night rally in Springfield, Missouri. - Jeff Roberson/AP/File Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform announcing Long for the IRS position. He is the consummate people person, well respected on both sides of the aisle. Long is now working at the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the federal workforce, while waiting for the Senate to act on his IRS nomination, Reuters reported in March. By tapping Long, Trump cut short the five-year statutory term of Danny Werfel, the Biden-appointed and Senate-confirmed former IRS commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite hoping he could have stayed on and completed his work, Werfel said he sees some positives to Long. He has a reputation for being gregarious and likable, Werfel said. He could resonate with people who voted for Trump. Maybe theres an opportunity for him to provide a reset for how people think about the IRS. Maybe he can build a connection between the IRS and members of the public who have historically viewed the IRS through a negative lens. However, former IRS officials and tax experts warned that if Long is confirmed, hell be taking over a highly diminished agency. Donors repay old campaign debts Ethics watchdogs have raised questions about an influx of recent donations to political committees tied to Long from people with business before the IRS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A committee associated with Longs unsuccessful 2022 bid for the Senate raised nearly $137,000 in the first three months of this year swamping the roughly $36,000 the committee brought in during the entire 2024 cycle. The donations allowed Long to pay himself back $130,000 in February for a personal loan he had made to his 2022 Senate campaign. The contributions and loan repayments are legal. But Michael Beckel, senior research director of the watchdog group Issue One, says they set off alarms. Beckel said it was highly unusual for donors to help repay old campaign debts. Most people who have outstanding loans from failed political campaigns dont have people knocking down their doors to give them thousands of dollars, Beckel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the money came from people tied to tax-related businesses Long has worked with since leaving Congress. Attempts to directly reach Long were unsuccessful, and officials from OPM and Treasury didnt answer CNNs specific questions about the donations. Ties to troubled Covid tax credit Some Democrats have dinged Longs promotion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, or ERTC, a Covid-era relief effort that the IRS has flagged for high rates of improper claims. The IRS-run program helped small businesses pay employees during the pandemic, but it quickly became a haven for scammers. The billions of dollars of fraudulent claims have created a backlog of legitimate claims a headache for the next IRS commissioner. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, told Long in a scathing letter earlier this year that your most significant tax experience has been your recent work promoting a fraud-ridden pandemic-era tax credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Long nor the companies he worked with to promote the program have been accused of wrongdoing. After Long left Congress in 2023, he became a certified tax and business adviser and quickly started promoting the ERTC at events and online, telling potential clients that hed help them get big payments from the IRS in exchange for a portion of what they receive. Longs critics have seized on his comments from a 2023 podcast in which he said applying for the tax credit was a no-brainer because Congress had made the rules so lax that not everyone but virtually everyone qualifies. In another interview from 2023, Long said Congress overreacted when it tweaked the program, so now everybody qualifies. His official biography on X still says DM me to save 40% on your taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long also said on the podcast that he only helped clients who were legitimately qualified for the tax credits, and would return any fees from clients whose credits were later revoked by the IRS. He said: If they dont qualify, we do not tell them they do, and we do not try to get them through the process. Meanwhile, small businesses that are still waiting for IRS reimbursements are hoping Longs experience with the program will help him clear out the backlog once hes at the IRS. The flood of claims has forced companies to wait years for payments. Its encouraging to see a nominee like Billy Long with a history of supporting small businesses, said Noah Kaplan, the CEO of Loyalsnap, a communications platform for fitness studios. Were a victim of the fraudulent claims, because of that backlog. We kept our side of the bargain. Legitimate companies should get our funds. We took on risk and kept people on jobs. Kaplan is one of several business owners who traveled to Washington, DC, in September to urge lawmakers to do more on the ERTC claims. The trip was organized by Justworks, which says the lobbying helped unlock about $50 million in payments from the IRS. Democrats seek an investigation Democrats wary of Longs ascension to the top job at the IRS also have underscored his financial ties to companies that have sold so-called tribal tax credits as a way to reduce the tax bills of people who buy them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The details of how the tax credits purport to work are opaque, and Arkansas-based oil and gas company White River Energy Corp., a company that has used the credits, says its clients have seen their tax returns approved by the IRS without issue. But Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, and fellow panel member Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, insist the credits are fraudulent because the IRS has informed their staff that these tax credits do not exist. The pair recently asked the IRS to investigate the companies promoting them and Masto has said Longs nomination should be withdrawn. Longs publicly available financial disclosure prepared as part of the vetting process for his IRS nomination shows he earned a referral fee of more than $5,000 from White River, which promotes the tribal credit. Wyden and Masto say its unclear whether Long played any role in promoting the tribal tax credits but called it deeply disturbing that someone with ties to promoters of the tax credits would run the IRS. White River officials did not respond to telephone and email inquiries from CNN. But in the statement posted on the companys website last month, White River officials say Wyden and Masto had undertaken a hit-job, and are engaged in an attempt to sabotage Longs nomination. White River also said it has not received any notification from any federal government regulatory agency stating that the credits we have been utilizing are not valid or that we do not have the ability to utilize them. Recent Federal Election Commission filings show four White River employees were among the donors who opened their wallets to support retiring the debt leftover from Longs 2022 Senate bid. They contributed a combined total of $11,600 in January, several weeks after Trump announced Longs nomination for the IRS post. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump tried to argue that prices on gas and groceries are falling even though the numbers disprove those claims. He also encouraged Americans to buy fewer dolls and pencils as a way to deal with rising costs due to his tariff policies. Prices are down on groceries. Prices are down for oil. Prices are down for all energy. Prices are down at tremendous numbers for gasoline, the president told moderator Kristen Welker during an interview that aired today on Meet the Press. Trump then said that gas prices are down to $1.98 in many states right now, repeating a claim he made weeks ago and again at least three times in the past week, CNN found. But according to AAA, gas prices have increased since Trump was inaugurated in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of today, the current average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.17, and no state has an average gas price of $1.98. In fact, GasBuddy, a company that tracks gas prices at more than 150,000 gas stations nationwide, could find no gas station in the country selling gas at that price during the month of April, the company told CBS News. The lowest price they could locate last month was $2.19 per gallon at a Texas gas station. As for grocery prices, Trump claimed they are down when the Consumer Price Index shows the average cost of groceries rose 0.4 percent in March and 0.2 percent in February, the latest data available. While the White House has said that Trump is talking about prices of some goods, like fresh vegetables, that have recently decreased in price, the prices of other goods like eggs, meats, poultry, and fish all rose in March. Prices are also likely to rise on all sorts of imported goods when Trumps broad tariffs go into effect, which has the president becoming an unlikely opponent of mass consumption as he struggles to defend the fallout of punishing tariffs. Trump last month announced a 90-day delay on tariffs except for tariffs on China, which are already in effect. He also claimed last week to have already finalized some 200 trade deals, but he has not released any details on which countries those deals are with. The number of alleged deals also exceeds the number of countries on earth recognized by the United Nations (193). Welker pointed out that because of the tariffs, You said some dolls are going to cost more. Isnt that an acknowledgment that some prices will go up? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think that a beautiful baby girl needs thats 11 years old needs to have 30 dolls, said Trump, whose children were raised in a gilded penthouse. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls because what we were doing with China was just unbelievable. We had a trade deficit of hundreds of billions of dollars with China. Trump: "I don't think a beautiful baby girl that's 11 years old needs to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls they don't need to have 250 pencils. They can have five." pic.twitter.com/H9nBN0Eh2q Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 4, 2025 A trade deficit simply means that the U.S. imports more goods from China than it exports to China, which makes sense given the Asian nations status as a manufacturing hub for many of the things we use every day from toys and clothing to smartphones and other electronics. American labor is more costly, and American factories do not have the capacity to fill the gap. Still, Trump has slapped China with astronomical 145 percent tariffs, causing trade between them and the U.S. to effectively cease. When you say, They could have three dolls instead of 30 dolls, are you saying that Americans could see empty store shelves? Welker asked. No. No, Im not saying that, Trump replied. Im just saying they dont need to have 30 dolls. They can have three. They dont need to have 250 pencils. They can have five. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, We dont have to waste money on a trade deficit with China for things we dont need, for junk that we dont need. Trump did, however, admit that keeping tariffs on China at current levels is untenable. At some point, Im going to lower them because otherwise, you could never do business with them, he said. And they want to do business very much. Look, their economy is really doing badly. Their economy is collapsing. Even if Americans cut back on purchasing dolls and pencils, a bevy of other goods will see rising prices thanks to Trumps tariffs on China, including: iPhones, cars, clothing, shoes, wine and spirits, furniture, coffee, and chocolate. Product shortages are also likely, experts say. Already, import shipments to U.S. ports have declined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Welker asked Trump about U.S. trade with Canada, Trump said, We dont need their cars, we dont need their lumber, we dont need their energy. We dont need anything. We do very little business with Canada. They do all of their business practically with us. They need us. We dont need them. But Canada is Americas second largest trade partner and the top buyer of American exports, as Capitol Hill correspondent Jamie Dupree pointed out. Trump additionally refused to back down on his idea to make Canada a U.S. state. WELKER: Will you talk to Mark Carney about making Canada the 51st state? Annexing Canada? TRUMP: I will always talk about that pic.twitter.com/xc2tG5HHP3 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 4, 2025 Trump: "If Canada was a state, it wouldn't cost us. It would be great. It would be a cherished state I don't think the American public wants me to pay $250 billion a year to subsidize Canada we do very little business with Canada." pic.twitter.com/9RMHdsNXNy Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 4, 2025 One area where Trump is correct is that prices of oil are actually falling. But that is not a positive sign. Its a measure of the expected use of energy in our economy, Tucker Balch, an Emory University finance professor, told ABC News. It is because of Trumps policies but its not an endorsement of his policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The economic outlook under Trump is, in fact, quite bleak, with a potential slowdown or recession on the horizon for the U.S. and likely the global economy as well. But Trump in the interview only took credit for the good parts of the economy and blamed former President Joe Biden for the bad parts. WELKER: When does it become the Trump economy? TRUMP: It partially is right now. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy pic.twitter.com/hI8VB66zbT Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 4, 2025 When does it become the Trump economy? Welker asked. It partially is right now, Trump said. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy. 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. Environmental interests ignored California forestry policies: A marriage of priorities? (sacbee.com, April 24) In the name of wildfire prevention, both President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom are pushing for more logging through mechanisms that skirt environmental oversight, further degrading our forest ecosystems. But thinning usually does more harm than good: It can accelerate fire spread by exposing the forest floors fuels to sun drying and wind penetration; it significantly lowers carbon sequestration, putting more emissions into the atmosphere; and even the supposed benefits are less impactful in areas where vegetation can grow back quickly and theres a lack of old-growth trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most importantly, thinning is often used as a pretext for commercial logging, targeting valuable trees instead of the more fire-prone vegetation. In this case, Trump wants to feed the timber lobby with more lumber, and Newsom has pushed an agenda of building a woody products industry in California. Neither has the environments best interests at heart. Jeff Zhou Glendale Opinion Do no harm California forestry policies: A marriage of priorities? (sacbee.com, April 24) Forest management efforts must start on the local level by hardening communities, then work outward not the other way around. Forest management should be science-based, not profit-based, with the net result of keeping carbon in the forests, preserving forest ecology and reducing climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experience with President Donald Trumps first 100 days in office shows that the voices of science and common sense are being muzzled. Remember the physicians motto: First, do no harm. Harry White Roseville Polluters must pay Why fossil fuel companies must pay for climate damages, (sacbee.com, April 18) The fossil fuel industry has made a fortune making me sick: My days in elementary school were spent in an environment full of lead from fossil fuel additives and smog the pollution was so bad, outdoor physical exercise classes would be cancelled. As a student at UC Santa Barbara, I saw the 1969 oil spill cover our pristine beaches. The fossil fuel industry told us that oil was a natural component of the shoreline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years later, my father-in-laws home was lost in one of the Malibu fires, and my parents home was destroyed in the 2018 Camp Fire. It is time for the fossil fuel industry to be held accountable for its deceptions. Call your state representatives and demand they pass the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025. Charles Williams Cupertino Ashby gives big oil a pass Should Big Oil pay for Californias climate disasters? You may pay at the pump, (sacbee.com, April 10) It was stunning to see state senators like Sacramentos Angelique Ashby give Big Oil a pass for causing the climate crisis now fueling todays insurance affordability crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californias oil companies knew in the 1950s that burning fossil fuels was dangerous for our climate, but they greedily colluded to bury the truth and pioneer climate denial. Now, all of us face explosive costs from more frequent and destructive wildfires to drought and flooding, all with fewer and more expensive insurance options to help pick up the pieces after disaster strikes. Until oil companies pay their fair share, this trend wont end. Without affordable insurance, businesses will close, families wont get home mortgages and construction to develop our state stops. Mary Creasman CEO, California Environmental Voters President Donald Trump is not committing to upholding the Constitution as he continues his sweeping deportation agenda. Critics and some judges hold that the White House has undermined due process rights in its push to quickly detain and deport migrants in the United States. Trump has repeatedly signaled that his priorities lie elsewhere. "Some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth," Trump told host Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." And I was elected to get them the hell out of here and the courts are holding me from doing it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the interview, Trump pointedly did not agree with the notion that the Fifth Amendment grants citizens and non-citizens alike the same legal rights. "I don't know. It seems it might say that, but if you're talking about that, then we'd have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials," Trump told Welker. "We have thousands of people that are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth." The White House has empowered judges to dismiss asylum cases without a hearing, stopped funding for legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children and sought to pave the way for expanded use of expedited removal. Asked by Welker if he needed to uphold the Constitution as president, Trump was uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know. I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said," Trump said. But just over 100 days ago, Trump swore on behalf of the fabled document in taking his Oath of Office: "I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," he said. The White House in March seized upon a 1798 law to deport hundreds of immigrants that the administration deemed gang members to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, notorious for its harsh conditions. One of the men was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to El Salvador despite an immigration court order barring his return to the country over fears he could be persecuted by a local gang. The White House has acknowledged it erred in deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, but has steadfastly maintained it doesn't have the power to force Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, a Trump ally, to send him stateside. This, despite a Supreme Court ruling unanimously compelling the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. US President Donald Trump apparently does not feel bound by the country's constitution. Asked whether he believed he has to "uphold the Constitution," he told NBC News in an interview: "I don't know." There is legal opposition to countless decisions made by Trump in the first three months of his second term, particularly against his immigration policy. The president has repeatedly been confronted with the question of whether he will abide by court rulings in all cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said," Trump said in the interview with NBC's Meet the Press. Trump complained that US courts were preventing him from deporting criminal migrants. He spoke of "thousands of people" some of whom he described as "murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth." "I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it," Trump claimed. He argued that not every case can be heard individually in court. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man from the US state of Maryland who comes from El Salvador and was deported there a few weeks ago, is causing a stir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US government admitted an "administrative error" in the case, but at the same time reiterated the accusation that the man was a gang member which the man denies. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to return the man. The case has since been referred to the US Supreme Court. Since then, there has been legal wrangling over what should happen next. The US government has so far made no move to bring the man back to the United States. President Donald Trump, when asked if he has an obligation to uphold the Constitution as president, said, I dont know. Trump made the disturbing comment during an interview with Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press while discussing his campaign promise to deport millions of immigrants. Trump, who himself is free because he exploited his own due process rights, has denied those same rights to immigrants he sent without trial to an infamous mega-prison in El Salvador. Your Secretary of State says everyone whos here, citizens and non-citizens, deserve due process. Do you agree, Mr. President? Welker asked Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know. Im not, Im not a lawyer. I dont know, he said. Welker: Do you agree that everyone who is here deserves due process? Citizens and noncitizens? Trump: I dont know. Im not a lawyer. Welker: The 5th amendment says as much.. Dont you need to uphold the constitution? Trump: I dont know pic.twitter.com/1y8POREX9S Acyn (@Acyn) May 4, 2025 Its a terrifying answer from a president who, like other presidents before him, swore while taking the oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. When Welker pressed Trump, pointing out that the Fifth Amendment entitles everyone in the U.S. to due process, he again said, I dont know. It seems it might say that, but if youre talking about that, then wed have to have a million or two million or three million trials, Trump continued. We have thousands of people that are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fifth Amendment states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, making no distinction between citizens and non-citizens. Welker then asked Trump whether he needs to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president. I dont know, Trump said, adding that his lawyers are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. But, he added, What you said is not what I heard the Supreme Court said. They have a different interpretation. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Trump must bring back Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man that Trumps own lawyers have admitted was accidentally deported to El Salvador. Abrego Garcias deportation was a violation of an earlier protection from removal order by a judge that should have prevented him from being sent out of the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court late last month also temporarily blocked Trump from deporting another group of Venezuelan immigrants using the Alien Enemies Act without first granting them an opportunity to contest their deportation. While Trump has whined that communist, radical-left judges are impeding his deportations, despite the fact that he nominated three sitting Supreme Court justices. Even a Trump-appointed federal district judge ruled that his use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport undocumented immigrants and deny them due process is unlawful. The President cannot summarily declare that a foreign nation or government has threatened or perpetrated an invasion or predatory incursion of the United States, followed by the identification of the alien enemies subject to detention or removal, District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. wrote in a ruling on Thursday. But in the interview Trump insisted that he has an electoral mandate to deport undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was elected to get them the hell out of here and the courts are holding me from doing it, he said. In a recent NewsNation-DDHQ poll, a slim majority of respondents (51 percent) said that immigrants without legal status are entitled to a hearing a due process before being deported. 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. By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said he was unsure whether people in the U.S. are entitled to due process rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution as his administration pushes aggressively to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally and other non-citizens. Trump made his comments during an interview conducted on Friday that was set to air on Sunday on NBCs "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker." Welker asked Trump whether he agreed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said last month that "of course" all people in the U.S. are entitled to due process, which generally requires the government to provide notice and a hearing before taking certain adverse legal actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know. I'm not, Im not a lawyer. I don't know," Trump said, adding that such a requirement would mean "we'd have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials." Trump added that his lawyers "are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said." On April 19 the Supreme Court justices temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan migrants it accused of being gang members. Trump's administration, which has invoked a rarely used wartime law, has urged the justices to lift or narrow their order. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in a filing to the Supreme Court that detainees are receiving advance notice of their removals and have had "adequate time" to file claims for judicial review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices also directed Trump's administration on April 10 to facilitate the return to the United States of a Salvadoran man who the government has acknowledged was deported in error to El Salvador. That man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, remains in a detention center in El Salvador. A federal judge presiding over the case has ordered Trump's administration to provide additional information on what steps it has taken to secure Abrego Garcia's return. Separately, Trump said during the NBC interview that pursuing a third presidential term "is not something I'm looking to do." "It's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do," said Trump, who has occasionally hinted he would like to run for a third term. The Constitution's 22nd Amendment states in part: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. (Reporting by John KruzelEditing by Scott Malone and Frances Kerry) President Trump said in an interview Sunday that rising prices on certain items amid his trade wars are peanuts in comparison to less expensive gas. In the interview on Meet the Press, NBC Newss Kristen Welker noted that some prices are going up, tires, strollers, some clothing in the wake of your tariffs. Excuse me, thats peanuts compared to energy, Trump interrupted. Energy is 60 percent of the costs. Energy is the big Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welker cut in, noting that Trump campaigned on a promise to bring prices down on day one. Well, I dont know, when you say, Strollers are going up, what kind of a thing Im saying gasoline is going down. Gasoline is thousands of times more important than a stroller, Trump said. By Trumps 100th day in office last week, the average price of gas had dipped around 50 cents per gallon from a year prior, according to data from AAA. Trumps recent tariffs, meanwhile, have rattled markets across the globe, strained relationships with longtime allies such as Canada and the European Union and increased anxiety around the economy in the U.S. and abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The massive tariffs he has imposed on China in particular going as high as 145 percent are raising fears about empty shelves and soaring prices. Trump alluded to the exchange later Sunday while speaking with reporters on Air Force One. Inflations down. All costs are down. Everything is down other than, as Kristen said, the thing that you carry the babies around in, he said. During the Meet the Press interview, the president claimed credit for positive aspects of the economy and went after former President Biden for the struggling parts. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy, because hes done a terrible job, Trump said. He did a terrible job on everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Sunday opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal, Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent defended what he called Trumps economic rebalancing amid growing concerns regarding his handling of the economy. Bessent said in the Journal piece that the president wants to ensure working families arent left behind in the next era of economic growth as many were in the last. In the first 100 days of his presidency, we have laid the groundwork to rebalance global trade, restore Americas industrial base, and build an economy that allows Wall Street and Main Street to rise together. To understand the urgency of this economic rebalancing, its critical to understand why it is necessary in the first place, he said. Updated at 8:53 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. Trump said he'd offer TikTok another extension if it can't find a buyer by June. A law requires TikTok to divest from ByteDance, its Chinese owner, or face a ban in the US. Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that he had a "warm spot" for TikTok. President Donald Trump said Sunday he'd offer TikTok another extension should the social media app fail to find a buyer by the June 19 deadline. During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Trump told host Kristen Welker that he had a "warm spot in his heart" for TikTok and that he'd like to see the popular app remain available in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "TikTok is it's very interesting, but it will be protected," he said in a pre-taped interview conducted at his Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. It's the latest development in the ongoing saga involving TikTok in the United States. In 2020, Trump unsuccessfully sought to ban TikTok in the United States because he believed its Chinese owner, ByteDance, posed security concerns. He also once suggested it was a form of punishment for what he saw as China's role in the COVID-19 outbreak. Former President Joe Biden later picked up the baton, signing a law last year that requires TikTok to divest from ByteDance or face a ban from US app stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Supreme Court upheld the law in January. TikTok then briefly shut down its app to US users before Trump promised to find a solution. Trump began to change his tune on TikTok during his 2024 campaign, during which he said young people in the United States would "go crazy without" it. Many observers have credited TikTok's reach in helping Trump connect with a wide swath of voters, especially among young Americans who dominate the app's user base. After Trump took office, he signed a 75-day extension for TikTok to find a buyer, which expired on April 5. On April 4, Trump announced he would issue another 75-day extension. A number of wealthy Americans have publicly expressed interest in purchasing TikTok, including "Shark Tank" mogul Kevin O'Leary and YouTube power creator MrBeast. Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump has iced out his daughter Tiffanys father-in-law Massad Boulosrejecting his newly minted senior adviser to Africas request for a plane to do his job. Boulos, who was appointed to the role in April, was supposed to take a government plane out of Joint Base Andrews for his first trip to the continent. But chief of staff Susie Wiles called him directly to tell him the White House wouldnt foot the bill, according to Politico. Hed have to fly commercial. Boulos is the father of Michael Boulos, whom Tiffany Trump married in 2022. A Lebanese-born American, Boulos helped campaign for Trump with Arab Americans last year, prompting the president to gift him the title of senior advisor for the Middle East during the presidential transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Boulos took the job seriously and claimed to be an expert on Lebanese policy, irking those on the Trump team, according to Politico. He has since been increasingly sidelined by officials who claimed Boulos was trying to overstep his professional boundaries. The job was more symbolic, but he didnt know that, an administration official told Politico. Everyone knew it but him. Tiffany Trump with her husband Michael Boulos, Massad Boulos' son. The elder Boulos has been iced out of his advisory role. / Kevin Lamarque/Reuters He saw his official remit expand last month when Trump named him senior advisor to Africa. But according to Politico, Boulos has overinflated his responsibilities to those he spoke to, including handing out business cards that simply referred to him as a senior advisor, exaggerating his job title, and not keeping the State Department in the loop about some meetings. But Boulos has still tried to influence Middle East policy, regardless of whether his role allows for it, according to Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He publicly speaks on issues and topics he is not responsible for or involved in, causing confusion in the region, the administration official told Politico. Its been an issue. A New York Times report that indicated Boulos had misled people about the source of his wealth also irked Trump officials, according to Politico. Boulos had long claimed to run a billion-dollar company, but he admitted to the Times he was referring to his father-in-laws business, which he doesnt operate. Instead, he sells trucks in Nigeria for his father-in-laws business. Boulos has gotten some praise for his work in negotiating the start of a deal to end fighting between the Congo and Rwanda, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted in a Cabinet meeting last week. Mr. Boulos is doing an exceptional job, as evidenced by the deal between the DRC and Rwanda, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Politico in a statement. , A bronze statue of Donald Trump was unveiled in South Dakota on Saturday to a half-empty auditorium, while protesters gathered outside. Trumps life-size likeness is the latest addition to The City of Presidents in Rapid City, a privately funded arts project that produces statues of all sitting presidents. Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson attended the ceremony and sent a special video message to the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. President, we are here in Rapid City, we are just about ready to unveil your statue, Johnson said, before handing off to a young woman named Samantha. President Trump, sir, thank you so much for everything you are doing for our country, Samantha said. We are really grateful for you out here in South Dakota, clearly. Congressman Dusty Johnson smiles and gives the thumbs up next to a woman named Samantha as they unveil a statue of Donald Trump to a half-empty auditorium in Rapid City, South Dakota (Rep Dusty Johnson/ X) Johnson then lifted the camera to show the auditorium, with multiple empty seats. Those in attendance cheered. Trump later shared the video message on his Truth Social page but did not comment further. At the ceremony, Johnson was joined by Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun and the artist behind the statue, Jim Maher, who admitted he was not the biggest fan of Trump and that he had taken time to consider if he would make the statue. A statue of Donald Trump is unveiled in Rapid City, South Dakota. The auditorium was half-filled and a protest took place nearby (Rep Dusty Johnson/ X) Like I said in my remarks, I have kind of a moderate view of it, Maher told the Rapid City Journal. I appreciate some of the things hes done, but Im not crazy about him like some people are, so I thought I could do a good job, a fair job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to local outlets, during the ceremony, around 100 protesters gathered at Main Street Square. Johnson referenced the group in his remarks, telling the audience that each of the presidents already on Rapid City's streets "were opposed by and hated by millions." Rep Duty Johnson (center right) and other Rapid City town officials at the unveiling of a statue of Donald Trump (Rep Dusty Johnson/ X) "Now we don't erect these statues to focus on those differences. We erect these statues instead to celebrate the unity and the achievements of their time," Johnson said, per the Journal. He added that while most statues are history. This one feels more like current events. The City of Presidentsa nonpartisan arts projectbegan in 2000 to honor all U.S. presidents. Statues line the streets in downtown Rapid City. Trumps statue will be housed at the Rapid City Visitor Center for the summer season beginning on May 5, before being moved to a permanent location in the city. President Donald Trump isn't closing the door on using force to attempt to annex Greenland and Canada. But he said the prospect of attacking Ottawa appears "highly unlikely." Greenland on the other hand? "I don't rule it out," Trump told host Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since his November election, the president has made no secret of his desire to acquire Greenland. "We need it. We have to have it," he told a radio host in March. That same month, White House officials led by Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. Space Force base on the island, which boasts significant mineral reserves and a strategic spot in the Arctic. It's been a similar story with Canada. The president has often mused about turning the country into a 51st state. Trump's fixation was "a real thing," warned former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "I don't see it with Canada. I just don't see it, I have to be honest with you," Trump said of attacking the country in the NBC interview. But the patriotic fervor Trump's repeated attacks unleashed in the True North helped propel former banker Mark Carney and the previously beleaguered Liberals back into government for the fourth consecutive term the first three were with Trudeau at the helm. Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre not only saw his party lose a double-digit lead, he even lost his own seat in last week's elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are not idle threats," Carney of said Trump after his election victory last week. "President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, that will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed. The two are set to meet at the White House on Tuesday. Trump downplayed the idea of using force on Canada with Welker. But he said he'd bring up a merger with Carney. "I'll always talk about that," Trump said. "You know why? We subsidize Canada to the tune of $200 billion a year. We don't need their cars. In fact, we don't want their cars. We don't need their energy. We don't even want their energy. We have more than they do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's claim of a $200 billion subsidy, perhaps based in part on the U.S.-Canada trade deficit, appears firmly off base. But the president continues to cite the figure when discussing the two countries. "And, if you look at our map, if you look at the geography I'm a real estate guy at heart. When I look down at that without that artificial line that was drawn with a ruler many years ago," Trump said. "Was just an artificial line, goes straight across. You don't even realize. What a beautiful country it would be. It would be great." Wednesday, April 30 marked President Donald Trumps 100th day in office of his second term. While it is a made-up occasion, the first 100 days of a presidency are generally considered the first impression of any administration. This benchmark has taken on significance as a marker to measure a new presidents achievements. While the first 100 days dont determine the entirety of a presidents term, it could provide insight into priorities, achievements and potential problems to come. Heres L.A. Magazines look at Trumps first 100 days. Executive orders Sparing no time, Trump hit the ground running with executive orders. In his first week in office alone, the president signed 37 executive orders. His 100th order was signed in late March. This surpassed former President Franklin D. Roosevelts record of 99 orders signed in 100 days. According to the American Presidency Project, the orders were sweeping and often vague. Some have viewed an extensive use of the executive order as an abuse of power, but research has suggested that some presidents may favor them due to their increased visibility. Most of his orders concern shrinking of the federal government, immigration, energy and topics relating to freedoms, religion and American values. Several orders, such as those that affect foreign aid and banning transgender troops from the military, are temporarily blocked by courts. Legislation Trump signed five bills into law, a major contrast from his executive action. His first was the Laken Riley Act, which Congress passed just before he took office. Of the five, the Laken Riley Act is only one of two bills enacted. The remaining three are joint resolutions, which are often used in the same manner as a bill and enacted as law if signed by the president. This is a stark contrast to his 29 signed laws within his first 100 days of his first term in 2016. According to political scientists, one should focus on legislation not in the numbers, but in the significance of the bills signed. The first 100 days for legislation have become far more unproductive for modern presidents since Roosevelts 76 laws in 100 days. Approval rating With 100 days in office down, Trump has an approval rating of 41%. This is the lowest for any newly elected president at the 100-day benchmark and lower than his rating in 2016, which was 42% according to a Gallup poll. Only 22% say they strongly approve of Trumps presidency so far and 45% say they strongly disapprove. Notable drops in approval come from women and Hispanic Americans, with 36% among women and 28% among Hispanics. In contrast, Bidens approval rating within his first 100 days was 53%, which was his highest during his term. But, support was entirely partisan. 93% of Democrats approved of his performance, while only 12% of Republicans approved. Immigration Immigration efforts were also a key factor in Trumps first 100 days. His crackdown on immigration led to a ramp-up in border enforcement as well as mass deportations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded only 7,180 southwest border crossings. This is the lowest number in history and far lower than the monthly average of 155,000 across the previous four years. During the campaign, Trump vowed to carry out the largest deportation program in U.S. history. During the first 100 days, his administration has deported and detained immigrants with and without legal status. So far, this has caused pushback, coming from as high up as the Supreme Court. Tariffs The Trump administration has enacted a baseline of 10% tariffs on all imported goods and 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars and car parts. These tariffs, those enacted and those delayed, both jolted the global markets and sparked fears of recession. He has also put tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, with percentages ranging based on the country. The administration has until early July to negotiate reciprocal tariffs with a handful of other countries. According to the Yale Budget Lab, U.S. consumers face an average effective tariff rate of 28%, which is the highest since 1901. President Donald Trump is taking credit for a better-than-expected jobs report. But he insisted the warts in the American economy are the fault of former President Joe Biden, who's been out of the White House for months. "I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because hes done a terrible job," Trump told host Kristen Welker in an interview that was to air Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "He did a terrible job on everything, from his autopen which I'm sure he knew nothing about, some of the things he was supposedly signing." Trump did not elaborate on how he differentiated the Trump economy from the Biden economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his first 100 days back in office, Trump has worked to upend the global economic and trading structure, unleashing sweeping tariffs to punish countries including allies for their trade relationships with the U.S. and endeavoring to bring long-departed manufacturing facilities back home. And though the president eventually paused many of his more punitive tariffs for 90 days, the White House has just three months to negotiate dozens of trade deals with partners all over the world. Consumer expectations have cratered. And the U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter of 2025, a major reversal from the 2.4 percent growth notched in the last quarter of 2024. Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers, he wrote on Truth Social last week. Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden Overhang. This will take a while, has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS, only that he left us with bad numbers, but when the boom begins, it will be like no other. BE PATIENT!!! U.S. employers added 177,000 jobs in April, though most federal job cuts have yet to show up in employment statistics. Average hourly earnings climbed, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite the president's insistence that his policies will work in the long run, Americans aren't exactly giving him high marks. He boasts just a 39 percent approval rating for handling the economy, according to a CNN poll released early last week. "Ultimately, I take responsibility for everything, Trump told Welker. "But I've only just been here for a little more than three months. But the stock market, look at what's happened in the last short period of time. Didn't it have nine or 10 days in a row, or 11 days, where it's gone up? And the tariffs have just started kicking in. And we're doing really well. Psychologically, I mean, the fake news was giving me such press on the tariffs. The tariffs are going to make us rich. We're going to be a very rich country." > < 21:30 'Pro-Pak' slogans: VHP, Bajrang Dal men read Hanuman Chalisa in UP village File image Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a demonstration and read the Hanuman Chalisa in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot district on Sunday, in protest against a video of pro-Pakistan sloganeering allegedly shared on the social media by a boy from the area, a... Read more > 21:22 3 dead, 14 missing after two tourist boats capsize in China File image Three people drowned and 14 others were missing after two tourist boats capsized on a river in Guizhou Province on Sunday, official media reported. The tourist boats capsized on a river in Qianxi City, leaving three people dead and 14 others missing, state-run Xinhua news agency... Read more > 21:17 Deora mocks Uddhav for 'vacationing in Europe' during Pahalgam attack Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday took potshots at Uddhav Thackeray for being on vacation in Europe while bullets flew in Pahalgam. By contrast, Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde helped the victims, Deora said in a post on X. From sons of... Read more > 21:17 Deora mocks Uddhav for 'vacationing in Europe' during Pahalgam attack Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday took potshots at Uddhav Thackeray for being on vacation in Europe while bullets flew in Pahalgam. By contrast, Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde helped the victims, Deora said in a post on X. From sons of... Read more > 21:15 Deora mocks Uddhav for 'vacationing in Europe' during Pahalgam attack Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday took potshots at Uddhav Thackeray for being on vacation in Europe while bullets flew in Pahalgam. By contrast, Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde helped the victims, Deora said in a post on X. From sons of... Read more > 21:13 Woman's body stuffed into trolley bag found in Gurugram File image A woman's body drenched in blood and stuffed into a black trolley bag left on the side of a road near Shiv Nadar School, the police said on Sunday.The police said the body, which has deep injuries on her head, has not been identified yet. The Gurugram police announced a reward of Rs 25,000... Read more > 20:50 Blackout rehearsal in Ferozepur amid India-Pak tension File image The Ferozepur Cantonment Board has announced a 30-minute blackout rehearsal on Sunday amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The blackout rehearsal will be conducted in the cantonment area from 9 pm to 9:30 pm, according to a... Read more > 20:29 Assam: 5 cops suspended, OC shifted over 'assault' of man in police station File image Five police personnel were suspended on Sunday, and the officer in-charge of a police station in Assam's Tinsukia district was transferred after it was alleged that they were involved in assaulting a man, officials said.An enquiry was also ordered by Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip,... Read more > 20:16 Man jailed for 'pro-Pakistan' comment on social media in UP A man has been sent to jail in this Uttar Pradesh district for allegedly posting a comment in support of Pakistan on social media, the police said.The accused, Faizan Khan, allegedly wrote Pakistan Zindabad (Long Live Pakistan) from one of his social media accounts.Circle officer Gyanendra Pratap... Read more > 20:15 Sitharaman heads to Milan for 58th ADB annual meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank, scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from May 4-7. The meetings will be attended... Read more > 19:33 Man, woman held for assaulting female passenger on express train in Maha The Government Railway Police on Sunday arrested two persons, including a woman, for allegedly assaulting a female co-passenger on an express train near Palghar in Maharashtra, an official said.The complainant also alleged that she was molested during the attack.Assistant commissioner of police... Read more > 19:09 BJP MLA booked for hate speech at K'taka temple event BJP MLA Harish Poonja/ANI Photo A case has been registered against Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Harish Poonja for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Brahmakalashotsava (consecration ceremony) at the Gopalakrishna Temple in Thekkaru village in Dakshina Kannada district. According to the police, complainant... Read more > 18:53 3 detained in Rajasthan for 'selling' NEET paper for Rs 40 lakh Three men were detained by the Special Operations Group of Rajasthan police for allegedly trying to dupe a NEET candidate of Rs 40 lakh by promising him the question paper, an officer on Sunday said. The accused were identified as Balwan, 27, Mukesh Meena, 40, and Hardas, 38, according to... Read more > 18:52 Brahmins protest in K'taka over removal of sacred thread at NEET exam centre File image Members of the Brahmin community staged a protest outside a NEET exam centre in Kalaburagi, demanding accountability after some students of the community were asked to remove their sacred thread (Janivara) before entering the exam hall. This incident comes close on the heels of a similar one... Read more > 18:43 Cong will back any action by Centre on Pahalgam attack: Priyanka Gandhi Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday said her party would fully support any action the central government takes in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. She noted that the Congress Working Committee has already passed a resolution affirming this... Read more > 18:29 Portals of Badrinath open, temple adorned with 15 tons of flowers Devotees throng Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand/ANI Photo The portals of the Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were opened for devotees on Sunday after a six-month closure. Amid Vedic chants, the doors of the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu were opened at 6 am. Fifteen tons of flowers of various varieties adorned the temple... Read more > 18:09 SC to hear batch of pleas against Waqf Act tomorrow File image The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a batch of pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act's constitutional validity, weeks after the government paused two central aspects of the contentious law in the face of probing questions by the top court. The Centre assured the apex court... Read more > 17:46 Raj MLA detained in Jaipur on charges of corruption MLA Jaikrishn Patel/Image courtesy Instagram The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Rajasthan on Sunday detained Bharat Adivasi Party MLA Jaikrishn Patel in a corruption case, officials said on Sunday. A team of the ACB went to the MLA's quarters in Jyoti Nagar after a complaint that demanded a bribe. He was detained and brought to the ACB... Read more > 17:30 33 Sambhal schools fined for forcing students over book purchases File image The district administration has fined 33 private schools Rs 1 lakh each for allegedly compelling students to purchase textbooks from specific sellers and using textbooks from private publishers, in violation of state regulations. According to an official statement issued by district... Read more > 16:54 Missile threat: AI's Tel Aviv flight diverted to Abu Dhabi File image An Air India flight from the national capital to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday as there was a missile attack near the airport in the Israeli city, according to sources. The airline has also suspended the Tel Aviv flights till May 6. The attack happened less than an hour... Read more > 16:44 India suspends X accounts of Bilawal, Imran Khan Following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been suspended in... Read more > 16:20 China's Xi to visit Russia from May 7-10, attend V-day celebrations Chinese President Xi Jinping Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Russia from May 7-10, during which he will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and attend the Victory Day celebrations, the Kremlin said on Sunday. During the talks, the main issues of further development of... Read more > 16:03 3 soldiers killed as Army vehicle falls into gorge in J-K File image Three Army personnel were killed when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 700-feet deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Sunday, officials said. The army truck was part of a convoy moving from Jammu to Srinagar along national highway 44 when the... Read more > 15:19 'Raid 2' starring Ajay Devgn collects over Rs 50 cr in three days Ajay Devgn-starrer Raid 2 has earned Rs 51.31 crore nett at the box office during its first weekend, the makers announced on Sunday.Also starring Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor, the film released in theatres on May 1. It is directed by Raj Kumar Gupta.Production banner T-Series shared the box... Read more > 14:40 Four Bangladeshis held from Delhi's Azadpur Sabzi Mandi File image The Delhi police apprehended four allegedly illegal Bangladeshi nationals disguised as transgender people from the Azadpur Sabzi Mandi area in northwest Delhi, an official said on Sunday. The arrests came following a surveillance operation on Saturday and they have been handed over to the... Read more > 14:19 After Indus, India cuts water flow through Baglihar dam A view of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project built on the Chenab River India has stanched the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River, a source said. The source familiar with the matter said these hydroelectric dams -- Baglihar in Ramban in Jammu and Kishanganga in... Read more > 14:14 BTech student found hanging in IIT Kharagpur hostel room A third-year BTech student of IIT Kharagpur was found hanging in his hostel room on Sunday, an official said. The body of Mohammad Asif Qamar was found hanging in his hostel room in Madanmohan Malviya Hall in IIT Kharagpur campus, the official said. Qamar was a third-year student of the... Read more > 13:49 4 arrested for taking money from NEET aspirants for medical seat The police arrested four members of an interstate gang here for allegedly taking money from NEET aspirants for admission to medical college, an officer said.The four persons including two from Odisha were arrested by Bhubaneswar Special Crime Unit on Saturday, Commissioner of Police, S D Singh... Read more > 13:19 Pahalgam: IAF chief meets Modi amid India-Pak tension Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the backdrop of increasing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack. The Air chief held a meeting with PM Modi, sources said without giving further details. Navy... Read more > 12:42 Two killed, one injured after tree falls during storm in MP's Chhatarpur File image Two persons were killed and one sustained injuries when a tree fell on them during a storm in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district, the police said on Sunday. The incident occurred at Gunjora village in the Ram Toriya Panchayat on Saturday evening, an official said. Sub-divisional... Read more > 12:39 A group of boys threatened me at concert: Sonu Nigam Singer Sonu Nigam, who is currently facing an FIR for allegedly offending the sentiments of Kannadigas during a recent concert in Bengaluru, has stated that he was threatened by a small group of boys to sing in Kannada at the event. He also urged people not to generalise or hold the entire... Read more > 12:34 Earthquake of magnitude 3.1 hits Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 struck Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district on Sunday morning, as per the National Center for Seismology (NCS). According to the NCS, the tremor occurred at 9:30 AM at a depth of 10 kilometers.Earlier on May 3, another earthquake of magnitude 2.8 hit Madhya... Read more > 12:17 6 illegal Bangladeshi women detained in Delhi The Delhi police detained six Bangladeshi women who were living in different parts of Delhi, allegedly without valid documents, an officer said on Sunday.According to deputy commissioner of police (East), Abhishek Dhania, the operation was initiated following a tip-off received at Mandawali... Read more > 11:48 Toll rises to 3 in Jharkhand's hospital corridor collapse The toll rose to three in the collapse of a state-run hospital corridor in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district as one more body was recovered from there, an official said on Sunday. Two others, who were injured in the incident, are undergoing treatment, he said. Jharkhand health... Read more > 11:37 Two held in Amritsar on charge of spying for Pak In a counter-espionage operation, Punjab Police arrested two persons for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of army cantonment areas and air bases in Amritsar. Director general of police Gaurav Yadav on Sunday said the Amritsar Rural police arrested Palak... Read more > 11:17 Assam: 39 arrested for 'defending Pakistan' Two more persons have been apprehended in Assam for 'defending Pakistan on Indian soil', taking the total number of arrested people to 39 since the Pahalgam terror attack last month, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.Sarma also said the two were arrested from Hojai and South... Read more > 10:40 India warns commercial ships amid naval drills India's maritime authorities have issued a navigation warning for commercial ships to exercise caution in view of the Indian Navy's ongoing drills in the Arabian Sea, even as Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is understood to have briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the overall... Read more > 10:26 Portals of Badrinath open, temple adorned with 15 tons of flowers The portals of the Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were opened for devotees on Sunday after a six-month closure.Amid vedic chants, the doors of the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu were opened at 6 am. Fifteen tons of flowers of various varieties adorned the temple and an... Read more > 09:38 Man breaks into Seema Haider's house, claims she did 'black magic' Police have arrested a man for allegedly breaking into Seema Haider's house in Noida on Saturday, officials said.He claimed that she had done 'black magic' on him.Police identified the accused as Tejas, a resident of Surender Nagar in Gujarat.They said that Tejas seemed 'mentally disturbed' and... Read more > 09:36 Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after import ban Pakistan has banned the use of its ports by Indian flag carriers, hours after New Delhi imposed fresh punitive measures, including a ban on import of goods and entry of Pakistani ships into its ports, against Islamabad. India on Saturday imposed a ban on the import of goods coming from or... Read more > 09:33 NEET aspirant ends life in Kota a day before exam A NEET (National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test) aspirant allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from an iron grille of her room in Parshavnath area of Kota ahead of the national medical entrance exam scheduled on Sunday, police said.While refusing to disclose the name of the student,... Read more > STORY: DAVIS: "We love this country, but we don't love what it has become. :: New York Doris Davis and her wife Susie Bartlett are eyeing a move to Europe. Their reason? U.S. President Donald Trump. :: June 16, 2015 The New York City couple say they were willing to give Trump a chance during his first term :: January 20, 2025 But they had watched in alarm as he returned to the White House and ended a range of policies aimed at promoting racial equity and rights for LGBTQ+ people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When your identity is being attacked, there is a personal sense of just, you know, anger, frustration. // If he had won by one electoral vote, we were still, we were still leaving, because the end result is that he would be president. But the magnitude of it just really underscored how pervasive his thinking had permeated society here in the States." Theyre now working with an immigration lawyer to assess options in Europe. Davis and Bartlett are part of an increased number of Americans considering relocating, though the overall figures of those leaving remain quite small. That's according to government visa and citizenship data and Reuters interviews with eight relocation firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, U.S. applications for Irish passports were at their highest level in a decade in the first two months of this year, up around 60% from the year before. And applications for UK passports in the last three months of 2024 were a record of any quarter in the past two decades. :: February 3, 2020 While one Italian immigration adviser told Reuters that some Americans, mainly Republicans, eyed a move after Joe Biden's 2020 win, most firms said there's been a larger spike in interest since Trump returned to the White House. But there are right-wing populist parties making political gains in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Italy, the conservative government portrays itself as a guardian of traditional values. And in Germany, the AfD came second in a recent election, the best performance by a far-right party since World War Two. CHRISHAN WRIGHT: "We've seen right wing factions start to rear their head in other countries..." :: Lisbon, Portugal Chrishan Wright is the founder of Blaxit, an organization that helps Black Americans move abroad. The New York native, who moved to Portugal in 2023, says traffic to her site jumped over 50% after the election. Wright says some Americans are still willing to make the move despite the political situation in some European countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Generally speaking, I think Americans still are flocking to European countries, and Portugal in particular. While there is a growing right wing movement across many countries that is troublesome, nobody has a crystal ball in terms of how this is going to play out." But many hurdles exist for those looking to move. Relocation platform Relocate.me said difficulties in securing jobs abroad, restrictions on remote work, lower salaries in Europe and the U.S. tax system, are among the obstacles. And some Europeans - already struggling to cope with mass tourism and a housing crisis - have turned against the arrival of more Americans. ISTANBUL (AP) The leader of Turkeys main opposition party was attacked as he left a memorial ceremony in Istanbul on Sunday. Ozgur Ozel, who heads the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, was leaving the Ataturk Cultural Center in the city center when a white-haired man approached him and struck him in the face with an open hand, televised footage showed. Ozel, who was attending a memorial for Sirri Sureyya Onder, a pro-Kurdish politician who died Saturday, was said to be unhurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was detained, according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office. The Interior Ministry later said the attacker was a 66-year-old man who killed his two children in 2004 and was released on parole in 2020. The Cumhuriyet newspaper reported that he shot and stabbed his son and daughter, aged 19 and 17, respectively. The incident renewed fears over the safety of politicians in Turkey. In 2019, Ozels predecessor as CHP leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, was assaulted while attending a soldiers funeral in Ankara province. Brazilian Police said Sunday that two people were arrested who were involved in a plot to set off a bomb at Lady Gagas free concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Copacabana Beach, according to AP. The concert was attended by a record-breaking 2.5 million fans, which is the highest number of attendees ever achieved by a female artist, according to concert organizers. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local law enforcement said they had collaborated with the Justice Ministry to thwart the attack, which was reportedly planned by a group inciting hate speech toward the LGBTQ community. Brazilian Police said that the group aimed to radicalize and enlist teenagers to execute the attack using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails. Representatives for Lady Gaga did not immediately respond to Varietys request for comment. The plan was treated as a collective challenge with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media, said local police. Law enforcement maintains that they arrested two individuals involved in the attack. One of them was the leader of the group, arrested on illegal weapons possession charges in Rio Grande do Sul. The other was a teenager, arrested on charges of child pornography in Rio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local authorities said that police went on to raid the locations of 15 more suspects across numerous Brazilian states and seized phones and electronics. According to the Justice Ministry, those involved with the attack falsely claimed themselves as Little Monsters, a nickname for Lady Gagas fanbase. This was in order to contact teenagers and indoctrinate them in networks with violent and self-destructive content. Local police said that the arrests were executed with discretion on Saturday in an attempt to avoid panic or distortion of information among the population. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. GIRARD, Ohio (WKBN) A motorcycle crash caused a lane closure on I-80 eastbound Saturday night. The right-hand lane of I-80 eastbound onto the Salt Springs ramp was closed but has since reopened. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, two were injured in the crash. The extent of the injuries is unknown. First News is working to get more information. Check back here for updates. Abigail Cloutier and Chelsea Simeon 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 WKBN.com. He survived Russias invasion of Ukraine, evacuated women and children in Kyiv to safety, and then crossed the border to escape the war. But after he arrived at the Krome North Service Processing Center in southwest Miami-Dade County, Maksym Chernyak, 44, suffered a stroke. Staff took more than 40 minutes to call 911. Later that day, on Feb. 18, a doctor wrote that Chernyak had irreversible brain damage. He died two days later. In neurology we have a saying that is time is brain meaning that every minute a stroke is not treated is brain tissue lost or damaged, said Altaf Saadi, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of neurology at Harvard University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chernyaks death came about a month after a 29-year-old Honduran man also held at the immigration detention center died of complications of schizoaffective disorder. The autopsy ruling for Genry Ruiz-Guillen shocked doctors, who described it as an insufficient explanation for how he might have died. While the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department ruled that both men died of natural causes, a Miami Herald investigation found evidence of what experts described as questionable medical care for the two immigrants. Aerial view of the Krome Detention Center in West Miami, on Friday May 02, 2025. Between December and April, four people died in immigration detention in Florida, accounting for half of all fatalities in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody so far in fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 2024 through September 2025. The most recent death was of 44-year-old Marie Ange Blaise, who died on April 25 at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. Officials have not yet released her cause of death. Reporters obtained more than 150 pages of autopsy, toxicology, death reports, and available medical histories for Chernyak, Ruiz-Guillen and a 60-year-old Guyanese immigrant who died in December. The Herald consulted with nine medical experts including cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and a forensic pathologist who reviewed records for one or more of the cases. They were alarmed at the treatment of Chernyak and Ruiz-Guillen and questioned whether they got adequate care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chernyaks case was heartbreaking, Saadi said. There was this neurological emergency someone who was not responsive after a seizure and a medical professional did not activate 911 for 45 minutes. ICE officials have yet to respond to a detailed list of questions explaining the mens deaths. On April 7, reporters requested internal mortality reviews and additional medical records, but the request is still pending. The Herald was told that footage of Ruiz-Guillens time at Krome is not available, because the agency does not keep videos longer than 60 days. In an emailed statement to the Herald, an ICE spokesperson wrote that detainees receive medical screening within 12 hours of arrival at a detention center, and a full health assessment in the first 14 days. The ICE Health Service Corps has over 1,600 employees and 24-hour emergency care nationwide. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all aliens in its care and remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments, the spokesperson wrote. At no time during detention is a detained individual denied emergent care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruiz-Guillen had spent more than a month at Krome, where he suffered from seizures and confusion, before he was eventually admitted to Larkin South Community Hospital, part of the Larkin Health System. He was moved to three Larkin hospitals in the following month as his symptoms continued. His toxicology report shows numerous medications in his system. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner of New York City, has conducted more than 20,000 autopsies and investigated high-profile deaths, including those of Medgar Evers and George Floyd. He reviewed the autopsies and said the finding that Ruiz-Guillen died of complications of schizoaffective disorder does not answer the question of how he died. Mental illness, by itself, is not a proper cause of death, Baden said. In this instance, its the complications of the mental illness thats important, and the complications that I see are too many drugs in his system. A death report shows Ruiz-Guillen had a potentially fatal, muscle-breakdown condition called rhabdomyolysis, which Baden said can develop in people who have been restrained. A spokesperson for the Larkin Health System declined to share Ruiz-Guillens medical records, citing privacy laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot comment on any details surrounding a specific patient, Patricia Vila said in an emailed statement to the Herald. Patient confidentiality is required by law and ensures respect for the deceased and their family. Joshua A. Gordon is the chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. He reviewed the autopsy, toxicology and death reports and said that without hospital records its unclear how the drugs in Ruiz-Guillens system were administered. But he too questioned the number of drugs three anti-psychotics and an antidepressant. He said the weeks of rhabdomyolysis are most concerning and can be indicative of a poor reaction to medication. If all four drugs were being simultaneously administered, he said, I would consider that a departure from standard of practice, highly unusual and potentially dangerous. Patient appeared intoxicated Chernyak and his long-term partner, Oksana Tarasiuk, were living together in Kyiv when Russian troops poured across the border in February 2022. Tarasiuk said they fled soon after the war began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were basically fleeing all of that: the horror, the pain, the destruction, Tarasiuk said through an interpreter. Weve lost everything we had in Ukraine. A photo of Oksana Tarasiuk and her late partner, Maksym Chernyak, who died on Feb. 20, 2025, in ICE custody. Tarasiuk described her partner as kind and warm-hearted. He has one child from a previous relationship, and his parents still live in Ukraine. Maksym was not just the person I loved, she said. He was also someone to lean on, and my hope. On Jan. 26, Chernyak was arrested and charged with domestic battery, records show. Tarasiuk told the Herald it was a family misunderstanding, worsened by a language barrier with police. Records show she submitted an affidavit days later to have the case dismissed. But it was too late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day that he was arrested, ICE requested that local law enforcement transfer him to the agencys custody under a policy known as an immigration detainer. On Feb. 2, a Broward County jail released him to Krome. Krome is a federal facility designed to hold immigrants awaiting legal proceedings or deportation. It frequently treats patients with chronic illness in its medical clinic. In recent months, detainees and their families told the Herald the facility was at a breaking point, with inhumane conditions and overcrowding. One man, who was also held at Krome in February, told reporters that rooms were so packed detainees were practically sleeping on their feet. Chernyaks medical screening at Krome, obtained by the Herald, was noted to be normal with slightly elevated blood pressure but no previous reported medical conditions, seizures, head injuries, or substance abuse. He was given a form written in Russian on how to reduce stress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the following two weeks, nurses logged slightly elevated blood-pressure levels for Chernyak two more times. Under guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, the levels met standards for hypertension. On Feb. 18, at 2:32 a.m., Krome staff reported a medical emergency and found Chernyak vomiting on his top bunk bed. His leg was shaking. He showed seizure-like activity and his eyes were non-reactive to light. According to a nurses narrative written several hours later, officers and nurses put him in a wheelchair to take him to Kromes clinic, but he slid onto the floor, unable to even sit. Patient appeared intoxicated, the nurse wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid worsening symptoms, staff brought him to the facility clinic and decided to rule out intoxication, records show. The nurse wrote that he had five seizures in about 25 minutes between 3:20 and 3:45 a.m. She called 911 at this time, according to medical records from Krome. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue documents show 911 first received a call at 3:17 a.m. more than 40 minutes after the emergency had started. The first ambulance arrived at Krome at 3:28 a.m., fire rescue records show, and a second arrived at 3:49 a.m. to transport him to a hospital. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue documentation from the morning of Feb. 18, when Maksym Chernyak had a stroke. Hilder Lainez-Alvarez, 37, a married father of five from Nicaragua, slept in the bunk below Chernyak for more than a week. He said that during the stroke, he and others told staff that Chernyak was not intoxicated. I have to go to a psychiatrist for what I have seen after the death of this poor man, said Lainez-Alvarez, who is still at Krome and spoke to reporters on the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three neurologists who reviewed the records for the Herald said its hard to speculate, but had 911 been called earlier in Chernyaks case, the story could have been different. Saadi, the Harvard neurologist, questioned the response to treat him for intoxication, given he had been in a controlled detention center for nearly a month. She said she doesnt know why someone would assume that and not think more comprehensively about his clinic picture. Treating the person sort of as promptly as possible and getting them medical care is of the utmost importance in terms of preventing mortality and morbidity, she said. It was just sort of this, you know, waiting to see whats going to happen and thats certainly substandard care. Around 4:40 a.m., Chernyak arrived at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital and doctors immediately initiated a stroke alert. An autopsy shows he had a hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in the part of the brain that controls a persons ability to move. Strokes like his are often caused by high blood pressure that damages or ruptures blood vessels in the brain. Studies show that symptoms worsen in the first 30 to 90 minutes, according to Harvard Medical School. As soon as Tarasiuk heard, she rushed to the hospital with an interpreter. She wasnt allowed to see him. Two days later, she met with lawyers to discuss Chernyaks case. The criminal charges against him were being dismissed, they told her, and they were preparing paperwork to remove him from ICE custody. She was taken to a waiting room. Minutes later, the lawyer returned and told her Chernyak had died. She screamed and cried, she said, and asked to see him. She was told that because there was an ongoing investigation, she could not view his body. In his apartment, she placed his wooden urn between two vases of white roses. Im 100% sure that if not for all these conditions he was in, if not for all the injustice, he would still be alive, she said. Oksana Tarasiuk in the Hallandale Beach apartment that she shared with her partner until he died in ICE custody on Feb. 20, 2025. Her humanitarian parole expires in 2026. For now, she is working for Uber Eats. She is trying to repatriate the remains to Chernyaks parents in Ukraine. What does she want from the U.S. government? I would want them to stop tormenting people, she said. I feel that what is happening in Ukraine and what is happening in the U.S. now, how immigrants are being treated, is just inhumane. Another lawyer for the family, Katie Blankenship, said they plan to file a wrongful-death claim. What happened to Maksym Chernyak is a fate that no one should ever suffer, said Blankenship, who is a co-founder of Sanctuary of the South and represents multiple detainees at Krome. Our position is that if Maksym had not been in ICE custody he would still be alive today. Dizziness and fainting spells In December, Genry Ruiz-Guillen, 29, was hospitalized for nearly a week with acute psychosis, records show. The Herald requested medical records for Ruiz-Guillen at Krome but has yet to receive them. Attempts to reach his family for this article were unsuccessful. But medical professionals said the autopsy, toxicology, and death reports obtained by the Herald raise questions about his treatment and subsequent death. Ruiz-Guillen was transferred into ICE custody in October after an arrest on a domestic-battery charge. His intake shows no prior medical conditions, but his autopsy said family confirmed he had a history of schizoaffective disorder. At Krome, he had dizziness and fainting episodes, seizures and confusion. He fell in his room. On at least one occasion, he appears to have lost consciousness. He was referred to a cardiologist and a neurologist, but it is unclear if he saw either, and twice went to an ER. According to his death report, Ruiz-Guillen was transferred to nearby Larkin South Community Hospital on Dec. 9 after he struck an officer. At the second hospital, Larkin Behavioral Health Hospital Services, the report says he received psychiatric treatment. On Jan. 8, he was transferred to Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs for unresolved rhabdomyolysis: a life-threatening breakdown of muscle tissues. Throughout hospitalization he was described as aggressive, agitated and restless, according to the medical examiners report. His autopsy listed his cause of death as complications of schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness that can cause hallucinations, delusions, depression and other symptoms, but not death, experts say. Im infuriated, said Jim Recht, a psychiatrist and lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Lets say a person had schizoaffective disorder and they were agitated, and you shot them and killed them. You could say that the cause of death was complications of schizoaffective disorder. Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department autopsy for Genry Ruiz-Guillen, a 29-year-old Honduran man who died in ICE custody. Recht said medical conditions are often misdiagnosed in people with serious mental illness because those conditions are falsely attributed to an individuals behavior. The unresolved symptoms, he said, indicate that Ruiz-Guillen might have had an undiagnosed condition. Four psychiatrists said that without hospital records showing his treatment, it is hard to know what happened. But still they raised concerns about his symptoms, the medications in his system, and what they possibly indicated. Recht said his symptoms could possibly indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome a possibly fatal condition induced by anti-psychotics that is often treatable. If Ruiz-Guillen had it, he should have survived, Recht said. Baden pointed out that a drug found in his autopsy is commonly a street drug and controlled in Florida: Chlorophenylpiperazine. Psychiatrists said it could be a broken-down component of an anti-depressant found in his autopsy. Michael Ostacher, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, said he was surprised that Ruiz-Guillen died after a seven-week hospitalization. Its very unusual for somebody to die of the complications of schizoaffective disorder while theyre in the hospital being treated for schizoaffective disorder, he said. Im concerned that the care failed to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonable medical provider. Paul S. Appelbaum, the former president of the American Psychiatric Association, has conducted forensic evaluations in civil and criminal cases and is now a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University. Overcorrection of high potassium levels a complication listed on the autopsy is not a natural cause of death, he said. Thats a complication of the medical treatment and a medical error as opposed to a natural cause of death, he said. He described Ruiz-Guillen as a man who goes nearly three months with a set of serious symptoms and ultimately dies without a clear answer, or a clear course of treatment to address those symptoms being implemented. Thats a worrisome pattern, that people who are being confined under government supervision are dying for unexplained reasons, said Appelbaum. At least [Ruiz-Guillens] death seems unexplained and raises serious questions about the treatment that he received. The Herald requested clarity on Ruiz-Guillens cause of death, the medications he was receiving, and asked if he could have had neuroleptic malignant syndrome but the hospital declined to comment. Reporters submitted Freedom of Information Act requests for medical records that are still pending. But on one point, records are clear: Three months after Ruiz-Guillen was taken into ICE custody, he was dead. Miami Herald Staff Writer Julie K. Brown contributed to this report. This story was produced with financial support from the Esserman Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. Police in Brazil say they have arrested two people in conjunction with an apparent plot to bomb a Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, the free concert at Copacabana Beach drew more than two million people. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, along with the Justice Ministry, said the group that planned the attack had been spreading hate against the LGBTQIA+ community online. The group allegedly recruited participants to carry out the attacks using Molotov cocktails and other improvised explosive devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan was treated as a collective challenge with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media, police said. The accused ringleader of the planned attack was arrested on weapons charges while a teenager who was reportedly involved was arrested on child pornography. Authorities also said they raided the locations of 15 suspects across Brazil, seizing phones and other electronic devices. According to the Justice Ministry, those involved in the plot falsely presented themselves online as "Little Monsters," which is the nickname for Lady Gaga's fanbase. The group reportedly attempted to radicalize teenagers for their mission, using self-harm and violent content "as a form of belonging and challenge among young people." SNL50: THE HOMECOMING CONCERT -- Pictured: Lady Gaga performs on Friday, February 14, 2025 -- (Photo by: Theo Wargo/Peacock via Getty Images) Peacock/Getty Images Saturday's performance marked the first for Lady Gaga in Brazil since 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The show, which was held with increase security and went on without incident, set a record for the most attended concert by a female artist, with more than 2.5 million people showing up. Your spirit may be heard around the world tonight. Two and a half million people." Gaga told the crowd, via Variety. Gaga's publicists and concert promoters have not commented on the thwarted bomb attack at this time. EMMITSBURG, Md. (WPRI) Two firefighters from Rhode Island were among the 140 being honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial this weekend in Maryland. North Providence Battalion Chief John Carnegis died following a battle with cancer last year. Kingston Fire Districts Assistant Chief Allan LePage was killed in the line of duty in 2009 after getting trapped between a ceiling and the platform of the ladder at the firehouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A candlelight ceremony was held Saturday night and a memorial service took place on Sunday. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) shot down two Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters with AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles fired by Magura-7 drone boats, the head of the agency told The War Zone exclusively. This marks the first time fighter airecraft have been downed by drone boats and the first use of the AIM-9 from a drone boat for a kill. Its a historical moment, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told us. The War Zone cannot independently verify this claim. The incident took place in the Black Sea on Friday, said Budanov, who offered new details about what happened. Previous reporting from GUR, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Russian Telegram channels stated that one Flanker was shot down by an adapted infrared-guided R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video emerged on social media showing the first Flanker downing. Budanov said there were no videos or images of the second engagement. World first: On May 2, 2025, the @DI_Ukraine special operations unit, in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea. https://t.co/DXhg74AKcgpic.twitter.com/Z4fP5CFRb8 Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) May 3, 2025 GUR used three Magura-7 drone boats in the attack, with two of them firing on the jets, according to Budanov. The Magura-7 is an air defense variant of the Magura-5, he explained, declining to elaborate on the difference between the two Russia has captured an intact Ukrainian MAGURA V drone boat, Russian sources claimed. Via Twitter An intact Ukrainian MAGURA V5 drone boat that Russian forces recovered in November 2023. Via Twitter Budanov said that the crew of the first Su-30 survived and was picked up in the Black Sea by a civilian ship. Preliminary reports say the crew of the second jet was killed, he added. This is not the first time Ukraine has said it shot down an aircraft with a missile fired by a drone boat. In December, Ukraine claimed it used an R-73 fired from an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), better known as a drone boat, to down a Russian Mi-8 Hip helicopter over the Black Sea. You can see that encounter in the video below. GUR began installing AIM-9s on drone boats in January, Budanov said. He would not comment on whether this was the first time they had been fired at a target from a USV. In the past, we have only seen Soviet-designed air-to-air missiles used as SAMs mounted on Ukrainian drone boats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We use a couple of models [of missiles] on our Magura-7, but the best results [come from] the AIM-9, he noted. As we have previously noted, the AIM-9M is broadly similar to the R-73 in terms of capabilities and rough dimensions, but with one major difference. Video capture of a Ukrainian drone boat backing an R-73 air-to-air missile. (Via X) From our earlier reporting: More specifically, the AIM-9M has the all-aspect capability introduced on the AIM-9L model but provides all-around better performance. It has improved defense against infrared countermeasures, enhanced background discrimination capability, and a reduced-smoke rocket motor. The U.S. Air Force first received deliveries of the AIM-9M model in 1983. One thing the AIM-9M does not have, unlike the R-73, is high-off-boresight (HOBS) capabilities, where its seeker can be slaved far off its centerline axis to lock on and engage targets at extreme angles. This would make locking onto aircraft harder when mounted on a drone boat. Unless the launcher is articulated, and we have not seen that with prior Ukrainian SAM-configured drone boats, the vessel would have to point the missile at the target to get it into its seekers view, which is somewhat narrow. Its also worth noting that the Sidewinder has been adopted for surface-based naval air defense before in the Sea Chaparral configuration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has received an unspecified number AIM-9Ms from the United States and possibly its coalition of backers. The Pentagon has sent Ukraine an unspecified number of AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. USN We have previously suggested that Ukraine could use its donated AIM-9M missiles on its fighter aircraft, although we have not seen proof of this at this time. AIM-9s could also be used on Ukraines so-called FrankenSAMs. Russian Telegram channels acknowledged that one Flanker was downed by a drone-boat-launched missile and said the attack raised troubling issues. Three sad moments can be noted, which indicate, to put it mildly, problems in our military organization in the fourth year of the Special Military Operation, the popular War Correspondent Kitten Telegram channel complained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1. The enemy seized the initiative in the Black Sea. 2. The Black Sea Fleet, after the loss of the flagship [ Project 1164 Slava class cruiser Moskva] and a number of ships, has still not been restored in terms of combat capability. The fleet (what remains) is huddled in harbors and bays. 3. The enemy has an overwhelming advantage in the use of unmanned boats (USVs) with the ability to attack in any part of the water area and keep the coast of the Russian Federation and the adjacent airspace under control. Ukraine shot the Su-30 down about 50 km (about 31 miles) west of Novorossiysk, using the same tactics: lured it out and caught it, Russian military expert Vladislav Shurygin explained on Telegram. The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors. Both are alive, and the plane to hell with it. The main thing is that people are alive. Ukraine says it used drone-boat-launched AIM-9 missiles to shoot down two Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters, like this one depicted. (Photo by Igor Russak/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto Shurygin chided the Russian military for allowing Ukrainian drone boats to be so effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The very fact of a strike with a SAM is not new, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces already attacked in a similar way in December last year. But for some reason, many people are still surprised by this, he wrote. And the most important thing is that there are means to combat this threat. As practice has shown tonight, even ordinary [first-person view] FPV drones with competent operators effectively destroy [USVs]. Russia first began using FPV drones to attack Ukrainian USVs in May of 2024. Against the backdrop of yesterdays attack on Novorossiysk and the loss of the Su-30SM, questions are being asked about how to solve the problem of coastal defense without having to send planes to fire cannons at the [USVs] like in World War II, the Russian Two Majors Telegram channel posited. The answer is simple: look at the land theater of operations and the revolution in UAVs, which we wrote about back in early January. Unmanned aircraft are capable of solving the same problems at sea, and in conditions of lesser opposition. In addition to using FPV drones to target the USVs, Two Majors suggested using the long-established combination of the ZALA reconnaissance UAV and the Lancet loitering munitionUnlike the front lines, where they are hunted by interceptors and RADA radars, there is nothing like that over the Black Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ability to shoot down fast-moving jets with AIM-9 missiles is another step forward for Ukraines highly innovative applications for its drone boats and one more threat for Russian aviation to be wary of. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The U.S. Department of State has issued a new travel "warning," alerting travelers to a dangerous situation that is materializing overseas. U.S. embassies in foreign countries often post such alerts when conditions deteriorate in areas where U.S. citizens might travel. On May 2, 2025, the Department of State posted two such alerts to its X page. One of those alerts focused on an "illegal armed group" announcing an "armed strike," according to the State Department. The State Department labeled that travel warning a "security alert." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Colombia: Members of the illegal armed group Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, have announced an 'armed strike' in Choco Department May 2 at noon until May 5 at midnight," the alert says. "U.S. citizens should consider leaving Choco Department as soon as possible. If unable to leave, seek shelter and remain indoors. Do not confront armed individuals. Monitor local media," it adds. The State Department provided additional details on its website. If people can't leave the area, they are urged to do the following, according to a list provided on the State Department's website: Secure drinkable water Seek shelter and secure it to the best of your ability Remain indoors Do not confront guerrillas or armed individuals Maintain a high level of vigilance Be aware of your surroundings Keep a low profile Avoid crowds Monitor local media for security update Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 2, the State Department also posted a natural disaster alert warning of a possible tsunami in Chile, but that danger never materialized. On April 30, 2025, the State Department also warned of potentially dangerous demonstrations in Colombia. Related: Southwest Airlines Announces 'Unprecedented' Change Amid Free Bag Outrage Sign up for Trumps Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency. The idea of a war between Canada and the United States was inconceivable even a few months ago. Most Americans still dont believe its a possibility, or simply havent noticed their presidents occupationist rhetoric, or cant imagine a world in which a neighbor they have been at peace with for 150 years is suddenly an enemy. The very idea seems completely absurd. But Canada does not have the luxury of dismissing White House rhetoric as trolling. Canadians are imagining the unimaginable because they have to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trumps pointless and malicious trade war has been, by his own account, a prelude to softening up Canada economically so that it can be appropriated as the 51st state. He has brought up his plans for incorporating Canada into the union with Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney in private calls. The definitive end of the status quo came with the presidents casual comment that he would sell only deliberately downgraded F-47s to allies who purchased American military hardware, because someday, maybe theyre not our allies. From that point on, spending on equipment from the American military-industrial complex is a form of national suicide for any country in the free world. Canada could no longer comfortably sit within the American military sphere. In this stark moment, our nation has abruptly become an adversary of the most powerful country in the world. An American military threat is Canadas worst nightmare. And Canada is unprepared precisely because it never considered the U.S. to be a potential threat. Trust made Canada vulnerable. For 60 years at least, both Conservative and Liberal governments have worked toward greater integration with the United States. Our countrys trade and security policies have been built on the premise of American sanity. That assumption, it turned out, was a mistake, hopefully not a fatal one. What would a continental conflict look like? Conventional war between the United States and Canada would be highly asymmetric, to say the least. The U.S. possesses an enormous military, comprising more than a million men and women under arms. Canadas armed forces have 72,000 active members. Even worse, because of its deep-seated trust in the United States, Canada has built its forces around interoperability with U.S. forces, both for mutual continental protection, in binational projects such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and for expeditionary forces such as the NATO mission to Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This vulnerability does not mean that Canada would be there for the taking. The U.S. military does not have the capacity to seize the country, Scott Clancy, who served as a Colorado-based director of operations for NORAD, told me recently. Clancy served 37 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force and rose to the rank of major-general, and is intimately familiar with U.S. and Canadian military capabilities. They would have to seize specific points. And the more they went into cities, the more it would become unmanageable from an American military point of view. A continental war would, then, likely play out as an insurgent conflict in Canadian North Americaand across the U.S. homeland, as well. Lets say they just hold the oil fields, Clancy said, referring to a U.S. military occupation of Canadian oil reserves. Were not gonna roll over. And just because you attacked Alberta doesnt mean that were not gonna strike at you in New York. [Read: The Liberals who cant stop winning] When I interviewed half a dozen experts on insurgent conflict for my book The Next Civil War, they all agreed that insurgent conflict was the least predictable and containable. Aisha Ahmad, a political-science professor at the University of Toronto, told me she does not think Canadas reputation for gentleness would make it any less brutal as an opponent. Theres no such thing as a warrior race, said Ahmad, who is an expert on insurgency who has conducted field work in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Lebanon, Mali, and Kenya. Nobody is born an insurgent. Insurgency is what happens when someone kills your mom. Just one soldier firing on a protester at a rally could be the spark. All of these cute, latte-drinking TikToker students, she said. You look at them and you dont see insurgents. But if you kill their moms, the Geneva Convention will not save you. An occupying military force has three strategies for dealing with insurgent conflicts, none of which work. The first we could call Groznification: complete suppression, as the Russian army did in Chechnya at the turn of the century. Even the destruction of any means of resistance works only temporarily, as Colonel Gaddafi learned in Libya. Hearts and minds, the strategy applied in Iraq and Afghanistan, is also ineffective: If you build hospitals and then fill them with corpses, you just generate more insurgents. The third option is decapitation, but the systematic targeting of insurgent networks leadersthe idea behind the recent U.S. air strikes on the Houthis in Yemencan easily be countered by detailed succession plans. And killing leadership has the unintended consequence of fragmenting the insurgencys power structures, so that, if you ever do want to negotiate a peaceful settlement, you have dozens of mini-insurgencies to deal with, rather than a single contained force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canadian population would present particular challenges to any counterinsurgency strategy. The Taliban would look lightweight, Ahmad told me. Canada has all of the attributes to have an even fiercer insurgency than the other places in the world where I study these problems. Canada has the most educated population in the Group of Seven advanced industrial nations, which for a resistance movement would be an asset in being able to identify pressure points, in being able to know what critical infrastructure is, in being able to develop technology and weapons that can be highly disruptive, Ahmad said. The scale and the capacity would be so much higher. If only one in 100 Canadians took up arms against an American occupation, that force would be 10 times the estimated size of the Taliban at the outset of the Afghan War. And that force would consist of machine-learning specialists and petroleum engineers rather than shepherds and subsistence farmers. Canadians are already a well-armed population. More than a quarter of Canadian households own a gun. Consider, also, the Canadian landscape, which is vast beyond imagination and would provide ideal cover for insurgents. To give you an idea of that wilderness, Manitoba alone, one of 10 Canadian provinces, has some 90,000 unnamed lakeseven Canadians cant keep track of their territory. In short, a continental conflict would be an unmitigated act of murderous folly. But murderous folly is not beyond the capacity of this new iteration of the United States. [David Frum: How the U.S. lost the Canadian election] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the once-unthinkable idea of a war between Canada and the United States is growing less unthinkable. Before the 2024 U.S. election, 12 percent of Republicans viewed Canadians as unfriendly or an enemy. Now that number is 27 percent. Persuading the military to carry out an attack on Canada would probably be more difficult than convincing the population to support such an attack. The American officer class is trained, from the beginning, in the duty not to follow orders, and combat operations against Canada would involve fighting against fellow soldiers who shed blood beside them in Afghanistan and other theaters. Canadian and American soldiers have attended a great number of one anothers funerals. But turning the U.S. military is far from impossible. The Trump administration fired the commander of a Space Force base in Greenland the moment she expressed a position wavering from his annexationist aims there. The Naval Academy has already purged its library and canceled various speakers. At least some of the U.S. militarys leaders are on board with the ideological purification of their institutions. The conditions required for the occupation of Canada would also mean the end of American democracy. That, too, is not an impossible outcomeand a U.S. military adventure might even have both objectives in view. The orchestration of a security crisis allows the incumbent government to declare emergency powers and bypass ordinary politics, Ahmad said. The Trump administration has already signaled that it wants a third term. The 2028 election will be a watershed. If Trump decides to run again, a manufactured emergency over Canada would be a convenient excuse for overturning the constitutional barriers. Nobody wants to believe that a continental conflict could happen. Very few Ukrainians, right up until the point of Russias 2022 invasion, believed that their malignant neighbor would invade. Canadians cannot afford complacency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reflecting on U.S.-Canadian relations in happier times, President John F. Kennedy said: Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. Now, and for the foreseeable future, Trump has sundered us. And yet, even so, our fates remain entwined. The end of America would destroy Canada. The occupation of Canada would destroy America. Article originally published at The Atlantic LONDON (Reuters) -British counter-terrorism police have arrested eight men including seven Iranians in two separate operations, officers said, in what the interior minister called some of the biggest investigations of their kind in recent years. Five men, four of them Iranian nationals, were arrested on Saturday over a suspected plot to target specific premises, London's Metropolitan Police said on Sunday without naming the site. The men, aged between 29 and 40, were arrested in West London and the English towns and cities of Swindon, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester, police said. There was no information on the nationality of the fifth man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are exploring various lines of enquiry to ... identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter," Commander Dominic Murphy, who heads London police's Counter Terrorism Command, said. Iran's embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Three Iranian nationals aged between 39 and 55 were also arrested in London on Saturday in a second operation that was not related to the first, the Metropolitan Police said. They were detained for suspected involvement in foreign power threat activity under the National Security Act - legislation which came into force in 2023 to counter hostile states' actions in the UK, the force added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searches were ongoing at their addresses, the police statement read. "These were two major operations that reflect some of the biggest counter state threat and counter terrorism operations that we have seen in recent years," interior minister Yvette Cooper told reporters. "This reflects the complexity of the kinds of challenges to our national security that we continue to face," she said. The arrests come at a time of intense scrutiny of suspected Iran-backed activities in Britain. Domestic spy chief Ken McCallum saying last year that since 2022, officers had responded to 20 Tehran-backed plots that potentially posed lethal threats to British citizens and residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, an Austrian national was convicted of carrying out "hostile reconnaissance" against the London headquarters of Iran International, a broadcaster which is critical of Iran's government. The following year, a British journalist of Iranian origin who worked for Iran International was stabbed in London. The government has placed Iran on the highest tier of its foreign influence register, requiring Tehran to register everything it does to exert political influence in the UK. (Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru, and Michael Holden and Muvija M in London; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens) LONDON (AP) UK police arrest several Iranian men over an alleged plot to attack a site in London. LONDON (AP) British counterterrorism officers arrested four Iranian men over an alleged plot to attack an unspecified target and three others over a national security threat, police said Sunday. The government called them the biggest counter state threat and counterterrorism operations for years. The Metropolitan Police force said five men aged between 29 and 46 were detained Saturday in various parts of England under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Four are Iranian citizens and the nationality of the fifth was still being established. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the attack plot targeted a single location that was not being named for operational reasons. It said the premises was being given "advice and support." All the suspects were being questioned at police stations and have not been charged. Police said they are searching several properties in London, the Manchester area of northwest England and Swindon in western England. Forensic officers in blue overalls were photographed at a house in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where one of the men was detained. Three of the counterterror arrests took place in the Greater Manchester area, one in London and one in Swindon. Rochdale resident Kyle Warren told Sky News he heard a massive bang and saw 20 or 30 police with guns drag a man from a neighboring house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen a man getting pulled out from the back, basically got dragged down the side entry and thrown into all the bushes and then handcuffed, he said. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the forces Counter Terrorism Command, said police are still working to establish a motive as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public. Separately, three other Iranian men, aged 39, 44 and 55, were arrested in London on suspicion of a national security offense as part of an unrelated investigation, police said. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said these were two major operations that reflect some of the biggest counter-state threat and counterterrorism operations that we have seen in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britains domestic intelligence service has warned of a growing threat from attackers linked to Tehran. Cooper said "the ongoing investigation is immensely important" to determine whether the arrests were connected to the Iranian state. She said this reflects the complexity of the kinds of challenges to our national security that we continue to face. In October, the head of the MI5 domestic security service, Ken McCallum, said his agents and police have tackled 20 potentially lethal plots backed by Iran since 2022, most aimed at Iranians in the U.K. who oppose the countrys authorities. He said at the time there was the risk of an increase in, or broadening of, Iranian state aggression in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East deepened. In March 2024, Pouria Zeraati, a presenter at a Farsi-language television station critical of the Iranian government, was stabbed in the leg outside his home in London. Two men were later arrested in Romania and charged over the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.K.s official terror threat level stands at substantial, the middle of a five-point scale, meaning an attack is likely. ___ A previous version of this story said the alleged target was in London. Police have not specified its location. Ukraine has claimed it shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea using a seaborne drone for the first time. This is the first time in the world that a combat aircraft has been destroyed by a marine drone, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine said in a statement on Saturday, adding it burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea. Ukraines military intelligence said one of its units destroyed the fighter jet on Friday with a Ukrainian Magura drone near the port of Novorossiysk - a key port city for Russia where Ukraine claims there are remnants of Russias Black Sea fleet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN could not independently verify Ukraines claims. Russias defense ministry has not commented on the incident, although the claim was backed up by a Russian military blogger. The Ukrainians brought more than three dozen sea-drones to the Novorossiysk area After [our] jet was hit, the crew ended up in the water, surrounded by enemy sea-drones, Fighterbomber said on Telegram Saturday. Ukraines military intelligence claimed in December last year it destroyed two Russian helicopters for the first time in the world using the seaborne Magura V5 missile drone created by Ukraines military and engineers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv has increasingly turned to drones to level the playing field with Russia, which boasts superior manpower and resources. Since Russias illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and following further losses after Russias 2022 invasion Ukraine no longer has a functioning navy in the Black Sea. Drones have proved effective against some of the toughest ships of Moscows Black Sea fleet. They are controlled from afar via a Starlink connection and can be pre-programmed for the long journeys across the Black Sea. In February last year, Ukraine said it sank the Ivanovets, a Russian guided-missile ship in the Black Sea. Its most notable strike was on the Moskva in April 2022, which was a huge morale boost for Kyiv in the early weeks of the war. After the attack on the Ivanovets, CNN interviewed Ukraines secretive sea drone unit behind the strike at a location near the Ukrainian coastal city of Odesa. One of the drone pilots behind the attack told CNN that 10 Magura drones were used in the attack, six of which hit and ultimately sunk the Russian warship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Ukraines drone pilots told CNN the drones are quite difficult to see in open sea, making it hard for Russians to target. CNNs Fred Pleitgen, Joseph Ataman, Daria Tarasova-Markina, Victoria Butenko, Christian Edwards and Alex Stambaugh contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine could receive up to 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 as part of the Czech-led ammunition procurement initiative. Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy highlighted Czechias substantial support in supplying artillery shells last year and expressed optimism about continued cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We expect this years cooperation to be just as productive. We discussed the possibility of receiving 1.8 million shells this year. Thats a very strong decision." Zelenskyy said. He added that he would meet with Czech defence companies on Monday 5 May: "We are preparing specifics." Background: Earlier, Czech authorities reported that under the Czech-led initiative to procure shells globally, regular monthly deliveries to Ukraine have been secured through September. The European Commission hopes that the number of shells delivered to Ukraine through European contributions will reach two million by the end of 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Andrii Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. Ukraine attacked the Strela electromechanical plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast on April 4, destroying two workshops, Russian pro-government Telegram channel Shot reported. The attack sparked a fire covering an area of 250 square meters (about 2,690 square feet), damaging critical infrastructure of the plant, Shot wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Strela plant, located in Suzemka near the Ukrainian border, produces radar equipment, transformers, chokes, and other electronics for Russia's defense, aerospace, and electronics industries. Andrii Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, claimed the facility can no longer operate after an attack. The governor of Bryansk Oblast, Alexander Bogomaz, confirmed a fire had broken out at an industrial plant in Suzemka but did not name the facility. "There was a fire at an industrial plant, production and administrative buildings were destroyed. There are no casualties," Bogomaz wrote on his official Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that one drone was destroyed over the region but did not comment on the strike or the damage to the Strela plant. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify all the claims. The strike on Strela comes as part of a broader wave of Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian military and industrial infrastructure. Ukrainian drones struck the Murom Instrument-Making Plant in Russia's Vladimir Oblast on April 30, damaging two buildings and sparking a fire. Read also: 4 killed, 30 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine said it shot down fighter jets with naval drones for the "first time in history." Ukraine's military intelligence service said it downed two Russian Su-30s in the Black Sea on Friday. Ukraine has developed a fleet of naval drones to counter Russia's navy. Ukraine said it shot down two Russian fighter jets with naval drones, describing it as the "first time in history" the technology had destroyed a crewed combat aircraft. A Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) special operations unit said on Saturday that it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea on Friday by using a missile launched from a naval drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR, then told The War Zone that a second Russian Su-30 was also downed by the missiles from the naval drones in the attack. The Su-30 fighter jets are estimated to cost about $50 million per unit. The GUR shared a video of an aircraft in the sky that appears to have been shot from below, which shows an aircraft-shaped object breaking apart and falling. The GUR said the strike was carried out by a missile launched from a Magura naval drone platform, which can carry missiles that the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence previously said would target Russian aircraft. Budanov told The War Zone that Ukraine used the Magura-7 version of the naval drone and that it used AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Su-30 is a multirole fighter that can do both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. Ukraine has destroyed others in its fight back against Russia's invasion. A Russian Air Force Su-30. Vitaly V. Kuzmin The GUR said the jet on Friday "was engulfed in flames mid-air before crashing into the sea" after the attack, which was done in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defence Forces of Ukraine. It said the strike happened near Russia's Novorossiysk port in Western Russia. Russia previously moved many of its vessels there from Sevastopol, the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea, as Ukraine damaged so many of its vessels there with attacks. Ukraine has also launched attacks on Novorossiysk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has developed a fleet of naval drones that have menaced Russia's navy. They, along with Ukraine's other weaponry, have allowed Ukraine to largely neutralize Russia's Black Sea Fleet without having any real navy of its own. The naval drones have also caused problems for Russia in the skies. Ukraine said in December that it destroyed a Russian helicopter with a naval drone for the first time, saying a Magura was used in that attack too. A spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to a Business Insider request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Key developments on May 3-4: Zelensky rejects Putins truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US US sanctions depend on whether Russia is 'behaving' on peace deal, Trump says US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11 people, including 2 children, damages shopping mall Czech initiative to deliver up to 1.8 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says Zelensky rejects Putins truce proposal as 'theatrical,' backs 30-day ceasefire plan from US Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putins proposal for a three-day ceasefire from May 79 as a "theatrical performance" designed to ease Russias international isolation and create a favorable atmosphere for the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Interfax Ukraine reported on May 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to journalists in a closed-door session, Zelensky reportedly said the proposal was not a serious attempt to end the war and reiterated Ukraines support for a U.S.-backed strategy calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Zelensky warned that Moscows history of violating short-term truces undermines any trust in its latest offer. "They kill until the 7th, pause for a couple of comfortable days, then start attacking again on the 11th," he said. Putins announcement, presented as a "humanitarian truce" from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11, came as the Kremlin continues to reject Ukraines calls for a complete cessation of hostilities. More than 50 days ago Ukraine has accepted the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow rejected it, demanding a complete halt on military aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "An unconditional ceasefire is a model that the Americans have proposed. We are following it. From this date or another date, preferably earlier," Zelensky said. "Yes, let's try 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? Because it is impossible to agree on anything in three, five, seven days." Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us He suggested Putins initiative was a gesture intended to simulate goodwill in response to peace signals reportedly delivered by Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. "This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because it is impossible to build any plan for the next steps to end the war in two or three days, Zelensky added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president said Kyiv is willing to begin the 30-day truce at any time "the 1st, 3rd, 5th, or if he needs the 7th fine, then from the 7th for 30 days." He emphasized, however, that without proper monitoring, any temporary pause risks being exploited by Russia. Zelensky said Ukraine had shared its position with the U.S., U.K., and France, and that Washington understood Russias proposal was unserious. "At least the official position of the White House is that they see this as just games on his part," Zelensky said. The Victory Day ceasefire is the latest in a series of truce initiatives announced by Moscow, which it has itself repeatedly violated. Earlier this month, Russia declared a ceasefire over the Easter holiday, though Zelensky accused Moscow of nearly 3,000 violations between April 19 and April 21. Ukraine has also said that Russian forces repeatedly breached a partial truce on attacks against energy facilities brokered on March 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands. Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns. Read also: Witkoffs negotiation approach with Putin sparks concern in White House, NYP reports US sanctions depend on whether Russia is 'behaving' on peace deal, Trump says Trump said in a wide-ranging interview with NBC News on May 4 that the U.S. may consider implementing additional sanctions against Russia if it does not reach a peace deal with Ukraine to end the war. When asked if Trump would sign a sanctions bill touted by close Republican ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said that "it depends on whether or not Russia is behaving toward coming to a peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want a peace deal. We want Russia and Ukraine to agree to a deal. We think were fairly close, and were going to save a lot of people from being killed," Trump continued. At least 72 U.S. senators are prepared to vote for "bone-crushing" sanctions against Russia and massive tariffs on countries supporting Moscow, Graham told reporters on May 1. When asked if Trump believes the parties are close to establishing a peace deal, Trump was not definitive in his response. "I do believe were closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. But well have to see. Id like to not say which one were closer to," Trump said, adding that he was pleased with the outcome of the minerals deal signed with Ukraine on May 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with the slow progression of peace negotiations, claiming on April 26 that Putin may be "tapping me along," and that Putin may not be interested in ending the war. When asked by NBC News whether Trump "misread" Putin's intentions to settle the war, Trump responded: "I have no idea." "No, Ill tell you about in a month from now, or two weeks from now," Trump said. "I can tell you this, hes his ambition was stopped to a large extent when he saw that it was me that was now leading the charge." Frustrated by the lack of progress, Trump has reportedly been wavering over his commitment to continue to serve as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. When asked about his commitment to see a peace deal being achieved, Trump said he " hope(s) it gets done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, there will be a time when I will say, 'Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting,'" Trump told NBC News. "Sometimes I get close to it, and then positive things happen." Read also: Putin constantly considers successors, has list of candidates, Russian leader says in documentary US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports A Patriot air defense system based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine after refurbishment, the New York Times reported on May 4, citing four unnamed current and former U.S. officials. According to the publication, Western allies are also discussing the logistics of supplying additional systems from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks across Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources declined to go into detail about Trump's stance on the decision or clarify whether the move was initiated before he took office, during former President Joe Biden's administration. The move comes amid a sharp increase in Russian strikes that have caused numerous casualties in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. Kyiv has consistently pressed Western partners to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, warning that its current capabilities are insufficient to counter the scale of Russian missile and drone assaults. The Patriot system, a U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform, is widely recognized for its high-precision detection, tracking, and interception of aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New York Times, Ukraine currently has eight Patriot systems, of which only six are operational. The remaining two are reportedly undergoing refurbishment. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's urgent need for air defenses in an April 13 interview with CBS News, saying Kyiv is ready to purchase 10 U.S.-made Patriot systems for $15 billion to shield densely populated cities. "We will find the money and pay for everything," Zelensky said, emphasizing Ukraine's intention to buy, not request, additional systems. Despite Kyiv's appeals, Trump dismissed the request on April 14, accusing Zelensky of "always looking to purchase missiles" and falsely blaming Ukraine for instigating the war. Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets using air-to-air missiles fired from Magura-7 sea drones near Novorossiysk on May 2, HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov told the War Zone on May 3. The operation marks the first time in history that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned boats. Initially, reports confirmed the destruction of only one jet, but Budanov later clarified that two aircraft were hit. "It's a historical moment," he told the publication. According to HUR, Group 13, a special operations unit within the agency, executed the strike. A video of the first downed Su-30 was released and widely shared on social media, though no visual evidence of the second strike has emerged. Budanov said the crew of the first jet survived and was rescued by a civilian vessel, while the second crew is believed to have been killed. The Sukhoi Su-30 is a $50 million twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter designed by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau. HUR claimed that the aircraft were hit midair and crashed into the Black Sea. The Kyiv Independent can't independently verify all the claims. The Magura-7 drone, deployed in this operation, is an air defense type of the Magura-5, which previously downed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters on Dec. 31. Ukraine has repeatedly used maritime drones to inflict heavy losses on Russian assets in the Black Sea. The Magura drones sank the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov on March 5, 2024, and the landing ship Caesar Kunikov on Feb. 14, 2024. Read also: Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in world-first strike, intelligence says Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11 people, including 2 children, damages shopping mall A wave of explosions was heard in Kyiv overnight on May 4 as Russia launched a drone attack against the capital, according to local authorities. At least 11 people were injured in the attack, including two children aged 14 and 17, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said via his official Telegram channel. Debris from the drones damaged several houses and vehicles in various parts of the city, including the Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Svyatoshynskyi districts. In the Obolonskyi district, the Dream Town shopping mall was damaged, and at least seven cars and the top floors of a high-rise caught fire. Russia stepped up its attacks against Ukrainian civilians in the past weeks, resulting in numerous casualties reported in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. Read also: I just hate the Russians Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive Czech initiative to deliver up to 1.8 million shells to Ukraine in 2025, Pavel says The Czech ammunition initiative will deliver up to 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of 2025, Czech President Petr Pavel said on May 4, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground. The announcement represents an additional 300,000 shells committed to Kyiv over what was announced by Prague earlier this year. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova previously said that the country supplied 1.5 million rounds of various calibers in 2024 and had enough funds to continue at the same pace until this fall. The initiative, backed by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries, has significantly boosted Ukraine's artillery, improving the shell ratio from 1-to-10 in Russia's favor to 1-to-2, Pavel said. The initiative was launched last year amid Ukrainian shell shortages, primarily caused by delays in U.S. military aid in early 2024. On April 27, Ukraine received 400,000 high-caliber rounds through the initiative. Pavel said that Prague intends to deliver additional shells next year but that decisions depends on the results of this year's parliamentary elections. Czechia's leading opposition party, ANO, said in January that it aims to suspend the initiative if it wins the parliamentary elections in October 2025. Zelensky, who arrived in the Czech Republic on May 4 for an official visit, is slated to meet with Czechia opposition members on May 5 in an attempt to bridge relations, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist present at the official visit. Today's visit to Prague marks Zelensky's first visit to the country since July 2023. In additional to additional shell production, the two leaders are also set to speak on additional areas of cooperation to support Kyiv's fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Valek also announced the Czechia and Ukraine will also sign a memorandum on mental health cooperation that will include human resources in experience-sharing as well as an undisclosed investment to support mental health assistance for Ukraine. Prague has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, supplying military aid, leading EU efforts to secure weapons, and hosting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. 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. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Czech Republic to discuss artillery, F-16 support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A rapid response unit from the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, also known as the Spartan Brigade, has successfully retaken a Russian-held position on the Pokrovsk front. Source: Oleksandr Pivnenko, Commander of Ukraines National Guard Details: The brigade reported that Ukrainian forces had breached Russian defensive lines and reclaimed a fortified position previously under Russian control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The soldiers dismounted from an armoured personnel carrier, which then opened fire to support the infantrys advance. Footage released shows the National Guard fighters attacking the Russian forces. Background: On 4 May, Ukraines Air Force released a video featuring the Patriot air defence system operator who intercepted a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile over Kyiv in 2023 for the first time ever. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PRAGUE (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that a ceasefire with Russia in its more than three-year-old war was possible at any moment and called on Kyiv's allies to apply greater pressure on Moscow to put the measure in place. Zelenskiy, speaking at a joint news conference in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel, said that unless increased pressure were applied, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would take no real steps to end the conflict. "We believe that without increased pressure, Russia will not take real practical steps to end the war. Today marks the 54th day that Russia has ignored even the American proposal to completely cease fire," Zelenskiy told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We believe that a ceasefire is possible at any moment, even starting today, and should last at least 30 days to give diplomacy a real chance." Putin last week declared a three-day ceasefire over May 8-10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Zelenskiy said such a measure is pointless and has called instead for an unconditional ceasefire over at least 30 days in line with a U.S. proposal launched in March. The Czech government has been a strong backer of Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and has led an initiative to supply Ukraine with large-calibre ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ZELENSKIY WANTS MORE SANCTIONS, PRESSURE ON MOSCOW The Ukrainian president said that rather than putting tanks on display at a May 9 victory parade, Putin should be thinking "about how to actually end his war". "Three things are needed. More sanctions against Russia, continued support for Ukraine, and a significant increase in defence cooperation across Europe," he said. "Russia must know that Europeans will defend themselves." Moscow has said it wants an unambiguous reply from Zelenskiy to its three-day offer. Pavel said Russia had yet to show any indication it wanted to proceed with measures to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is President Putin, who can do it with a single decision," he told reporters. "But so far the will has not appeared." Under the military initiative, the Czechs have used their diplomatic, business and industrial expertise to find large-calibre ammunition around the world and ship it to Ukraine with funding from NATO allies. Pavel said in February that Ukraine had received 1.6 million rounds of large-calibre ammunition in the past year. Zelenskiy said Ukraine hoped to receive 1.8 million shells under the programme initiative in 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an earlier social media post, Zelenskiy praised the initiative as "effective" and said cooperation would also be pursued in military aviation, expanding pilot training programmes, and supporting Ukraine's fleet of F-16 aircraft. Zelenskiy, who is accompanied on the trip by first lady Olena Zelenska, meets Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Monday, with the Czech ammunition drive among the topics on the agenda. The Ukrainian leader said on X social media site on Saturday he was preparing for upcoming foreign policy meetings focusing on helping push Russia into a ceasefire. He also said he discussed air defence systems and sanctions on Russia with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis funeral at the Vatican on April 26. The two agreed a 30-day ceasefire was the correct first step towards ending the war. (Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague, Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, additional reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Toby Chopra, Ron Popeski and Marguerita Choy) Ukraines Air Force has released a video featuring a Patriot air defence system operator who shot down a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile over Kyiv on 4 May 2023 the first successful interception of such a missile. Source: Ukrainian Air Force Details: The operators surname is not disclosed, only his first name Dmytro. He appears in the video with half of his face covered. Quote from Dmytro: "When the war began, I joined the military. I never thought that I, an ordinary programmer, would master the Patriot system and down the first Kinzhal missile." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: Dmytro explained that at the time, he and his colleagues did not know that it was a Kinzhal missile targeting Kyiv. Quote: "At the time we could see on the screen that it was a ballistic missile, but we initially thought it was just an Iskander. It was only after we found the fragments that we realised it was a Kinzhal. Everyone was overjoyed, we were all congratulating each other. Russia had claimed that the Kinzhal was impossible to intercept, but it turned out that anything can be shot down This was the first time a hypersonic ballistic missile had ever been intercepted." Background: During the night of 4 May 2023, a Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile was successfully intercepted over Kyiv for the first time. The news was first reported by Defense Express on 5 May and confirmed by Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraines Air Force, on 6 May. It was later revealed that the Kinzhal was destroyed by anti-aircraft gunners from the 96th Brigade who had undergone less than three months of training. On 16 May, they consolidated their success by shooting down six more such missiles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Credit: Telegram/@DIUkraine Ukraine destroyed a Russian fighter jet using a seaborne drone, Kyivs military intelligence agency said. The Main Directorate of Intelligence [GUR] said the Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by Ukraines Group 13 on Friday, over waters near Novorossiysk, the Russian port city on the Black Sea. It is the worlds first downing of a combat plane by a drone boat. The Ukrainian waterborne drone reportedly fired an R-73 surface-to-air missile, which struck the $50 million fighter jet and caused it to catch fire and crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine said it used a Magura V7 sea drone, a 5.5m-long drone with a range of up to 1,800km. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of GUR, later claimed that two Russian Su-30s had been shot down by the innovative sea drones. Its a historical moment, he told War Zone website, although no footage has emerged yet of the second strike. It is the latest case of the Ukrainians, who are less well-resourced and armed than Moscow, managing to turn the tables on their Russian invaders in the three-year conflict. On May 2, 2025, the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with the SBU and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea this is the first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone in the world, GUR said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The historic strike was carried out by soldiers of the special forces unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Group 13 with a Magura unmanned maritime platform missile, the statement continued. The fighter plane of the aggressor state of Russia, which has an estimated cost of about $50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea to the bottom, and into the possession of ruthless Neptune, it added. Video footage online appeared to show the moment that the Maguras crosshairs honed in on its target from the sea surface and fired its payload. Russia has not officially responded to the claim, but a prominent Russian military blogger confirmed that the attack had occurred in a post on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday, towards evening, an Su-30 naval aviation fighter jet was shot down by the Ukrainian side 50 kilometres west of Novorossiysk. This was done from an uncrewed boat with an R-73 SAM [surface-to-air missile], the blogger, named Rybar, wrote. The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors. Both are alive, and to hell with the plane. Mr Budanov, however, claimed that the second jets crew had been killed. Ukraine has previously said it used the Magura seaborne drone to take down two Russian military helicopters in December 2024. It also managed to destroy a patrol ship in the Kerch Strait in March 2024, and the Tsezar Kunikov landing ship in February 2024. Ukraine a world leader in drone technology Drone warfare has become a crucial element of the conflict as the devices are far cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional expensive weaponry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past three years, explosive-laden combat drones, the smallest and cheapest variation of drones, have been used by Ukrainian forces to pursue and kill Russian invaders on the eastern front. But there are larger and more advanced types of drones which can be fitted with much more powerful missiles capable of destroying some of Russias most expensive weaponry. Seaborne drones are a fairly new innovation in warfare. Kyiv has emerged as a world leader in the technology, having had significant success in the Black Sea, using drone boats to terrorise Russian warships. Germany has also become increasingly reliant upon them to defend the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Germany deployed the Israeli-made Blue Whale drone in the Baltic to survey and pursue suspicious vehicles, such as those seeking to cut undersea cables as part of suspected Russian sabotage operations. 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's Air Force has recently struck a command post belonging to Russia's 6th Motorised Rifle Division near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, though there is no information on casualties. Source: Ukraine's General Staff Quote: "The strike has significantly reduced the ability of the Russian Federation occupation forces to exercise command and control on the Pokrovsk front." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! In 1941, as German bombs devastated British cities, a new member joined a London demolition squad. On his first day, he watched the foreman retrieve a purse from the rubble of a ruined house and look inside. Its the funniest bloody bomb I ever come across, said the foreman. Its blown every bag open and knocked the money out! Its even knocked the money out of the gas meters! As he got to know his colleagues, the new man learnt that some were hardened labourers while others were opportunists in search of loot. Unknown to them all, he was an investigator with a social-research organisation called Mass-Observation. His job was to note everything he saw and heard and he saw a great deal of theft, mainly of money and smaller items. Larger items, he was told, required planning. Lead from a damaged roof, for example, had to be driven away to another location. And while stealing from the very poor was discouraged, not everybody played by the rules. One squad member, it was said, would pinch his own fking mother. The squad was never caught unlike a team of firemen dealing with a large blaze opposite St Pauls Cathedral. After a long struggle to control the flames, the six auxiliaries stole 43 bottles of whisky and gin from a ground-floor pub, and piles of clothing, including 24 shirts, from the warehouse above. Watched by police from across the road, they crammed their loot into water buckets and carried it to their fire engine. Sentencing them to five years each at the Old Bailey, the judge regretted that it has been found necessary to add to the many difficulties of the police that of watching members of your force. But the police were having to watch each other, too. Shortly after accepting an award for saving lives, a constable at City Road Police Station was given a six-month sentence for selling batteries stolen by his son from a factory in Dagenham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To most modern eyes, these accounts are intriguing. They pierce the accepted Blitz narrative and humanise the past. But for anybody who had once served with a demolition squad or with the Auxiliary Fire Service, or who had a connection with someone who did, they might have proved too much to bear. The Auxiliary Fire Service at work in London near St Pauls Cathedral, May 1941 - Getty In November 1940, social research project Mass-Observation sent an investigator to Coventry to report on the intense bombing that had flattened the city centre. The dominant feeling, the investigator recorded, was of helplessness. There were signs of suppressed panic, trembling and crying. Desperate comments such as Coventry is dead! were heard. In 1972, this poignant but uncontroversial report was quoted in a national newspaper, sparking an avalanche of enraged correspondence adamant that Coventry had not wavered. Such fury seems misguided. The investigator had been watching Coventrians emerging raw from their shelters into a world of nothingness. They were not wavering; they were reeling from shock. Yet more than three decades after the event, many people were still deeply sensitive. They had no desire to look beyond the wartime consensus about Britains response to the Blitz or the stories it reinforces. It is one reason why, for so long, tales of crime and bad behaviour were simply not heard. A Tube station turned shelter, London circa 1940 - Alamy In our times of political polarity, it seems remarkable that British citizens with little in common came together during the Second World War to create a national consensus and build a wall of unity around it. The Dunkirk evacuation, involving the unlikely rescue of more than 300,000 soldiers from a pinpoint on the coast of France, fostered the story that the British people were at their best when fighting alone with their backs to the wall. Months later the Blitz, the German effort to bomb Britain into submission, fostered a parallel story of togetherness and resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must all stick together, ran a popular song, and the clouds will soon roll by. But the common theme was survival. The innate qualities of the people would see them through the bleakest times to victory. And as Britain did ultimately survive against the odds, these identities solidified and continued to be taken at face value. The people of Coventry did not waver; the heroes of the Blitz did not break the law. Over the years the consensus has weakened, allowing nuance to seep into the cracks. Uncomfortable truths are less likely to inspire anger or denial. But the smallest challenge to a more recent consensus the one surrounding al-Qaedas Sept 11 2001 attack on New Yorks World Trade Center still risks being construed as an insult to those who responded and died that day. The 9/11 attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people - CNN via Getty Images The 9/11 attack has been described as a day when we saw the worst and, in turn, the best of humanity, and as was once the case with the Blitz, its consensus has a mythic quality. One young woman, who made her way out of the South Tower to safety, later told an interviewer of her disappointment at seeing firefighters and police officers helping themselves to items from expensive stores at concourse level. She twice qualified herself nervously: This is the part that I dont like talking about. But then: Its still the reality of what I saw and what happened. William Langewiesche was the only journalist granted unrestricted access to the World Trade Center site during the clean-up operation. He gave a sense of life at Ground Zero, including the prevalent rumours that firemen liked to loot expensive watches, policemen went for kitchen appliances, and construction workers for whatever was left, including wine from the ruins of the Marriott hotel. At a time of such intensity, the distinction between hero and villain was blurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was something that Wally Thompson, an old-school London villain, would have understood instinctively. Thompson, like other career criminals, welcomed the Blitz as a time of unparalleled opportunity. During one particular raid, he drove a stolen lorry down a narrow street near London Bridge. An air raid warden in his spare time, Thompson liked to wear his uniform when out on a job; it allowed him to move around the city freely. Alongside him in the lorry were the members of his gang Batesy, Bob and a cat burglar known as Spider. Firefighters clearing rubble weeks after the World Trade Center attacks in New York City, Oct 17 2001 - Getty The plan was to break into a warehouse, pick up a safe from the office, and drive it away to be opened at their leisure. As bombers droned and anti-aircraft guns fired off, Batesy jumped out and opened the warehouse gates with a cloned key. Spider ran forward and forced a window, before jemmying the main door from the inside. Within moments, all four men were in, manhandling the safe out to the lorry. As they reached the door, a bomb landed nearby. Thompson was thrown through the air, landing on the stairs. The gates were destroyed, the lorry was turned upside down, fires started, and everybody was shaken but unharmed. Choking on dust, cursing his luck, Thompson shouted at his men to run. Spider had other ideas. He had spotted a young child trapped in a nearby building, and began scaling a wall to reach her. Minutes later, a fire engine arrived and a ladder was sent up to the ledge where he was hanging with the girl in his arms. He climbed down and handed the girl over to a police constable who was deeply impressed. He asked for Spiders name and address; such courage deserved recognition. But Spider was already well known to the police. Feigning humility, he and his colleagues slipped away into the night without their safe. But they had experienced the sheer intensity of the period, a time when a man could go, in the flash of a bomb, from stealing a safe to saving a life. Spiders experience might not have been typical, but it was not completely atypical either. Life during the Blitz was dangerous, hard, and lived in the shadow of invasion and death. But it was also exciting and shot through with optimism. People pulled together and helped strangers; they broke rules and exploited neighbours. They bonded with and stole from one another. They were scared and fearless, they coped and they cracked. They behaved, in short, like a lot of human beings. This was the reality beyond the consensus. A group of boys play a game of cards in an air raid shelter in south east London, Nov 1940 - Imperial War Museums A few years ago I met a lady named Joan Varley who told me a deceptively simple story. On a winter evening in 1940, she had been smoking on the top deck of a London bus. She was at the back while the only other passenger was a stranger at the front. As they drove through Westminster, they heard a bomb falling nearby. The driver took a quick right turn, the bomb exploded elsewhere, and the driver returned to his route. But while it was falling and uncertainty existed, the stranger got up from his seat, sat next to Joan and held her hand. When the drama was over, he returned to the front of the bus. They never exchanged a word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tiny incident might stand as the defining story of the period, embodying Blitz spirit in its most raw and organic form. The nature of life under the bombs could and clearly did bring strangers together. And the same was true in the aftermath of 9/11. As William Langewiesche noted, the emotionalism of the period began as something genuine and necessary, uniting people as never before. But if these events could indeed unite strangers, then an increase in sexual activity might also be predicted. And as the bombs began to fall in September 1940, Joan Wyndham, a young Londoner, wrote in her diary, As the opposite of death is life, I think I shall get seduced by Rupert. As good as her word, she soon climbed into bed with him. After a few short minutes, however, Rupert turned his back and went to sleep. If thats really all there is to it, she thought, Id rather have a good smoke or go to the pictures. Entertainment at Aldwych Tube station, as the public shelters from a 1940 raid - Getty For Peter Quennell, a night under the bombs with his lover was a delicious aphrodisiac. Fear and pleasure, he wrote, combined to provoke a mood of wild exhilaration. The impact of a bomb a few hundred yards away merely sharpened pleasures edge; and next day we wandered, agreeably bemused, around the shattered streets of Mayfair. But it was not just the risk of imminent death tempting people. Society was rearranging itself. Husbands departed, strangers arrived, and the blackout offered anonymity. Nature tapped out with the heels on the pavement an illicit semaphore, wrote novelist Elizabeth Bowen. One man with his ear to the pavement was Quentin Crisp, who, later in life, would become one of the stately homos of England and an Englishman in New York. In 1940, having recently been rejected by the Army as suffering from sexual perversion, he was an outsider. With his flamboyant dress and effeminate mannerisms, he was an oddity on the streets of London, often attacked verbally, and sometimes physically. But once the Blitz began, he noticed a change. The city, he wrote, became like a paved double bed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a feast of love laid on by St Adolf. Travelling on a bus one evening, Crisp feared violence when an Australian soldier boarded and sat very deliberately behind him. But instead of causing trouble, the soldier removed a comb from his pocket and began to lovingly groom Crisps carefully styled hair. A young woman arriving to see her soldier boyfriend off from a London railway station, June 17 1940 - Getty Temperatures were clearly rising for louche Londoners, but they seem to have been going up in other parts of the country, too. Lillian Rogers was the 39-year-old wife of a garage mechanic from Birmingham. With her seven-year-old daughter evacuated away, she found herself with the time and energy to experiment. I tease him, I tantalise him, she later wrote in her diary of a sexualised friendship with a local air raid warden, and then I tell him its time he went. She was keen to tantalise as many men as possible without physically betraying her husband. Ive a nasty mind, she wrote. The times, it appears, were changing, and London Life, a trailblazing lifestyle magazine, was a sign of them. On sale at newsstands and with a startling emphasis on sexual fetishism, it specialised in features on mud wrestling, hair tickling, and other niche activities. The cover of a May 1941 issue featured three Windmill Theatre showgirls dressed in their underwear all wearing gas masks. A more powerful symbol of the sexualisation of the Blitz would be hard to find. As the author Ronald Blythe noted of the period, There was a huge amount of adventure, excitement and romance because there was a breaking down of conventions It was a permissive period that was more secretive than the 60s and never quite admitted. Showgirls at the Windmill Theatre rehearse in gas masks, May 1941 - Getty A better-known parallel came along 60 years later with the post-9/11 phenomenon known as terror sex, which saw an increase in sexual activity among New Yorkers. Theres no more obvious antidote to death than sex, said one sociologist. As Joan Wyndham well understood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside sexual activity, the Blitz saw a predictable rise in sexual assault. One young woman was attacked on Victoria Street in London by a man who forced her into a doorway. I was pretty strong in those days, she said, and I gave him the hardest slap in the face. The man spat at her like a cat, before gripping her shoulders, shaking her and running off. A Womens Auxiliary Air Force officer, meanwhile, was learning to drink beer with her male counterparts when she was left alone with a creepy medical officer. I wont say what happened, but to this day, I resent having had to pay for my torn uniform. There was no point reporting it, it would have been his word against mine, and who was I? Women, girls and babies take refuge in an air raid shelter run by the Salvation Army in Clapton, east London, Oct 5, 1940 - Getty All manner of crimes proliferated under the bombs. The Metropolitan Police made 5,000 more arrests in 1941 than they had in 1939 but many more offences were going unpunished. They were roaring days, said Billy Hill, a man who was already on his way to becoming the Boss of Britains Underworld, as he was later dubbed. Blackouts, bombing raids, bombed-out properties, the black market and a shortage of experienced policemen were creating opportunity. The period also saw an entirely unsurprising increase in gun crime including an early example of a campus shooting, when John Fulljames, a quiet student at University College Oxford, opened fire with a rifle on some of the more boisterous students as they walked through the quad. Tried for murder, Fulljames was described to the jury as having split-mind in the fashion of Dr Jekyll. He was committed to Broadmoor where the medical authorities quickly rejected the insanity finding. Other courts, meanwhile, were showing remarkable leniency to soldiers coming home on leave to find their wives in bed with other men and opening fire. A Pioneer Corps private was bound over for two years at Derby Assizes for killing just the lover, while an Ox and Bucks officer received 12 months for killing the wife and the lover. Street air raid shelters stand undamaged after a German raid on the North East, circa 1940 - Getty Of all the crimes of the Blitz, there is one that must stand for others that were doubtless committed but never discovered. At the height of the Blitz, Harry Dobkin was a fire watcher in Kennington whose job was to patrol the premises of a solicitors firm throughout the night. In April 1941, days after the disappearance of Dobkins wife, a fire broke out in the blitzed ruins of the next-door Baptist church. Dobkin failed to report the fire and when he was asked what he had seen, he replied that he had not started it. Soon after, he sent the police an unrequested record of his movements after his wifes disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A year later a body was found under a stone slab in the Baptist church. The body, which had been dismembered in an apparent effort to make it look as though it had been blown apart by an explosion, was identified as Dobkins wife, Rachel. After an Old Bailey trial, Dobkin was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death. He was hanged in January 1943. It will never be known how many others disposed of bodies or settled old scores in this fashion but, in the end, Dobkin was just clumsy. He had placed Rachels body directly under the large stone slab, something that no bomb blast could possibly cause. Such personal experiences have not always been easy to uncover. And having spent a great deal of time in archives and speaking to veterans, it seems to me that there are a number of subjects that individuals prefer not to speak about publicly: sex, killing and any kind of crime committed by themselves or associates. According to an ex-British Army officer who has served in conflicts around the world, he and his colleagues tended to avoid talking even to each other about their bleakest and most gruesome experiences. In part this was down to a sense of survivors guilt. But it was also, he felt, a British trait. People did not want to appear too emotional in front of each other. A bomb raid lights up London during the Battle of Britain, 1940 - Heinrich Hoffmann/ullstein bild via Getty Images It is hardly surprising, then, that people have not wanted to pierce the Blitz consensus. Why would they want to acknowledge anything that would show their demolition squad, their city, their nation, in a bad light? Those who have done so were the exception and often the object of rage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officially, too, a consensus was needed. Playing, as Britain was, to a range of audiences, an all-purpose narrative had to be sculpted and maintained. For the enemy, it had to give an impression of greater strength than was the case. For the Americans, yet to enter the war, it had to offer a guarantee that Britain was worth backing. And for the countrys own people, high standards of behaviour, courage and effort had to be encouraged. Or, as Churchill put it, blood, toil, tears and sweat. Britain had to take the Blitz. But she also had to be seen to take it. There were many understandable reasons, individual and collective, to create a consensus. Now, with the period almost beyond living memory, it is time to take pride in our national story because of its nuance and human complexity, not in spite of it. We can embrace the good behaviour, the bad behaviour, the glorious mess and the lasting achievement. Because Britain, it turned out, could take it. Joshua Levine is the author of The Secret History of the Blitz (Simon & Schuster, 10.99) 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. United Airlines is cutting 35 daily flights from Newark Liberty International Airport in response to FAA staffing issues The airlines CEO said the airport cant handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate for the foreseeable future Since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers," United CEO Scott Kirby said The CEO of United Airlines has announced plans to cancel 35 daily roundtrip flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to "protect" customers starting this weekend following FAA staffing issues. On Saturday, May 3, FlightAware reported 800 delays and 150 cancellations at the airport since Tuesday, according to CBS News. Newark attributed delays on Thursday to "FAA staffing issues and construction" in a statement on X, adding that one runway is closed for "necessary repairs from now until mid-June 2025." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to PEOPLE, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesperson said it has "invested billions to modernize Newark Liberty, but those improvements depend on a fully staffed and modern federal air traffic system." "We continue to urge the FAA to address ongoing staffing shortages and accelerate long-overdue technology upgrades that continue to cause delays in the nations busiest air corridor," the statement continued. The staffing issues stem from an operations center in Philadelphia, according to a report from MSNBC. In a statement to the outlet, one air traffic controller for Newark said that "things need to change," calling it "not a safe situation for the flying public." Now, United CEO Scott Kirby has said in a statement that the airline is cutting many of its Newark flights after the "long-simmering FAA challenges" had "boiled over this week." Specifically, "technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed" on multiple occasions, per Kirby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job," Kirby wrote. "Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, its now clear and the FAA tells us that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead." "It's disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers," he added. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the FAA directed PEOPLE to a post on X, in which it stated it "will continue to be transparent with the public about the status of EWR and every airport" via its website. Related: Flight Grounded for More Than an Hour After Crew Accuses Passengers of Stealing a Phone Getty United Airlines flight departs Newark Liberty International Airport in 2025 United Airlines flight departs Newark Liberty International Airport in 2025 Citing the Federal Aviation Administration, CBS News reports that some arriving Saturday afternoon flights were delayed more than three hours at Newark, while departures were delayed up to 45 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Airlines operates the most flights out of Newark, according to the Associated Press. The travel concerns come as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a new program to recruit new controllers and offer an incentive package to retain controllers this week. "I'm coming out with a plan that's gonna build a brand new air traffic control system, state of the art, gold plated, envy of the world, touching every phase of the systems that air traffic controllers use. We're gonna lay fiber, we're gonna get new radar, new radios, new ground sensors," Duffy said, per CBS News. Getty A Newark Airport departure board A Newark Airport departure board 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. Travelers at Newark spoke with CBS News about delays and travel concerns, with flyer Lisa Tarter calling it "frustrating when you are hoping for a seamless and smooth day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had to wait two hours in Los Angeles to even board the plane, and they weren't sure even then when they told us two hours. It was horrible," another woman said. Citing FlightAware, the outlet noted that the delays have ripple effects and have also impacted travelers in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Dallas and beyond. Read the original article on People A university in Ohio recently announced a new artificial intelligence program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Board of Trustees approved the Bachelor of Science in AI + X program on Friday, according to a BGSU spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The degree program will teach students how to use AI in one of six specific fields of study, including: computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism or public relations. The Ohio Department of Higher Education needs to approve the program before it can be offered to students, according to our CBS affiliate in Toledo, WTOL-11. If approved, the program will be housed in the BGSU Department of Computer Science. As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green is committed to offering in-demand programs that support student learning experiences and opportunities while meeting the current and future workforce needs of Ohio and beyond. As more employers implement advanced technologies with AI, this program in AI + X will empower students to design their degree around a specific focus to drive innovation in workforce and industry, leading to great careers and great lives, BGSU President Rodney Rogers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university created this degree due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the growing demand for professionals who can use artificial intelligence, the spokesperson said. Those who graduate from this program will gain skills for artificial intelligence and computer science careers. Graduates will be qualified for careers as AI developers, data scientists and machine learning engineers and roles within sectors that blend AI with specific domains, including scientific research, social policy, creative industries and business analytics, the spokesperson said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) The Alzheimers Association has released a new report, sounding an urgent alarm as the disease has now affected more than seven million individuals for the first time. Weve witnessed a surge in diagnoses, particularly among those in the highest-risk age group, over 65, shared Christine John-Fuller, Executive Director of the Alzheimers Association of Eastern North Carolina. Thats a four percent increase from last years report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have Baby Boomers aging into what is our highest risk category, which is age, and thats not the only risk, she said. John-Fuller underscores the importance of early detection. She points out warning signs that a loved one may need to see a physician about the disease. For instance, a sudden change in the taste of familiar recipes by a person known as the best baker or difficulty in cooking or baking could be early indicators, she said. The report also reveals a proactive stance among Americans, with 79 percent expressing a desire to know if they had Alzheimers disease before symptoms appeared, and 92 percent expressing interest in medications to slow its progression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proactive approach is encouraging, as it shows that people want to be informed and take action, said John-Fuller. And the most challenging part is the rise in numbers. The rise in individuals that are diagnosed and living with the disease means that we are seeing a rise in deaths, and as of right now, this disease is still terminal, she said. You can read more of the reports findings by going here. (PDF document) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Trump administration is canceling $1 billion in federal school mental health grants including $14.1 million for Wake County on the grounds theyre promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. The U.S. Department of Education notified recipients of its School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program in an April 29 letter that its cutting off funding at the end of the year. Grant recipients were told the awards, which are being used to do things like hire more therapists and social workers, dont reflect the priorities of the Trump administration. The Department has determined these grantees are violating the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Departments policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds, Brandy Brown, the deputy assistant secretary for K-12 education, wrote in an email to members of Congress, Chalkbeat reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the latest action by the Trump administration to cancel billions of dollars in federal grants that it says promoted DEI policies and programs. The Trump administration is applying a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision against race-conscious admissions policies at UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard University to say that DEI violates federal civil rights laws. Wake schools reviewing its options In October, the Wake County school system announced it had received a $14.1 million mental health grant over five years. Wake planned to use the money to hire 27 people, including 20 therapists, to expand mental health services into 40 more schools. Students at those schools would have been able to receive in-person counseling and teletherapy. Parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers all recognize that supporting the mental health needs of our students has never been more important, Wake said in an announcement on its website Friday that the grant had been canceled. This initiative would have expanded access to mental health services to help more students thrive in the classroom and set them on a path to productive citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wake says it was still in the planning and preparation stage and was in the process of hiring for the new positions. We are actively reviewing our options provided under federal regulations, Wake said. We will continue to prioritize the mental health and wellness of our students and staff and explore alternative funding opportunities to pursue this critical work. Wake is already appealing the cancellation of another federal grant that would have provided $11.8 million to recruit and train teachers in high-needs schools. Like with the mental health grants, the Department of Education accused Wake of promoting DEI in the grant. Diversity language in grants questioned The mental health grants had been authorized by Congress in 2022 in response to the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed 19 elementary school students and two teachers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In awarding the grants, the Biden administration had listed as one of the priorities increasing the number of school-based mental health services providers who are from diverse backgrounds or communities. As a result, Chalkbeat said, applicants tailored their grants to reflect that goal. In its grant application, Wake said it would fill the new mental health positions with diverse candidates. Now the Trump administration is citing the diversity language to cancel the grants. Grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help, Madi Biedermann, an Education Department spokesperson, wrote in an email to Chalkbeat. Reaction to grant cancellation The decision to cancel the grants has drawn praise from conservative groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Education has terminated $1 billion in grants that were intended to support school-based mental health programs, but were being used to advance left-wing racialism and discrimination, wrote Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who broke the news about the cancellation on X on April 29. No more slush fund for activists under the guise of mental health. But the decision to eliminate the grants has been criticized by Democratic politicians, school leaders and mental health activists. This is a direct attack on the safety and well-being of Americas children a repugnant act of moral vandalism that will endanger millions of lives, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement Wednesday. By Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik said on Sunday that she is "strongly considering" running for governor of New York next year, potentially pitting her against incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul. "New Yorkers, not just Republicans, but independents and Democrats as well, are yearning for a new generation of leadership to bring common sense back to our state. So absolutely, I'm taking a hard look at it, and the outpouring of support has been tremendous. And Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America," Stefanik said in an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" broadcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefanik, 40, a six-term congresswoman, had been the fourth-ranking House Republican when President Donald Trump nominated her to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She stepped aside from her leadership role, but the White House later withdrew her nomination, citing concern about Republicans' narrow House majority, currently 220-213. Stefanik was then appointed chairwoman of the House Republican leadership, a lower-ranking position. New York has not had a Republican governor since George Pataki held the post for two terms from 1995-2007. Trump lost the state in the 2024 presidential election by almost 13 points to former Vice President Kamala Harris. If nominated, Stefanik would look to rally support from conservative areas in Long Island and upstate New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Absolutely I am strongly considering because look at the crises that Kathy Hochul and single-party Democrat rule have delivered to New Yorkers," she said, pointing to issues of affordability, high taxes and crime. Stefanik became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in 2014, and has led efforts to expose how elite U.S. colleges, including New York's Columbia University, responded to campus protests over the Gaza war. Her upstate New York district is not seen as competitive in next year's midterm elections, when Democrats will seek to take control of the House. Incumbent presidents' parties typically lose House seats in midterm elections. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Scott Malone and Mark Porter) U.S. President Donald Trump said in a wide-ranging interview with NBC News on May 4 that the U.S. may consider implementing additional sanctions against Russia if it does not reach a peace deal with Ukraine to end the war. When asked if Trump would sign a sanctions bill touted by close Republican ally Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said that "it depends on whether or not Russia is behaving toward coming to a peace." "We want a peace deal. We want Russia and Ukraine to agree to a deal. We think were fairly close, and were going to save a lot of people from being killed," Trump continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 72 U.S. senators are prepared to vote for "bone-crushing" sanctions against Russia and massive tariffs on countries supporting Moscow, Graham told reporters on May 1. When asked if Trump believes the parties are close to establishing a peace deal, Trump was not definitive in his response. "I do believe were closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. But well have to see. Id like to not say which one were closer to," Trump said, adding that he was pleased with the outcome of the minerals deal signed with Ukraine on May 1. Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with the slow progression of peace negotiations, claiming on April 26 that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be "tapping me along," and that Putin may not be interested in ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked by NBC News whether Trump "misread" Putin's intentions to settle the war, Trump responded: "I have no idea." "No, Ill tell you about in a month from now, or two weeks from now," Trump said. "I can tell you this, hes his ambition was stopped to a large extent when he saw that it was me that was now leading the charge." Frustrated by the lack of progress, Trump has reportedly been wavering over his commitment to continue to serve as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. When asked about his commitment to see a peace deal being achieved, Trump said he " hope(s) it gets done." "Well, there will be a time when I will say, 'Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting,'" Trump told NBC News. "Sometimes I get close to it, and then positive things happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US to send refurbished Patriot air defense system from Israel to Ukraine, NYT reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The US is planning to send advanced air defence systems to Ukraine after Donald Trump signed a minerals deal with Kyiv and threatened to walk away from peace talks. One Patriot system will be moved from Israel after undergoing refurbishments, while a second system could be sent by Germany or Greece, according to four officials. Mr Trump paused all military deliveries to Ukraine after a row with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. But he has since grown frustrated with Vladimir Putins refusal to commit to a ceasefire and has withdrawn from formal peace negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials, speaking to the New York Times, refused to confirm whether the proposed shipment reflected a change in the US presidents approach toward Ukraine. Joe Biden, the former US president, secured the deal with Israel in September ahead of Mr Trumps election win, according to a former White House official. It comes ahead of a mooted three-day ceasefire this week while Putins allies are in Moscow for Victory Day. Mr Zelensky has threatened to ignore the truce after dismissing it as a theatrical performance. Last year, Mr Zelensky asked Western allies for at least seven Patriot defence systems to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missile attacks. Kyiv has eight, but only six are currently working as two are reportedly being refurbished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the US national security council said it did not provide details on the strength and placement of defence systems. President Trump has been clear: he wants the war in Ukraine to end and the killing to stop, he added. Russia launched an overnight drone strike on Kyiv that left at least 11 people injured, including two children, and set several residential buildings on fire, Ukrainian officials said. Falling debris from destroyed drones sparked several blazes in the Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts of the capital, according to Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyivs military administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency services said dozens of firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fires raging in Kyiv overnight, as well as tackling a smaller blaze in Kyivs central Shevchenkivskyi district. In an interview on Sunday, Mr Trump signalled a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine was some way off, and said he had come close to walking away from the negotiating table in the past. I do believe were closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. But well have to see. Id like to not say which one were closer to, he told NBCs Meet the Press. Mr Trump declined to set a deadline on when a truce would have to be negotiated. Instead, he said he would tell both countries, keep being stupid and keep fighting if they proved intractable. Sometimes I get close to it, and then positive things happen, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview on Sunday, Vladimir Putin said he hopes he would not have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine as he took a journalist on a tour of his private Kremlin apartment. The Russian president said: There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons... and I hope they will not be required, in response to a question about Ukrainian strikes. Credit: Telegram/Pavel Zarubin Putin hinted he was ready to use nuclear warfare in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia with Western missiles for the first time, when he signed a law allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Sunday, Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region, destroying much of the plant but causing no casualties, the local governor said. It comes as Mr Zelensky said that he did not believe that Russia would keep its promise to abide by a three-day truce starting on May 8, which is timed to coincide with Moscows celebrations to mark the end of the Second World War. This is not the first challenge, nor are these the first promises made by Russia to cease fire... We understand who we are dealing with, we do not believe them, he said on Sunday at a press conference alongside Petr Pavel, the Czech president. A 30-hour Easter truce was meant to take place last month, but Mr Zelensky said at the time that Moscow had breached the supposed ceasefire more than 3,000 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian defence ministry, in turn, claimed Kyiv had launched drone and artillery attacks. 05:44 PM BST Thats it today Thanks for following our live coverage today. Here is a summary of the main events: The US will reportedly send a Patriot air-defence system to Ukraine after Donald Trump signed a minerals deal with Volodymyr Zelensky. Vladimir Putin said he hopes he will not have to use nuclear weapons during an interview on state television. Mr Zelensky said he does not believe a three-day truce over Russias Victory Day holiday will happen. Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region. Mr Zelensky visited Prague, where he met with Petr Pavel, his Czech counterpart, to discuss further military support. Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, and Mr Zelensky butted heads over Ukraines ascension to the EU, with the former saying there would be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Vladimir Putin will sign a series of deals with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, in a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. A Russian drone strike on Kyiv injured 11 overnight, including two children. You can find more of our coverage on Russias invasion of Ukraine here. 05:35 PM BST Victory Day parade rehearsals under way Russian tanks drove through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazis defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The T-90M tanks will appear as part of a sizeable military parade in Red Square, presided over by Vladimir Putin and attended by various world leaders. Among this years attendees will be Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who is making an official state visit to the nation over the holiday and holding bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart. Russian T-90M pass through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9 - Alexander Nemenov/AFP 05:17 PM BST Putin: I hope not to use nuclear weapons Vladimir Putin said he hopes he will not have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine in an interview with state television. The Russian president told journalists that there has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons... and I hope they will not be required, in response to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Kremlin soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin hinted he was ready to use nuclear warfare in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia with Western missiles for the first time. The Russian leader signed into law a doctrine that lowered the atomic threshold, allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. In a preview of the interview, posted to Telegram, the Russian president told reporters: We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires. His comments came as the Kremlin announced Putin would be signing a series of deals with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, during a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations next week. 05:00 PM BST Zelensky: Three-day truce will not happen Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said on Sunday that he did not believe Russia would adhere to three-day truce planned to coincide with Moscows Victory Day celebrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in a joint press conference with Petr Pavel, the Czech president, he said: This is not the first challenge, nor are these the first promises made by Russia to cease fire... We understand who we are dealing with, we do not believe them. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, had proposed a 72-hour ceasefire over the Russian holiday, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and it allies victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. 04:15 PM BST Zelenskys stance on nuclear warfare Volodymyr Zelensky previously appeared to suggest that Ukraine would build a nuclear arsenal unless it is granted Nato membership. In October 2024, Ukrainian president told European Union leaders during a speech in Brussels: Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons, which will serve as protection, or it must be part of some kind of alliance. Apart from Nato, we do not know of such an effective alliance. Mr Zelensky has repeatedly called for his country to be admitted to Nato, as the alliances Article Five mutual defence clause states that an attack on one of its 32 members is an attack on all. 04:13 PM BST Putin stance on nuclear warfare Vladimir Putin previously signalled he was prepared to use nuclear weapons in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia using Western missiles for the first time. Kyiv fired US-made Atacms missiles at an ammunition dump near Bryansk, in southern Russia, roughly 100 miles from the border, shortly before dawn. In retaliation, the Russian leader signed into law a doctrine that lowered the atomic threshold, allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. At this time, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russias security council, warned the Kremlins enemies that they could now trigger a Third World War, saying: Russia could retaliate [to Atacms strikes] with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key Nato facilities, wherever theyre located. 03:52 PM BST Watch: Putin hopes not to use nuclear weapons Credit: Telegram/Pavel Zarubin 03:21 PM BST Kyiv residents suffering consequences of stalled peace talks Residents caught in the overnight drone strike on Kyiv that injured 11 people, including two children, have expressed frustration at the stalled peace negotiations. Viacheslav Khotab, 54, watched his car catch fire during the attack. I saw my car burning. I was covered with broken glass, he said. I couldnt do anything. He added: They cant agree on anything, and we are the ones who suffer the consequences. Another resident, Valentyna Fesiuk, 83, who lives in the capitals Obolon district, was woken up by the attack. I was just sleeping when the house shook. It was at 12:30. An apartment on the 12th floor caught fire, she said. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, according to Ukraines air force. Of those, 69 were intercepted and a further 80 lost, likely to have been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russias defence ministry said its air defences shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. 02:50 PM BST Ukraine strikes Russian electrics factory Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region, destroying much of the plant but causing no casualties, the local governor said on Sunday. Alexander Bogomaz, whose region borders both Ukraine and Belarus in the far west of Russia, said on Telegram that the Ukrainian strike destroyed workshops and administrative buildings at the factory in the village of Suzemka. Mash, a Telegram channel with links to Russias security services, said the factory produced electrical equipment, including transformers. It claimed the plant had been struck using a Grad rocket system and posted a video showing large plumes of smoke coiling above what it said was the factory. A senior Ukrainian government official said the factory specialised in the production of electronic equipment for Russias defence industry. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, wrote in a post on Telegram: According to preliminary information, the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk Region, is no longer operational following the strike. 02:45 PM BST Pictured: Zelensky in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky (right), the Ukrainian president, and Petr Pavel (left), his Czech counterpart, inspect guards during a welcome ceremony at Prague Castle - Martin Divisek/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Volodymyr Zelensky will spend two days in Prague to discuss ongoing military supplies, including support for its F-16s - Martin Diviswk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 02:28 PM BST Zelensky and Orban butt heads over EU ascension Viktor Orban told Volodymyr Zelensky there would be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary amid his ongoing opposition to Kyiv joining the bloc. The Hungarian prime minister said on social media: What the Hungarian people think is not decided by the president in Kyiv or the bureaucrats in Brussels... Every Hungarian will have their say on this. Whether you like it or not. Mr Orbans comments came after the Ukrainian president told reporters on Sunday that a recent opinion poll suggested 70 per cent of Hungarians supported Ukraines EU accession. The Hungarian leader has spoken out against Ukraines joining the bloc on the grounds that it could harm his own countrys economy. In turn, the Ukrainian president called on Mr Orban not to drag us into your elections by blocking Ukraines EU bid. 02:07 PM BST Russia destroys 13 Ukrainian drones overnight Russian air defence units destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones overnight in the regions of Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk, according to Moscows defence ministry. Belgorod in particular has seen an increase in Ukrainian activity after Kyivs forces staged an incursion into the western Russian region in March this year. Russia claimed the attack was quickly thwarted, but it remains unclear whether the Belgorod incursion was intended as a brief raid or as part of a longer-term operation. 01:47 PM BST Zelensky to discuss F-16 support in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to the Czech Republic for its support of Ukraines F-16 fleet during a visit to Prague. The Ukrainian president said in a post on social media that the two nations were co-operating on the development of our military aviation, expanding pilot training programs, and supporting our F-16 fleet. The Czech artillery initiative, which was launched in 2024 to counter delayed US aid and backed by several countries including Canada and Norway, has played a key role in quickly supplying Ukraines front-line troops. Mr Zelensky said: We express our gratitude to Czechia for its principled support and for strengthening our cooperation. The Czech artillery initiative has proven effective, and we will continue this effort. Together with the First Lady, we have arrived in the Czech Republic on an official visit. Meetings are scheduled with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, with the heads of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, leaders of parliamentary factions, as well as with pic.twitter.com/ZgI7PGIF93 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2025 01:25 PM BST Putin and Xi to sign series of deals in Moscow summit Vladimir Putin will sign a series of deals with Xi Jinping in a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. The Kremlin said Mr Xi would visit between May 7-11, and the pair will hold talks to further develop the two countries partnership and strategic co-operation amid Russias war in Ukraine. China and Russia have grown closer during the war, with the West accusing Beijing of supplying weapons components to Moscow. But Mr Xi has stopped short of formally supporting Russia in the conflict and has warned Putin against the use of nuclear weapons. The Russian president has called for a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations, when some world leaders will be in Moscow for a military parade, but Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine would not be playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere over the Russian holiday. Putin responded by telling Russian state television he hoped the need would not arise to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying I hope they will not be required. 01:17 PM BST US no longer mediating peace talks Xi Jinpings visit to Russia comes as the United States announced it would no longer mediate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The State Department said it was changing the methodology of how we contribute to the talks and will no longer fly around the world at the drop of a hat for meetings after Vladimir Putin refused to agree to a deal. Tammy Bruce, a spokesman, said: We will continue to help, but we will no longer fly around the world as mediators in meetings. She added that Kyiv and Moscow must now present concrete proposals for ending the war and should meet directly to resolve the conflict. 12:41 PM BST Initiative allows 18-24 year olds to fight in Ukraine A Ukrainian initiative allowing those below the draft age of 25 to serve in the military on one-year contracts is fully under way. The scheme was introduced earlier this year and entices 18 to 24-year-olds to join the army with the promise of lucrative contracts, social benefits and elite training. The approach also enables Ukraine to recruit younger soldiers without having to formally lower the draft age, a move that it has long resisted, even in the face of White House pressure. New Ukrainian infantry recruits aged 18 between 24 carry out a mock assault as part of one-year contracts to reinforce the military - Anadolu 12:12 PM BST Putin: I do not feel like a politician Putin told Russian state television he does not feel like some kind of politician in a rare look at his life behind the locked doors of the Kremlin. In the carefully choreographed film, Putin offered chocolates and a fermented Russian milk drink to Pavel Zarubin, a top Kremlin correspondent, in his private kitchen. Speaking about his 25 years in power as president and prime minister, Putin said: I dont feel like some kind of politician. I continue to breathe the very same air as millions of Russian citizens. It is very important. God willing that it continues as long as possible. And that it doesnt disappear. 11:50 AM BST Zelensky touches down in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Prague to discuss the Czech Republics ongoing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The Ukrainian president landed in the countrys capital just before midday (10am GMT), where he was greeted by Jan Lipavsky, the Czech foreign minister, local media reported. The office of Petr Pavel, the Czech president, said he would receive the Ukrainian first couple at Prague Castle on Sunday afternoon. The EU and Nato member has provided Ukraine with extensive humanitarian and military support since the Russian invasion in February 2022. It has taken in over half a million Ukrainian refugees, supplied the army with tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters, and backed calls for Europe to supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition. Dnes jsem na Ruzyni privital prezidenta @ZelenskyyUa, lidra svobodneho sveta. pic.twitter.com/cZaCFZuzNQ Jan Lipavsky (@JanLipavsky) May 4, 2025 11:38 AM BST Tanks rehearse for Russian Victory Day parade Russian tanks have driven through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazis defeat. The T-90M tanks will appear as part of a sizeable military parade in Red Square, presided over by Vladimir Putin and attended by several world leaders. One of those in attendance will be Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who is making an official state visit to the nation and holding bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart. 11:19 AM BST Putin: We are strong enough to finish Ukraine operation Vladimir Putin has said Russia is strong enough and has sufficient resources to finish its operation in Ukraine. The Russian president told state television that Moscow had the means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion and he hoped it would not need to use nuclear weapons in the conflict. Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire backed by Ukraine and the US, which is trying to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin said the proposed deal did not offer international recognition to territory seized by Moscows troops and suggested it did not satisfy their demands to oust Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. 11:03 AM BST Russian forces casualties pass 955,000, report suggests Russia has lost 956,810 troops in Ukraine since the start of the war in Feb 2022, according to a report by the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces. The figure includes some 1,340 Russian forces casualties over the past day alone. The report said Russia had also lost 10,758 tanks, 22,403 armoured fighting vehicles, 27,327 artillery systems, 1,376 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,155 air defence systems, 372 airplanes, 335 helicopters, 34,860 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine. 10:46 AM BST Drone strike on Kyiv injures 11 Russia launched an overnight drone strike on Kyiv that left at least 11 people injured, including two children, and set several residential buildings on fire, officials said. Falling debris from destroyed drones sparked several blazes in the Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts of the capital, according to Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyivs military administration. Some 76 firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fires raging in Kyiv overnight, as well as tackling a smaller blaze in Kyivs central Shevchenkivskyi district, emergency services said. Across the city, several cars also caught light after being struck by falling drone debris, they added. Firefighters battle a blaze in residential Kyiv after an overnight Russian drone strike - Olga Yakimovich/Reuters 10:36 AM BST Putin and Xis diplomatic history China has portrayed itself as a neutral party over the course of the three-year war, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. Last month, Volodymyr Zelensky said two Chinese citizens were captured fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian president claimed his forces had fought with six Chinese soldiers in Donetsk and that there were many more in the Russian ranks. But the prisoners of war said they were not fighting on behalf of China and had no links to Chinese state authorities. Instead, they were recruited as mercenaries through online advertisements, they said. 10:23 AM BST Russia accuses Ukraine of making threat against victory parade Russia has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of making a direct threat to the Second World War commemorations, after the Ukrainian president said Kyiv would not take responsibility for ensuring safety on the day. On Monday, Putin declared a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the 80th anniversary parade, saying it would run from May 8 to May 10 during which Russia would host international leaders including Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. But Mr Zelensky on Friday dismissed the truce as theatrics and said Ukraine cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore, we will not give you any guarantees. Russia responded by calling his statement a direct threat. Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: He is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day. 10:15 AM BST Putin and Xi to discuss matters on international agenda Xi Jinpings visit to Moscow comes at the invitation of Vladimir Putin. The pair will attend the formal celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and its allies victory in the Second World War, as well as holding diplomatic discussions. A statement from the Kremlin said: The bilateral talks to be held during the visit will focus on the core aspects of further advancement of Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as pressing matters on the international and regional agendas. It added: The two leaders are to sign a number of bilateral inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Patriot air defense system based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine after refurbishment, the New York Times reported on May 4, citing four unnamed current and former U.S. officials. According to the publication, Western allies are also discussing the logistics of supplying additional systems from Germany or Greece as Russia escalates its attacks across Ukraine. The sources declined to go into detail about U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the decision or clarify whether the move was initiated before he took office, during former President Joe Biden's administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes amid a sharp increase in Russian strikes that have caused numerous casualties in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. Kyiv has consistently pressed Western partners to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, warning that its current capabilities are insufficient to counter the scale of Russian missile and drone assaults. The Patriot system, a U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform, is widely recognized for its high-precision detection, tracking, and interception of aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles. According to the New York Times, Ukraine currently has eight Patriot systems, of which only six are operational. The remaining two are reportedly undergoing refurbishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's urgent need for air defenses in an April 13 interview with CBS News, saying Kyiv is ready to purchase 10 U.S.-made Patriot systems for $15 billion to shield densely populated cities. "We will find the money and pay for everything," Zelensky said, emphasizing Ukraine's intention to buy, not request, additional systems. Despite Kyiv's appeals, Trump dismissed the request on April 14, accusing Zelensky of "always looking to purchase missiles" and falsely blaming Ukraine for instigating the war. Trump's tone on Ukraine has shifted in recent weeks. On April 24, he criticized a Russian strike on Kyiv that killed at least nine civilians and injured 87, calling it "not necessary" and urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office, Trump threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia to force negotiations, saying "we can do it the easy way or the hard way," though no measures have materialized so far. Trump has recently questioned Russia's intentions to seek peace, as Moscow continues to reject a complete ceasefire agreement, intensifying attacks against Ukrainian civilian areas. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DENVER (KDVR) Flags across the U.S. are flying at half-staff on Sunday to honor some of the bravest Americans who risked their own lives to protect their neighbors. Its part of the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, which is accompanied by an event held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to commemorate the lives of volunteer and professional firefighters who have died in the line of duty over the past year and beyond. The history behind those extravagant Kentucky Derby hats Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, brave men and women demonstrate heroism each day, willingly placing themselves in harms way for the benefit of others, reads a proclamation made by President Donald Trump on May 1. We are indebted to every American who chooses this noble profession this solemn calling in spite of the inherent risks. The proclamation notes the heroic efforts of firefighters on and after Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the destructive and deadly wildfires in southern California earlier this year. Trump also spoke of one firefighter whom he said will forever hold a profound place in my life. Corey Comperatore, who lost his life shielding his family from the barrage of assassins bullets that pierced the air during my rally last July in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump wrote in his proclamation. His bravery and selflessness on that fateful day exemplify the dedication and courage that define Americas cadre of firefighters. People carry a painting of Corey Comperatore off the stage before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Trump ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings on May 3 and May 4. Governors throughout the country, including Colorados Gov. Jared Polis, have also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, in alignment with Trumps proclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a time to reflect and remember those and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities in the face of devastating events. In Colorado, we value the hard work and dedication of our firefighters to make sure communities are prepared, protected, and informed during emergencies. We honor our fallen firefighters by ensuring their legacies and loved ones are cared for here in Colorado, said Polis in the announcement of his order. Flags were previously flown at half-staff for about a week in April due to the death of Pope Francis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A Utah Transit Authority rail maintenance worker has passed away after being struck by a vehicle while working in Murray late April. We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our colleague, Juan Madrid, a dedicated and beloved rail maintenance worker, a statement from the Utah Transit Authority reads. Juan passed away from injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle while he was performing work in a rail crossing on April 24. UTA said they are providing counseling and benefits for the Madrid family, as well as offering counseling services to employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUSLY: Hit-and-run suspect in custody after hitting two UTA workers in Murray The safety and well-being of UTA employees and their families is our highest priority. We are actively assisting the Murray Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. A second rail maintenance worker who was also seriously injured in the incident is thankfully at home recovering. Murray Police confirmed a suspect turned themselves in after allegedly hitting the two Utah Transit Authority employees working near a FrontRunner railroad crossing on April 24. UTA spokesperson Gavin Gustafson told ABC4.com a group of four employees were doing maintenance work around 1:30 a.m. near 5900 South and 300 West in Murray. As they were finishing their work, a white SUV traveling eastbound struck two of the employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gustafson said one employee was left in serious condition and the other was rushed into surgery in critical condition. Murray Police said the suspect identified as Brandon Palma, 29 initially fled the scene on foot, but later turned himself in to police. He now faces felony charges of failure to remain at an accident involving a serious injury. In a statement provided to ABC4.com, Gavin Gustafson, a spokesperson for UTA, reminded drivers to slow down in work zones and eliminate distractions that could pull attention away from the road. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MJ Jewkes contributed to this report. 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. A man who was critically injured when he was hit by an SUV while working on a railway for the Utah Transit Authority last month has died. We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our colleague, Juan Madrid, a dedicated and beloved rail maintenance worker, reads a statement issued by UTA on Sunday. Madrid was one of two UTA employees working on the rails near the 5900 South rail crossing early in the morning on April 24 when they were hit by an SUV traveling east. Two other employees who witnessed the incident rushed to their side and started providing first aid until medics arrived on scene, UTA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both injured employees were taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition and the other in serious condition. One of the men was released from the hospital on April 26, according to a GoFundMe page organized to help pay for the mens medical bills. That man is thankfully at home recovering, UTAs statement says. The driver who hit the UTA workers initially left the scene of the crash but later turned himself in to Murray police, who are investigating the incident. UTA is providing counseling and benefits for Madrids family and offering counseling services to its employees, as well, the statement says. This story may be updated. FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4) A Utah family driving back to their cabin in Island Park, Idaho Thursday evening found themselves at the center of a tragic scene on U.S. Highway 20 near Henrys Lake. Terah Motzkus, along with her husband, children, and mother-in-law, had just left dinner in West Yellowstone around 7 p.m. when they came upon a crash involving a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes passenger van. East Idaho News conducted an interview regarding their first-hand account. There was smoke and it looked like a big semi had rolled over, but as we got closer, we saw it was two different vehicles mashed into each other, Motzkus told EastIdahoNews.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motzkus and her husband jumped into action. While he ran to check the pickup trucks driver who appeared unresponsive Motzkus went to the van, where some passengers had already made it out. PREVIOUSLY: New details released after 7 killed in tour van crash near Yellowstone National Park Then we ran over to the van where four adults and a little girl had already gotten out, she said. We could see one passenger in the van and his hand was badly mangled. He was just saying, Help! Help! Others were still trapped inside. As flames began to spread under the vehicle, the Motzkuses and other bystanders searched for ways to break through the van. Motzkus husband grabbed an ax, and another passerby tried using a pry bar to peel back the door with no success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we got there, there was a little fire under the van. As others started showing up, I was yelling to find a fire extinguisher, Motzkus said. Someone ran up with a fire extinguisher, but it really didnt do much. People rushed to the scene and dumped water bottles on the flames, but the fire grew worse. A Fremont County Sherriffs deputy arrived and also attempted to control the fire, but smoke began filling the vehicle. Another girl and I were pulling on a door with all our strength, Motzkus said, her voice breaking. It was just hard because we knew people were still in there. Everyone was just trying their best to get those doors open. Site of the crash. (Courtesy of Tony Blakeslee, EastIdahoNews.com) The deputy managed to break a back window and pull one injured man to safety. Bystanders were able to pull two others out of a front window. Motzkus recalled helping a woman with a severe thigh laceration using diapers from her car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She just kept saying, What happened? What happened? Motzkus said. Seconds later, both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames. The Motzkuses stayed on scene, trying to help as much as they could. One of them a woman asked me to find her friend. She told me her name and kept saying, Is my friend ok? I ran over to the other side and was never able to find the friend. I didnt want to tell her she was probably inside, Motzkus said through tears. Idaho State Police said the van was carrying 13 international passengers 12 from China and one from Italy as part of a Yellowstone tour operated by Ctour Holiday. Emergency responders, including a medical helicopter and several ambulances, arrived at the scene. Three people were airlifted to hospitals in Bozeman and Idaho Falls, while others were transported by ambulance to Madison Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven people died in the crash, including the 25-year-old driver of the pickup, Isaiah Moreno. Officials said confirming the identities of the other victims may take time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue workers arrive to the scene after a deadly collision between a pickup truck and tour van near Henrys Lake State Park in eastern Idaho on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Courtesy of EastIdahoNews.com via Roger Merrill) Motzkus and her family stayed at the scene for about an hour before returning to their cabin. The whole drive we cried and then I cried myself to sleep, Motzkus said. You go through all the scenarios of what if. What if we had been able to get the door open or break a window or help someone else out. Then we think that it could have been us. We were right there with our babies in the car. The section of Highway 20 was closed for seven hours as investigators processed the scene, according to East Idaho News. A dark burn scar now marks the site of the crash a grim reminder of the devastating incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just keep thinking about their families. It was so horrible, Motzkus said. For the Motzkus family, it was an evening that will live on in their memories, and a somber reminder of how fragile life can be. 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. TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) People involved in a UTV accident near Ovalo were transported by ambulance and medical helicopter for their injuries on Sunday afternoon. On May 4, the Jim Ned Volunteer Fire Department, Lawn Volunteer Fire Department, Buffalo Gap Volunteer Fire Department, Taylor County EMS, Taylor County Sheriffs Office and Texas Game Wardens provided mutual aid for a UTV crash east of Ovalo. Courtesy of the Jim Ned Volunteer Fire Department Jim Ned VFD reported that the remote location of the accident made it difficult for first responders to locate those involved. They were transported by UTV and truck to an awaiting ambulance and a Native Air 39 medical helicopter. The conditions of those involved are unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would like to thank all the agencies involved and wish those injured a speedy recovery, Jim Ned VFD shared online. Jim Ned VFD did not disclose the nature of the accident, and BigCountryHomepage has reached out to the Taylor County Sheriffs Office for further 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com The University of Washington (UW) lost a 3-year-long legal battle to keep the names of its Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) anonymous, the organization Science reported Friday. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will now be able to view the names of the people affiliated with the group. While PETA sees the situation as a win, UW is worried the impact will stifle animal research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such actions may affect recruitment of IACUC members in certain situations, a spokesperson told Science. We take very seriously the humane care and use of laboratory animals used in NIH-funded research and recognize the importance of having IACUCs being fully involved throughout these activities. PETA says UW committee should do a better job of protecting animals PETA argues the committee should have nothing to hide. If UWs animal oversight committee is so terrified of public scrutiny, it should do a better job of protecting animals tormented, mutilated, and killed in the laboratories they oversee, PETA Foundation Director of Litigation Asher Smith said via PETAs website. PETA will continue to expose the shocking mistreatment of monkeys, mice, and other animals used in UW experiments until they are replaced with 21st-century non-animal methods that give proven results. IACUs, as explained on the Office of Animal Welfares website, are responsible for approving all proposed animal projects, regular inspection of animal facilities, semi-annual review of UWs animal program, and investigating animal welfare concerns. (The Hill) Vice President Vance defended President Trump from criticism regarding his Friday Truth Social post portraying himself as a pontiff days after the death of Pope Francis. Hey, @JDVance, you fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father? Bill Kristol, who served as chief of staff to the vice president in the Bush administration, wrote in a Saturday post on the social media platform X. As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, wrote in a response to Kristol, who was an advocate for the 2003 Iraq invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vice presidents defense of Trump comes as others expressed their disapproval of the post, which was also reposted by the official White House account. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us, the Catholic Bishops of New York State wrote in a post on X. In late April, Catholic cardinals decided that May 7 would serve as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis successor. As a Catholic, I take great offense to Donald Trump mocking Catholics, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish Trump would focus on lowering prices instead. The American economy had negative GDP growth last quarter. Thats what he should be focused on instead of making fun of Catholics, he added. Earlier this week, Vance touted his special connection with the pope, whom he met one day before his death. I was one of the last people to talk to him. I just take it as a great honor and a sign from God to remember that you never know when your last day on this Earth is, he said at the time. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also backed Trump and his AI-generated post on Saturday. Seeing is believing! A picture is worth a thousand words.Glad to report there is very positive reception and strong momentum for President Trump to be the next Pope. But I will be first to admit there has been some resistance, Graham wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Must keep your head down and plow forward cant let the naysayers win the day, he continued. Next week is crucial as the papal conclave convenes. More updates to come! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Vice President Vance defended the Trump administrations first 100 days, marked by low approval ratings, and said he doesnt really care that much about polling numbers. Vance joined Fox Newss Special Report on Friday, where he was asked by host Bret Baier about President Trumps approval rating, which shows Americans approve of his administrations border security actions but dont have favorable views of its economic policy and overall agenda. The president talks about polls, and hes not a fan of how the polls are done, but approval ratings for you, for the president, if you look at the polls, not just one, but a span of them, you know, are not great, Baier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance downplayed the various surveys and noted that hes experienced poor polling before, pointing to 2024 election polling that showed former Vice President Harris more popular than her results proved to be. In the modern era, 2025, opinion pollsters just dont know how to capture most Americans. They dont answer the phones. If they do answer the phone, they hang up immediately, Vance said. Vance brushed aside the concern and said it isnt something to worry about. I think that, again, you do a good job, you worry about the polls later. The politics will take care of itself, he said. I mean, for the reasons I just said, I really am skeptical of these polls, Brett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also just dont really care that much about the polls, Vance continued. Even if they were accurate, because if we do a good job, if people see the results, then in three years, people will be talking about what a great job Donald J. Trump and JD Vance did. Thats all I really care about. Vances remarks come as the administration faces poor polling numbers from a variety of outlets. Trump tore into a number of news organizations over the recent polling that show his favorability is dipping 100 days into his administration. They are Negative Criminals who apologize to their subscribers and readers after I WIN ELECTIONS BIG, much bigger than their polls shows I would win, loose a lot of credibility, and then go on cheating and lying for the next cycle, only worse, he said in a post online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Decision Desk HQ survey, 44 percent of registered voters approve of Trumps job performance and 56 percent disapprove. In a Gallup poll, his approval rating sat at 45 percent, and in a survey from The Washington Post and ABC News, 60 percent of voters say the president is out of touch with most people in the country. His approval ratings are considerably lower than what other recent presidents received at 100 days into their administration, a traditional marker to evaluate a presidency. The lower poll numbers are becoming a concern for Republicans who have been loyal to the Trump administration so far, but have midterm elections in 2026 to worry about. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sunday marked the end of a formal mourning period in the Catholic Church for Pope Francis, who died April 21 after 12 years in the papacy. He was 88. The pontiff's death catalyzed an extensive list of traditions dating back centuries, one of which is Novemdiales, a nine-day period of mourning that began with his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The schedule for Novemdiales included daily masses inside St. Peter's Basilica, each presided over by a different cardinal and dedicated to the late pope. Sunday's mass was headed by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a senior deacon in the College of Cardinals that serves as advisers to the pope and steers the process of electing a replacement when the position is vacant. Like most processions held throughout the mourning phase, hundreds of cardinals attended the final event along with crowds of laypeople who packed into the cathedral. The Vatican shared a livestream of the mass on Sunday as it has done every day of Novemdiales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamberti led the mass in Italian, as a choir sang hymns and a number of others stepped up to the altar to sing or give remarks. "We have all admired how Pope Francis, animated by the love of the lord and carried by his grace, was faithful to his mission until the extreme consumption of his strength," said Mamberti, in part of the homily translated to English by a moderator. "He admonished the powerful, that they must obey god rather than man, and proclaimed to all humanity the joy of the gospel." Remembered for challenging long-held norms within the church, Francis died of a stroke on Easter Monday that led to a coma and heart failure, the Vatican said in a statement at the time. He had experienced major health issues in recent years, including two abdominal surgeries and multiple respiratory infections. The pope was hospitalized for five weeks between February and March after developing bronchitis and, later, pneumonia. The conclave to select Pope Francis' successor will begin following the conclusion of Novemdiales. It officially starts May 7, when a group of about 135 cardinal electors will isolate at the Vatican and initiate an ancient ritual used to determine who becomes the next pope. Inside the Sistine Chapel, those cardinals will repeatedly cast ballots for the candidate or candidates of their choice, until a single candidate receives a two-thirds-plus-one majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the archbishop of New York, discussed the upcoming conclave with reporters Sunday but did not hint at any frontrunners emerging just yet. "In the general congregations, you don't speak about candidates. You speak about the beauty, the graces of Pope Francis and the challenges of the church," Dolan said, adding that some conversations between cardinals do happen privately. As far as the qualities he is looking for in the next leader of the church, Dolan said he hopes "there's a pope that is like Jesus, because the pope is supposed to be the vicar of Christ on Earth." "The first time Pope Francis spoke to us cardinals, he spoke so beautifully and humbly and simply, and I was sitting next to the Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schonborn, and he had tears in his eyes," Dolan recalled. "He said, 'He speaks like Jesus.' I said, 'I think that's the job description.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typewriters making a comeback, thanks in part to Taylor Swift Limestone University announces closure, president told not to attend final graduation Church prepares for conclave as official mourning period for Pope Francis comes to an end MANILA, Philippines (AP) A vehicle crashed into an entrance at Manila's airport on Sunday morning, leaving two people dead including a young girl, officials said. The Philippine Red Cross said the girl was 4 years old, but Secretary of Transportation Vivencio Hizon said she was 5 years old. The other victim was an adult male, the humanitarian group said in a statement. Three other people were injured in the incident and were being treated in a hospital, Hizon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the vehicle was in police custody, according to the airport's operator, New NAIA Infra Co. Dozens of emergency personnel could be seen at Ninoy Aquino International Airport surrounding a black SUV that had rammed into a wall by an entrance. The vehicle was later removed from the site. The airport operator said it is coordinating with the authorities to investigate the incident. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt (ABC22/FOX44) Rachael young is one of many people who, after the birth of their child, experienced symptoms of postpartum depression. I was alone and felt really depressed and noticed that everyone around me did too, Young recalls. After talking things through with her healthcare provider, Young says the traditional options like antidepressants and other medications didnt feel right for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to try something else and couldnt find anything that I could just go out and easily purchase, she says. Using her background in conservation biology, Young created different herbal tinctures that helped bring back her sense of self. Thats how Fourth Family was born out of the need for people to acquire the help they want and deserve that feels safe to them. Not long after founding Fourth Family, Young met Nina Lesser-Goldsmith, owner of Healthy Living Market and president of Empty Arms Vermont. Lesser-Goldsmith says she discovered Empty Arms back in 2020, after loosing two pregnancies a few years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I of course dont wish that anybody join that club. she says, but when you do, knowing that there are people to hold you and hold the space is critical. Which is why on Saturday, the two organizations brought the community together along with other community partners holding a Maternal Mental Health Boost and Celebration at the South Burlington Library. Were really just opening the space to create the village, come together, and hold space for community, Young says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The archbishop of Milwaukee had strong words for President Donald Trump making light of the Catholic Church's most serious mourning period, saying it was "very unfortunate," but also added that the country needs to continue to pray for the president. Trump's White House posted an AI-generated image of the president dressed as the pontiff late Friday, just as the church is set to begin a conclave later this week to elect a new pope. Pope Francis, 88, a humble reformer who sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and clashed with world leaders over the rights of immigrants, died Easter Monday from double pneumonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Trump joked that he would "like to be pope." He then posted the digitally doctored image of himself wearing a white cassock and papal headdress, with his forefinger raised, to social media accounts, including the official X account for the White House. It came less than a week after Trump, who is not Catholic, attended Francis' funeral in Vatican City. President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as pope to social media accounts. "I guess I find it to be an unfortunate thing," said Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob in an interview with the Journal Sentinel May 4 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. "In my own understanding just of what it means to be a Christian and a person of good will is to be respectful of other people's circumstances," Grob said. "The church, Catholic Church, is in a period of mourning over the death of Pope Francis, and now it's a pivotal moment, looking into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And so, it's a very serious time. And whoever it is, wants to quip and make fun, be it Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam ... We've lost great respect for moments like this. And so it is what is, I guess, but it's very unfortunate." New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who was formerly archbishop of Milwaukee, also disapproved of Trump's post. When asked by reporters May 4 about the image, Dolan replied that he hoped Trump "didn't have anything to do with that." "Well, you know, it wasn't good," added Dolan, who has been floated by Trump as a candidate to be the next pontiff. The conclave is set to begin May 7. Grob hopes for a "true leader" that can guide the church amid the problems of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to look at the vast needs of so many parts of the our world at war, the disrespect of peoples, just the uncaring, the hatred, the racism, the violence. And sometimes you think, has religion had any effect? We believe it does." Grob said he's not expecting an apology from Trump for the image. "An apology, I guess, is always good, but the damage has been done," he said. "And again, it speaks to more of the person. "So in turn, we are praying for the conclave and we have to pray for (Trump) too. He's a human person. ... We have an obligation to pray for him, to pray for our country." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee archbishop reacts to image of Trump as pope Public outrage over Bakersfield Citys ham-fisted approach to raising the city sewer fee 300% in July from $239 to $950 a year prompted City Council members last week to abruptly withdraw the proposal. But city officials now must ask: How can we: Finance Bakersfields sewer and water system improvements, without suddenly sticking the tab squarely onto the shoulders of residents? Convince residents that we are good stewards of the citys tax dollars? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Create a way to anticipate infrastructure needs by setting aside more appropriate budget reserves? Council members and city officials have a lot of explaining to do. How were critically important systems allowed to deteriorate, without sufficient money set aside to improve or replace them? During their March 26 meeting, enough City Council members voted to send property owners notices that the annual sewer fee would increase from $239 to $950 and the monthly water fee would increase 50.8% in phases jumping 34% on July 1, 2025; 6% in fiscal year 2026-27; and 2.4% in 2027-28 and 2028-29. The monthly residential bills would rise from $43.46 to $54.94 this year and eventually to $64.72 by the final year. To be fair, not every council member voted to send the notices, and the vote on sending the sewer notice was not the same as for the water notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposition 218, a California law voters passed in 1996, requires the city to notify residents of potential rate increases. If more than 50% oppose, the increases fail. Even if sufficiently supported, the final rate decision rests with the City Council. Because the public outrage over the sewer fee hike was so quick and loud, council members at last weeks meeting directed staff to withdraw the proposal. A formal vote is expected at the councils May 14 meeting. However, there was no mention of the water rate increase. It is unclear if that rate increase also will be withdrawn. In a recent Californian Community Voices article, Councilman Andrae Gonzales explained Bakersfield eventually must significantly upgrade or replace at a cost of more than $500 million its 70-year-old Sewer Treatment Plant 2. Sewer Treatment Plant 3 will operate at capacity by the early 2030s. South Bakersfield development may require yet another sewer treatment plant. The citys sewer system is funded through an enterprise fund, not general tax dollars. The fund, which is supported by business and residential fees, is separate from the citys general fund and cannot be used for other city purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to city officials, the proposed water rate increases are needed to fund a $72-million, 10-year infrastructure maintenance and expansion program. Bakersfield continues to grow, and our infrastructure is a permanent obligation, wrote Gonzales. Over the last 30 years, the city chose to keep rates low and make the most of limited resources. But patch jobs only last so long. Eventually, you reach a point where delaying investment costs more than making it. In his Community Voices article, Gonzales suggested a good alternative three-part strategy: Modestly increase Bakersfields sewer rates over the next five years, rather than increasing them to $950 in July. Align Bakersfields rates with the lower ones charged in neighboring cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allow the city time to seek additional professional opinions on how to grow reserves, and explore cost-saving options for improving or replacing Sewer Treatment Plant 2. Use bonds to help cover improvement or replacement costs, but at a level that will not jeopardize other capital projects. A more modest sewer rate would require some bonding to fund capital expenses. The enterprise fund now includes two revenue bonds issued in 2007 to help finance Treatment Plant 3 improvements. The issuance of new bonds could be timed with the payoff of existing bonds in 2033. And as the furor over the recently proposed massive rate increase demonstrated, Bakersfield city officials also must work collaboratively with the community. VIRGINIA BEACH Mayor Bobby Dyer and other members of City Council who want to place a charter change referendum question on the November ballot likely have enough support for it to move forward. The referendum question would ask voters whether they want to keep the current single-member district system or if they support a voting system with some at-large seats on council. Six of 11 members a majority said they plan to vote in favor of it Tuesday when asked by The Virginian-Pilot. They are Dyer, Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson, Michael Berlucchi, Stacy Cummings, Cal Cash Green and Barbara Henley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four Dave Hutch Hutcheson, Worth Remick, Jennifer Rouse and Joash Schulman have said they wont vote for it. Amelia Ross-Hammond declined to say how she will vote. I dont want to put oil on the fire, Ross-Hammond said. The potential of a referendum has become a hot-button issue for council members and their constituents this spring. While some people are advocating for voters to weigh in on the citys current district-based election system, others are saying the push for feedback undermines progress that has been made to diversify local representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to hear from the voters what their preference is, Berlucchi said. Charter change conflict The referendum aims to address a conflict between the charter and the citys 2023 redistricting ordinance, in which the city adopted its 10-1 voting system. If it passes if the majority of voters want the city charter changed to reflect the 10-1 system it will be delivered to Virginia Beachs General Assembly delegation for introduction in the 2026 session. If approved by state lawmakers, the charter change would then require the governors signature. The 10-1 system is how voters currently elect City Council members. The mayor is elected at large by residents from across the city, but the 10 council members are elected only by residents in their district. The referendum could open the door to a modified 7-3-1 system, in which three council members would serve in at-large seats and all residents could vote for them. Under that system, the remaining seven members would be elected by residents only in their district. Previously, every City Council seat was at large and voters across the city could vote for every council member. The 10-1 system was implemented in 2022 after a federal judge deemed the at-large system illegal because it diluted minority voting power. That year, voters elected the most diverse council in city history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous efforts to enshrine the 10-1 system into law have been held up because of legal challenges. The governor vetoed a charter amendment request last year, citing a pending lawsuit. That same lawsuit challenging the validity of the citys district voting system is moving forward in court. A public comment hearing on the charter change referendum was held in April. Most of the 38 speakers said the district system is working and a referendum on the matter is unnecessary and counterproductive. This is issue has gone on too long, Eric Majette, president of the Virginia Beach NAACP, said at the hearing. He cited positive effects of the 10-1 system. Weve seen a more diverse and representative city council, Majette said. This change has empowered communities that were previously underrepresented, ensuring that every district has a voice in our local community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Majette urged council members to uphold the 10-1 system by opposing the referendum. Several other speakers said the wording of the question was confusing or misleading. Wording of the question The proposed referendum question would be: Should the method of city council elections set forth in the Virginia Beach City Charter be changed from a modified 7-3-1 system to a 10-1 system? It includes the following explanation: A yes vote means that you support the 10-1 system, which was used in the 2022 and 2024 city council elections. In the 10-1 system, the city is divided into 10 districts and the voters of each district elect a single council member with the mayor elected at-large (city-wide). A no vote means you support the 7-3-1 system described in the current city charter as modified by a general law change that occurred in 2021. In the modified 7-3-1 system, the city is divided into 7 districts and the voters of each district elect a single council member, with three other council members and the mayor elected at-large (city-wide). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Virginia Beach candidates running for the Virginia House of Delegates took advantage of the hearing to get on a soapbox. Kyle Pasquarella, a Republican who is running against Democrat incumbent Kelly Convirs-Fowler in District 96, advocated for a referendum. Its important that we put this issue to rest, Pasquarella said. Let the people finally decide and voice their entire opinions, instead of through a survey or through the courts. Virginia Beach conducted an election system survey in 2023, and the majority of respondents wanted to keep the 10-1 system. If it truly was a good survey, then the referendum will only show that to be the case, Cummings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheryl Smith, a Democrat who is running for House District 98 against Republican incumbent Barry Knight, said the 10-1 works for Virginia Beach. Why are we even here talking about this? Smith asked. What are we afraid of? Another House candidate, Cat Porterfield, a Democrat who is running against Republican Anne Ferrell Tata in District 99, also spoke at the April hearing. Porterfield said the 10-1 system gave the city a council that looks more like its residents, not its donor class. She argued that the referendum is a push to roll back the 10-1 voting system and a power grab. Its been very controversial Cummings disputed claims that those advocating for a referendum are against the 10-1 or that its a control issue. He and his colleagues were all elected under the 10-1 system. If it were to change to include more at-large seats, some current members could lose their seats, Cummings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it was a grab for power, you would want the status quo, he said. Wilson was out of town when the public hearing was held, but she said shes been listening to constituents. Its been very controversial, and people on both sides of the question want to be heard, Wilson said. Voting belongs to the citizens, and they should have a say in how they get to vote and the governance of their city. Dyer said hes prepared to take the next step based on what the results of a referendum vote may be. I will abide by what the people say, Dyer said. If the people say they want the 10-1, I will encourage the General Assembly to make that part of the charter. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com On summer break from a Ph.D. program, an international student at University of California, San Diego, was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it. Any travel, even inside the U.S., just didn't seem worth the risk. I probably am going to skip that to ... have as few interactions with governments as possible," said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International students weighing travel to see family, take a vacation or conduct research are thinking twice because of the Trump administration's crackdown, which has added to a sense of vulnerability. Even before students suddenly began losing permission to study in the U.S., some colleges were encouraging international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing government efforts to deport students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against non-essential travel abroad for international students. University of California, Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to strict vetting and enforcement. At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress. Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students went into hiding while others left the country on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn't know why their records were removed. After federal judges raised due process concerns in several students' cases, the U.S. government reversed the terminations but then issued new guidance expanding the reasons international students can lose their legal status in the future. Under the new policy, valid reasons for status termination include the revocation of the visas students used to enter the U.S. In the past, if a students visa was revoked, they generally could stay in the U.S. to finish school. They simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fast-evolving situation has left colleges struggling to advise students. A Michigan college employee who helps international students navigate the visa process said they are inquiring more than ever about summer travel. The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he often has been unable to give sufficient answers. Last year, the U.S. hosted around 1.1 million international students, a source of essential tuition revenue at many schools. Advocates say that number is likely to shrink as the crackdown hurts America's appeal. Over the past few weeks, Rishi Oza's immigration law firm in North Carolina has received calls about travel risks almost daily from people of varied immigration status, including international students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You kind of shake your head and say, Is this the character of the country we want?' Oza said. It just seems that its a bit out of whack that people are fearful of leaving and whether they'll be able to come back. Students in the U.S. with a visa need to decide if their travels are critical, Oza said. When attempting reentry after leaving the country, they should bring immigration documents, school transcripts and even court documents if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case. Ultimately, lawyers can't foretell what will happen at the airport, he said. The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student's plan to travel to his home country in Asia this summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, is still there. Right now," he said, I'm afraid I might not be able to come back. ___ Associated Press reporter Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico. ___ The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The Voice of America (VOA) reporters plan to return to work next week is up in the air after an appeals court issued a stay on Saturday, halting a late April order from a district judge that prevented the administration from dismantling the international broadcaster. The court, in a 2-1 opinion, ruled that the federal government is likely to succeed on the underlying facts of the case and that district court judge Royce Lamberth likely lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to shoot down parts of President Trumps mid-March executive order regarding the expenditure of government grants and personnel actions. The ruling dealt a blow to VOA staffers, who were notified on Friday that they could resume broadcasting and return to their office in Washington the following week. One VOA employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, described it as devastating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Saturday order, judges Neomi Rao and Gregory Katsas, both Trump appointees, ruled in the governments favor. While USAGMs employees and contractors might have viable, discrete claims with respect to their individual personnel actions, those claims must be pursued through other remedial channels, the duo said in the 39-page order. Cornelia Pillard, the third judge on the panel, who was appointed by former President Obama, dissented. The purpose of a stay pending appeal is to maintain the status quo until a case can be fully adjudicated on its merits. This stay does the opposite, silencing Voice of America for the foreseeable future and eliminating Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks ability to see this case through to the end, Pillard wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kari Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial candidate, who serves as a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, applauded the appeals courts decision. BIG WIN in our legal cases at USAGM & Voice of America. Huge victory for President Trump and Article II, Lake wrote in a post on the social media platform X. Turns out the District Court judge will not be able to manage the agency as he seemed to want to. The Hill has reached out to USAGM for clarity on the courts decision. The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday notified attorneys representing VOA workers that they could go back to the office and resume work, which has been paused for nearly two months, next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USAGM currently expects staff to begin to return to the office next week, as security, building space, and equipment issues require a phased return, said an email from DOJ to lawyers representing VOA staffers late Friday, which was obtained by The Hill. With respect to VOA programming, as mentioned above, all VOA staff should now have system access. USAGM anticipates VOA programming to resume next week. In the interim, staff at OCB will assist and help getting programming on the air, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenda Gonzalez Horowitz said in an email to VOA lawyer David Seide. The return to programming would mark nearly two months after President Trumps executive order, which was rolled out on March 14, sought to dismantle seven federal agencies, including USAGM, that in addition to overseeing VOA, also dishes out government funds to outlets such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. Trump and his allies have long-criticized VOA, a government-funded international outlet founded in 1942 that broadcasts in nearly 50 languages. The president and his supporters have often contended that the outlets coverage is unfair to conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The push to permanently shut down VOA was slowed down in court, however. Lamberth, the district court judge, ruled on April 22 that the administrations push to terminate VOA and its affiliated newscasters was unlawful and ordered USAGM to restore the international outlet, along with other news services within the agencys portfolio. They took immediate and drastic action to slash USAGM, without considering its statutorily or constitutionally required functions as required by the plain language of the EO, and without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world, Lamberth, an appointee of former President Reagan, wrote in last months order about the administration. It is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary and capricious actions than the Defendants actions here, Lamberth added. Some VOA reporters have had their access fully restored as of Saturday, one source briefed on the matter told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST BEND - The race for Wisconsin's next governor is underway 18 months before voters will go to the polls, with Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann launching the first campaign. Schoemann, a Republican who filed his campaign paperwork days ago, launched his bid May 4 with a campaign video focused on his biography. He rallied supporters later in the day at a "summer kickoff cookout" in West Bend at event venue Elderberry Manor where his two sons, Drake and Cael, and wife, Jodi, introduced him with stories and songs. The 43-year-old Washington County native pitched a theme of being "neighbors" with voters and argued in his campaign video that the governor's office needs leaders who will "roll up their sleeves, bring people together and do the hard work of building a brighter future for Wisconsin." Jake Schoemann and his son Caidan, 4, attend a rally for Schoemann's brother, Josh, who announced he is running for governor in Wisconsin on Sunday, May 4,2025 at Elderberry Manor in West Bend. He is the first candidate from a major party to throw his name into the 2026 arena. "I'm tired of watching generations of our young people and our retirees leave the state for greener pastures," Schoemann says in the video. "I'll fight to make Wisconsin the best state in the nation to live, work, raise a family, be retired and start a business. So our state becomes a great place to be, not just be from." Neighbors, the status quo is failing us. Let's work toward a new future, together. pic.twitter.com/Bi8QGFhAte Josh Schoemann (@JoshSchoemann) May 4, 2025 Schoemann enters the race for governor not knowing who his potential Democratic opponent will be, should he prevail in a GOP primary. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet said whether he will seek a third term in the election 18 months from now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his West Bend event, Schoemann blasted Evers for vetoing a bill that would have reversed changes to how the state Department of Public Instruction measures students' academic progress. Evers, a former state superintendent, had repeatedly criticized how the state Department of Public Instruction sought the changes, but in his veto message Evers said he disagreed with allowing the state Legislature to override State Superintendent Jill Underly. Schoemann also targeted the issue of clean water and academic performance in the Milwaukee Public Schools. Republican Josh Schoemann announced he is running for governor in Wisconsin on Sunday, May 4,2025 at Elderberry Manor in West Bend. He is the first candidate from a major party to throw his name into the 2026 arena. "Whether it's Tony Evers, career politicians or the Madison bureaucracy, the status quo is failing us in Wisconsin," Schoemann told the crowd gathered at Elderberry Manor. "We have lead pipe and lead paint in many of our homes and schools, poisoning kids. We have PFAs in the ground poisoning wells, and in Milwaukee, only 9% of kids are proficient in reading," he said. Democratic Party of Wisconsin executive director Sarah Abel characterized Schoemann as a "far-right Republican" that voters have rejected before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He has railed against funding for our public schools and continues to stand by Donald Trump and Elon Musk as they wreck the economy, force new tariff taxes and raise costs for consumers, gut health care for working families, and the last thing Wisconsin needs is another Donald Trump puppet at the helm who will undo all the progress weve made since 2018. Schoemann, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who lives near West Bend, was first elected county executive in 2020 after holding the jobs of county administrator and county manager for six years. Washington County remains a reliable Republican stronghold in metropolitan Milwaukee as other suburban communities have trended away from GOP dominance. More: How much did Elon Musk spend on Wisconsin Supreme Court race and answers to other questions According to his biography on the Washington County website, Schoemann earned an Army Commendation Medal and received an honorable discharge in October 2008 from the Army National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schoemann's entrance to the race comes two weeks after Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay manufacturing businessman, launched a political action committee as he considers a run for governor. Berrien is a Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision in New Berlin. Also considering campaigns for governor is U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican from Minocqua who represents the 7th Congressional District. Alexander Kent of La Crosse also registered a campaign for governor this week as an independent candidate, according to state campaign finance records. Kent registered the committee under the name "Voter Directed Democracy," which is also the title of a book he authored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This story was updated to add new information.) Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Republican Josh Schoemann launches bid for governor In the days after the Cincinnati police shooting of Ryan Hinton in East Price Hill, The Enquirer has examined the body camera video frame-by-frame. (KTLA) As KTLAs Carlos Herrera reported Saturday morning on the previous nights shooting at an Inglewood college campus, police officers took a person into custody in the background. This is just unfolding right now, Herrera said at 8:04 a.m. as officers filed out of squad cars behind him. The officers appeared to be holding rifles, although its unclear if they were non-lethal. KTLA reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department about the incident. The department said officers were following an allegedly stolen vehicle in the area of Aviation and Century Boulevards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, who remains unidentified, was taken into custody without incident. Herrera spotted the suspect, who appeared to be male, exiting the vehicle with his hands raised in the air. He then laid on the asphalt while officers cuffed him. Its not yet clear if he was armed. No additional details were immediately made available. The arrest was not related to Fridays shooting, which left two people hospitalized. Luis Zuniga 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. Its been billed as the reset summit. In just over a fortnight, Sir Keir Starmer will welcome EU leaders to London, where he is hoping to strike deals on defence, food and net zero. If anything needs a reset, its the UK economy. Britain has struggled to break out of its moribund growth rate, with the economy just 3.4pc bigger than its pre-lockdown size. By contrast, the US is 12.2pc larger. Labour now risks a doom loop of weak growth and high borrowing costs that could force Rachel Reeves to keep raising taxes or slashing spending this parliament to plug a borrowing black hole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while the Chancellor has been courting deals in the US and China, she recently suggested its the one on Britains doorstep she covets the most. The UKs trade relationship with the EU is arguably more important than the one it has with the US, Reeves said on a trip to Washington last month. While the Chancellor was swiftly rebuked by No10, the mask is slipping. Despite Labours manifesto pledge to be confident in our status outside of the EU, ministers are beginning to let their anti-Brexit feelings show. Douglas Alexander, the trade minister, launched a tirade against Britains exit from the EU last week, branding it devastating and describing efforts to strike deals with other countries a post-imperial delusion. The existing Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the UK and the EU is not scheduled for renewal until 2026. But ministers are intent on striking bespoke deals before then that can exist within the overarching agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agreements could eliminate the red tape faced by Britains biggest companies, including supermarkets Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer and Asda, who recently wrote to Brussels to ask officials to relax border checks on food and drink. Yet any deal risks alienating Donald Trump, imperilling trade talks with the US and putting Britain at risk of incurring the the 20pc tariff facing EU exports. Sir Keir has also laid out a series of red lines in talks with Brussels, vowing Britain will not return to the single market, allow free movement or sign up to a customs union that would tie our trade policy to the bloc. The EU has its own demands, with officials pushing for long-term access to British fishing waters. The Government is racing to strike new deals with the EU in an effort to boost rearmament efforts and stimulate Britains moribund economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Nigel Farages success in local elections and victory in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election suggest that backdoor deals and reversing Brexit by stealth will not be tolerated. Some fear the process has already begun. Food standards As Sir Keir Starmer prepares to welcome European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, he hopes Britain and the EU can kiss and make up in a reset of relations - Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The most politically contentious area in any trade deal with the EU is food. Brussels has long spurned an animal and food safety deal with Britain unless the country is dynamically aligned to the EUs rulebook. In other words, increased market access is tied to the adoption of EU legislation overseen by the European Court of Justice. This was first floated during the wrangling over Northern Ireland, when the Conservatives were attempting to avoid customs checks in the Irish Sea, but the Tories baulked at any talk of European Court of Justice (ECJ) involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, British negotiators wanted the same deal as New Zealand, where the country and EU mutually recognised each others standards as equal. This was never on the table for the UK, despite the fact that standards have not been lowered in the years after Brexit. Despite the hurdles, Sir Keir is desperate to remove the checks on agricultural products such as cheese and beef that are one of the biggest trade barriers. Food sold to the EU must be accompanied by a slew of forms and subject to inspections. The National Audit Office has estimated that implementing post-Brexit border checks has cost the Government more than 4.7bn so far, with traders facing increasing additional costs and administrative burdens numbering in the hundreds of millions of pounds. Now, negotiators are looking at a deal that is strikingly similar to the proposals rejected by the Tories as unconscionable. A Swiss-style model is being looked at in which London would adopt the EUs rulebook and decide whether to adapt to every change. Labour will argue that adopting each evolving law going forward would be in the national interest, it is understood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But such a move would prove hugely controversial and open Labour to charges of reversing Brexit by degrees. Veteran negotiators believe Labour showed its hand too early by making a manifesto pledge to deliver a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal, wonk speak for a food standards deal. This, critics charge, played into the blocs favour as it left the party desperate for a deal. Brussels is using the issue as leverage to try to get their hands on British fish. The EU has long wanted a guarantee of long-term access to Britains fishing waters and negotiators have seen the opportunity to link Britains food deal to those fishing rights. The Telegraph understands that any veterinary deal would be time-limited and linked to fisheries arrangements. If EU fishing boats are blocked from UK waters, SPS access would also be withdrawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current landing zone appears to be a two-year period, which falls between the one year Britain wanted and five years for Brussels. However, it risks leaving few people happy. A time-limited deal would still leave a sword of Damocles hanging above the head of businesses that want to trade with the EU, while Britains fishing industry would also be up in arms. Washington will be watching closely. The US has already taken the EU to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over what it thinks are very protectionist standards that it says are designed to keep it out, says Jill Rutter, at the Institute for Government, a think tank. The US hates most EU regulations and wants to get rid of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent report published by the Office of the US Trade Representative on foreign trade barriers was full of complaints about dynamic alignment, the very idea the EU is now pushing on Britain. They have 35 pages on what they hate about the EU and five pages about what they hate about the UK, she says. But most of what they hate about the UK is that we still follow EU rules, and theyve been sabre-rattling about it. Lord Frost, who was Britains chief negotiator for exiting the EU, believes it is vital the UK does not cede powers to Brussels. We dont give away powers. We dont give away the right to set our laws to the European Commission and the EU. We dont give away our fishing rights. We dont give away our climate policy. Thats how I wouldve approached this. But we seem to have made all these concessions that ought to be our cards to play in this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources close to the White House are also warning Sir Keir to tread carefully. He wants to cosy up to the EU at a time like this? He needs to make a choice between the EU and the US, and the pending tariffs against the EU are not tariffs he should want to attract to the UK, says one Trump ally. Youth mobility The ability for young Europeans to work in and travel freely to Britain has been at the heart of EU demands for any reset deal. It was listed as an offensive interest, alongside fishing, by the blocs officials in early talks over Labours approach to rehashing cross-Channel relations. The EU tabled a proposal in the dying days of the Conservatives time in power that would have seen an unlimited number of young Europeans given access to the UK, with students charged the same university fees as Britons and no need to pay the NHS levy that foreign residents are usually subject to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before its election victory, Labour had ruled this out as dead in the water. But as talks over the reset developed, it soon became clear that some countries, including Poland, would be willing to crash the entire negotiations if a youth mobility deal was not part of the final agreement. To satisfy Brussels demands, Labour is understood to be considering an offer to replicate the arrangements between the UK and Australia. Under that agreement up to 45,000 Australians aged under 35 can come and live and work in the UK for up to two years. The plan would see tens of thousands of young Europeans arriving in the UK for two years, with a possible extension. The exact numbers would be capped based on Home Office concerns around immigration figures. Under a reciprocal scheme Britons aged 18 to 30 would be given the same rights in EU countries. Miguel Berger, Germanys ambassador to the UK, insisted last week that the EU was not seeking a return to free movement of people. Its based on a visa scheme. So its no freedom of movement, he said. It is not migration because people would stay, have the experience and then go back home. They may even contribute to the Treasurys coffers. A Home Office assessment published in 2016 suggested the average person coming to the UK under the scheme contributes roughly 10,000 a year in taxes. Rutter says many businesses stand to benefit from the scheme. It might relieve some of the staff shortages we see in retail and hospitality, she says. Even Frost said he would be open to a time-limited scheme that ensured the floodgates did not open. [These schemes] are capped. Theyre for very short periods. You have to get clearance before you can arrive. Theyre short-term work visas. They arent really youth mobility arrangements at all, and there are very low levels, he told the Daily T podcast last week. A poll last year suggests many Britons agree. More in Common found that 58pc of people believe a youth mobility scheme is a good idea, compared with 10pc of people who think it is bad. However, Frost insisted that any mobility scheme must have an expiry date. One is freedom of movement, one is a short term visa scheme. Theyre very different things. One is a total breach of principle. One is a little bit more pragmatic. I dont know where theyre going to end up on this. Wherever we end up, we should be getting something for it. Pay to play on defence Talks between Brussels and London on a security pact have been going on for years, with the unveiling of a defence deal expected to be the centrepiece of the meeting between Brussels and London on May 19. The accord would be modelled at least in part on the EU-Norway Security and Defence Partnership signed last year, which would pave the way for regular talks as well as intelligence-sharing and a forum to discuss long-term issues such as support for Ukraine and maritime security. The French wasted no time trying to tie fishing rights that expire in 2026 to a defence deal, a move the UK rejected. While a Norway-style pact would be welcome, Rutter at the Institute for Government says the bigger prize is access to a new 150bn (130bn) European fund designed to ramp up defence spending. It would in theory allow British companies such as BAE Systems or Babcock to bid for and win lucrative contracts for arms projects across the bloc. 0305 Britain has strong military ties with Europe However, the idea is controversial in Brussels. Many question whether the UK, as a third country with quite a big defence industry, should be allowed to benefit from the EUs big rearmament programme, and on what terms, Rutter at the Institute for Government says. It has been widely reported that the UK will need to pay to play. Thomas Regnier, the commissions defence spokesman, has said third countries must negotiate specific, mutually beneficial agreements on the participation of their respective industries in procurements. In other words, pony up. Paying for access is likely to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Brexiteers who derided Britains contribution into the EU budget. Defence could end up being like a Trojan horse to slowly reverse Brexit, says one prominent business leader. Defence co-operation will have to filter through to other areas. Because if youre starting to supply into the European defence industry, youre going to need to be able to navigate customs and rules of origin and all that other stuff. To the executive, all this is positive. But for many Brexiteers, this will be their worst nightmare. Product standards The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill may sound dull, yet it is vitally important to understand for anyone who cares about Brexit. The legislation, which is working its way through parliament, will give ministers sweeping powers to unilaterally align UK standards with Brussels, and cover most consumer products and many industrial goods, but exclude food, aircraft and medicines. It is meant to help avoid divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which continues to follow EU product rules under the Windsor Framework negotiated by Rishi Sunak. Future divergence could mean products made in Great Britain are no longer permitted in Northern Ireland. However, Joel Reland, at UK in a Changing Europe, a think tank, says there are drawbacks. For one, this sort of voluntary alignment does not bring any relief from EU regulatory checks. You follow EU rules, with no say over their design, but still dont get market access. The bill is being passed through secondary legislation, meaning it receives far less scrutiny than if it were primary legislation. Frost believes the arrangement will effectively enable Brussels to use Northern Ireland to keep this whole country in line with EU rules in certain areas. I simply dont understand the logic, and its going to end up with us giving away a lot of powers to Brussels [which] are going to be very, very difficult to get back, he told The Telegraph. The Government is pushing through this carefully named product regulation bill that gives powers to align our laws with the EUs on all manufactured goods that will come into force probably towards the end of this year. Watch out for this concession after concession by stealth, bit by bit until we get pulled back into the tractor beam. Net zero In another sign that Sir Keir wants the EU reset to be about more than just trade, Britain and the EU are exploring relinking their carbon markets. Both sides charge manufacturers for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit as part of their goals to reach net zero. They do this through emissions trading schemes (ETS) that set an overall cap on emissions, with companies able to buy or trade allowances if they want to emit more. Britain left the EUs scheme at the end of 2020 as part of its exit from the EU and launched its own carbon market in 2021. While carbon prices in the UK are currently almost half that of the EU, benefiting producers here, the planned implementation of the so-called EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) next year will introduce extra levies on electricity, aluminium, iron and steel, among other things, imported into the EU. The UK plans to introduce its own CBAM a year later. Supporters argue that linking the two markets will lead to higher Treasury revenues and ensure that British companies wont be stung by extra levies when trading with their largest export partner. But Trumps administration has already indicated carbon border taxes are in their firing line and that they could be subject to retaliation under plans that the US president has ordered to be drawn up within 60 days. 0305 Britain offers much cheaper carbon credits India has also criticised the tax, with its trade chief Piyush Goyal warning that the carbon tax is going to cause the death knell of manufacturing in Europe. Marley Morris, at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a think tank, says there will be losers if the UK ties itself to Brussels. At the moment, the UK and EUs carbon price are really quite far apart, and so if the UK increases its price, then producers would obviously be hit harder, she says. And so that might in itself go down badly with countries like India and the US. The backdrop is warnings from industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the chemicals industry that high electricity costs, partly fuelled by green levies, are already killing British factories. In search of growth Closer ties with Brussels will be controversial and will not be cost-free. But with very little room for manoeuvre, Sir Keir may yet be tempted by a decision that George Osborne claims will be a boost to growth at the stroke of a pen. Speaking on his Political Currency podcast last week, Osborne, a former Tory chancellor and Remain campaigner, highlighted the Office for Budget Responsibilitys verdict that Brexit implied a 4pc hit to GDP over the very long term. As I understand it, the OBR may give the Labour Government 2pc of that back if they turn a hard Brexit into a soft Brexit. [So] if youre sitting in the Treasury trying to make the sums add up ... are you going to have to raise taxes because you dont want to break your fiscal rules? He added: If [Reeves] can get an EU trade deal, some estimates say it would be worth seven times the planning reforms to the British economy. Such maths may look attractive on paper, but would they translate to reality? The one thing we know about Donald Trump is he viscerally hates the EU, Rutter at the Institute for Government says. So theres always a risk that even if a deal doesnt actually have any implications at all for the US, it puts the UK back in the EU box anyway. If all goes the way Labour hopes, Sir Keir and his counterparts will have deals to announce at the upcoming summit. For the Prime Minister, it will be an achievement to celebrate that he hopes will boost growth and slash red tape. Yet with Trump fuming against Brussels and with Farage in the ascendency, closer ties with the EU may well turn out to be a poisoned chalice. 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. KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed strong confidence today that the ongoing dispute between Petronas and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will be resolved fairly and respectfully. He confirmed speaking with Sarawak Premier Tun Abang Johari Openg yesterday to discuss the issue, consistent with previous understandings between the federal and state governments. Once the premier returns from his official visit to London, United Kingdom, we will promptly hold further discussions to finalise the matter, Anwar said in a social media post earlier today. In his statement, Anwar also urged all parties involved to refrain from making public pronouncements or pursuing unilateral actions regarding the dispute while discussions are ongoing. ADVERTISEMENT The prime minister reaffirmed the federal governments commitment to finding a solution that fully acknowledges Sarawaks rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), while simultaneously maintaining national unity and cohesion. At the heart of the dispute is Sarawaks assertion of regulatory control over its own oil and gas resources via Petros, challenging the exclusive rights granted to Petronas under the federal Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA). Sarawak established Petros as its state-owned oil and gas entity in 2017, a move that initiated complex legal and political negotiations concerning resource ownership and management rights established under the PDA. While a Commercial Settlement Agreement (CSA) was agreed upon in principle between Petronas and the Sarawak state government in 2020, several key components reportedly remain unresolved and require finalisation. The long-standing issue has significant political dimensions tied to state rights and resource sovereignty, alongside major economic implications for both Sarawak and the Malaysian federation as a whole. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Wasatch Back, Utah Valley, and Wasatch Mountains south of I-80. A strong thunderstorm will reportedly impact portions of west central Wasatch and north central Utah counties through 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Hail up to half an inch in size and wind up to 40 mph is expected. Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Brigham Young University, or over Provo, moving north at 25 mph. Traffic cameras indicate accumulating small hail on area roads, the NWS statement reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locations to be impacted include Provo, Orem, Lehi, Draper, Pleasant Grove, Springville, American Fork, Lindon, Alpine, Vineyard, Brigham Young University, Palmyra, Utah Lake, Highland, Cedar Hills, Mt Timpanogos, and Sundance. This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 262 and 283. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building, officials said. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm, the statement reads. Lightning can reportedly strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) On This Week in Louisiana Politics, lawmakers focus on lowering insurance costs, debating proposed immigration legislation and discussing changes to SNAP benefits. Heres a recap of the latest in Louisiana political news. Lawmakers continue to discuss insurance reform HB 330, authored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, would establish an income tax credit for annual homeowners insurance premiums. Homeowners who pay over $3,000 a year in insurance premiums would qualify for the tax break. Sen. John Jay Morris III wrote SB 15, which would make it a crime to interfere with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would also modify the obstruction of justice offense, which, according to present law, targets acts such as tampering with evidence or interfering with criminal proceedings. SB15 would add an act stating that any action done with the intent to hinder immigration enforcement qualifies as obstruction of justice. Another bill related to immigration would require the state to communicate with ICE when someone is reaching out for public services, including food stamps and housing assistance. If the applicant is not a citizen, it would be a requirement that they be reported to ICE. Sen. Patrick McMath wants the Department of Children and Family Services to remove junk food from the SNAP eligibility list. Gov. Landry also filed an executive order to expedite the passing of McMaths proposed bill. 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. One day after sharing a widely condemned AI-generated photo of Donald Trump as the Pope, the White House returned Saturday to X with another Trump meme, this time with the president styled as what his social media team appears to believe is a beefed-up, patriotic Jedi despite the fact that the president is holding a red lightsaber. Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy, the White House wrote. Youre not the Rebellion youre the Empire. May the 4th be with you. Though it could be inferred from that caption that the White House intended to present Trump as Jedi, the image notably shows him holding a red lightsaber a hallmark of the Sith, stewards of the Dark Side. Based on that detail, its unclear if the White House intended to celebrate Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members or decry them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The image also features Trump clad in a Jedi robe and sporting oversized muscles, as well as a backdrop that includes two bald eagles and the American flag. Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. Youre not the Rebellionyoure the Empire. May the 4th be with you. pic.twitter.com/G883DhDRR5 The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 4, 2025 Trump, who is not Catholic, and the White House were widely criticized this weekend after the president first shared a photo of himself as the Pope and the official White House account reshared it. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President, the New York State Catholic Conference wrote on X. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. Pope Francis died April 21. Trump was later criticized for saying he was looking forward to the funeral and for wearing a blue suit to it instead of black. The post White House Shares Beefed-Up Trump Meme for Star Wars Day Doesnt Realize Hes Styled as a Sith Lord appeared first on TheWrap. A White Settlement hotel was damaged the morning of Saturday, May 3, when a sport utility vehicle crashed into the office, police said. Photos posted on the White Settlement Police Departments Facebook page show a Ford Escape sitting outside the Red Roof Inn, surrounded by broken bricks and wood. The front of the SUV is mangled and part of the wall of the building is torn away. A Ford Escape crashed into the office of White Settlements Red Roof Inn on Saturday morning. The driver lost control while exiting the service road in front of the hotel, police say. The vehicle was exiting the service road in the 8500 block of West Freeway when the driver lost control and hit the hotels office, according to police. No one was seriously injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they are investigating the circumstances of the crash. A spokesperson for the Red Roof Inn said no one was injured and the hotel is still open for business. More top stories from our newsroom: Texas, Fort Worth officials warn of dire impacts of Head Start cuts 2 arrested in North Texas triple homicide. 3rd man exonerated Woman assaulted on American Airlines flight files federal suit [Get our breaking news alerts.] (WHTM) Flags in Pennsylvania are flying at half-staff by order of Governor Josh Shapiro. Shapiro ordered the U.S. and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff at all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds to honor fallen Pennsylvania firefighters during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Every day, brave firefighters run towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe, and we need to continue to fight for them and honor their work to protect our communities, said Shapiro. This National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we join together to honor the Pennsylvania firefighters weve lost who gave their lives running towards danger to keep our friends and neighbors safe and remember their legacies of service and sacrifice. Lori and I pray for the family members and loved ones they leave behind. On behalf of a grateful Commonwealth, may their memories be a blessing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute, Shapiro 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 ABC27. Our prosperity and security are indivisible: Anwar congratulates Singapore PM Wong after PAPs election win KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today congratulated Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong following the Peoples Action Partys (PAP) sweeping victory in the island nations general election. In a Facebook post, Anwar said the people of Malaysia and Singapore shared longstanding ties, adding that the prosperity and security of both nations are indivisible. I wish you and your team continued success as you carry forward the responsibilities of leadership in this new term, he said. As we look to the future, our two countries are building a habit of deep collaboration at all levels a vital foundation as we navigate profound challenges to global order and international trade, he added. Anwar also highlighted the JohorSingapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as a key initiative reflecting the growing cooperation between the neighbouring countries. ADVERTISEMENT Singapores PAP won 87 out of 97 seats in yesterdays polls, securing 65.57 per cent of the vote and reinforcing the partys long-standing dominance. This was Wongs first election since taking over from Lee Hsien Loong in 2024. His leadership was tested by a rejuvenated opposition and growing global economic uncertainties, including potential US tariffs announced and later paused by President Donald Trump. Wongs popularity, bolstered by his role leading Singapores Covid-19 task force, helped the PAP regain ground after declining support in the 2020 election. Despite facing controversies, including a high-profile family dispute involving Lee Hsien Loong and the conviction of a former transport minister for graft, the PAP retained its overwhelming majority. TOPEKA (KSNT) Flags across Kansas are being lowered to half-staff on Sunday. But whats the occasion? Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an order last week that flags throughout the State of Kansas be lowered to half-staff from sunup to sundown on Sunday, May 4. This order is meant to honor National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day. Our first responders risk their lives every day in service to our communities and Kansans, Kelly said. National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day is a time to honor Kansas firefighters for their tireless work and ensure the ultimate sacrifice that far too many have made will never be forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why legalizing weed in Kansas isnt working The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) holds services annually to honor the nations firefighters such as a memorial service set for 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST on May 4. You can find a list of Kansas firefighters in the NFFFs Roll of Honor by clicking here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 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. Flags across the United States and Texas are at half-staff Sunday in honor of National Firefighters Memorial Day, which commemorates 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year. The 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will also pay tribute to 70 additional firefighters who died in previous years. Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism, Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation said in a release. Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President George W. Bush signed the law that required the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters each year. "When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition," the NFFF said. Flags will return to full-staff at sunset. Are any firefighters from Texas being honored? Six Texas firefighters are being honored during this years National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend: Lieutenant Charles "Buddy" Freeman II , of the Montgomery County Fire Department Emergency Services District, died on Sept. 29, 2023. He had responded to a possible carbon monoxide leak on July 9. The following morning, he suffered a heart attack and later died from complications following multiple heart surgeries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. He did not return to duty after the hazardous materials incident. Firefighter and Paramedic G. Wade Cannon , of the Flower Mound Fire Department, died in 2022 from colon cancer. Firefighter Marcelo "Ox" Garcia III , of the Houston Fire Department, died on Nov. 6, 2023, after a wall collapsed on him while he was battling a fire at a vacant warehouse. Assistant Chief Scott Glass , of Perryton Fire and EMS, died on Oct. 20 from a head injury caused when he was struck by a 5-inch hose that whipped unexpectedly while being charged with water during a structure fire. Safety Officer Daniel R. "Dan" Potts Sr. , of City of Whitney Fire and Rescue, died in 2023 from a heart attack while responding to an early-morning structure fire. He passed away before reaching the scene. Chief Zebulin Earl "Zeb" Smith, of the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department, died in March 2024 from a heart attack while battling a structure fire. He had been fighting wildfires for nine consecutive days during a weeks-long wildfire outbreak that scorched much of the same area. It was the largest wildfire in state history. When are flags flown at half-staff? There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. That includes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff. Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. Patriot Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Firefighters Memorial Day. President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes: 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. From the date of death until interment for an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives. The date of death and the following day of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials. From the date of death until interment for the governor of a state, territory or possession. The president or governor may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of other officials, former officials or foreign dignitaries, such as the death of Pope Francis. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why are flags at half-staff today? Texas honors fallen firefighters Sean Combs, a music mogul who once topped the charts before experiencing his headline-grabbing fall, will be present in a New York court on Monday to watch as attorneys attempt to select a jury of his peers who will decide his fate amid a slew of federal charges. The challenge, says one expert: Finding a jury that will listen to the facts and, to the best of their ability, render a fair verdict for a man who is a defendant, not a man known to many as Diddy. This is the rare case where you have to go into it assuming that every potential juror knows who the defendant is and knows something about the case and probably has some predisposition about the case, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said in a recent interview. And so the task of jury selection is to weed out people who simply cannot put aside what they already know and believe and cant render a fair verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs faces five counts on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison. Combs, who has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. CNN previously reported that the pool of prospective jurors could be questioned on topics that include their views on sex with multiple partners, drugs and hip-hop. They may also be asked their feelings, beliefs or experiences related to intimate partner violence, cheating in a relationship, prostitution, the distribution of illegal drugs and the music industry, according to court filings reviewed by CNN. Headlines about the case have at times focused on its more lurid details, like the roughly 1,000 bottles of baby oil and personal lubricant seized from his home during a March 2024 search conducted by federal authorities. Then theres the dozens of civil cases that have been filed against Combs from alleged victims, including people who were minors at the time of the alleged incidents, who claim they were drugged and sexually assaulted by the embattled music mogul. (Combs has denied all the allegations.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the civil suits are not part of Combs federal criminal trial, it will be a challenge to know how much, if at all, jurors are familiar with them. Its become almost a universal punchline that nobody wants to be associated with Sean Combs, Honig, a former federal and state prosecutor, said. I think thats a concern for the defense, but there always is this sort of fascination with celebrities, good or bad. And there are people whose judgment can be clouded a bit either way. For example, he said, the prosecution might attempt to remove from a pool any prospective juror who seems to idolize Combs or has remained loyal to (him) as a fan. Alternately, they may also attempt to remove a potential juror who displays some negativity towards the alleged victims and their motives. Prosectors and defense will both try to fill the jury box with individuals they believe are inclined to see the case in their favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voir dire process involves two types of dismissals so-called for cause dismissals and peremptory strikes. The judge determines those excused for cause while attorneys for both sides are allowed a certain number of preemptory strikes, which are used strategically. This is part of the strategic game that well see playing out, Honig said. Combs trial is expected to last several weeks. Once the jury is seated, the judge will instruct them to avoid media coverage of the case for the duration of the trial to help ensure the jurys verdict is based strictly upon the testimony and exhibits received in evidence at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an instruction that has become more difficult if not impossible in the age of Tiktok and social media, Honig said, and is especially a challenge for the defense because the coverage of the case has been so overwhelmingly Im not saying unduly but overwhelmingly negative towards Sean Combs. That said, our courts are equipped for this, he emphasized. Theres nothing that the courts havent dealt with before, but its a challenge. CNNs Megan Thomas, Elizabeth Wagmeister, Kara Scannell and Lauren del Valle contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wichita Police Department has welcomed a new member to its K-9 unit. Uno, a bomb detection dog, was certified Friday in Topeka and is now undergoing several more weeks of patrol training before officially joining the force. According to Wichita Police, Uno will assist his handler and other officers during routine patrols and at large events, where he will play a key role in conducting explosive sweeps before and during public gatherings. Dogs bite owner in south Wichita Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Uno is a valuable addition to our department, said Andrew Ford, Chief Public Information Officer for WPD. This enhancement supports our ongoing preparedness efforts to respond quickly to potential threats. Uno continues to train with his handler, a process that also strengthens their working relationship ahead of active duty. Police officials say Unos addition is part of a broader strategy to enhance safety and readiness during major events in the city. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An intersection in Dayton is closed due to a crash into a pole. According to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center, a vehicle crashed into an RTA Pole at the intersection of Linden Avenue and South Smithville Road. The crash happened around 4:15 p.m. Photo by Joe Gurnig/WDTN One person was taken to a local hospital. The intersection is closed as the pole is under repair. AES crews are present at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A Wisconsin woman who went missing more than 60 years ago was recently found "alive and well," authorities revealed last week. Audrey Backeberg was 20 years old when she first disappeared from her home in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, in July 1962, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Backeberg reportedly left her family's home on July 7, 1962 and the family's babysitter claimed the two of them hitchhiked to Madison, Wisconsin, before taking a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said. Undated photo of Audrey Backeberg, who disappearance in 1962. / Credit: Wisconsin Department of Justice The babysitter, who was not identified, said she last saw Backeberg, then a mother of two, walking around the corner away from the bus stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Backeberg never returned home and was not heard from again until now. Earlier this year, a detective assigned to do a comprehensive review of the cold case, and "through diligent investigative work," they uncovered new insights into the disappearance. "Further investigation has revealed that Ms. Backeberg's disappearance was by her own choice and not the result of any criminal activity or foul play," the sheriff's office said, though it did not disclose where she was found. Backeberg, now 82, lives outside of Wisconsin, officials said. Speaking to ABC affiliate WSIN, Detective Isaac Hanson, who found Backeberg, said he was able to locate her through her sister's ancestry.com account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data," he said. "Ultimately, we came up with an address ... So I called the local sheriff's department, said 'Hey, there's this lady living at this address. Do you guys have somebody, you can just go pop in?' ... Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes." Hanson said an abusive husband may have played a role in her initial decision to leave her home. He said Backeberg sounded "happy. Confident in her decision, no regrets." "The Sheriff's Office would like to acknowledge the work of Investigators, both past and present," it said in a news release. "Despite the significant challenges that many cold cases present, this resolution underscores both the importance of continued work and the dedication of the Sheriff's Office to providing answers to families and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typewriters making a comeback, thanks in part to Taylor Swift Limestone University announces closure, president told not to attend final graduation Church prepares for conclave as official mourning period for Pope Francis comes to an end Shiloh Hendrix, the White woman who appeared to hurl a racist slur at a Black child in a now viral video, has raised over $600,000 in donations for herself on a fundraising page Hendrix appeared to call a 5-year-old child the n-word at a park in Minnesota, and she now claims her family has been "attacked" and they may need to "relocate" The fundraising page, which was initially flooded with donations from people expressing racist beliefs and sympathies, has raised over $600,000, surpassing its $50,000 goal A White woman who appeared to hurl a racist slur at a Black child has raised over $600,000 in donations for herself on a fundraising page. Video of the Minnesota woman, who has since been identified as Shiloh Hendrix, began circulating on social media after she seemingly called the 5-year-old the n-word on a playground in Rochester on Monday, April 28, according to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man recording the video, who has since identified himself as Sharmake Omar, told the outlet that he knows the boy and his family, and the child is on the autism spectrum. In the video, Omar can be heard confronting Hendrix, who is seemingly holding her own child, after she allegedly used the slur. Hendrix, who uses the n-word several times in this video, exclaims, Mind your f------ own business, and then claims that the 5-year-old child took my sons stuff. As Omar asks Hendrix if she thinks that merits calling a little child the n-word, she replies, If that's what he's going to act like. Getty Swings (stock image) Swings (stock image) Related: School Officials Denounce Video of Middle Schooler Bullying 5-Year-Old with Racist Slurs: 'No Place' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the ordeal went viral, Hendrix set up a fundraising page for herself, which she titled Help Me Protect My Family," on GiveSendGo. She claimed in the page's description that she is now in a dire situation." I recently had a kid steal from my 18-month-old son's diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was, Hendrix wrote, then claiming that members of her family are being attacked" and her personal information, including her address and phone number, has been leaked. She concluded the message by asking for funds to assist in protecting my family and potentially relocate. Hendrixs fundraising goal was originally set for $50,000, but it has since been increased to $1 million after that initial amount was reached, per local news outlet KIMT3. The fundraiser has raised over $624,000 as of Sunday, May 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update to the page, Hendrix expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support that she and her family received, stating, I've never felt so scared, yet reassured in my life. The GiveSendGo page was flooded with people expressing racist beliefs and sympathies in public notes that accompanied their donations, which prompted the crowdfunding service to mute the comments section, per The Washington Post. In a statement to the outlet, Jacob Wells, the founder and chief executive of GiveSendGo, said the company does not endorse or condone the personal views or actions of individual campaign organizers or their supporters, nor do we control the motivations of donors. Getty Swings (stock image) Swings (stock image) Related: Dealership Gifts Electric Car to Woman Who Found Racial Slur on an Oil Change Sticker from a Different Dealership (Exclusive) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Rochester shared a statement about the incident in an official Facebook post on Thursday, May 1, writing that city officials were aware of a deeply disturbing video recorded at one of our City parks that contains racial slurs. The City of Rochester is firmly committed to fostering public spaces that are inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all residents and visitorsspaces where individuals of all backgrounds can relax, play, and connect with friends and neighbors, the statement continued, adding that the Rochester Police Department (RPD) was actively looking into the matter. PEOPLE reached out to the RPD for comment on Sunday, May 4, but did not receive an immediate response. Read the original article on People (KRON) A woman who claimed to be affiliated with the federal government is facing felony charges after attempting to rob a gas station, according to authorities. An employee of the 76 gas station on McDowell Boulevard called the Petaluma Police Department regarding an attempted robbery that had just happened around 11:45 p.m. on April 30. Police said the employee informed them that a woman in the gas station requested a bag and subsequently demanded cash. Petaluma PD said the employee said the woman said she was with the federal government. The employee did not comply with the womans demands, and then the female suspect threatened to return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berkeley victim with multiple stab wounds found near Lawrence Hall of Science With the womans description, patrol officers canvassed the surrounding area to locate her. A suspect, identified as 34-year-old Holly Newton, was identified by the gas station employee in an in-field lineup. Newton was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for suspicion of attempted robbery and felony and misdemeanor violations of her pretrial release terms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) A woman was rushed to the hospital after getting injured during an incident with a RIPTA bus in Cranston Saturday afternoon, according to police. Police said she tried to get back on the bus from the rear door as it was driving away after getting dropped off at Walmart on Plainfield Pike. The woman suffered a very serious leg injury, according to police, and was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and unruly during the bus ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A RIPTA spokesperson confirmed an incident an incident with a bus happened. It is essential for passengers to operate safely around public buses to prevent accidents, ensure smooth boarding and exiting, and protect the safety of themselves, drivers, and other road users, the RIPTA spokesperson added. Police said the bus driver is cooperating with them and isnt being charged. Surveillance video from the bus and Walmart are also being reviewed by police as part of their investigation. 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. 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: National Cancer Institute Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the United States' top public health official, recently claimed some religious groups avoid the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine because it contains "aborted fetus debris" and "DNA particles". The US is facing its worst measles outbreaks in years with nearly 900 cases across the country and active outbreaks in several states. At the same time, Kennedy, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, continues to erode trust in vaccines. So what can we make of his latest claims? There's no fetal debris in the MMR vaccine Kennedy said "aborted fetus debris" in MMR vaccines is the reason many religious people refuse vaccination. He referred specifically to the Mennonites in Texas, a deeply religious community, who have been among the hardest hit by the current measles outbreaks. Many vaccines work by using a small amount of an attenuated (weakened) form of a virus, or in the case of the MMR vaccine, attenuated forms of the viruses that cause measles, mumps and rubella. This gives the immune system a safe opportunity to learn how to recognize and respond to these viruses. As a result, if a person is later exposed to the actual infection, their immune system can react swiftly and effectively, preventing serious illness. Kennedy's claim about fetal debris specifically refers to the rubella component of the MMR vaccine. The rubella virus is generally grown in a human cell line known as WI-38, which was originally derived from lung tissue of a single elective abortion in the 1960s. This cell line has been used for decades, and no new fetal tissue has been used since. Certain vaccines for other diseases, such as chickenpox, hepatitis A and rabies, have also been made by growing the viruses in fetal cells. These cells are used not because of their origin, but because they provide a stable, safe and reliable environment for growing the attenuated virus. They serve only as a growth medium for the virus and they are not part of the final product. You might think of the cells as virus-producing factories. Once the virus is grown, it's extracted and purified as part of a rigorous process to meet strict safety and quality standards. What remains in the final vaccine is the virus itself and stabilizing agents, but not human cells, nor fetal tissue. So claims about "fetal debris" in the vaccine are false. It's also worth noting the world's major religions permit the use of vaccines developed from cells originally derived from fetal tissue when there are no alternative products available. Are there fragments of DNA in the MMR vaccine? Kennedy claimed the Mennonites' reluctance to vaccinate stems from "religious objections" to what he described as "a lot of aborted fetus debris and DNA particles" in the MMR vaccine. The latter claim, about the vaccine containing DNA particles, is technically true. Trace amounts of DNA fragments from the human cell lines used to produce the rubella component of the MMR vaccine may remain even after purification. However, with this claim, there's an implication that these fragments pose a health risk. This is false. Any DNA that may be present in this vaccine exists in extremely small amounts, is highly fragmented and degraded, and is biologically inertthat is, it cannot cause harm. Even if, hypothetically, intact DNA were present in the vaccine (which it's not), it would not have the capacity to cause harm. One common (but unfounded) concern is that foreign DNA could integrate with a person's own DNA, and alter their genome. Introducing DNA into human cells in a way that leads to integration is very difficult. Even when scientists are deliberately trying to do this, for example, in gene therapy, it requires precise tools, special viral delivery systems and controlled conditions. It's also important to remember our bodies are exposed to foreign DNA constantly, through food, bacteria and even our own microbiome. Our immune system routinely digests and disposes of this material without incorporating it into our genome. This question has been extensively studied over decades. Multiple health authorities, including Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, have addressed the misinformation regarding perceived harm from residual DNA in vaccines. Ultimately, the idea that fragmented DNA in a vaccine could cause genetic harm is false. The bottom line Despite what Kennedy would have you believe, there's no fetal debris in the MMR vaccine, and the trace amounts of DNA fragments that may remain pose no health risk. What the evidence does show, however, is that vaccines like the MMR vaccine offer excellent protection against deadly and preventable diseases, and have saved millions of lives around the world. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. May 3For more than three decades, journalism advocates worldwide have celebrated May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. The day marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration of 1991, which promoted a free and independent press in Africa. It is meant to celebrate the importance of a free and independent press and raise awareness of the threats journalists around the world face. "World Press Freedom Day is a great reminder about the importance of journalism and some of the issues that are facing journalists today," said Jennifer Henrichsen, an assistant professor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. "Whether physical or digital attacks or partisan politics, we know that journalism has been in crisis for a long time, and both at the national and international level." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Pew Research study published in 2021, newsroom employment in the United States has fallen by 26% since 2008. According to data compiled by the Local News Initiative at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, more than 3,200 newspapers have gone out of business since 2005, with more than two per week folding, on average. While the decline of the journalism industry nationally has been well-documented, Henrichsen and a group of professors at the Murrow School recently published the most complete review of the health of journalism in Washington. The report, "From News Deserts to Nonprofit Resilience: Assessing the Health of Washington's Local News Ecosystem," examines the decline of Washington state's news industry, and offers suggestions to policymakers about what could be done to revive it. "This is the most comprehensive study to date of Washington and is also a benchmark for us in the state," Henrichsen said. "So our intention is to survey outlets moving forward to try to get a sense of trends." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report surveyed news outlets and interviewed journalists and civic leaders to study the health of journalism in Washington, and found a system in decline. "Unfortunately, the reports of local news crises across the state, anecdotal or research-based, seem to be mirroring what we found in Washington state as well," said Pawel Popiel, an assistant professor at Murrow College. According to the findings, only 170 outlets across the state provide daily news coverage, with about half of these outlets running on an annual budget of $250,000 or less. The report found that two counties Skamania and Ferry qualify as news deserts, which means they lack a consistent and credible news source for local information. Additionally, five counties only have one news outlet, while five others only have two outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So it's actually a problem facing Washington writ large, to a large extent, because the number of outlets is important for understanding the types of media diversity that exist in a particular area," Henrichsen said. The lack of outlets providing local coverage also means there's a lack of media diversity, according to Popiel. Media diversity, he said, is essential for competitive coverage, a wider array of opinions and to ensure a built-in resilience in the system. "This is a problem that plagues both rural and sort of sparser areas as much as urban ones," Popiel said. Other outlets throughout the state, the study found, struggle to hire and retain staff due to declining budgets, which can be partially attributed to a decrease in ad revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of staff to adequately report on a coverage area means that outlets are often left to make tough decisions when deciding what to cover. For example, an outlet may have to choose whether to cover a local school board meeting or report on a car crash that is causing a delay across town. "You have to make really hard choices when you have so few staff," Henrichsen said. "And that, of course, has implications for the type of information that gets covered and the type of information that people can obtain to go about their daily lives." The report, which was meant to provide a snapshot of the journalism industry, examined data collected between November 2023 and December 2024, which means a recent announcement that the Cowles family plans to donate The Spokesman-Review to a recently formed Spokane-based community nonprofit organization was not discussed. "The nonprofit model provides hope and optimism to many who care about the future of local journalism because it can provide a sustainable funding model that allows for enhanced accountability reporting," Henrichsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the model isn't a "silver bullet," she said. "Nonprofit outlets also face challenges and closures, as evidenced by the recent shuttering of the prominent nonprofit startup, the Houston Landing, and require ongoing innovation and attention to audiences, if they are going to be sustainable and successful long-term," Henrichsen said. The plan calls for Publisher Stacey Cowles and his family's Cowles Co. to transfer ownership of the newspaper and award a $2 million matching grant to the nonprofit, called the Comma Community Journalism Lab, which was founded by current Spokesman-Review Executive Editor Rob Curley. While the report examined the decline in Washington's news industry, it also offered suggestions for policymakers to support it. Those include ensuring that local journalism is "viewed as a public good which is necessary for a healthy democracy," Henrichsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recommendations also include making news subscriptions and business advertising in local outlets federally tax deductible, providing outlets tax credits to hire reporters, and providing direct subsidies to news outlets. "When you think about the threats facing local news from resource constraints to dwindling subscriptions to a sort of collapsing talent pipeline that draws journalists in to a public that may not be informed about the journalism crisis to legal and other attacks against journalists themselves and news outlets, the range of solutions has to be comprehensive to fully address what is ultimately a structural, systemic problem," Popiel said. In recent years, federal and state lawmakers have sought to throw the journalism industry a lifeline, to varying degrees of success. This year, the Legislature considered imposing a surcharge on large search engines and social media companies with a gross income of $5 million or more, with the tax capped at $6 million a year. The Office of Financial Management estimated the tax would raise $27 million in fiscal year 2027, and an additional $102 million between 2027 and 2031, with the funds distributed to print, digital and broadcast media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the proposal died in committee, the report examines "how additional funding mechanisms are necessary to try to ensure that this crisis of resources can be ameliorated so that journalism can be strengthened in the state," Henrichsen said. A program that has found more support from lawmakers is a two-year fellowship program through the Murrow College. Under the program, journalists in the early stages of their careers are placed in newsrooms throughout the state, including The Spokesman-Review and Spokane Public Radio, to cover underreported beats, which include voting rights, housing and rural issues, among others. In 2023, the Legislature appropriated $2.4 million for its operation, and the state budget currently under review by Gov. Bob Ferguson includes additional funds for the program, though it would receive about half of its previous funding level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The true measure of journalism isn't whether it pleases people in civic life, but whether it empowers them with information," said Ben Shors, chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Production. "So that's sort of the baseline that we need to understand, that a free and functioning press is not a luxury in civic life in Washington state, it's a necessity, and it requires maintenance, and it requires investment, and it has to not just for the journalists who work in those jobs, but for the citizens who live in those communities." Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect that Pawel Popiel is an assistant professor, not an associate professor. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) The West Virginia University Police Department issued a Community Notice after an off-campus stabbing on Friday night. According to a release from WVU states that the stabbing was reported to University Police around 10:30 p.m. at private residence at 565 Price Street near the Downtown area of campus The suspect, 21-year-old Kaden James Vinar, a WVU student, was arrested soon after. Morgantown High School holds Military Signing Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPD Chief Sherry St. Clair said that the attack was not random and that the suspect and the victim, also a WVU student, knew each other. The quick response from our officers to locate the suspect and take him into custody ensured this remained an isolated incident, St. Clair said. At no point was there a threat to campus and, for that, our officers are to be commended. We always encourage our students and other members of the University community to work on healthy ways to resolve conflicts. Vinar was arraigned on Saturday in Monongalia County Magistrate Court. The victim was taken to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital for a not life-threatening knife wound to the leg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Xi Jinping, head of the Peoples Republic of China, has officially confirmed a state visit to Russia, during which he will attend the 9 May Victory Day parade in Moscow. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May ed.]. Source: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Details: The visit will take place at the invitation of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin from 7 to 10 May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from May 7 to 10 and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow." Background: In February, Russian media reported that Xi Jinping was planning to visit Moscow on 9 May for the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. On 1 April, Putin stated that he was expecting the Chinese leader as his "main guest" at the 9 May celebrations. India has lowered the level of its representation at the parade in Moscow; instead of the defence minister, the country will likely be represented by his deputy, Sanjay Seth. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have said they fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv and claimed it "successfully hit its target." Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree renewed the militia's warning to airlines against flying to the Israeli airport, saying it is unsafe. According to the Israeli military, a missile impact was recorded near the airport. Eight people were injured, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saree vowed in a televised statement that the group would continue its attacks in support of Palestinians "whatever the consequences" until the Gaza war between Israel and the Hamas movement, which is also backed by Iran, ends. Since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Israel and international merchant ships in support of its ally, Hamas. In March, US President Donald Trump ordered massive attacks on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, justifying the move with the need to protect US shipping in the region. Houthi-ruled areas in war-torn Yemen have since experienced a series of US strikes. By Philip Pullella ROME -U.S. Cardinal Timothy Dolan said on Sunday that President Donald Trumps posting of an AI-generated photo showing himself as the pope "wasnt good" but declined to say whether the White House should apologise to offended Catholics. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, was asked about the post on the sidelines of a Mass he celebrated at a Rome church ahead Wednesdays start of a conclave where he and other cardinals under the age of 80 will elect a successor to Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who is not a Catholic and does not attend church regularly, posted the image on his Truth Social platform late on Friday, less than a week after attending the funeral of Pope Francis, who died at 88 last month. The White House then reposted it on its official X account. "It wasn't good," Dolan said before the Mass in response to a reporters question, adding: "I hope he didnt have anything to do with that." When a reporter asked if he was offended, Dolan said: "Well, you know, it wasnt good." Then, switching to Italian, he said it was a "brutta figura", a colloquial phrase for when someone does something that is embarrassing or makes them look bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked after the Mass if the post should be taken down and if an apology from Trump or the White House was in order, Dolan said in Italian: Who knows? He declined to say anything more about it. 'DO NOT MOCK US' Trump last week joked with reporters that he would like to be the next pope. He then suggested that Dolan could be a good pick: "I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who's very good, so well see what happens." Dolan, who was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict in 2012, is seen as a conservative and delivered one of the invocations at Trumps inauguration in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AI image posted on Friday shows an unsmiling Trump seated in an ornate chair, dressed in white papal vestments and headdress, with his right forefinger raised. The irreverent posting drew instant outrage on social media, with the Catholic bishops of New York state expressing their clear displeasure on X. "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President," they wrote. "We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us." The picture made the front pages of many Italian newspapers on Sunday, with most condemning it or expressing outrage. Some right-wing newspapers said it should be seen as a joke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pilgrims and tourists in St. Peters Square on Sunday were also divided. Did he really post it? He posted that? It's kind of ridiculous but yeah, okay," said Marcella Peixoto of Brazil. John Smith, an American from California, said: "I think hes a funny guy, I think hes trying to be funny and comedy is being lost in the world. I think everyone needs to lighten up and smile like youre smiling right now". (Additional reporting by Yesim Dikmen and Leonardo Benassatto; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Andrew Heavens) New Yorks Cardinal Timothy Dolan disapproved of President Trumps Truth Social post containing an AI image of himself as a pontiff. It was posted not two weeks after the death of Pope Francis and just days before cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect a new Catholic leader. When asked by reporters about his thoughts on the late Friday post, Dolan replied that he hoped Trump didnt have anything to do with that. Well, you know, it wasnt good, the cardinal added when asked whether he was offended by the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dolan is part of Trumps Religious Liberty Commission and has been an ally of the president. In December, Dolan said that the president takes his Christian faith seriously. Trump even seemingly joked about Dolan being his pick for the next pope, according to USA Today. However, Dolan is not alone in his criticism of the image showing Trump in full papal regalia. Bishop Thomas Paprocki, of Springfield, Ill., said the president should apologize. This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the election of our new Pope, he wrote in a statement on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York State Catholic Conference also criticized the post, saying there is nothing clever or funny about the image. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter, the conference wrote on X. Do not mock us. Vice President Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, firmly stood by the president, defending the post as a joke. As a general rule, Im fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen, Vance wrote on X in response to a scathing post from Bill Kristol, who served as chief of staff to the vice president in the George H.W. Bush administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Yorks Catholic leaders have denounced President Donald Trump for his artificial intelligence-generated image of himself as the pope, reflecting public outcry about the insensitivity of sharing such a photo in the wake of Pope Francis death. There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President, the official NYS Catholic Conference, which represents the public policy voice of the states bishops, wrote on X. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The image depicts Trump who is not Catholic seated on an gilded chair, dressed in white papal vestments and headdress, with one finger raised, in a gesture that evokes Christ and other religious figures hand symbols in Christian iconography. Saturday Night Lives Colin Jost addressed the images gesture, joking that it looked as if Trump was apparently ordering a one-way ticket to hell. Who posts a photo of a themselves dressed like a guy who died a week ago? Trump was at the Popes funeral. That means he walked past an open casket and was like, Oh, we should do a Who Wore It Best?' Jost said, adding that if Trump really wants to be the pope, he should stay away from Vice President JD Vance, who late night hosts have joked caused Pope Francis death. The GOP leader posted the falsified image on his Truth Social platform Friday, with the official White House X account reposting it later. It came days after he and countless other national leaders and political figures attended the funeral of the supreme pontiff April 26, for which he was additionally lambasted for opting to don a blue suit instead of a black one. The post also follows Trump telling reporters outside the White House in jest earlier this week that he would like to succeed Pope Francis, saying, Id like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice. As the AI-generated image spread, it was condemned widely by social media users both religious and secular, with one popular post, which garnered over 175,000 likes, censuring it as actual antichrist sh. The word antichrist trended on X in the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the worlds cardinals are preparing for the papal conclave this Wednesday, hosting general congregations ahead of the Vatican event that will see the Sistine Chapels ceremonial chimney eventually release white smoke in celebration of the election of the 267th pope. In total, 133 cardinals will be voting during what is expected to be a short conclave, with 108 of them appointed by Pope Francis. Ten are from the United States. In anticipation of the rarified event, streaming of thematically representative projects like the Oscar-winning Conclave and three-time Academy Award-nominated The Two Popes have skyrocketed. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 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 So far in 2025 (as of May 1), 70 cases of measles have been notified in Australia, with all states and territories except Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory having recorded at least one case. Most infections have occurred in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. We've already surpassed the total number of cases recorded in all of 2023 (26 cases) and 2024 (57 cases). Measles outbreaks are currently occurring in every region of the world. Most Australian cases are diagnosed in travelers returning from overseas, including popular holiday destinations in Southeast Asia. But although Australia eliminated local transmission of measles in 2014, recently we've seen measles infections once again in Australians who haven't been overseas. In other words, the virus has been transmitted in the community. So with measles health alerts and news reports popping up often, what do you need to know about measles? We've collated a list of commonly Googled questions about the virus and the vaccine. 1. What is measles? Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to affect humans. In fact, every person with measles can infect 12 to 18 others who are not immune. The measles virus can survive in the air for two hours, so people can inhale the virus even after an infected person has left the room. Measles predominantly affects children and those with weaker immune systems. Up to four in ten people with measles will need to go to hospital, and up to three in 1,000 people who get measles will die. In 2023, there were more than 100,000 deaths from measles around the world. 2. What are the symptoms of measles? The signs and symptoms of measles usually start 714 days after exposure to the virus, and include rash, fever, a runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis. The rash usually starts on the face or neck, and spreads over three days to eventually reach the hands and feet. On darker skin, the rash may be harder to see. Complications from measles are common, and include ear infections, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), blindness and breathing problems or pneumonia. These complications are more likely in children. Pregnant women are also at greater risk of serious complications, and measles can also cause preterm labor and stillbirth. Even in people who recover from measles, a rare (and often fatal) brain condition can occur many years later, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. 3. What's the difference between measles and chickenpox? Measles and chickenpox are caused by different viruses, although both commonly affect children, and vaccines can prevent both diseases. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is also transmitted through the air, and can cause fever, rash and rare (yet serious) complications. The chickenpox rash is different to the rash seen in measles. It often starts on the chest or back, appearing first as separate red bumps that evolve into fluid-filled blisters, called vesicles. Chickenpox can also appear later in life as shingles. 4. Can you get measles twice? The simple answer is no. If you contract measles, you should have lifelong immunity afterwards. In Australia, people born before 1966 would have most likely been infected with measles, because the vaccine wasn't available to them as children. They are therefore protected from future infection. Measles infection, however, can reduce the immune system's ability to recognize infections it has previously encountered, leaving people vulnerable to many of the infections to which they previously had immunity. Vaccination can protect against this. 5. What is the measles vaccine, and at what age do you get it? The measles vaccine contains a live but weakened version of the measles virus. In Australia, measles vaccinations are given as part of a combination vaccine that contains the measles virus alongside the mumps and rubella viruses (the MMR vaccine), and the chickenpox virus (MMRV). Under the national immunization program, children in Australia receive measles vaccines at 12 months (MMR) and 18 months of age (MMRV). In other countries, the age of vaccination may varybut at least two doses are always needed for optimal immunity. Measles vaccines can be given earlier than 12 months, from as early as six months, to protect infants who may be at higher risk of exposure to the virus (such as those traveling overseas). Infants who receive an early dose of the measles vaccine still receive the usual two recommended doses at 12 and 18 months old. Australians born between 1966 and 1994 (those aged roughly 2060) are considered to be at greater risk of measles, as the second dose was only recommended from November 1992. Australia is seeing breakthrough measles infections in this age group. An additional measles vaccine can be given to these adults at any time. It's safe to get an extra dose even if you have been vaccinated before. If you are unsure if you need one, talk to your GP who may check your measles immunity (or immunization record, if applicable) before vaccinating. However, as the measles vaccine is a live vaccine, it's not safe to give to people with weakened immune systems (due to certain medical conditions) or pregnant women. It's therefore important that healthy, eligible people receive the measles vaccine to protect themselves and our vulnerable population. 6. How long does a measles vaccine last? The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines we have. After two doses, about 99% of people will be protected against measles for life. And the measles vaccine not only protects you from disease. It also stops you from transmitting the virus to others. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. When Yosemite started requiring reservations for drivers entering the park during the busiest months, I wasnt a fan. If overcrowding is such a problem that visitation needs to be controlled, why dont park officials simply set a cap on the number of private automobiles they allow in each day and turn the rest away? (Or even better, make Yosemite Valley a car-free zone.) The answer is because the National Park Service likes to collect $35 entrance fees and take a slice of every dollar spent at the parks hotels, restaurants, gift shops, rental stands and outdoor pizza decks. Huge crowds are big business. Thats the part that doesnt get said out loud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion My views began to change in 2023 when reservations went on hiatus. The results were three-hour wait lines at entrance stations, overflowing parking lots and turnouts, tire tracks in sensitive areas and an overwhelmed shuttle bus system. Those conditions guaranteed the return of reservations a year ago. But in a strange twist, Yosemites total annual visitation climbed in 2024 (4.12 million) from the unregulated 2023 (3.89 million) without creating nearly the same level of congestion and gridlock. Hmm. Perhaps reservations had their merits after all. More people visited Yosemite, nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels, and those that did had a better experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park officials sought to implement the same system this year. Alas, fate in the El Capitan-esque form of President Donald Trump had other plans. Sad to say, but the National Park Service is essentially a Trump administration hostage. The agency lost 13% of its full-time staff in the federal land agency purge and stands to lose more than $1 billion in Trumps proposed budget the largest cut in its 109-year history according to the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association. All so Trumps billionaire buddies can get another tax break. Just as infuriating are the orders to park service officials from Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to keep their parks open at the same hours and service levels as before, pushing already overextended employees to their breaking points after pressuring thousands of them to resign. El Capitan, left, and Half Dome are seen in Yosemite Valley from the perspective of a helicopter looking east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains in this Fresno Bee file photo. Congressman takes credit for delay It took until late April, months later than usual, for park managers to finally unveil this years reservation system. What we got was a scaled-down version with the window shortened to June 15 through Aug. 15 (plus Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends) for park entry between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep, Tom McClintock credited himself for the delay. Last month, the Republican congressman bragged to business leaders during a Sonora luncheon that he raised hell with the White House about the reservation system the park service wanted to impose. McClintock cant be bothered to keep an office open in Modesto, nor hold town halls in his sprawling, heavily GOP district that includes Yosemite and north Fresno. Just dont say he does nothing. The anti-big government career politician (now theres an irony) told the Tuolumne County Business Council hes concerned about how damaging the reservation system has been to Yosemite visitation (ignoring the latest figures) and the parks gateway tourism industry. McClintock also shared the views of local hotel owners who told the congressman reservations werent needed this year due to the prolonged uncertainty and the decline of summer hotel bookings from Europeans part of a widely reported decline in foreign tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy crowds between late May and early September are a fact of life in Yosemite and especially the U-shaped valley that is home to its most famous landmarks. How the mix of looser reservations, reduced staffing, budget cuts and fewer foreign tourists affects congestion and the visitor experience remains to be seen. By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -The New Zealand government said on Sunday it had set aside NZ$2 billion ($1.19 billion) in its upcoming budget to replace the Defence Forces aging maritime helicopters, as global tensions increase. Along with money for the helicopters, the government said it would increase baseline spending by NZ$239 million for the Defence Force each year over the next four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is very clear that New Zealand is not immune from the increasing tensions being felt throughout the world, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins said in a statement. (This) sets us on our path for defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by 2032-33, she added. New Zealands Defence Force has struggled with systemic underspending over the past several decades, which amounts to just over 1% of GDP now. In April, the government said it would boost defence spending with NZ$9 billion of new funding over the next four years. There is no economic security without national security. Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and Defence personnel need the right equipment and conditions to do their jobs, Collins added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a maritime nation we are prioritising naval capability, she said. New Zealand's first national security review in 2023 called for more military spending and stronger ties with Indo-Pacific nations to tackle climate change and strategic competition among the West, China and Russia. New Zealand has eight SH-2G(I) Seasprite maritime helicopters. Collins said replacing these will increase the defensive and offensive capabilities and surveillance range of New Zealands frigates. Collins added she will have more to say about defence investments in the coming year when the government unveils its budget. New Zealands budget is scheduled for May 22, and will outline spending for the 12-month period to June 30, 2026. ($1 = 1.6821 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Lucy CraymerEditing by Rod Nickel) President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in the Czech Republic on May 4 for an official visit, Zelensky announced on X. Czech President Petr Pavel will host Zelensky at the Prague Castle later in the afternoon, marking the Ukrainian leader's first visit to the country since July 2023. Prague has supplied military aid, championed European Union efforts to secure weapons for Ukraine, and provided refuge for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have fled the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky thanked the Czech Republic for its "principled support" and highlighted key areas of cooperation. "The Czech artillery initiative has proven effective, and we will continue this effort," he wrote on X. "Another area of cooperation is the development of our military aviation, expanding pilot training programs, and supporting our F-16 fleet." The Czech artillery initiative, backed by Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other countries, has significantly bolstered Ukraine's artillery capabilities. Launched in 2024 to counter ammunition shortages caused by delayed U.S. aid, the program focuses on pooling resources to rapidly supply Ukraine's front-line forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said discussions would also focus on diplomatic coordination and "joint pressure on Russia to achieve a lasting ceasefire and an end to the war." Pavel visited Ukraine on March 2021, his second trip since taking office, where he met with Zelensky and reaffirmed Czech support for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction efforts. Read also: Backroom diplomacy and battlefield reality: Ukraine at the IMF Spring Meetings Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena arrived in Prague on Sunday for a two-day visit. They were received by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky at the airport, the minister said on X, posting a photo of himself shaking Zelensky's hand on the airfield in front of a Ukrainian government plane. Zelensky was due to meet President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala at Prague Castle, with a Czech artillery initiative aimed at supplying Ukraine with munitions expected to be high on the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Czech Republic, 400,000 rounds of artillery ammunition have already been delivered to Ukraine from other countries through the initiative in the first four months of 2025. The aim is to provide a total of around 1.5 million rounds by the end of the year - the same amount as in 2024. Numerous EU and NATO partners are involved in financing the initiative. The medieval castle, which sits atop a hill across the Vltava River from the city centre, is the official residence of the president. Usually open to visitors, the entire castle grounds have been closed off due to Zelensky's second-ever visit to the country. Czech President Pavel, a former NATO general, visited the Ukrainian port city of Odessa in March. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused Moscow of cynicism, saying Russian attacks on Ukraine continue unabated days before a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by the Kremlin. "The Russians are asking for a ceasefire on May 9 and are themselves firing at Ukraine every day. This is cynicism of the highest order," he wrote on Telegram. He said the Russian military attacked Ukraine with 1,180 drones and 1,360 guided aerial bombs within a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last night alone, 165 drones were launched to target Kiev, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Mykolaiv, Zelensky said, while the Donetsk and Sumy regions have been attacked with heavy aerial bombs since Sunday morning. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains open to a ceasefire, but one that does not only apply to Russian festivities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with the annual Victory Parade on Moscow's Red Square to mark the end of World War II, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, which falls on Friday. The ceasefire is scheduled to start at midnight Wednesday-Thursday in Moscow and end at midnight Saturday-Sunday (2100 GMT Wednesday-2100 GMT Saturday). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow rejected a proposal by Kiev to extend the ceasefire to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. Putin calls reconciliation with Ukraine a 'matter of time' Despite the war he launched against Ukraine, Putin said he believes in reconciliation with the neighbouring country. "It seems to me that this is inevitable despite the tragedy we are currently experiencing," Putin said in advance excerpts from a documentary by Russian state television marking the 25th anniversary of his first presidency. "This is a matter of time," Putin said. The Russian president once again appeared confident of victory. He asserted that Moscow has the military means to bring the war "to its logical conclusion with the result necessary for Russia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of nuclear weapons has not been necessary so far and, Putin said, hopefully will not be in the future. The Kremlin demands not only that Ukraine renounce joining NATO but also claims large areas of the neighbouring state for itself. Putin had already questioned Ukraine's statehood before the war. He referred to Ukrainians themselves as part of the Russian people. In the course of the invasion ordered by Putin, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives, including many civilians, due to the shelling of residential areas. Teenagers injured in drone attack on Kiev On the ground in Ukraine, two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, were injured by falling debris after a drone attack on the Ukrainian capital Kiev, military administrator Teymur Tkachenko said early on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a fire broke out on the upper floors of a residential building and cars were burning in various parts of the capital, Tkachenko said on Telegram. In another district, three private homes caught fire. Three women also sought medical attention and were treated at the scene. The civil protection agency said seven people were injured in total. Earlier, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko spoke of four people seeking medical assistance. They were treated at the scene. Air-raid sirens sounded in eastern and central parts of Ukraine overnight. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the latest nighttime Russian attack, stressing that Ukraine needs a genuine ceasefire and is ready for it. Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook Details: Zelenskyy reported that firefighters in Kyiv had extinguished fires after Russian drones struck residential areas on the night of 3-4 May. He also noted that a student accommodation in Cherkasy had caught fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian leader added that most of the 165 drones launched by Russia overnight were Iranian-made Shahed loitering munitions, which targeted Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kyiv oblasts. Quote from Zelenskyy: "The Russians are calling for a ceasefire on 9 May while striking Ukraine every single day. This is top-level cynicism... ... A real ceasefire is necessary. Ukraine is ready for silence to begin on any day but for no less than a month, to bring the war to an end. If theres silence, it must be every day." Background: On the night of 3-4 May, Russian drones struck Kyiv, sparking fires and causing destruction in the Obolonskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts. The attack injured 11 people, including 2 children. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that he arrived in Czechia on an official visit to meet with the countrys president and prime minister, as well as with the speakers of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, leaders of parliamentary factions, heads of defence companies, students and the Ukrainian community. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: In his post, Zelenskyy thanked Czechia for its principled support and for strengthening cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Czech artillery initiative has proven effective, and we will continue this effort. Another area of cooperation is the development of our military aviation, expanding pilot training programmes and supporting our F-16 fleet. Together with Czechia and other members of the aviation coalition, we are preparing good news for Ukraine." Together with the First Lady, we have arrived in the Czech Republic on an official visit. Meetings are scheduled with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, with the heads of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, leaders of parliamentary factions, as well as with pic.twitter.com/ZgI7PGIF93 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2025 Details: The visit also includes plans to discuss diplomatic efforts and joint pressure on Russia in order to achieve a lasting ceasefire and end the war. Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska will take part in the opening of the Healthcare Initiative for Ukraine conference a platform for strengthening international medical partnerships and saving the lives of Ukrainians. Background: Zelenskyys arrival in Czechia was first reported on Sunday afternoon. The visit had not been announced in advance. Zelenskyy visited Prague in July 2023; that visit, too, was not announced beforehand. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Federal funds for a program training mental health professionals to work in local schools will be discontinued, officials announced Friday. Educational Service District 105 and Heritage University received notification from the U.S. Department of Education on April 29 that the federal funding for the Yakima Valley Grow Your Own Consortium and masters of mental health counseling program will be discontinued, according to a news release. The program was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which was to provide about $1.1 million in funding each year for five years. The consortium began enrollment in spring 2024. The local partnership was designed to address a critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals in the region by educating a locally trained workforce to serve schools and communities, the release said. Heritage University and ESD 105 are appealing the decision by the Department of Education to reinstate funding. They also are seeking other funding sources and partnerships, the release said, and working to support enrolled students. The programs The federal funds supported candidates from underserved communities to become school social workers and behavioral health providers through a masters degree programs at Heritage. The goal was to graduate 20 Masters of Social Work students per academic year and 50 Masters of Mental Health Counseling professionals over its duration to work in school-based settings. The school counselor-to-student ratio in several area districts exceeds one per 1,000 students with some districts employing no school social workers at all, it said. The recommended national ratio for school counselors is one per 250 students. The program has demonstrated significant success, officials said, with 17 students on track to graduate with their Masters of Social Work degrees. They are set to complete school-based internships in May. Also, 18 students are completing their first year in the Masters of Mental Health Counseling program and are set to begin school-based internships this August, officials said. In a region already facing systemic barriers to behavioral health care, the loss disrupts the pipeline for trained school-based mental health professionals, they said. The loss of these grants will have lasting, negative impacts on our schools and communities, said Emily Nelson, executive director of student support at ESD 105. We already face significant delays and barriers in youth access to behavioral health services, and these grants were designed to address those challenges by bringing more qualified professionals into schools and communities. Andrew Sund, president of Heritage, said the school is fully committed to maintaining the programs. The loss of this funding will make it more challenging for us to gain access to highly-skilled school-based supervision for placements," he said. "We will also see fewer school-based practitioners to meet the needs of the local school districts. The look-reveal teaser for Anupam Kher's next directorial project, 'Tanvi The Great,' was unveiled on Saturday. The teaser, shared on Kher's official X (formerly Twitter) account, offers a quick glimpse of Tanvi, played by debutant Shubhangi Dutt. In the 15-second video, Dutt is introduced as the central character in what promises to be an emotional and powerful story. Dutt was selected from Anupam Kher's acting school, Actor Prepares, where she has trained over the years, as per the press release. "You may meet many, but someone like her? Once in a lifetime. That's why you'll always remember #TanviTheGreat. #TanviTheGreat Look Reveal Teaser Out Now!" Kher wrote alongside the teaser. Tanvi The Great also stars Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen and features sound design by Resul Pookutty, the Academy Award-winning sound designer known for Slumdog Millionaire. The film is set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, within the Marche du Film. Earlier, the actor opened up about his new project and how it differs from his debut directorial, Om Jai Jagdish, in 2002. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anupam shared a photo in which he was seen wearing a director's shirt while posing for the photograph. The Saaransh actor reflected on his debut directorial, Om Jai Jagdish, and said that he loved working on that film as the director. Now, after 23 years, the actor has donned the director's cap once again to showcase his filmmaking skills with Tanvi The Great. "It took me 23 years to wear a #Director t-shirt again! I loved directing the first film, #OmJaiJagdish. The ability I had. I made the film accordingly. But the story of that movie wasn't mine," wrote Anupam. Directed by Anupam Kher, with music composed by Oscar-winner MM Keeravani, Tanvi The Great is produced by Anupam Kher Studios in collaboration with NFDC. The release date for Tanvi The Great is yet to be announced. New Delhi: The government is committed to reducing logistical barriers and enhancing market access for Indian agri and processed food products, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said at a high-level Chintan Shivir, organised by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Authority (APEDA) here on Sunday. In his address, Barthwal pointed out that "Academia and research institutions must be a part of multisectoral consultations so that research and development can be a major focus for innovation and sustainability in agri exports". He emphasised that agricultural production and productivity are both the need of the hour and reaffirmed the ministrys commitment to further deliberate on the ideas and strategies discussed during the sessions. The consultative dialogue brought together senior officials from the Union government, Central Ministries, representatives from state governments, policy experts, industry leaders from agri trade and processed foods sector to deliberate on strategies for enhancing exports. In his opening remarks, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) Secretary, Subrata Gupta, highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and value addition to ensure sustainable export growth. He emphasised that there is a need to develop infrastructure, sanitary and phytosanitary standards at par with international norms, tariff plans and more synergy between the Union government, state governments, various departments, and industry stakeholders. He identified key potential products and sectors for processed foods exports like alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals and value-added products. This Chintan Shivir was also attended by Special Secretary, Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Varsha Joshi, and other senior officers of the Union and state governments, policymakers and industry leaders. Agrawal emphasised the need to have a more synergetic approach amongst various stakeholders to take new agricultural, processed food, and value-added products to new geographies. A total of 14 states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, participated in the high-level meeting. Industry leaders of the agri and processed food sectors were represented by LT Foods, KRBL, Amul, Organic India, ITC, Meatzza, Suguna Foods, Kaybee, TPCI, Organic India, Allanasons, Fair Exports, and HMA Exports, amongst others, participated in the dialogue. The Shivir was divided into five parallel technical breakout sessions focusing on specific agri-trade commodities and the processed food sector, which included basmati and non-basmati rice, animal products, horticulture and processed foods, as well as organic products. GSEB HSC SSC Result 2025: The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) will release the HSC (class 12) results Today, 5th May, 2025, Monday. Once released, all the students who appeared for the Gujarat board class 10th and 12th examination will be able to check their result through the official GSEB website, i.e. gseb.org by entering their roll number, date of birth and other required details. The GSEB SSC examination took place from 27th February, 2025 to 13th March, 2025 and HSC examination was held from 27th February to 17th March, 2025. GSEB HSC SSC Result 2025: Steps To Download Step 1: Go to the official GSEB website- gseb.org. Step 2: You will see the link of GSEB 10th/12th Result 2025 on the homepage, click on it. Step 3: A new page will be opened to login. Step 4: Enter the required credentials like your roll number, date of birth and other required details, then submit it. Step 5: After submission, your GSEB HSC/SSC Result 2025 will appear on the screen. Step 6: Check your scores and download the mark sheet. Step 7: Download your mark sheet for future reference. GSEB HSC SSC Result 2025: Past Trends Last year, the GSEB SSC Result was declared on 11th May, 2024 and HSC result was released on 9th May, 2024 while in 2023, class 10th result was declared on 25th May and 2nd May for class 12th. Additionally, the overall pass percentage of GSEB class 10th in 2024 was 82.56 per cent and for class 12th, it was 91.93 per cent for general stream and 82.45 per cent for science stream. All the students are advised to keep checking the official website for all the important updates. Air India has suspended all its flight operations to and from Israels capital, Tel Aviv, for the next two days in the wake of a missile attack by the Houthi rebels at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning. Following the Houthi missile strike, an Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi. Speaking on the matter, an Air India spokesperson said that the diverted flight landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi. As a consequence of the Houthi missile attack, the airline suspended its flights with immediate effect till May 6, 2025, to ensure the safety of customers and staff. "Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 4 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion Airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi, the spokesperson said. Air India Spokesperson says, "Air India flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 4 May 2025 was diverted to Abu Dhabi after an incident at Ben Gurion airport this morning. The flight has landed normally in Abu Dhabi and will soon return to Delhi. Consequently, our operations to and pic.twitter.com/q63dTIP9nu ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our colleagues on the ground are assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements. Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 4th and 6th May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation, Air India said in a post on X. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains a top priority. For more information, please call our Contact Centre on 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 or visit our website http://airindia.com, the airline further stated. #TravelAdvisory Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our colleagues on ground are assisting customers and helping Air India (@airindia) May 4, 2025 On Sunday, a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen struck near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport after multiple interception attempts by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) failed. The missile attack prompted a temporary halt in all takeoffs and landings at the country's main international airport. However, the Israel Airport Authority confirmed the reopening of airspace following the temporary suspension of flight operations. The missile impacted a grove adjacent to an access road within the airport's perimeter, according to the Times of Israel. However, a direct hit on terminal infrastructure was averted. "In the area of Ben Gurion Airport, an impact was identified," said the IDF in a statement, confirming that several attempts to intercept the missile had failed, as quoted by news agency IANS. The Israeli Air Force's aerial defence units launched a probe into the matter to identify and ascertain the reasons behind the unsuccessful interceptions. (With agency Inputs) Amid the simmering tension between India and Pakistan at the LoC following the Pahalgam terror attack, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday stoked a fresh controversy after he criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the heinous act. Last month, at least 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a dastardly terror attack which took place in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam. Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to take decisive action against terrorism and Pakistan and gave security forces full operational freedom to avenge the heinous attack in the Valley. Taking a swipe at the NDA-led central government, Ajay Rai, who was PM Modis rival from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in last years Lok Sabha polls, said that the government purchased Rafale fighter jets, but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemons and chillies) hanging on them. The UP Congress chief said that the government is displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon chillies hanging on it. "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilli and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" he said. #WATCH | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai shows a 'toy plane' with Rafale written on it and lemon-chillies hanging in it. Ajay Rai says, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the pic.twitter.com/wIwLsa4akD ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader, which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces". "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. Reacting to Rai's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that he is making these statements at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the grand old party is toying with the morale of Indias armed forces. "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, the Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of Rahul Gandhi's closest leaders. In the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi says that they stand with the country and the armed forces. As soon as he came out of the all-party meeting, prioritising 'vote bank neeti' over 'rashtra neeti', they gave a clean chit to Pakistan, advocated for it and dealt a blow to the morale of armed forces... Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces? ... The Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan ko kehna bhaijaan, sena ka karna apman, ye Congress ki bann chuki hai pehchan, Pakistan aur Congress do shareer aur bole ek hi zubaan..." #WATCH | On UP Congress chief Ajay Rai's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of https://t.co/blgLpvyT34 pic.twitter.com/JLOlQMp5fp ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X platform to post, "Rahul Gandhi's close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congress and the spokesperson for Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!" Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The central government convened an all-party meeting after the terror attack, and opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. In the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the terror attack, 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 Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. The divine gates of Shri Badrinath Dham were thrown open for the devotees on Sunday morning at 6:00 AM, creating a spiritual landmark during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra 2025. The holy moment was made more precious with a ritualistic performance by the Indian Army's Garhwal Rifles band, eliciting emotional outbursts from spectators and countrywide devotees. #WATCH | Uttarakhand: The portals of Shri Badrinath Dham will be opened for devotees at 6 am today; devotional tunes being played by a band of the Indian Army's Garhwal Rifles on this occasion pic.twitter.com/09jjRXFJl5 May 4, 2025 Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj, who was on hand for the ritualistic inauguration, commented, "Today the whole country is happy. Devotees should come in large numbers to offer prayers at the Dham... Devotees experience spiritual bliss here." Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made an early Sunday visit to the holy shrine, mingling with pilgrims and locals. The Chief Minister is also set to seek blessings at the temple. Improved Security Precautions In Place Pre-opening inspections were conducted by the state's top security personnel, including Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth and ADG V. Murugeshan, at Badrinath to guarantee the security and free flow of pilgrims. Security has been intensified along the Char Dham Yatra route. As per ANI, about 6,000 police personnel and 17 PAC companies will be deployed across the pilgrimage season. Officials have also put in place a widespread CCTV surveillance networkover 200 cameras on the Yatra route, 90 on the four Dhams, and over 300 at Haridwar. "The police department and other agencies began preparations well in advance. Our deployment is complete, and security protocols are in place to provide a safe and spiritually enriching experience for all," DGP Seth added. The Char Dham Yatra, Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimage, attracts lakhs of pilgrims each year to the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable, Munir Ahmad, who was recently dismissed from service for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national has claimed that he had informed the CRPF headquarters through an official letter, and had also sent his marriage card. He said he had married his wife, Menal Khan, who also related to him, on May 24, 2024. Initially he claimed that in 2023, the CRPF had rejected his letter which informed about the marriage, however in 2024, after his letter was sent through multiple officials of CRPF and ultimately to headquarters in New Delhi, he had received a confirmation that CRPF had acknowledged the marriage. "I was already working in CRPF before marriage, and to get permission for the marriage and inform the headquarters, I had written a letter on December 31, 2022, they had objected to certain things and returned the letter on January 24, 2023. In that letter the marriage's card and all information was there, I had given it all to the 72 CRPF battalion in Sunderbani," the former CRPF constable told ANI at his residence in Jammu. He detailed that he had met with the commandant of the CRPF battalion too, and eventually his letter was sent through proper channels to Jammu sector CRPF, to SDG, and finally to Delhi headquarters of CRPF, where he received a reply from them. "I met with the Commandant sir, and the letter was sent through proper channels, DIG range, then Jammu sector RG CRPF, then SDG, it went till CRPF Delhi. There it took around five months, then we got a reply, where they had said that the rule clearly states that the department has to be notified. In that reply it was written clearly that I had informed the department," Munir Ahmad said. He further showed the letter to ANI, claiming that the letter mentions that the applicant had informed about the marriage before. "I had informed before marriage and after too. The letter dated April 30 2024 clearly states that, and there is nothing written about an NOC." Talking about his marriage, he added, "Our marriage happened on 24 May 2024, through video conference. She is my cousin, she is the daughter of my Mom's brother. They stay in Sialkot, Pakistan, and before partition, my house is here only and the families used to stay together but after partition the family went to Pakistan. After that, the elders of the family decided on our marriage from a young age." He claimed that initially his marriage was halted due to health complications of his father, but ultimately the families decided to conduct the marriage through video conferencing. "Initially there was trouble getting the letter, and also getting the visa, and my dad is a cancer patient so there were some health problems too, but ultimately the marriage happened through video conferencing," he said. The former CRPF constable also showed copies of the records kept by the CRPF office, where his wife Menal Khan was registered as his wife, and as a Pakistani national. He also showed the letter sent to Inspector General of CRPF of Jammu sector, where he had requested for a getting permission and obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for marrying a Pakistani National girl. In the letter to the IG, it was written that his original request submitted on December 31, 2022 was returned by the Commandant of 72 CRPF battalion. The letter was later sent to the Delhi headquarters of CRPF. On May 3 this year, the CRPF said that actions of Ahmad of 41 Battalion were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security. "In a matter of serious concern, CT/GD Munir Ahmed of 41 Battalion of CRPF has been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa. His actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security," CRPF said in a statement. The controversy erupted in wake of India taking strong measures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists were killed. Amid rising tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, the sources informed ANI. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. The Air Force Chief visited a day after Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also called on the Prime Minister. The two meetings are the culmination of a major security review led by PM Modi earlier in the week, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, all three chiefs of the armed forces, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were present. The series of high-level consultations is in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians, including foreign tourists, were massacred. A Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting was held immediately after, where the government reaffirmed its commitment to taking strong action against terrorism. Official presented the CCS with cross-border dimensions of the attack, highlighting the timingfollowing the peaceful organisation of elections in the Union Territory and indications of economic recovery. The government insisted that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book harshly, and the armed forces have been provided with complete freedom of operations to decide on the timing, target, and means of India's retaliation. In a display of solidarity, an all-party meeting was also convened after the attack, with opposition leaders making categorical assurances of support for any action taken by the Centre in retaliation. Among the series of diplomatic and strategic countermeasures being undertaken, India has put on hold the Indus Waters Treaty, indicating a firm stance against Pakistan's continued patronage of cross-border terrorism. Echoing Indias intent of giving a befitting reply to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured the people of the country that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is adamant in giving a stern response to Pakistan for the heinous attack. Rajnath Singh, who was speaking at the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav, said that whatever people want will happen under PM Modi's leadership. "You all know Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work ethic and perseverance... You are aware of his efficiency and determination... You are aware of the way he has learnt to take risks in his life... I want to assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi, 'jaisa aap chahte hain waisa hokar rahega (Whatever you want will happen),' the Defence Minister said. #WATCH | Delhi | While addressing the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "You all know Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work ethic and perseverance... You are aware of his efficiency & determination... You are aware of the way he has learnt to take pic.twitter.com/uEHyf7Uea6 ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Singhs statement at the Mahotsav in New Delhi signalled New Delhi's determination to give a "befitting reply" to terrorism and its backers. This comes ahead of a crucial meeting which will be held by Rajnath Singh with Japans Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani in New Delhi on May 05, 2025. During the meeting, both sides will exchange views and ideas on the current regional and international security situation and discuss ways to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation. This will be the second meeting between the two defence ministers within six months after their maiden interaction in November 2024 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus in Lao PDR. During his address in the national capital, the BJP veteran also stated that as a Defence Minister, it is his responsibility to ensure security and give a "befitting reply" to those "who dare to attack our country". "As a defence minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the security of the country's borders along with my soldiers. It is my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country," Rajnath Singh said. As many as 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Following the terror attack, the central government has announced several diplomatic measures against Pakistan, 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. PM Modi has 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. Three soldiers died after an Indian Army truck fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban. A rescue operation was carried out by the police, SDRF, Army, and locals. According to ANI, Vikram Parihar, SHO Batote Police Station, informed that the truck was going from Jammu to Srinagar along with a convoy. "Three soldiers died when an army truck they were travelling in fell about 200-300 metres into a gorge at Ramban's Battery Chashma. Police, SDRF, Army, and locals carried out the rescue operation. The truck was going to Srinagar from Jammu along with a convoy, and the deceased are being brought to Ramban District Hospital," said Parihar. Jammu & Kashmir | Three soldiers died when an army truck they were travelling in fell about 200-300 metres in a gorge at Ramban's Battery Chashma. Police, SDRF, Army and locals carried out the rescue operation. The truck was going to Srinagar from Jammu along with a convoy, and ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 IANS reported that the Indian Army vehicle accident occurred at Ramban's Battery Chasma on NH44. Police have registered an FIR into the incident. Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir: An accident took place at Battery Chasma on NH44, involving an Army vehicle that rolled into a deep gorge. Police, SDRF, Civil Quarter, and Army teams responded promptly, and a rescue operation is currently underway pic.twitter.com/lZm3yg6JQT IANS (@ians_india) May 4, 2025 The Jammu-Srinagar highway has been closed off and on during the last fortnight due to landslides triggered by heavy rain in the Ramsoo-Ramban stretch of the road. At many places, the road was washed away by mudslides and landslides. The highway has been repaired and restored for traffic, and even then, the over 40-km-long Ramban-Ramshoo stretch remains the weak link of the vital nearly 300-km-long highway. Army and all civil supplies for the landlocked valley are routed through this highway. Any temporary closure of this strategic highway results in shortages of essential commodities, including petroleum products, foodstuffs, etc., in the Valley. Unscrupulous traders always step in during the highway closure to create a scarcity of essentials so that they can dictate prices to the helpless buyers. It is because of the uncertainty of this highway that Kashmiris have yearned for a rail link between the Valley and the rest of the country for the last 70 years. The ambitious rail link from Katra town in the Jammu division to Baramulla town in the Valley is now ready for inauguration. Once the rail link is operationalised, horticulture, agriculture, tourism, industry, education and the common man will benefit as the journey would become cheap, affordable and dependable throughout the year. (with agencies' inputs) Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil on Saturday refused to accept a bouquet during an event in Gujarat's Surat and said that 'no welcome till revenge,' apparently referring to the Pahalgam terror attack. During a Global Investor Conference, Patil delivered a speech, and when the organisers announced that he would be welcomed with a bouquet, the Union Minister said that he would not accept the honour. Speaking in Gujarati to the person conducting the stage, Patil said, "No welcome, till there is revenge." Surat, Gujarat: Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil refused to accept any honour at the Global Summit, stating he will not accept felicitation until India avenges the Pahalgam terror attack pic.twitter.com/Ns8ZrkZQ0V IANS (@ians_india) May 3, 2025 According to ANI, organisers offered to honour him with a memento, but Patil refused to accept that as well. A person on the stage announced that the Union Minister has decided that "he will not be welcomed by a bouquet or a memento till the Pahalgam terror attack is avenged". Pahalgam Terror Attack And Its Aftermath On April 22, terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and killed 26 people. Following this, the government convened an all-party meeting, and the Opposition parties expressed their full support for any action taken against the perpetrators of the attack. In the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. After the attack, the government announced various measures, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, intending to send a message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Later, the Central government gave the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. On Saturday, New Delhi also announced a series of punitive measures against Islamabad, including banning all imports and transit of goods from the neighbouring country. (with agencies' inputs) Pahalgam Terror Attack: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's X accounts have been blocked in India as the tensions between the two nations persist following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22. Screenshots of the blocked accounts of Khan and Bhutto showed a message stating that the respective accounts have been 'withheld in India in response to a legal demand'. The profile pictures and cover images of both Pakistani leaders were not visible as well. The gruesome attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people. Also Read: Pakistan Minister's X Account Blocked Days After 'India Will Strike' Remark This comes after the X accounts of Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar, were also blocked in India. Not only ministers, but Pakistani celebrities' accounts were also blocked as part of the crackdown. Social media accounts of Pakistani actors, including Hania Amir and Mahira Khan, are unavailable in India. In addition, New Delhi also banned several Pakistani YouTube channels. Also Read: Also Read: 'No Welcome...': Minister Refuses Bouquet At Event Over Pahalgam Terror Attack Aftermath Of Pahalgam Terror Attack A day after the Pahalgam terror attack, New Delhi announced a series of measures against Islamabad, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and downgrading diplomatic ties between the two nations. Pakistani nationals were directed to leave the country, and the Attari-Wagah border was subsequently closed. On Saturday, India also announced punitive measures against Pakistan, including banning all imports and transit of goods from the neighbouring country. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, in an order, said that ships bearing the Pakistan flag will not be allowed to visit any Indian port and an Indian flagship shall not visit any ports of Pakistan. Pahalgam Tensions: Hours after New Delhi announced on Saturday that vessels flying the Pakistani flag would be barred from docking at Indian ports, Pakistan responded by banning Indian-flagged ships from accessing its ports. The move followed the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Islamabad also barred Pakistani flag carriers from visiting any Indian port. "In view of the recent development of maritime situation with neighbouring country, Pakistan in order to safeguard maritime sovereignty, economic interest and national security enforces following measures with immediate effect: Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port, Pakistani flag carriers shall not visit any Indian port [and] any exemption or dispensation shall be examined and decided on case to case basis, Dawn quoted an order from Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs Ports and Shipping Wing. India's Punitive Measures Against Pakistan India announced a series of punitive measures against the neighbouring country, including a ban on the import of goods from Pakistan. "Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry had said in a statement. In another move, as per a notice from the Ministry of Communications, the government of India suspended the exchange of all categories of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. After the terror attack of April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, India downgraded its diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. According to reports, on Saturday, Pakistan also carried out a test launch of the Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which has a range of 450 kilometres. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dismissed a jawan from service for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and "knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa", as per ANI. The Pakistan Army went on with ceasefire violations for the tenth straight night along the Line of Control (LoC), and this forced a proportionate and calibrated response from the Indian Army. There was unprovoked firing in several sectors like Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor, officials reported on Saturday. "During the night of May 34, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC," a spokesperson for the Indian Army said. There were no casualties in the latest case of cross-line-of-control firing, as quoted by news India Today. The series of ceasefire violations happen at a time of increased bilateral tensions after the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, which killed 26 individualslargely tourists. Since April 24, barely hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam killings, Pakistan has increased its aggression by opening firing at different points along the LoC, starting from the Kashmir Valley. Furthermore, Islamabad has closed its airspace to Indian planes, closed the Wagah border crossing, and suspended all bilateral trade. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has also cautioned that diversion of the water under the Indus Waters Treaty will be dealt with as an "act of war." India and Pakistan had reaffirmed commitment to the 2003 ceasefire agreement in February 2021 through talks between their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). Nevertheless, the recent escalation of ceasefire violations is a serious deterioration of the precarious border stability that had been built over the last two years. Security forces continue to be on alert as the situation along the LoC remains volatile. In a major development along the India-Pakistan international border, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a Pakistani Ranger for allegedly attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory near Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, sources said on Saturday. The incident has triggered heightened security across the border as BSF intensifies surveillance and interrogation. According to highly placed sources in the security establishment, the Pakistani Ranger was spotted crossing the International Border (IB) under suspicious circumstances. The alert BSF troops immediately reacted and detained him before he could proceed deeper into Indian soil. Preliminary reports suggest the individual was unarmed and did not resist arrest. The development comes against the backdrop of the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. According to sources, the arrested ranger is currently under intense interrogation. While his identity and precise motive are yet to be confirmed, security agencies are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. Officials are not ruling out possibilities ranging from espionage to a deliberate probe into India's border defences by Pakistani forces. BSF officials have neither disclosed the name of the individual nor the exact time of arrest, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. However, insiders confirm that the ranger was apprehended in the early hours and was immediately taken into custody for questioning. Following the arrest, a high alert has been declared across the Shri Ganganagar sector. Additional forces have been deployed and patrolling has been intensified, particularly during night hours. Commanders on the ground have been asked to remain vigilant to prevent any further attempts at infiltration or hostile action from across the border. This is not the first time that suspicious activities have been observed in the region. The border areas in Rajasthan, particularly in sectors like Shri Ganganagar and Bikaner, have witnessed increased attempts at narcotics smuggling, infiltration, and cross-border mischief in recent months. The arrest comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and Pakistan remain tense. Amid regular ceasefire violations in other sectors and continued threats of drone-based smuggling, BSF has been operating under heightened alert conditions. A senior security officer said, The arrest of a serving Pakistani Ranger is a significant breach. We are examining whether this was an isolated case or part of a larger plan. Intelligence inputs are being correlated, and Pakistani communication intercepts are under review. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels are expected to be activated soon to discuss the matter with Pakistani authorities. If it is proven to be a deliberate act of violation, India may formalize its protest. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been briefed on the situation, and top-level monitoring is underway. A fresh case of inappropriate behaviour on an aircraft surfaced on Sunday, where a passenger aboard an IndiGo flight misbehaved with a staff member, after which he was handed over to security personnel. Following the incident, the budget carrier issued a statement asserting that the airline is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment on the flight. An 'unruly' passenger aboard IndiGo flight 6E 6404 from Delhi to Shirdi was handed over to security personnel upon landing after he allegedly misbehaved with a member of the cabin crew, the statement stated. "We are aware of an incident on flight 6E 6404 from Delhi to Shirdi on May 2, where a customer behaved inappropriately towards cabin crew. Our crew followed standard procedures, and the customer was declared unruly," IndiGo stated, as quoted by news agency ANI. The airline reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment onboard. "At IndiGo, we remain committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all and regret any inconvenience caused," said the airline. (With agency Inputs) Two people with alleged links to Pakistani intelligence were arrested by the Amritsar Rural Police in a counter-espionage operation for their alleged role in the sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar. According to police officials, in the preliminary investigation on Saturday, it was found that the two accused, identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, had links with Pakistani intelligence operatives, which was established through Harpreet Singh, alias Pittu, currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail. #WATCH | Amritsar Rural Police arrested two person-Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar. Preliminary investigation reveals their links to Pakistani intelligence https://t.co/vrGnVkICRJ pic.twitter.com/7itw8Fk3uX ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 "Preliminary investigation reveals their links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, established through Harpreet Singh @ Pittu @ Happy, currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail. A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, and the investigation is ongoing. Further critical revelations are expected as the probe deepens. Punjab Police stands strong with Indian Army, remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action", an 'X' post from Punjab DGP said. In a significant counter-espionage operation, Amritsar Rural Police on 3rd May 2025 arrested two personsPalak Sher Masih & Suraj Masihfor their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar. Preliminary DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) May 4, 2025 A case has been registered against both the accused under the Official Secrets Act, and further investigation is underway. As the probe deepens, other revelations are expected to emerge. Speaking on the arrest, Amritsar SSP Maninder Singh said that Punjab CM has instructed the police to take strict action and arrest anti-national elements as soon as any sort of information is received. "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav have issued instructions that we immediately arrest and imprison any anti-national element we get information about. One such piece of information was received about Palak Sher Masih & Suraj Masih, who were in touch with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives, leaking them information about sensitive installations. We have arrested them both and recovered a lot of data from them... They had one more partner, Harpreet, who brought them in touch with the ISI, and we will bring him from Amritsar Jail on a production warrant. One NDPS case was already registered against him... We have registered an FIR number 92 under the Official Secrets Act and the Information Technology Act, and we are keenly investigating the matter the Amritsar SSP said. According to the initial investigation, they got Rs 5000 for a small investigation and Rs 10,000 for more sensitive information about movement or something else... We have recovered a lot of weapons and RDX... First, they used to pick heroin consignments from the border, and now they were asked for such information. When we got this information, the Punjab police quickly acted and arrested them... They were disclosing information about sensitive army installations and movements to the PIO and helping in strengthening the enemy's design, but we have apprehended them and are acting strictly against them," he further stated. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab | Rural Amritsar SSP Maninder Singh says, "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav have issued instructions that we immediately arrest and imprison any anti-national element we get information about. One such information was received about Palak https://t.co/IF7uQCNMeL pic.twitter.com/byRZc9p0di ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Earlier on Thursday, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered two Pakistani drones in Punjab, which was yet another success against cross-border drone activity. (With ANI Inputs) In the world today where most conversation happens online, the workplace conversations also have largely shifted to online mode-whether through mails, teams or WhatsApp- and emojis have largely become a core part of our mode of communication. Remote and Hybrid work environments have made the non verbal cues more important that it ever was- and emojis fill that gap. For the Gen Z population, the youngest group in our workforce, a simple smiley face or a thumbs up can feel anything but simply what they intend to mean. Surabhi Pandey, Counseling Psychologist, Lissun shares insight on how these emojis are impacting Gen Z's mental health at work. The older colleagues might put thumbs up as a symbol of acknowledgement but for Gen Z, it might carry a tone of passive aggressiveness or no appreciation. Using emoji often gives a lot of space for subjective interpretation. The minor difference of how an emoji is used and how one might interpret could eventually become a source of tension, leading to anxiety in modern office culture. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z has grown up with digital communication as their native mode of communication. Emoji are no longer just an add-on for them, they are a very inherent part of their sentences- a very significant indicator of emotions, tone markers and mood setters. A simple message without any added emoji might feel a cold, dismissive or emotionally distant message. According to Telus International(2023), 74% of the Gen Z population of employees feel anxious about how they are being perceived in the workplace and over 60% of the Gen Z population of workers reported that they felt uncomfortable asking for clarification in digital interaction. According to Deloittes 2024 Gen Z Report, 46% of employees in the Gen Z population say mental health challenges impact their ability to work effectively, in which toxic or unclear communication plays a major contributing factor. When the tone and intent of the message is misread it leads to second guessing, overthinking,feeling of imposter syndrome and even avoidance-especially among the people who experience anxiety or get overwhelmed easily. But it is not just the emojis but also the broader cultural gap. Gen Z has grown up prioritizing authenticity, open communication and emotional intelligence, and expects the same from workplace communication. When messages feel ambiguous it can impact their motivation, productivity and mental well being. So, now what can be done about it? It starts with awareness. The cross generational style of communication differs and being mindful of how small symbols and emojis are interpreted can create a long space between the speaker and listener.The intergenerational conversations should be encouraged around digital etiquette and tone Managers and Team members can benefit from open conversation about communication preference. The team can consider creating norms around workplace communication. It may assist in balancing emojis with clear language to reduce space for misinterpretation. In the end it is never really about the thumbs up or a simple smiley face- it is rather about feeling seen, acknowledged, understood and respected in the workplace. Because in a world where work happens through screens, even the simplest of symbols have the power to speak volumes. New Delhi: Irrfan Khan's son, Babil Khan, has left fans deeply concerned after sharing a now-deleted video on his Instagram story. In the clip, the Logout actor is seen crying inconsolably. The video sparked concern about his mental well-being among fans, especially as he named several celebrities, including Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and even Arijit Singh, criticising them for what he described as rude or fake behavior. In one of the clips circulating on Reddit, Babil is heard saying: "What I mean to say is that I just want you guys to know that there are people like Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and even... Arijit Singh? There are so, so many more names. Bollywood is so f**d. Bollywood is so, so rude." In a follow-up story, Babil went further, calling Bollywood the most fakest industry hes ever been part of: Bollywood is the most fakest, fakest, fakest industry that Ive ever, ever been a part of. But there are a few people that want Bollywood to be better (smiles)... Ive got to show you so much more. I have so much more to give you. How Did the Internet React? Social media users quickly reacted with concern and sympathy for the young actor. One user wrote: "Imagine being Irrfan's son and still having no power against other star kids and actors. I can only imagine what outsiders have to go through." Another commented: "I think he's now deactivated his account. He should get the help he needs from close friends and family." A third user observed: "All tAnanya Panday And Shanaya Kapoor Bullying Babil Khan? Irrfan Khans Son Calls Bollywood the Fakest Industry WATCH all in the Dharma clique. I really feel for him. He seems to be suffering deeply." Others pointed to his grief, referencing a poem Babil posted on his father Irrfan Khans death anniversary: One line read, Soon I'll be there, with you, not without you. That definitely shook me. Another fan commented: "Poor guy, he has been struggling since his fathers death. I hope he finds peace and purpose." A Redditor added: "Something terrible must have happened for him to come on social media with this intensity. This is seriously concerning." On the Work Front, Babil Khan was recently seen in Logout, which premiered on streaming platform ZEE5. Mumbai: Actor Babil Khan left his fans in shock after a video of him breaking down surfaced on social media. In the clip, Babil named Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and Arjun Kapoor, however later his team issued an official statement claiming that he was merely acknowledging the contributions of these actors to the evolving landscape of the Indian cinema. Babil ended up deleting the video later. Reacting to Babils controversial clip, Raghav shared that he spoke to Babil's mother, Sutapa, who told him that he was going through an anxiety attack. The 'Kill' actor stated, I cant understand why he spoke like this. If youve seen my Instagram posts, Ive always been very supportive. He is obviously very disturbed. I spoke to his mother, Sutapa maam, and she said he was going through an anxiety attack. He is in Hyderabad. He was supposed to start shooting tomorrow. Now he is coming home. He needs to rest; he needs to understand that we are all here for him. Additionally, Siddhant, who was also named by Babil in his video, took to his Instagram stories and dropped a video of Babil writing something on the paper. "Mujhe itihaas likhna hain, kitaab nahi," the 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' actor wrote along with the post. He further penned a note asking everyone to 'stop looking for drama'. "I usually never engage in sh**t written about me and my colleagues, but this one's personal. So to all the Redditors, gossip columns, & media portals of the internet. Stop. We love to hate and hate to love, is this what we've come to? Stop looking for Drama here, All of us are working hard to bring drama to you on your screens." "Shayad wahah thodi kami reh gai hogi ki aap hamari neeji zindagi mein wo dhundhne lage ho?" Koshish jaari hai hamari taraf se, Aur aap bhi koshish karein ki koi bhi jugdment dene se pehle ek baar soch lein," Siddhant concluded. Washington: Tensions reached a boiling point during Harvey Weinstein's ongoing sexual assault trial in New York City, as former TV production assistant Miriam Haley gave a tearful and emotional testimony, calling the former filmmaker a "f---ing asshole" during cross-examination. According to Variety, the heated exchange took place on Friday morning, as Weinstein's defence attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, pressed Haley on her decision to accept an invitation to meet the ex-producer at his SoHo apartment on July 10, 2006. Bonjean's line of questioning centred on Haley's prior encounter with Weinstein, when he had unexpectedly arrived at her East Village home after she declined his invitation to attend Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, a visit she later described as "bizarre." Haley explained that she felt as though she might have "offended" Weinstein by turning down the fashion week offer, as per Variety. When Weinstein later invited her to Los Angeles for the premiere of Clerks II, she said she felt obligated to at least "say hi" to him at his apartment. "I felt it would've been weird not to go," she told the court, as quoted by Variety. Bonjean, attempting to discredit Haley's motives, asked, "You accepted a benefit, right?" referring to the flight and event invitation from Weinstein. Haley responded simply, "An invitation, yeah." The questioning then turned to the details of what Haley was wearing during the meeting at Weinstein's apartment. Despite Bonjean's persistent queries, Haley said she could not recall specifics about her outfit. Bonjean pressed further, asking, "Is it possible you were wearing jeans?" Haley replied that she did not remember Weinstein removing her jeans. However, the situation turned grimly when Bonjean asked, "What do you remember him ripping off?" Haley's answer was unequivocal: "My tampon," as quoted by Variety. The courtroom grew tense as Haley's emotional response intensified. When questioned again about the specifics of the assault, Haley maintained that she did not remove her own clothes during the encounter. Bonjean implied that it was up to the jury to determine the truth of this claim. At that point, Haley broke down in tears, her voice rising in frustration. "It's my experience!" Haley exclaimed as she turned her gaze toward Weinstein, seated in the courtroom. "F--ing asshole," she said, as quoted by Variety. Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, faces a first-degree criminal sexual act charge related to the July 2006 incident with Haley. In addition to this charge, Weinstein is also facing charges of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape in connection with other alleged incidents. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mumbai: Actress Gehana Vasisth, who is a contestant on the reality show "House Arrest" hosted by Ajaz Khan has urged the government to file a case against Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Radhika Apte for exposing themselves on screen. Gehana has posted a video saying, "I request you all, especially Priyanka Chaturvedi mam, and Chitra Wagh mam to please make it equal for everyone. Just like you have filed a case against Ajaz (Khan), the Ullu app, and the producers of the show "House Arrest", similarly please file a case against Priyanka Chopda, Radhika Apte, and Ranveer Singh." "They are also the citizens of our respected country and are equally responsible for what they are showing to the public. They have fans in millions and the youth looks up to them. So kindly consider my request," she added. Pointing out the hypocrisy, Gehana questioned why no action is taken against those who watch porn websites. She further said that when Priyanka Chopra does nude scenes in Hollywood films, or Radhika Apte does a topless scene in "Sacred Games" and "Parched", or Mandakini did some bold scenes a long time ago,(Ram Teri Ganga Maili) why they were not accused of spreading obscenity in society?' Gehana further requested to bring in censorship in the digital space, so that makers are obliged to follow the rules. A massive controversy erupted after a clip went viral from "House Arrest" on social media where host Ajaz Khan was seen asking the contestants to enact sex positions on camera. Gehana also said that during the task, the maximum exposure was of a bikini. She added that every contestant was also wearing extra clothes. In response to the video, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued summons to Ajaz Khan and Vibhu Agarwal, CEO of Ullu App. The Ullu app has yet to comment on the controversy. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed multiple strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels after a missile landed in a grove near a Ben-Gurion International Airport access road. Sharing a video on X, he said, "It's not a one-and-done," adding, "We have acted against them and will continue doing so." "We are acting against them in coordination with the US. We've acted against them before, and we'll act against them in the future. It's not a one-and-done, but there will be strikes," he said, as quoted in English by NDTV. Earlier on Sunday, a Houthi missile landed in a grove near a Ben-Gurion International Airport access road, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said. The attack marked the first time a missile had landed inside the airport complex. At least one man was injured in a nearby parking lot. "There is an injured person from the fall near Terminal 3, near the planes," said the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Employees' Committee following this morning's Houthi missile attack. Following the attack the arrivals and departures were suspended while workers checked the runways. Air India has also suspended all its flight operations to and from Israels capital, Tel Aviv, for the next two days. A high-level Indian delegation is set to present its SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, taking place from May 5-8 at the World Bank Headquarters in the US capital of Washington DC, the Panchayati Raj Ministry said in a statement Sunday. Led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and comprising of Joint Secretary, MoPR Alok Prem Nagar, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India Shailesh Kumar Sinha, along with senior officials from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the delegation will present its flagship SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme at two key sessions during the upcoming international forum on land governance. This year's World Bank Land Conference, themed "Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action", will bring together global leaders, policymakers, experts and development partners to explore strategies for securing land tenure, modernising land administration for sustainable development and climate-responsive governance. Under India's flagship SVAMITVA Scheme that provides legal ownership of rural properties using drones and geospatial technology, property cards to over 24.4 million households across 1.6 lakh villages have been issued, mapping over 100 million property parcels and unlocking an estimated USD 1.162 trillion (approximately 100 crores) in land value. India will play a key role at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, wherein the SVAMITVA Scheme will be spotlighted as a transformative model of rural empowerment through drone mapping, high-accuracy geospatial data, and platforms like Gram Manchitra for climate-aligned planning. With applications in tax administration, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, SVAMITVA exemplifies inclusive, tech-driven governance. India's leadership in digital land reforms and its commitment to South-South collaboration will be central to the global dialogue on scalable and people-centric land solutions. The conference agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, regional workshops, thematic exchanges, and an innovation expo, all focused on accelerating secure land access, modernising land administration systems, and driving climate-responsive governance. Sessions will highlight best practices, operational strategies, and cutting-edge research on scaling up land tenure reforms, promoting the use of geospatial technologies, and building resilience in the face of climate challenges. Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj, will represent India as a Country Champion in the Plenary Session on "Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform" wherein SVAMITVA Scheme's impact on rural property rights, women's empowerment, and dispute resolution, contributing to global discussions on SDG Target 1.4.2 (Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, (a) with legally recognized documentation, and (b) who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure) will be discussed. Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will lead a Technical Session on "Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management" wherein India's Gram Manchitra platform, which utilizes SVAMITVA's high-resolution spatial data to support village-level planning, solar energy site selection, disaster mitigation and rural development will be showcased. India's participation in the 2025 World Bank Land Conference marks a significant milestone in global rural land governance. In March 2025, India hosted a six-day International Workshop on Land Governance with delegates from 22 countries, where SVAMITVA drew strong interest for its digital mapping and geospatial approach, with several nations expressing intent to collaborate. (ANI) Government is committed to reducing logistical barriers and enhancing market access for Indian agriculture and processed food products, said Sunil Barthwal, Secretary Department of Commerce, in his address at a high-level Chintan Shivir organised by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Authority(APEDA) in the national capital . Barthwal pointed out that "Academia and Research institutions must be a part of multisectoral consultations so that Research and Development can be a major focus for innovation and sustainability in agri exports." He emphasised that, agricultural production and productivity both are the need of the hour, as quoted by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in a release. He reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to further deliberate on the ideas and strategies discussed during the sessions. The consultative dialogue brought together senior officials from the Union Government, Central Ministries, representatives from State Governments, policy experts, industry leaders from Agri trade and Processed Foods sector to deliberate on strategies for enhancing the export of Agricultural And Processed Food Products from India. The inaugural session of the Chintan Shivir was co- chaired by Sunil Barthwal, Secretary of Department of Commerce, and Subrata Gupta, Secretary of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). The session was also graced by the Special Secretary, Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Varsha Joshi, and other senior officers of the Union and State governments, policymakers and industry leaders. In his opening remarks, Secretary of Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Subrata Gupta highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and value addition to ensure sustainable export growth. He emphasised that there is a need to develop infrastructure, Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards at par with international norms, tariff plans and more synergy between Union Government, State Government, various departments and Industry stakeholders. He identified key potential products and sectors for processed foods exports like Alcoholic Beverages, Nutraceuticals and Value-Added Products. The Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Rajesh Agrawal, emphasised the critical role of synergistic efforts among Union government, State Government, industry stakeholders and farming communities in realising India's agri-export potential. He emphasised on the need to have a more synergetic approach amongst various stakeholders to take new agriculture, processed food and Value Added Products to new geographies. (ANI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs under Ministry of Finance, to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7. Official delegations of the ADB Board of Governors, ADB members, and international financial institutions will attend the meetings. The Finance Minister will participate in the Annual Meeting's focal events, such as the Governors' Business session and the Governor's Plenary Session, and will serve as a panellist in the ADB Governors' Seminar on "Cross-Border Collaboration for Future Resilience." On the sidelines of the ADB's 58th Annual Meeting, Finance Minister Sitharaman will also hold bilateral meetings with the Finance Ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, as well as meetings with the President of ADB, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The Union Finance Minister will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan, meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs, and participating in a Plenary Session of the NEXT Milan Forum at the Bocconi University on "Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience". (ANI) Gigi Hadid has taken to Instagram to make her relationship with Bradley Cooper official on social media. The supermodel shared a photo of the two kissing at her 30th birthday party, along with a heartfelt caption expressing her gratitude for life, love, and support. "I feel so lucky to be 30! I feel so lucky for every high and low- for all the lessons and gifts both have brought me. To get to feel it all! I'm so lucky to be a mom, friend, partner, sister, daughter, colleague to some of the most unbelievable humans!!" she wrote. "So lucky for the support and encouragement from all of YOU around the world, every day and on my birthday last week. I had the best time celebrating, and it's a blessing to feel so loved!! I am grateful and honored to take on a new decade x x G," she captioned the post. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJNZcwSu3yE/?img_index=1 Hadid celebrated her 30th birthday on April 25 with a star-studded party at L'Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, as per E! News. The party was attended by friends and family, including her parents, sister Bella Hadid, and celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Will Arnett. As per E! News, Hadid broke her silence about her romance with Cooper in a recent interview, describing their relationship as "very romantic and happy." She emphasised the importance of knowing what you want and deserve in a relationship and finding someone who is on the same page. Hadid and Cooper started dating in 2023, and their romance has been making headlines ever since. The couple has been spotted together on several occasions, including dinner dates and nights out with friends. (ANI) Tensions reached a boiling point during Harvey Weinstein's ongoing sexual assault trial in New York City, as former TV production assistant Miriam Haley gave a tearful and emotional testimony, calling the former filmmaker a "f---ing asshole" during cross-examination. According to Variety, the heated exchange took place on Friday morning, as Weinstein's defence attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, pressed Haley on her decision to accept an invitation to meet the ex-producer at his SoHo apartment on July 10, 2006. Bonjean's line of questioning centred on Haley's prior encounter with Weinstein, when he had unexpectedly arrived at her East Village home after she declined his invitation to attend Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, a visit she later described as "bizarre." Haley explained that she felt as though she might have "offended" Weinstein by turning down the fashion week offer, as per Variety. When Weinstein later invited her to Los Angeles for the premiere of Clerks II, she said she felt obligated to at least "say hi" to him at his apartment. "I felt it would've been weird not to go," she told the court, as quoted by Variety. Bonjean, attempting to discredit Haley's motives, asked, "You accepted a benefit, right?" referring to the flight and event invitation from Weinstein. Haley responded simply, "An invitation, yeah." The questioning then turned to the details of what Haley was wearing during the meeting at Weinstein's apartment. Despite Bonjean's persistent queries, Haley said she could not recall specifics about her outfit. Bonjean pressed further, asking, "Is it possible you were wearing jeans?" Haley replied that she did not remember Weinstein removing her jeans. However, the situation turned grimly when Bonjean asked, "What do you remember him ripping off?" Haley's answer was unequivocal: "My tampon," as quoted by Variety. The courtroom grew tense as Haley's emotional response intensified. When questioned again about the specifics of the assault, Haley maintained that she did not remove her own clothes during the encounter. Bonjean implied that it was up to the jury to determine the truth of this claim. At that point, Haley broke down in tears, her voice rising in frustration. "It's my experience!" Haley exclaimed as she turned her gaze toward Weinstein, seated in the courtroom. "F--ing asshole," she said, as quoted by Variety. Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, faces a first-degree criminal sexual act charge related to the July 2006 incident with Haley. In addition to this charge, Weinstein is also facing charges of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape in connection with other alleged incidents. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. (ANI) Legendary actor Anupam Kher recently talked about optimism, the power of failure and his upcoming film 'Tanvi The Great'. He shared pictures and videos from the discussion, which was organised by an organisation, and expressed gratitude in his post. "Such a pleasure to talk to the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of the organisation #LadiesWhoLead founded by dynamic #AabhaBakaya! We talked about #Optimism #PowerOfFailure and of course my upcoming film #TanviTheGreat! Thank you Ladies for your love, warmth and appreciation! @LadiesWLead" he wrote on X. https://x.com/AnupamPKher/status/1918973550037438735 Meanwhile, the look-reveal teaser for Anupam Kher's next directorial project, 'Tanvi The Great,' was unveiled on Saturday.The teaser, shared on Kher's official X (formerly Twitter) account, offers a quick glimpse of Tanvi, played by debutant Shubhangi Dutt. In the 15-second video, Dutt is introduced as the central character in what promises to be an emotional and powerful story. Dutt was selected from Anupam Kher's acting school, Actor Prepares, where she has trained over the years, as per the press release."You may meet many, but someone like her? Once in a lifetime. That's why you'll always remember #TanviTheGreat. #TanviTheGreat Look Reveal Teaser Out Now!" Kher wrote alongside the teaser. https://x.com/AnupamPKher/status/1918617789709066710 Tanvi The Great also stars Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen and features sound design by Resul Pookutty, the Academy Award-winning sound designer known for Slumdog Millionaire. The film is set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, within the Marche du Film. Earlier, the actor opened up about his new project and how it differs from his debut directorial, Om Jai Jagdish, in 2002. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anupam shared a photo in which he was seen wearing a director's shirt while posing for the photograph. The Saaransh actor reflected on his debut directorial, Om Jai Jagdish, and said that he loved working on that film as the director.Now, after 23 years, the actor has donned the director's cap once again to showcase his filmmaking skills with Tanvi The Great. "It took me 23 years to wear a #Director t-shirt again! I loved directing the first film, #OmJaiJagdish. The ability I had. I made the film accordingly. But the story of that movie wasn't mine," wrote Anupam. Directed by Anupam Kher, with music composed by Oscar-winner MM Keeravani, Tanvi The Great is produced by Anupam Kher Studios in collaboration with NFDC. The release date for Tanvi The Great is yet to be announced. (ANI) Babil Khan, actor and son of the late Irrfan Khan, posted videos on social media on Sunday in which he lashed out at several actors. Later, he deleted his account. However, now the actor is back on Instagram and wrote in his story that the video was "extremely misinterpreted." Several celebrities, including Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal, have recently come forward to support Babil. Taking to his Instagram stories, he shared the post of actor Kubbra Sait, in which she has shared the official statement from Babil's family and team related to the entire issue. In the caption, Babil wrote, "Thank you so much (red heart emoticon), This video was extremely misinterpreted, I was trying to show support to Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Gaurav Adarsh, Arjun Kapoor, Raghav Juyal, Arijit Singh." He added, "I genuinely don't have the energy to indulge more but I do this as responsibility for my peers that I truly admire." Babil also reshared Raghav's Instagram Stories and wrote, "Raghav Juyal, bhai, you are my icon, my idol, and my elder brother that I never had." Siddhant Chaturvedi posted a video of Babil on his Instagram Stories, in which he was heard saying, "Mujhe itihaas likhna hai, kitaab nahi" (I want to write history, not a book). Babil reposted it and wrote, "I love you, brother." Siddhant took to his Instagram story and wrote a long note supporting Babil, "I usually never engage in sh*t written about me and my colleagues, but this one's personal. So to all the Redditors, Gossip columns, and media portals of the internet. Stop," he wrote. Siddhant added, "We love to hate and hate to love, is this what we've come to? Stop looking for Drama here, All of us are working hard to bring drama to you on your screens. Shayad wahan thodi kami reh gai hogi ki aap hamari neeji zindagi mein wo dhoondhne lage ho? (Maybe there was something missing there that you started looking for in our personal lives?)." "Koshish jaari hai hamari taraf se, Aur aap bhi Koshish karein ki koi bhi judgment dene se pehle ek baar soch lein (We're still trying from our side, and we hope you also try to think once before passing any judgment). Peace out," the post further reads. After actor and son of late actor Irrfan Khan, Babil Khan's videos from his now deleted Instagram account were shared widely on social media, his family and team on Sunday released a clarification statement. "Over the past few years, Babil Khan has earned immense love and appreciation for his work, as well as for his openness about his mental health journey. Like anyone else, Babil is allowed to have difficult days -- and this was one of them. We want to reassure all his well-wishers that he is safe and will be feeling better soon," the statement shared by his family and team read. "Babil has been widely misinterpreted," it said. "That said, a video of Babil has been widely misinterpreted and taken out of context. In the clip, Babil was sincerely acknowledging a few of his peers whom he believes are making meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of Indian cinema," the statement read. "His mention of artists like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, Arjun Kapoor, and Arijit Singh came from a place of genuine admiration -- for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry," the statement further read. The family asked mediapersons and public to "consider the full context of his words", "We respectfully urge media publications and the public to consider the full context of his words rather than drawing conclusions from fragmented video clips." Babil Khan, was seen on Sunday breaking down in several stories on his Instagram account, lashing out at several actors and talking about the pressures and challenges of being part of Bollywood. Babil later deleted his Instagram account. Videos from his Instagram posts was shared widely on social media shedding light on the bullying he allegedly faced in Bollywood. Following the video's release, Babil's Instagram account became inaccessible, and users who attempted to visit the profile were met with a message indicating that the account had been removed. In the now-deleted video, Babil appeared visibly emotional and fought back tears as he opened up about the pressures and challenges of being in the Hindi film industry. He spoke candidly about the difficulties he had allegedly encountered within Bollywood, which had caused him emotional distress. Babil, who made his acting debut with the critically acclaimed film 'Qala' and was recently seen in 'Logout', has always been open about his struggles following the tragic loss of his father, Irrfan Khan. The young actor has been vocal about the emotional toll of losing his father and has often shared heartfelt tributes to him on social media. On the recent anniversary of Irrfan Khan's passing, Babil shared a poignant post that read, "With you, without you. Life goes on. With me, without me. Soon I'll be there. With you, not without you. And we will run together, and fly. Drink from waterfalls, pink not blue. I will hug you so tight, and I will cry. Then we'll laugh, just like we used to. I miss you." (ANI) As per an official release, on the night intervening May 2-3, 2025, the BSF Ouick Reaction Team chased and intercepted chased down a vehicle near Paddapuker Radhhapur Shiv Mandir on NH 8 after receiving intelligence inputs. "On thorough search of seized vehicle 150 cartons consisting 15 lakhs pieces of Foreign Brand Cigarettes, i.e. ( Elegant, Supper slim mond, Patron nano white) worth Rs 2.82 crore seized," the release stated. In another operation BSF troops of BOP Pathridwar under district of West Tripura foiled a major attempt of smuggling and seized 3,156 pcs of Mobile display worth Rs 22 Lakhs. Meanwhile, two women drug peddlers were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Agartala Railway Station, an official statement said on Saturday. According to police sources, the two accused have been identified as Rasuan Devi (25) and Ranju Devi (30), both residents of Katihar district in Bihar, were attempting to smuggle the contraband to Delhi via train using the Agartala Railway Station as a transit point. The duo was caught in possession of a total of 4 kg 405 grams of dry cannabis (ganja), neatly packed in eight packets and concealed in two handbags. (ANI) Rifleman Kalyan Kumar displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty, laying down his life while serving in one of the most challenging counter-insurgency operations in the region. His gallant action remains a shining example of valour and sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, the press release stated. The battalion paid heartfelt tributes to the fallen hero. Wreaths were laid and a moment of silence observed in his memory, it added. Meanwhile on Friday, the Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy awarded 28 Assam Rifles the prestigious Unit Citation in recognition of its outstanding service and exemplary contributions. The unit has played a pivotal role in anti-narcotics operations across the state, successfully conducting over 60 operations leading to seizure of contraband worth more than Rs 300 crore. These efforts have dealt a significant blow to illegal drug networks and contributed towards a drug-free society, in line with government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. In addition to its operational excellence, 28 Assam Rifles has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts. The battalion actively participated in relief and rescue operations during the monsoon floods in August 2024, providing immediate support and assistance to affected communities under Operation Jal Rahat. The unit has also conducted numerous medical camps in remote and underdeveloped areas, delivering essential healthcare services to those with limited access. Its commitment to the upliftment of the underprivileged section of the society through various civic action programmes stands as a shining example of civil-military cooperation and people-centric soldiering. (ANI) Forces that promote violence in the name of religion have emerged, and if the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna's principles are followed, solutions to all their problems can be found, said former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai. He was speaking while presiding over the Basava Jayanthi celebration and the Basavashree and Vachana Sahitya Shree awards ceremony organized by Basava Vedike at Ravindra Kalakshetra. He described Basavanna as a "wonderful personality." He said, "If someone claims to have completely understood Basavanna, it means they have yet to attain true understanding. Basavanna was relevant in his time and remains relevant today. In one dimension, he spoke about the then-existing realities, and in another, he spoke against inequality and discrimination--issues that still persist, which is not something to feel proud about. When we look at what is happening in society today, it shows how much respect we have truly given to Basavanna's thoughts." "There are three types of people in society," Bommai said. "Some talk only about the past and ignore reality. The second are revolutionaries--like the Sharana movement, the freedom struggle, and the Russian Revolution. They did not last long because we failed to carry forward their systems. We call Basavanna a revolutionary, but we must also ask what became of the revolution he started". "The third are reformers--like Buddha, Basava, and Mahavira. They transcend time. We belong to a history enriched by such great personalities. But if we live only in the temporary world without realising this, we fail to understand our deeper roots", Bommai noted. He illustrated this with a metaphor: "Next to a well, there was a stream. The stream claimed superiority by saying it flowed and provided water to everyone, while the well just stood still. To this, the well replied that even though it stays in one place, it serves people in times of hardship. Similarly, Vachana literature is as valuable as any Vedas or Puranas--it is accessible and understandable even to common people." Bommai reiterated Basavanna's quote: "Compassion is the root of religion." Yet, despite this, forces promoting violence in the name of religion have emerged. "Even with so much happening around us, we feel helpless. But we shouldn't feel that way. We must read and promote Basava literature and establish peace. Let there be victory to human dharma as preached by Renukacharya. We have forgotten our roots. If we hold on to Basavanna, we will find solutions to all our problems," he said. He said that only when Basava Jayanthi is celebrated in every Dalit colony of the land will the state see true progress. Major changes in the world weren't made by governments or great powers, but by individuals--Einstein, Buddha, Prophet Muhammad, Basavanna. "They were all great people. In life, sacrifice alone isn't enough. Realization comes only when one shares the deepest truths of the heart. When Swami Vivekananda said he had attained enlightenment, his guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa told him, 'You will attain enlightenment only when your knowledge is shared with the world.' Following that advice, Vivekananda shared his knowledge with the world," he said. He also said, "The writings of Nadoja G.R. Channabasappa are a great treasure. We must use his knowledge and strength." The MP said Industries Minister M.B. Patil has a bright future ahead. The state's future should be linked to his. "You are serving F.G. Halakatti. A politician thinks about the next election, but a statesman thinks about the next generation. You are acting as a statesman, working for the benefit of the next generation," Bommai added. The event was graced by the divine presence of Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, head of Adichunchanagiri Math. Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Industries Minister M.B. Patil, Basava Vedike President Dr. C. Somashekara, and Vice President Shadakshari were also present. On the occasion, senior writer G.R. Channabasappa was honoured with the Basavashree Award, while M.D. Pallavi and the Vachana Pitamaha F.G. Halakatti Research Foundation of B.L.D.E. Institute were honoured with the Vachana Sahitya Shree Award. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya Shetty wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding National Investigation Agency (NIA) conduct probe in the Suhas Shetty murder case. "In the past, the NIA had successfully uncovered PFI's role in such targeted killings and there is growing suspicion that similar forces might be involved in this case too. In view of this, I strongly urge the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to transfer the investigation of Suhas Shetty's murder to the NIA. A central agency inquiry will ensure a fair, transparent and thorough investigation and help bring those responsible to justice, " read the letter. Earlier, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara informed that eight people have been arrested in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case.He said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities. Addressing the media, Parameshwara said that the police have managed to deter the escalation of communal tension in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which he suggested are known for drawing the nation's attention due to incidents rooted in communal tensions. "Around eight people involved in the murder of Suhas Shetty have been arrested. For many years, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have drawn the attention of the state and the nation due to incidents rooted in communal tensions. This time, too, after the incident, it was feared that communal tensions would resurface, but the police did not allow that to happen," Parameshwara told reporters in a press conference. Suhas Shetty, the main accused in the Fazil murder case, was killed by a group of unidentified men in Mangaluru around 8:30 pm on Thursday, as per the Mangaluru Police Commissioner. (ANI) President of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) Dipen Boro said that following the implementation of the Bodo Peace Accord 2020, in the last five years peace has prevailed in the region of Assam, emphasising that the historic agreement has led to the disarmament of all militant groups and their integration into the mainstream. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Boro said the agreement marked a new chapter of peace and development in the Bodoland region. He noted that the Union Government has successfully implemented the main provisions of the accord in the last five years, although some components of the agreement remain pending. "Peace came after the accord. All groups laid down their arms and joined the mainstream. The Government of India had promised to implement the main provisions of the accord in 5 years; it was implemented successfully. Some provisions are still there, and it is the Prime Minister's and Home Minister's commitment that it will be implemented in a time-bound manner," Boro said. On January 27, 2020, the central government signed a tripartite agreement with representatives of all factions of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the national capital. The Bodo groups have been demanding a separate state of Bodoland for the last 50 years. The movement has resulted in extensive violence and the loss of hundreds of lives over the years. In 1993, the Bodoland Autonomous Council was formed through an agreement with the Union government, but it could not stop the violence initiated by various Bodo militant groups. In 2003, an extensive agreement was worked out with the Bodo Liberation Tigers, which led to the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and Bodoland Territorial Area Districts with four districts. Earlier this year, speaking at a public meeting on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Bodo Peace Accord, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the signing of the Bodo Peace Accords in 1993, 2003, and 2020, emphasising that the third Accord marked a new era of peace in the region. He noted the rich history and vibrant cultural heritage of the Bodo community, highlighting that these have greatly enriched our state's history. Assam Chief Minister mentioned the central government's plan to introduce the 125th Amendment to the Constitution to implement the Accord fully and further asserted that the region has moved beyond its history of unrest, with current discussions now focused on road construction, educational institutions, and other developmental initiatives. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday announced ten new reforms in its registry and revenue departments to make land registration process simpler -- a move towards making land dealings more transparent and hassle-free. He said that the changes aim to make the system more efficient and will protect people from fraud. "Ten new reforms have been introduced in the land registration process...People had to face a lot of trouble earlier, but now the enrollment will be done along with the registry. No fake person can sell the land as the buyers and sellers will be linked with the Aadhaar..." CM Sai told reporters. A key feature of the new system is the linking of Aadhaar with both buyers and sellers to prevent fake individuals from selling land illegally. Earlier on Thursday, CM Sai met with the 'victims of naxalism,' the people who have lost their body parts due to blasts. The CM said that the people have requested that the ongoing anti-naxal operation in the Karragutta Hills on the border of Chhattisgarh and Telangana be continued. The Chief Minister claimed that several "institutions" want the operations to be halted. "The victims of Naxalism from various places, like Sukma, Bijapur, Kanker, and other areas, who got injured or lost a body part, have come to meet me today. Some people have lost their eyes or legs. They are requesting that the ongoing Naxal operation continues in the Karragutta Hills on the border of Chhattisgarh and Telangana," Chief Minister Sai told ANI in Raipur. Claiming that the "institutions" who are trying to stop the naxal operation have not met with the injured victims, he said, "A lot of institutions and people want to stop this operation. But today, a lot of people have come here, they are innocent and troubled by naxalism. These victims have been afflicted due to Naxalism. The people who are trying to stop this operation did not meet these people." (ANI) The first batch of Hajj pilgrims in Srinagar is set to depart for Saudi Arabia's Mecca to undertake the annual holy pilgrimage to Kaaba, which is a mandated religious duty. At least 3,372 Hujjaj Karam, a title bestowed upon the Hajj pilgrims, will depart from Srinagar this morning. A facilitator for the Hajj pilgrims informed that the first flight to Mecca was scheduled for today, while the last flight will depart on May 15. "A total of 3,622 Hujjaj Karam are there, and 3,372 Hujjaj Karam are going from Srinagar. This includes 242 Hujjaj Karam from Ladakh, who are also going from Srinagar. Today is the first flight (departing from Srinagar). There are no flights scheduled for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow (May 5 and 6). There are continuous flights after that till May 15," one of the facilitators told ANI. Malik Abrar Altaf, who struggles to express his emotions, explains that the Hajj pilgrimage means undergoing a journey. He said he would make 'dua' for Kashmir, which has witnessed many turmoils. "I can't describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil," Altaf told ANI. Another Hujjaj Karam explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims once in their life. He expressed grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and said that he would pray for Kashmir. "This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam," he said. Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Indira Gandhi International airport on Thursday to extend his congratulations and best wishes to departing Haj pilgrims. Speaking to the mediapersons, Rijiju said, "I am here at the airport to congratulate the Haj Yatris. Around 400 people will leave today. The management has been good."He also informed of the presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission from Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, Kiren Rijiju extended his heartfelt wishes to all 1,22,518 pilgrims undertaking the sacred Haj journey. The first flights took off with 288 pilgrims from Lucknow and 262 pilgrims from Hyderabad. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended a warm welcome to devotees as the portals of the revered Badrinath temple reopened for pilgrims on Sunday. Calling it an "auspicious day," Dhami prayed for the safe and smooth completion of every pilgrim's journey to the sacred shrine. He was also seen taking stock of arrangements, meeting devotees, and clicking selfies with them. While speaking to reporters, CM Dhami said, "Today is a very auspicious day, the doors of Lord Badri Vishal are opening. I welcome all the pilgrims on their arrival in the holy land of Uttarakhand and pray to God that the journey of all the pilgrims is completed smoothly." CM Dhami further informed that work on the master plan for Badrinath is progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "All arrangements have been made. Work is going on on the master plan of Lord Badri Vishal under the leadership of PM Modi," said CM Dhami. "All the stakeholders, priests and locals have organised the place very well. I welcome all the devotees and pray that their journey is safe... Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, 'Char Dham' all-weather roads have been constructed, Badrinath master plan is being worked on, reconstruction of Kedarnath is in process, and ropeways for Kedarnath and Hemkunt have been approved," CM Dhami later told ANI. Highlighting ongoing efforts to restore Joshimath in response to the catastrophic land subsidence that displaced over 1,000 residents in early 2023, CM Dhami informed, "Yesterday, we requested the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for the construction and reconstruction of Joshimath, security works; we should be given funds for various development works. An amount of Rs 1700 crore has been approved, out of which the first installment of Rs 292 crore has been released yesterday. I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister." "In February 2023, numerous places, around 20% of Joshimath, were affected by disaster, and huge cracks appeared. Many agencies of the Indian government and state government worked... A survey report was submitted, after which we requested the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for disaster relief funds, and Rs 1700 crore, which will be used for sewerage, reconstruction, and stopping waterlogging, has been approved as well," he said, further detailing the restoration plan. The portals of Badrinath Dham were opened amid the melodious tunes of the Army band and the devotees' chants of "Jai Badri Vishal". On the occasion, flower petals were showered on the devotees, while a band of the Indian Army's Garhwal Rifles played devotional tunes here. On the occasion, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj said, "Today the whole country is happy. Devotees should come in large numbers to offer prayers at the Dham. Devotees experience spiritual bliss here." The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30, with the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham opening on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. On May 2, the doors of Kedarnath were opened. (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has welcomed the decision of former ministers Gulabrao Deokar and Satish Patil to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "Many leaders have joined the party. Those who have joined the party have worked in various positions - some are former MLAs. Some are officials associated with cooperative institutions. They have been welcomed wholeheartedly. Efforts are on to expand our party," Pawar told reporters on Sunday. The induction of Deokar and Patil, who are said to be close aids of Sharad Pawar, is being seen as Ajit Pawar trying to strengthen his party's hold in north Maharashtra, posing a challenge to its rival party - Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). The leaders from the NCP (Sharad Pawar) led by Deokar joined Ajit Pawar's NCP in Mumbai, including former Jalgaon Guardian Minister Satish Patil, former MLAS Dilip Sonwane, Kailash Patil, and Sharad Patil. Recently, Pawar also spoke about the caste census approved by the Centre, saying that it would aid in policy making and help understand the composition of different sections of society. "The demand for caste-based census has been longstanding, as it helps in understanding the composition of different sections of society and aids in policy-making decisions. Considering this, the Union Cabinet has made the decision. Personally, at the state government and NCP levels, I extend my gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and the entire Cabinet for this decision. The opposition has always argued that if a good decision is taken, it is attributed to electoral motives; and if no decision is taken, they claim the government fails to act. But that is their approach. Now tell me - Lok Sabha elections are still 4.5 years away, with only some assembly elections in between," the Maharashtra Deputy CM said. On Wednesday (April 30), the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. Earlier, Dy CM Pawar described the recent terror attack in Pahalgam as deeply tragic and noted the loss of six Maharashtra residents among the 26 people who were gunned down by the terrorists on April 22. Pawar highlighted the efforts of the state and central governments to prevent such incidents. He outlined the decisions made at the recent cabinet meeting to provide financial aid and employment assistance to the victims' families. Pawar emphasised the Maharashtra government's commitment to supporting affected families. "The attack in Pahalgam was deeply tragic, and the central and state governments continuously strive to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. Maharashtra lost six lives in this unfortunate event. We made some decisions at the last cabinet meeting, including those related to financial aid and employment assistance. We understand that those who have passed away will not return, but the Maharashtra government is committed to supporting the affected families, which is why this decision has been taken," Pawar said. "Various measures are being taken at both the national level and within Jammu & Kashmir regarding this incident. People across the country feel that action should be taken in response, but every aspect is carefully considered and approached peacefully. All such efforts are being carried out at the Prime Minister's level in Delhi," he added. (ANI) Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam condemned Congress leader Charanjit Singh's statement on doubts over the 2019 air strike conducted by the Indian armed forces in response to the Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers. "Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi stands with terrorists, separatists," Krishnam said, adding, "It is very unfortunate that a former CM of Punjab questions the Indian Army and India's valour. The question is not about Narendra Modi, the BJP, or the Congress; the question is about India's existence and identity. This is a fight for India's existence...", Acharya Krishnam told ANI on Sunday. The former Congress member further accused Rahul Gandhi of "attacking" PM Modi and simultaneously asking Congress leaders to "support Pakistan internally". "It is part of Rahul Gandhi's strategy that he says he stands with the government, with the country and asks his leaders to attack the government, PM Modi, and support Pakistan internally...," he stated. On Friday, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi stoked controversy by demanding proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan territory in the past under the BJP government in the centre. Casting doubts over the strikes, the former Punjab CM said that he has always demanded proof. "To date, I could not find where the (surgical) strike took place, where men were killed at that time, and where this happened in Pakistan. Will we not find out if a bomb is dropped in our country? They say that they did a surgical strike in Pakistan. Nothing had happened. Nowhere was a surgical strike seen. Nobody came to know...I have always demanded (proof)." Channi said at a press conference. Responding to Channi's remarks, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Congress leader's comments reflect the "dirty mentality of the Gandhi family". "Congress has again raised questions on the Indian Air Force. Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi has once again said that he does not believe in the surgical strike, and he wants proof of the surgical strike. What kind of mentality is this of the Congress party, the Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi, that they keep questioning the army, the Indian Air Force?" Sirsa said. (ANI) Shortly after a National Commission for Women's inquiry team reached Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to investigate allegations of sexual assault of multiple female students, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked for an action report from Bhopal Police regarding the case and has alleged that 'prima facie' it looks like the police delayed in registering a complaint. NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo told ANI on Saturday that originally three female students had come forward claiming to being sedated, sexually assaulted and blackmailed. Later on the victims were also allegedly forced to convert. Right now seven victims alleging assault have been identified, however it is expected that more victims will be uncovered. "We received a complaint, Hindu girls were targeted in a college of Bhopal. They were sedated and sexually assaulted. Then this act was videotaped and further, the girls were blackmailed and were pressured for conversion. According to our information, one girl, who is an orphan went through this repeatedly, and when her sister was also getting trapped in this she got the courage to complain about this," the NHRC member said in Delhi. Kanoongo also said that 'prima facie' it seems there was a delay in writing the initial complaint by the police. "According to our information, prima facie it looks like there had been a delay in registering a complaint. As per the information we received, there may be more victims in this case. Right now, there are seven victims in the case. We have asked for an action report from the Bhopal Police in this case. However, in two days, three different girls have approached us regarding this matter," Kanoongo said. He said that all the victims are orphans who have been targeted specifically for their background, adding, "It is important that the victim's profile is that they are orphans. To target them, and make them victims is a modus operandi is being revealed. The women have complaint to us that there is a threat to their life, and there is nothing done on their rehabilitation." "To give protection is government's responsibility, and to help with rehabilitation is the responsibility of respective department. Till we cannot give protection and rehabilitation until other victims will not come forward," the NHRC member added. An NHRC team will also be formed to go to the site of the incident and investigate the matter, with Kanoongo adding, "We have decided that an NHRC team will go there and investigate the case. We will work on ensuring what all needs to be done for the victims protection and rehabilitation and how others will come forward too." Earlier on May 3, National Commission of Women took suo motu cognizance of the alleged rape and blackmailing case. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Vijaya Rahatkar has constituted a three-member Inquiry Committee. According to an official release, the three members of the committee, Nirmal Kaur (Retired IPS Officer and former DGP of Jharkhand), Nirmala Nayak (Advocate, Jabalpur High Court), and Ashutosh Pandey (Under Secretary, National Commission for Women)--met with the police officer investigating the case and attempted to understand the ground realities of the incident. The inquiry committee will meet the victims, their families, and the concerned authorities today to gather detailed information related to the incident. So far five victims came forward to report the incident and based on their complaints, FIRs were registered. The police arrested five accused, including the main accused Farhan in the matter so far and different SITs (Special Investigation Teams) have also been constituted to probe the matter. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a Janata Darshan at his official residence in Lucknow on Sunday morning, where he interacted with citizens and head their grievances, including those raised by women attendees. The Chief Minister personally reviewed the issues and assured appropriate action. Earlier, on Thursday, CM Yogi had directed officials to expedite relief measures in areas affected by storms, rain, and hailstorms. He emphasised timely distribution of compensation in cases of human or livestock casualties and directed that the injured receive proper medical treatment. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officers of the concerned districts to conduct relief work with full promptness in view of the storm, rain and hailstorm," the Chief Minister's Office posted on X. He also directed officials to visit affected areas, assess the damage, and monitor relief efforts on the ground. "Also, in case of loss of life and animal loss due to lightning, storm, rain etc., relief amount should be distributed to the affected people immediately. The injured should be given proper treatment," it added. CM also directed officials to prioritise drainage arrangements to mitigate the impact of waterlogging caused by inclement weather. "The Chief Minister has instructed that the officers should conduct a survey and assess the crop loss and send a report to the government so that further action can be taken in this regard. In case of waterlogging, arrangements for drainage should be made on priority," it stated. On Wednesday, CM Yogi visited the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, where he also held Janata Darshan on the temple premises. During his visit, he addressed the public's grievances and reviewed their issues. CM Yogi also interacted with children and fed birds at the temple. On Tuesday, CM Yogi inaugurated 'Poshan Pakhwada 2025' in Gorakhpur. In his speech, CM Yogi said, "Today Gorakhpur has transformed. Anyone who visits here goes back overwhelmed. Now, there is a new Uttar Pradesh of New India, and with it, a new Gorakhpur. There are good roads here, and a good drainage system has been built. New development programs are moving forward. AIIMS Gorakhpur has become a major centre for treatment in eastern Uttar Pradesh." CM Yogi also highlighted that new infrastructural projects are progressing rapidly. (ANI) An ordnance factory in Jabalpur's Khamaria has cancelled the leaves of all officers and employees with immediate effect as per an official. Deputy Director, Works Manager Avinash Shankar, cited an order issued by the Chief General Manager, the leave of the employees and officers who applied for more than two days was cancelled following a meeting on Thursday. The official added that the decision was taken to meet production targets. The decision came in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the death of 26 people, mostly tourists. This has led to growing tension between India and Pakistan, with the central government announcing 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 attack. Earlier on Saturday, India imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued a statement saying that ships bearing the Pakistan flag shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port. Similarly, a ship bearing the tricolour is barred from visiting any ports of Pakistan, the statement said. As per the ministry, the objective of the act is to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine, in a manner best suited to serve the national interests. India also imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows, according to a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (ANI) Amid the escalating controversy over the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in West Bengal's Digha, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jay Prakash Majumdar sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for questioning the temple's establishment, accusing the party of hypocrisy in its 'Hindutva' stance. During a press conference on Saturday, Majumdar highlighted that the BJP, which governs Odisha, has raised objections to the Digha temple being named 'Jagannath Dham', a title traditionally reserved for the revered 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri. "The BJP is in power in Odisha. The question was raised by one of the BJP leaders... If they question the establishment of a Hindu Mandir, this shows their desperation," Majumdar said. Majumdar further accused the BJP of inconsistency, stating, "On one hand, the BJP claims to be a 'Hinduwadi' party, and on the other hand, they are raising questions on the Pratishtha of the temple (Digha Jagannath temple)... They should look into the ethics of their party." The TMC leader emphasised that any concerns regarding the temple's consecration should be addressed by the four Shankaracharyas, not political leaders. "If there is any question on the establishment, then it should be asked by the four Shankaracharyas," Majumder added. The controversy erupted after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Rs 250-crore temple on April 30, with critics in Odisha, including BJP leaders, objecting to its 'Jagannath Dham' label. Earlier on Saturday, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan wrote a letter to the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, to conduct an internal inquiry into the naming of Digha Temple as 'Jagannath Dham', the participation of Puri Temple sevayats in the consecration ceremony, and the use of "Daru Katha" for idol construction. The minister believes these actions have offended the sentiments of Lord Jagannath's devotees and the people of Odisha. Meanwhile, Union Minister and West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sukanta Majumdar asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was trying to win the upcoming state Assembly elections by "climbing on the shoulders" of Lord Jagannath. Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also requested the West Bengal Chief Minister to immediately issue an order not to call the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple a "Dham". Pattnaik pointed out that this creates confusion among the devotees of Lord Jagannath. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Rs 250-crore temple in Digha, which spans over 20 acres, on Wednesday. The 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri architecturally inspires the temple and enshrines the same deities. (ANI) After a 20-year-old driver was declared brain dead on Thursday following a tragic accident, his wife chose to donate his organs Banoth Ramana, a resident of Warangal district in Telangana, got into an accident when a tractor suddenly collided with his two-wheeler on April 27 last month. His family rushed him to a private hospital in Hyderabad. At 9:05 PM on May 1, Ramana was declared brain dead. Ramana's wife, Kalyani, chose to donate his organs, which have given six patients a second chance at life. According to an official associated with Jeevandan, Telangana initiative, the donated organs include two kidneys, a liver, a heart, and two corneas. Similarly, in April, the family of a 46-year-old woman consented to organ donation in Delhi after she was declared brain dead following a tragic accident. This selfless act facilitated the successful transplantation of her two kidneys, two lungs, and one liver, providing a second lease of life to several individuals in dire need. The woman was admitted in critical condition on March 19, and despite the best possible medical efforts, she was declared brain dead on March 27. During a time of profound grief, her family chose to donate her organs, bringing hope and new beginnings to others. Dr Pankaj Kumar, Senior Director-Critical Care, said that the care of critically ill patients requires not just exceptional medical skills but a profound commitment to empathetically aligning with the wishes of both the patients and their families. "This donation not only showcases the life-sustaining impact of such decisions but also serves as a powerful reminder of the ripple effect one person's selfless act can have on the broader community," Kumar said. (ANI) Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik on Sunday objected to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement declaring newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham," saying the move is misleading and hurts the sentiments of millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath. Speaking to ANI, Pattnaik welcomed the construction of a Jagannath temple in Digha but opposed branding the coastal town as a Dham equivalent to Puri, which is revered as one of the four Char Dhams. "It is a very good thing that a temple of Lord Jagannath is built in Digha. But WB CM Mamata Banerjee announced that Digha is a Jagannath Dham, which is absolutely wrong. This hurts the sentiments of Hindus. There are 4 Dhams in the country and Puri Jagannath Dham is one of them." Pattnaik stated. Appealing to the West Bengal government, Pattnaik questioned, "How is it possible that Jagannath Dham can be built in Digha?... I appeal to the WB Govt to please withdraw this decision. It is not right to mislead and confuse the devotees of Lord Jagannath all over the world..." Earlier, Pattnaik had requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately issue an order not to call the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple at Digha in the state's Purba Medinipur district a "Dham".Pattnaik pointed out that it creates confusion among the devotees of Lord Jagannath. "The Jagannath Temple inaugurated in Digha is not a Dham...I request CM Mamata Banerjee to immediately order not to call it a Dham as it hurts the sentiments of the devotees of Lord Jagannath and also creates confusion," Pattnaik told ANI. On Saturday, Sambit Patra, BJP MP from Puri, also objected to the West Bengal government's decision. He argued that it is impossible to call any other place Jagannath Dham because there is only one in the world, located in Puri, Odisha. In a press address, MP Patra said, "I strongly object to one thing. There is only one Jagannath Dham in the world, and it is not possible to call any other place Jagannath Dham because there is no other place. There are four Dhams in India, and among them, one is a very important Dham- Jagannath Dham, Puri, and there should be no doubt that no other place can be called Jagannath Dham." "I think that as an MP from Puri and also as a politician from Odisha, I should wait to see what investigation the temple administration does and what is the report of that investigation," he further stated. Notably, the Rs 250-crore temple in Digha, which spans over 20 acres, was inaugurated by CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. The 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple architecturally inspires the temple in Puri and enshrines the same deities. (ANI) Janata Dal United spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad on Sunday praised India's decision to ban all direct and indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, saying that this decision was taken to only weaken the country strategically but to "financially ruin them." "Some big decisions are being taken continuously, and the purpose is quite clear, to not only weaken them (Pakistan) from the strategic point of view. We will also destroy them financially. The nation that harbours terrorism has done nefarious acts in India's territory," Rajeev Ranjan Prasad told ANI in Patna. The JD(U) leader further claimed that the Pakistan armed forces and the Intelligence agency ISI is only focused on opposing India, adding, "ISI and Pakistani forces are focused on opposing India. Today somewhere their credibility is on the line. Whether it is facing Baloch rebels or in areas like Khyber Pakhtunwa. "Voh lohe ke change chaba rahe hai," Ranjan said referring to a popular Hindi idiom to say that the Pakistani army will face an ardous task. He said that looking at the situation of the country right now, if India ruins them financially and attacks terrorism, then Pakistan will find it difficult to "save themselves." "In that case, if India completely weakens them (Pakistan) financially and effectively attacks terrorism, then this time to save themselves will be a difficult task for them. All decisions are being taken every day so that Pakistan can be punished for their mistakes," the JDU leader said. The JDU leader also praised the meeting of PM Modi with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying that the politics in the valley has changed to be strictly against terrorism, as people took out rallies condemning the Pahalgam attack. "People have taken to the streets against the terrorism of Jammu and Kashmir. In the special session of the assembly, in his address, (CM) Omar Abdullah said after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he reiterated Jammu and Kashmir's commitment to terrorism and demanded effective action against terrorism. This is a good time," Prasad said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed various issues, including Pahalgam terror attack. JKNC's official X account informed about the meeting. "Honourable Chief Minister J-K Omar Abdullah called on the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed various issues, including last week's Pahalgam Terror Attack," JKNC posted on X. On May 3, India imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows, according to a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Shortly after 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 held in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday lashed out at the Uddhav Thackeray family, claiming that they were "vacationing in Europe" when the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack occurred, in which 26 people were killed and many were left injured. Taking a dig at the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership, Deora said that Thackerays have fallen from being "sons of the soil to tourists of India." He also criticised the Thackerays for not being present on the occasion of Maharashtra Day. "From sons of the soil to tourists of India--how far the Thackerays have fallen. While bullets flew in Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe. On Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word. No statement. No solidarity. No shame," Deora posted on X. Intensifying his attack against the Thackeray family, the Shiv Sena MP said this wasn't leadership but "luxury politics". Lauding Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for standing with the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Deora said that the state needed warriors on duty and not "part-time netas". "This isn't leadership--it's luxury politics. In contrast, DCM Eknath Shinde led from the front, stood with victims and honoured our heroes. Maharashtra needs warriors on duty, not part-time Netas on holiday," Deora said. Amid political sparring over the government's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Tuesday criticised the opposition after the Congress party's 'Gayab' (missing) jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and accused the leaders of hypocrisy and of indirectly giving a clean chit to Pakistan despite earlier backing the Centre's stance in an all-party meeting. Speaking to ANI, Deora said, "After the Pahalgam attack, the Centre called an all-party meeting in which almost all parties said that they are with the government in the action it wants to take against Pakistan and terrorists. Soon after, some opposition parties that had supported the Centre in the all-party meeting made a different statement. Some of them are saying that there should be no war against Pakistan, and some of them have given Pakistan a clean chit." Referring specifically to statements made by Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Deora added, "He is saying that what the victims are saying is wrong." (ANI) In a major boost for its capabilities amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army has received new supplies of the Russian-origin Igla-S missiles. The Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) are an important part of the air defence protection of the Indian Army, and the new supplies of the Igla-S missiles have been received as part of a contract inked under the emergency procurement powers given by the Centre to the forces. The new supplies of the Igla-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders, defence sources told ANI. The contract worth around Rs 260 crore is expected to boost the strength of the air defence troops in the forward areas especially on the western sector, they said. The Indian Air Force has opted for a similar contract for the air defence missiles which are Infra Red sensor based VSHORADS. The Indian forces have been boosting their inventories through emergency and fast-track procurements over the last few years, where a major focus has been on the spares and other equipment to keep the fleets running through high tempo operations. Along with the fresh deliveries of the Igla-S missiles, Indian Army has also issued tender for buying 48 more launchers and around 90 missiles of the VSHORADS (IR) under fast track procedures. The forces are also looking at acquiring new versions of the laser beam-riding VSHORADS soon. The Igla-S is the advanced version of the Igla missiles, which have been in use since the 1990s. The existing inventory of older version missiles has also been refurbished by an Indian firm in the country itself. The Indian Army requires a large number of missiles as well as enhanced drone detection and destruction capabilities, given the threat from all types of unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Pakistan Army on the western front. The Army has deployed the Mark 1 of the indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System which can detect, jam, spoof and kill drones from a distance of over 8 kilometers. The systems are also fitted with lasers which can burn and bring down drones. The Army Air Defence units had recently brought down a Pakistan Army drone using the same systems opposite the 16 Corps area in the Jammu region. The Defence Research and Development Organisation has also developed a longer range and high powered direct energy weapon which can take down large size drones, cruise missiles and aircraft in times of conflicts. The Army also has to get the low-level transportable radars for a quicker detection and destruction of enemy drones and aircraft operating a lower levels. (ANI) Padma Shri awardee and famous Yoga guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati passed away on Sunday at the age of 128 in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief at the demise of Padma Shri Swami Sivananda Saraswati, who made an unparalleled contribution to the field of Yoga. In a post on his official 'X' handle, CM Yogi said, "The demise of Kashi's renowned yoga guru 'Padma Shri' Swami Shivanand ji, who made an unparalleled contribution in the field of 'Yoga', is extremely sad. Humble tribute to him! Your spiritual practice and life of yoga are a great inspiration for the entire society. You dedicated your entire life to the expansion of yoga. I pray to Baba Vishwanath to grant salvation to the departed soul and give strength to his bereaved followers to bear this immense sorrow". In 2022, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred Swami Sivananda with the Padma Shri award for his contribution to the field of yoga. In January 2025, Swami Sivananda Saraswati once again garnered headlines when it emerged that he had been attending the Mahakumbh mela for the past 100 years. Swami Sivananda Saraswati was born on August 8, 1897, in the Sylhet district of undivided India (present-day Bangladesh). Swami Sivannada lost both his mother and father at the age of six, and after their funeral rites, he was brought to the Guruji's ashram in Nabadwip (West Bengal). He was brought up by Guru Omkaranand Goswami and was imparted with all the practical and spiritual education, including Yoga, without school education. For the past 50 years, Swami Sivananda has served 400 to 600 leprosy-affected beggars by meeting them in their hutments. Swami Sivananda has been honoured with various awards, including the Yoga Ratna Award in Bengaluru on June 29, 2019. (ANI) The Amritsar Rural Police arrested Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih in a counter-espionage operation for their alleged role in the sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar. According to police officials, in the preliminary investigation on Saturday, it was found that the two accused had links with Pakistani intelligence operatives, which was established through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu, currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail. "Preliminary investigation reveals their links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, established through Harpreet Singh @ Pittu @ Happy, currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail. A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, and the investigation is ongoing. Further critical revelations are expected as the probe deepens. Punjab Police stands strong with Indian Army, remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action", an 'X' post from Punjab DGP said. A case has been registered against both the accused under the Official Secrets Act, and further investigation is underway. As the probe deepens, other revelations are expected to emerge. Earlier on Thursday, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered two Pakistani drones in Punjab, which was yet another success against cross-border drone activity. According to a release, the first DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone was found in a field near Shahur Kalan village, Gurdaspur district, following a joint search operation with Punjab Police. Shortly after, another similar drone was recovered near Bhaini Rajputana village in Amritsar district. Initial reports suggest both drones may have crashed due to technical interference caused by advanced counter-drone measures deployed by BSF. The release stated that these robust systems, combined with the alertness and coordination of BSF and Punjab Police, continue to thwart illicit drone incursions from across the border. (ANI) The Jeep Safari at Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve will remain closed from May 19 until further notice due to inclement weather and poor road conditions, according to a notification issued by the Divisional Forest Officer of the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division. "It is notified for general information and best interest of all concerned that Jeep Safari for the visitors in Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve will remain closed from 19th May, 2025, due to inclement weather and road conditions," the notice read. The Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO) also shared the update on X on Sunday, stating, "In view of persistent bad weather and poor road conditions, Jeep Safari at Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve will remain closed from 19th May 2025 until further notice." Earlier in April, the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve reported an all-time high number of tourists in the financial year 2024-25. According to data shared by Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, a total of 4,06,564 tourists -- including 17,693 foreign visitors -- visited the park during the year, generating revenue of Rs 10.90 crore. She further said that Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, nestled in the heart of Assam, continue to captivate travellers and wildlife enthusiasts. Tourism has experienced a significant upsurge this year, and the number of visitors has increased fourfold in the last ten years. What has been remarkable is the increase in foreign tourists, which is now an impressive 4.5 per cent of the total tourists. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and iconic inhabitants, such as the one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga has emerged as a top-choice destination for families and wildlife aficionados. "In the past two years, Kaziranga National Park proudly welcomed His Excellency, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, marking a historic moment. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history as the first to visit Kaziranga on 9th March 2024. He is the first Prime Minister to do so since its elevation to a National Park in 1974. Very recently, Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, along with 60 Heads of Mission from various countries, visited the park as part of the Advantage Assam 2.0 initiative on Feb 24, 2025, emphasising its global significance," Ghosh said. Kaziranga has also earned its place in the Global tourism destinations, with The New York Times recently ranking Assam and Kaziranga as one of the top must-see destinations, she said. "Further, the Assam Government has prioritised eco-friendly tourism in Kaziranga and has announced the incentivisation of EV safari vehicles in the recent budget. Kaziranga roared globally, hosting the 12th International Tourism Mart from 26th to 29th Nov 2024. This significant event underscored the park's role in promoting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts on an international platform. Moreover, Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve was an integral part of the Advantage Assam Summit, showcasing its strategic importance in fostering specialised skills for conservation and sustainable tourism under Advantage Assam 2.0," she added. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve comprise three Divisions: Eastern Assam, Bokakhat; Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon. (ANI) Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), criticising the party for skipping the Centre's all-party meeting held after the Pahalgam terror attack and accusing its leaders of indulging in "luxury politics". He also took a swipe at the Thackeray family for not acknowledging Maharashtra Day (celebrated on May 1), saying their absence reflected a disconnect from the state's people and priorities. "When the terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, the Thackeray family was enjoying a vacation in Europe. They were only posting on social media. No member of the Shiv Sena (UBT) was present in the all-party meeting called by the government. Later, on Maharashtra Day, they did not even post about it on social media. They were still enjoying their vacation in Europe," Deora said while speaking to ANI. Taking a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, Deora said, "This tourist, entitled, part-time, luxury politics is not going to work in Maharashtra." He further attacked the Thackerays, accusing them of abandoning the legacy of grassroots politics. "From sons of the soil to tourists of India--how far the Thackerays have fallen. While bullets flew in Pahalgam, they were vacationing in Europe. On Maharashtra Day, they vanished without a word. No statement. No solidarity. No shame," Deora wrote in a post on X. Intensifying his criticism, Deora said this what the state needs is committed leadership, not politicians on vacation. "This isn't leadership--it's luxury politics. In contrast, DCM Eknath Shinde led from the front, stood with victims and honoured our heroes. Maharashtra needs warriors on duty, not part-time Netas on holiday," Deora said. The April 22 terror attack took place in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen. Several others were injured. The Central government has promised that those responsible for the attack will be punished. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has lashed out at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi's remarks referring to Lord Ram and deities as "mythological" stating that it is now typical of the Congress party to "insult" Hindus. He also criticised the Congress for "insulting" the forces by questioning the surgical strikes while accusing the opposition party of "rashtra droh" (treason). "First, they (Congress) did 'rashtra droh' by insulting the forces, by questioning the surgical strikes, by giving a clean chit to Pakistan. Now, they are showing their true face as 'Ram Drohi'. This is not 'sayyog', it is a planned use of votebank. Time and again, insulting lord Ram and Hindus has become the identity of the Congress," Poonawalla told ANI. The BJP leader said that the Congress government had earlier submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, stating that Lord Ram didn't exist and wanted to "destroy" Ram Setu. "This is not the first time Congress has said this. Years ago, Sonia Gandhi's government gave an affidavit in the Supreme Court that lord Ram did not exist, and they wanted to take away Ram Setu to destroy it. Following the footsteps of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi has gone to foreign soil, and he said lord Ram is imaginary," Poonawalla said. On Saturday, Poonawalla launched a blistering attack on MP Charanjit Singh Channi, after the latter stoked controversy by claiming that he has "not found proof where surgical strike took place." "Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who is known to be quite close to Rahul Gandhi, has said in a press conference that he has not seen proof of a surgical strike. The armed forces had announced it. Today, when the whole country is demanding and standing with the forces and saying that terrorists should get a strict punishment, just like the Balakot surgical strike had happened, but Congress is hurting the morale of the forces," Poonawalla told ANI. Calling for the Indian National Congress (INC) to be renamed as "Anti-National Congress (ANC)," he said, adding "In the all-party meeting, they say that they are with the government and the armed forces and outside the meeting, on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi, they put vote back above the nation and they will give Pakistan a clean chit on the Pahalgam terrorist attack." He claimed that the morale of the Indian armed forces is being attacked at the direction of the party's Parliamentary Party chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a 'sudden and desperate U-turn' on caste census in India. The central government had recently announced that caste enumeration would be part of the upcoming national census, a move that has sparked widespread political discussion. Through a social media post, the Congress leader highlighted how the Modi government had previously opposed the idea of a caste-based census. He referred to three instances that he says clearly show the government's change in stance. In April 2024, Prime Minister Modi, during a television interview, had labeled those demanding a caste census as "urban naxals." Ramesh also recalled that in July 2021, the central government had informed Parliament that it had decided not to collect caste-wise population data, except for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Taking to social media, X, Jairam Ramesh wrote, "Evidence abounds on Mr. Modi's sudden, complete, and desperate U-turn on the caste census. Here are just three examples- Last year, on April 28 2024, in a TV interview he branded all those demanding a caste census as "urban naxals. On July 20, 2021, the Modi Government told Parliament that it had "decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in the Census.' https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1918910442631524533 "In its affidavit to the Supreme Court of India dated 21st September 2021, the Modi Government clearly stated that "The exclusion of information regarding any other caste [outside of SCs and STs] from the purview of census [2021] is a conscious policy decision taken by the Central Government as explained in the preceding paragraphs." In fact, the Modi Government explicitly urged the Supreme Court not to order a caste census for the OBCs - "In such a situation, any direction from this Hon'ble Court to Census Department to include the enumeration of Socio-Economic data to the extent relating to BCCs of Rural Indiain the upcoming Census, 2021, as prayed, would tantamount to interfering with a policy decision as framed under Section 8 of the Act," the post further reads. Further, Ramesh pointed to an affidavit filed by the government in the Supreme Court in September 2021. In the document, the government had argued that excluding caste data, apart from SCs and STs, was a conscious policy decision. It had also requested the court not to direct the Census Department to include caste enumeration for OBCs, saying such a move would interfere with policy matters. In light of the Centre's current decision to now include caste enumeration, Ramesh asked Prime Minister Modi to explain the shift. He posed three questions: whether the Prime Minister would acknowledge that the government had officially changed its policy, whether he would clarify the reasons behind this change, and whether he would commit to a timeline for the caste census. "Three questions to the Prime Minister @narendramodi, Will he have the honesty to acknowledge that his Government has officially changed its policy on the caste census over the last eleven years? Will he explain to the people and the Parliament the reasons for the change in the Government's policy? Will he commit to a timeline for the Caste Census?" the post reads. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have defended the move, calling it constitutionally sound and important for promoting social equity. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha spoke on Sunday about the grand alliance meeting, which is set to be held in Patna. He said that the important agenda item is discussion with coordination. Jha attacked the BJP and asked whether they have compromised with the Election Commission and fixed EVMs. Jha further added that they (BJP) should speak the language of democracy, and if they have already fixed the machine, then what is the point of conducting elections? "The important agenda of today's meeting is a discussion with coordination...did they (BJP) already compromise with Election Commission? Did they already fix EVM...they should speak the language of democracy...people want change...if they have already fixed the machine, why are they conducting an election?", Manoj Jha told ANI. On Tuesday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav addressed a mega gathering of traders in Patna, vowing to form the government in Bihar in 2025. Yadav declared, "Together, we will form the government in 2025. The first thing we will do is exclude toddy from the Bihar Excise Act 2016." He accused the police and state government of exploiting traders and urged them to unite in opposition, emphasising that they should "attack this government through votes. While speaking to reporters, Tejashwi took a dig at the Janata Dal (United) (JDU), calling them "backdoor people" and questioned their relevance if they don't continuously mention RJD chief Lalu Yadav. Tejashwi stated, "They (JDU) are backdoor people... How will they survive if they don't name Lalu Yadav... We are going to turn dreams into reality (in Bihar Elections)...". This statement comes after Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and JDU leader Samrat Choudhary recently accused Lalu Yadav's family of "looting" Bihar during their tenure in power and blamed them for the state's lack of development, specifically the dearth of universities and medical colleges. Choudhary had said, "Lalu Prasad's family was given a chance to work in Bihar for a long time. They looted Bihar. Efforts were made to stop the development of Bihar. For 15 years, no university was built, and no medical college was built. Roads, electricity, and water did not reach the villages. Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family are solely responsible for this. The public will not give the Lalu family a chance. Nitish Kumar has done development work." A high stakes battle is expected to take place in Bihar, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA); consisting of Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party fighting against the Mahagathbandan; consisting of Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and left parties. The elections in the state are expected to take place between October-November, however the dates for the polls have not been announced yet. (ANI) Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Centre, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, accusing them of mishandling the escalating water-sharing dispute, which has left Haryana grappling with a severe water crisis. Speaking at a press conference, Surjewala highlighted the severe water shortage in Haryana, stating, "Due to scorching heat, ponds have dried up, and people are forced to buy water from tankers at high prices. The cotton crop, expected to be sown by May 15, has not been planted, causing future losses for farmers," and criticised Mann and Saini for engaging in a "game of writing love letters" instead of resolving the crisis. He accused the PM Modi-led central government and Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar of neglecting the issue despite the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) being under the Union Power Ministry's control. "Despite this water shortage, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann and the Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, are busy writing love letters to each other on the matter... Haryana CM, instead of going to the Prime Minister and the Power Minister, stages a drama of an all-party meeting and talks of going to the Supreme Court... The Centre is also not paying attention to this issue... The Modi Government are sleeping as if the region of Punjab and Haryana doesn't exist... The Bhakra Beas Management Board completely comes under the Power Ministry of the Centre, but it is doing nothing," Surjewala stated. The Congress MP condemned Punjab's deployment of police at the Bhakra Nangal Dam to block Haryana's water share, calling it an unprecedented takeover of a centrally run facility. He stated that this was the first time a state had deployed its police to seize a central facility, noting that the BBMB chairman's request to the Union Home Ministry for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployment had gone unheeded. "Along with this, the Punjab government has deployed police at the Bhakra Nangal Dam and has sealed the place from where water is to be released. So that Haryana's share of water isn't given to Haryana... This is the first time that a state has deployed its police to take over a centrally run facility," he said. "The BBMB board chairman had formally requested the Union Home Ministry for the deployment of CISF for dam security after this, but no probe was done," Surjewala added. Questioning Saini's plan to approach the Supreme Court, Surjewala stated that, "It takes months and years for a Supreme Court verdict. You want to complicate the Haryana water situation further." He alleged a deliberate conspiracy between the BJP-led Centre and Punjab's AAP government to prolong the crisis for political gains, questioning if "this was just a farce being done so that the sinking government of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab can be saved?" Surjewala further challenged the Centre's inaction, asking why Union Power Minister Manoharlal Khattar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have not intervened to ensure Haryana's rightful share. "Does Punjab have so much power to stop water by deploying police? Why is the Centre silent when the BBMB is under its control?" he questioned, warning that escalating tensions could destabilise relations between Punjab and Haryana. He urged the Centre to act decisively, holding Khattar and Modi responsible for resolving the crisis. Meanwhile, the BBMB ordered that an additional 8,500 cusecs of water be released to Haryana. The statement comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised concerns on May 1 over decreasing water levels in key reservoirs. He mentioned that the water levels in Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar Dam are 32 feet, 12 feet, and 14 feet below last year's levels, respectively. (ANI) BJP leader Ajay Alok on Sunday welcomed the Union Goverment's decision to ban Pakistani ships from entering Indian seaports, saying that India should sever all ties with a nation that "produces terrorists." "This step is welcome. We should not maintain any relationship with a country that hates us and breeds terrorists. Pakistani ships will no longer be allowed at Indian ports. We will impose an economic blockade on Pakistan and isolate them from all sides. The pressure and heat are being felt in Pakistan and will continue to increase," Alok said while speaking to ANI. On Saturday, amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India imposed a ban on Pakistani ships from ports to 'ensure the safety of assets.' The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued a statement saying that ships bearing Pakistan flag shall not be allowed to visit any Indian port. Similarly, a ship bearing the tricolor is barred from visiting any ports of Pakistan, the statement said. As per the ministry, the objective of act is to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine, in a manner best suited to serve the national interests. The statement said that under the Section 411 of the Indian Constitution (read with Preamble) of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, the ministry took action in dealing with Indian flag ships wherever these may be and Foreign Flag ships while in Indian waters, to ensure safety of life at sea and safety of ships."A ship bearing the flag of Pakistan shall not be allowed to visit any Indian Port. An Indian flag ship shall not visit any Ports of Pakistan," the statement read. Shortly after the terror attack in 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. India also held in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960. (ANI) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday said that during the all party meeting held following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people lost their lives, opposition parties had urged the central government to take decisive steps and provide justice to families of victims. Talking to reporters in Bihar's Darbhanga, Owaisi said, "During the all-party meeting, the opposition asked the government to take action (against the Pahalgam attack) and give justice to the victims' families and eliminate terrorism. Whatever action the government takes, we are with them, but what they will do and when, they need to say that." The AIMIM leader underscored the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism, pointing to past attacks carried out by Pakistan-based militants. "It is true that terrorists from Pakistan come to India and kill our people, whether it is 26/11, Pathankot air base, Uri attack, Pulwama attack," he said. Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. On Saturday the Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with PM Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital. Prime Minister Modi had also chaired a meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and three service chiefs. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was held a day after the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The government has affirmed India's national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. (ANI) A 17-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh allegedly died by suicide in Rajasthan's Kota on the eve of the national medical entrance exam, police said on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Parshvnath Puram locality under the jurisdiction of Kunhadi police station. Officials said the girl was found hanging on Saturday night and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. "The 17-year-old girl hanged herself on Saturday night. After receiving the information, we reached the spot and took her to the hospital, where she was declared dead," Narendra Singh, a head constable with Kunhadi police, told reporters. "Her body has been shifted to the mortuary, where a post-mortem will be conducted," he added. According to Station House Officer (SHO) Arvind Bhardwaj, the deceased girl, a resident of Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district, was living with her parents in Kota and died by suicide the night before the NEET examination, scheduled for Sunday. The SHO said that she was living with her parents and younger brother. At the time of the incident, her brother was in another room downstairs, while her parents were not at home. We are further looking into the matter, he added. More details are awaited. The incident occurred a day before the NEET UG 2025 examination, being conducted across the country on Sunday by the National Testing Agency (NTA), with thousands of aspiring medical students appearing at their respective exam centres across the country. Lakhs of students participate in the NEET UG each year to secure admission to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical courses in India. Visuals from examination centres across the country showed candidates gathering early amid tight security. On Saturday, the NTA said all preparations had been completed for the safe and secure conduct of the examination, and state governments had been placed on high alert. The security push comes in the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, which saw allegations of paper leaks, inflated marks, and legal battles over grace marks, prompting widespread protests and judicial scrutiny. This year, the NTA said it has taken "all measures" to ensure the integrity of the exam. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday emphasised the importance of state rights and constitutional democracy while addressing the grand felicitation event titled "A Great Tribute to the Champion of State Autonomy". The event, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, was organised by universities, the Consortium of Self-Financing Engineering Colleges, the Consortium of Private Arts Colleges, and representatives from government and aided colleges. Thanking the organisers and participating academicians, CM Stalin called students "the leaders of tomorrow" and urged them to reflect on the democratic implications of a Governor blocking legislation passed by an elected government. "If a Governor, a temporary agent of the Union Government, can override decisions made by the elected Chief Minister, what is the value of the people's vote?" he asked. Terming the Governor's role as a "rubber-stamp post", Stalin questioned the logic behind Governors having powers such as appointing Vice-Chancellors while state governments handle infrastructure, salaries, and facilities for educational institutions. He lauded the recent Supreme Court verdict as historic, stating that it has brought clarity and set deadlines for gubernatorial decisions on bills passed by the state legislature. "This is a massive win -- time limits have been imposed on both Governors and the President. The court has ruled that Governors must act in respect of parliamentary democracy and elected governments," Stalin said. The Chief Minister remarked that he had personally attended an event at Raj Bhavan and had cordial discussions with the Governor, emphasising that political differences should not overshadow personal civility. However, he warned that his government would continue to oppose any constitutional overreach, regardless of who holds the post of Governor. "In fact", he added, "if you ask me personally, I'd prefer this same Governor to continue, because the more he acts like this, the more public support we gain." Stalin also highlighted Tamil Nadu's achievements in higher education, pointing out that the state boasts one-fifth of India's top 100 colleges and leads in Ph.D. scholar numbers. With a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 47 per cent, far above the national average of 28.4 per cent, he said the Supreme Court's verdict provides a solid foundation for even greater progress. He concluded by reaffirming his government's commitment to youth development under the Dravidian Model and noted the formation of a high-level committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to further strengthen state autonomy. "This report will be a model not just for Tamil Nadu but for the entire nation," Stalin said. (ANI) In a strong push for environmental protection and sustainable living, Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has urged citizens to embrace green energy to reduce pollution, safeguard the planet and save much-needed foreign exchange by reducing the import of crude oil, a release said on Sunday. Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhavan, the Governor emphasised the importance of transitioning from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives. Since taking charge, Governor Kambhampati has initiated a transformative shift in the energy infrastructure of Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar. A 150-kilowatt solar power plant is already operational within the premises, with an additional 400 kilowatts set to be installed soon. This marks a significant step towards making the Governor's residence a net-zero energy campus. Furthering the green mission, a fleet of Made-in-India electric vehicles has been introduced, ranging from official cars to two-wheelers, signalling a decisive move towards sustainable mobility. "Every ride now contributes to a quieter, cleaner, and more responsible tomorrow. It's more than a choice--it's the path we've chosen to follow," Dr. Kambhampati said, underlining the urgency of adopting eco-friendly practices. With this pioneering effort, Raj Bhavan is not only setting an example for government institutions across the country but also sending a clear message that sustainability begins at the top. During the interaction with the media, the Governor highlighted several major schemes introduced by the Government of India to promote renewable energy, such as PM-KUSUM Yojana, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Kambhampati appreciated the Odisha Government for providing an additional subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, stating that it will encourage more people to adopt solar energy. He urged citizens across the state to take full advantage of such initiatives and actively transition to renewable sources of energy--not just for personal benefit, but for the greater good of the environment. He also appealed to people to gradually shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles and adopt electric vehicles, highlighting that this transition is a crucial step toward reducing pollution, cutting dependence on fossil fuels, and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future. Furthermore, he emphasised that charging electric vehicles with rooftop solar panels enables truly green mobility by eliminating the need for fossil fuels. "It also makes everyday travel significantly more affordable," he noted. He also stated, "Now is the time to take action. These efforts aim to empower people and build a better, lasting future for the next generations." Dr. Kambhampati also called upon the media to play a proactive role in spreading awareness about renewable energy. "The objective of today's interaction is to inspire citizens through awareness. The media serves as a crucial bridge in taking this vital message to every household," he said. Significantly, this is not the first time Dr. Kambhampati has championed renewable energy. As a Member of Parliament in 2014, he had strongly advocated for sustainable energy solutions during his maiden address in Parliament. While supporting the Union Budget presented by the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Dr. Kambhampati had underscored the need to tackle India's trade deficit by reducing dependence on imported crude oil and promoting the use of ethanol-blended fuel and electric vehicles. He had urged the government to offer tax incentives for electric vehicles and improve the domestic power situation through renewable energy like solar generators to reduce reliance on diesel generators, which would in turn help lower the current account deficit and conserve foreign exchange. His visionary remarks in Parliament a decade ago reflected a deep understanding of the interlinkages between energy policy, economic stability, and environmental responsibility--principles he continues to uphold as the Governor of Odisha. Through both words and action, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati continues to lead by example, inspiring a shift toward a cleaner, greener, and more energy-secure future. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who was present at the event, lauded the green initiatives undertaken by Raj Bhavan and highlighted the various steps taken by the state government to promote renewable energy. He emphasised the importance of public participation in making Odisha a leader in sustainable development. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Ram Katha on Sunday at Nandprayag, the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers, as per a release the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said it was his good fortune to witness the Santvani during the spiritual gathering, which he described as a divine medium for awakening spiritual consciousness and life values through the ideals of Lord Shri Ram. According to the statement, Dhami noted that "the life story of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram is a medium to awaken spiritual consciousness. Ramkatha is a divine opportunity to awaken our life values and imbibe the ideals of Lord Shri Ram. His ideals show how much importance religion, compassion, truth, service, and devotion have in our lives." He also praised spiritual leader Morari Bapu, stating that his Amritvani inspires us to make our lives Rammay--imbued with the essence of Lord Ram. The Chief Minister highlighted the cultural renaissance taking place in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cited the completion of key religious and cultural projects such as the Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok, and the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya as major milestones. He noted that under PM Modi's leadership our Sanatan culture received a new global identity and these achievements reflect the commitment to preserve and promote our rich spiritual and cultural heritage. "Our Sanatan culture got a new identity at the global level. Under his guidance, the state government is continuously working towards the overall development of the state as well as preserving and enhancing the cultural heritage," the statement added. Earlier today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister performed the first Mahabhishek Puja in the name of PM Modi and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the country and the state, as the portals of Badrinath Dham were opened for devotees. On the occasion, Chief Minister Dhami offered prayers at various temples in the complex, including the Lakshmi Temple, Ganesh Temple, and the Adi Guru Shankaracharya Gaddi. Around 15,000 devotees from across India and abroad were present to witness the ceremonial reopening. (ANI) The operation, conducted in Sirigiripadu village of Veladurthi Mandal, followed reports of a recent violent clash between two political groups. Acting on intelligence inputs about the possibility of further attacks, police teams searched suspected premises under the supervision of Sattenapalli Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hanumantha Rao. During the operation, police seized 21 motorcycles lacking valid documentation, along with an assortment of weapons, including 11 iron rods, 16 knife-attached rods, five axes, two chalks, eight bottles filled with chili powder-mixed water, one sickle, 13 gunny bags filled with stones weighing 30-40 kg each, and 10 sticks. DSP Hanumantha Rao said the search was aimed at pre-empting retaliatory violence. "We received credible inputs that both groups were mobilising weapons for further attacks. Acting swiftly, we raided the suspected houses and seized several dangerous items," Rao stated. A police picket has been deployed in Sirigiripadu to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents. While the key suspects remain at large, authorities expressed confidence in apprehending them by the end of the day. District police officials confirmed that similar cordon and search operations will be extended to nearby villages in the coming days to curb violence and maintain peace in the region. (ANI) The Mahagathbandan grand alliance of opposition parties led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the election strategy for the upcoming Bihar elections. Alliance leaders highlighted how despite holding two other meetings before, there has not been good coordination in the alliance at the district level. Congress MLA Madan Mohan Jha told ANI that the alliance has held two meetings before but there is "no coordination" among the parties at the district or block level, and a detailed discussion is needed to fix the problem. "We have had two main meetings, but there's been no coordination among the 6 parties at the district or block level. A detailed discussion is needed on how we will work together at the grassroots level," the Congress MLA told ANI in Patna. Grand alliance member and Vikassheel Insaan Party Chief Mukesh Sahani also highlighted that currently "corruption is being practiced at every level" of Bihar government, as the state is being run by bureaucrats and not Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "Our agenda is clear - to make the government of the Grand Alliance. The present government is being run by bureaucrats, not under the leadership of Nitish Kumar... Corruption is being practiced at every level," the VIP chief told reporters ahead of the meeting. The grand alliance consists of 6 total parties, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Vikassheel Insaan Party, left parties including Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation-CPIML (Liberation) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM). RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is the current chairperson of the alliance. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year. Earlier on May 3, Tejashwi Yadav wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming the Centre's recent decision to include caste-based data in the national census. Yadav called the move "a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality". He also urged the government to ensure the data leads to meaningful policy reforms. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders held a protest at Charminar on Sunday, demanding that Pakistani nationals living in Hyderabad be sent back to their country. BJP leader T Uma Mahendra demanded that the Telangana government and Asaduddin Owaisi identify Pakistanis and send them to their country. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader T Uma Mahendra said, "Terror attacks happen in various corners of the country, but they (attackers) are arrested from Hyderabad. Which means the city is a safe zone for them. I demand that the Telangana government and Asaduddin Owaisi identify Pakistanis door to door and send them back..." India has taken a slew of measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. The measures include putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who announced the decisions on April 23 after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, 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 was given 48 hours to leave India. The Foreign Secretary stated that the overall strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 from the current 55 through further reductions, to be implemented by May 1, 2025. Misri said the CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to remain on high alert. The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigilance. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has accused Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav of engaging in caste-based favouritism during his tenure as chief minister and neglecting Dalits and minorities. Responding to Yadav's recent remarks during a press conference, during which he reiterated his party's commitment to conducting a caste census if voted to power, Rajbhar expressed surprise at what he called the opposition leader's hypocrisy. "It is surprising if people who usurp rights say such things. He (Akhilesh Yadav) recruited people in services like police, village servant, lekhpal based on caste during his five-year tenure as chief minister...He made 56 SDMs out of 86 on the basis of caste. Rajbhar further alleged that caste bias was seen during administrative appointments as well under the previous Samajwadi Party government. "He made 56 sub-divisional magistrates out of 86 on caste basis. If he really believed in PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak--backward, Dalit, minorities), he would have recruited at least one from these communities," Rajbhar asserted. "Actually, Akhilesh Yadav's ground has slipped due to caste census, he is bewildered... He (Akhilesh Yadav) is now bewildered as to what will happen now...," as Akhilesh has got know the possible outcome of the caste census. Rajbhar is an ally of the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. On Friday, Yadav promised to install a grand statue of Maharaja Suheldev at the Gomti Riverfront in Lucknow if the Samajwadi Party forms the government in Uttar Pradesh. "After the formation of Samajwadi Party government, we will install a big statue of Maharaja Suheldev at the Gomti River front. His weapon will be made of Ashtadhatu," he said. Maharaja Suheldev ruled Shravasti and famously defeated Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masud, the nephew of Mahmud of Ghazni, in 1034 at the Battle of Bahraich. Yadav further expressed hope for the "complete support of the Maharaja Suheldev community" in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. "We hope that the complete support of Maharaja Suheldev community in 2027 UP Assembly elections," Yadav said in a press conference. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday accompanied the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims, who left for the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. "Today, I had the honour of bidding a warm see-off to the first batch of 178 Hajj pilgrims from Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. Wished them a safe, fulfilling journey and humbly requested prayers for peace and prosperity in our region," J&K CMO posted on X Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha was also present to flag off the first batch of Hajj pilgrims. The first batch is set to depart for Saudi Arabia's Mecca to undertake the annual holy pilgrimage to the Kaaba, a mandated religious duty. At least 3,372 Hujjaj Karam, a title bestowed upon the Hajj pilgrims, were to depart from Srinagar on Sunday morning. A facilitator for the Hajj pilgrims informed that the first flight to Mecca was scheduled for Sunday, while the last flight will depart on May 15. "A total of 3,622 Hujjaj Karam are there, and 3,372 Hujjaj Karam are going from Srinagar. This includes 242 Hujjaj Karam from Ladakh, who are also going from Srinagar. Today is the first flight (departing from Srinagar). There are no flights scheduled for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow (May 5 and 6). There are continuous flights after that till May 15," one of the facilitators told ANI. Malik Abrar Altaf, overwhelmed with emotions, explains that the Hajj pilgrimage means undergoing a journey. He said he would make 'dua' for Kashmir, which has witnessed many turmoils. "I can't describe my emotions. The feeling is different. Hajj means journey. Allah called us, and we are going. I only hope Allah makes our journey easier and has mercy on our qaum. Islam means peace. We only hope that there is peace across the world. We will make dua for Kashmir, which always remains under turmoil," Altaf told ANI. Another Hujjaj Karam explained that the Hajj pilgrimage is undertaken by Muslims once in their life. He expressed grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and said that he would pray for Kashmir. "This is the biggest day in my life. Muslims have to undertake this journey (once in our lifetime). We will offer duas for Kashmir because there is a lot of pain here. We will pray for Pahalgam," he said. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting with officials from the Agriculture Department and the Regional Cooperative Dairy Federation at his official residence on Sunday to review progress in the sector. Earlier in the day, CM Yogi held a Janata Darshan at his residence in Lucknow, where he met citizens and listened to their grievances, including those raised by women attendees. The Chief Minister personally reviewed the concerns and assured necessary action. On Thursday, CM Yogi had directed officials to expedite relief work in areas affected by storms, rain, and hailstorms. He stressed the need for timely compensation in cases of human or livestock casualties and instructed that injured persons receive proper medical treatment. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officers of the concerned districts to conduct relief work with full promptness in view of the storm, rain and hailstorm," the Chief Minister's Office posted on X. He also asked officials to visit affected areas, assess the damage, and monitor the relief efforts on the ground. "Also, in case of loss of life and animal loss due to lightning, storm, rain etc., relief amount should be distributed to the affected people immediately. The injured should be given proper treatment," it added. The Chief Minister further directed that drainage arrangements be prioritised to reduce the impact of waterlogging caused by bad weather. "The Chief Minister has instructed that the officers should conduct a survey and assess the crop loss and send a report to the government so that further action can be taken in this regard. In case of waterlogging, arrangements for drainage should be made on priority," the statement said. Meanwhile, CM Yogi expressed grief over the passing of Padma Shri awardee and renowned yoga guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati, who died on Sunday at the age of 128 in Varanasi. (ANI) Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari expressed grief over the incident in which two people were killed after a dilapidated building at the Mahatama Gandhi Memorial Hospital collapsed on Saturday evening. As per information authorities were able to rescue 12 out of 15 people. Ansrai said as per the instructions of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he had left all the work at night and gone to the accident site with the secretary. "Incidents happen, and as a health minister, I condemn the incident. Leaving all work at night, Chief Minister Hemant Soren sent me and the secretary there. Go and see what is there and how the incident occurred. I went there and found that it was not the building but the roof that had collapsed, due to which a handicapped and a poor person died. A body is being taken out now. If such an incident happens in a hospital, it hurts", Irfan Ansari told ANI. Furthermore, the Jharkhand Health Minister stated that there was a cabin for unclaimed bodies at the accident site and that the BJP people stopped him from going there. He added that on the instruction of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Rs 5 lakh was given as compensation to the deceased, whereas Rs 50000 was given as compensation to the injured people. Furthermore, he noted that the opposition is making an issue of the incident without reason. "There was a separate cabin for unclaimed people, the government was paying attention, and I was also paying attention. BJP people told me that there are unclaimed people, don't go. I went there and, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, I gave the injured Rs 5 lakh and Rs 50,000. There should not be any issue on this. If you are a very well-wisher, then give me advice. Why make quotas in everything unnecessarily? I said it is an old building, and a new medical college was built there. The work of transferring goods is going on there", Irfan Ansari further said. (ANI) During the ongoing panchayat election campaign, reports have emerged that the people of Assam have been driving out Congress leaders and workers from their villages, accusing them of being anti-Assam, according to an official statement. Notably, in the first phase of elections held on May 2, Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Borah failed to hold even a single successful public meeting in his home constituency, Ronganodi. Shockingly, residents of Ronganodi even boycotted Congress campaign events, including in Bhogpur, his home panchayat. Despite holding press conferences in air-conditioned hotels in Guwahati, Bhupen Borah faced complete rejection from his people. Similarly, MLA Bharat Narah was nowhere to be seen in his Nowboicha constituency during the campaign. In Nazira, a traditional Congress stronghold, poor attendance at rallies signalled that the Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, is losing ground rapidly, the statement said. Overall, in the first phase of elections, Congress leaders were unable to enter the villages of indigenous locals due to overwhelming public resentment. Out of fear of public outrage, state Congress leaders were forced to retreat and scale back their campaigns. Even when MP Gaurav Gogoi was present at rallies, the events remained dull and poorly attended. State BJP spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sharma, in a press release from the BJP Assam Pradesh Headquarters (Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan), said that Congress leaders are facing public anger across Assam. In Nalbari, black flags were shown to MP Gaurav Gogoi with slogans labelling him a "Pakistani agent." The people of Mahiyan Patbausi reportedly boycotted his meetings altogether. Allegations of selling party tickets for money have also surfaced against Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi, as per the statement. Even in minority-dominated regions traditionally a loyal vote bank for Congress, the party now faces intense public fury. MP Pradyut Bordoloi's excessive use of religious slogans like "Inshallah" in Nagaon during rallies has sparked criticism, especially as the Sanatan community in Assam claims they've never heard him speak their names or issues. With the first phase of voting over, the BJP has intensified its campaign for the second phase. The press release notes that Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading the campaign from the front, along with State President Dilip Saikia, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita, all state ministers, MPs, MLAS, and even booth-level leaders. As a result, a clear wave of support is seen for the BJP and its allied candidates in every panchayat. On Sunday, the Chief Minister addressed two massive election rallies at Shyambhumi Vidyalaya Field in Kahikuchi and at Palashbari Regional High School Field. Likewise, Dilip Saikia will campaign in Dhubdhora (Goalpara), Rangiya (Manahkuchi), Dimo Chowk, and Jayantipur. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal campaigned in Boitamari, Ghilaguri Gomath, and Boniyakuchi in the Sarukshetri area.(ANI) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Vice President Prasanna Acharya on Sunday objected to the West Bengal government calling the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha a 'dham' and said that they are "unnecessarily" creating a controversy. Prasanna Acharya questioned the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government about how there can be a fifth Dham while Adi Shankaracharya established only four and urged them not to engage in politics. Speaking with ANI, Acharya said, "No politics should be done on this issue, it is a religious issue, regarding the sentiments of crores of devotees of Lord Jagannath... How can the fifth Dham be established while Adi Shankaracharya established only four Dham... This is next to impossible... It is an unnecessary controversy being created by the West Bengal government." The controversy erupted after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Rs 250-crore temple on April 30, with critics in Odisha, including BJP leaders, objecting to its 'Jagannath Dham' label. Earlier on Saturday, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan wrote a letter to the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, to conduct an internal inquiry into the naming of Digha Temple as 'Jagannath Dham', the participation of Puri Temple sevayats in the consecration ceremony, and the use of "Daru Katha" for idol construction. The minister believes these actions have offended the sentiments of Lord Jagannath's devotees and the people of Odisha. Meanwhile, Union Minister and West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sukanta Majumdar asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was trying to win the upcoming state Assembly elections by "climbing on the shoulders" of Lord Jagannath. Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also requested the West Bengal Chief Minister to immediately issue an order not to call the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple a "Dham". Pattnaik pointed out that this creates confusion among the devotees of Lord Jagannath. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Rs 250-crore temple in Digha, which spans over 20 acres, on Wednesday. The 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri architecturally inspires the temple and enshrines the same deities. (ANI) BJP workers staged protests and raised slogans against the Pahalgam terror attack at Charminar on Sunday and urged authorities to send Pakistani nationals back to their country. The BJP workers held placards that read slogans like 'Modi ji sangarsh karo, desh apke sath hai,' and 'Pahalgam ka badla lekar rahenge,' and 'Go back, Pakistanis, go back.' BJP leader T Uma Mahendra, who also participated in the protest, spoke to ANI and said, "Terror attacks happen in various corners of the country, but they (attackers) are arrested from Hyderabad. Which means the city is a safe zone for them. I demand that the Telangana government and Asaduddin Owaisi identify Pakistanis door to door and send them back..." All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday said that during the all party meeting held following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people lost their lives, opposition parties had urged the central government to take decisive steps and provide justice to families of victims. Talking to reporters in Bihar's Darbhanga, Owaisi said, "During the all-party meeting, the opposition asked the government to take action (against the Pahalgam attack) and give justice to the victims' families and eliminate terrorism. Whatever action the government takes, we are with them, but what they will do and when, they need to say that." The AIMIM leader underscored the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism, pointing to past attacks carried out by Pakistan-based militants. "It is true that terrorists from Pakistan come to India and kill our people, whether it is 26/11, Pathankot air base, Uri attack, Pulwama attack," he said. India has taken a slew of measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. On Saturday, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with PM Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital. Prime Minister Modi had also chaired a meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, and three service chiefs. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was held a day after the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The government has affirmed India's national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has been said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them. Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon-chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces." "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X platform to post, "Rahul Gandhi's Close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congresss and the Spokesperson of Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!." Terrorists shot and killed 26 people,mostly tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The government has affirmed its resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. The Central government convened an all-party meeting after the terror attack and Opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. In the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the terror attack, 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 Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism. (ANI) Following Gujarat police detention last week of several Bangladeshi nationals allegedly living illegally in the state, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Sunday said that the most of the infiltrators mainly arrived from the different districts of West Bengal. The Home Minister further stated that from the last two days, the state administration has nabbed most of the Bangladeshi infiltrators from the 'Howrah Express' train that originates West Bengal. "The government documents that most of them (infiltrators) have, are mainly from the different districts of West Bengal. We are in contact with the West Bengal police, and we are reaching out to the respective district administration, and our teams are also there. For two days, Bangladeshi infiltrators were nabbed from the Howrah Express that comes from West Bengal. We also caught those who were trying to return to West Bengal," Sanghavi told reporters. Sanghavi said that the administration has recovered Bangladeshi ID cards from those detained. He said, "We have also recovered Bangladeshi ID cards from them. They also have accepted that they are residents of Bangladesh. Some of them conveyed the way they chose to infiltrate, some of them went to other states first, then came to Gujarat, some of them have directly came to Gujarat from Bengal..." Urging all the state governments to work on the issue of infiltrations, Sanghavi asserted, "It is responsibility of the state governments to obey the decisions taken in the national interest. The Modi government has always taken concrete steps on the issue of infiltrators. All the state governments should work on this seriously." On April 26, the Surat Police detained several individuals suspected to be Bangladesh nationals and initiated a process of document verification, an official said. The authorities are verifying their documents, following which they plan to deport them. Surat Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Raghavendra Vats, said, "The people caught last night are Bangladeshis. We will check their documents. After this, we plan to send them to Bangladesh." In Surat, an overnight combing operation carried out jointly by SOG, DCB, AHTU, PCB, and local police resulted in the detention of more than 100 Bangladeshi nationals. "They had entered India illegally and were living in Surat with forged documents. After the investigation, they will be deported to Bangladesh," said Rajdeep Singh Nakum, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Operations Group. A simultaneous operation was carried out in Ahmedabad around 3 am on Saturday. Teams from the Crime Branch, SOG, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Zone 6, and Headquarters detained over 450 individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants. DCP Crime Branch Ajit Rajian confirmed that more than 400 people were taken into custody during the early morning sweep. Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Ahmedabad, Sharad Singhal, stated that these actions were taken in compliance with orders from the Home Minister, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director General of Police. "HM, CP and DGP had directed us that illegal immigrants must be held. The Crime Branch has registered two FIRS from April 2024 to date. 127 illegal Bangladeshis were caught and 77 were deported," he said. (ANI) AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan on Sunday condemned the "high-handedness" of the DMK led Tamil Nadu government after reports that students were barred from entering their National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination centre for failing to comply with the "dress code" "We strongly condemn this high-handedness on the dress code in the name of whatever laws they have on hand, which is highly condemnable. Mr Udayanidhi, the prince, should hang his head in shame," the AIADMK leader said. "This is the 4th consecutive year that the NEET examination is happening in Tamil Nadu. Before 2021, he promised that the NEET would be abolished in Tamil Nadu if voted to power. I think the student should question him... Any high-handedness toward the students coming to write the examination is highly condemnable. I think there have to be some reasonable guidelines (regarding dress code)." Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram took to his X and said, "Most ridiculous and absurd dress code regulations", tagging the National Testing Agency, which conducts the NEET Exams. He attached a video in which authorities were seen cutting off buttons apparently metal ones of students, including girls were seen cutting off buttons from the clothes and Reportedly, two girl students were barred from entering their NEET examination centre in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur on Sunday due to the presence of metal buttons on their attire. However, according to reports, a policewoman came to the rescue of a girl student by taking her to a nearby shop on her two-wheeler so that she could purchase a new dress and take her exam. (ANI) The officers briefed IGP Kashmir about the overall security scenario, with the primary focus on garnering insights into the existing security challenges in the Valley. The discussions focused on intelligence gathering, threat assessments, emergency response preparedness, and inter-agency coordination. IGP Kashmir underlined the need to bolster synergy among all security and intelligence agencies for seamless information sharing and joint operational readiness, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Police press release. The joint security review meeting underscored the commitment of all security and intelligence agencies to work in close coordination to maintain peace and stability in the Kashmir Valley. The meeting was attended by IG BSF FTR Kashmir, IG CRPF KOS, IG CRPF Srinagar, DD IB Srinagar, DIG SSB Kashmir, DIG RPF, DIG BSF Srinagar, DIG CRPF North/South Srinagar, DIG ITBP, DIG CKR, DIG Traffic Kashmir, Col GS (IS) 15 Corps, SSP Srinagar, SSP Railways, SSP Traffic Rural, SSP CID CIK, SSP APCR Kashmir, SSP SDRF, DC SB Srinagar, SP PC Srinagar, SP Telecommunication, and other officers, and was virtually attended by DIG CISF, DIG SKR, and other SSPs of districts/PDs of Kashmir Zone. 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) The incident took place on May 2 around 10 pm near Bhairon Mandir on Tilak Marg when the victim was returning home after work. The injured businessman has been identified as RK Singh, who runs a perfume shop in Tilak Bazar, Chandni Chowk. He is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, and doctors have said his condition is stable. According to the police, Singh told investigators that some people came on a bike and fired a shot at him. Police registered an FIR under charges of attempt to murder and the Arms Act. Six teams were formed immediately to investigate the case. During the investigation, the police arrested a man named Prashant alias Govind (21) and also detained a juvenile (JCL). The police said that further investigation is underway to find out the motive behind the attack and to arrest the remaining accused. More details are awaited. (ANI) BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Saturday slammed Pakistan, saying the neighbouring country has lost faith in its military and fears retaliation from India following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Bhandari said India has not yet launched its full response, and when it does, the masterminds of terror will be "blown to pieces". Speaking to ANI, Pradeep Bhandari said, "Pakistan is convinced that it neither trusts its Army nor its defence preparedness. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is poised to deliver a strong response to those orchestrating terror and turn the handlers of terror to dust." He claimed, "Even Pakistani ministers have reportedly booked tickets for themselves and their families to flee to countries like England." Bhandari further said there is a growing belief in Pakistan and around the world that India's military strength cannot be challenged. "There is a consensus in Pakistan that it cannot fight India's defence capabilities. The people of Pakistan themselves and the entire world think that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is going to give a befitting reply to Pakistan," he stated. Taking a swipe at the Congress party, Bhandari urged it to support the national stand."When there is fear even within Pakistan, Congress should also come forward and be a part of this national resolve. I hope Congress opens its eyes," he added. He stressed that India's actual response is yet to come."What has happened so far is not even a teaser. When full-throttle action is taken against the terror masterminds, they will be shattered into pieces," he warned. Meanwhile, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, sources told ANI. This meeting followed one on Saturday between Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and the Prime Minister at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. These high-level discussions took place days after PM Modi chaired a meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met a day after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The cross-border linkages of the attack were also highlighted during the briefing. It was noted that the attack took place after the successful conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its continued progress towards economic development. The Modi government has given the armed forces full operational freedom to choose the timing, mode, and targets for India's response. It has also introduced a set of strong measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a clear message to Pakistan over its support for cross-border terrorism. Opposition parties, after being briefed in an all-party meeting, have extended full support to any action the government takes in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. (ANI) Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Sunday said that the state has launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal infiltrators following the Centre's high-level security decisions in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Sanghavi said that acting swiftly on directives from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Gujarat Police have intensified operations to identify and act against those residing illegally in the state. Speaking to reporters here, Harsh Sanghavi said, "The Cabinet Committee on Security met and made some tough decisions. It is the responsibility of the state governments to take quick action on the decisions. The same night, we had a high-level meeting here and decided to catch the illegal infiltrators from every corner of the state. The Gujarat Police has been successful in this." Adding further, he said, "Just four months ago, 72 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended. So far, 48 of them have already been deported. We had warned earlier that those providing shelter to infiltrators would face severe consequences -- and we have followed through on that." Sanghavi highlighted the case of Chandola Talav, where residents allegedly aided illegal immigrants. "We have taken strict action there, and FIRs have been registered against those involved. No one who supports illegal infiltration will be spared," he said firmly. The Home Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to national security and maintaining law and order. "These operations will continue, and those involved will never dare to support such illegal activities again." Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, sources told ANI. This comes after the Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with PM Modi on Saturday at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital. The meeting between the Air Force Chief and Prime Minister Modi took place days after Prime Minister Modi chaired a meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, and three service chiefs. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was held a day after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. The government has affirmed India's national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has been said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. The government had convened an all-party meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack. Opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation of officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB), scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7, 2025. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance, the meetings will be attended by official delegations of the Board of Governors of ADB, official delegations of ADB members and international financial institutions. The Union Finance Minister will participate in the Annual Meeting's focal events like the Governors' Business session, Governor's Plenary Session and as a panelist in the ADB Governors' Seminar on "Cross-Border Collaboration for Future Resilience". As per the release, on the sidelines of the ADB's 58th Annual Meeting, Sitharaman will also hold bilateral meetings with Finance Ministers of Italy, Japan, and Bhutan, in addition to meetings with President of ADB, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The Union Finance Minister will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Milan, besides meeting global think-tanks, business leaders and CEOs, and participating in a Plenary Session of the NEXT Milan Forum at the Bocconi University on "Balancing Economic and Climate Resilience". (ANI) Punjab Police have arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar to Pakistan intelligence operatives, police said on Sunday. The accused have been identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih. Speaking to ANI, Rural Amritsar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh said, "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav have issued instructions that we immediately arrest and imprison any anti-national element we get information about. One such information was received about Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, who were in touch with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives, leaking them information about sensitive installations. We have arrested them both and recovered a lot of data from them." SSP Singh added, "They had one more partner, Harpreet, who brought them in touch with the ISI, and we will bring him from Amritsar Jail on a production warrant. One NDPS case was already registered against him." SSP Singh explained that the accused were paid Rs 5,000 for small information and Rs 10,000 for more sensitive information regarding military movements. He said, "We have registered an FIR number 92 under the Official Secrets Act and the Information Technology Act, and we are keenly investigating the matter. According to the initial investigation, they got Rs 5,000 for small information and Rs 10,000 for more sensitive information about movement or something else." The police also recovered a large quantity of weapons and RDX from the accused. SSP Singh said, "We have recovered a lot of weapons and RDX. First, they used to pick heroin consignments from the border, and now they were asked for such information. When we got this information, the Punjab police quickly acted and arrested them." "They were disclosing information about sensitive army installations and movements to the Pakistan intelligence operatives and helping in strengthening the enemy's design, but we have apprehended them and are acting strictly against them," SSP Singh added. Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on April 23 and was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms, expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. In the briefing, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were highlighted. The attack came after the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory, which has seen steady progress in terms of economic growth and development. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. The government has also announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) The main accused, identified as Nand Kishore alias Thuria (65), was residing in Model Town in Delhi. The double murder case unfolded in Adarsh Nagar on April 22, 2025, when a quarrel near Parmanand Hospital traffic light turned deadly. Two individuals, Kamal and Amzad, were admitted to BJRM Hospital with severe injuries and were later declared dead. Another person, Abid, was also injured in the incident, the police said in a statement The Adarsh Nagar police station promptly registered a case under sections 109(1), 103(1), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Through investigation, the police scanned CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas, including GTK Road. The footage revealed two accused individuals fleeing the scene in a hired e-rickshaw, heading towards Model Town, the police said. Several teams were constituted to track down the accused, and after an extensive search, the police apprehended the main accused. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday warned that without strong and immediate government action, terror attacks on Indian forces and civilians will keep recurring, as he urged unity and demanded official recognition of 26 recent victims as martyrs during a public meeting in Bihar's East Champaran. Speaking at a public meeting, the AIMIM Chief called for unity, condemned the politicisation of terrorism, and demanded that the 26 victims of a recent attack be officially recognised as martyrs. "I'm saying this with great responsibility, without letting emotions overpower me: it's time for a response, not reflection. Otherwise, every few months, we'll keep facing attacks, whether our Army, CRPF personnel, or innocent Kashmiris are targeted," Owaisi said. He said the AIMIM supports every decision by the Indian government that weakens Pakistan."We expect that our government will take strong action. The AIMIM party supports every decision made by the Indian government so far that weakens Pakistan, whether it's economic or otherwise. If weakening their economy or isolating them diplomatically is necessary, it should be done." "We believe terrorism must be eliminated. This is a national issue, not a political one, and no one should politicise it," he added. Owaisi also shared a story of one of the victims to stress his point. "I want to tell you about a young woman named Himanshi, Her husband was shot and killed just six days after their wedding. These terrorists murdered her husband. But Himanshi gave a message: though she lost her husband, she doesn't want hatred against Muslims or Kashmiris. We hope the Indian government remembers her words." He criticised people who use such incidents to spread division and hatred. "The country will never forgive those who, instead of uniting against terrorists and the nations that support them, try to spread hatred for their own gain," he said. "Remember, at this time we need unity, peace, and love, not hatred. Those spreading hatred are bringing smiles to the faces of groups like LeT and Pakistan. We want to wipe those smiles off their faces. We want those who sit across the border, rejoicing at our suffering, to be in tears, to regret their fate," he added. Owaisi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to officially declare the 26 people who were killed as martyrs. "This is the time for a united India to send a strong message. We demand from the Prime Minister that the 26 people killed in this incident be officially declared martyrs so they are remembered forever. This demand isn't just from me--it's from the families of the victims who are still waiting for justice." "We expect a strong and decisive step from the Indian government to eradicate terrorism. My dear friends and elders, I consider myself fortunate to stand on this historic land today. And to those who are spreading poison and hatred between communities in India and Bihar." Owaisi also criticised the BJP-led central government for the recently passed 2025 Waqf Amendment Act, calling it a "black law" and demanding its immediate repeal. "You know that a law has been made by the BJP that attacks the faith of Muslims, it threatens our mosques, our sanctities, our identity." He said the law is ideologically driven and targets Muslim religious institutions. "The new 2025 amendment law is nothing but an RSS-driven attempt to strip Muslims of their mosques, dargahs, khanqahs, burial places, and Eidgahs. It's an attempt to marginalise and erase the honest members of our community." Owaisi also appealed for unity and resistance against the law, and said, "I appeal to you to stand united against this black law and raise your voice to defend India's Constitution and demand that this law be repealed. This must be our collective declaration against Modi's government. This law is against the fundamental rights enshrined by Baba Saheb Ambedkar in the Constitution." He also criticised regional leaders who supported the amendment. "I regret to say that leaders like Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, Kushwaha, Chandrababu Naidu, and Kumaraswamy have praised this black law," the AIMIM said. Questioning the logic behind the amendment, he said: "We want to ask them--don't the Hindu temples in Bihar follow a law that only allows Hindus to be members? Then why are you allowing non-Muslims to be appointed to Muslim Waqf Boards? What is the logic? You don't explain it, because there is none. You are simply creating a law based on hatred against Muslims." "If only Hindus and Buddhists can be members at Bodh Gaya, then how can you allow non-Muslims on Muslim Waqf Boards in Bihar? You can't explain it because your only foundation is hatred. And that is why this black law must be opposed," the AIMIM chief added. Earlier in the day, Owaisi called Pakistan a "failed state" and urged the Indian government to act strongly against it for supporting terrorism. "We hope the Prime Minister will take strong action against the Pakistani terrorists and the failed state of Pakistan that it will think a hundred times before sending anyone to harm India again." He also criticised Pakistan for asking for evidence after past terror attacks."Pakistan is shamelessly asking for proof. Didn't we invite you to Pathankot and show you where your terrorists attacked our Air Force base? You sent your team, they saw it with their own eyes, yet you took no action against those terrorists," he added. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday asserted that her government is committed to progress in every sector and is working tirelessly around the clock to ensure the well-being of the residents of the national capital. Speaking to media persons, CM Gupta said, "Delhi govt is working 24x7 for the people of Delhi. Whether the people of Delhi are facing difficulties because of weather, roads, or potholes, we will be working on each and every segment. We have to finish the backlog of 27 years." Highlighting government's efforts to resolve waterlogging situations in the national capital, CM Gupta said, "Record-breaking rain was registered in Delhi, but it took us an hour to improve the waterlogging situation. CM, Minister, MLAs were on the streets yesterday for the people of Delhi. Whether it is Sunday or Monday, the Secretariat opens every day and work is done here." On Friday, Delhi recorded 78mm of rainfall till 8:30 am, the second highest in 24 hours since 1901. The most rainfall was recorded at 119.3 mm on May 20, 2021, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The highest rainfall was recorded at Lodhi Road - 78 mm, just ahead of Safdarjung Airport, which recorded 77mm. According to IMD, moisture and wind convergence over the area from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, assisted by a persistent, highly favourable synoptic pattern at both lower and middle tropospheric levels, resulted in heavy rainfall. Prior to this, Delhi CM launche the 'Medico-Legal Examination and Postmortem Report (MedLEaPR) web portal program and said, "One of the main points in the three laws brought by the central government was that all our postmortem reports or medico-legal reports should be digitised. Delhi Govt has started work on MedLEaPR today. After this, all the reports will be brought in digital form and its access will be in limited hands... There will be a very good coordination between hospitals and investigation agencies... This is a very good opportunity. This will prove to be a milestone in the journey of our judicial process...I thank the new officials of the government and all the ministers." Speaking at the occasion, CM Rekha Gupta said that this digital platform has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). "It enables effective reporting of medico-legal cases (MLCs) and post-mortem reports (PMRs) across health institutions. The goal of the system is to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the medico-legal documentation process," CM Gupta said. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Dharmendra and senior officers of the Delhi Police, Home Department and NIC were also present on the occasion. CM Gupta further stated, "With the launch of MedLEaPR, transparency and speed in judicial processes in Delhi will increase. Electronic submission of medico-legal and post-mortem reports will not only reduce paperwork but will also ensure accountability through a centralised database and audit trail. Our government is committed to providing fast, transparent, and trustworthy services to the public through the use of technology. Today's launch is a strong example of our commitment to Digital India and e-Governance." (ANI) An important meeting of the BJP Legislature Party was held on Sunday at the Delhi Secretariat, chaired by Delhi Chief Minister and CM Rekha Gupta. Several key decisions were taken during the meeting, including the announcement of a two-day special session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on May 13 and 14. The meeting began with discussions on measures being undertaken to address waterlogging and preparations for the upcoming monsoon season. Following this, it was decided to convene a special Assembly session on May 13 and 14 to deliberate on crucial legislative and administrative issues. It is noteworthy that the cabinet of the Delhi government recently passed the Private School Fees Bill. The next step in the process is to introduce the bill in the Assembly for legislative approval. Speaking to ANI, Delhi Government Minister Ashish Sood said, "It has been decided in the meeting that in the upcoming special session, the 'Private School Fees Act' (Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill) will be introduced in the Assembly. The purpose of this bill is to curb the arbitrary and uncontrolled fees of private schools. The government claims that this will give great relief to the parents." In a recent development, BJP MLAS Satish Upadhyay and Anil Goyal said that the government has emphasised that the bill is directly in the interest of parents. "It is now necessary to make private schools accountable, and the government is committed to this," they said. The meeting also held in-depth discussions on pre-monsoon preparations. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta instructed all MLAs to identify waterlogged areas in their respective constituencies and ensure that cleaning and improvement works are completed in a timely manner. Emphasis was laid on finishing the cleaning of drains and sewers before the arrival of the monsoon. CM Rekha Gupta made it clear to the MLAs that the government's goal is to ensure Delhiites do not face waterlogging problems this time. "Our priority is that action should be taken in every assembly in time," she stressed. The special Assembly session on May 13 and 14 will thus focus both on presenting a significant bill related to the education system and conducting a comprehensive review of monsoon preparedness measures across the city. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday expressed grief over Baba Shivanand's demise, saying that through Sarvangasana and yoga practice, he inspired positive change in the lives of countless people. In a post on X, Shah said, "The demise of the great yoga practitioner Baba Shivanand Ji is extremely sad. Baba Shivanand Ji remained dedicated to penance, sacrifice and service throughout his life. Through Sarvangasana and yoga practice, he inspired positive change in the lives of countless people. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with his followers and relatives. May Baba Vishwanath give place to the departed soul in his lotus feet. Om Shanti," Shah said on X. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over the demise of Shivanand Baba, saying that his dedication to yoga and sadhana will continue to inspire every generation of the country. "It is extremely saddening to hear about the demise of Shivanand Baba Ji, a yoga practitioner and resident of Kashi. His life dedicated to yoga and sadhana will continue to inspire every generation of the country. He was also awarded Padma Shri for serving the society through yoga. Shivanand Baba's departure to Shivaloka is an irreparable loss for all of us Kashi residents and millions of people who draw inspiration from him. I pay my tribute to him in this hour of grief," PM Modi said on X. Union Minister JP Nadda also expressed his grief over the demise of Shivanand Baba, saying that his simple life and high thinking will continue to inspire the common people for ages. "The news of the demise of Kashi's renowned yoga guru, Swami Shivanand Ji honored with 'Padma Shri' is extremely sad. Revered Swami Ji spread yoga to the masses and gave a new direction to the people with his disciplined lifestyle. His simple life and high thinking will continue to inspire the common people for ages. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and his followers and pray to God to grant a place to the departed soul in his feet," Nadda said on X. Baba Shivanand, a Renowned spiritual guru and yoga practitioner, died at the age of 128 in Varanasi from health complications. Notably, Swami Shivanand Saraswati was conferred Padma Shri by the Government of India on March 21, 2022. To date, he is the oldest to receive the award. (ANI) Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Sunday visited the patients admitted to Goa Medical College (GMC) after being injured in the stampede during the Shirgao Lairai Zatra festival. He reviewed their medical condition and assured them they are receiving the best care. Rane, who also handles the Women and Child Development and Urban Development departments, said he has directed medical staff at GMC to provide the highest level of care. Taking on X, Rane said " Visited the patients admitted at Goa Medical College who were injured in the tragic Shirgao Lairai Zatra incident and personally reviewed their condition. I have instructed the medical teams at GMC that utmost care must be taken in their treatment." Providing an update on the condition of the critically injured, Rane said, "As per today's update, three out of the five critical patients are showing signs of improvement, while the remaining two continue to be critical but stable." He added that 'Code Red Goa', an emergency protocol designed for swift response to critically ill patients, has been activated at GMC. Under this protocol, senior doctors and all clinical heads of departments, led by the Dean, collaborate to make immediate, collective decisions to enhance patient outcomes. "We have activated Code Red Goa at GMC, an emergency protocol under which groups of senior doctors, and all clinical HODS led by the Dean, come together to take immediate, collective decisions for critically ill patients to ensure a faster and more coordinated response. We will immediately implement Code Red Goa and notify the same," Rane stated. Rane also said he would keep personally monitoring the condition of the injured. "I will continue to personally monitor the progress of these patients to ensure that the highest standards of care are being maintained," the post added on X. On Saturday, Lairai Devi Temple President, advocate Dinanath Gaonkar, said that the stampede occurred when a devotee accidentally touched an electric bulb with his cane, got an electric shock, and fell onto others in the tightly packed crowd. He said that around 50,000 to 70,000 Dhonds (followers of Lairai Devi) had gathered for the Zatra. North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal said that the cause of the stampede is still being investigated. Earlier, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also visited Shirgao, where the incident took place. The stampede happened around 4-5 AM on Saturday. (ANI) Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Sunday criticised Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over his 'nimbu mirchi on Rafale' remarks, saying that the party can go to any extent to gain attention. Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC said, "Congress party and Ajay Rai can go to any extent for media attention. Also, during Balakot, they raised questions. Only when the Indian government, under the leadership of PM Modi, gives a befitting reply will they be silenced. By the time they can continue to play with toys, we will continue to do our work." Her remarks came after Rai criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them. Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon-chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces." "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X and said, "Rahul Gandhi's Close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congresss and the Spokesperson of Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!." Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. (ANI) Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Dr Sudesh Dhankhar will be on a one-day tour to Karnataka. During this visit, the Vice-President will also visit College of Forestry in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, according to an official statement. Meanwhile, VP Dhankar, in April, spoke about the supremacy of Parliament in a democracy and stated that there should be no doubt that the Constitution is for the people, and its repository of safeguarding it was that of the elected representatives. Addressing the celebrations of the 75 years of the Constitution, which took place at the University of Delhi, the Vice President further stated that the elected representatives are the ultimate masters as to what the Constitution's content would be. Dhankar said, "A Prime Minister who imposed 'Emergency' was held accountable in 1977. And therefore, let there be no doubt about it: The Constitution is for the people, and its repository of safeguarding is that of the elected representatives. They are the ultimate masters as to what the Constitution's content will be." He also stated that the Constitution was encapsulated and its essence, worth, and nectar were in the Preamble of the Constitution, which stated that the supreme power was with the people of the country. "The Constitution is encapsulated, its essence, its worth, its nectar, in the Preamble of the Constitution. And what does it say? "We, the People of India." The supreme power is with them. No one is above the people of India. And we, the People of India, under the Constitution, have chosen to reflect their aspirations, their desires, their will through their public representatives. And they hold the representatives accountable, severely accountable, on occasions through elections," he stated. "For any democracy, every citizen has a pivotal role. I find it inconceivably intriguing that some have recently reflected that constitutional offices can be ceremonial or ornamental. Nothing can be far distant from a wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country, constitutional functionary or a citizen. According to me, a citizen is supreme because a nation and democracy are built by citizens. Every one of them has a role. The soul of democracy resides and pulsates in every citizen. Democracy will blossom, its values will get heightened when citizen is alert, citizen contributes, and what citizen contributes there is no substitution of that," he added. (ANI) BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Sunday criticised Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over his 'nimbu mirchi on Rafale' remarks, saying that he should be ashamed of himself for questioning the Armed Forces of the country. She also accused the Congress of repeatedly questioning the valour of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to national security. Speaking to ANI, Sehrawat said, "This is not the first time when Congress and Opposition leaders have questioned the valour of the Armed forces and dedication of PM Narendra Modi towards citizens of the country. When surgical strike took place, more questions than those raised by Pakistan were raised in our country. Ajay Rai should be ashamed of himself that he is questioning Armed forces of the country." Sehrawat added, "The Armed Forces are preparing with all their strength to give a reply to Pakistan. Replies are not given just by flying Rafale but through several ways," Earlier today, Rai criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them. Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon-chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces." "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X platform to post, "Rahul Gandhi's Close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congresss and the Spokesperson of Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!." Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. (ANI) "We are aware of an incident on flight 6E 6404 from Delhi to Shirdi on May 2, where a customer behaved inappropriately towards cabin crew. Our crew followed standard procedures, and the customer was declared unruly," IndiGo stated. The airline reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment onboard. "At IndiGo, we remain committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all and regret any inconvenience caused," said the airline. Further details on the matter are awaited. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Sunday called for concrete efforts to ensure the economic self-reliance of cow shelters, according to an official statement from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO). As per the statement, Concrete efforts should be made for the economic self-reliance of cow shelters. Paints prepared from cow dung should be used on government buildings too. CM directed to increase the capability of green fodder production, he said that it is essential to establish a fodder bank. CM also directed that poor families should be provided with one cattle each. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a meeting with officials from the Agriculture Department and the Regional Cooperative Dairy Federation at his official residence on Sunday to review progress in the sector. Earlier in the day, CM Yogi held a Janata Darshan at his residence in Lucknow, where he met citizens and listened to their grievances, including those raised by women attendees. The Chief Minister personally reviewed the concerns and assured necessary action. On Thursday, CM Yogi had directed officials to expedite relief work in areas affected by storms, rain, and hailstorms. He stressed the need for timely compensation in cases of human or livestock casualties and instructed that injured persons receive proper medical treatment. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officers of the concerned districts to conduct relief work with full promptness in view of the storm, rain and hailstorm," the Chief Minister's Office posted on X. He also asked officials to visit affected areas, assess the damage, and monitor the relief efforts on the ground. "Also, in case of loss of life and animal loss due to lightning, storm, rain, etc., relief amount should be distributed to the affected people immediately. The injured should be given proper treatment," it added. The Chief Minister further directed that drainage arrangements be prioritised to reduce the impact of waterlogging caused by bad weather. "The Chief Minister has instructed that the officers should conduct a survey and assess the crop loss and send a report to the government so that further action can be taken in this regard. In case of waterlogging, arrangements for drainage should be made with priority," the statement said. Meanwhile, CM Yogi expressed grief over the passing of Padma Shri awardee and renowned yoga guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati, who died on Sunday at the age of 128 in Varanasi. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attended the wedding ceremony of Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar's son in Gwalior, where he extended his best wishes to the family and the newlyweds. The event was attended by several leaders and dignitaries from different political parties. Visuals from the venue showed CM Yogi being warmly welcomed by Tomar and other senior leaders as he greeted the bride and groom. Earlier in the day, Yogi Adityanath held a Janata Darshan at his official residence in Lucknow, where he heard public grievances, including those raised by women, and assured appropriate action. On Thursday, the Chief Minister had instructed officials to speed up relief work in areas affected by storms, rain, and hailstorms. " Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officers of the concerned districts to conduct relief work with full promptness in view of the storm, rain and hailstorm," the Chief Minister's Office posted on X. The UP CM also directed officials to ensure immediate distribution of relief in cases of death or loss of livestock and to provide proper medical care to the injured. "Also, in case of loss of life and animal loss due to lightning, storm, rain etc., relief amount should be distributed to the affected people immediately. The injured should be given proper treatment," it added. The CM also ordered officials to assess crop damage and improve drainage to avoid waterlogging. "The Chief Minister has instructed that the officers should conduct a survey and assess the crop loss and send a report to the government so that further action can be taken in this regard. In case of waterlogging, arrangements for drainage should be made on priority," the CMO added. (ANI) A woman who was part of the group that rebuilt the Indian Air Force airstrip in Bhuj during the 1971 India-Pakistan war has called for firm action against Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Kanbai Shivji Hirani, recalling her role during the war, said, "It was not possible to build the runway soon, but we made it possible by rebuilding it, as it was a matter of the country." She said the country's victory in the war brought immense happiness, but recent developments have left her disturbed. "When we won the war, we were very happy. Today, what Pakistan has done (in Pahalgam) is very wrong." She recounted the war in 1971, saying, "In 1971, when the war between India and Pakistan happened, I was 24 years old. At that time, Pakistan bombed the runway in Bhuj. They destroyed everything during a nighttime bombing raid. Then the question arose - what do we do now?" She adds that more than 300 women gathered to rebuild the airstrip. "So we came to Madhapur. The Collector came with us. On the first day, 30 women went. On the second day, even more went. By the third day, 322 women were working." She adds, "When Pakistani planes came, we hid. I had a green cloth because it helped us blend into the environment. It looked like part of nature. I had a lot of green cloth. I didn't have 5 rupees, so I took 1 rupee from here and there to buy it." Hirani recounts her work schedule saying, "We left home at 7 AM and returned at 7 PM. We were told - 'When the first siren goes off loudly, hide wherever possible, behind whatever environment you can find.' Then, 'When the second siren sounds, come out and get back to work.' That's how we worked. We risked our lives, but we had to save India." Hirani appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take decisive action against Pakistan. "PM Modi should take action on this, stop the water and food supply to Pakistan. The only way they will understand things is to stop it," she said. Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The government has affirmed its resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. The Central government has given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. The Central government convened an all-party meeting after the terror attack and Opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. In the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the terror attack, 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 Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism. (ANI) Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed that he is humbled, happy and honoured after being elected as an International Honorary Member of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). The AAAS, one of the oldest academies, founded in 1780, recognises excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including arts, sciences, and public policy. "I am humbled, happy, and honoured by this recognition from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This academy honors excellence in all walks of life, and it is heartening to see our work being recognised," said Prof. Sood. He was selected under the theme of Public Affairs and Public Policy, reflecting the importance of science and its societal contributions. "This recognition is not just for me, it is for the whole country. For the last several years, under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we have been looking at how we can take science and technology forward, how the country can move forward, and how we can take society toward a developed India through science and technology," he continued. Prof. Sood emphasised the importance of making the benefits of science and technology accessible to all. "Our effort is that the benefits of science and technology should not remain limited to only one thing but should reach the entire society. And this effort of ours will continue," he said. He concluded by stating that this recognition would motivate him to work harder. "I will try to do more work with the motivation of this recognition that they have given us," he added. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday directed officials to complete the works of covered drains and roads in Agartala city within the stipulated time, according to the CMO statement. Saha said this after visiting various development activities in Ward No. 16, 20, and 32 under the Agartala Municipal Council area today. Saha started his visit programme in front of the Agartala Town Hall and covered areas including the Town Hall, Santipara, Kshetramohan School, Netaji Chowmuhani, Netaji School, Forest Office, Howrah Riverfront Project, Singhapara, RMS Chowmuhani, Badurtoli, and Ramnagar 1, 2, 3, and 4. During the visit, Saha inspected and reviewed the progress of various ongoing works and examined local issues. Later, Saha said that many roads and drains were constructed in the 8-Town Baradowali Assembly Constituency and said that in some places, people have complained about the drainage system; however, the water issues have been resolved. "I have also witnessed some encroachments. I have seen this matter, and wherever proper covered drains are necessary, I have directed officials to look into it. I also visited the Shantipara area, where I have instructed them to look after a pond," said Saha. He said that the main aim is to ensure proper drainage and make the areas free from encroachment. "I have stressed on these. Wherever roads are necessary, I have asked to complete all such works within the stipulated time. I have visited three wards and many people were happy. We don't visit areas only during elections, but also during general times. I have also inspected the ongoing work at Kshetramohan School," he added. During the visit, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, West District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, Urban Development Secretary Abhishek Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Agartala Smart City Ltd. Shailesh Kumar Yadav, and others were present. Earlier on Sunday, Assam Rifles organised a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Radhanagar, in honour of Rifleman Kalyan Kumar, who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation May Flower on May 3, 2002 at Longtum-II village, Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh. Rifleman Kalyan Kumar displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty, laying down his life while serving in one of the most challenging counter-insurgency operations in the region. His gallant action remains a shining example of valour and sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, the press release stated.The battalion paid heartfelt tributes to the fallen hero. Wreaths were laid and a moment of silence observed in his memory, it added. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari slammed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for referring to Lord Ram and other deities as "mythological" saying that those who are not Sanatani will call Lord Ram a mythological figure. The BJP MP accused Rahul Gandhi of supporting people who have intentions of eliminating Sanatan. "...Those who have no faith in Sanatan and those who are not Sanatani will call Shri Ram - a mythological figure. Today, the country has put them on the margins, and soon it will punish all such people. He (Rahul Gandhi) has objections to Ram and dignity as he himself has no dignity, and he follows the path of Adharma. They support those people who want the elimination of Sanatan..." Tiwari told ANI. Earlier today, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh took a potshot at Rahul Gandhi for referring to Lord Ram and other deities as "mythological". "Lord Ram is not a myth, but the country's soul. Every being has Ram. If you wear the spectacles of Italy, how would you find Lord Ram?" Chugh told ANI. Citing renowned poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's famous couplet, Chugh accused Rahul Gandhi of "insulting" Lord Ram and the Sanatan Dharma. Labelling the Congress as "Ram Virodhi", he criticised the opposition party for boycotting the consecration of Ram temple and denying the deity's existence earlier. "Jab nash manuj par chhata hai, pahle vivek mar jata hai. Congress leader 'Mandbuddhi' Rahul Gandhi has always insulted Lord Ram, Indian culture, and Sanatan. This is the same Congress which boycotted the consecration of Ram temple. In 2007, they submitted an affidavit that Lord Ram didn't exist. This is the 'Ram Virodhi' ideology of Congress," he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla earlier lashed out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks, stating that it is now typical of the Congress party to "insult" Hindus. He also criticised the Congress for "insulting" the forces by questioning the surgical strikes while accusing the opposition party of "rashtra droh" (treason). "First, they (Congress) did 'rashtra droh' by insulting the forces, by questioning the surgical strikes, by giving a clean chit to Pakistan. Now, they are showing their true face as 'Ram Drohi'. This is not 'sayyog', it is a planned use of votebank. Time and again, insulting lord Ram and Hindus has become the identity of the Congress," Poonawalla told ANI. The BJP leader said that the Congress government had earlier submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, stating that Lord Ram didn't exist and wanted to "destroy" Ram Setu. "This is not the first time Congress has said this. Years ago, Sonia Gandhi's government gave an affidavit in the Supreme Court that lord Ram did not exist, and they wanted to take away Ram Setu to destroy it. Following the footsteps of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi has gone to foreign soil, and he said lord Ram is imaginary," Poonawalla said. (ANI) A protest broke out outside a NEET examination centre in Kalaburagi on Sunday after a candidate was allegedly asked to remove his sacred thread, characteristically worn by Brahmins ("Janeu"), before being allowed to appear for the test. The incident occurred at the St. Mary's School exam centre, triggering outrage from members of the Brahmin community, who accused the staff of religious insensitivity. The candidate's father, recounted the events. "The child had gone in for counselling about half an hour ago. What happened was that the child had a sacred thread (called 'Janivaar' or 'Janeu') worn according to our religion, and someone from the staff told him to remove it before entering. The child was crying and told us that he had to remove the thread to be allowed inside. He came outside crying and gave it to me (his father). I was standing outside the gate. I asked to go inside but was not allowed." The incident drew a sharp reaction from the locals. Advocate Raghvendra Kulkarni, speaking at the protest, said, "He had come to appear for the NEET exam here at St. Mary's College in Gulbarga. He came here at 1:30 in the morning. When he went inside for the NEET exam, the staff there told him that, as per their rules, students wearing religious threads or symbols (like the Janeu worn by Hindus in rural communities) must remove them to be allowed in for the exam." He added, "They said if they do not remove them, they will not be allowed to sit for the exam. Hearing this, the candidate started crying and came outside and inform his father. After that, the staff allowed him inside after he removed the sacred thread. This is an insult to Janeu-wearing Hindus." Kulkarni blamed the Karnataka government for the incident and said, "The Karnataka government is responsible for this. All Janeu-wearing people and Hindus are boycotting this government. We are requesting that the staff and management involved in this incident be suspended." He added that the protest outside St. Mary's College had community support and warned of further action. "A protest is currently taking place in front of St. Mary's College, and society is supporting us. After this protest, we are planning to file an FIR against the staff and management responsible for the removal of the Janeu," he said. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday drew flak from NDA leaders after he criticised the Central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them. Hitting out at Rai, BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that as soon as Pakistani propaganda is banned in India, the Congress party officially spreads propaganda of the Pakistani Terror Deep State. "The Congress party has become an official spokesperson of the Pakistani Terror Deep State. We can see a pattern that whenever Rahul Gandhi steps forward, he gives full support to PM Narendra Modi's Government, that they take action against Pakistani Terror Deep State, and in less than 24 hours some or other Congress leader comes and speaks in support of Pakistan. 24 hours ago, Charanjit Singh Channi was demanding proof of a surgical strike. He retracted his statement. Then again, in less than 24 hours, UP Congress president mocks our armed forces and shows a toy plane. This makes it clear that as soon as Pakistani propaganda is banned in India, the Congress party officially spreads propaganda of Pakistani Terror Deep State," Bhandari told ANI. "Rahul Gandhi has neither suspended or removed even one of these leaders. He has not served them showcase notice either. It is clear that this Pakistani propaganda, which is being run by Congress leaders in India and attempting to demoralise our morals - it writer, political director and political producer is none other than Rahul Gandhi. It has become clear once again that Congress is an anti-national party," he added. BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla attacked Congress and its leader Ajay Rai, saying calling Pakistan 'brother' and insulting the armed forces has become its identity. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of Rahul Gandhi's closest leaders. In the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi says that they stand with the country and armed forces. As soon as he comes out of the all-party meeting, prioritising 'vote bank neeti' over 'rashtra neeti' (national interests), they gave clean chit to Pakistan, advocated for it and dealt a blow to the morale of armed forces. Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces? Congress party is not taking action because calling Pakistan 'brother' and insulting the armed forces has become its identity. Pakistan and Congress are two bodies but speak the same language." Former diplomat KP Fabian also commented over 'nimbu mirchi' on Rafale' row, and said, "He is trivialising a serious matter by showing that picture and all. It is better for us to leave it to the government to choose the timing and the manner of action rather than publicly egg on the government. This is a time and a matter where we all stand together. You can express that if you have political differences, but not this way." Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Sunday criticised Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over his 'nimbu mirchi on Rafale' remarks, saying that the party can go to any extent to gain attention. Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC said, "The Congress party and Ajay Rai can go to any extent for media attention. Also, during Balakot, they raised questions. Only when the Indian government, under the leadership of PM Modi, gives a befitting reply will they be silenced. By the time they can continue to play with toys, we will continue to do our work." Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them. Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon-chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. (ANI) A massive fire broke out in a six-storey building in Kanpur's Chaman Ganj area on Sunday, officials said. Firefighters are at the spot, and dousing operations are underway. "Fire broke out in a six-storey building, which is a leather factory...Efforts to douse the fire are underway..." said Chief Fire Officer Deepak Sharma. Further details awaited. (ANI) Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey said that efforts were being carried out to douse the fire. "Fire broke out in the shoe factory...Five people of a family are trapped inside...Efforts to douse the fire are underway..." Kanpur Mayor told ANI. Firefighters are at the spot, and dousing operations are underway. "Fire broke out in a six-storey building, which is a leather factory...Efforts to douse the fire are underway..." said Chief Fire Officer Deepak Sharma. Further details awaited. (ANI) According to Indian Navy, IOS SAGAR is now headed for a final port of call in Male in Maldives. In a post on X, the Indian Navy on Saturday said, "IOS SAGAR, on concluding its successful visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles left harbour on May 2 '25. The visit was marked by insightful engagements between India and Seychelles. The ship is now heading for her final port of call, Male, Maldives, where she will continue her collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission." Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles on May 1 marking another important milestone in her ongoing operational deployment across the South-West Indian Ocean Region, Defence ministry said in a release. The ship was accorded a warm welcome and received by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, and the Defence Adviser. The port call will feature a host of professional and cultural exchanges, including cross-deck visits involving a multinational crew, interactions with the CDF and senior officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and a joint Yoga session. INS Sunayna, designated as IOS Sagar, has embarked on a multinational crew comprising 44 naval personnel from 09 friendly foreign nations of the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The deployment exemplifies India's commitment to fostering regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building in the spirit of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), the ministry said. Earlier, the ship made port calls at Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), and Port Louis (Mauritius), engaging with local navies and maritime security stakeholders to train together, exchange best practices, and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday welcomed Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco at Rashtrapati Bhavan and expressed gratitude for his solidarity and condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In her welcome speech, President Murmu said, "I am very pleased to welcome President Joao Lourenco of Angola and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Lourenco is on his first State visit to India. This is a historic occasion as this is the first high-level visit between us in the last four decades, and it comes at a time when both countries are celebrating forty years of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations." In her remarks, President Murmu highlighted that terror attack in Pahalgam demonstrated that the international community needs to take concrete steps to prevent terrorism. "I would like to thank you on behalf of the Government and the people of India for the strong support you have expressed following the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This incident has once again demonstrated that the international community needs to take concrete steps to prevent terrorism and those who promote it," she said. President Murmu also acknowledged Angola's role in promoting peace across the African continent, saying, "We appreciate the role you have played as a mediator in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle and West Africa region. India stands by your commitment to promoting peace and security in the African continent." Earlier, Angola President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, who is on a state visit to India, condemned the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and expressed his solidarity with the people of India. "Angola was one of the first to react immediately after the sad events in the Kashmir region, where human lives were victimised. In due time, we made the Indian authorities realise our feelings of sorrow for the Indian people and their families. Since it was an act of terrorism and Angola obviously condemns any terrorism, regardless of where it is committed," the Angolan president said. The terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam targeted tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepali citizen. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) He condemned the terrorist attack targeting tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death and injury of numerous innocent civilians, stressing the importance of peaceful means to resolve disputes in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations to safeguard security, peace and stability in the region. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the GCC's principled and consistent stance in rejecting all forms and manifestations of terrorism. He also reiterated the GCC states' call for the international community to intensify efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. (ANI/WAM) In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed that these attacks are in violation of Syria's sovereignty and in contravention of international law, particularly the "Agreement of Disengagement" signed between Israel and Syria in 1974. The Ministry underscored the UAE's categorical rejection of such practices, which threaten further escalation and tension in the region, and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability. (ANI/WAM) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected eight sorties of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and one official Chinese ship operating around Taiwan up to 6 am (UTC+8) on Sunday. Six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). Taiwan has been closely monitoring the situation and has responded accordingly. Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1918832952592699720 Seven sorties of PLA aircraft, seven PLAN vessels and one ship were detected near Taiwan on Saturday. All seven sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. China and Taiwan have frequently accused one another of spying, and Taiwan has arrested several people it says Beijing has hired to get intelligence or sway public opinion. According to RFA, Beijing usually rejects any role in espionage operations against Taiwan, referring to the charges as "politically motivated" or "groundless. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the Carter Center and Emory University in Atlanta revealed that over half of the Chinese population opposed using force to unify with Taiwan under any circumstances, as reported by Taipei Times. The findings, released on Wednesday in a report titled "Sovereignty, Security, and US-China Relations: Chinese Public Opinion," indicated that 55.1 per cent of participants either agreed or somewhat agreed that "the Taiwan issue should not be resolved through force under any circumstances. In comparison, 24.5 per cent either 'strongly or somewhat' disagreed with this statement, according to Taipei Times. (ANI) India is committed to deepening its engagement with Africa by leveraging its own strengths, rather than viewing the region through the lens of competition with China, said Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a press conference following the state visit of Angolan President Joao Lourenco. "China has a very strong presence not just in Angola but across Africa, but we have to also understand our strengths. There are certain areas where India can do very well. There are certain areas, perhaps China is already doing well, but not necessarily the competition," Ravi said. He underlined that India's approach is rooted in its own capabilities--especially in areas like skills training, low-cost solutions, and people-centric development--which are deeply valued by African countries. "India's skills, India's low cost solutions had its own merit, its own value. And deeply appreciated by the African countries and the leadership, and we would like to build on our strengths in deepening India's role in the global South, particularly in the African continent," he added. The remarks come at a time when India is seeking to expand its presence in Africa through capacity building, infrastructure partnerships, and strategic investments. Ravi reaffirmed Angola's importance as a key partner, noting that Angola currently holds the chairship of the African Union and plays a central role in regional leadership. During the visit, India approved a USD 200 million Line of Credit for defence procurement and signed multiple MoUs with Angola, including in agriculture, culture, and traditional medicine. Angola also signed the Framework Agreement to join the International Solar Alliance. On the broader international stage, Ravi noted that both India and Angola support reform of the United Nations system. "Both have collective interest to ensure that the reform takes place effectively and reflects the contemporary realities," he said, quoting President Lourenco's acknowledgment of India's rise and its growing global role. India and Angola also agreed to work together in identifying dates for the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit, with Angola assuring support in mobilising African leadership during its AU chairship. (ANI) India and Angola underscored the urgent need for reforming the United Nations (UN) to reflect contemporary global realities, with both sides affirming their shared interest in ensuring effective transformation of international governance structures. Speaking at a press conference following Angolan President Joao Lourenco's state visit on Saturday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi said, "Honorable President Lourenco also mentioned about India playing a greater role in the world context and he sees a great role internationally, particularly in the UN system, the reform of the UN. Both have collective interest to ensure that the reform takes place effectively and reflects the contemporary realities." President Lourenco's remarks echo India's long-standing call for reforms in global institutions, including a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Angola, currently holding the chairship of the African Union, also expressed alignment with the idea of amplifying the voices of African and developing nations, particularly within the framework of the Global South. Ravi highlighted the importance Angola places on India's growing international stature and its potential role in shaping a more equitable global order. "He also mentioned about the rise of India and how it can play in the context of not just Angola but also Africa...India and Africa to playing a stronger role, a dynamic role, and a facilitating role in the Global South, and Africa is the core of the Global South," Ravi said. During the visit, both countries also discussed the upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit. Angola, as chair of the African Union, assured India of its commitment to facilitate the summit and work with other African leaders to finalise mutually convenient dates. In addition to multilateral cooperation, India and Angola deepened bilateral ties through the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding - in agriculture, culture, and traditional medicine. Angola also submitted its framework agreement to join the International Solar Alliance, a move expected to formally induct it as the 123rd member of the initiative. Ravi concluded by noting the presence of an active and well-integrated Indian diaspora in Angola, numbering around 8,000, contributing to sectors ranging from retail and trade to professional services - further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations. (ANI) Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) secured a decisive victory in Saturday's general election, winning its 14th consecutive mandate, The New York Times reported. The party, which has been in power since 1959, improved significantly on its 2020 performance, winning 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats and increasing its share of the popular vote to 65.6 per cent, up from 61.2 per cent in the previous election. Following PAP's victory in Singapore's general election, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong thanked voters for their strong support. Sharing a post on X, Wong wrote, "Singaporeans have given the @PAPSingapore a clear and strong mandate to govern. I am humbled by and grateful for the faith you have placed in me and my team." https://x.com/LawrenceWongST/status/1918768704399298579 In another post, he wrote, "So let's stand as One Team Singapore--to confront the storms ahead together and secure a brighter future for all of us. We will involve Singaporeans in this journey to shape our future. We will engage and listen-- because every voice is important." https://x.com/LawrenceWongST/status/1918768939490029902 Wong also acknowledged the efforts of the opposition, particularly the Workers' Party, pledging to take their contributions in Parliament seriously. "The Opposition, in particular the Workers' Party, fielded a strong slate of candidates and gave us a tough fight. I respect the Opposition's presence in Parliament and will continue to take their views and suggestions seriously. Ultimately, the bigger contest is not between political parties, but between Singapore and the challenges facing us," Wong wrote on X. https://x.com/LawrenceWongST/status/1918768766051127720 Wong was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2011. Before becoming Prime Minister, he held Ministerial appointments in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the Ministry of National Development, and the Ministry of Education, and was also the Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also co-chaired the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, which oversaw the Singapore Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI) A decision by Germany to allow its spy agency to monitor opposition groups has sparked a conflict between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Germany's Foreign Ministry. Rubio criticised the move, calling it "tyranny in disguise." In contrast, Germany's Foreign Ministry defended the measure, emphasising its commitment to protecting the Constitution and the rule of law, stating that the move followed a thorough investigation and said that "rightwing extremism needs to be stopped." In a post on X on Friday, Marco Rubio said, "Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That's not democracy--it's tyranny in disguise. What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD--which took second in the recent election--but rather the establishment's deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes. Germany should reverse course." https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1918344238468649055 Replying to Rubio's statement, German's Foreign Ministry said, "This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped." https://x.com/GermanyDiplo/status/1918397874687361199 Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz, or the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the country's intelligence agency, in a statement on Friday said, "As of today, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classifies the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor due to the extremist nature of the entire party, which disregards human dignity." "The party's prevailing understanding of the people based on ethnicity and descent is incompatible with the free democratic basic order. It aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society, subject them to unconstitutional discrimination, and thus assign them a legally devalued status. Specifically, for example, the AfD does not consider German citizens with a migration history from predominantly Muslim countries to be equal members of the German people, as defined ethnically by the party," the statement added According to NBC News, AfD, whose staunch supporters include Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk, was already under surveillance for suspected extremism by Germany's intelligence services, which on Friday classified the party as a "proven right-wing extremist organisation." The AfD's strong performance in Germany's February general elections--where it secured second place--reflects the broader rise of far-right movements across Europe, many of which have established close relations with President Trump's circle. (ANI) At least one man was injured in a nearby parking lot. "There is an injured person from the fall near Terminal 3, near the planes," said the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Employees' Committee following this morning's Houthi missile attack. Arrivals and departures were suspended while workers checked the runways. The attack triggered sirens across central Israel, including Jerusalem, the Tel Aviv and Haifa areas, and as far north as the coastal city of Nahariya. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "Sirens sounded across Israel due to a projectile launch from Yemen." https://x.com/IDF/status/1918915139828392018 The IDF said it is reviewing the incident. (ANI/TPS) Japan has lodged a strong protest against China after a helicopter from a Chinese Coast Guard ship "violated" airspace and four vessels entered its territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, state media reported. China also claims the Japanese-controlled uninhabited islands, which it calls the Diaoyu. Japanese official news agency Kyodo said that airspace intrusion on Saturday was the fourth one by China. The helicopter took off from one of the four Chinese Coast Guard ships that entered Japan's territorial waters around the Senkakus at around 12:20 pm, the Japanese Coast Guard said. Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels spotted the helicopter flying above the territorial waters for about 15 minutes, prompting the Air Self-Defence Force to scramble two jet fighters, its foreign ministry said as reported by Kyodo. The Japanese Foreign Ministry in a statement said, "It has been confirmed that on May 3, around 12 pm, four China Coast Guard vessels entered Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, and a helicopter launched from one of the China Coast Guard vessels intruded into Japan's territorial airspace around the islands." It further said that following this incident, the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, summoned Zhao Baogang, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of China, and lodged a protest concerning the China Coast Guard's actions, demanding measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Chinese state media Global Times, however, said that on Saturday, while China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were conducting a routine patrol in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Dao a Japanese civilian aircraft illegally entered China's airspace over Diaoyu Dao at 11:19 am and exited at 11:24 am. The Chinese Coast Guard "implemented necessary control measures" and dispatched a shipborne helicopter to issue a warning and drive it away, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement as per the Global Times. Yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao lodged a representation with Japan's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi over the intrusion of the Japanese civilian aircraft, the Chinese media outlet said. (ANI) Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdeva has strongly supported India's decision to ban imports from Pakistan, calling it a decisive and necessary step. Sachdeva emphasised the importance of extending the boycott beyond the government, urging people both in India and across the globe, including the Indian diaspora, to join the movement. He further stated that this move would have a significant impact on Pakistan's trade, economy, and global reputation. While speaking with ANI, Sachdeva said, "I think this is exactly the right move. Now we just have to say some words, and that should be Boycott Pakistan. Our government is boycotting Pakistan, the people of India should boycott Pakistan, the people of the world should boycott the Pakistan government, the world should boycott Pakistan, and the Indian diaspora worldwide should also boycott Pakistan. This will have an impact on Pakistan's trade, economy, as well as its own image. No new investments, no new partnerships in Pakistan should be made by any of the countries and our friends..." Sachdeva also highlighted the significance of Angola assuming the chairmanship of the African Union, saying that it signifies India's growing influence in the Global South. "Angola is the chair of the African Union. This also indicates that our reach in the Global South is increasing. The grip is also increasing. Relationships are also getting stronger, and the perspective from which we see the world, all countries of Africa look at the global south from that perspective, especially with regard to terror, especially about Pakistan. This is a big message," Sachdev said. On May 3, India imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows, according to a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Prohibition on Import from Pakistan. Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India," the Commerce and Industry Ministry's notification added. The move comes amid the growing tension between India and Pakistan following the dastardly attack in Pahalgam in which 26 tourists lost their lives. (ANI) The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, Paank, has expressed grave concern over disturbing reports from Quetta, where over 45 mutilated and tortured bodies have reportedly been brought to the Quetta Civil Hospital morgue in recent weeks. Taking to the social media platform X, it stated, "Paank expresses grave concern over the alarming reports emerging from Quetta, Balochistan, where over 45 severely mutilated and tortured bodies have reportedly been brought to the morgue of Quetta Civil Hospital. According to our verified sources, five bodies were received just recently, adding to an already overburdened facility where decomposing corpses are being stacked atop one another, creating an unbearable and hazardous environment." According to Paank, these are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of suspected fake encounters by Pakistani security forces. Paank stated, "Over the past month, more than two dozen individuals have reportedly been killed in suspected fake encounters carried out by Pakistani security forces. Among these victims, approximately a dozen have been identified and laid to rest by their families, while the rest remain unclaimed, unidentified, and denied dignity in death." Paank emphasised that the current situation constitutes not only a public health emergency but also a grave human rights crisis. The presence of mutilated, unidentified bodies raises serious and urgent concerns regarding allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances, all of which are severe violations of international human rights law. In response to this alarming situation, Paank has issued a strong call to action, urging the Government of Pakistan and relevant international human rights bodies to act immediately. Paank demanded that the Government of Pakistan and relevant international human rights institutions take immediate steps to address the crisis. These include conducting transparent and independent forensic investigations to determine the cause of death for each recovered body; publicly identifying the deceased wherever possible and ensuring their timely and respectful return to their families; holding all those responsible accountable, particularly in cases involving custodial deaths or extrajudicial executions; and granting international human rights observers access to the affected areas to independently monitor and assess the situation. (ANI) During the meeting, Nadda presented the Angolan President with a traditional shawl and a bouquet. He also gifted the President a book titled 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery,' authored by Finance Commission Chairperson Arvind Panagariya, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty. Angolan President Lourenco, during his state visit to India, emphasised a renewed vision for India-Angola ties, calling for a deeper economic partnership. During a joint press meeting with Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, President Lourenco said, "Both our nations combined can help establish a significantly expanded foundation for business opportunities." He added, "I have come to India, to convey a message of admiration and friendship that will hold with your country. I have also come to India with the intention of showcasing a new vision for relations between our countries." Meanwhile, PM Modi reaffirmed India's deepening strategic and economic engagement with Africa, describing Angola's leadership of the African Union as pivotal to advancing the shared goals of the Global South. Speaking during the Angolan President's State visit to India, PM Modi outlined India's expanding cooperation with African nations--highlighting USD 100 billion in trade, USD 12 billion in credit lines, and growing collaboration in defence, maritime security, and digital infrastructure. PM Modi, along with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, also held a bilateral meeting with President Lourenco at Hyderabad House on Saturday. Lourenco on Saturday received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar and others were also present. Lourenco also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat by laying a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. The Angolan President also signed the visitors' book after laying a wreath, paying homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. (ANI) Algiers [Algeria], May 4 (ANI/WAM): The Federal National Council (FNC) emphasised that the challenges facing the region -- ranging from political conflicts and disputes, economic and climate crises, to technological complexities -- are increasingly shaping the present and influencing the trajectories of the future. These challenges place a collective responsibility on all of us to strengthen joint Arab parliamentary action, activate tools of parliamentary diplomacy, promote peaceful solutions, and enhance frameworks of dialogue, integration, cooperation, and Arab solidarity. This was stated in the FNC's address delivered by Dr. Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, First Deputy Speaker of the FNC and Chairman of the UAE Parliamentary Division delegation to the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union (AIPU), on behalf of Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, during the 38th Conference of the AIPU held in Algiers, Algeria, from May 2 to 4, 2025. The UAE Parliamentary Division stressed the importance of intensifying efforts in parliamentary diplomacy -- regionally and internationally -- in cooperation with all partners to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, de-escalation of conflicts, and the protection of civilians in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law. Dr. Al Tayer stated that the Palestinian cause remains the foremost issue for Arabs, Muslims, and indeed humanity at large. It is currently undergoing a highly critical and existential moment, facing immense challenges and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. This calls for a unified Arab position that matches the scale of the tragedy, restores justice, dignity, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He added that the war in Gaza, now entering its second year, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and injuries, forced mass displacement from Palestinian territories, and caused widespread infrastructure destruction. The resulting humanitarian disaster has been exacerbated by the brutal siege imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, threatening the collapse of the humanitarian aid system and endangering civilian lives while undermining even the minimum conditions for survival. Dr. Al Tayer affirmed that moral obligation, historical responsibility, and our shared humanity compel us to rise to this challenge. A unified and steadfast Arab stance is required -- one that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our peoples amid the painful events unfolding in the Palestinian territories. This includes strengthening solidarity and joint action to protect the lives of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, urgently providing humanitarian aid, and urging governments and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities regarding this humanitarian catastrophe. He emphasised that the United Arab Emirates, throughout its history, has never spared any effort in supporting the Palestinian people--politically, developmentally, and in humanitarian relief. The UAE has consistently stood by them during various circumstances and continues its humanitarian efforts through "Operation Chivalrous Knight 3," which is part of its ongoing aid and relief support to the people of Gaza. This embodies the UAE's deeply rooted humanitarian approach established by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and continues under the state's steadfast policy in supporting the Palestinian people and defending just causes. Dr. Al Tayer reiterated the UAE's firm stance rejecting Israel's policy of collective punishment and all attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands. He called for an end to starvation and settlement policies, which constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and UN resolutions. He further called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees from both sides, and the resumption of political dialogue through peaceful and effective channels, paving the way for a just settlement that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people and contributes to establishing security and stability in the region after long years of suffering, violence, and destruction. He also reaffirmed the UAE's longstanding and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity. The UAE supports all regional and international efforts aimed at reviving the peace process on the basis of the two-state solution, which it views as the optimal strategic path toward establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions. Dr. Al Tayer concluded by noting that the situation in the Arab region has become increasingly complex and interlinked due to rapid challenges and deep regional and global transformations. These have been intensified by changes in international relations and the rise of a new world order marked by unprecedented alliances and technologies, while at the same time, there has been a decline in the effectiveness of multilateral institutions and a growing erosion of trust in their roles. This reality imposes a collective responsibility on us to rebuild our tools and approaches. He emphasised, "In light of this, we affirm that the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union is now more than ever required to rebuild trust by adopting proactive and forward-looking visions to address the most pressing issues. It must strengthen its role as a unifying platform for Arab parliamentary action. This requires activating parliamentary diplomacy tools at the national, regional, and international levels, developing work mechanisms, and building strategic partnerships with parliaments and international organisations to serve the causes of the Arab nation, its supreme interests, and enhance its position amid a complex and ever-changing global system,'' he concluded. (ANI/WAM) President of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Sardar Akhtar Mengal, declared the beginning of a "politics of national resistance," criticising the failure of Pakistan's parliament, judiciary, and other state institutions to safeguard the rights of the Baloch people. Speaking at a large party gathering at Shahwani Stadium on Friday night, Mengal said his party would no longer seek government permission to pursue its political activities, Dawn reported. "When the government asks us not to stage protests, we demand that it shun its wrong policies that force people to hold protests," Mengal told supporters, according to Dawn. He questioned how the BNP-M could remain silent when the authorities were "dishonouring people and Baloch women, carrying out genocide, and dumping mutilated bodies of our youths." Mengal issued a stern warning that his party would not hesitate to organize demonstrations even outside military cantonments if state repression continued. As per Dawn, he criticised the judiciary for failing to dispense justice, accusing courts of giving repeated adjournments rather than protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. He further alleged that judicial decisions were being made "according to the will of sector commanders instead of the law and Constitution." According to reports, the event was also addressed by BNP-M Senior Vice President Sajid Tareen Advocate; Iqra Baloch, sister of prominent activist Mahrang Baloch; Nasarullah Baloch, chairman of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP); and several other political figures. According to Dawn, the speakers collectively demanded the immediate release of Mahrang Baloch and other activists who have been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) is a political party in Pakistan, primarily representing the Baloch nationalist movement. Founded by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the party advocates for the rights of the Baloch people and seeks greater autonomy for the Balochistan province. Akhtar Mengal, the leader of the party, has been an influential figure in Baloch politics and has previously served as the Chief Minister of Balochistan. BNP-M is known for its criticism of the federal government's policies toward Balochistan, especially regarding resource allocation and military operations in the region. (ANI) The National Assembly of Nepal has ruled KP Sharma Oli-led government to investigate the death of two Nepali students in Odisha's KIIT in a gap of three months. The upper house of the Federal Parliament on Sunday echoed with demands to investigate the unnatural death of Prisa Sah, a B.Tech first-year student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Earlier in February, Prakriti Lamsal also died by suicide at the same university. "It is extremely sad that incidents of the same nature keep happening again and again in the same college. Both Nepal and India through the diplomatic channels should search for the reason behind such incident, in order not to let these kinds of incidents occur in coming future. I draw the attention of the Government of Nepal to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident, create an environment that prevents such incidents from occurring in the future, conduct an impartial investigation into the facts of this incident, identify the real situation, and provide appropriate justice to the student," Narayan Prasad Dahal, the Chairperson of National Assembly said in the ruling. The first-year B.Tech, Computer Science student who was said to be planning to return back home for vacation in mid of this month, was found dead inside her hostel room on May 1. This is the second incident of the death of a Nepali female student at the same university to be reported within three months. Earlier this year, a Nepali student from the same university was found dead in the hostel on February 16, leading to Nepalese students staging a protest. The protesting students had alleged that a fellow student had harassed her and that the college had failed to act despite multiple complaints. Later, the accused student was arrested on February 17. Member of the National Assembly following the incidents has now demanded the government to blacklist the university and stop issuing No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the particular institution. "I want to draw a serious attention of Government of Nepal that it should stop issuing No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the KIIT College. None of the Nepali students should be given the NOC to study there," Tul Prasad Bishwokarma, member of the National Assembly from Rastriya Janamorcha Party demanded. Other members of the upper house of Nepal's Federal Parliament also questioned over repeated similar incidents at KIIT, demanding for investigation. "What is the incident there and why is such incidents repeating over the time? Why in the same institute? Answer to these questions should be given by the Government of Nepal by forming a special committee," Ganga Kumari Belbase from the Maoist Center said. Shekhar Kumar Singh, member of the National Assembly from Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, also demanded an investigation into the case and hold those accountable to avoid repetition of such incidents. "This is the second incident within four months. How did it got repeated? a full-scale investigation should me made into the issue. Those responsible for it should be held accountable so that incidents of same nature would not repeat in future," Singh said. Another member of the national assembly, Madan Kumari Shah from CPN- Unified Socialist (CPN-US) blamed that the administration has been given exemption over such incidents demanding investigation over the cases. "In a gap of three months in the same university- Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), two of our Nepali daughters had to end their life. Should we easily accept it as suicide? I am not ready to accept it. Problem exists in that university, because of which the students have continued to commit suicide. Few months back only, another student had committed suicide there, the suicide has come in series," Madan Kumari Shah said. Following the death of a Nepali female student at Odisha's Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its deepest condolences and stated that the Odisha government has extended support for the family, and a thorough investigation is being conducted by the state police. In a statement released on Friday, the MEA stated, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic demise of a Nepali student of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time." "Ministry of External Affairs has been in constant touch with the Odisha State Government since we became aware of the tragic incident. The State Government of Odisha has extended full support to the family of the deceased, and a thorough enquiry is currently being conducted by the Odisha Police," it added. The MEA further said that the safety, security and well-being of all international students is a priority for the Indian government. "Government of India takes the safety, security and well-being of all international students very seriously. We remain in close contact with the Nepali authorities, the Odisha State Government as well as KIIT management to ensure real-time communication and coordination in this matter," MEA said. The Nepal Embassy in New Delhi also expressed condolences and said that they were coordinating with MEA, Odisha government, police and the university for a "thorough investigation. "Sharing a post on X, the Nepal Embassy wrote, "Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nepali student Prisha Sah at KIIT, Odisha. Heartfelt condolences to her family." "Prayers for her eternal peace. We're closely coordinating with MEA, Odisha Govt., police & the university for a thorough investigation," the post added. (ANI) Air India has suspended its flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6 due to safety concerns after a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen hit Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning, injuring six people. The airline's flight AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Abu Dhabi, where it landed safely. The flight will soon return to Delhi, according to an Air India spokesperson. After the incident, Air India announced a one-time waiver for customers with valid tickets booked between May 4 and May 6, allowing them to reschedule their flights or receive full refunds for cancellations. https://x.com/airindia/status/1918983945820963002 In an official advisory issued by Air India on X, the airline said, "Consequent to developments in Tel Aviv this morning, our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect until 6th May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our colleagues on the ground are assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements." "Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets between 4th and 6th May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling or full refunds for cancellation. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority," it added. The Israeli military attempted to intercept the missile fired from Yemen but was unable to shoot it down. "An impact was identified in the area of Ben Gurion Airport," the military said. According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli Air Force's aerial defence systems are investigating the failure. The victims of the attack include a man in his 50s with moderate injuries to his limbs and two women, aged 54 and 38, who were hit by the shockwave but are in stable condition, the Magen David Adom ambulance service said in a statement. A man, 64, was lightly hurt after he was hit by an object that flew from the impact site, and two more women, aged 22 and 34, were lightly hurt while running for shelter, MDA said. Another two people were treated for acute anxiety, as per The Times of Israel. The injured individuals were taken to hospitals in central Israel. Meanwhile, an earlier surveillance footage showed the missile hitting a grove near an access road, within the airport's perimeter. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], May 4 (ANI/WAM): With the debut of Behavioral Exchange (BX2025) in the MENA region just days away, the UAE has announced a compelling programme of speakers and sessions that will bring together more than 500 global and regional leaders to explore how behavioral science is transforming policy and society. Taking place from 30th April to 1st May, BX2025 will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Families Affairs. The event is being organised by the Behavioral Science Group (BSG), a specialised unit within the UAE Government's Office of Development Affairs, in collaboration with the Behavioral Insights Team (BIT) and the Centre for Behavioral Institutional Design (C-BID) at New York University Abu Dhabi. The agenda includes a keynote address by Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development, alongside high-level sessions exploring the societal and policy dimensions of behavioral science. Moreover, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, will join a session on large-scale climate action, exploring how individual behavior can meaningfully contribute to climate transformation. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, will discuss how policymakers can apply insights from social norms research to advance national policy. Also, Hajer Al Thehli, Secretary-General of the Council for Education, Human Development, and Community, will speak on the role of behavioral insights in improving parental engagement in education. Najwa Al Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, will contribute to a session exploring human behavior and effective policy design in the age of artificial intelligence. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Director of the Office of Development and Fallen Heroes Affairs at the Presidential Court, highlighted the importance of hosting this global conference in Abu Dhabi--the first of its kind in the Middle East. He emphasised that the event convenes a distinguished group of experts, academics, and practitioners from around the world to advance knowledge across behavioral science fields--particularly those supporting sustainable development goals and vital sectors such as education, health, energy, and climate. He further underscored the importance of leveraging global research to develop communities, solve societal challenges, and shape forward-looking policy for the benefit of humanity. Rasha Attar, Director of the Behavioral Science Group, noted that the UAE's hosting of this international event is part of Abu Dhabi's continued leadership in development, innovation, and its active contribution to advancing sustainable policymaking in behavioral science. She also highlighted Abu Dhabi's pioneering role in fostering global collaboration and delivering impactful community-focused programmes. "BX2025 is not only a proud milestone for C-BID and NYUAD but also a testament to Abu Dhabi's growing role as a regional and global hub for behavioral science. We look forward to the knowledge exchange and partnerships this gathering will spark, and to the lasting impact it will have on our students, our research, and the wider community," added Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor, NYU Abu Dhabi. He added that the university is committed to translating fruitful institutional partnerships and scientific dialogue into lasting impact, aligned with global priorities and respectful of cultural diversity. He also highlighted the importance of engaging university students in international scientific dialogue. The conference will welcome leading figures in behavioral science, including Professor Cass Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School, and Professor David Halpern, President Emeritus and Founding CEO of the UK Behavioral Insights Team. Additionally, scholars from institutions including Harvard Law School, Columbia Business School, London School of Economics, Yale University, NYU, University of Cambridge, University of Toronto, and Princeton University will also take part. (ANI/WAM) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart General Nakatani in New Delhi on Monday. Both sides will exchange views and ideas on the current regional & international security situation and discuss ways to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation, according to the Ministry of Defence. India and Japan share a long-term friendship, which has further gained qualitative momentum after the elevation of this collaboration to Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. Defence and security are important pillars of the ties between the two countries. Defence exchanges between India and Japan have gained strength in recent years due to the growing convergence on strategic matters. Its significance is increasing from the common outlook on issues of peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region, the release said. This will be the second meeting between the two Defence Ministers within six months after their maiden interaction in November 2024 on the sidelines of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus at Lao PDR. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday assured people of India's stern response over the Pahalgam terror attack and said that whatever people want will happen under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "You all know Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work ethic and perseverance... You are aware of his efficiency and determination... You are aware of the way he has learnt to take risks in his life... I want to assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi 'jaisa aap chahte hain waisa hokar rahega (Whatever you want will happen),' Rajnath Singh said. The Defence Minister statement at the Sanskrati Jagran Mahotsav in New Delhi signalled India's determination to give a "befitting reply" to the terrorists after the Pahalgam terror attack.Rajnath Singh also said that as a Defence Minister it is his responsibility to ensure security and give a "befitting reply" to those "who dare to attack our countr"(ANI) The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Dr Badr Abdel-Atty, according to the Egyptian State Information Service. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said Iraq's Foreign Minister handed over an invitation to President El-Sisi from the Iraqi President to attend the 34th Ordinary Arab Summit as well as the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, scheduled for May 17, 2025, in Baghdad. Dr Hussein also conveyed the greetings of Iraq's Prime Minister to President El-Sisi, who welcomed the invitation. President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation to the President and Prime Minister of Iraq, underscoring the profound historical relations between Egypt and Iraq as well as the close bonds their peoples share. President El-Sisi emphasised Egypt's keenness on the success of the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad. The meeting involved an exchange of views with regard to the situation in Palestine and Syria, as well as ways to restore regional stability. They stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue for the Arab nation, reiterating their categorical rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land. (ANI/WAM) Tel Aviv [Israel], May 4 (ANI/TPS): Cyprus can become a bridge between Israelis and Palestinians, according to the President of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides, who is paying a one-day working visit to Israel and Ramallah on Sunday. Nicos Christodoulides arrived late, as at the very moment he was preparing to depart from Cyprus the missile strike against Israel by the Houthis in Yemen took place. However, he left eventually refusing to cancel his trip, something that Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a special mentioned too, thanking the Cypriot President publicly. "You are showing extraordinary resilience, friendship and solidarity, and we greatly appreciate it. We always remember our friends," President Herzog underlined. The President of Israel welcomed his counterpart and expressed his gratitude to the Cypriot Government for the assistance provided in the efforts to extinguish the recent fires in Israel. He referred to the attacks on Israel and the current situation in the country and the region, stressing the need for international efforts on the humanitarian issue of the release of hostages by Hamas. He also congratulated President Christodoulides on Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026. He went on to say that "Cyprus is one of Israel's closest friends",. For his part, the President of the Republic of Cyprus congratulated the President of Israel and the people of Israel on the occasion of Israel's National Day, adding that Cyprus is a reliable and predictable neighbor, working for greater cooperation with other states, but also for the further exploitation of the enormous potential of the region for the benefit of the peoples and states of the Middle East and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. It is worth mentioning that upon his arrival at the Israeli Presidential Palace for his meeting with his Israeli counterpart, the President of Cyprus was confronted by demonstrators supporting Simon Aykout, an Israeli citizen with dual Turkish nationality who is being held in Cyprus for misappropriation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied territories. The Cypriot leader then met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. "I am very happy to welcome President Nikos Christodoulides back to Israel. There is a long friendship between Cyprus and Israel," said the PM. "Our region is in the process of enormous change. Our actions in the war have changed many things on the map of the Middle East, but we are still threatened by radical forces from many directions", he stressed and explained that "one of the ideas we talked about is IMEC - a revolutionary project that we want to establish. I spoke about it with Mr. Modi, the Prime Minister of India, just a few days ago. We want to start a joint discussion with them. We also want to hold a tripartite conference in Israel between Israel, Cyprus and Greece. We have done this over the years, we want to renew it as soon as possible, and that is one of the things we will do". Regarding the trade routes, of course we and the whole world are threatened by the Houthis, PM Netanyahu underlined, "including the evil attack they carried out today near Ben-Gurion Airport. We will not tolerate this, we will take very strong counter-action against them, and we will always remember that they acted on the instructions and with the support of their patron - Iran". And added that Israel "will do what needs to be done to ensure our security, to respond effectively, and to send a proper warning to Iran that we cannot tolerate such a thing." Speaking to TPS-IL The Press Service of Israel, the Cypriot President said he would convey one message to both sides. That, regardless of any differences in approach, issues such as hostages and humanitarian aid must be kept outside the strict political framework. We have some ideas, some suggestions on how to move forward and that will be the focus of my contacts, he added. With regard to his statement that Cyprus could become a bridge between Israelis and Palestinians, President Christodoulides recalled that Cyprus had already served as a bridge in the past, with the Amalthea Plan for Gaza. President Christodoulides emphasized that Cyprus is a country that maintains close relations with all its neighbors while also being a member of the European Union, and that in the first half of 2026 it will assume the Presidency of the European Union. I am confident, said the President of Cyprus, that with the ideas we will put on the table, if the necessary will is present, we can achieve positive developments on humanitarian issues in this undoubtedly negative environment in the region. Nikos Christodoulides noted that there are currently 110 flights a week between the two countries. This is by far the highest number of flights from any country to Cyprus, he explained. The President's first meeting upon his arrival in Jerusalem was with relatives of hostages in Gaza. He stressed that no parent or any family member should have to endure the ordeal that the families of the hostages have been subjected to for the past 576 days, waiting to learn the fate of their loved ones and their return. Cypriots know this in their hearts, he said, recalling the cases of more than a thousand people missing since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974. All remaining hostages must be released immediately, he stressed. (ANI/TPS) Moscow [Russia], May 4 (ANI/WAM): Liutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, attended the international symposium organised by the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities in cooperation with the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities and the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The symposium was held in the Russian capital, Moscow, at the Grand Mosque Centre under the title "The Role of the Family in Empowering Society." The symposium was attended by Sheikh Rawi Gainuddin, Grand Mufti of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia. Sheikh Saif also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities and the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia regarding the inauguration of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Moscow. This Emirati initiative promotes cultural convergence between peoples and promotes the values of tolerance, love, peaceful coexistence, and respect for others. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, and several officials from both the UAE and Russia were also present. The symposium, which was attended by experts and specialists from the UAE and Russia, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Arab and Islamic countries, academics, religious figures, thinkers, and speakers from the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia, addressed a number of topics and themes that emphasized the importance of the family as the foundation of societies, the source of societal security, and the first line of defense for members of society. It instills human values and works to preserve the identity and foundation of societies, ensuring societal safety and security. The workshop was attended by a group of religious leaders from various religions, in addition to a number of thinkers and social experts, with the aim of promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation regarding family protection and strengthening societal cohesion. The symposium also focused on the importance of religious values in preserving the family structure and its pivotal role in instilling the principles of understanding, compassion, and shared responsibility. It also discussed the most prominent contemporary challenges facing the family, including family disintegration, modern cultural influences, and the technological and social challenges that have affected the concepts of parenting and family relationships. The symposium was part of efforts to enhance the shared role of religions in building stable and cohesive societies, highlighting the family as the nucleus of society and a bridge between generations and cultures, while also promoting the values of tolerance and human fraternity and strengthening community ties. Then, Sheikh Saif toured the exhibition held at the Moscow Grand Mosque under the title "Minarets of the Two Capitals." The exhibition, jointly organised by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre and the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia, aims to strengthen cultural and religious relations between the two friendly countries and highlight the Centre's distinguished role as a global symbol of tolerance and peace. The exhibition includes professional photographs of the architectural and artistic creations of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which reveal the depth of Islamic culture, in addition to a mobile library containing publications from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. The exhibition was attended by Yousef Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and a number of Emirati and Russian officials. Sheikh Saif also toured the Moscow Grand Mosque, also known as the Moscow Mosque, an architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Russian capital and the largest in Europe. He was briefed on the mosque's history, the decorations and inscriptions that adorn its walls, and the value and role of this mosque and its facilities in promoting cultural convergence and promoting the principles of interfaith dialogue within the religious and cultural events it hosts. This mosque has been supported by the UAE since its reconstruction and opening in 2015, in addition to funding the humanitarian and charitable projects it organises. (ANI/WAM) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, held a productive meeting in Brussels on May 2 with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of the Flanders region Matthias Diependaele to strengthen the Indo-Belgian partnership across trade, technology, investment, and innovation. According to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry release, this engagement follows HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium's March 2025 visit to India, during which her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the shared ambition to unlock new avenues for collaboration in trade, technology, defence, agriculture, life sciences, innovation, skilling, and academic exchanges. The over 300-member Belgian Economic Mission, led by Princess Astrid, infused fresh momentum into this dynamic bilateral relationship. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building on this momentum to forge resilient, future-focused ties that enhance mutual growth and contribute to a more integrated global economic framework, per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The discussions highlighted growing economic synergies and focused on scaling bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals. The Flanders region, recognised as Belgium's economic engine, was highlighted as a critical partner with its advanced manufacturing ecosystem, R&D infrastructure, and its strategic role as a European gateway, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said. With India already the world's fastest-growing major economy and widely expected to remain so over the next two decades ahead--driven by a young, aspirational population and a dynamic reform-oriented environment--the growth story presents an unprecedented opportunity for India and Belgium. The two sides reaffirmed their shared vision of mutual prosperity and resilient economic cooperation amidst evolving global challenges. Minister Goyal reflected on India's transformative economic journey over the past decade, emphasising reforms that have empowered citizens and entrepreneurs alike. "The last eleven years have not only been about economic upliftment, but about enabling aspirations," he stated. The meeting also reviewed progress in EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with both parties recognising the need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access. Minister Goyal reiterated India's position as a trusted and long-term economic partner for Europe's growth, remarking, "India is not just a market of the future--it is a collaborator of trust." Belgium remains one of India's most significant economic partners in Europe. It is India's fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching USD 15.07 billion in 2023-24. Belgian FDI in India totalled USD 3.94 billion from April 2000 to September 2024, including a remarkable 39 per cent growth--USD 1.1 billion--in the past year alone. Bilateral cooperation spans a wide array of sectors, including defence manufacturing, green hydrogen, nano-electronics, nuclear medicine, and pharmaceutical R&D, reflecting the expanding depth and strategic nature of the Indo-Belgian economic relationship. Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level engagements and facilitate regular visits by business delegations to accelerate trade and investment outcomes. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (MOI) reaffirmed its request for transparency in lawmakers' travel to China, announcing that it had formally notified the Legislative Yuan on April 24 to designate a representative responsible for uploading legislators' China-bound travel itineraries to a newly established ministry Web site, Taipei Times reported. The notice follows the ministry's earlier launch, on April 17, of an online platform created to allow religious, civic, and public organisations to register trips to China. The MOI said the purpose of the system is to offer better support to Taiwanese groups and individuals in the event of any trouble during their travels. The same mechanism, it said, could be used by the legislature to record lawmakers' travel details. Emphasising the importance of accountability, the ministry stated that "democratically elected officials have been granted power by the public and should make the itineraries of their trips to China transparent." However, the directive has drawn sharp criticism from several lawmakers in the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). Legislator Fu Kun-chi denounced the move as unconstitutional, calling it an infringement on the freedom of movement, which he said is guaranteed by the Constitution. He also said the legislature "would not aid and abet irrational measures issued by an autocratic administration," reported Taipei times. KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen echoed the criticism, stating that the MOI has no jurisdiction over the Legislative Yuan and that it is entirely up to individual legislators to decide whether to share their travel information. She added that the idea of the ministry attempting to regulate lawmakers' destinations was fundamentally flawed, as the legislature provides oversight of the MOI, not the other way around. "I post about my travels on Facebook," she said, "and the ministry is welcome to look at my page to know about my whereabouts." Fellow KMT lawmaker Wu Tsung-hsien argued that the policy served partisan interests, claiming it politically benefited the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rather than addressing national security. He suggested the DPP focus on alleged internal espionage cases involving its own members, including a former aide to then foreign minister Joseph Wu, Taipei Times reported. On the other hand, DPP Legislator Michelle Lin said Taiwan continues to uphold freedom of movement, and clarified that registration does not restrict anyone from making the trip. DPP Legislator Chiu Chih-wei added that lawmakers should not be visiting the nation's "enemy" so frequently, referencing a 2023 KMT delegation to China led by Fu. (ANI) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is subsidising religious pilgrimages for Taiwanese temple-goers as part of its broader "united front" efforts, a Taiwanese intelligence official said on Sunday, as per reports by Taipei Times. According to the official, the CCP is providing financial incentives for individuals to travel to China for religious events, offering subsidies to borough wardens and temple heads who recruit participants. The intelligence source revealed that the CCP is either partially or fully covering the costs of Taiwanese citizens' travel to China for major religious gatherings. One recent example cited was a pilgrimage organised to Fujian Province to celebrate the 1,065th birthday of the sea goddess Matsu, a deity widely venerated in Taiwan. The source said the initiative targets some of Taiwan's most prominent temples, with travel expenses largely covered except for airfare, which is usually paid by participants themselves. Once in China, attendees receive full hospitality, with local officials, including those from the Taiwan Affairs Office, often addressing the groups, reported Taipei Times. "The CCP pays NTD 1,000 per person recruited by temple and borough heads to attend these events. If they manage to sign up 100 people or more, that rate doubles," they said. As per the report, the campaign is designed to encourage mass participation and to strengthen people-to-people cultural ties between Taiwan and China, a source was quoted as saying. "Temple-goers have also been invited to visit cultural sites in China to 'promote a language, ancestry and cultural roots shared between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,'" the source said. While some borough wardens view the subsidised visits as free travel opportunities, others reportedly attempt to avoid the appearance of organised leadership. "Some borough wardens... meet up with the group later in China to create the impression that they are travelling separately," the source noted. Officials have documented examples of such trips involving both large and small temples across Taiwan, including in Miaoli and rural Tainan, the Taipei Times reported. "Accepting CCP-funded hospitality does not align with the norms of legitimate exchanges," the source said. (ANI) https://x.com/indiandiplomacy/status/1918971081748074976?s=46 In a post on X, the official account for India's Public Diplomacy, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), shared the glimpses, stating, "Strengthening people-to-people ties & promoting cultural understanding. During the Banquet hosted by PM Narendra Modi for Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco in Hyderabad House, a medley of Angolan Zimbho songs and Indian music was played, highlighting the fraternal ties between the two countries." The banquet, held as part of President Lourenco's ongoing state visit to India, reflected the mutual appreciation and cultural diplomacy that underpins the India-Angola relationship. The event brought together dignitaries and senior officials from both nations, aiming to reinforce bilateral ties across sectors. Earlier, Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda on Sunday met with the President of Angola, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco. Angolan President Lourenco, during his state visit to India, emphasised a renewed vision for India-Angola ties, calling for a deeper economic partnership. Lourenco, on Saturday, received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar and others were also present. Lourenco also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat by laying a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. The Angolan President also signed the visitors' book after laying a wreath, paying homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. During the visit, both countries also discussed the upcoming 4th India-Africa Forum Summit. Angola, as chair of the African Union, assured India of its commitment to facilitate the summit and work with other African leaders to finalise mutually convenient dates. (ANI) Taiwan is weighing stricter controls on travel to China by legislators and elected officials, potentially requiring prior approval to prevent infiltration efforts by Beijing, a national security official said on Saturday, Taipei Times reported. The move comes amid growing concerns over the exposure of sensitive information through unofficial or undocumented exchanges during such visits. President William Lai, in March, had unveiled a package of 17 countermeasures targeting Chinese infiltration, with a focus on ensuring transparency in the travel of civil servants to China. The measures aim to make officials publicly accountable for their cross-strait movements and limit opportunities for covert influence operations. According to the official, the government is considering amending the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and Mainland Area to standardise travel regulations across all levels of public service. The proposed changes would apply to military personnel, civil servants, borough wardens, elected officials, and lawmakers, reported Taipei Times. "As these people exercise public authority, they are prime targets of Chinese infiltration, and their trips to China should be open and transparent," the official said. "The Legislative Yuan is a national security loophole," they said, pointing out that lawmakers currently are not obligated to seek approval for China trips despite having access to sensitive national information. Moreover, the legislature does not disclose which of its members handle classified data, unlike other government agencies that follow strict security reporting protocols. Under the proposed system, travel oversight would be implemented through a tiered approach. "Grassroots civil servants would not be required to obtain permission to travel to China, but would have to publicly disclose their travel," the official said. In contrast, individuals with access to classified information would face tighter scrutiny, with some cases requiring joint reviews and formal approvals, Taipei Times reported. Although lower-level public servants may not handle sensitive material, they remain potential infiltration targets, the official added. Once revisions to the law are in place, a complete set of supporting measures will be rolled out to ensure consistent enforcement and oversight. (ANI) Lynchburg Ward I Councilwoman Jacqueline Timmer has proposed a partnership with a private entity that could lead to the privatization of the Miller Park Pool, the only public pool in the city. Timmer toured the Miller Park Pool complex Friday afternoon with officials from the YMCA of Central Virginia and Lynchburg City Manager Wynter Benda to discuss a potential partnership with the YMCA. The news media was not allowed to join officials on the tour of the pool facility. As part of a possible partnership, Timmer said the YMCA would take ownership of the pool as long as it would continue to allow public access. She said she began exploring a possible partnership in late March. Its important that we explore all options on the table, Timmer said in a statement Friday. Since the city released its five-year capital improvement program earlier this year, some Republicans on city council have expressed opposition to plans to spend millions on upgrades to the pool and the main branch of the Lynchburg Public Library. In its capital improvement program, Lynchburg proposed spending $10.4 million on improvements to the pool complex and $12.5 million on renovations to the library, which has seen few upgrades since it opened in 1984. Rather than spend more than $10 million by ripping out the existing pool and starting over, Im building off Mr. Faraldis idea to pursue private ownership as long as any agreement with the YMCA requires continuing public access to the pool, Timmer said in reference to Ward IV Councilman and fellow Republican Chris Faraldi. At its facilities in the region, the YMCA offers memberships for youth, families, adults, adult couples, older adults and older adult couples. Daily fees to the Miller Park Pool are $3 per person, with 10-day passes offered for $25. Its unclear whether the YMCA would require memberships to Miller Park Pool, or if the rates would stay the same, if it took ownership of the pool. Thomas Vaughan, vice president of the YMCA of Central Virginia, said he does not know what will come from the discussions with Timmer. But we believe its worth exploring how we might partner with the city of Lynchburg to better serve our community together, he said in a statement. In comments to the news media, Timmer said, Theres been a lot of conversations about how things are going to work out in the capital improvement project during this budget cycle, and one of those focuses has been Miller Park Pool. Timmer said the pool is an amazing asset to the community, and the Y and I are exploring private options to keep the pool open to the residents of Lynchburg. But Timmer also said she is in support of lowering the current tax rate to the equalized rate of 76.7 cents per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2026, which could lead to funding for pool upgrades getting cut from the budget. In his proposed budget, Benda proposed keeping the tax rate at 89 cents. The equalized rate is the rate at which taxes would need to be set to ensure that on a collective basis when taking into account residential, commercial and industrial properties the amount of real estate taxes collected by Lynchburg does not go up from the previous year. In response to Timmers plan, Ward II Councilman Sterling Wilder, the only Democrat on council, told The News & Advance that he appreciates when local organizations partner with the city on projects because it makes the city stronger. But Wilder wondered if the YMCA is going to give $10 million to redo a pool that has passed its useful life. The YMCA is in the process of a Fund Development Campaign to renovate its downtown facility, Wilder said. It must be going really well to take on another $10 million project. Vaughan said he and his colleagues at the YMCA have been watching the budget debate on city council and that the YMCAs goal is not to raise taxes or to put any extra burden on the citizens. We want to make sure the pool stays and that the community has access to it, he said. As far as who will own the pool under Timmers plan, Vaughan said thats not part of the discussion right now. Vaughan said he decided to tour the pool to see what it would take for the YMCA to upgrade it and ensure it remains safe to use. Timmer said the next step after Fridays tour of the pool will be a discussion with the YMCA about the terms of a potential partnership. Benda declined to comment on Timmers proposal for the Miller Park Pool. Other city staff who took part in the tour were Assistant City Manager Kent White and Parks and Recreation Director Wyatt Woody. TOKYO, May 04 (News On Japan) - The development of autonomous driving technology is entering a new phase, driven by advances in generative AI. A white vehicle seen driving through central Tokyo without a driver was recently unveiled as Japan's first public demonstration by Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet. The event marked a turning point, as startups and major players alike accelerate efforts toward what is being called "Autonomous Driving 2.0"a new stage powered by AI. Waymo, which began its self-driving taxi service in Arizona, is now expanding to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. In San Francisco, the service is gaining popularity even among visiting Japanese businesspeople, becoming something of an attraction. On May 3rd, Waymo and Toyota Motor announced a basic agreement to jointly develop autonomous driving technologies. This marks a shift in attitude by Toyota, which had previously been wary of Google's data-collecting capabilities. The move suggests that Toyota is taking autonomous driving more seriously. Interest in this field is also growing among AI researchers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a prominent figure in AI development, has repeatedly stated that autonomous driving is the next major frontier after generative AI. The term "Autonomous Driving 2.0" reflects growing recognition that the previous model, "1.0," had reached its limits. Although research began more than a decade agoGoogles efforts date back to 2013the technology remains limited to specific urban areas, with little progress in making it widely available in consumer vehicles. Despite investments exceeding 100 billion dollars (about 14 trillion yen), widespread adoption has not yet materialized. One reason is that training systems using real-world driving data struggles to handle rare or unexpected scenarios. In contrast, Autonomous Driving 2.0 introduces a major structural shift. The older 1.0 systems separated recognition, decision-making, and control into distinct AI modules. The new model consolidates all of these functions into a single large-scale AI system. This simplification not only makes development and updates easier but also enhances performance. The concept is similar to how ChatGPT integrates various data inputstext, images, and audioto draw conclusions. That same architecture is now being applied to vehicles. The emergence of generative AI has created favorable tailwinds for this approach. Among the key players leading this shift is Tesla. The company recently announced that it would procure over 3 billion dollars worth of advanced semiconductors from Nvidia, which serve as the brain of these next-generation systems. Source: BIZ NAGOYA, May 04 (News On Japan) - Kazuhiko Matsumoto, a 70-year-old man on death row for killing two men in the Philippines for insurance money, has died of natural causes. Matsumoto was convicted of murdering two men in Manila between 1994 and 1995 to collect life insurance payouts. His death sentence was finalized after trial proceedings confirmed his involvement in the crimes. While receiving treatment for pneumonia, Matsumoto died of old age on May 1st. Between 1994 and 1995, Matsumoto, along with his twin brother Akihiro and other accomplices, conspired to murder two male acquaintances in Manila. One of the victims was from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and had taken out a substantial insurance policy on his home prior to the incident. The motive behind these crimes was to fraudulently claim life insurance benefits. Following his arrest and trial, Matsumoto's death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007, solidifying his position on death row. His twin brother, Akihiro, who was also sentenced to death for his role in the murders, died of illness in 2016 while awaiting execution. Matsumoto had been detained at the Nagoya Detention House and was hospitalized since November 2024 for pneumonia and other health issues. He passed away on May 1, 2025, due to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood. With his death, the number of inmates on death row in Japan decreased to 106. Source: FNN Evelsizer said the bears began to reside in the driftless region of the two states, which is why some have wandered into Iowa. Its interesting that this is actually going on in our modern world, Evelsizer said. After so many years the book is still being written. Black bear visits in past years have mostly consisted of males crossing over during mating season and then looping back up to Wisconsin or Minnesota. Evelsizer said the handful of black bears that stuck around this year through Iowas winter have already emerged from their winter torpor. Evelsizer said overwintering females would be the next step toward an established breeding population in Iowa. Iowa is still dealing with individual bears at this point, with an average of about five bear sightings a year and eight sightings last year. My hunch is that theyre more adaptive than we think, and that we may see more than we thought we ever would, Evelsizer said. A slew of business organizations, as well as AARP and several former members of the Iowa Utilities Commission, are opposing an energy bill proposed by the governor, because they say it would negatively affect Iowa ratepayers. In addition to granting existing utilities the right of first refusal to new transmission projects, House File 834 and Senate File 585 expand the projects that can pursue ratemaking principles and set rules for utility resource planning. Opponents argue these elements of the bills would give big utilities a carte-blanche to add more capital investments in the state regardless of impact to ratepaying Iowans. Utility companies MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy are in favor of the bill and disagreed with the assertions that it would not benefit ratepayers. The policies in the bill allow us to deliver on our promise to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy when our customers need it, a spokesperson for MidAmerican said in a statement. Five former members of the Iowa Utilities Commission, or the Iowa Utilities Board as it was formerly titled, penned a letter to lawmakers and urged them to pause the current legislation. The letter said the bill has potential to shift the risk/benefit ratemaking balance away from ratepayers and towards investors. Ratemaking In the early 2000s, Iowa authorized ratemaking principles to account for the added risk of investments into alternative energy sources, like wind and solar, which were new at the time. Under advance ratemaking principles, the IUC preauthorizes the costs that can be recovered from eligible facilities to address uncertainty from rate-regulated utilities towards certain generation facilities. These principles, according to the letter from former IUC members, freed regulators from traditional ratemaking principles and granted them premium returns on equity at levels that ranged between 1% to 2% above the national average. The bill would expand the projects eligible for these ratemaking principles with the intent of attracting energy storage and nuclear electric power generation facilities in the state. With these changes, Iowa ratepayers could be paying some of the highest (return on equities) in the country for another round of very large utility investments, the letter read. The former IUC members cited a report completed by an outside firm in 2023, per requests of the Iowa Legislature, to review Iowa utility ratemaking laws and procedures. The study found that rate-regulated utilities can receive advanced ratemaking approval with relative ease and that the IUC had limited ability to determine whether an asset would truly benefit the electric system and the ratepayers that pay for it. It also said precedent around advanced ratemaking facilitates infrastructure build-up without thorough assessment by the IU(C) The former IUC members said they commend legislators for taking ratemaking reform seriously but they recommend pausing the current legislation or amending the bill, to better address the issue in a way that protects ratepayers. Geoff Greenwood, media relations manager for MidAmerican, said the letter ignores that the returns can only be approved if they are found to be in the publics interest. MidAmericans track record over the past two decades proves that the policies in the bill allow us to deliver on our promise to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy when our customers need it, Greenwood said in a statement. He said returns on equity are approved after a robust process in the IUC with input from the Office of the Consumer Advocate and customers. Greenwood said the returns are not premium because they reflect the cost and risk of long-term investments as they are applied to the 30- to 40-year lifespan of a facility. Latest figures from MidAmerican point to average utility rates in Iowa that are 44% below the national average. The use of non-traditional advance ratemaking principles is exactly what has made Iowa exceptional and resulted in some of the lowest electricity rates in the country, Greenwood said. He said MidAmerican additionally uses a method of revenue sharing that allows the company to use revenue, beyond a certain level of return, to pay off company generating facilities so that customers wont bear those costs in the future. This customer-first mechanism incentivizes MidAmerican to better manage its operations and, when that happens, customers benefit, Greenwood said in the statement. The bill would also remove the requirement that projects are a baseload electric power generating facility, or one that essentially operates at all times, and lowers the generating capacity of the facility from at least 300 megawatts to 40 megawatts. Bob Rafferty, with Iowa Businesses for Clean Energy which is one of the groups opposed to the bill, said these changes would allow companies to seek higher ratemaking principles on projects like gas peaker plants. Per MidAmerican documents, a newly proposed $600 million peaker plant project would operate when demand is high, or peaking, and is expected to operate less than 10% of the year. A fact sheet on the plants say they are a key addition to the companys all-of-the-above generation strategy to meet the expected increased demand of the next 20 years. But Rafferty said utility companies have an incentive to build more capital assets, like generating stations and transmission lines, because they can profit from them. He said its important to make sure the system doesnt allow a company to determine how many capital assets they need to build, as he alleges the bill would do. Resource planning Opponents are also worried about a line in the bill that says utilities should submit resource plans to the IUC that reflect the circumstances and management judgment of an electric utility. Rafferty said this means an investor-owned utility would have to create its resource plans in line with what would benefit its shareholders, rather than ratepayers. Iowa is currently one of a handful of states that does not require an integrated resource plan, defined by Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance as an examination of energy supply, demand and potential risks to meeting demand at a reasonable cost. Gov. Kim Reynolds energy plan for the state, on which the bill is based, notes the need for integrated resource planning, or IRP, to comprehensively look at what energy sources will be needed for further growth in the state. Current law requires utilities to submit energy efficiency plans every five years, with five- or 20-year energy needs forecasts. Rafferty said when a utility proposes an investment be considered for ratemaking principles, the utilities commission doesnt get the big picture of the projects impact on the state without an IRP. What the IRP should do is require it to be in the ratepayers best interest, and the Iowa Utility Commission needs to be empowered to make sure that that is, in fact, the case, he said. Under the bill, the Iowa Utilities Commission may make recommendations to the utilities on the resource plan, and the company must make a good faith effort to inform and include suggestions from the commissioners, consumer advocate and stakeholders. The legislation, as its currently constructed would give the utilities a carte blanche to make any investment that they want and to earn a premium return on equity, Rafferty said. Rafferty as part of Iowa Businesses for Clean Energy, has banded with lobbyists from Iowa Business Energy Coalition, AARP, Iowa Economic Alliance, National Federation of Independent Business, Iowa Retail Federation and LSPower in opposition of the bill and to suggest lawmakers either fix it or forget it. An amendment suggested by the bill opponents would make it so that facilities outlined in resource plans are in customers best interests. The proposed amendment would also allow the IUC to approve, reject or modify a resource plan and would greatly expand the ability of stakeholders to participate and weigh in on the plans. The bill, as is, stipulates a resource plan should consider all reasonable resources and should include adequate, cost-effective, and reliable energy service considering costs, fuel diversity, and probable future demand for energy. Rafferty said legislators need to think of utility rates like they think about taxes for Iowans. Their vote will determine whether taxes go up, or taxes dont go up, he said. A spokesperson from Alliant Energy said the bill will strengthen and help grow Iowa communities to meet the states future energy needs. We commend Governor Reynolds for leading on energy policy that promotes an all-the-above energy strategy, enhances customer transparency and participation for generation planning and is focused on driving economic development in this state, the spokesperson said in an email. Greenwood with MidAmerican said the bill is important in updating Iowas policies that have been effective for customers for decades and will keep the state from falling behind other states. Simply put, Iowas energy policy as it is currently as well as the bills proposed updates works for Iowans, Greenwood said. Lawmakers noted during House hearings in early February the bill would have some amendments before it would be ready for floor debate. As legislators close out the 110th day of session, the bill remains stuck in a Senate appropriations committee and a House subcommittee. House Speaker Pat Grassley said Thursday to reporters that the caucus is focusing on the budget before taking up significant pieces of policy. When asked specifically about right of first refusal and the energy bill as a whole, the Republican leader said its still pretty divided among representatives. King Mohammed VI was represented at the investiture ceremony of President-elect of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami. During the ceremony, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was sworn in as President of Gabon for a seven-year term. The investiture ceremony took place in Libreville Saturday in the presence of several heads of state and government, speakers of parliaments, representatives of international organizations and foreign delegations. King Mohammed VI had sent a message of congratulations to Oligui Nguema on his election to his countrys supreme office. In this message, the Monarch had assured the President-elect of Moroccos readiness to continue its determined work with Gabon to strengthen the special ties existing between the two countries and expand the scope of bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest. The Monarch had pointed out that Morocco and Gabon offer a model of fruitful, lasting and solidarity-based South-South and inter-African cooperation, and that the two peoples are united by a rich and deep friendship. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema won the April 12 presidential election with a landslide majority of 94.85% of votes. Young Socialist and Social Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for Moroccos territorial integrity and the autonomy initiative as the only basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political situation to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. The supportive stand was expressed in the Final declaration adopted by the third International Forum of Young Socialist and Social Democratic Parliamentarians, held May 2 3 in Marrakech. We support the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which we regard as serious, credible, and realistic, and as the only basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, highlighted the participating young MPs. Any solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue must be in full respect of Moroccos sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressed the young parliamentarians from the four corners of the globe. The Forum also expressed its support to the Atlantic Initiatives, led King Mohammed VI, considering these initiatives as a model for regional integration and cooperation since they aim to make the Atlantic a space for cooperation among African countries and to guarantee strategic access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel states. The participants also reaffirmed the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening multidimensional ties between peoples and in deepening South-South economic cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development. They called for an increase in regional integration initiatives, particularly between Africa and Latin America, with a focus on solidarity, and sustainable development for the countries of the Global South. The Final Declaration also stressed the need to rethink the multilateral system in order to ensure a just and lasting global peace, and reaffirmed the attachment to fundamental human rights, gender equality, as well as freedom of expression, opinion and association. The Forum reiterated the commitment of young socialist and social democratic parliamentarians to fighting all forms of discrimination and oppression, to defending the values of democracy, solidarity and social justice and to working toward peace, security and stability across the world. They also reaffirmed the necessity of recognizing the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as a prerequisite for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East. The international forum, attended by over 120 parliamentarians from 35 countries, provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas, suggestions and experiences capable of improving political practice in their respective countries. It was also an opportunity to stress the imperative of preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of States. Princess Lalla Hasnaa, President of the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, visited, in Baku on Sunday, the International Carpet Festival in Azerbaijan, which celebrates the wealthy cultural heritage of this West Asian country and honors master craftsmen and their ancestral skills. The International Carpet Festival, held in the historic setting of the ancient city of Icherisheher, celebrates one of the most emblematic arts of Azerbaijani identity: the traditional art of carpet weaving, which was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Guest of Honor at the Festival, was greeted upon arrival, by Emin Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of Azerkhalcha, an establishment dedicated to preserving and promoting Azerbaijani carpet-weaving, and Rufat Mahmud, Mayor of the ancient city of Icherisheher, in the presence of Moroccos Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohamed Adil Embarch, and the General Manager of la Maison de lArtisan, Tarik Sadik. Princess Lalla Hasnaa toured the pavilions of countries participating in the Festival, namely Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Tatarstan. She also visited the Azerbaijan Center for Traditional Arts, dedicated to the preservation and development of Azerbaijans traditional arts and crafts, through the training of talented and creative young artist-craftsmen in trades such as ceramics, batik design, jewelry, and woodcarving. She got informed about the various stages in the weaving and processing of Azerbaijani carpets, then followed the weaving of carpets representing the various regions of this West Asian country, distinguished by their great variety, weaving method and composition, the geometric figures used, the colors and ornamentation harmonization, and particular details of each pattern. Princess Lalla Hasnaa then followed explanations, presented by designer Narjis Asgarova, on the Zaman (Time) digital exhibition, aimed at promoting Azerbaijani culture in a modern style, by bringing to life the architecture of the ancient Icherisheher and the rich ornamental motifs of the local carpets. The digital exhibition, which invites the public to a journey through time, is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the inscription of Icherishehers monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the 15th anniversary of the inscription of the traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving on the UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Azerbaijan International Carpet Festival, featuring exhibitions, interactive experiences, and educational programs, is a tribute to master craftsmen, the true repositories of precious know-how handed down from generation to generation. It also aims to perpetuate ancestral traditions that occupy a crucial place in Azerbaijans cultural and artistic landscape. Algeria will have to further tighten the belt as barrel prices drop to below $60, boding ill for its export, fiscal deficit, and social peace. Algeria has based its 2025 budget on a barrel price of $70, with over 90% of the countrys economy dependent on oil, gas and byproduct exports. International risk consultancies are warning of a decline in the Algerian economy, as the government adopts an expansive budget to sustain its lavish subsidies policy, coupled with import cuts to keep foreign reserves from outflowing. Algeria has increased its budget spending in 2025 to a record $128 billion with an expected fiscal deficit of $62 billion, which is equivalent to 19.8% of GDP. The backbone of the countrys economy, Sonatrach, which runs oil and gas, is grappling with prospects of falling production together with decreasing prices. The long-term outlook is challenging, with production declines anticipated from 2027 onwards. By 2034, total oil production is expected to decrease to 1.18mn b/d, Fitch Solutions recently said in an analysis. This decline is due to lack of new projects and aging fields as investors shun Algerias unfriendly business climate. Falling domestic production is coupled with the global energy transition which would affect demand on Algerian gas and oil, with prospects of further falling prices. Algerias export revenues are at risk due to declining production, uncertain European markets, and new refining projects potentially diverting crude for domestic use, challenging future export volumes amid global shifts towards lower-carbon energy sources, according to Fitch Solutions. Brazilian police say they thwarted bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga concert on Rio's Copacabana beach on Saturday. https://t.co/KT7Hvcpy89 BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) May 4, 2025 Brazilian police arrested four members of a hate group planning to bomb a Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro on May 2, 2025. Police said the group that planned the attack had been spreading hate speech, mainly against children, adolescents and the LGBTQ+ community. In a massive security operation, 5,000 officers were deployed and attendees had to pass through metal detectors. This is a story of a shooter and a scoop. The shooter had Omahans terror-stricken for a week. When he finally was apprehended, a sly World-Herald city editor successfully schemed to keep the news from the citys two other daily newspapers. Valentines Day, 1926. A Sunday night. In the block north of the First Methodist Church at 20th and Davenport Streets, the body of William L. McDevitt, a bullet hole through the head, was found on the sidewalk. The slaying stumped police. McDevitt was a bottle washer at Roberts Dairy, unmarried. Not extroverted enough, his brother said, to have created an enemy. Nor was robbery thought as the motive. McDevitts wallet, containing $49.36, was found in a pocket undisturbed. Monday, Feb. 15. Police continued to maintain McDevitt was shot by an assassin and not by a stray bullet. A second bullet, also from a .22-caliber automatic pistol, was found in a 20th Street house across from Central High. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Two more shots from a .22 reported. Police became convinced last night that somewhere in Omaha a madman is at large, armed with a .22-caliber rifle or automatic pistol, and with a mania for killing under cover at night, The World-Herald reported the following morning. A .22-caliber bullet went through the store window of the Thompson drugstore at 20th and Cass Streets, just missing clerk Esther Mauthe near the cigar counter. Earlier in the day, a man said he had been shot at two weeks before when he was trying to crank his car parked on Capitol Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Wednesday, Feb. 17. McDevitts funeral was held at St. Johns Church on the Creighton campus. The Central High neighborhood was on edge, streets deserted in the evening and window shades pulled. The Central police station received more than a dozen calls from edgy people imagining they saw the killer in shadowy places. The Omaha Evening Bee called the shooter a rifle maniac. At a choir practice at First Methodist, only 10 of the 50 members showed up. Eight women students of St. Marys college huddled together after they heard two shots outside their residence at 19th and Davenport Streets. Thursday, Feb. 18. Another unexplainable slaying, that of Dr. Austin D. Searles. The physician, who had practiced medicine in town for 40 years, was found in his locked second-floor office at 1302 Douglas St. Shot in the head. The World-Herald, besieged like the police were with calls full of rumors, put up a $250 reward to the person who provided the first information as to the identity of the shooter that led to his (or her) capture and conviction. The Omaha Bee put up a $500 reward. Police assigned 18 detectives to the case. That night, imaginations ran rampant. In the next evenings World-Herald: From the windswept length of Ames Avenue to Q Street, almost every section of the city reported at least one death at the hands of the maniacal killer between the hours of noon and midnight. The killer no doubt labors under our mania to kill, but his wasnt the only mania running loose in the city Thursday night. At least 20 deaths were phoned in hysterically to police and a score more to newspaper offices by hysterical people. It was a night at home for the greater portion of Omahas population Thursday night. Curtains all over the city were drawn as soon as dusk, and the streets were as much deserted as during the last bad blizzard. Every time an automobile backfired on any street from the northern limits of Florence to the Sarpy County line police got a report that rifle shots had been heard. Omaha truly was the city with 100,000 rumors. Friday, Feb. 19. A third shooting. Ross Johnston, special agent for the Wabash railroad only six weeks, was shot in the Council Bluffs railyard early Friday night. Hit from behind by four .22-caliber bullets, he survived. Saturday, Feb. 20. Johnston gave police a description of the shooter: The man was about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He was heavy-set. He wore a leather jacket. And finally, He was using an automatic pistol with a silencer on it. That Ill swear. Sunday, Feb. 21. Nothing merited blaring front-page banner headlines in the next days morning papers. The World-Herald updated Johnstons condition in a one-paragraph blurb at the bottom of Page 1. Monday, Feb. 22. The shooter is captured shortly before noon as he walked the Burlington tracks five miles north of Bartlett, Iowa, about 30 miles southeast of Omaha. C.C. Bruce, a railroad section foreman, spotted the shooter and ran into Bartlett to get lawmen. The shooter was captured and confessed. The scoop was The World-Heralds. It could not have been done without George Washington and a completely satisfactory day, related Ben Sylvester, the city editor, in 1960. The city desk phone rang about noon. A voice said, We have got your sniper. The caller was Bruce. The prisoner admitted everything. A rewrite man took enough for an extra then gave the phone to a colleague to continue. Unhappily the connection was broken, but ever so happily reestablished. Bruce was promised $25 if the line were kept open and the telephone company took precautions against interruptions. For the next hour our man alternated in getting the story from Bruce and (the shooter), whom he brought to the phone. Since the opposition probably was on the way to Bartlett, the telephone interview ended and (the shooter) was taken to Pacific Junction where we took pictures. The Pottawattamie County sheriff arrived and set out for Council Bluffs with the prisoner. About halfway the cars of the Bee and the News came from the other direction, but since they were going about 60 miles an hour, they didnt get turned around in time to catch up. The sheriff and Omaha police talked to (the shooter) until 9 p.m. when the opposition got to him the first time. Why hadnt they called Bartlett? How did George Washington figure? There were two telephones in Bartlett. One at the railroad station, which we had, the other the bank, which was closed because it was February 22. The World-Herald touted that its extra edition appeared on the streets shortly after 12:30 p.m., 15 newsboys unable to keep up with the demand. About 1:30 p.m., the extras from the Bee and the News appeared and, The World-Herald claimed, used rewritten accounts they lifted from the first World-Herald extra. Robbery had been the shooters motive in the slayings. McDevitt was shot when he began to run. Because Searles had treated the shooter for a venereal disease, the man said he held a grudge and shot at him because the doctor thought him too simple to have a gun and use it. The shots into the drugstore were to throw police off his trail. The shooter shot Johnston from fear that hed be searched and the gun found. A District Court jury found the shooter guilty and sentenced him to Nebraskas electric chair. The shooter spent his last year confessing to 43 unsolved slayings, which authorities discounted. Ill be remembered 150 years after Lindbergh is forgotten, he said two weeks before he was put to death June 24, 1927. Im not proud of killing anybody, except it perpetuates my name. Theyll be telling about me in detective magazines five years from now. Lindbergh has not been forgotten, its been 99 years since the shooter terrorized Omaha and, good reader, you likely never knew his name. There are two reasons I havent mentioned his name. The man didnt deserve to live in infamy. And because the name he gave the authorities, Frank Carter, very well was an alias. Searles, the slain physician, didnt have a Carter listed in his medical records. By State Senator Kim Thatcher, Newsletter excerpt, As we reach the midpoint of the 2025 Oregon State Legislative Session, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the progress made and share updates on a few initiatives that aim to improve the lives of Oregonians. Your engagement and support continue to inspire me as I work to represent Senate District 11. This session has been marked, so far, by collaboration and determination to address pressing issues. Below, I highlight three of my legislative proposals, which are moving through the process: 1. Senate Bill 907 (A-Engrossed): Strengthens rules for licensing marijuana and psilocybin operations in Oregon, ensuring transparency and safety. Key provisions include: Clear Property Details Required: Maintains provision requiring applicants for marijuana growing, or psilocybin or cannabis processing licenses to provide the location and owner of the property used for growing or processing marijuana or psilocybin, aiding in state tracking and regulation for safety and legality. Notarized Signature from Property Owners: Adds requirement that license applicant get notarized statement from property owner, consenting to operations on their property. Fraud prevention measures ensure the true property owner consents, addressing previous cases where non-owners provided signatures. Ownership Verification: Counties confirm property ownership to discourage false claims. License Denial for Violations: Applications are canceled if ownership isnt verified, a notarized signature is missing, or false information is provided. Annual Renewals with Owner Consent: Licenses require annual renewal, and non-owners may need a new notarized signature if consent expires. Owner Flexibility: Property owners can set the duration of consent for these operations, giving them control over their property. Consistent Rules for Marijuana and Psilocybin: The bill applies to recreational / medical marijuana and psilocybin industries alike. 2. House Concurrent Resolution 23 (HCR 23): Commemorates the extraordinary courage of 134 Oregon civilians who endured immense trials on Wake Island during World War II. Contracted by the U.S. Navy to construct a naval base, they stood alongside U.S. Marines, defending the island during a 16-day siege that began just five hours after the Pearl Harbor attack. Following the islands fall, these civilians faced harrowing conditions as prisoners of war, with 31 Oregonians tragically losing their lives. HCR 23 pays tribute to: The Bravery of All 134 Civilians: Recognizing their contributions and sacrifices. The 31 Who Perished: Memorializing individuals like Carl C. Charters and Norman A. Anderson. Their Enduring Legacy: Preserving their story in Oregons history. By adopting this resolution, we honor the unsung courage of these individuals, ensuring their legacy endures. Heartfelt gratitude to Bonita Gilbert, author of Building for War, and Retired Lt. Colonel Dick Tobiason for their dedication in illuminating this story and joining us for the passage of HCR 23. 3. Senate Bill 1006: Reinforces the separation of powers and ensures that Oregons three branches of government operate within their designated roles. Key provisions include: Restores Legislative Oversight: For 72 years, Oregon has allowed other branches of government to be able to directly draft and introduce legislation without any legislative member involvement. SB 1006 states that all proposals, regardless of origin, are drafted, introduced and controlled by the Legislative Assembly, preserving the authority of elected legislators. State Agencies Collaborate with Legislators: Agencies and the governors office must work through elected members or committees of the Legislative Assembly to propose laws, ensuring their ideas are vetted by voter-chosen representatives. Clear Identification of Agency Proposals: Any legislation proposed at an agencys request will continue to explicitly state the agencys involvement, promoting transparency in the legislative process. Executive Branch Partners with Legislature: The Governor and other executive officials can suggest laws by partnering with legislators, aligning their priorities with the democratic process. Judicial Branch Follows Same Process: The Judicial Department must channel its legislative proposals through Assembly members or committees, ensuring judicial needs are addressed via elected lawmakers. Encourages Cooperative Dialogue: Agencies, the executive, and judicial branches are incentivized to build relationships with legislators to advance their proposals, fostering collaboration. Background: Since 1953, Legislative Counsel has directly drafted bills for the Executive and Judicial branches and their agencies without Legislative branch oversight. According to a National Conference of State Legislatures (2016 survey), 40 of the 47 states that responded prohibit other government branches or unelected agency officials from requesting bill drafts without legislator sponsorship, with Oregon being the sole exception. In this legislative session, I found hundreds of bills requested directly from Legislative Counsel without involvement from any Legislative Assembly member. Senate Bill 1006 ensures a transparent, cooperative legislative process, keeping power in the hands of the lawmakers elected by the people of Oregon. As we move forward, I urge you to stay engaged in shaping Oregons future. Your input is vital. Please dont hesitate to contact my office with your ideas, questions, or concernsIm here to represent you. Thank you for your ongoing support, In the first few months of Donald Trumps presidency, the administration has issued executive orders, many tied up in the courts, ramping up deportations and canceling programs for immigrants. In the Quad-Cities, Ukrainians who fled an invasion to settle temporarily in eastern Iowa face losing their legal status as soon as May, and an Orion High School teacher is at risk for deportation after the Trump administration attempted to end temporary protected status for Venezuelans. Some St. Ambrose University and Augustana College students also faced uncertainty after their records were temporarily suspended. According to the 2023 American Community Survey five-year estimates of the Quad-Cities metro, an estimated 20,200 people were born outside of the U.S. Thats about 5.4% of the metro areas population of 381,800. Of those born outside the U.S., in the Quad-Cities, about half are naturalized U.S. citizens. The other half are not. The survey doesnt drill down to the types of statuses held by immigrants in the Quad-Cities, but immigrants can legally come to the United States through employment-related visas, student visas, through family members, and through refugee and asylum programs for people fleeing persecution. Once the United States grants a person an immigrant visa or they receive other eligible protections, such as asylum or refugee status, they can apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Once a person reaches a lawful permanent resident status for five years, in most cases, they can apply for U.S. citizenship. The United States also admits some foreign-born people on a temporary basis, such as for students, tourists and temporary workers. These are called non-immigrant visas. The Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus spoke with Chris Strunk, an associate professor of geography and Chair of Latin American Studies at Augustana College, about the immigration system and his research into immigration in the Quad-Cities, and reviewed information from the American Immigration Council to look at the various ways immigrants arrive in the country. Family-based immigration Certain family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible for legal permanent resident status, such as spouses of U.S. citizens, children under 21 years old and parents of U.S. citizens. Additional limited visas are available for other non-immediate family members based on a formula established by Congress for adult children of U.S. citizens, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens and spouses and unmarried children of legal permanent residents. In fiscal year 2022, people on family-based immigrant visas were 58% of all new legal permanent residents in the United States. Temporary employment visas There are more than 20 types of visas for temporary nonimmigrant workers, such as various P visas for athletes, entertainers, and skilled performers; R-1 visas for religious workers; and A visas for diplomatic employees. H-1B visas are perhaps the best-known temporary employment visa. It allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specific occupations that require a bachelors degree. These are usually in science, technology and engineering fields. The United States allows 65,000 H-1B visas annually plus 20,000 more foreign workers who graduate with a masters degree from U.S. universities. In Iowa, 1,557 employees from 268 employers were approved for H-1B visas in the federal fiscal year 2024, according to U.S. Center for Immigration Services statistics. The top employers were the University of Iowa, Rockwell Collins and Iowa State University. In Illinois, 19,906 employees with 2,481 employers were approved during that time. Deere & Co. received 120 approved petitions for H-1B visas. Other Quad-Cities employers who employ people with H-1B visas are St. Ambrose University, MercyOne Genesis, VRK IT Vision and YASH Technologies. "In the political world, we tend to think of immigrants as occupying only kind of low-wage sectors of the economy, and those are really important in the Quad-Cities," Strunk said. "But there also are a lot of highly educated workers that are helping to prop up industries in the Quad-Cities as well. So we see a lot of H-1B visa holders who are coming and working for companies like John Deere. These are software engineers and other folks, oftentimes from South Asia. These are temporary visas. But these are industries where companies like John Deere are not able to find enough native-born workers to work." Refugees and asylum seekers Refugees are admitted to the U.S. when they cant return to their home countries because of a well founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, national origin, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Thats really important because that certainly captures a lot of reasons why people might need to leave a country, but it doesnt capture every particular reason. There are a lot of people 120 million people whove been forcibly displaced worldwide. But not everybody is able to qualify and get refugee status, Strunk said. The intense screening process by the U.S. State Department takes years. Refugees are a group of people who have to go through a lot in order to be resettled and get legal status in the United States, Strunk said. These are folks who have left their home country and apply for refugee status from another country and theyre applying to be resettled in a third country. Every year the president and Congress determine the ceiling for refugee admissions. After 9/11, the number of refugee admissions fell during the Bush administration, then rose during the Obama administration. During the first Trump administration, the refugee ceiling fell to 18,000 in 2020. The Biden administration then raised the ceiling to 62,500. In 2023, a total of 60,000 individuals were admitted to the U.S. as refugees, according to the Office of Homeland Security Statistics. In the Quad-Cities, World Relief contracts with the U.S. Department of State to resettle refugees. In Trumps first week, he signed executive orders pausing the U.S. refugee program, effectively halting more refugee resettlement. The administration also froze funding for groups working with refugees. In the Quad-Cities, that halted funds for rent and other assistance for 209 newly arrived refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Strunk said theres a possibility that refugee programs could resume resettlement, but it seems like we are probably going to be preparing for four years of very low or no refugee admissions. Trump also paused asylum applications through the U.S. southern border. Asylum is available to people already in the U.S. or who are arriving at a port of entry who are seeking protection from persecution based on the same five grounds as refugees. In 2023, the U.S. provided protection to 54,350 asylum-seekers, according to the Office of Homeland Security Statistics. Humanitarian parole Under humanitarian parole, a status created in 1952, people are admitted temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The Biden administration created several sponsorship-based programs, such as Uniting for Ukraine program to admit Ukrainians fleeing war, and a parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. When refugees come to the U.S., they have permanent legal status, Strunk said. They then become eligible for green cards and eventually citizenship of course it takes a long time to do that. Humanitarian parole is this temporary legal status that the U.S. gives to people who have to quickly leave the country because of violence or because of other reasons, but theyre not otherwise eligible for refugee or asylum status. Temporary protected status Temporary protected status is granted to people in the United States who cannot return to their home country because of natural disaster, extraordinary temporary conditions, or ongoing armed conflict. Its a temporary status granted to individuals for six, 12 or 18 months and can be extended. The Trump administration has attempted to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans. The Trump administration moved in April to terminate TPS protections for Afghans and Cameroonians, too. An Orion High School teacher is among 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants under temporary protected status that are at risk of deportation. Legal permanent resident Status as a legal permanent resident is also known as having a green card. Applicants for U.S. citizenship must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate continuous residency, demonstrate good moral character, pass English and U.S. history and civics exams, and pay an application fee, among other requirements. Officials unveiled a bronze statue of President Donald Trump at the Elks Theatre in Rapid City on Saturday afternoon. About 100 people attended the public event as that many stood in Main Street Square protesting the president, whose likeness rested underneath a large red cloth until local artist Jim Maher and donor Paul Bradsky revealed the statue. "I have no doubt that Trump will be one of the more consequential figures in American history," Maher said before unveiling the statue. "What those consequences are have yet to be determined." Other speakers included Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, Laurie Sutterer with Visit Rapid City and Richard Purdue (son of City of Presidents founder Don Purdue). In Maher's work, Trump is depicted standing at a podium with a mic, leaned slightly forward, wearing a red tie. Making his signature hand gesture of thumb and middle finger pinched together, the president appears to be in the middle of speaking a word, his lips forming an oval. The podium has one item, other than the mic, resting on it: a cell phone with the Twitter logo. "I have to say, if I started again today, I might choose differently," Maher said. "The second administration seems to have kind of a new dynamic that wasn't really present in the first. It seemed like the first term was a lot more talk and tweets. Now things are really moving." Maher has done several other sculptures in the City of Presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Gerald Ford, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, Ronald Reagan, Grover Cleveland, Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush, Andrew Jackson, Franklin Pierce, Harry S. Truman and James Buchanan. Asked about how artists are selected, Ally Formanek, interim CEO for Visit Rapid City, said, "There aren't too terribly many to choose from, as you can imagine. So usually if the artist is willing and able, they're usually who we go with. We only have had a select few over the years." The Bradsky and Patton families both commissioned the Trump sculpture in memory of Walter and Elizabeth "Betty" Bradsky, Paul Bradsky's parents. Paul Bradsky described Trump as a leader who made history as the second president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms (Grover Cleveland is the other). The statue was commissioned after Trump's first term. "His historical election and bold vision, love him or hate him, aimed to strengthen our borders, our economy and put America first, right here in Rapid City and beyond," Bradsky said. Johnson, referencing the group of protesters just down the street, said each of the presidents already on Rapid City's streets "were opposed by and hated by millions." "Now we don't erect these statues to focus on those differences. We erect these statues instead to celebrate the unity and the achievements of their time," Johnson said. He highlighted the replacement of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA); the First Step Act, which was a bipartisan effort aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons; and the Abraham Accords, aimed at winning broader recognition of Israel in the Arab world. "Most statues are history. This one feels more like current events," Johnson said. "Now, I'll admit it's a little odd as we talk about these accomplishments of his first term, because I was in office, I voted for these accomplishments. It's a bit odd here getting ready to look at a statue of someone that I know, someone that I work with, someone whose cell phone number I have." Johnson then took a moment to record and text a video message to Trump telling him the statue was about to be unveiled. It did not appear the president immediately responded. Salamun said the presidents statues are not just about presidents, "It's really the story of America." The mayor said there's something that distinguishes every president. He noted Calvin Coolidge's "pragmatism" and Ronald Reagan's "relatability." "President Trump reminds us to go for greatness, and that's often what I think of, to not think small, but to think big. Whenever I hear him speak, regardless of what he's talking about, it's always big," Salamun said. "And for me, as somebody who loves big vision and is passionate about this community, the state and this nation, I'm very inspired by President Trump and the way that he approaches leadership here in the United States of America." The statue will be temporarily displayed at the Rapid City Visitor Center at 613 Main Street before being placed at 6th and St. Joe Streets in the fall. Founded by Don Perdue in 2000, 2025 is the 25th anniversary of the City of Presidents. It's a privately funded nonpartisan art project and trail of history. Visit Rapid City said each statue costs around $100,000. Perdue's son, Richard Perdue, spoke at the event. "For Dad, this project was two things. It was economic development and respect. He envisioned this as a way to get people out of their cars and walking the streets of Rapid City, and as a way to pay tribute to those that were willing to serve," Don Perdue said. Visit Rapid City recently took on promotion and management of the presidents. "At Visit Rapid City, we are proud to carry forward the legacy of this iconic trail. Taking over promotion and management of the City of Presidents is not just an honor, it's a responsibility we carry with pride. We committed to preserving its integrity, growing its reach, and making sure every visitor feels the spirit of this wonderful city we get to call home," said Visit Rapid City Visitor Service Manager Laurie Sutterer. With the addition of Trumps statue, all the past presidents through 45 are on display. President Joe Bidens statue will be the next to join the City of Presidents. An artist has been selected, according to Visit Rapid City, but not publicly announced. The state has suspended the license of Erin Strotman, the nurse charged with abusing newborn babies at Henrico Doctors Hospital, and it made new allegations against her. On Friday afternoon, the Virginia Board of Nursing held a conference call, considered evidence against Strotman and determined that her ability to continue practicing would constitute a danger to public safety. In one instance, Strotman bent a babys feet to his neck, essentially folding the child in half or crunching him, the board said. The board also claimed video footage shows Strotman using excessive force and unhooking a vital signs monitor so the alarm would not sound before she placed her hands on the child. The board accused her of abusing or neglecting at least seven preterm babies, two more than she stands accused of in court. Henrico County prosecutors have charged her in connection to five babies, and Strotman faces 12 counts of felony child abuse and malicious wounding. She has not made a plea and is expected to go to trial in early 2026. Prosecutors identified nine potential victims, most of whom suffered unexplained fractures in the neonatal intensive-care unit at Henrico Doctors between 2022 and 2024. The Board of Nursing, a 14-member panel within the Department of Health Professions, hears complaints against nurses and has the power to remove a nurses license to practice in the state. Strotman will have a hearing in July in which the board could revoke her license, which prevents a nurse from working for at least three years. In a 16-page statement of allegations, the board describes Strotmans alleged interactions with seven preterm infants and follows a similar report in 2023 by Henricos office of Child Protective Services. This account is based on the report by the Virginia Board of Nursing. In the summer 2023, Henrico Doctors discovered four preterm babies suffered unexplained bone fractures. Staff determined that Strotman was the only nurse who had access to all four patients. In September of that year, the hospital placed Strotman on administrative leave for about one year, and during that time, no additional babies experienced unexplained fractures. Though Child Protective Services investigated in 2023 and determined someone abused the babies, investigators could not determine who was responsible. The first infant, called Baby A, was born in July 2023, roughly nine weeks early, weighing just 2 pounds, 10 ounces. Strotman was assigned to Baby A for two overnight shifts, and days later, an x-ray showed he had a fracture in his left radius one of two bones in the forearm. The crack cut perpendicular to the bone and caused it to become misaligned. A month later, another x-ray showed a small misalignment in the left ulna the other forearm bone. A doctor who reviewed the x-ray said the injury was consistent with recent or remote trauma. A second baby, just four days old when his injuries were discovered, had breaks in the radius, ulna and femur, plus fractures or possible fractures to four ribs and bruising on his chest. A third suffered a crack in the corner of a large bone in the leg, called the tibia, an injury that suggests abuse, an orthopedist said. A fourth had a broken radius and bruising in the shape of fingerprints around the babys knees. Henrico Doctors administrators reported possible abuse to Child Protective Services in late September, about three weeks after the third baby was hurt and staff realized there was a problem. State law requires caregivers report possible abuse within 24 hours. Child Protective Services determined all four babies suffered Level 1 abuse, which means they endured serious harm. The infants were all immobile and unable to cause the injuries themselves. The medical evidence shows these types of injuries are a result of inflicted trauma and were caused by force, CPS wrote in its report. There is a preponderance of evidence that the injuries were caused by an employee of the neonatal intensive-care unit. About a year after she was suspended, Strotman returned to work in September 2024. The hospital required her to undergo four hours of training and work her first few shifts with a buddy. The hospital also installed surveillance cameras in patients rooms. After a fifth baby suffered fractures, hospital staff began combing weeks of video footage. They found clips from Oct. 29, in which the video showed Strotman raising the babys legs to his abdomen, then using both hands to apply pressure for seven seconds, according to the Board of Nursing. On several occasions, the video showed Strotman bending other infants legs upward. In one instance, the Board of Nursing report describes Strotman as essentially folding Baby F in half or crunching him. The pressure was intense enough to cause the infants oxygen saturation and heart rates to diminish and alarm bells to go off. In another instance, according to the report, Strotman unhooked the vital signs monitor so the alarms would not sound when she bent the babies legs. It says the video also shows Strotman picking up the babies in an unsafe manner, placing one on a blanket on the floor, falling while carrying an infant and not wearing gloves. An investigator for the Department of Health Professions interviewed a pediatric orthopedist who was consulted on the cases of six of the infants. The doctor said he believed someone hurt the patients, given that numerous fractures occurred over a period of time, with bruising to babies too young to move on their own. While fractures can happen to newborns, such as a broken clavicle, they are not common, said the doctor, who is not named in the report. The orthopedist also called the response from the Henrico Doctors employees disturbing and disappointing. He described staffers as being in denial. In April, Strotman told the Department of Health Professions investigator that she had been sufficiently trained as NICU nurse and rated her skills as an eight or nine out of 10. After watching the surveillance videos that showed her bending newborns limbs, Strotman said she was safe to practice nursing, according to the report. The Board of Nursing said this showed a lack of remorse and accountability. Early in her administrative career, before she became the first female superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools in 2018, Amy Cashwell recalled being the only woman in a boardroom full of men. As they discussed a major project, one of the men asked if she would be hindered from giving a project her all. She looked at him with a puzzled expression. He said: Well, you have kids. She responded: So do you. Its a moment many women in education leadership recognize a quiet but persistent skepticism about whether they can lead and mother at the same time. In Virginia, about 82% of classroom teachers are women, but they make up only about 40% of school division superintendents the top executives who oversee entire districts, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis. Verletta White, who became superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools in 2020, says that when she applied for her first job as a principal, the men interviewing her asked, How are you going to handle all of this? referencing the fact that she was 7 1/2 months pregnant. Rachel White, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin who studies superintendents, said much of the reason why more women are not appointed as school district superintendents is societal. Very much at the root of a lot of this is similar to why we cant elect a woman president, she said. Its that the people in power are skeptical of womens abilities to hold these leadership positions in ways that are entirely unfair and untrue. We hear things like, Women are too emotional I think we have to change our perceptions and our mindsets towards women and women leaders. In Fairfax County, Superintendent Michelle Reid each day walks down a hallway that leads to her office. It is lined with portraits of past superintendents. There is just one woman on the wall, her predecessor Karen Garza. It shouldnt matter that Im a woman or not a woman, leading the largest division in the commonwealth, said Reid, the divisions superintendent since 2022. It should be the quality of my ability to lead and get results. Rachel White said her research shows that women are significantly more likely to report being questioned about almost every decision that they make. They have to be really cognizant and set up structures and processes and policies as they make decisions. I actually think thats really healthy, she said. But it can also be really exhausting when youre an expert with 30-plus years of experience and every decision that you make is being questioned, and you know that with the superintendent next door, whos a man, no one bats an eye when he makes a decision. Verletta White, the superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools, said the questioning is part of the subtle nuances women in education leadership have to navigate. You can tell in some of the scrutiny. Sometimes its blatant, and other times not so much so. In the daily interactions, it plays out in the second-guessing of the decisions, White said. But I would say as a woman in this leadership role particularly as a woman of color not to be discouraged by that, but instead lead in the way where you can be backed up by your data, by your results, by your resilience, by your grace, compassion and consistency. The results speak for themselves and then the second guesses will diminish over time. Henricos Cashwell agreed, saying that one of the main barriers shes encountered in her career is people questioning her ability to lead. When I was applying to be a superintendent, I really thought deeply about whether I was going to be judged on those merits, having a younger family at the time, she said. I wondered the degree to which this would hinder me from being considered as superintendent. Im fortunate that it didnt and I was chosen to lead. It definitely was a factor, and that may be intimidating to many women who think, Oh, let me wait until later in my career to pursue the superintendency. Many women do. Research shows that across the U.S., women are more likely to become superintendents later in their career, are significantly more likely to have a doctorate degree compared with their male counterparts and they usually have more experience. In Virginia, however, 85% of male superintendents hold doctorates while 74% of female superintendents hold doctorates, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis. Rebecca Walters, the superintendent of Lexington Public Schools, said she has not faced what she sees as structural barriers to the superintendency, but she has noticed that men move up through the ranks faster. More men go into education, teach for a few years and then decide, well, my next step is to be a principal, and then, my next step is to be an assistant superintendent or director, and then my next step is to be a superintendent, Walters said. It seems like thats a pretty clear trajectory for men, probably a little more than women. Walters said she needed that tap on the shoulder to move up that her early mentors offered. Larger national gap Despite the gender disparity among Virginias school superintendents, the gap between men and women superintendents is larger nationwide. Across the U.S., only about 29% of school district superintendents are women, according to research from The Superintendent Lab, compared with about 40% in Virginia. We are proud that Virginia is above the national average, said Scott Brabrand, executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. We will continue our efforts to expand and strengthen the superintendent pipeline as our students need the very best teachers, principals and superintendents. In addition to women being less likely to make it to the top, theyre also more likely to leave the position in a contentious or politicized context, research shows. We have this broader societal issue right now where once women get into the position, we scrutinize them much heavier, and that has led to women superintendents being pushed out of the position or voluntarily leaving the position because they feel unsafe, they feel unwell, and theyre not able to focus on the work of educating kids, because theyre wrapped up in a lot of other sort of political debates, Rachel White said. We have to think about how were treating women superintendents when they get into the position Thats incumbent upon communities to change how theyre behaving towards women superintendents and treat them with more respect. Verletta White, the Roanoke City Public Schools superintendent, said the light shines a little bit brighter on women superintendents compared with their male counterparts. That means that we have to be steadfast, she said. We have to be certain with our resolve, you do have to lead with courage. And I think you have to know that going in, that the light will be on you, and you have to stand in that moment and work with your team and be sure in your service. You have to stay connected to your why, to your purpose, she said. For me, I stay connected to my faith, and thats what gets me up in the morning to know that Im in this to serve children. Im going to continue to fight the good fight for children. Tim Kaine, Virginias Minnesota-born, Kansas-raised junior U.S. senator, rarely passes on an opportunity to share his adoptive states story with others. Thats because the Democrat believes that there are lessons for the nation good and bad that spring from the state where it was born. In a speech at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and in an op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, both pegged to the fast-approaching 250th anniversary of American independence, Kaine focused on Virginias motto, one as old as the republic: Sic Semper Tyrannis Latin for Thus always to tyrants or Ever thus to tyrants. Kaine implied that its spirit should guide public and political resistance to President Donald Trump. Kaine, of course, has a front-row seat to the mayhem that supposedly qualifies as governance. And the increasingly edgy, occasionally profane manner with which Kaine characterizes Trump, his utterances and behavior suggest that the usually circumspect senator is unburdened by political considerations that he is free to fully speak his mind because this third term in Washington is likely his last. But heres arguing that Virginias other motto has greater application to our troubled times than Sic Semper Tyrannis, a rhetorical flourish attributed to Brutus as he and others plotted the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. and reportedly howled by John Wilkes Booth as he shot dead President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. In 1779, as the war for freedom from Great Britain raged on, the Virginia legislature adopted as the states secondary motto Perseverando Latin, for by persevering. More than 200 years on as Trump perfects his I-am-the-law schtick by ignoring Congress and defying the courts one would admit that Perseverando nicely complements Sic Semper Tyrannis. After all, toppling tyrants demands perseverance. Virginians know that tyranny can take many forms and that it is often defined by the times and those literally or figuratively shackled. It was the tax-imposing British monarchy in the late-1700s that embodied tyranny. To white Confederates, it was the North that opposed Black slavery in the South in the mid-1800s. For the once-enslaved and their descendants, it was the white oligarchy that denied Black Virginians voting and civil rights for nearly a century, beginning in the late 1800s. For LGBTQ people in the 2000s, it is the conservative politicians who used their control of government to deny them rights guaranteed for straight folks. Indeed, Perseverando it appears on the reverse of the seal, paired with likenesses of three classical goddesses representing liberty, eternity and agriculture works much better than the original secondary motto, also in Latin, that it replaced, Deus Nobis Haec Otia Fecit God has given us these days of leisure. By the way, its the motto of Liverpool, England, a major slaving port in the 18th century and where the Beatles got their start in the 20th. That mottos sentiment seems far removed from the noble, grinding, sometimes-bloody enterprise that is the struggle for and to preserve freedom. The jettisoned motto it was done away with three years after it was adopted could conjure an image of Hawaiian shirt-wearing sybarites stretched out on beach chairs along the edge of a noisy, smoke-shrouded battlefield, sipping tropical drinks and taking in the combat as if it were a surfing competition. Not even Thomas Jefferson liked it. In a July 30, 1776, letter to John Page, a future congressman and Virginia governor from Gloucester County whom Jefferson would defeat in his first try for that office, the Muck-a-Muck of Monticello busy at the time in Philadelphia helping birth the new republic reported that most people in and around the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, considered the motto a head-scratcher. Jefferson was delighted, though, with Sic Semper Tyrannis. It, along with the secondary motto, was the handiwork of a committee of heavyweights: George Mason, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee and Robert Carter Nicholas. The foursome also designed Virginias seal, the primary feature of which is the bare-breasted Virtus avert your eyes Ken Cuccinelli! a drawn sword in her right hand, a spear in her left and her foot atop the toppled tyrant, whose crown has fallen from his head. The whole package was adopted by the Virginia Convention of 1776. I like the device of the first side of the seal much, wrote Jefferson, a detail-oriented aesthete from Albemarle County. The second I think is you much crouded, nor is the design so striking. But for gods sake what is the deus nobia haec otia fact. It puzzles every body here. This device is to aenigmatical, since if it puzzles now, it will absolutely insoluble fifty years hence! Thanks to the Library of Virginia especially to Becky Schneider, the interim archives and reference services manager and the states chief librarian, Dennis Clark the story behind those little words that appear on the state seal is a lot bigger. And while the seals and the accompanying mottoes might seem arty affectations of eras long passed, they remain to this day emblems of the authority extended to officialdom by those who installed them: the people. In 1777, with the seal, itself, being prepared by a Philadelphia engraver at publick charge, according to 18th-century records, a Virginia representative to France he was seeking arms and cash for the colonial cause had no seal to authenticate his credentials, and the delay in obtaining the seal ordered in Philadelphia was the source of considerable annoyance, wrote state librarian H.R. McIlwaine in a 1909-10 report on possible modifications to the seal. By law, there are two seals the great and the lesser. They are distinguished by size, with the former, 2 3/4 inches in diameter, about twice as large as the latter. The great seal is reserved for validating documents signed by the governor and used in legal proceedings or Virginias dealings with other states. The lesser seal is affixed to grants for land, writs ordering elections, gubernatorial pardons and reprieves as well as commissions and appointments civil and military. The keeper of the seal is the secretary of the commonwealth, a political appointee of the governor who dispenses patronage jobs and perhaps prized even more than a seat on a high-profile board or commission those two- and three-digit license plates that are supposed to telegraph to fellow motorists that the driver who may have whizzed by, well over the speed limit, has an influential friend in Richmond. At a time when politics and policy are shaped by bitter wars of will rather than thoughtful, interested debate, the relevance of Virginias mottoes endure. That said, Sic Semper Tyrannis is prospective in tone, aspirational. Perseverando speaks to the struggle and the vigilance that should continue even after a tyrant is toppled; to discourage and thwart those who might rise in his or her stead. In the years immediately following the Civil War, when Virginia was restored to the union, largely under the supervision of federal troops, its Reconstruction governor was viewed as taking a somewhat tyrannical approach to altering the seal. Francis Pierpont wanted to add the words, Liberty and Union. Though the changes were sanctioned by the legislature in 1866, there were doubts whether it was done legally. Within a decade, the additional words were removed. But because, in a Virginia given to Shintoism, the old is venerated, there was a push in the early 1900s to drop Perseverando, replacing it with the original secondary motto. A report to the Library Board, observing that the seal was lacking ... in artistic grace and beauty, suggested that its historical symmetry could be restored by reviving Deus Nobis Haec Otio Fecit, then translated as, God has given us this ease. The effort was turned back if only because of Perseverando. And speaking of: For those of us in print journalism, particularly in these times, it seems one often gets through the day by persevering. I did happily at The Times-Dispatch, for 39 years, four months and 29 days. This is my final column for the newspaper. Ill be keeping an eye on Virginia politics as a part-time analyst for Radio IQ, the Roanoke-based, statewide public broadcasting outfit. You can reach me via jeschapiro@gmail.com. Thank you for putting up with me and for keeping me in touch. Perseverando. Mexicos palm oil companies sign agreement to curb environmental impact Mexico City, Mexico Palm oil companies have signed agreements with Profepa (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) to curb their environmental impacts in Chiapas. In the new agreement, they will support the removal of palm plantations located within the La Encrucijada National Park in the state of Chiapas, the Profepa (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente) reported. With the goal of conserving biodiversity, environmental services and ecological balance within the Protected Natural Area, La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Profepa and 11 African palm oil extraction companies signed an agreement. Those involved have agreed that the African palm oil mills undertake to allocate the necessary human, material and financial resources to implement the African palm plantation conversion program within the natural protected areas in accordance with the provisions of the management program for that area. They have also agreed to implement the program for the elimination of dispersed oil palm and to implement a training program for oil palm producers on environmental legal obligations. A working group will be established to monitor these measures. The companies will contribute to the removal of African palm plantations currently located within the protected natural area of the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. They will also participate in ecological restoration programs, reforesting the affected areas with native species from the region, in order to recover the affected ecosystems and strengthen local biodiversity. Companies will regularize their environmental procedures with the competent authorities at all levels of government in order to obtain the corresponding permits and authorizations. They also undertake to ensure that all wastewater discharges strictly comply with applicable Mexican official standards. They do not exceed the authorized water use volumes and that they adopt prevention and control measures to avoid public health risks and prevent negative impacts that could cause ecological imbalances in the region. These actions are aligned with the current legal framework on environmental matters, including the General Law on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection and applicable Mexican official standards. They seek to ensure the legality, transparency and environmental responsibility of production processes. The plants that have committed include Zitihualt, Palm Oils, Oleopalma, Pakal Consultants, Huehuetan Group, Dassa, Oleosur, Seopalma, Chiapaneca La Palma Oil Company, Union of Palm Growers of the Chiapas Coast and La Primavera. The meeting took place on April 29 in the city of Tapachula de Cordova y Ordonez. SIOUX CITY By Community Action Agency of Siouxland Executive Director Jean Logan's count, there are 29 Head Start and Early Head Start-focused classrooms in Woodbury County it helps with. Twenty-nine classrooms helping provide comprehensive programs for kids and low-to-moderate income families. She said when staffers who work with the program meet with enrolling families, they'll ask them what their goals are. Logan said support for family members could be helping them go back to school to get certification or complete college education. It could be linking people with ESL classes or giving out passes to the Children's Museum. Or facilitating a family book club. "We have a lot of activities for families to help them to really strengthen their child's preparedness to go to school," she said. "Head Start is a very comprehensive, very supportive program." Community Action Agency of Siouxland - Week of the Young Child Community Action Agency of Siouxland Executive Director Jean Logan said that the organization counts 29 classrooms in Woodbury County, like th "Zeroed out" With actions taken by the federal government over the past several months, those programs are in a precarious place. The Associated Press reported in early April that since President Donald Trump retook office the federal government has: frozen federal grants which help fund early education programs, had glitches that "forced nearly two dozen Head Start centers to close temporarily" and put government employees who help administer Head Start on leave. Friday, The AP reported that a spreadsheet had mistakenly been made public which "listed more than 150 research projects under consideration for termination by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." "It covered grants funded by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, which says it 'builds evidence to improve lives' by helping policymakers evaluate programs that help low-income children and families," The AP reported. And an internal draft budget document obtained by The AP reportedly showed deep cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees Head Start. "Our budget, sometimes people are surprised to learn the amount of federal funding we do receive, if that federal funding were to go away that would be a loss of over $10 million pouring into Woodbury County," Logan said. That's counting not just funding for Head Start and Early Head Start but also the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as the Community Services Block Grant program which can be used for local issues such as disaster response. Logan said such programs are at risk of being "zeroed out" too. She said were those all to disappear, 100 jobs could be lost. As of now, she said Community Action Agency is "level-funded" through Sept. 30. With funding, Logan is quick to point out that Community Action Agency is responsible and transparent with its dollars. "We are accountable. We not only have an audit done every year but we are monitored at the state and federal level," she said. Project Head Start was launched by the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 as a part of its "War on Poverty." The program is meant to work with children from birth to age 5. Early Head Start focuses on pregnant women and families with children younger than age 3. Head Start focuses on kids between ages 3 and 5. Since its inception, the organization estimates it has served more than 40 million children and their families. In fiscal year 2023, Head Start preschool funded enrollment for Iowa was 5,157, 3,019 for Nebraska and 1,937 for South Dakota. For Early Head Start preschool funded enrollment, those numbers are 1,770 for Iowa, 1,731 for Nebraska and 529 for South Dakota. "A rewarding experience" Becky Valentine, a grandmother who used Head Start for two grandkids, said she doesn't think she would've been able to prepare them for kindergarten without the aid of Head Start. "The program helped both boys prepare for kindergarten. They learned how to detach and they learned self-esteem and how to share with other kids. And most importantly, they learned how to have respect and manners," Valentine said. She was so taken by the program that, in the final year of Head Start for her younger grandchild, she volunteered to help. "My way to help pay back for all the good they did with the boys," she said. "And to help other kids get prepared. A very rewarding experience to help at Head Start." For Kourtney Whitead, the most good Head Start did for her 6-year-old son Preston is help him reach speech and "social-skilled goals." "Their support helped us better understand his neurodivergent behavior," Whitead shared. It's a similar story for Samantha, a parent who used Head Start and Early Head Start for her kids Andrew and Charlotte. "Early Head Start and Head Start made it possible for me to go back to school, start my career, and also helped with early intervention for speech and helped them get access to supports for their autism diagnoses," she said. The Head Start program through Community Action Agency of Siouxland serves over 500 children, according to Whitney Haberer, a former Head Start teacher in Dakota City for seven-and-a-half years and now manager of the Irving Preschool Head Start Program in Sioux City. She worries about the trickle-down effects if federal funding for Head Start were to go away. "The economic impact this would have on our local workforce and the stress it would put on local childcare centers and families who are needing childcare," she said. "Already there are heavy waitlists in local childcares." Community Action Agency of Siouxland - Week of the Young Child In early April 2025, Community Action Agency of Siouxland marked "Week of the Young Child," which "celebrates and educates the public on the i Haberer said the real reward for teachers and care providers doing the work of Head Start is getting to see positive outcomes. "I myself have seen a family who struggled with difficult effects from addiction reach goals with the help of the classroom teachers, as well as the family advocates within our program," she said. "They eventually moved into stable housing while the children received care and education, the mom received much needed counseling, and the children were able to stay in a consistent environment with teachers who devoted much love and attention to them to help build their confidence and encourage them to use social skills that will benefit them all throughout their lives." Logan summarized that multi-faceted focus by saying, "We really are family-based." Despite the present jeopardy Head Start appears to be in, Logan said she's optimistic legislators will support the programs. "I think they know the value of our services. We're accountable. We're who people turn to in the case of crisis," she said. Valentine hopes crisis doesn't come for Head Start itself. "They can't lose funding. Too many children benefit from the program." SIOUX CITY A new $2.1 million apartment complex could be coming to Sioux City's north side. City staff is currently working with Apache View Townhomes LLC to construct a new apartment complex at 3540 Indian Hills Drive. The developer proposes constructing 12 two-bedroom apartments, which would each be roughly 850 square feet. The project, which also includes 12 garages, would be completed by June 2026. The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve a resolution setting a public hearing on proposed amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Teton Urban Renewal Plan for the Teton Urban Renewal Project Area, where the apartment complex would be located. "To help keep rents at an affordable level for tenants, David Schmit, managing member of Apache View Townhomes, has requested city assistance in the form of property tax rebates," city documents stated. "Staff is working on a Development Agreement that provide 60% property tax rebates on the new incremental taxes created by the value added to the property for a period of ten years," city documents stated. Total assistance is estimated at $220,000. In order for the city to provide financial assistance for the project, the urban renewal plan needs to be amended, according to the documents. History of music mural The council will be asked to approve a resolution directing the city manager to execute a $40,000 reimbursement agreement with 712 Market Street LLC, so that a mural can be installed at 712 Market St. The mural would be visible to traffic on Wesley Parkway and celebrate the history of music on West Seventh Street. In June 2022, the city applied for a Gilchrist Foundation grant for the West Seventh St. Corridor Public Art Project. Two months later, the council accepted the funding. City documents stated that an artist, Jill Wells, has now been secured. Wells has exhibited work nationally and internationally. Her works are held in both public and private collections globally. Wells' artist fee is $40,000, which will be completely covered by the grant. The mural would "create a destination for visitors and instill community pride in residents," the documents stated. DEI policies A request to approve three resolutions that would reverse a series of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, is also on the council's agenda. The changes are necessary in order for the city to maintain federal funding for local infrastructure projects. Failure of the city to become compliant could result in the loss of millions of dollars of federal funding, according to city documents. In a April 24 letter to the city and other recipients of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funds, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned they risked losing funding if they continue DEI policies, fail to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement actions, or defy other directives from the Trump administration. "Federal grants come with a clear obligation to adhere to federal laws," Duffy said in a news release. "It shouldn't be controversial enforce our immigration rules, end anti-American DEI policies, and protect free speech. These values reflect the priorities of the American people, and I will take action to ensure compliance." One of the resolutions would reclassify the diversity and inclusion coordinator position in the Human Resources Department to a human resources specialist position. The pay grade for the coordinator is $63,589 to $92,864.47 and the specialist $67,405.05 to $98,436.59. The current coordinator makes $75,245.46, according to the documents. "There will be an immediate financial impact of $1,588.40 to place the incumbent on a step within the Human Resources pay scale. Future salary impacts at the maximum rate of the Human Resources pay scale will be $6,908.67," the documents stated. The other resolutions would dissolve the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee and rescind a resolution that adopted an inclusive language notice for the city. The notice was included on forms of communications from the city, according to the documents. Last August, the council approved a resolution to create the diversity and inclusion coordinator position, which replaced the previous community inclusion liaison position. The city hired Nancy Li as the coordinator. Her first day on the job was Dec. 9. Mayor Bob Scott was the lone council member to vote against the creation of the diversity and inclusion coordinator position. Before the council voted to add the position, Scott told his colleagues: "I'm just not comfortable, especially in this age where you have to be even careful doing this type of stuff, because the state has laws now. This position is going to have a real significant impact on our operations." The city created the diversity and inclusion coordinator position following the May 28, 2024 firing of the city's first and only community inclusion liaison, Semehar Ghebrekidan. Ghebrekidan, who was hired in 2021. had been on administrative leave since Feb. 21, 2024. She was ultimately fired for violating general standards of conduct, work rules, Iowa code and city administrative policy, according to documents obtained by The Journal. Ghebrekidan reported to then-city manager Bob Padmore. The new diversity and inclusion coordinator, meanwhile, was assigned to the Human Resources Department, with an emphasis on diversity recruitment. However, the coordinator continues to work with the City Manager's Office on diversity programming and also staffs the inclusion committee. In the fall of 2020, the council approved a resolution to establish the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, which provides guidance on matters relating to diversity, inclusion and equity. The committee's goal is to represent the interests of and enhance the quality of life for all who live in the city. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, My wife and I had a hot tub installed just before Valentines Day and the buoyancy the water offers has opened up many new and enjoyable possibilities for our lovemaking. However, my wife has reached the point where she only wants to have sex in the hot tub now. While I enjoy it, Id like to be able to do things spontaneously again, preferably in a bed. When I suggest we go back to doing things in a dry setting, my wife calls it boring and tells me not to spoil the fun. Shouldnt she be willing to compromise? Too Much of a Good Thing Dear Too Much of a Good Thing, Yes. Your wife, like any partner, would do well to strive for compromise in a disagreement. But what is the exact compromise being offered here? She says hot tub, you say bed and seems like youre at a stalemate. You may need to translate things into more transactional terms: If we do it in the hot tub this time, please next time can we do the bed? The hot tub obsession may cool with time, as its novelty wears off, so you may alternately want to ride this out. Give it a month or two and see if shes still adamant. Or, again, state things explicitly: We can have sex in the hot tub for the next two weeks if we can then have a week where we just do it in bed. Let her know that the hot tub sex has become an increasingly for-her thing and that you want to be able to have your thing as well. If this continues, it might be worth examining whether she wants to have sex outside of the tub at all, or what it will take to make that exciting. My hunch is it wont get that far, but further communication along these lines may prove illuminating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, Ive been with my husband for 17 years and married for 10 with a great sex life, even through two kids. My problem? He chose this year to tell me that my head game isnt that great. I have a small mouth, but Ive only had my dentist comment on this before. What are my options here? Feeling Small Dear Feeling Small, The difference between critique and insult, at least on an interpersonal level, is scant if the criticism isnt constructive. That is, if your husband just told you, Your head isnt that great, with no further conversation on what you could do to make it better for him, he did both of you disservice. He put you down without a map to getting back up, and he practically ensured that the supposedly not-great head hes been receiving will continue to be his reality. Advertisement I also wonder what not-great head means in this context. That description could span a wide range of experience, from excruciating to makes-me-orgasm-but-could-be-better. You should reflect on your own experience here. Did you have any sense, previously, that something wasnt working? Did the kind of nonverbal feedback we associate with sex (moaning, ejaculation, etc.), suggest that you were doing a good job? Has he asked you for head while knowing full well what your skills and limitations were? There is much to sort out here and I think at least one follow-up conversation in order. Advertisement That conversation should include not just his feedback but his desires. See, I can (and will in a sec) give you some tips that may be useful, but nothing I say could compare to the guidance of your husband. It is his penis that is responding to your mouth, and pleasure is often idiosyncratic. What feels good on one dick may not be so for another. Some guys like really soft sucking, and others need to have a portion of their soul sucked out in order to come. It would be great if he could tell you exactly what hes looking forin the moment would be ideal, though not everyone is comfortable talking/directing during sex or receiving such feedback. However, if he and you are amenable to this kind of communication, its going to be way more efficient than me doing guesswork and then you replicating it later in bed. Advertisement Advertisement Regarding that guesswork, if you arent sucking him as deep as hed like, consider taking as much of him into your mouth as possible and either stroking the rest of his shaft with your hand or using a masturbation sleeve, which could provide an even more realistic deep throating sensation. If your mouth is too small for his thickness, thats a bit trickier to remedy, but you could suck on the head or part of the penis (as you would a popsicle) while you, again, jerk him off or use a masturbation sleeve on him. (A twisting motion with your hand as you go up and down can be highly pleasurable.) Now, whether your pressure is too much or too little or your speed too fast or too slow for his taste, well, thats for him to say or at least for you to test by varying your approach and seeing what sticks. You will, of course, be looking for his reaction, verbal or non verbal. No matter what, you just cant solve this issue without his input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our new advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Dear How to Do It, Im a 53-year-old man, who has a relatively standard masturbation style that is, for the most part, consistent. Recently, Ive gotten what surely is a friction burn on the top-facing shaft skin, just below the head. Just a small red, raw spot the size of a ladybug, for comparison. Nothing has changed really to bring this onIm using the same frequency, grip, intensity, and duration. Advertisement While at the doctor for an unrelated matter, he had a look, asked some questions and confirmed its a physical issue, not an STI. The evidence? It goes away if I dont masturbate, immediately returns when I restart. It doesnt get any worse, just a red spot that sometimes gets a tiny scab which lasts a day and then looks pretty much normal. Im going to try to use lube to see if it helps much. Im not traumatized or anything. I am, however, slightly concerned that partners might be understandably reticent about giving oral (which Ill be honest, is almost always condom free). Advertisement Just wondering if this is possibly a change in skin quality from aging or what? 50 Years of Enjoyed Solitude Dear 50 Years of Enjoyed Solitude, Dont just try to use lube; do it. There are so many types on the market (water-based, silicone, coconut oil, etc.) to experiment with, but if I may offer a suggestion, go for Swiss Navys Premium Silicone variety, as its slickness is next to godliness, at least in my opinion. I also encourage you to see another doctor. Firstly, it gives me a slight pause that your doctor determined that your mark isnt an STI on sight, without any kind of testing. He may have had good reason to do so (maybe youve had no sexual contact with another person while experiencing this condition, maybe he could just tell visually, maybe all he needed to know was that it goes away when you stop masturbating), but its at least a little surprising that he didnt at least offer test you just in case. Advertisement In addition to (or perhaps instead of) seeing a GP, visit a dermatologist, just in case what youre experiencing isnt a friction burn. Certain fungi and other conditions like lichen planus may flare with repeated rubbing and then, after a period of inactivity, seem to disappear only to show up again once you get to rubbing. A good dermatologist will be able to sort this out for you, and tell you what kind of topical to use to eliminate the issue. Said doctor would also advise you on the best methods of preventing and treating friction burns (you should, at minimum, be using an antibacterial ointment/cream on itkeeping it moisturized could also help). Rich More Advice From Slate Im a 55-year-old woman who has never really had good sex. Id like to, but Im realizing that penetration just really doesnt do it for me. I know this is a major turn-off for partnershow do I explain that I want to have sex, I just dont want that kind of sex? Julian Schnabel made his debut film, Basquiat, less than a decade after its subject, the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, died at age 27. An impressionistic portrait of a young artist who took the New York scene by storm, Basquiat was divisive upon its release in 1996. Some critics praised Jeffrey Wrights quiet, sly performance, as well as the murderers row of character actors surrounding himChristopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Parker Posey, Benicio del Toro, and Willem Dafoe among them. (Not to mention David Bowie as Andy Warhol.) Others took issue with how personal Schnabel, himself a onetime enfant terrible of the New York art world, made the story, filling the movie with his own passions and opinionseven creating an alter ego, played by Gary Oldman, who pops up from time to time, dispensing wisdom. As Basquiat joins the Criterion Collection, I spoke with Schnabel over Zoom about his disagreements with Wright, about casting Bowie, and about why he felt people misunderstood Basquiats relationship with his famous mentor Warhol. Schnabel was in his West Village mansion, the Palazzo Chupi, wearing sunglasses and sitting in front of his own enormous painting Large Girl With No Eyes. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dan Kois: Youd never made a movie before, and you choose the life of a real artist, someone you knew, whos fresh in everyones memory. It seems like a high degree of difficulty for a first film. How did you feel confident enough to take this on? Advertisement Julian Schnabel: Someone else came to interview me about Jean-Michel. I got involved with him, and I tried to help him to get it together. Introduced him to Dennis Hopper, to some different people so he could get an idea about Andy Warhol. But it was impossible to have a tourist make the film. So I decided to make the film myself. You knew Basquiat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a part of my life. I was a part of his life. In the film, when he goes with Andy Warhol to Dean & DeLuca to buy the caviar, I was the guy who gave him the $3,000. He paid me back. I should hope so. Well, he did. And also, you never see a painter painting in a movie about painters, usually, because the directors not necessarily that familiar with what it would really be like. Obviously Id seen Jean-Michel paint in his studio, I knew what he was doing, and so I could instruct Jeffrey how to do that to where it would look believable. For example, when hes painting that painting on the floor The huge canvas? Advertisement Yeah. And hes got a roller and hes painting. If you heard what was happening, youd hear me: OK, pick up the yellow brush, drop it on the floor, walk over the painting, pick this up, dont look up. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement You cast Jeffrey Wright just shortly after he did Angels in America on Broadway. What drew you to him for the part? Advertisement His voice. He could sound like Jean-Michel. I thought that he was a really good actor, but he had never been the central character in a film before. I wanted it to be somebody that wasnt known, so you felt like youre watching Jean-Michel. You wouldnt be watching, say for example, Lenny Kravitz wanted to do it, and I love Lenny, but I think at that moment in time, it had to be somebody that would be Jean-Michel being Jean-Michel. And you surrounded him with a bunch of extremely familiar faces, various legends of acting, and then let his newness play off against them. And also the fact that David Bowie was playing Andy Warhol. He was quite famous, David Bowie, and so was Andy Warhol. Even though David Bowie is an actor, he wasnt an actor. He was an icon as much as he was an actor. Advertisement Yes. And I think that the sense that heres this unknown person approaching somebody thats quite famous, theres already an undercurrent of believability that is implicit in the dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement As you say, this was Jeffreys first lead. This was your first movie. Did you two figure out how to work together right away, or was there a learning curve? I knew what I wanted him to do. I dont know if he understood what I was doing sometimes. We watched the movie together not long ago in New York, and he said to me, I understand how you framed my performance now. Which meant a lot to me after so many years. He didnt always understand? I think that he had an idea about who Jean-Michel was and what he wanted to do. And he had an idea about me too. And I had my own ideas about how things needed to go. But many times, I said to him, Lose the battle and youll win the war. When he had an impulse to strike back, to win the situation in the movie, I would say, Take the blows, and if you are wounded, the audience will care about you. I love the movie The 400 Blows. I said, This could be The 800 Blows. Advertisement Advertisement I was really touched by the movies portrait of the friendship between Warhol and Basquiat. And it seems like that was really important to you in making this movie. Advertisement Its very hard to grow up in public, and people have lots of different opinions about people that they think they know. I know that Andy loved Jean-Michel, and I know that Jean-Michel loved Andy, and he respected him, and it was a big deal for him to work with Andy, and to paint those paintings together. And I think he felt very hurt when he was seen as being used and they were attacked. I think I was the only person who bought a painting out of that show. Its like jazz. Its like somebodys riffing on something. If somebody plays a note, somebody responds to that note, and thats what they were doing. Advertisement Related From Slate Put Sinners Directly Into Your Veins Read More Warhol recognizes that part of Basquiats goal is to erase or destroy or mess with the stuff that Warhol is doing, and you show Warhol sort of hurt by that, but also sort of appreciating how it works. Well, I think that they were both free enough and enthusiastic enough, and trusted each other enough, to do that. And I think when you trust somebody like that, youre joined together in history in this life and in the next. Whatevers not in the painting doesnt exist. Advertisement Advertisement I think that now the movies a story of two artists that are very, very well-known and that are both dead, but their art is alive. And its an interesting thing to have a character in a movie that is alive in that form, but theyre also alive in this other form. Advertisement Tell me about the black-and-white remaster thats on the Criterion disc. Advertisement On the 20th anniversary of the film, this friend of mine wanted to show the movie on the side of a building in Montauk. They couldnt work the projector, and it came out in black and white. I was very distressed about it at first, but then I started watching, and wow. I thought, Id like people to see it in black and white because its more sad. Its less decorative. Its more emotional. Here, check this out. Ready? Ready. You see that painting on the wall? Yeah. Advertisement Advertisement So thats my plate painting of a painting by Van Gogh that he painted when he was in Arles. It was in a show called Self-Portraits of Others. And the reason Im thinking of this now is, by making the film again and re-showing it, is it taking something thats dormant and then giving it a rebirth? This painting is not that painting, its another kind of painting. But the image is something that you recognize as being connected to that other thing. Does that bring you to a place where you re-look at the Van Gogh painting? Advertisement Speaking of self-portraits, the Gary Oldman character in Basquiat is a version of you. And I really love that final conversation between Oldman and Basquiat, where he tells him that Andy really was a true friend. Was that a talk that you ever got to have with Jean-Michel? Advertisement Yeah, I guess I did. I guess I did have a conversation like that with him. I know I hurt Jean-Michel at times, and I wanted to show in the movie how people can be unconscious of how theyre hurting other peoples feelings. After a screening of the movie, my son, whos 11 years oldShooter is his name, Shooter Schnabelhe raised his hand during the Q&A and asked, How do you make a movie so emotional? Whatd you say? Well, what could you say when somebody asks a question like that? I said, I guess you take everything that you have inside and outside of you and you deposit it in that thing. Its a self-portrait by another person. Hmm. Self-portrait by another person. Its a self-portrait of Jean-Michel by another person, or was it a self-portrait of me by him? With the date for the 2025 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations just five weeks away, many of the three-year-old pacers aiming for Canadian harness racing's biggest prize have made on-track appearances and statements as they stake their claim for divisional dominance. This year's edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup will be contested on Saturday, June 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont., with eliminations the preceding Saturday, June 7. Here are the horses that are still eligible to the Cup as of the April 15 sustaining payment and have raced or are in-to-go as of May 4. American Son - raced on May 3 at The Meadowlands and finished third, individually timed in 1:50.3. Aquinas Hanover - raced on April 27 at Rideau Carleton Raceway and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:57. Avanti - raced on May 2 at Hoosier Park and finished first, winning in 1:52.1. Banderas - qualified on May 2 at The Meadowlands and finished second, individually timed in 1:53.4. Boomerang - qualified at Oak Grove on April 30 and finished first, winning in 1:56.4. Bourbon County - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished first, winning in 1:58. Brigade - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 28 and finished second, individually timed in 1:53. Bunkhouse Boss - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:54.2. Captain Hurley - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 28 and finished second, individually timed in 1:53.1. Captain Optimistic - qualified on May 2 at The Meadowlands and finished first, winning in 1:51.4. Chantilly - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished first, winning in 1:55. Courts On Fire - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 28 and finished first, winning in 1:53. Crack Shot - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished first, winning in 1:54.3. Currys Flurry - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:52.4. D A Love Boat - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished second, individually timed in 1:55. Dismas - qualified on May 2 at The Meadowlands and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:56.4. Doncic - qualified at Scioto Downs on May 2 and finished first, winning in 1:54.1. Dreamboat Hanover - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished second, individually timed in 1:50. Expedited Service - raced at The Meadowlands on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:52.2. Fallout - qualified on May 2 at The Meadowlands and finished second, individually timed in 1:52. Fast Choice - qualified on April 28 at Pocono and finished third, individually timed in 1:54. Fifth And Five - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 3 and finished first, winning in 1:51.2. Floor It Freddie - raced at The Meadowlands on May 3 and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:51.4. Glowing Lou - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:53. Go Go Grasshopper - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished first, winning in 1:50. Hello Darkness - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:54.1. Interstatedaydream - qualified at The Meadowlands on April 12 and finished second, individually timed in 1:54. Joel And The Jets - qualified at Southern Oaks on April 16 and finished second, individually timed in 1:54.3. Jon I Love Dat - qualified at Tioga Downs on April 26 and finished first, winning in 1:58.1. Entered to race on May 4 at Tioga. Lite Up The World - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 3 and finished first, winning in 1:50.4. Louprint - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished first, winning in 1:49.3. Lyons Moonshadow - entered to qualify on May 5 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Mad River - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:49.4. Making History - raced at The Meadowlands on May 3 and finished first, winning in 1:52.1. Nikola J - qualified on April 15 at Harrah's Philadelphia and finished seventh after making a break. Pac Man Hanover - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 2 and finished first, winning in 1:53.2. Pants On Fire - qualified at Miami Valley on April 25 and finished first, winning in 1:54. Papis Pistol - qualified at The Meadowlands on May 2 and finished third, individually timed in 1:52.1. Power Code - raced at The Meadowlands on May 3 and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:54.2. Prince Hal Hanover - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:49.2. Readyforprimetime - qualified at The Meadowlands on April 26 and finished third, individually timed in 1:53.1. Entered to race on May 5 at Pocono. Red Blooded - qualified at Tioga Downs on April 26 and finished first, winning in 1:59.2. Entered to race on May 4 at Tioga. Seaworthy Hanover - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished sixth, individually timed in 1:51. Set Shot - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:51. Sippinonsearoc - raced at Miami Valley on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:50.4. Sterling Choice - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 28 and finished first, winning in 1:53.3. Stonebridge Wizard - qualified at Pocono on April 30 and finished second, individually timed in 1:52.4. Strangerinthenight - qualified at The Meadowlands on May 2 and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:52.4. Strangeronthebeach - raced at Hoosier Park on April 19 and finished second, individually timed in 1:52.1. Swingtown - raced at Miami Valley on May 3 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:51. Th Colby - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:51.1. The Magic Moment - qualified at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 28 and finished third, individually timed in 1:53.1. The Real Thing - qualified at The Meadowlands on April 26 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:54.4. Th Kay C Crunch - raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 3 and finished second, individually timed in 1:50.4. Twin B Fresh Bet - qualified at The Meadowlands on April 26 and finished fifth, individually timed in 1:55.2. Wavemaker - raced at Harrah's Philadelphia on April 27 and finished third, individually timed in 1:53.4. Entered to race on May 4 at Philly. Welcometotheshow - raced at The Meadowlands on May 3 and finished fourth, individually timed in 1:53.1. Wild Bill Wyatt - raced at The Meadows on May 3 and finished third, individually timed in 1:50.4. The following Cup eligibles have not started in a qualifier or race in 2025: Bold Venture, Dandy Ideal, Knockout Round, Madden Oaks. (Standardbred Canada; photos, clockwise from top left: Louprint (Chris Gooden), Captain Optimistic, Making History (Lisa Photo), Lite Up The World (New Image Media)) Its my privilege to have a friend whose time in the military was spent as a meteorologist. He was responsible for studying and predicting short and long-term weather expectations. It matters to airborne craft. Calculated risks at sea matter. It matters for soldiers on the ground. The weather was a key factor in George Washington march on the Hessian troops in Trenton. It was difficult, yet hindered by a nasty winter storm. There was no meteorologist to assist their decision-making. A wise mentor of mine wrote in my Bible, All signs fail in dry weather. The Bible gives this account: Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red; and in the morning, It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. And He left them and departed. (Matthew 16:1-4) The adage Red sky at night, sailors delight generally means that a red sunset indicates fair weather is coming. Conversely, a red sky in the morning is often associated with foul weather. Proverbs 25:14 says, Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain. We have deep and practical needs to know what the weather will be like for our tomorrows. The 10-day forecast shows rain probable, yet frequently no rain comes in our arid neck of the woods. We make plans dependent on forecasts. Do you utilize a weather app on your phone? At times we really need to know! What about wildlife and weather? Though they are created with great instinct regarding the time to migrate, they are restricted to live by taking what comes. On frigid nights we take extra care of our pets and livestock, but deer and critters with paws are stranded out there on their own. Though most animal hair is hollow and serves as insulation, sometimes its just way colder than they can handle. These animals and birds are impacted by raging fire during dangerously dry conditions, raging winds and raging floods. Its more than they can endure. Watching geese and buzzards trying to navigate 50 mph winds is sad to watch. Watching furry little land animals trying to survive in high waters is sad. Neither we, nor they, are in control! I saw a National Geographic photo of a hillside engulfed in flame next to a river where deer, bear and elk stood helplessly with nowhere to escape clearly, they were surrounded by intense heat a very sad sight. I read where scientists are measuring the annual incremental change in our protection from the suns influence on our earth. They concluded that earth will no longer be able to sustain life a billion years from now. My youngest brother is a hero of mine. For 44 years he has served as a missionary in Japan. Gut-wrenching were his photos and accounts of the tsunami where 26,000 lives were lost. He transported food and vegetables to the stricken area. But it was his account that 30,000+ ancestral worshippers walked into the sea until they died that broke my heart the most. What we believe matters for eternity. The most gifted and well-equipped meteorologists publish forecasts that are generally most accurate in the short term, with a five-day forecast having an accuracy rate of about 90%. Longer-term forecasts (10 days or more) tend to be less reliable, with an accuracy rate around 50% Our Bible forecasts are 100% accurate and we are right on schedule. PRAYER NUGGET: Awesome God, we worship and praise you in the name of your son, our Lord Jesus. We love you, Lord. Amen. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The share of solar cell exports to the US from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Massive planned US duties on solar panels made in Southeast Asia could be a chance for the region to ramp up its own long-stalled energy transition, experts say. Earlier this month, Washington announced plans for hefty duties on solar panels made in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. The levies follow an investigation, launched before US President Donald Trump took office, into "unfair practices" in the countries, particularly by Chinese-headquartered firms. If approved next month, they will pile upon tariffs already imposed by the Trump administration, including blanket 10% levies for most countries, and 145% on Chinese-made goods. For the US market, the consequences are likely to be severe. China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally, and controls 80% of every stage of the manufacturing process. The new tariffs "will practically make solar exports to US impossible commercially," said Putra Adhiguna, managing director at the Energy Shift Institute think tank. Southeast Asia accounted for nearly 80% of US solar panel imports in 2024. And while investment in solar production has ramped up in the United States in recent years, the market still relies heavily on imported components. For Chinese manufacturers, already dealing with a saturated domestic market, the raft of tariffs is potentially very bad news. Massive new tarrifs could hit solar panels made in Southeast Asia from June. Many shifted operations to Southeast Asia hoping to avoid punitive measures imposed by Washington and the European Union as they try to protect and nurture domestic solar industries. The proposed new duties range from around 40% for some Malaysian exports to an eye-watering 3,521% for some Cambodia-based manufacturers. Tariffs 'accelerate' transition But there may be a silver lining for the region, explained Ben McCarron, managing director at Asia Research & Engagement. "The tariffs and trade war are likely to accelerate the energy transition in Southeast Asia," he said. China will "supercharge efforts" in regional markets and push for policy and implementation plans to "enable fast adoption of green energy across the region," driven by its exporters. Analysts have long warned that countries in the region are moving too slowly to transition from planet-warming fossil fuels like coal. "At the current pace, it (Southeast Asia) risks missing out on the opportunities provided by the declining costs of wind and solar, now cheaper than fossil fuels," said energy think tank Ember in a report last year. For example, Malaysia relied on fossil fuels for over 80% of its electricity generation last year. Many Chinese manufacturers moved to Southeast Asia to avoid US trade restrictions. It aims to generate 24% from renewables by 2030, a target that has been criticized as out of step with global climate goals. The tariff regime represents a double opportunity for the region, explained Muyi Yang, senior energy analyst at Ember. So far, the local solar industry has been "largely opportunistic, focused on leveraging domestic resources or labor advantages for export gains," he told AFP. Cut off from the US market, it could instead focus on local energy transitions, speeding green energy uptake locally and driving a new market that "could serve as a natural hedge against external volatility." Still, replacing the US market will not be easy, given its size and the relatively nascent state of renewables in the region. "Success hinges on turning this export-led momentum into a homegrown cleantech revolution," said Yang. "Clearance prices" may be attractive to some, but countries in the region and beyond may also be cautious about a flood of solar, said Adhiguna. Major markets like Indonesia and India already have measures in place intended to favor domestic solar production. "Many will hesitate to import massively, prioritizing trade balance and aims to create local green jobs," he said. 2025 AFP Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (3/7) uoc du bao co the giam tu 6,8 - 7,5% so voi ky ieu hanh truoc o. Cu the, gia ban le xang E5 RON 92 co the giam 1.412 ong (6,9%) ve muc 19.118 ong/lit; xang RON 95-III co the giam 1.440 ong (6,8%) ve muc 19.670 ong/lit. Trong khi o, dau hoa co the giam 7,5% ve muc 17.631 ong/lit; dau mazut co the giam 7,2% ve muc 15.730 ong/kg; dau diesel co the giam 7,1% ve muc 17.977 ong/lit. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates As part of New Jerseys economic mission to the Gulf Arab States, Choose New Jersey today facilitated the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Kean University and the University of Dubai, American University in Dubai (AUD) and University of Wollongong in Dubai; and Rowan University and the University of Ras Al Khaimah. New Jerseys education ecosystem is strengthened by our international academic partnerships, said Governor Phil Murphy. Research and development are essential for innovation, and the collaborations between Kean, Rowan, and these leading global research universities benefit students and key industries in both regions. Not only will this collaboration and partnership bolster New Jerseys future workforce, but it will also strengthen our economy by ensuring New Jersey continues to be a leader in emerging industries. Kean University entered into MOUs with three universities, each a collaboration between research students and faculty members in academic areas of mutual interest, including opportunities for faculty and student exchange. The MOUs aim to create opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to study, conduct, and present research with the partner university. These new partnerships reinforce Kean Universitys role as a global academic leader, said Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., President of Kean University. Collaborating with premier institutions such as the University of Dubai, American University in Dubai, and the University of Wollongong in Dubai creates powerful opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in cross-cultural research and innovation. These agreements strengthen our commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and inclusive learning while preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in an interconnected world. In addition to research and development, the Rowan University and American University of Ras Al Khaimah MOU will focus on strengthening cross-cultural ties between New Jersey and the UAE through student and faculty exchange programs and joint educational programs. Much of the research being conducted at Rowan has global implications, said Ali A. Houshmand, President, Rowan University. Partnering with other universities benefits our institutions, our students, and our regions. This exchange provides students with broader perspectives, ultimately creating better business opportunities, attracting more people and improving our respective economies. Investment in higher education partnerships strengthens New Jerseys talent pipeline, fostering a skilled workforce leading innovative research in life sciences, technology, clean energy, and other key industries that bolster our states economy, said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. These MOUs reaffirm a commitment to academic excellence and a limitless pursuit of knowledge in collaboration with our international partners. To view the full MOU between Rowan University and University of Ras Al Khaimah, click here. About American University of Ras Al Khaimah The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), located in the United Arab Emirates, is a non-profit, public university that offers a comprehensive set of accredited and internationally recognized undergraduate and postgraduate programs. With a focus on holistic education and practical knowledge, AURAK prepares students to become global citizens who are innovators in their respective fields. Through partnerships with top global universities and organizations, AURAK provides students unparalleled opportunities to gain international exposure and experience. Bilateral trade between Trinidad and Tobago and India reached a record TT$1.2 billion (US$368.96 million) in the last fiscal year, according to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She disclosed this as she announced that her Government aims to expand exports to tap into Indias market of 1.4 billion consumers, and will pursue a Partial Scope Trade Agreementthe first from a Caricom countrywhile laying the foundation for a new Bilateral Investment Treaty. ON Thursday night, when hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an experience that has been preserved by the nations diaspora for 180 years. In images that have since gone viral, Modi was seen eating on the leaves of the sohari (Calathea lutea). In a social media post to Angelo Bissessarsinghs Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago Facebook page, Patricia Bissessar said the serving of food on the leaves of the sohari is a practice rooted in Indo-Trinidadian cultural heritage, particularly among the Hindu community. This years Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) results have revealed a concerning learning gap among primary school students, Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath has said. Speaking at a recognition ceremony for the top five performers in the 2025 SEA yesterday at the ministrys head office in Port of Spain, Dowlath said the data will be analysed for better performance moving forward. Last Tuesday, Gwynne Dyer headlined his Express column Stupid old men. You could substitute all sorts of adjectives before the words, old men, to describe the characteristics of the cohort that has had the most influence on the world we inhabit. Greedy, self-righteous, racist, arrogant, selfish, a multitude of negative words readily suit the clique. At first, angrily thinking about the subject of todays column, I was focusing on Caribbean men in leadership positions who have been sleazy lechers, foisting themselves on hapless females and males with impunity. Who to call to send your child to camp Boy Scout camp on Mt. Lemmon, 520-750-0385. Camp Tayitee in the White Mountains, 480-380-4254. Girl Scouts camp on Mt. Lemmon, 520-327-2288. YMCA Triangle Y camp on the back side of Mt. Lemmon near Oracle, 520-884-0987. And do tell them that Debbie from Send A Kid to Camp told you to call. Did you know? If you are age 70 or older and have savings in an IRA, you may be able to give directly from your IRA and save even more on your federal and Arizona taxes. If your custodian sends a payment directly from your IRA to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund, you may be able to deduct it as a Qualifying Charitable Distribution on your tax return even if you claim the standard deduction. Consult your tax adviser for more information about how this applies to you. Mikala Jansen, CPA, and Sportsmens Fund officer A new mother from Guatemala, who was detained by Tucson sector border agents just days before giving birth at Tucson Medical Center, has been released from federal custody with her baby girl after a public outcry over her impending rapid deportation, her attorney said Saturday. The woman is still subject to removal proceedings, but no longer faces an immediate deportation, after federal immigration officials reversed course on Friday. That day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a statement saying the woman, who gave birth Wednesday, would instead receive a notice to appear in immigration court and would have access to an attorney. CBP had initially told the Arizona Daily Star the woman was facing expedited removal, a quick deportation process without a hearing before an immigration judge. She would be given the choice to take her U.S. citizen newborn with her, or leave her baby in the U.S., when she was deported, a CBP spokesman told the Star Thursday, while the woman was still in the hospital. She was discharged from the hospital Friday, and advocates feared shed face an imminent deportation at that point. The woman whom the Star is identifying only by her first name, Erika, due to her vulnerability to deportation was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody midday Saturday, said her attorney, Luis Campos. Initially, DHS agents posted outside Erikas TMC hospital room had denied Campos access to speak with her, even though she had requested to speak with an attorney. The new mother and her baby girl are in good health and spirits, Campos said Saturday afternoon after speaking with her by phone. He credits her release to the widespread public attention to the case. I would love to be able to say they (DHS) made the right choice based on humanitarian grounds, but its equally evident to me that they made this choice because they were forced to make this choice, based on public pressure, Campos said. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs office also reached out to federal and local officials on Friday to learn more about the womans situation, a spokesperson said. While Governor Hobbs supports securing the border, she has been clear in her opposition to inhumane immigration enforcement practices, spokeswoman Liliana Soto said. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said in a Saturday statement that the new mother had been released to a non-governmental organization in Phoenix. This is exactly the kind of circumstance that humanitarian exceptions to the law are meant for, she said. I thank the staff at TMC and the community for showing once again the compassion Tucson is known for. An undocumented Mexican man who has lived in Tucson for almost 15 years was arrested by immigration agents outside St. Josephs Hospital on Tuesday, after his wife says hospital staff extensively questioned a relative whom he was accompanying about his legal status. The man, whom the Star is only identifying by his first name, Francisco, was detained when leaving St. Josephs Hospital with a cousin who had sought emergency care there, his attorney, Luis Campos, told the Arizona Daily Star. When the two men exited St. Josephs on Tuesday afternoon, non-uniformed agents emerged from an unmarked Chevy Tahoe and called out the cousins name, Campos said. While his cousin broke into a run and avoided the agents, Francisco was detained and is now in the Florence Correctional Center, with a hearing scheduled for May 15, Campos said. Before being discharged, Franciscos cousin was repeatedly questioned about whether he had a Social Security number or legal status, which he did not, said Franciscos wife, Rosa. The manner of questioning made the family suspect the hospital employee contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Rosa, who said she was present at the hospital on Tuesday during the questioning, before she left to pick up her daughter from school. If she hadnt left when she did, I think they would have arrested me, too, she said in Spanish. The Star is only identifying the couple by their first names, even though Rosa and her two daughters have asylum protection and an ongoing process to secure lawful permanent residency, also known as a green card. But Rosa said they still fear deportation, as the Trump administration is also targeting immigrants with legal status and reversing previously granted protections for asylum seekers. Rosa said she and her daughters, 11 and 16, are devastated by Franciscos arrest. For the past five years, hes been raising my daughters. The separation is shocking to them, said Rosa who, like Francisco, is from Sonora. If hes deported, it would be to Mexico. But we cant go back there. The Star emailed questions Friday about the circumstances of Franciscos arrest to Patti Tanner, the media-relations contact listed on the website of Carondelet Health Network, St. Josephs parent company, with no immediate response. The Star also left multiple messages at St. Josephs Hospital on Friday with no response. ICE spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts OKeefe did not respond to the Stars Friday request for comment on the ICE operation outside St. Josephs. Hospitals no longer safe spaces In January, the Trump administrations Department of Homeland Security reversed its long-standing guidance that restricted ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforcement at sensitive locations, including hospitals, churches and schools. Under the previous guidance, which was still in effect in Trumps first term, immigration officers generally had to get approval for enforcement operations at those locations, with some exceptions, such as national security, the Associated Press reported. Heightened ICE enforcement at hospitals will result in needless suffering and delayed medical care, said Sarah Roberts, an immigrant-rights advocate who volunteers with Tucsons Coalicion de Derechos Humanos, or Human Rights Coalition. Roberts is a retired registered nurse and worked at St. Marys Hospital for years. We have to warn the community about this, and that means they are not going to go to the hospital when they need it, she said. Its going to result in people being sick and possibly dying from illness or injury, because theyre scared to go to the hospital. Rosa said her daughter has a medical appointment scheduled for a fingernail that has turned black, but Rosa is now fearful of attending the appointment. On April 11, a federal judge rejected a legal challenge from 27 faith-based groups who sought protection from immigration enforcement in their houses of worship. The judge ruled the plaintiffs hadnt proved an imminent threat of enforcement. Campos said hospitals should be resisting Trumps aggressive pursuit of immigrants. Its another institution thats capitulating, he said. The hospital is very well-resourced. The hospital is a sensitive space. And the hospital, I believe, should be making a public display of pushing back against the government. Agents at TMC Franciscos detention outside St. Josephs happened during the same week that a pregnant Guatemalan woman was apprehended by border agents in the Southern Arizona desert, days before being transferred to Tucson Medical Center to give birth on Wednesday. Department of Homeland Security officers posted outside the womans hospital room were preventing anyone other than hospital staff from seeing her, Campos said Thursday. Initially, the woman faced expedited removal, a rapid deportation without a hearing before a judge. A CBP spokesman told the Star on Thursday that the new mother would have the choice whether to take her U.S. citizen newborn with her, or leave the baby in the U.S., when she was deported. DHS agents posted outside the womans TMC hospital room refused to let Campos talk to her Thursday, even though she had requested a lawyer, Campos said. But on Friday, after a public outcry and widespread media attention, CBP appeared to reverse course: In a new statement, the agency said the woman would be given a notice-to-appear in court and the opportunity to contact a lawyer, signifying she has been put into normal deportation proceedings, rather than expedited removal. That should give her an opportunity to pursue asylum or other humanitarian protections, said Campos, who is now formally representing the woman. Campos got word Saturday afternoon that the woman, who is with her newborn, had just been released from DHS custody, pending her immigration hearing. Tucson connection Rosa, 35, said she fled death threats in Sonora in 2019, and requested asylum for herself and her two daughters at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales. They eventually received asylum protection and are currently in the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency, or green cards. Soon after arriving in Tucson, Rosa met Francisco as he was searching for work opportunities at a Tucson church near where she lived. After offering lunch to Francisco and some of the other workers, she quickly noticed how polite he was, and the care with which he treated her daughters, she told the Star. As they spent time together, I watched how he respected them, how he took care of them, holding the little ones hand to cross the street, she said. He became very attached to them. Francisco was also gentle with Rosa and sensitive to the post-traumatic stress she experiences, she said. I was wounded, she said. When I started the relationship with Francisco, I feel like I began to heal many things. Even before Francisco was detained by ICE, the family was making plans for that worst-case scenario, Rosa said. We thought about it every day, she said. He always told me, Our life is in Gods hands; its not in the governments hands. Were going to do whats in our hands, but God is the one who guides our steps. They downloaded an app to share each others locations, which is how Rosa first knew something was wrong on Tuesday, when she saw his location was the Tucson Border Patrol station, on South Swan Road. I tried to stay calm and tell myself, Hes just passing by there, she said, before she got the call from a relative of his cousin, telling her Francisco had been arrested outside St. Josephs. Franciscos cousin, who fled while Francisco was detained, called Rosa to apologize and to say he would not contact her again for a while, because he was too afraid, Rosa said. I said I understand, dont worry, she said. I will find resources to help my husband. Rosa said, although some think President Trumps rhetoric is full of empty threats to scare people, she wants people in her community to know the risk is real. He (Trump) is really doing it, she said. Many people say its just psychological terror, but its actually happening. We, the migrant community, are suffering a lot. Were living in fear. Our children feel like theyre not safe in their schools. I want people to know that whats happening is real. Rosa said shes finding support in her community, but she advises everyone to remain vigilant. I think the important thing is to take care of each other, that they take care of themselves and that they dont trust anyone, she said. The hospitals arent trustworthy either. A committee that spent five months conjuring ways to use about $8 million from a settlement to help Tucson combat the effects of the opioid epidemic has come up with seven steps and potential funding levels that can be pursued. Those are: Youth prevention, $1.5 million; Peer navigation services and support, $1.5 million; Transitional wraparound support, $1.5 to $2 million; Law enforcement co-response, $1 to $1.5 million; Continuation of mobile medical assisted treatment, $300,000; Innovation projects, $755,000; Sobering Center implementation plan development, $100,000 to $250,000; Continued staffing to support contracting and overdose prevention services. The initial funding for the effort comes from the One Arizona Agreement, a 2021 settlement against major opioid distributors that was doled out to Arizonas 90 cities and 15 counties to combat drug use in their communities. Locally, funds have been pooled between Pima County, Marana, Tucson and South Tucson, with each jurisdiction represented on the settlement committee. The committee has been tasked with researching and identifying top priorities. These priorities were identified and presented to the City Council recently by Dr. Theresa Cullen, the Pima County health director. Cullen said through lots of research, surveys and interviews the committee narrowed down their 12 priorities to seven, then focused on spending required for each initiative. What started as a $5 million budget quickly turned to an $8 million budget when they realized how much its going to take to get proper initiatives off the ground. Mayor Regina Romero fixed her attention on one recommendation: Creating a sobering center that would provide a long-term living and care environment to help people get their lives on track. This is an immediate need, Romero said. Its an absolute immediate need. Cullen described the proposed center as a warm handoff for individuals in need of sobering, withdrawal, med management and access to peer navigation. It will not be a quick in-and-out process for patients. The goal, Cullen said, is to provide people with additional support and services to facilitate better chances in recovery. Each jurisdictions committee members named this action a priority. But funding the committee recommended for a sobering center was less than any other proposal. Romero said she was disappointed by that. On the back of declaring opioid abuse a public health crisis in December 2023, Romero said shes been carefully considering what options would best serve Tucson and surrounding communities, and at what cost. Theres such little money attached to this concept, Romero said of establishing a sobering house. We have one opportunity and finite resources with the opioid settlement funds and really question why we are not accelerating a sobering center implementation and attaching more funds to it. Cullen said that knowing the cost of this effort is an impossible task. One hesitation, I think, has been that we dont know what (dollar amount) to put to that (sobering center initiative). I think if we do our due diligence we can accelerate this to try to get back with a number of what the cost will be, whether thats $1.5 million, or $3 million, or $4.5 million, Cullen said, promising to come back to the board with additional assessments to move the project along at a quicker pace. Romero asked that the Board of Supervisors reassess the plan, and focus more time and funding on the gaping hole that is a sobering center in Tucson. I am not an expert and the cities have never had to respond to this issue in the way that were dealing with it now, Romero said. And so we are learning on the fly. I want to make sure that I am a good partner to Pima County, but they need to be a good partner to the city of Tucson, as well, and attend to this issue and we have the money to do this with the opioid settlement. So, I dont pretend to know how were going to do it, but I know that we can and it needs to be done quickly. Romero pointed out the empty Mission Annex building next to the Pima County jail as a potential site for a sobering center. And while shes recognized the need for other forms of prevention, the most urgent piece to trying to resolve a few issues at the same time (is a sobering center). We absolutely need to move at breakneck speed to create a safe center in our community and then take this money and make it happen. Its a need residents are asking for, she said, and a need that the committee cant sit on and study for any more time. Romeros reaction to the committees suggestions wasnt necessarily a bad one, says Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz. Look, were not going to get everything happening on day one, Heinz said. This isnt a rejection saying burn it down and start all over. The council and the mayor want to see an accelerated timeline for a sobering facility and thats workable, he said. Its very complicated. Were not going to fix it, the mayor is not going to fix it, no one government entity is going to fix it. We are getting together and pooling our resources to make sure we have that coordination and public discussion on how to proceed. Romero has asked Cullen to come back within 30 days with a more clear idea on the needs required to create a sobering house so the project can get underway. The program is expected to serve between 10-15 people initially and expand from there. Arizona has cut a deal to sell the shuttered private prison it owns north of Tucson to the Utah-based company that ran it until the state closed it at the end of 2023. The development comes as the state House overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to lease the facility for $1 a year to the federal government to house people accused of immigration violations. The prison is being sold to Utah-based Management and Training Corp. for $15 million, Timothy Tait, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Administration, said Friday. There are no strings on how the company known as MTC could operate the prison. An MTC spokesperson, Issa Arnita, confirmed it was buying the 500-bed facility to use as a detention facility but declined to provide details, including when it would reopen and whether it would house federal prisoners or those from other states. Arizona does not need the space. The deal was signed on April 30, but Tait said he could not determine when escrow would close. The former Arizona State Prison-Marana was operated by MTC since it was built in the mid-1990s as the first private prison in the state. Arizona bought the prison in 2013 for $150,000 under a contract provision that allowed it to buy it when contracts expired. MTC continued operating the minimum security facility until December 2023, when it was closed under a plan approved by Gov. Katie Hobbs because it would save money and the state no longer needed the beds to house a dipping prison population. The closure was a hit for Marana, a town about 20 miles north of Tucson with a population of nearly 60,000. At the time it was closed, it held less than half its capacity and employed about 100 guards and other staff. Town Manager Terry Rozema said town officials had talked to two companies who were interested in the facility but was unaware Friday that a deal had been reached to sell it. Neither planned to use it to house federal immigration prisoners. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said it had no involvement with the sale and had no plans to again house state prisoners there. Thursdays 48-10 vote rejecting the proposal to lease the prison to the federal government came after the two lawmakers who represent the Marana area one Democrat and one Republican blasted the bill sponsored by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, during floor speeches. Rep. Rachel Keshel, a Tucson Republican, said there was concern locally about housing criminal immigrants in the prison. And she criticized Kavanagh for failing to talk with her, Democratic Rep. Kevin Volk or town officials about his proposal. Now, I do agree that something needs to happen with it instead of it just sitting there. But why was I not consulted with? Keshel asked. Why wasnt I able to go to the mayor, the vice mayor, the town council of Marana, and figure out what their desires were for their community? Senate Bill 1294 would have allowed the state to end any deal with the federal government if it found a buyer, but required one years notice. During testimony in the Senate earlier in the session, Kavanagh said that with increased federal immigration-related detentions it made sense to make the facility available for immigration detainees. As everyone knows, the federal government is ramping up the enforcement of our immigration laws, both at the border and internally, and consequentially there is an anticipated need for detention facilities, he said. The Marana prison is a vacant prison. Our (prison) population is down. Volk also wondered why town officials werent consulted, but was also concerned that Kavanaghs bill limited the use to only federal prisoners for a minimum price while the property was for sale. This is political theater in the form of a bill that has not been done in consultation with the community, and its bad business, Volk said. Rozema, the town manager, said he and other town officials had received no information from Kavanagh on his plan. Nobodys reached out to us and said this is what the bill is about, heres what it accomplishes, and this is why its good for Marana, he said. The town does want to see the prison reopened, and Rozema said MTC was a good partner over the years. At full capacity, the prison employs more than 200 people, many of whom live there. The town also gets increased state shared revenue because prisoners are counted as residents. And they also are used to do roadside cleanup and other projects that help keep the town pristine, he said. One of the big benefits for us was being able to utilize some of the folks there in our workforce, doing a lot of the landscaping along the freeways and along the big thoroughfares, Rozema said. So having that again is something wed really like to see, he said. Having it as an ICE facility, I dont know if thats even possible to use the inmates because of the security level of the detainees. MTC operates detention or correctional centers in the U.S. and abroad, plus Job Corps training centers and prison medical facilities. It also runs five Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency detention centers, one in California and four in Texas. Our former colleague Ignacio Ibarra has been seeing military helicopters fly by his house south of Bisbee, near the Mexican border. Some are Blackhawk helicopters, but not the kind used by Customs and Border Protection, and some are even bigger, said Ibarra, who covered border issues for the Star for decades. The other day, I saw one that looked like it would carry 8 or 10 passengers, he told me Friday. Its just one sign of the large interdiction force and effort that is building up along the U.S.-Mexico line. Another sign appeared to the west of Tucson, at the U.S. Border Patrol station near Why, last week: A line of at least five apparent U.S. Army Stryker vehicles. The federal government has been amassing a force to fight migration and the supply of illegal drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border. Theyve assigned the strip of land along the border to the military, designated the drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, threatened military strikes inside Mexico and imposed tariffs (but removed them in some cases) as an effort to reduce the supply of fentanyl. While this massive effort to fight the supply has grown, though, the efforts to reduce demand for illegal drugs like fentanyl are withering or endangered. The Trump administration proposed in its budget released Friday to eliminate the federal agency that fights drug abuse. It has also proposed to cut a $56 million grant to distribute the overdose-fighting medication naloxone and train emergency responders. Perhaps the biggest threat: The proposed massive cuts to Medicaid, which is the biggest payer of substance-use disorder treatments in the country. The existing congressional spending resolution proposes cuts of up to $880 billion, though that is being debated heavily in Congress. The policy shift back to fighting supply is a return to our decades-old Drug War focus. This free spending on stopping supply combined with penny-pinching over reducing demand strikes Dr. Melody Glenn as the wrong formula. I really think that our countrys drug policy should be focusing on addiction treatment, the medical model of addiction as a disease, said Glenn, an addiction-treatment specialist and emergency physician at Banner-University Medical Center and assistant professor at the UA medical school. Doing so will reduce the demand for illicit substances. I recommend that over focusing on the supply side. Ground zero for drug policy All these issues flow together in the Tucson area and Southern Arizona. We have the increasingly fortified Mexican border to the south, we have a city saturated in drugs and addiction, and we have a wealth of treatment centers scattered across the area. Patrick Sullivan moved from rural Illinois to Tucson in 2008, a move that might have been risky for someone like him at the time. When I moved out there, I was active in my opioid use. I was doing heroin, he said. But rather than becoming mired in Tucsons drug scene, he went the opposite direction. He went into methadone treatment in May 2009 and stayed sober. He ended up working at treatment centers in Tucson, circling back to work for the company that had helped him get sober in 2009, Community Medical Services, before moving back to Illinois to continue working for them there in 2022. Treatment around here (in rural Illinois) was you grin and bear it. You go cold turkey, Sullivan said. I had done that a few times, but I got to the point in my addiction where I couldnt do that anymore. Now hes the correctional health programs director for the same company who treated him 16 years ago. While his own treatment was paid for privately, thats not the case with most patients hes seen go through medical drug treatment, Sullivan said. The vast majority that are on this kind of treatment are funded through Medicaid and grant funding, he said. While Medicaid funding is only threatened right now and hasnt disappeared, some money has also been stricken from the system, Community Medical Services CEO, Nick Stavros, noted. About $12 billion in grants made under pandemic programs that were destined for addiction and behavioral health services were canceled a month ago. Now its in court. The executive order itself is being contested, Stavros said. It doesnt mean the moneys gone. The cash is gone. We dont have the cash we were counting on. Thats already hurting some treatment centers. Aimee Graves, CEO of The Haven, said the agency lost three positions and a program for alumnae of The Haven as a result of that cut. Theory meets budget cuts Based on the statements Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made so far, you would think the Trump administration would be leaning toward greater support of drug treatment. Kennedy, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, recounted his 14 years as a heroin addict in a speech April 24 to the RX and Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville, a conference focused on addressing the opioid crisis. We have to do all the nuts-and-bolts things that you are all involved in, the practical pragmatic things, Kennedy said. We need suboxone, we need methadone we need naltrexone, we need Narcan, we need good fentanyl detectors that can detect it on pills, etc. so the kids are less likely to overdose. We need prevention, we need education, and we need treatment. He added, more esoterically, though, that he thinks Throwing money at it alone is not going to work. We need to focus on re-establishing these historic ties to community. We have this whole generation of kids who have lost hope in their future. Asked to elaborate on the department's position, spokesmen sent a statement after initial publication of this column saying: "The Secretary understands the vital role of federal programs in saving lives and promoting recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will continue under the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). "By consolidating SAMHSA's operations under AHA, we aim to streamline resources and eliminate redundancies, ensuring that essential mental health and substance use disorder services are delivered more effectively. This restructuring will enhance the ability to address public health needs by fostering a more coordinated approach to prevention, treatment, and recovery services." Any efforts to bolster drug treatment are running into the buzz saw of the so-called Department of Government Efficiencys effort to slash spending all over the federal government. Everywhere, that is, except in the militarized parts. Trumps proposed budget revealed Friday would increase spending in the Department of Homeland Security by about $44 billion and increase spending in the Defense Department by $113 billion. The people with the guns get more money. The people with the medicines and counseling get less. An entire iceberg underneath One of the misunderstandings people have of our drug problem is that it is reflected mostly in the street people we see begging on corners, camping in washes, or using at bus stops. At an April 22 discussion by the Tucson City Council of how to spend money from an opioid-lawsuit settlement, council member Lane Santa Cruz said this is not the case. I know theres a perception that a lot of our unhoused neighbors are the ones using, but thats what we see, visible, she said. There is an entire iceberg underneath that of folks in our community who are also dealing with this that we dont see, because theyre doing it behind closed doors. Its that whole population that people like Stavros, the Community Medical Services CEO, and Glenn, the UA physician, would like to see getting access to proven treatments. We have extremely, extremely effective medicines, more effective than pretty much anything else we have for almost any other chronic disease, Glenn said, referring to buprenorphine and methadone. The results, she said, include Reduced deaths. Keeping people in treatment. Reduced risky behavior. Reduced side effects of drug use. Theyre very effective, affordable medications, but very underutilized. Missing an opportunity? The attacks on supply can prove beneficial to reducing demand, too, because of how it affects the local illicit markets where users get their drugs, Stavros said. When theres a drug seizure, we see more people seeking treatment, he said. Thats because the drugs may become temporarily unavailable from their usual sources. But treatment has to be available for those who want it. Stavros company has 26 centers in Arizona alone. He said 75% of the patients have their treatment paid for by Medicaid and about 10% by federal grants. That payment system is whats in doubt now. And its what could solve the problems experienced by Ibarra, who told me he has had guns and bicycles stolen that he suspects were taken by residents of his area. My concern isnt stuff coming across the border, he said. Its the fentanyl in the houses in and around my neighborhood. If we dont reduce users demand, no amount of military buildup is going to stop that supply. Water levels are falling in a series of monitoring wells connecting Fort Huachuca and the San Pedro River, leading an environmentalist to conclude that pumping by the fort and homeowners and businesses dependent on it are jeopardizing the long-imperiled river. In a new report, longtime San Pedro crusader Robin Silver of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity wrote that the well findings show a water level decline documented at the fort 20 years ago has now undoubtedly spread to the river itself. Pumping at the fort or by individuals and businesses in the area whose livelihoods depend on the fort is also undoubtedly jeopardizing the San Pedro River, wrote Silver. He has been battling groundwater over-pumping along the river for more than 30 years and is a founder and board member of the center. He also cited a 45% increase in water use at the fort from 2020 to 2024 in his report. Silvers conclusions were based in part on monitoring well data he obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey. It has measured well levels in that area for decades. He also relied on fort water production well data from the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and said those three wells were the only Fort Huachuca wells on the ADWR website. He said he obtained the forts water use totals from the fort through the federal Freedom of Information Act. This data represents one of many pieces of evidence Silver has cited over the years to back up his concerns about the forts impacts on the river concerns also reflected in other formal studies by consultants, including one by a fort-hired consultant 15 years ago. Silver has sought, unsuccessfully to date, to force a downsizing of the forts workforce, to reduce its pumping pressure on the river. The fort, one of Southern Arizonas largest employers, lies in the Upper San Pedro Basin about 75 miles southeast of Tucson. It is the mainstay of the economy of Sierra Vista, an adjoining city of about 44,400 people. The rivers streamside riparian habitat led by its cottonwoods and willows and its overall ecology have long been prized by environmentalists and scientists. It is a national riparian conservation area, and The Nature Conservancy has called the San Pedro one of the worlds last great places. Its water flows have been declining for years, and its been plagued by a deficit between pumping and natural recharge of rainwater into the aquifer, although that overdraft appears to have itself declined in recent years. Most officials agree that over-pumping of the aquifer is a cause of declining river flows and threatens the San Pedros long-term survival. But there is widespread disagreement over Fort Huachucas role in the decline and over what authorities should do to arrest the groundwater overdraft. It also comes as the fort and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service negotiate what would be the fifth federal biological opinion showing the fort complies with the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The previous opinions have been either thrown out due to lawsuits from the center or withdrawn by the federal agency voluntarily. Reactions to report Fort Huachuca declined to comment on Silvers report, saying, Fort Huachucas stewardship of our natural resources combined with our broad partnerships with stakeholders in the Upper San Pedro Basin, is a testament to our outstanding water conservation programs. We were not involved in the preparation of the report drafted by the Center for Biological Diversity and will not respond to its assertions. A top USGS official in Arizona, Jamie Macy, declined to say in an interview with the Star on Friday whether he agrees with Silvers conclusions about water level declines extending to the river. The agency must base any conclusions on its own independent analysis of the well data, said Macy, acting director and supervisory hydrologist for USGS Arizona Water Science Center. Two retired USGS hydrologists, Robert MacNish and Bruce Gungle, told the Star they generally agreed with Silvers conclusions. In particular, they cited a growing cone of depression of water levels under the fort and at the river. A cone-shaped zone of depression in groundwater levels represents a reduction in water pressure in an aquifer, triggered by intense pumping and centered where the wells are pumping, said MacNish. When you have a cone of depression, it intercepts water headed for the river, MacNish said. Were actually dealing with several cones of depression that are all packed into the same aquifer system. But Macy said, At USGS, our standard practice, no matter what, if we do an analysis, is to do our own independent analysis, to make sure its up to USGS standard protocols. Weve been collecting data on the San Pedro for decades now. It is a vital resource and a finite resource. Weve not been asked to do a thorough analysis, to look at declines in the San Pedro. (To do one), we will need to reach out to partners we work with, to ask if theyd like us to do an analysis like Robin Silvers. But in his interview Friday afternoon, Macy also retracted two comments he had made in an email to the Star earlier that day disagreeing with and criticizing a portion of Silvers report. For one, he led the email by saying, We do not agree that groundwater declines extend to the San Pedro River at this time. In a phone conversation afterward, he said, I reread the email I sent to you. When I read it, I realized its not accurate (the statement about groundwater declines). I wanted you to have the most accurate story to give to the public. I guess Im not sure I know what it means by declines reaching the river, Macy said. There are steady declines in all wells shown. I want that part of it to be clear. When I wrote that first sentence (in the email), it was taken out of context. That is not true. He also retracted a statement calling a particular finding of Silvers misleading. It had to do with whether Silvers reports characterization of whether groundwater was moving towards or away from the river was accurate. Macy said Silvers analysis is mostly correct. But Silvers statement in the report that a negative gradient indicates groundwater flow away from the San Pedro River is misleading, Macy said in his email. A gradient is a technical term indicating direction and strength of groundwater flow. Macy said he originally thought Silver had said the gradients of flow were headed downward between all five monitoring wells he analyzed. But he later acknowledged that Silver was only referring to the gradient between two of the monitoring wells which indeed has been negative since 1995. Sierra Vista City Manager Chuck Potucek said he suspects that some water levels at wells at the fort are declining, but Im not going to attribute that to the presence of the fort. I dont have the numbers. Potucek, along with other local, state and federal officials, have long been active in the Upper San Pedro Partnership, a group that has researched the rivers problems and carried out solutions, though less far-reaching than Silvers calls for limits on growth and downsizing of the fort. Weve used the USGS to do a number of different studies before. If the partnership wants to take a look at it, the USGS needs funding. If thats something we need to do to verify things, we could just look for funding to get things done, Potucek said. Updates 2005 analysis Silver prepared his new report as an update to a similar analysis done in 2005 by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps report, published 20 years ago this month, said it was initiated because groundwater levels are dropping in the Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista area due to aquifer pumping. Over time, this potentially can have an appreciable effect on groundwater discharge to the San Pedro River. The Corps had contracted with Fort Huachuca in April 1995 to assist in the location, design, and construction of seven monitoring wells, said the report from Corps hydrologic engineer Jon Fenske. The Corps began collecting data from the wells in April 1995. The Corps report documented water level declines in four of these wells in a straight line from the fort a line commonly called a transect by scientists to the river from 1995 through 2004. The declines were steepest near the pumping centers of the fort and Sierra Vista and at their least near the river itself. The other three wells werent in a direct line from the fort to the river, making their water levels less relevant. Concluding, Fenske wrote, From analysis of water-level data from 1995-2005, a clear trend has developed. The cone of depression in the Fort Huachuca area is growing, and measured water levels within 2 miles of the river have been declining. If groundwater development in the Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista continues at present rates, water levels will continue to decline in the region. The extent to which this declining trend in groundwater levels currently extends to the San Pedro River itself is uncertain. This is dependent on the hydraulic conductivity of the geologic units located between the wells and the river, and the historical connection between the river and groundwater in this area. But its likely the water level decline did extend to the river, resulting in a reduction of groundwater discharge to the river when compared to predevelopment conditions, Fenske wrote. Wells keep dropping Silvers report found that the monitoring wells water levels have kept falling since 2005, at different rates. The two wells closest to the fort and Sierra Vista dropped 12 and 18 feet, respectively, from 2005 through 2025, the USGS data shows. The two wells closest to the river have fallen about 2 feet each since 2005, and the well at the river has dropped about 2.2 feet. The gradient between each well was negative only between two wells farthest from the river. It was positive between all the others, indicating water is generally still flowing toward the river. But the gradient is also declining in intensity even when its positive, meaning that less water is reaching the river from the fort than before, Silvers report said. In addition, water levels in three other wells the fort pumps for water use on the base itself have also dropped by 14.9 feet over the past 20 years, 9.9 feet over the past 30 years and 21.8 feet over the past 40 years, respectively, the forts data shows. Absolutely the cone of depression around the Fort Huachuca wells is increasing, Silver said. The proof is that along the transect line the entire aquifer is dropping. Thats what the monitoring wells show. Not only do they show that the aquifer under Fort Huachuca is dropping, but its now negatively affecting the river. He said that while current pumping clearly contributes to the well level declines, the bigger cause is a historic, cumulative groundwater pumping-recharge deficit between the forts pumping and recharge. It was estimated in 2010 at 300,000 acre-feet in a report from a fort consultant released by Silver in 2019 after a leak from a source he would not identify. Thats enough water to serve more than 1 million Tucson-area homes for a year, based on local water use rates. MacNish disagreed with some of the technical points in Silvers new report but added, His bottom line statements, I agree with. All the pumping in the Sierra Vista sub-basin has reduced water pressure in the aquifer. Water levels in the aquifer have declined all over. He also agreed that the rivers future is today in jeopardy due to over-pumping. If all the pumping stopped today, the river could sill go dry and be dry for years before the system could recover and flow again, said MacNish, who retired in 2001 after studying the San Pedro and other riparian issues for USGS and the University of Arizona. If the pumping continues, the jeopardy is increasing. Sierra Vista manager Potucek said he doesnt dispute that a cone of depression exists underneath Fort Huachucas aquifer, but said hes not been convinced that the forts pumping is hurting the river. Im not sure of the veracity of that report, said Potucek about the internal 2010 report, without elaborating. Silvers new report, in blaming the fort for the rivers problems, ignores whats going on in Mexico, he said. Thats where major questions exist about whether a big copper mine is drying up the river there. He said it also ignores the impacts of drought and ignores the fact that population in the Sierra Vista area hasnt grown much until border tensions caused the U.S. government to recently ratchet up their presence in the area. And its ignored a lot of good work done by people of good intentions to address these issues, which continues, Potucek said. That includes a number of human-driven recharge projects, led by the Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park, where treated effluent is recharged near the river east of the city and near Highway 90. He also cited two other effluent and stormwater recharge projects in the area that are now being developed. Time will tell, right? We believe they will be beneficial. Will they counteract everything? I cant see under the ground so I cant say everything, but I believe they will be beneficial, Potucek said. PHOENIX Real ID has been available in Arizona since 2015, but it took until last Thursday for Gov. Katie Hobbs to get hers. And none too soon: The Transportation Security Administration says that, beginning Wednesday, travelers are going to need Real ID or other documents if they want to get on a commercial flight. Theres nothing like a deadline to spur people into action, the governor said. Theres also the fact that, from a practical standpoint, the Wednesday deadline really doesnt apply to Hobbs at least not yet. One of the perks of her office is to be flown around the state and region in aircraft owned by the Department of Public Safety. She also doesnt stand in the same lines as pretty much everyone else for commercial flights, due to special treatment arranged by her security detail. But Hobbs acknowledged there will come a time when shes no longer the states chief executive and those perks will disappear. Well, yes, that, she said. So on Thursday, she showed up at a Motor Vehicle Division office, passport, bank statement and a W-2 form in hand, to get her Real ID. Most people who fly are used to being able to use their state-issued ID to be able to get through TSA, the governor said. That has included a standard drivers license. Without a Real ID-compliant (enhanced drivers license), that wont be the case anymore, she noted. There will be other options. A passport will suffice. So will a birth certificate, along with two other documents with the persons current name and address. But Hobbs said most people are likely to find it more convenient simply to show the enhanced drivers license. Several things are needed to get one of those. First is proof of identity, meaning an original or certified birth certificate, an unexpired U.S. passport or a passport card. Applicants also need to provide a Social Security number, though no document is required. Finally, theres the requirement for two documents from different sources with your name and current Arizona residential address. Options include a utility bill, insurance policy, government document or credit card or bank statements. MVD takes appointments online at azmvdnow.gov, which is a lot quicker than simply walking in and waiting. And when everything is verified and a $25 fee is paid, theres a new picture taken and the license with the special notation of a star in the upper right corner is delivered in about a week. The Wednesday deadline has been a long time coming. The federal Real ID Act of 2005 was passed in the wake of the terrorist attacks that commandeered U.S. aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001. It requires states to have licenses that comply with certain security requirements. But that law couldnt force states to comply. And Arizona legislators, fearing it was tantamount to creating a national ID card, approved a measure in 2008 prohibiting the Motor Vehicle Division from producing a Real ID-compliant license. Karen Johnson, then a state senator from Mesa, called the licenses an unwanted intrusion into privacy, rejecting arguments the new licenses are necessary for security. And then-Rep. Judy Burgess of Skull Valley said she feared the new licenses would have a radio-frequency-identification chip that could be read by nearby scanners and could track you as a citizen everywhere you go. By 2015, however, some legislators became concerned when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security threatened to start enforcing the law, banning people from boarding aircraft without a secure license. So they agreed to make it an option for Arizonans albeit with a specific provision barring the use of RFID technology. Hobbs, who was in the state Senate at that point, said shes not afraid of having one of the new licenses. I think theres been a lot of conspiracy theories, not just recently, around elections, around vaccines, she said, just like there were about Real ID. People dont have a reason to be skeptical of it. For would-be travelers without either the Real ID or the other acceptable documents after Wednesday, TSA says it still may be possible to board an aircraft, at least for a domestic flight. But the agency warns that there will be additional scrutiny, with officers asking questions to verify identity. And they say that could take hours, even if someone eventually is cleared possibly meaning a missed flight. All that possible hassle is apparently making Arizonans take notice. The MVD reports about 85% of those coming into its offices are selecting to get a Real ID versus a standard license. There is one other benefit of getting a Real ID. It means a new photo on a license, which might be welcomed by those who never were happy with the one they have now. Hobbs, for her part, said she thinks shes going to like her new one. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Reporter Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton 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 If it werent for a few timely reminders from teachers, Memorial senior Corina Crowl might not be graduating later this month. Those reminders werent to study for a test or stack her schedule to ensure all of her high school course requirements were covered while simultaneously earning her associate degree from Tulsa Community College. They were to make sure she had completed a mandatory personal financial literacy unit. I waited until pretty much the last minute to finish all of my requirements, she said with a laugh. The personal financial literacy one took a while. I finished that one this year because I started the online course and just forgot about it. It was just sitting there in the background, but we have a lot of teachers who are very helpful about reminding us about those things. Along with earning 23 academic credits, state law stipulates that Crowl and other Oklahoma seniors must also complete several non-academic requirements in order to graduate from an Oklahoma high school. For this years senior class, those requirements are: Complete 14 modules on personal financial literacy. Learn CPR. Complete at least three activities in each grade as part of an Individual Career Academic Plan, also known as ICAP. Sit for state tests in science and U.S. history. Take the ACT or SAT. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or an opt-form. Take and pass a 100-item test over American history and government that utilizes questions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. This years seniors are part of the first graduating class that are subject to the FAFSA and civics test requirements. The graduation requirements will shift again starting with the class of 2029, when students will not be able to start fulfilling the personal financial literacy requirement until 10th grade. They are currently allowed to start fulfilling that requirement as early as middle school. Krystal Hutchinson is Tulsa Public Schools director of post-secondary readiness. Both she and Nikki Dennis, the districts director of graduation outcomes, said the district has been trying to wedge in those non-academic requirements as early as possible whenever possible in an effort to minimize the chance they keep a student from graduating on time. For example, TPS students across all high schools are fulfilling the CPR requirement as freshmen either in an advisory course or while earning their gym credit. We obviously cant have ninth-graders doing 11th grade ICAP tasks, but we can do a lot of the other things as theyre on their way through school, Hutchinson said. As part of a board of education goal, Tulsa Public Schools was encouraging high school seniors to complete the FAFSA before it became a statewide graduation requirement. The district took it a step further this year and made it a requirement in order for seniors to be able to attend prom and other senior activities, prompting 95% of seniors to either fill out the FAFSA or the opt-out form by mid-April. However, even with that early launch and extra incentive, Hutchinson said it has been a challenge to explain to TPS seniors and their adults that simply ignoring it is not an option if they want to graduate, as well as providing enough support to ensure students are able to complete the form. It is a huge lift, Hutchinson said. Im not going to sugar coat it. Its been a pretty big lift on our counselors and advisors. That sentiment was shared by Emily Ashley and Jessica Hogaboom across town at Union Public Schools. Ashley is a college and career adviser at Union High School, while Hogaboom is the districts coordinator of counseling services. Similar to TPS, Union was attempting to get as many seniors as possible to complete the FAFSA before the mandate was implemented. Were not looking for reasons for students not to graduate, Ashley said. We are doing everything we can to help them graduate. This year, Ashley said she has had to sit on hold for more than three hours with the Social Security Administration to help a student troubleshoot their applications. When the phone call didnt pan out, she ultimately took the student to a Social Security office to get in-person help. She has also had to pull in extra help to explain the document to families and students, both to those who dont speak English as their first language and to those whose primary language is English but are unfamiliar with the jargon it uses. Every FAFSA situation has had its own unique challenge, so it takes a lot of handholding, Ashley said. It also means it takes a lot of individualized attention, which means you cant just go into a classroom of 30 seniors and tell them to go fill out the FAFSA in order to graduate. Students do have the option to opt-out of completing the FAFSA for any reason. However, students do not have that option for the other requirement that is new for this years seniors: passing a civics exam modeled off of the U.S. citizenship test. The law requiring the exam took effect Nov. 1, 2021, and students are allowed to take the test as early as eighth grade. Passing is defined as correctly answering at least 60 questions and students must be allowed to take the test as many times as necessary in order to reach that score. Although the exam is referred to in state law as the U.S. Naturalization Test and it incorporates materials used to prepare for the test given to people seeking American citizenship, the two are not identical or interchangeable. In recent months, Hogaboom said Union staff have had to reassure some students that their performance on the exam has no bearing on their citizenship status and it is simply a graduation requirement for all pupils. One question they get is Am I a citizen now? she said. And we have to explain that no, this isnt a citizenship test. Another one, particularly in recent months, was that students were worried about what that it meant if they took it and they didnt pass it. Meanwhile, back at Memorial, Crowl is getting ready to graduate as her class salutatorian with both her high school diploma and an associates degree from Tulsa Community College. She is headed to Oral Roberts University this fall to study graphic design, thanks in part to those reminders to sit down and complete that online personal financial literacy unit. Having my teachers help on this was a big deal, she said. WHERE YOUR STORY LIVES: Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Look more closely at Oklahomas steady rate of hunger to find a story about a heavy lift happening to keep our neighbors from starving. The state consistently ranks high in the nation when it comes to food insecurity. Its hovered at about 15% of households for at least a decade, and children are affected more: 1 in 4 Oklahoma children go without food at some points in the year, compared to 1 in 6 adults and seniors. Its frustrating the rate isnt lower, but its not worsened. Its only held that line because of a massive undertaking in shoring up the safety net of services during the past few years. For many social workers and anti-hunger advocates, theyre running to stand still as need goes up and resources go down. Hunger Free Oklahoma formed eight years ago as a statewide advocacy coalition to bring collaboration among different partners and to provide a consistent voice toward solutions. The group takes a mile-high view of hunger to improve the overall system, policies and practices. Recently, the group released its annual report noting successes alongside challenges. Its been very intentional work across sectors with deep partnerships between state government and nonprofits, said Chris Bernard, CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma. There are open discussions about how to best leverage programs, and a lot more public discussion about food insecurity to reduce stigma. That has always been a problem in Oklahoma. Everyone recognizes we need to do this because food insecurity is getting worse. In Tulsa, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is on pace to set a record in food distribution this year, at about 34 million pounds, says CEO Jeff Marlow. Partner and client visits have increased by 26% since last year. We are pushing it to the limit, Marlow said. During the pandemic, federal emergency and recovery dollars flowed generously into hunger mitigation. President Donald Trump in his first term approved billions going into various programs as the virus ravaged the physical and financial health of Americans. President Joe Biden began scaling that back. Trump in his second term has pledged further eliminations and reductions. The first announcements came as part of billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency slashes, but more are coming through the administration as DOGE wraps up. What were seeing are pre-COVID funding levels, but whats not happened is a return to pre-COVID numbers of food-insecure people, Marlow said. Oklahomans are worker bees. About 60% of people we see are working-class people. They just need a little help to get by or reset because something bad happened in their family. Thats why were here. Oklahomas increase in hunger mirrors national numbers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 1 million more food-insecure Americans between 2022 and 2023 (from 17 million to 18 million). It means 13.5% of American struggled to get enough food for their household. Thats not slowing down slashes in funding. A couple of federal programs that started during the pandemic Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools were eliminated a couple of months ago. Both allowed for purchases of food from local farmers for use at schools, child care facilities, tribes and state nutrition programs. Its estimated that will cut $10 million to $15 million that had been going to local farmers, according to Hunger Free Oklahoma. A favorite target for cuts is SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. Its the largest and most effective fighter of U.S. hunger, reaching at least 41 million vulnerable people. A perennial idea is to add more food limitations, add to work requirements or change income thresholds. The federal government fully funds SNAP benefits while states share in administrative costs. The U.S. House has a proposal to force states to match benefits while Trumps administration at least for now is lukewarm on the idea. About $1.5 billion went to Oklahomans in 2024 to spend on food at local stores. Imagine if the state had to pay for a 10% match. Thats $150 million that Oklahoma would have to find. Likely, our Legislature would just opt to cut benefits. Trump originally wanted a $230 billion cut from agriculture during budget talks, but the reconciliation agreement resulted in a $1 billion decrease. There is no indication Trump has backed off that $230 billion goal. Each reduction in public investment results in more pressure on the charitable sector. Thats an unfair burden. Societal problems require societal solutions, including from the government. Oklahoma was fortunate last summer when Cherokee, Muscogee and Chickasaw nations took over a child nutrition program after Gov. Kevin Stitt rejected the federal funds. Their work, assisted by Hunger Free Oklahoma, prevented at least 200,000 children from going hungry while out of school. The Otoe-Missouria Tribe and Choctaw Nation are joining the program this year. The good news is that the programs are working as intended and eligible people are accessing programs they need, Bernard said. Without these increases in resources, food insecurity would be worse. That is good news, but there is another narrative that people are struggling more. A lot of work happened under the last Trump administration, and we can do good work no matter who is in office. What people are afraid of is whether there are going to be purposeful roadblocks to stop the progress weve made. Hunger Free Oklahoma annual report stats 98% of eligible Oklahomans accessed SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) in 2022, a 10% increase since 2017; 1 million-plus additional summer meals were served from 2023 to 2024; 40,000-plus Oklahomans participated in Double Up Oklahoma program, increasing fruit and vegetable purchases by more than 100% at participating stores; 1 million additional summer meals were served from 2023 to 2024; and 5.8% increase in school breakfasts and 13.9% increase in afterschool meals served over 2023. WHERE YOUR STORY LIVES: Brad Johnson Details around the death of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo in April 2023 will remain private after widow Lauren Zonfrillo confirmed she had discussed it with the Victorian State Coroner. Speaking to Liz Hayes last night on 7News Spotlight she confirmed his privacy would be respected. The Coroners office has previously stated the matter is not in the public interest. Here is an excerpt from the Spotlight interview: LZ: We spoke to the coroner multiple times, because the inquest took a while, and it was just sort of agreed for the privacy and safety of our family, because really, the kids and I were the focus. Jock wasnt around to be the focus anymore. It wouldnt be in the publics best interest or our best interest, and that was determined well before the report was finalised. And I respect that decision. LH: Thats the decision you want? LZ: Thats what I wanted, and I was grateful for it. Because the way that Ive looked at the last two years is that, up until Jocks death yes, he was a public figure. But since we lost Jock, Ive been trying to reclaim some of his privacy, and that gives us privacy, but also to give him some peace, as much as I can. And to us, hes dad, Papa, husband. Hes not a public figure to us anymore. LH: A lot of people want to know the answer to that. LZ: Im really aware of that. I have had many experiences with people coming up to me and asking me, How did Jock die? All strangers and its very unsettling. LH: I actually appreciate totally that you want privacy for Jock, its a curious business being in the public eye, and there is a desire to know everything. But can I say to you that I think the curiosity isnt necessarily always unkind? I think its just a shock. So you probably do appreciate why people want to know why he died and how he died? LZ: I think that the way Ive looked at it is that Jock was very open. He was very open, and he made those decisions on what he was willing to talk about. And I now dont want to make those decisions, because I dont know which ones he does and doesnt want to talk about. So we just decided, if it wasnt in the public domain, because Jock didnt put it in the public domain, then we wouldnt contribute in any way. And that was just a really clear way of knowing that were just not going to make comments about anything thats personal to Jock that he hasnt brought up before. LH: You know why Jock died, and you know how he died. Has that helped? LZ: I wouldnt say helped. LH: Are there any unanswered questions for you? LZ: No, nothing thats unanswered. LH: Nothing thats not understood? LZ: No, not at all. I have an answer, but it doesnt make a difference, because by the time I got the answer, it was so far down the track that it just wasnt as necessary for me. But no, Ive got an answer. S13 of Call the Midwife has a Free to Air premiere on ABC this week. This previously screened on Subscription TV. It airs in double episodes across the first two weeks. More medical and personal dilemmas for the sisters and midwives from Nonnatus House. Its 1969. More babies than ever are being born in hospital and pressure on maternity beds is high. But Poplar is coping well due to the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters. A midwife-training scheme sees Nonnatus House welcome new recruits. They face a range of challenges including social issues arising from the docks, concerns among the Nigerian and Sylheti communities and health concerns from cerebral palsy, tetanus and TB. Episode 1 Sister Julienne and Shelagh are thrilled that the new midwifery training scheme is underway, which includes pupil midwives Rosalind Clifford, Joyce Highland, Kathy Downes and Norelle Morris. Once introduced to the routines of a home delivery, Rosalind and Joyce unpack their belongings and settle into Nonnatus House. When Doreen Challis, a young woman with cerebral palsy, is confirmed to be pregnant, her mother Ada is furious, not only at the babys father, Graham, but Doreens sister Anne, who helped conceal the pregnancy. As concerns grow for Doreen, a shocking detail from her own birth comes to light. Rosalinds first birth on the district is a baptism of fire under Trixies tutelage. All seems to be going well until events take a dramatic turn, putting Trixie, Rosalind, mother and baby in danger. When Violet regretfully tells Fred and Reggie that the fairground shes booked for Easter Monday has cancelled, Reggie comes up with an idea that will bring the community together. Meanwhile, the Nonnatus team learn of the nurses Raise the Roof Campaign for better pay and conditions, and there is a clear divide of opinion around the table. Episode 2 At Tuesday clinic, Shelagh and Joyce oversee the care of Edna Bristow, a heavily pregnant mother of one, whose husband has left her just days before their baby is due. Edna proves to be quite a difficult patient, but there are greater challenges ahead when it becomes clear that her flat is riddled with damp. Meanwhile, at The Shining Tabernacle church, Mrs Wallace believes there is an urgent need for a church building due to the growing congregation. Shes also concerned about worshippers who have stopped attending, and asks Cyril to check in on them. Nancy and Dr Turner are involved in a worrying medical case with a young Sylheti woman, Sahira Khan. She has been suffering with unexplained symptoms that seem to ebb and flow, but have recently started to worsen. As Dr Turner investigates the cause, Nancy offers support to Sahira and her husband, Ayub. Trixie has been struggling with the long bus commute to Poplar each day, and decides it is time she learnt how to drive. Matthew offers to teach her, but soon regrets his decision. Double episode 7:30pm Saturday May 10 on ABC. HA NOI Cultural scholar Nguyen Huu Ngoc, regarded as a symbol of intellectualism who bridged Vietnamese knowledge and culture with the international community, has passed away at the age of 107. Born in Ha Noi in 1918, Ngoc was fluent in multiple languages, including French, English, German and classical Han Chinese. He tirelessly wrote and compiled over 30 valuable books on Vietnamese culture in English and French. His works played a significant role in introducing the image and culture of Viet Nam to international friends. Besides books, he also introduced Vietnamese culture through articles in magazines, newspapers, and translations, showcasing his profound knowledge, dedication and admirable passion. He was a columnist for Viet Nam News for nearly 20 years. In 2020, at the age of 102, he continued to work diligently and released a research book of two volumes with nearly 1,000 pages that introduces the lives and thoughts of over 180 distinguished figures from East and West, spanning various fields. It is not only a monumental academic work but also the culmination of a lifetime of research, aimed at introducing Vietnamese culture to the world and vice versa. Ngoc was also a translator of many foreign literary and cultural works from English and French into Vietnamese, with the most notable being the classic book Grimm's Fairy Tales. Some of his notable works on culture include Phac Thao Chan Dung Van Hoa Phap (Sketches of French Culture), Manh Troi Bac Au (North European Skies), Van Hoa Thuy ien (Swedish Culture), Ho So Van Hoa My (Cultural Profiles of America), Phac Thao Chan Dung Van Hoa Viet Nam (Sketches of Vietnamese Culture) and Kham Pha Van Hoa Viet Nam (Exploring Vietnamese Culture). He held various positions as editor-in-chief of foreign-language newspapers, including L'Etincelle (The Spark) in French, the first newspaper after the August Revolution of 1945. He also served as editor-in-chief for several external affair publications and as the director of the Foreign Language Publishing House for many years. For his significant services, he was awarded the Order of Independence by the Vietnamese State, the Order of the North Star by the Swedish Government, and the Order of Academic Palms by the French Government. He also received the Vietnam Book Gold Award in 2006, the Vietnam Book Bronze Award in 2015, the National Vietnam Book Award in 2017, the GADIF Award in 2008 from the group of Francophone embassies and organisations in Viet Nam, the National First Prize in 2015 for Foreign Information, and the Bui Xuan Phai Grand Prize for Love of Ha Noi in 2017. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam and Kazakhstan are experiencing an ideal time to lift up their ties to a new height, Kazakh Ambassador to Viet Nam Kanat Tumysh told the press ahead of Party General Secretary To Lams state visit to the Central Asian country from May 5 to 7. Tumysh recalled that 2025 marks sixty-six years since President Ho Chi Minhs historic visit to Kazakhstan in 1959 and thirty-three years since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. He described the partnership as having evolved through three phases from foundational years to a period of active engagement, and now entering what he termed a golden stage of development, marked by increasing high-level exchanges and mutual trust. The ambassador highlighted practical steps that have bolstered cooperation. Since May 2024, citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports have been exempt from visa requirements, a move he believes will unlock potential in tourism, transport and logistics. A bilateral treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons signed in 2023 also came into effect in 2024. Meanwhile, the Viet NamKazakhstan Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation has been upgraded to ministerial level. Its eleventh session took place in May 2024, co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev. At the local level, provinces and cities have begun forging their own partnerships. Bac Ninh and East Kazakhstan signed a sister province agreement, while a Nang and the Kazakh city of Aktau established a formal friendship and cooperation pact. Economic ties have also gained traction. Bilateral trade reached nearly US$1 billion in 2024 a significant recovery following the pandemic period. Air connectivity has improved as well, with the number of direct flights between the two countries doubling from two per week in 2022 to four in 2025, linking major destinations such as Phu Quoc, a Nang, and Almaty. Kazakhstan's Air Astana plans to operate flights to a Nang this June, he noted. In last December, Vietnamese conglomerate Sovico and a Kazakh investment fund jointly acquired Qazaq Air. The ambassador expressed optimism that this and other initiatives, including Sovicos deals in airport infrastructure development and energy cooperation with KazMunayGas, will gain fresh momentum during the General Secretarys visit. He noted that Kazakh businesses have been satisfied with their investment results in Viet Nam and that Vietnamese investors are exploring opportunities in Kazakhstan, especially in hospitality and tourism. The ambassador attributed the steady growth in bilateral ties to the trust and goodwill between the two governments, as well as the personal rapport between senior leaders. He also praised Viet Nams bamboo diplomacy and Kazakhstans multi-vector foreign policy for fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership. The ambassador described General Secretary Lams upcoming visit as a strategic milestone, coming just two years after President Tokayevs own state visit to Viet Nam. He said the trip will provide a crucial platform for both sides to reassess their cooperation frameworks and launch new initiatives. While bilateral trade has grown significantly, he acknowledged it still falls short of potential. With sufficient political will and business engagement, he said he hopes the two countries will aim for US$25 billion in annual trade. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, climate change, and supply chain disruptions, the ambassador emphasised the importance of signing agreements between the two countries during the Vietnamese leader's visit to further promote cooperation between the two countries. The ambassador identified several promising areas for further collaboration, including logistics, defence, tourism, energy, and agriculture. Kazakhstan, he noted, has become the third-largest source of foreign tourists to destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and a Nang. He also saw great potential in railway connectivity, particularly Viet Nams Hai PhongHa NoiLao Cai rail project, which Kazakhstan hopes to link with the broader Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This Middle Corridor would stretch from Kunming to Almaty, Aktau, Baku and Istanbul, eventually connecting to Europe. He said Kazakhstan is ready to allocate 100200 hectares for logistics hubs to support this east-west freight network. In energy, the ambassador noted Kazakhstans nuclear experience, referencing its Soviet-era plant in Aktau and ongoing cooperation with France, the Republic of Korea, and China on new nuclear power projects. He expressed his interest in working with Viet Nam, which is reportedly re-evaluating its own nuclear strategy. Agricultural cooperation was also high on the agenda. Kazakhstan is exploring imports of high-quality Vietnamese rice such as ST25, alongside tea and coffee. In turn, Kazakhstan can supply Viet Nam with organic apples, competitively priced meat products, and wheat. VNS HA NOI The upcoming visit of General Secretary To Lam to Kazakhstan is expected to elevate bilateral relations to new heights, deepening political trust and promoting all-round, substantive cooperation between the two nations. At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Party chief will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan next week. This historic visit marks the first by a Vietnamese Party leader to Kazakhstan and represents the highest-level delegation exchange since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. Speaking to Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai emphasised that bilateral ties are set to reach a new level aligned with both countries shared interests and development priorities. Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in Viet NamKazakhstan cooperation. Bilateral trade turnover nearly doubled from over US$400 million in 2022 to nearly $1 billion by 20232024. In investment, Viet Nams Sovico Group has made significant inroads with its planned acquisition of Kazakhstans Qazaq Air. The move is expected to open new flight routes between Viet Nam, Central Asia, and Europe, enhancing regional connectivity. Several Vietnamese enterprises are also actively exploring investment opportunities in Kazakhstan across oil and gas, real estate, food, and tourism. In October 2022, Vietjet Air inaugurated the first direct flight between Almaty and Cam Ranh City, laying the groundwork for increased exchanges in tourism and commerce. Since then, the Central Asian country has emerged as a growing tourism market for Viet Nam, with arrivals reaching approximately 150,000 annually. Flights from Kazakhstan now operate at a frequency of 33 per week, serving top Vietnamese destinations including Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and a Nang. Projections indicate the number of Kazakh tourists visiting Viet Nam could exceed 300,000 annually in the near future. The two countries recently ratified a bilateral visa waiver agreement, allowing 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of both nations, expected to further boost tourism and business travel. Local partnerships have flourished, with HCM City formalising sister-city ties with Astana and Almaty, and new agreements signed in 2024 between a Nang and Aktau, and between Bac Ninh Province and East Kazakhstan. Looking ahead, both sides are expected to launch new cooperation mechanisms between ministries, sectors, and localities, focusing on practical, results-oriented collaboration. According to Ambassador Mai, if the 2023 visit by President Tokayev gave a strong push to bilateral relations, General Secretary To Lams visit will be pivotal in further deepening and expanding the Viet NamKazakhstan partnership. During the visit, the two countries are expected to sign a range of key bilateral agreements covering defence, security, justice, trade and investment connectivity, finance, science and technology, digital transformation, energy and mining, culture, sports, tourism, as well as people-to-people and local-level cooperation. These areas of cooperation align closely with both countries socio-economic development agendas, particularly in adapting to global economic challenges and enhancing competitiveness for sustainable development. Kazakhstan, the most dynamic economy in Central Asia, accounts for more than half of the regions GDP. In 2024, its economy grew by 4.8 per cent, with GDP projected to reach $450 billion by 2029. The country offers a favourable environment for foreign investors, with strong government incentives, strategic connectivity between Asia and Europe, and ongoing reforms in tax, administration, and investment. Key focus sectors such as energy, digital technology, and artificial intelligence offer promising opportunities for Vietnamese businesses seeking to expand their international footprint. As Viet Nam and Kazakhstan prepare to enter a new phase of comprehensive cooperation, General Secretary To Lams visit is poised to chart a course for closer ties in both traditional and emerging fields, setting a strong foundation for long-term partnership. VNS HA NOI President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka arrived in Ha Noi on May 4 morning, beginning a state visit to Viet Nam and participation in the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations (Vesak 2025) from May 4 to 6 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong. Officials welcoming the Sri Lankan President and delegation at Noi Bai International Airport included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nong Thi Ha, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Viet Nam Perera Wewala Appuhamillage Udam Poshitha. Establishing diplomatic ties on July 21, 1970, the two countries boast traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation. Political parties in Sri Lanka attach importance to relations with Vietnam and regards the latter as a model of economic development. Sri Lanka has recognised Viet Nams full market economy status. Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam said that the trip is the first to Viet Nam by a Sri Lankan head of state in 16 years, since 2009. It is also the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka since he took office in September 2024. From Viet Nam's perspective, the visit reaffirms the respect for Sri Lanka as a traditional friend and important partner in South Asia, Tam explained, stressing as the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, this is a good chance for them to reflect on the partnership and establish new directions for the relations in the new situation. The trip will feature various activities, covering the pillars of politics, economy and culture, with the highlight being high-level talks and meetings as well as the signing of important cooperation documents. The ambassador expressed her belief that the visit will mark the start of a new phase of bilateral cooperation that is more intensive and extensive, benefiting both countries and contributing to peace, cooperation, development, and prosperity in the region and the world. VNA/VNS HA NOI The trips by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Belarus from May 5 to 12 will help uphold and promote comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and these four countries in the new situation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told the press ahead of the visits. Accordingly, the Party leader will pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, an official visit to Russia where he will attend a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War, and then a state visit to Belarus. Hang said this visits are of special significance as they follow Viet Nam's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, and take place in the context that the country is entering a new era that of the nations rise, development and prosperity. They aim to continue intensifying the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, as well as the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The official described the trips as additional important steps to implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, and proactive, active, comprehensive, and efficient integration into the world. The tour of Russia and the other three countries, which used to be part of the Soviet Union, especially the Central Asian and Caucasus countries, and have supported Viet Nam in the past struggles for national safeguarding in the past and the cause of national construction and defence at present, presents an occasion to affirm Viet Nams sincere and loyal ties, as well as its desire to promote long-term, effective, substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation. For Russia, according to the deputy minister, this is the first official visit to Russia since Lam was elected General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee. It takes place in a very meaningful context when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, and each also celebrates its own important historical milestones. The visit aims to strengthen political trust, identify new directions to bring the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia to a new height, as well as consolidate collaboration between the CPV and major political parties in Russia. In addition, Lam's official visit and his attendance at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War also demonstrates Viet Nam's respect and honour for the enormous contributions and sacrifices by the former Soviet Union and Russia today in the great victory against fascism to firmly protected world peace, said Hang. For Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus, she went on, these are the Party chiefs first state visits to these countries, which are hoped to not only consolidate and strengthen political trust, but also express Viet Nam's determination to continuously strengthen its traditional friendship with the countries that are part of the former Soviet Union. The trips will also help promote cooperation between the CPV and major political parties in the three countries, while enhancing people-to-people exchanges and affirming the Vietnamese people's consistent good sentiments towards the peoples of Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. According to the official, the visits will be the clearest evidence of the Vietnamese Party, Government, and people's sincerity and faithfulness towards the countries, aiming for more sustainable, more effective, more substantive and more mutually beneficial bilateral relations, which are commensurate with the cooperation potential, political trust, along with the aspirations of the peoples of Viet Nam and these nations. On the coming days, General Secretary Lam will have important meetings with high-ranking leaders of these countries to shape the relationships in the coming time, thus creating new impetus for cooperation in various fields, especially new and potential ones such as economy, trade, investment, basic science, energy, high technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Hang expressed her belief that the visits will be a great success, leaving memorable impressions in the hearts of friends from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and the international community while continuing to spread and enhance the image of a Viet Nam loyal and affectionate towards traditional friends, and also fully responsible towards the international community. The trips will create more important driving forces to bring the country into the new era to realise the set development goals, thereby actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region as well as the world. Regarding the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, the deputy minister affirmed that this triumph was a great source of encouragement and motivation and also an important prerequisite for the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, to rise up and launch a general uprising to successfully seize power. The 1945 August Revolution broke out in the context of a "ripe opportunity" that the fascist system collapsed, especially Japan's surrender to the Soviet Union and the Allies, and the war in Europe ended. On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba inh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, heralding an era of freedom, national independence and socialism in the country. The victory of the Vietnamese people also contributed significantly to the people around the world in the struggle against fascism for peace, democracy and social progress. Moreover, in the fight against fascism, there were Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who directly participated in the battle to defend Moscow in 1941. Many Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed their lives on the heroic Soviet land. The victory of the Red Army of the Soviet Union and the progressive peace-loving forces around the world created a shining monument of heroism for humanity that will be forever honoured because it is the solid foundation that creates a well-developed and sustainable world today, stated Hang. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam has said that with its strengths, Viet Nam is willing to accompany and cooperate with Sri Lanka in socio-economic development. He was speaking during a meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Ha Noi on Sunday. The Sri Lankan president is on a state visit to Viet Nam until Tuesday to participate in the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations (Vesak 2025) at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong. Party General Secretary To Lam warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to Viet Nam on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He praised the president for attending and delivering a speech at the Vesak Buddha Day celebrations and thanked him for sending a congratulatory letter on the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of Viet Nam. The General Secretary congratulated President Dissanayaka and the JVP Party, the core of the ruling National People's Power (NPP) alliance, for their victory in the Sri Lankan elections in late 2024. He noted that the result reflects the high trust the Sri Lankan people have in the JVP and President Dissanayaka personally. The General Secretary expressed confidence that under the President's leadership, Sri Lanka will achieve successes in socio-economic development and national stability, and will fulfill its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2048, marking the centenary of Sri Lanka's founding. President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka emphasised the longstanding, close, and supportive relationship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka throughout history. He once again congratulated the Vietnamese Party, State and people on the historic victory of April 30, 1975, affirming that it was not only a victory for the Vietnamese people but also for the Sri Lankan people and for all those who love peace worldwide. The President expressed admiration for Viet Nam's remarkable achievements in economic development, noting that within just 50 years of national reunification, Viet Nam has become one of the fastest-growing economies globally, with its role, status and international prestige continually rising. He expressed a desire to learn from Viet Nam's experience in economic development, institutional reforms, anti-corruption measures and governance. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the sustainable development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation over the past 55 years. Both leaders agreed that their long-standing friendship, trust and mutual understanding provide a solid foundation for further exploiting the potential and strengths of each nation to promote deeper cooperation and elevate bilateral relations to new heights, contributing to regional stability and development. They vowed to continue strengthening trust and cohesion between their countries and ruling Parties, promoting exchanges at all levels and making defence and security cooperation a new pillar of their relations. They also agreed to make breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment cooperation to effectively address the rapid changes in global political and economic dynamics. Sri Lankan President Dissanayake confirmed that he would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in important and strategic sectors in Sri Lanka. Both sides also agreed to further expand cooperation in agriculture, education, culture, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, religion and to accelerate the opening of direct flight routes to facilitate cooperation and connectivity between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to further deepen their cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations and in South-South cooperation. General Secretary To Lam praised Sri Lanka for being an active member of the United Nations and welcomed Sri Lankas efforts to strengthen its cooperation with ASEAN. President Dissanayaka invited General Secretary To Lam to visit Sri Lanka in the near future. 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31 May (13) 17 May - 24 May (15) 10 May - 17 May (16) 3 May - 10 May (11) 26 Apr - 3 May (21) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (17) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (20) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (16) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (19) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (17) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Britain has created a new system called FIRS, (Foreign Influence Registration Scheme) It requires almost anyone with connections to Russia to register with them by July 1st, 2025. The exceptions have to be per-approved https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-influence-registration-scheme-factsheet/factsheet-what-is-the-foreign-influence-registration-scheme-accessible-version What is the penalty for not registering? Failure to register when required is a criminal offence. This risks up to: two years in prison and a fine (political influence tier) five years in prison and a fine (enhanced tier) hmm https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/foreign-influence-registration-scheme-specified-persons-guidance Gave you some links and they will send you to many many UK Gov links that as you combine them you will find the answers. So if you are Russian and Iranian and living in the UK? You better think seriously about your future status. This info is the groundwork that will be used against Iranians and Russians when the UK tries to get that 2030 WW3 going and the UK really desires such a war Ignore this at your expense. The EU is war against Russia and the USA is war against China They (West) have no option, the West is dying WtR Local law enforcement reminds all drivers in the area to "Click It or Ticket" as they start a new campaign this month. Washoe and Storey Counties will join with other participating law enforcement agencies in Nevada for a Joining Forces Click It or Ticket Campaign, according to a release from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). The campaign will run from May 5 to May 26. Officials say that the statewide effort will focus on seat belt use, and educating drivers on seat belt safety. The Storey County Sheriff's Office shares that a vast majority of drivers buckle their seatbelts behind them to avoid the chimes that most cars have when a seatbelt is not being worn - but doing this increases the risk of death or serious injury from a crash. For more information, check out this short video from WCSO on YouTube. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said Saturday that he wants to step down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the year. The revelation came as a surprise because the 94-year-old had previously said he did not plan to retire. Buffett, one of the worlds richest people and most accomplished investors, took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 when it was a textiles manufacturer. He turned the company into a conglomerate by finding other businesses and stocks to buy that were selling for less than they were worth. His success made him a Wall Street icon. It also earned him the nickname Oracle of Omaha, a reference to the Nebraska city where Buffett was born and chose to live and work. Here are some of his best and worst investments over the years: Buffetts best National Indemnity and National Fire & Marine: Purchased in 1967, the company was one of Buffetts first insurance investments. Insurance float the premium money insurers can invest between the time when policies are bought and when claims are made provided the capital for many of Berkshires investments over the years and helped fuel the companys growth. Berkshires insurance division has grown to include Geico, General Reinsurance and several other insurers. The float totaled $173 billion at the end of the first quarter. Buying blocks of stock in American Express, Coca-Cola Co. and Bank of America at times when the companies were out of favor because of scandals or market conditions. Collectively, the shares are worth over $100 billion more than what Buffett paid for them, and that doesnt count all the dividends he has collected over the years. Apple: Buffett long said that he didnt understand tech companies well enough to value them and pick the long-term winners, but he started buying Apple shares in 2016. He later explained that he bought more than $31 billion worth because he understood the iPhone maker as a consumer products company with extremely loyal customers. The value of his investment grew to more than $174 billion before Buffett started selling Berkshire Hathaways shares. BYD: On the advice of his late investing partner Charlie Munger, Buffett bet big on the genius of BYD founder Wang Chanfu in 2008 with a $232 million investment in the Chinese electric vehicle maker. The value of that stake soared to more than $9 billion before Buffett began selling it off. Berkshires remaining stake is still worth about $1.8 billion. Sees Candy: Buffett repeatedly pointed to his 1972 purchase as a turning point in his career. Buffett said Munger persuaded him that it made sense to buy great businesses at good prices as long as they had enduring competitive advantages. Previously, Buffett had primarily invested in companies of any quality as long as they were selling for less than he thought they were worth. Berkshire paid $25 million for Sees and recorded pretax earnings of $1.65 billion from the candy company through 2011. The amount continued to grow but Buffett didnt routinely highlight it. Berkshire Hathaway Energy: Utilities provide a large and steady stream of profits for Berkshire. The conglomerate paid $2.1 billion, or about $35.05 per share, for Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy in 2000. The utility unit subsequently was renamed and made several acquisitions, including PacifiCorp and NV Energy. The utilities added more than $3.7 billion to Berkshires profit in 2024, although Buffett has said they are now worth less than they used to be because of the liability they face related to wildfires. Buffetts worst Berkshire Hathaway: Buffett had said his investment in the Berkshire Hathaway textile mills was probably his worst investment ever. The textile company he took over in 1965 bled money for many years before Buffett finally shut it down in 1985, though Berkshire did provide cash for some of Buffetts early acquisitions. Of course, the Berkshire shares Buffett began buying for $7 and $8 a share in 1962 are now worth $809,350 per share, so even Buffetts worst investment turned out OK. Dexter Shoe Co.: Buffett said he made an awful blunder by buying Dexter in 1993 for $433 million, a mistake made even worse because he used Berkshire stock for the deal. Buffett says he essentially gave away 1.6% of Berkshire for a worthless business. Missed opportunities. Buffett said that some of his worst mistakes over the years were the investments and deals that he didnt make. Berkshire easily could have made billions if Buffett had been comfortable investing in Amazon, Google or Microsoft early on. But it wasnt just tech companies he missed out on. Buffett told shareholders he was caught sucking his thumb when he failed to follow through on a plan to buy 100 million Walmart shares that would be worth nearly $10 billion today. Selling banks too soon. Not long before the COVID pandemic, Buffett seemed to sour on most of his bank stocks. Repeated scandals involving Wells Fargo gave him a reason to start unloading his 500 million shares, many of them for around $30 per share. But he also sold off his JP Morgan stake at prices less than $100. Both stocks have more than doubled since then. Blue Chip Stamps: Buffett and Munger, Berkshires former vice chairman, took control of Blue Chip in 1970 when the customer rewards program was generating $126 million in sales. But as trading stamps fell out of favor with retailers and consumers, sales steadily declined; in 2006, they totaled a mere $25,920. However, Buffett and Munger used the float that Blue Chip generated to acquire Sees Candy, Wesco Financial and Precision Castparts, which are all steady contributors to Berkshire. President Donald Trump warned graduates at the University of Alabama he was about to say something that would get him in trouble with the First Lady. It also got the attention of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-host Michael Che. In his more than hour-long speech Thursday night in Tuscaloosa, Trump commented on transgender women athletes he said shatter records set by biological women. See also: Alabamas biggest moments on Saturday Night Live The greatest is, like, weightlifting. You ever see the weightlifting? Where they have a record that wasnt broken in 18 years? Trump said. Should I imitate? the president asked the crowd. You know, my wife gets very upset when I do this. She said, darling, its not presidential. Yeah, but people like it. Should I do it, or not? Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/tjI2HHEbfD Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) May 4, 2025 As the crowd cheered, Trump imitated a woman struggling to push a barbell over her head. Mom, Im gonna do it. Mom, the president said before giving up. Cant do it, he said. And then a guy comes along or a gal, or whatever a transitions person comes along." Trump then pantomimed a lifting weights with ease. Che mentioned the speech in what will be one of SNLs last two Weekend Updates of its 50th season. President Trump impersonated a transgender weightlifter in a speech to graduates at the University of Alabama which is a sentence so stupid it couldnt even get into the University of Alabama, Che said. This 2024 photo provided by Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani shows her and her fiance, Alireza Doroudi, who was detained by immigration officials in March 2025. (Alireza Doroudi via AP) AP By Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press/Report For America Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiance, Alireza Doroudi, had just spent an evening celebrating the Persian new year at the University of Alabama when seven armed immigration officers came to their apartment before dawn and arrested Doroudi. In a moment, the young couples life was upended. I was living a normal life until that night. After that nothing is just normal, Bajgani said. Related: More stories on Doroudis detention. Details about Doroudis detention spread through the small Iranian community in Tuscaloosa, where Bajgani and Doroudi are doctoral students. Other Iranian students say they have been informally advised by faculty to lay low and be invisible instilling fear among a once vibrant cohort. Doroudi is among students across the U.S. who have been detained in recent weeks as part of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. Bajgani said the couple does not know why Doroudi who has no criminal record or public political views faces deportation, adding that Trumps recent visit to the school made her feel like the university was ignorant of our crisis. One Iranian civil engineering student and close friend to Doroudi said he has lost over 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) due to stress and depression in the six weeks since Doroudi was detained. Its like all of us are waiting for our turn. It could be every knock, every email could be deportation, said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns about losing his legal status. He now avoids unnecessary trips outside. When he was in a car crash last month, he begged the other driver not to call the police, even though he wasnt at fault, because he didnt want to draw attention to himself. I stayed with their permission Bajgani said Doroudi, 32, is an ambitious mechanical engineering student from Shiraz, Iran. He entered the United States legally in January 2023 on a student visa. Bajgani said he often worked 60-hour weeks while still making time to run errands for loved ones. If someone like him doesnt get to the place he deserves, there is nothing called the American dream, she said. Doroudis visa was revoked in June 2023, but the embassy didnt provide a reason and ignored his inquiries, Bajgani said. The university told him he could stay as long as he remained a student but that would not be allowed to reenter the U.S. if he left, she said. He was operating under that guidance when immigration officers came to the couples door in March. The University of Alabama didnt comment on Doroudis case, but said it offers resources to help immigrants on campus comply with federal law. It also offers guidance to students whose visas are revoked. Our international students are valued members of our campus community, university spokesperson Monica Watts said in a statement. Doroudi told Bajgani he spent three days in a county jail, sleeping on a tile floor and feeling panicked. He is now in a Louisiana immigration detention facility over 300 miles (480 kilometers) from Tuscaloosa while he awaits a deportation hearing scheduled for next week. At least one other high-profile international student is there. I didnt deserve this. If they had just sent me a letter asking me to appear in court, I wouldve come, because I didnt do anything illegal. I stayed with their permission, Doroudi said in a letter he dictated to Bajgani over the phone to provide his perspective to others. What was the reason for throwing me in jail? Trumps immigration crackdown More than 1,000 international students across the U.S. have had their visas or legal status revoked since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements and correspondence with school officials. They included some who protested Israels war in Gaza. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since reversed those revocations, including those of four University of Alabama students. University staff closely monitors changes that could affect them and has communicated updates related to new protocols and procedures, Watts said. A Louisiana judge who denied Doroudi bond in mid-April said he didnt sufficiently prove that he wasnt a national security threat, Doroudis lawyer, David Rozas said. Rozas said he was flabbergasted because the government hasnt presented evidence that Doroudi is a threat, though that is what the Department of Homeland Security has alleged. A familiar sense of fear International students make up over 13% of the statewide University of Alabama graduate program, according to the schools website. Over 100 Iranian students attend the university, according to an estimate from the Iranian Student Association. Every year, many gather for a picnic to celebrate Sizdah Bedar, the thirteenth day of the Persian new year, which begins with spring. This year, the typically festive holiday felt like a funeral service, one Iranian doctoral student said. At one point, silence fell over the group as a police car passed. Its becoming too hard to be living here, to be yourself and thrive, said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she fears retaliation. She has criticized the Iranian regime since arriving in the United States over five years ago, so she suspects she is no longer safe in her home country. Now, she has those same doubts in Alabama. All of a sudden it feels like were returning back to Iran again, she said. Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Bishop Jonathan Holston took over on Sept. 1, 2024, as the leader of all United Methodist churches in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com In a new round of rulings this month on lawsuits by breakaway churches against the United Methodist Churchs Alabama-West Florida Conference, judges in Coffee County and Dale County declined the denominations request that the lawsuits be dismissed. Its another step in the ongoing lawsuits involving churches that the Alabama-West Florida Conference refused to let disaffiliate from the denomination. The churches are seeking title to their property, which the conference says is held in trust by the denomination. On May 1, Dale County Circuit Judge William H. Filmore denied the denominations request to dismiss two lawsuits against the conference, one by the Westview Heights congregation and one by Daleville First Methodist Church. On May 2, Coffee County Circuit Judge Shannon R. Clark denied the denominations request to dismiss a lawsuit by Ham Chapel Methodist Church in Elba seeking clear title to its property. Ham Chapel was among 44 churches that previously sued the conference as a group in an effort to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. A round of lawsuits by individual churches were filed on Oct. 31 in seven different counties. Breakaway churches are seeking title to their property in more than a dozen ongoing lawsuits against the Alabama-West Florida Conference. In Mobile County, Theodore and Trinity churches sued. In Conecuh County, Baggett Chapel sued. In Clarke County, Coffeeville Church sued. In Coffee County, Elba Methodist Church sued. In Dale County, Pleasant Hill and Westview Heights churches sued. In Houston County, Highland Park Church of Dothan sued. In Lee County, Gold Hill Church sued. They are making a similar argument, that the congregations own their own property, rather than the conference, which claims to hold it in trust. The churches say property disputes are subject to civil court jurisdiction. United Methodist leaders in Alabama say that insurance will cover most of the cost of legal battles that the denomination is involved with, as the Alabama-West Florida Conference resists efforts of churches hoping to leave the denomination and take their property with them. Kate LinthicumLos Angeles Times(TNS) MEXICO CITY Mexicos leader said Saturday that she rejected an offer by President Donald Trump to send U.S. troops into her country to fight drug cartels. Speaking at a public event, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed a report published Friday in the Wall Street Journal that said that Trump had pressured Mexico to allow more U.S. military involvement in the drug war. Its true, Sheinbaum said. She said that on some private calls with the American leader in recent months, Trump said: How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States Army enter to help you. Sheinbaum said she rebuffed his proposal, saying: No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable ... We can collaborate, we can work together, but with you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sheinbaums account. Since Trump returned to the White House in January, his administration has ramped up CIA surveillance drone flights over Mexico, formally designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist groups and has repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying troops there to fight organized crime. He has massed U.S. troops on the northern side of the U.S. border with Mexico to crack down on unauthorized immigration and drug smuggling. Mexico is essentially run by the cartels, Trump said earlier this year, insisting that the United States should wage war against them. No administration in modern times has taken such a militaristic approach to Mexico, a U.S. ally that Trump blames for producing the fentanyl that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Trumps stance upends recent U.S. policy, which emphasized beefing up the rule of law in Mexico, and stands at odds with Mexicos security strategy, which has veered away from the sort of fierce cartel confrontations that drove record levels of bloodshed.Trumps fixation on organized crime in Mexico has put Sheinbaum in a difficult position. She has tried to appease him to try to avert the potentially catastrophic tariffs that he has threatened unless Mexico cracks down on fentanyl trafficking. She sent thousands of National Guard troops to fortify the northern border and is transferring dozens of suspected cartel members to the U.S.But she has also had to show fellow Mexicans that she is defending national sovereignty. Since Trump took office in January, nationalism has surged here.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. (Cecilia Sanchez Vidal in Mexico City and Michael Wilner in Washington contributed to this report..) 2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alexus Ellison posted this photo of the Rosalie Fire Department damage on the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency's Facebook page on May 3, 2025. Alexus Ellison/Facebook A possible tornado touched down in Jackson County on Saturday afternoon as storms moved through Alabama. According to the Jackson County Emergency Management Agencys Facebook page, the damage was reported in an area near the Rosalie Fire Department at 3:58 p.m. According to people responding to the post, damage was done to the fire departments building. The roof on the ramp of the building and a door were blown off. A spokesperson with the National Weather Service in Huntsville told AL.com it could not be confirmed that the damage was from a tornado. She said it could be Monday before the service would know for sure. People commenting on the Facebook post said the area was not under a tornado warning when the possible tornado hit. But the National Weather Service said it was under a thunderstorm warning at the time. Meteorologist James Spann posted on X that the area and parts of DeKalb County were under a tornado warning at 4:15 p.m. Spann later reported the storms moved into northwest Georgia. English News To build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 4 Mai 2025 Guided by the shared vision of building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, China will continue walking on the path of good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. It will work closely with neighboring countries to build a community with a shared future. By He Yin, People's Daily How a major country interacts with its neighbors is a key topic in international relations. It reflects the country's worldview, perception of order, and values. The world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. As China's relations with its neighboring countries are currently at their best in modern times and are also entering a critical phase where regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the question arises: How can China strengthen these ties and shape a more stable regional future by improving its neighborhood diplomacy? The recent central conference on work related to neighboring countries offered a clear direction and roadmap. At the conference, China stressed the importance to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, and foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood in line with the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness as well as a shared future for humanity. It emphasized the need to uphold the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, use high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main platform, and pursue the Asian security model that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation. It underscored China's firm commitment to remaining deeply rooted in its neighborhood, contributing to its development, and working with neighboring countries to build a community with a shared future. Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia gave a strong boost to the country's relations with these countries. Xi viewed neighboring countries through a global perspective, injecting new momentum for peace and development in the region and the world at large. His visits vividly illustrate the core principles set out at the central conference on work related to neighboring countries, representing an innovative and concrete step toward building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home. A peaceful home is the bedrock of regional security and stability. The people of Asia, having experienced colonization, war and invasion, deeply cherish peace. From the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, to the Global Security Initiative, China's ideas and proposals respond to the trend of the times and align with the region's expectations for greater security cooperation. China remains committed to peaceful development, advocates peaceful coexistence and harmony among nations, and upholds the bottom line of peace and stability. It respects the legitimate security concerns of all countries, and stands firmly with neighboring countries against threats to peace. A safe and secure home is essential to achieving lasting peace and stability. At the central conference on work related to neighboring countries, China for the first time proposed the Asian security model that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation. Drawing from its own experience in working with neighboring countries to uphold security, China's approach brings fresh substance to the concept of Asian security and provides an innovative path toward the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in Asia. China has fully and effectively implemented the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively advanced the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. By properly managing sensitive issues in relations with neighboring countries and addressing regional hotspots, the country has taken concrete steps to maintain regional peace and stability. A prosperous home creates fertile ground to pursue modernization. China is committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood in line with the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. By expanding high-level opening up and deepening cooperation with its neighbors, China is working to ensure that its own development delivers broader regional benefits. As a key trading partner and a major source of investment for many Asian countries, China is advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and fully implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, working to make Asia a vibrant hub of global development. A beautiful home paves the way for sustainable development. China has hosted events such as the ASEAN-China Dialogue on Climate Change and Environment and ASEAN-China Environmental Cooperation Forum, while cooperating with Central Asian countries on salt-alkali land restoration, water-saving irrigation and dryland agriculture laboratories. Working together with regional countries, China is committed to pursuing green development, accelerating the transition to low-carbon growth, striving to balance economic progress with emission reductions, and working toward a future where prosperity and environmental protection go hand in hand across Asia. An amicable home strengthens the bonds between people. On the China-Laos Railway, passengers cross borders with the ease and warmth of visiting family. In Central Asia, over ten Confucius Institutes have turned Chinese language education into a growing bridge between cultures. Through these regular exchanges and mutual support, China and its neighbors have built deep friendships and co-created a shared home. These people-to-people connections breathe life into the Global Civilizations Initiative and help promote humanity's shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom - laying a strong foundation for mutual understanding and long-lasting friendship. Guided by the shared vision of building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, China will continue walking on the path of good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. It will work closely with neighboring countries to build a community with a shared future. 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) Lost in Space was a hit sci-fi show when I was growing up, and Condemned of Space was one of my favorite episodes. The Jupiter 2 landed on a prison ship whose inmates served their time in a frozen sleep. Unfortunately, the cold also froze the chronometer, resulting in the prisoners serving a prolonged sentence. Back in the 1960s, freezing people as a way of coping with long space voyages was the stuff of sci-fi. In the first Lost in Space episode, the Robinsons all enter freezing tubes to age but a moment in the time of man on their five-year journey to Alpha Centauri. (In the original pilot episode, the trip was going to last 99 years.) A post on X this past week made me realize that stopping time through freezing is no longer the stuff of sci-fi. The post was a video of a 14-year-old boy holding his newborn brother. Perfectly ordinary, you say, til you read the background. Both boys were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 2010. Okay THIS disturbs me. Am I nuts? I am no longer remotely in tune with earths inhabitants. *IVF Twins 13 years apart. pic.twitter.com/RBJodiJrwG SayItEllieB (@EllieB_SayIt) May 1, 2025 As is usual, multiple ova are harvested and fertilized, with the one(s) judged most likely to succeed implanted in the mother. The rest are either discarded or frozen (cryogenically preserved) for possible eventual use. There are literally millions of such frozen unborn children worldwide. One of the main criticisms of IVF is that it turns the human act of procreation through personal sexual intercourse into a clinical procedure of gamete transfer. The truth is, like it or not, by accepting this equivalency, one denigrates the personal sexual touch: it becomes just another, maybe more natural or organic technique to have a baby, but thats it. But the X video I saw makes something else clear: IVF also separates human beings from age. These boys are brothers. They come from ova from the same woman. (Whether that woman is the mother who bore and/or raised them is unsaid.) Theyre brother...but are they twins? Back in the bad old days when people had babies the natural way, a woman who conceived or was carrying two unborn children was said to be having twins. Well, these two boys were conceived at the same time back in 2010. But one was implanted, one was put on ice. Can you have twins separated by 13 years? Some people would resolve the dilemma by saying twins are born together. Lets explore that. If birth makes you twins, what are you two before birth? Dont we say a mother is having twins? And if something went awry during pregnancy and the mother miscarried one of them, would you say the survivor was never a twin? To equate being a twin with being born further perpetuates the fiction haunting American law that when life begins is an insoluble conundrum the law cannot answer. Its probably why the pro-abortion crowd has glommed on to IVF accessit leaves the question of when life begins unresolved, while pictures of wanted newborns are more appealing than dismembered fetuses. (I wont raise the civil and democratic nonsense of such a position. A society exists to protect its members, and the most basic way it protects them is by keeping them alive. If a society cannot define when one is alive, it does not know who its members are and, therefore, towards whom it has obligations. By fudging the issue of relationship and age, we basically eviscerate the meaning of a term like twin or triplet. IVF, according to its standard practice, rips the unborn out of a very human reality: aging. Its the new fountain of youth. Thats not really true, of course. For one, while IVF proponents dont want to count time spent in the frozen sleep of cryogenic preservation until birth as age, it is counted towards death. How so? In Britain, you used to be able to freeze embryos for a maximum of ten years. That was the use/discard by date. Since 2022, the law has changed: you can now leave an embryo on ice for 55 years (but you must renew the contract every ten). Consider the implications: The 14-year-old kid shown holding his brother could literally have his grandson holding up his twin brother if they lived in Britain. Lets assume the 14-year-old was holding his twin brother, who was also born and raised by their common mother. (Thats a big assumption, because IVF and surrogacy allow us to slice and dice maternity into genetic, gestational, and social components.) A 55-year stint would be pushing that womans childbearing years, even with uterine transplants and hormonal abracadabra, beyond the breach. So, could the 14-year-olds brother be gestated by his daughter? Maybe even granddaughter? If twin loses its meaning, doesnt incest lose it, as well? If genetic relationship no longer matters, is consanguinity just a state of mind? These are the hard questions IVF poses that Americans, prone more towards feelings than thinking, avoid. Yes, one feels for married heterosexual couples who cannot bear a child. But the cost of those feelings is divorcing kids from relationship, genetics, biology, and even time. Is society willing to pay (or, more accurately, make the baby pay) that cost? Condemned of Space makes sense provided you engage with a suspension of belief. But freezing Mr. Phanzig for 200+ years makes sense only if the people on his planet lived, say, 500 years. If they lived normal human lifetimes, the convenience of putting ones criminals on ice would be to bring back recidivists centuries later. Imagine if we did that. Wed now be paroling convicts convicted under...President James Monroe. But we may have to imagine it, because under current rules, if IVF had been possible back in the 1960s, we could be having a twin baby conceived when Richard Nixon was in his first term. Image: X screen grab. On May 3, Texas Governor Abbott signed the states first school choice bill, which he has hailed as a historic victory. Moving forward, half of American students will live in states with school choice. Although Abbott touts the program as the largest in the nation, critics say that it has a long way to go before it can claim to be the biggest in the country by most meaningful metrics. Senate Bill 2 creates a non-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) to be administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The bill provides up to $1 billion of state funds in 2027 for eligible students to receive nearly $10,000 for private schools, $2,000 for homeschooling, and $30,000 for those with special needs. Students will be chosen through a lottery. School choice supporters praised the bill, which the Texas House passed 85 to 63, mostly along party lines. Matthew Ladner, who has worked for school choice in Arizona and other states, proudly noted the vote: The Texas House passage of ESA legislation was a monumental achievement, and should be a pivot point for the choice movement overall/1 pic.twitter.com/ruse956pUV Matthew Ladner (@matthewladner) April 17, 2025 Heritage Foundations Jason Bedrick wrote, In a historic victory for educational freedom, the Texas House of Representatives finally passed a universal school choice billmarking not just a win for families in the Lone Star State, but a watershed moment for the entire school choice movement. Yet there can be trouble ahead. The program is fraught with structural issues and, without major reforms, could fail to deliver on promises made. Worse, the ESA program could create a public backlash that will negatively impact school choice efforts for years. Although SB 2 allocates $1 billion to the program, that will provide only enough funding for around 100,000 students out of the states 6.3 million school-aged children. In a Texas Two Step, SB 2 was paired with House Bill 2, which allocated nearly $8 billion in new funding for Texas government schools, even though the billions already spent have failed to move the needle in terms of education quality. The price (for non-universal choice) shouldnt have been a massive increase in funding for the education bureaucracy, wrote U.S. Rep Chip Roy (R-Tx). But here we are. With just $1B in funding [for school choice], less than 1.5% of 6.3 million school-age kids will benefit. But the same deal throws $8B more at a $100B-a-year bloated school system. HB 2 forces Texans to fund two separate systems of education. It reinforces public education with its myriad problems instead of penalizing it. Rather than losing funding when students withdraw, public schools will retain their full funding. There will be no incentive for public schools to improve since there will be no competition. This runs counter to the free-market system that private schools and homeschools inspire. There should be one pool of taxpayer funds that will follow the child if the parent chooses to leave the government system. By having two systems, Texans will be forced to pay higher taxes in the future, especially if the ESA program is expanded. In a newsletter, Governor Abbott wrote, Soon, Texas will be #1 in the country for education, and parents across the state will have the power to choose the best school for their children - regardless of income, background, or zip code. Considering the claim that the new $8 billion school funding is to appease the public education crowd, it remains to be seen how Texas can support two full-blown education systems. As the ESA is expanded, will more still be allocated toward empty seats in government schools? Economist Vance Ginn proposes an alternative economic solution that will save Texans billions of dollars and allow parents freedom over educating their children. He recommends a fully funded ESA for every Texas student$12,000 per childfor all 6.3 million school-aged kids. That would replace our current $100 billion K12 education bloated bureaucracy with a student-centered approach. It would save taxpayers an estimated $25 billion annually. And by shifting funding with students, we could eliminate roughly two-thirds of school district M&O property taxes, which make up the largest share of a typical homeowners tax bill. Another structural problem with Texass ESA is a permanent cap of 20 percent for the number of participants by families earning more than 500 percent of the federal poverty level$160,750 for a family of four. They can qualify only if their children have not previously attended a public school. The ESA legislation, with its audits, documentation mandates, and provider regulations, maintains a bureaucratic approach rather than one of innovation to reform education. There are stringent requirements tied to the ESA funding, while the $8 billion public education bill has no accountability. ESA participants must provide documentation to show improvement, while public schools have no such requirements. Educational service providers and educational product vendors must be pre-approved by the state comptroller. ESA participants must purchase their products through these state-approved vendors, so the bureaucracy determines winners and losers. If homeschool parents want to use other instructional materials, it is likely they will face uphill challenges in funding. Even though the ESA program demands purchasing only from state-approved vendors, public schools have no such requirement. Texas law allows Texas public schools to purchase non-state-board-approved instructional products, using taxpayer dollars. In Texas, private schools have no requirements for registration, licensing, approval, or accreditation. This will change under SB2, with the requirement that private schools must be accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Education Agency or by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. The requirement for state accreditation will limit the participation of popular free market models such as micro-schools or homeschool co-ops. For homeschool families, the requirement for tutors and teaching services to be accredited or have a license will limit their participation in the program as well. Public education requirements for teacher certification and school accreditation have not improved academic achievement. Public school graduates reading levels, critical thinking ability, and general knowledge are far below those of a few decades ago. Most colleges now require remedial classes in basic subjects for freshmen. In comparison, students who are home-educated typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Many Texans have expressed a concern that this ESA program, with its unnecessary restrictions on private and home schools, is a Trojan horse for more state control. Time will tell if the Texas ESA will go down the path of the Arizona school choice program, which is already under fire over the increase of government control. Image by AI. The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. John F. Kennedy When President Trump signed the executive order to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS this past week, the collective meltdown across certain media and culture sectors was as predictable as it was performative. Outlets dubbed it a death blow to democracy, social media seized with hyperbole, and journalists donned their favorite martyr cloaks as if an incoming totalitarian regime had suddenly threatened their livelihoods. Youd think someone had lit the Constitution on fire during a PBS pledge drive. Lets establish a few facts. According to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), its total appropriation for FY2025 was $535 million, including radio and television funds. NPR receives less than 1% of its annual operating budget directly from federal sources. Its member stations, however, derive between 8 and 10% of their revenue from CPB-related grants. PBS affiliates receive roughly 15% of their budgets through similar mechanisms, with rural stations leaning more heavily on that trickle of taxpayer money. So what were really talking about here is cutting off a relatively small but symbolically rich slice of funding one that, for the loudest voices, represents not just dollars, but a perceived entitlement to taxpayer underwriting. Myth vs. Math A budget of $535 million sounds enormous in isolation. But in federal terms? Its a rounding error. For comparison, the Department of Agriculture spends more than $160 billion annually. The U.S. government spends over $6 trillion a year. CPB's entire allotment accounts for roughly 0.0089% of that total. If the national budget were a single dollar, the public broadcasting cut wouldnt even buy you a piece of penny candy. Yet the reaction from NPRs defenders suggests that this move is on par with shuttering the National Archives or torching the Smithsonian. This isnt an existential crisis. Its a financial inconvenience. The loudest critics seem to forget a basic economic principle: diversify your revenue stream. A private business that relies on 10% of its income from a single donor is playing with fire. So why should a network of media professionals who pride themselves on independence, grit, and public trust treat a minor budgetary reduction like a cultural assassination? Theater of the Aggrieved Lets call this outrage what it really is: theater. Theres a genre of commentary that arises whenever the government withdraws even the faintest amount of support from an elite institution. The script is always the same: Announce the defunding. Lament the attack on truth. Pretend its censorship. Quote Orwell. Ask for donations. When NPRs CEO said earlier this year that the network needed to do more to diversify perspectives following the viral resignation letter from longtime editor Uri Berliner, who alleged a culture of progressive bias, the response from staff wasnt self-examination. It was a pep rally. Defenders flooded the airwaves, praising NPRs commitment to equity and representation while ignoring a sobering fact: Its audience is rapidly becoming ideologically homogeneous. In 2023, a Pew Research survey found that only 11% of NPRs audience identified as conservative, down from 22% a decade earlier. Over 67% identified as liberal. That is not a public square. Thats a choir loft. The Real Public Square Is Elsewhere PBS and NPRdefenders often invoke the nobility of public broadcasting, its commitment to childrens programming, rural access, classical music, and educational documentaries. And yes, there is merit in those offerings. But we must ask: Is it still necessary for taxpayers to subsidize content in an age where streaming, podcasts, and YouTube offer free, global access to more information than the Library of Congress couldve dreamed of? Sesame Street, once the crown jewel of PBS, signed a massive content deal with HBO in 2015. That means many first-run episodes now premiere behind a paywall before hitting PBS. Meanwhile, podcasts like This American Life and Radiolab, both spun out of public radio, are now media giants in their own right, monetized, branded, and often funded through private partnerships. Why should taxpayers fund operations that have proven they can commercialize content and merchandise characters and charge licensing fees like any other media company? A Question of Fairness Its also worth asking: Why is it the taxpayers job to prop up any media outlet, let alone one with a clear ideological tilt? The idea of state-supported news has always walked a precarious line. In countries like the U.K. and Canada, government-funded media outlets are enshrined by charter, but even they face mounting scrutiny about editorial independence. The BBC, for instance, has been battered for being too conservative by the left and too leftist by the right. Sound familiar? In the U.S., however, NPR and PBS aren't chartered by constitutional mandate a line item funds them in a budget. And if that budget is under new management, as it is now, reducing or removing that funding is not censorship. Thats how representative government works. Opponents argue that losing CPB support will crush rural stations. Possibly. But thats not the fault of a budget cut; its the failure of those stations to innovate. Private-sector media outlets have been forced to adapt or perish for decades. Why should public broadcasters be exempt? Lets Have an Honest Conversation This column isnt a celebration of defunding. Its a call for honesty. If NPR and PBS believe they provide essential value and in many ways, they do they should be able to survive through voluntary contributions, syndication, partnerships, and earned goodwill. If their value proposition is as strong as they say it is, Americans will support them. But suppose their leadership continue to cast themselves as victims of oppression while raking in millions in private grants and licensing deals. In that case, they shouldnt be surprised when the public tunes out, literally and figuratively. The truth is, this isnt about the money. Its about the symbolism. Cutting funding to PBS and NPR represents a break from the old model of media paternalism, the idea that government-funded gatekeepers must curate whats worthy of the publics attention. That may have made sense in 1970, but it's antiquated in the fractured digital media age of 2025. Let NPR and PBS prove their relevance without the cushion. If theyre as good as they claim, and if Americans truly believe in the value of an impartial, intellectual, culture-rich media space, theyll thrive. If not, maybe theyll finally confront the question theyve long avoided: Whose public are they really serving? Image via Picryl. In January of 2025 I wrote The Biden Forest Service corrals fencing terrorists. It was the story of Heather and Charles Maude who operate a 400-acre ranch in South Dakota. Their ranch, in the family for generations, abuts the Buffalo Gap Grasslands, and was there decades before the Grasslands were established in 1960. In March of 2024 the Maudes posted a no hunting sign on a fence that had been there for more than 75 years. A never-identified hunter supposedly complained about the sign, the Forest Service was offended, and the Maudes promptly removed it. The Maudes had a grazing agreement with the Forest Service for a quarter century and thought they had a cordial relationship. In May of 2024, the Maudes met with the District Ranger who wanted to sort out a previously unmentioned boundary issue implicating the fence. The Maudes agreedthey thoughtto a survey to once and for all define the fence boundary, a boundary unchanged for 75+ years, which they were told would take as much as a year to complete. No one knows why the Forest Service suddenly became exercised over a fence they had continually recertified as an agreed, lawful boundary year after year. Five days later Forest Service Special Agent Travis Lunders showed up with a survey team and trespassed on the Maudes land without permission. On June 24, 2024, he showed up at the Maudes door in full tactical gearForest Service Special Agents probably dont get the opportunity to do that very often--bearing grand jury indictments for Heather and Charles for theft of government property, a 10-year, $250,000 crime. To date, the Maudes have never been given a copy of that survey. In that January article, I wrote: This is a tale of two views of government power. Land issues are common in the West where government controls vast swaths of states. As Brauneis notes, in the past the Forest Service worked with ranchers and farmers. They knew ranchers and farmers are Americas best land stewards. If there was an issue, they drove out to the ranch, sat down over coffee, talked things out and sealed the deal with a handshake. Ranchers and farmers went on with their lives and missionsfeeding the worldand the American publics interests were protected. But under Joe Bidens handlers, government saw itself not as the publics hired hands, but as its masters, and acted as arrogant, self-important enforcers of the most minuscule, meaningless, burdensome regulations. Letting the Maudes think things were being sorted out over a year, the Forest Service decided to show them whos boss. Thanks to Donald Trump, Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins and Representative Harriett Hageman (R-WY) who took the lead, that didnt work out so well for the Forest Service. Hageman, an attorney who defeated Liz Cheney for Wyomings sole House seat, specialized in reining in government abuses in the West. Hageman was damned good at it and the Maude case was tailor made for her. Rollins said: This family, targeted over what should have been a minor civil dispute over grazing rights on 25 acres of public land, was prosecuted credibly threatened with jail sentences so extreme that they were told to find alternatives to raise their young children, said Rollins, whose department includes the U.S. Forest Service with jurisdiction over the Buffalo Gap Grasslands. Hageman added: the actions of an armed, rogue agent with the USFS led to the charges over 25 acres the agency hadnt missed for the prior 75 years and should have been given over to the ranch long ago anyway. That is not the way our government should be treating our citizens, she told Cowboy State Daily after the press conference. You dont come in with guns a-blazing with two young people with two young children and say were going to give you 10 years in prison. Were Donald Trump not reelected, its likely Heather and Charles Maude, as inoffensive and law-abiding Americans as one can find, would be serving ten years in federal prison, their ranch seized by government and their children farmed off to whoever. The Democrat propaganda media, if it bothered to cover their case at all, would surely have praised brave guardians of the public welfare like Travis Lunders for jailing such dangerous insurrectionists. And what of Lunders? There is some indication he has been reassigned somewhere in Colorado. Alaska might be more appropriate and less dangerous to Americans liberties, but Im sure the Peoples Republic of Colorado will appreciate someone like him. Im equally sure South Dakota is glad to be rid of him. Im absolutely certain the Maudes, as all Normal, decent Americans, are. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recently announced that a Chinese mitten crab was caught last month by a person fishing in the Lower Columbia River in the central part of the state. This species of crab was outlawed in the state more than a decade ago due to its aggressive and highly adaptive nature, which can lead to the damaging of ecosystems and the displacement of other native species. A question: why is every invasive species -- whether plant or animal -- more aggressive, and better at adapting and procreating than any of our native U.S. ones? Why did we get the weak-kneed flora and fauna? Mirroring the Chinese themselves, it is obvious that none of the legion of invasive species which hail from China is worried about toxic masculinity. Maybe if our native speciesand we ourselveswere more masculine we could better fend them off. Does this phenomenon ever go in reverse? Does North America possess a crab that could potentially go over to China and kick some commie crustacean ass? If not, why is this just a one-way street? And what can we do about it? And why do so many damaging invasive species come from China? Did any of them perhaps escape from a lab in Wuhan? The Chinese mitten crab is reported to be highly invasiveand capable of climbing over 13-foot-high walls! What the hell? Are they also Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Unsettling. Look! Up on that wall! It's a bird! It's a plane! ItsaChinese mitten crab! There goes the neighborhood. Hope they taste good dipped in butter. Image: Christian Fischer, via Wikipedia // CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed Since leaving his British royal family, Prince Harry has become quite a miserable character, hasn't he. Seems the great pursuit of life on the red carpets of tinseltown with his actress wife Meghan Markle isn't quite the road to fulfillment he thought it would be: His latest, featured on the front page of the BBC, is enough to give one pause: The Duke of Sussex has told the BBC he "would love a reconciliation" with the Royal Family, in an emotional interview in which he said he was "devastated" at losing a legal challenge over his security in the UK. Prince Harry said the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff", but that he did not want to fight any more and did "not know how much longer my father has". The prince spoke to BBC News in California after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK. Buckingham Palace said: "All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion." This must be the fifth or sixth time he's said he wants to come back to the fold. But every time he does, a tell-all book emerges, which would explain why the king might not want to talk with him a second or third or fifth time. In the press, this is attributed to the royal requirement for reticience, but actually, anyone else would feel the same way. Joe Schmoe's family in Podunkville wouldn't want such a person in their family, either, spilling all the family secrets for another big dollar book contract. Letting Harry back into the fold would be like letting a tabloid reporter into the family living room. He isn't sorry for anything he did, but like a character out of an Evelyn Waugh or John le Carre novel, he drips with earnest weakness, and tries to make the king look like the bad guy. Just no. I'm not the only one who sees it this way -- the loathing ranges from right to left. Prince Harry is in every sense a spoiled brat, with a massive sense of entitlement. He should be completely cut off from the Royal family. https://t.co/eQGWDPWj0y Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) May 3, 2025 Even the Guardian views his act dimly: 1. He has no perception of the damage he's done. I've been writing about the royals for decades and have never seen them so low in the water, mainly thanks to this depressing Harry-Meghan sideshow https://t.co/hwiIlpMJ79 Christopher Wilson (@TheWislon) May 3, 2025 The security argument is wretched, too -- he has plenty of money from his tell-all books about the royal family to pay for his own security -- he just doesn't want to, he wants the taxpayers of the U.K. to pay for it, while he goes gallivanting around to Africa, and other exotic locales at great expense to promote ... himself, and his attention-greedy wife. Security costs can get pretty high with that chosen lifestyle. Harry made the decision to go it alone, away from the royal family, so if he wants security in the style to which he is accustomed, he's going to need to get his own country, and create a taxpaying base from it. I'm going to wager he's not up to that task, so he needs to shell out for his own. Yet his appeal in this regard is quite the emotional blackmail, citing how King Charles wouldn't want anything to happen to his grandchildren, and how King Charles is on his last legs anyway, which is amazingly insulting, even if unwittingly so. King Charles knows to stay away from emotional dumpster fires, so obviously, he has to steer clear of Harry, for the sake of the rest of the family that knows how to act and serve royally and the country which depends on him. What Harry did with this latest outburst is simple remind King Charles of why he needs to keep him far and distant. This guy refuses to grow up. Image: Screen shot from X video Iran, through its proxies, is at war with Israel. Israel may finally be openly acknowledging that obvious fact. On Sunday, the Houthis successfully got a missile through Israels defenses, where it landed near Ben Gurion Airport. This is Israels main international airport, so its akin to a rocket landing near JFK or Reagan International airports. Unbelievable footage. The Houthis directly struck a field at Ben Gurion airport - Israels main airport. Israel will not hit a field at the Houthis international Airport. Israel will not miss. https://t.co/mJ1LEfUeMe pic.twitter.com/4I3prE7B9G Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 4, 2025 Heres how my morning went: -Arrived at Ben Gurion airport & lined up to check in -App warned of a launch from the Houthis in Yemen -Siren sounded in terminal -Sought shelter with hundreds of others (I was behind some nuns) -Massive boom rattled the building -Sirens continued pic.twitter.com/86Pr1a1LH3 Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 4, 2025 Absolutely INSANE footage of the impact from a Houthi missile on Israels Ben Gurion airport. What would happen if this was JFK or Heathrow - do you think the Houthis would exist tomorrow? How about their Iranian backers? pic.twitter.com/Qbv5BeGxWG Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 4, 2025 Three people were injured, although thankfully, none badly. The airport was swiftly able to return to business. We can assume, of course, that Israel will strike directly at the Houthis. However, we all know that the Houthis didnt buy or build a missile capable of traveling so far and striking so accurately. Instead, the missile came from Iran, which is using the Houthis as a cutout for its war against Israel. Interestingly, in a tweet I saw as I was writing this post, Israel implied that its finally acknowledging that, while it may have tried not to be at war with Iran, Iran is engaged in a hot war against Israeland Israel will respond: Today, there was another Houthi missile attack against Israel. This time, several civilians were injured. The Houthis, located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Israel, are firing at Israel without provocation, and they are attacking not only Israel but also international shipping pic.twitter.com/3QeloGPp3p Israel (@Israel) May 4, 2025 Today, there was another Houthi missile attack against Israel. This time, several civilians were injured. The Houthis, located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Israel, are firing at Israel without provocation, and they are attacking not only Israel but also international shipping routes. The Houthi attacks are Iranian attacks Iran uses them as a proxy to spread terror and undermine the regional and global order. The Houthis are the arm the head is Iranian. The world must hold Iran accountable for these attacks. Israel has the right to defend itself, and it will exercise this right at a time of its choosing. That doesnt sound like were going to strike the Houthis and consider it done. Instead, it sounds as if, with a near-miss at Ben Gurion airport, Israel has realized that, as Iran escalates, it must respond directly. Or at least, sort of directly. Why do I say sort of directly? Because weird things are happening in Iran, all of which involve damage to infrastructure. Exactly a week ago, there was a massive explosion at Irans main port, followed by a big explosion at its main deepwater port. Iran blamed careless handling, but there suddenly seems to be an epidemic of careless handling. I say that because there were more mysterious explosions in Iran today, all of which seem to have occurred after the missile almost struck Ben Gurion airport. One took place in Mashhad, which is Irans second most-populated city, located about 560 miles north of Tehran. Its Irans second-largest car manufacturing area, as well as a major tourism center. UPDATE According to Iranian media a Motorcycle factory just blew up in Mashhad. https://t.co/T31h3IRYpJ Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 4, 2025 Mashhad, Iran Something very strange happening right now pic.twitter.com/L5M6hUvQZH Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 4, 2025 The Mullahs responded by making it so that people in Mashhad would drive over U.S., UK, and Israeli flags. The inclusion of the UK flag is funny, given how hostile the Starmer government is to Israel: Across the road from the factory that went up in flames today in Mashhad, Israeli, UK, and U.S. flags were laid on the ground for Iranians to drive over.@BenTzionMacales pic.twitter.com/OptUEKnFWA Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 4, 2025 Not long after the Mashhad explosion, another absolutely massive, black-smoke fire broke out in a central district in Tehran County (that is, at the very heart of Iran itself): BREAKING A massive fire has also been reported in Tehrans District 22. pic.twitter.com/HRPf0nQXIc Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 4, 2025 The Mullahs responded by making it so that people in Mashhad would drive over U.S., UK, and Israeli flags. The inclusion of the UK flag is funny, given how hostile the Starmer government is to Israel:Not long after the Mashhad explosion, another absolutely massive, black-smoke fire broke out in a central district in Tehran County (that is, at the very heart of Iran itself): I mention the black smoke because thats not what you get with house or forest fires. Thats the kind of fire that you get when oil-based infrastructure goes up in flames. Perhaps all these explosions in important centers in Iran are coincidental. And perhaps theyre not. President Trump told Israel not to strike Irans nuclear weapons. So far, Israel has honored that request, even though its destruction of Irans air defense systems would make this a good time to strike. However, its possible that Israel has found a more low-key approach to breaking Iran by breaking its traditional infrastructure. If so, kudos to Israel for thinking outside the box. The fact is that the Mullahs are not in good shape. As with all tyrannies, there is despair at home, whether its declining marriage rates, a demographic collapse that could destroy the nation, drug addiction, or crime (especially sex trafficking). All of this is made worse because Iran is suffering from a massive drought. While the people suffer, the Mullahs continue with their obsession to destroy Israel, a nation that has nothing to do with them, but that simply offends their sensibilities. I am reminded of the fact that a significant reason the German military lost WWII was because Hitler insisted on channeling necessary resources to feed his obsessive goal of exterminating Europes Jews. Trains and soldiers that should have gone to the Eastern Front instead went to Auschwitz and other death camps. Hitler came close to fulfilling his evil obsession, but he also destroyed the possibility that Germany could win the war. This time, the Jews are not meekly going to the gas chambers. Whether overtly or, perhaps, covertly, they will ensure that any efforts to exterminate them are stopped in their tracks. And at a certain point, no matter how much Israel depends on Americas goodwill, if Iran gets too dangerous, they will break the leash and do what they need to do. To go armed or not to go armed? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows OK, enough paraphrased Shakespeare. Its common knowledge that more and more Americans, including Democrats, are becoming first-time gun owners. Federal background checks have numbered more than a million per month for more than five years. Since each check can encompass more than one gun, and they dont account for private transactions, we can be sure Americans are buying more than a million guns every month. There are signs the pace of gun buying is slowing, as one might expect with Donald Trumps reelection. Americans not worried about federal agents busting down their doors at 3 AM, another Summer of Love, or relentless and potentially successful attempts to obliterate the Second Amendment tend to relax a bit. Whether hell be able to convince Congress to do much to restore and expand Americans Second Amendment rights is an open question. During Trumps first term, when Republicans held the Congress, they decided the time just wasnt right to affirm that portion of the Constitution. Even so, gun ownership and daily carry are rational and emotional issues. Rational because there can be no doubt that evil exists and can confront anyone anywhere at any time. There are very few police officers, and theyre virtually never there when and where they're needed. They love to catch bad guys in the act and save the day, but they just cant be held legally liable for failing to protect anyone. We really are on our own. Unfortunately, even people sufficiently rational to arm themselves and obtain training sometimes still have emotional worries, like this Reddit poster: Graphic: Reddit Screenshot Obviously, were speaking not about someone carrying a handgun for self-defense, an inherently rational choice. Awkward has made a home defense choice, but buying a gun safe suggests more than a little emotion overcoming reason. Theres certainly nothing wrong with leaving a shotgun loaded with an empty chamber, but hopefully Awkward will be able to get to that shotgun more or less instantly when its needed, and hopefully, it will never be needed in that way. No, Awkward, youre not doing anything wrong. Youve made a rational, responsible choice, and youve made at least the beginning steps toward ability and confidence. Youll need to continue regular and correct practice, dry and live fire, to maintain and build that ability and confidence. You are, however, partially allowing emotion to overcome reason. Surely youve discovered anti-liberty/gun cracktivist claims that guns in the home are certain to injure and kill occupants are lies? Were they not, wed be daily deluged with such reports. Even the Clinton Administration, among the most anti-gun in history, did a study that revealed Americans use guns in legitimate self-defense up to 1.5 million times every year. They tried to suppress those results, but they leaked. Armed citizens shoot and kill far more criminals than the police. That might seem counterintuitive, but the police are virtually never there when a criminal attack begins. If they get there in timerarelytheyre running into ambiguous situations. They cant be sure whos the good guy and whos the bad guy. Citizens there from the beginning dont have that problem. As a result, police shoot the wrong person at more than five times the rate of citizens. Your reason keeps asserting itself. Power tools, kitchen knives, hammers, screwdrivers, all manner of inanimate objects at hand in your home are deadly weapons, yet you have no unreasonable fear of them, as you shouldnt. Are your qualms moral? Self-defense is an unalienable, God-given human right. The correct translation of the Commandment is not thou shalt not kill, but thou shalt not murder. The scriptures clearly recognize justified homicide. Thats the basis of our deadly force law. Are the lives of those cruel and vicious enough to unjustifiably kill others of more value to society than those of the innocent? Is your life of less value to you and those you love than the lives of such monsters? Arm yourself, too, with intimate knowledge of your state law of self-defense. That study should include Andrew Brancas indispensable The Law of Self Defense. Jeffrey R. Snyders classic 1993 essay, A Nation of Cowards, may help to clarify your concerns. So too might my AT essay, Why I carry a handgun, and my more in-depth essay on the same subject at my home blog, Why I Carry A Concealed Handgun. One additional resource that might be helpful is this AT article on Shotguns for home defense. Awkward, youre almost there. Work through your worries, let reason prevail, and welcome to the ranks of Americans taking responsibility for their own safety. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer, and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. You've heard of 'Minnesota Men.' And Georgia Man. And 'Maryland Man.' Now the New York Times is presenting us with 'Brooklyn Man.' According to the report: A Brooklyn man was arrested on Monday after the police said he violated a corpse on an R train in a Manhattan subway station earlier this month. The man, whom police identified as Felix Rojas, 44, was charged with first-degree rape, more than two weeks after the event. He is expected to be arraigned later on Monday, according to a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney. It was unclear whether he had a lawyer. USAToday followed the Times's lead and called him a "Brooklyn Man," too: Brooklyn man accused of attempted rape of a corpse on NYC subway It must be something in the water. Or Brooklyn values. Or something that required that particular identifier. Like Maryland Man Kilmar Abrejo-Garcia, the Times identified Rojas as a good family man: Angie Sofikitis, 77, who lives in a building next door to Mr. Rojas, said she recognized him as a man who worked doing maintenance on the building. She said Mr. Rojas was part of a churchgoing family with three children who lived on her street for several years until he moved out about a year ago. USAToday, meanwhile, mentioned that the victim was a drunk, and that crime statistics on the subway are supposedly down. Nothing to see here, move along. What neither of them mentioned was that the arrestee was here in the country illegally, same as at least some of the Minnesota Men wreaking havoc in that state, the Georgia Man who murdered the young nursing student, and most certainly the Maryland Man who was quite the MS-13 gang member and wife-beater. The detail is relevant to the story because the crime would not have been possible to commit at all had he not been in the country illegally. The other reason it's worth noting is the level of crime coming from the border that was opened so widely during the miserable administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. To say that an open border is not a magnet for criminals who could never get into the U.S. otherwise, is simple common sense. But the press won't admit it. So now we are seeing the most fantastically grotesque of crimes from foreign criminals who don't belong here, yet the Times and its little friend at USAToday see nothing fit to print about that vital detail, which might, after all, justify President Trump's border crackdown. Maryland man Brooklyn man Georgia man Thats nonsense. A good rule of thumb: When you see the corrupt corporate media call someone something like that, it is probably safe to assume theyre covering for an illegal alien monster who committed horrific crimes. pic.twitter.com/4WXETVd5R4 Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 4, 2025 At least Fox News and the Department of Homeland Security are starting to say something: DHS goes after NYT for referring to illegal alien charged w/ raping a male human corpse on a subway in NYC as a Brooklyn man with no mention of his legal status. https://t.co/DpgfvSYr5R Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 3, 2025 Fact is, the press is running cover for these foreign thugs, whose crimes keep getting worse and worse, the more you look. Did they identify the man accused of burning alive a homeless woman on the New York subway as an illegal immigrant, too? No, they left that detail to Fox News, which had no problem reporting it. An open border is an open border, an invitation to the worst people on Earth to come on in. They're doing it, and the Times and its coevals are missing the big story about these incidents. Now we have 'Brooklyn Man.' If I were a real Brooklynite, I'd be pretty insulted. Image: NYPD public release, via X, public domain The Democrats are in no mood for free thinking, or people who may think outside the comfort zone with a San Francisco ZIP code. Enter Senator Fetterman, or the one Democrat politician who believes that working with a sitting president from the other party may be good for his constituents. After all, the Orange Man carried his state, and his fellow senator is a Republican. In other words, the Keystone State is not San Francisco. So the Democrats dont like it. And the New York Times is on the job. This is the story: In 2022, when John Fetterman had a stroke while he was running for his Senate seat, the Democrats and their media allies were insistent that to even question his fitness to serve was ableist and unacceptable. My, how times have changed. This week, New York magazine, as reliable a Democrat organ as there is, ran a scathing hit piece on Fetterman in which current and former staffers all but suggest that not only should he not be Pennsylvanias senior senator, he belongs in an assisted living facility. How sweet it is, to paraphrase that song. I remember being one of those conservatives who saw the candidate on TV and questioned his viability as a U.S. senator. Then I accepted the election results and hoped for the best. Who knew that the left would attack their man by claiming bizarre behavior? You mean like agreeing that Israel must be supported, or that boys shouldnt compete with girls? The Democrats have a huge problem, and it starts with a reluctance to understand their electoral situation, such as the male vote problem. Or the sense that many normal people think that the party is crazy. To be fair, Fetterman gets that and is trying to make the best of it. On the other hand, the party leadership doesnt get it, believing that its all about bashing Trump. Fetterman sees reality. Apparently, some on his staff dont. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: John Fetterman. Governor Tom Wolfe via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Back in college some decades ago, the economic argument between my professor and classmates was about a countrys competitive advantage derived from the use of cheap labor to drive down costs of production. This idea can be seen in many up-to-date business textbooks. However, with companies increasingly turning to robots to handle the cheaper labor tasks that humans are less inclined to do, the inevitability of this shift is becoming more apparent. The catchphrase then and now is outsourcing, where a firm would send work offsite to be completed at a marginally lower cost. Globally speaking, a country would harness the division of labor based on what it could produce or manufacture relatively cheaper and more efficiently than its neighbor. The main sectors where cheap labor is applied are agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and the service sectors. And yes, these sectors have begun to switch from cheap labor to robotic partners. The question is not if, but when cheap labor, as it has been applied to business operations, will end as robots enter the workplace en masse. What is meant by cheap labor, otherwise known as low-cost country sourcing? The term has different meanings at different times and geographies, but it tends to imply the availability of laborers who willingly work for lesser wages than complementary markets, with work conducted in challenging or extreme work environments. Cheap labor also includes countries with a lower labor cost, primarily due to having larger populations of workers available. These workers are paid less and accept less than other industries that require higher education, skills, and abilities. It was often said, and maybe still is, that the competitiveness of countries like China that manufacture all types of economic goods is attributed to cheap labor policies. Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and others were also at the top of the list for competitive advantages in trade due to cheap labor being prevalent. With the advent of robotics, can countries compete on cheap labor the same way they did almost a decade ago? I say no. Management had to realize the costs and profits to be offset by using humans or robotics, especially in manufacturing and agriculture. How to Robot says, The market reflects this shift towards physical automation: analysts project the retail robotics sector to grow from $20.12 billion in 2024 to $181.14 billion by 2031. Apparently, in the manufacturing food industry, the same can be said about robotics, says CBS4: Companies such as GoodBytz and BotInKit are developing robotic kitchen systems that replace commercial kitchens, while robots at Smithfield Foods are taking on dangerous jobs, such as slicing pork ribs. Tyson Foods has similarly introduced automation at its Danville, Virginia plant, replacing 250 workers in the production of chicken nuggets and other processed poultry items. The presence of robot workers in the agricultural sector is slated to surpass 620,000 by 2025. Electro IQ projects that by 2030, the total number of agricultural robots worldwide is estimated to reach 36 billion units. These are just data that show the wave of robots in sectors known to use cheap labor for productivity. However, these same cheap labor industries, and the companies therein, for a long time carried a heavy stigma for using cheap labor. In fact, companies were blasted in the media for using cheap labor to produce goods or extract resources. Then managers switched the verbiage from cheap labor to outsourcing, seeking low-cost labor. Fast-forward, and many companies are quickly implementing robots to work on the lower end of the value-adding process, once worked by cheap labor. Are robots really cheaper than cheap low-cost human workers, or are people reluctant to do lower-wage work? The low-cost labor advantage argument may end abruptly if we consider the future influence of robots on jobs that do not require a human to do the same thing cheaper. Image via Unsplash. From the beginning, ads have been one of Googles main sources of revenue. The company placed such importance on this sector that it strove to dominate it with an iron fist. Googles position in the AdTech industry even led to a recent antitrust ruling against the company in the US, pending further developments. Meanwhile, Google appears to be testing ways to combine its classic ads with another technology in which it has become a prominent name: AI. According to recent reports, Google is exploring new ways to monetize the rise of AI chatbots. The news could mean youll soon see ads while chatting with these tools. Google has reportedly been testing ad injections into AI chatbots for months As reported by Bloomberg, Googles AdSense has begun offering the ability to display ads directly within user chats with some third-party AI chatbots. The Mountain View giant has reportedly been doing this since the beginning of this year. The move opens up a whole new landscape for the implementation of targeted ads in the age of artificial intelligence. Until now, these services have maintained a chat window free of ads and promotions. Google has reportedly already begun testing the feature with some AI-powered search startups, such as iAsk and Liner. Initial tests appear to have paved the way for a broader rollout. However, the system is currently only available to certain third-party chatbots that have chosen to integrate Googles advertising solution. A Google spokesperson told Bloomberg that AdSense for Search is available for websites that want to show relevant ads in their conversational AI experiences. This statement clearly outlines Googles strategy, which is to enable chatbot developers to incorporate targeted advertising into their chat interfaces. A new way to monetize: making AI profitable Its no secret that AI is not only expensive to develop but also difficult to monetize in the short term. We could say that the top AI-focused companies have been working at a loss on their AI development for years to gain a strong market position, with an eye toward real long-term monetization. According to reports, OpenAI doesnt expect to be profitable until at least 2029, for example. Considering that were talking about the parent company of ChatGPT, the worlds most popular AI chatbot, other companies could find themselves in an even worse situation. That said, Google participates in segments of the tech industry where OpenAI isnt. Therefore, the Mountain View giant could leverage these technologies to try to achieve profitability more quickly. Starting to offer ad implementation in third-party AI chatbots, just as Google has been offering it for websites and apps for many years, seems like a smart way to go. The firm has also been integrating AI throughout its products and services. The most powerful features are available after paid subscriptions, providing another incentive to attract more potential subscribers. Furthermore, the popularity of AI chatbots is growing rapidly. Of course, the internet search and advertising giant couldnt resist the opportunity to join the trend and profit from it. Google has already experimented with ads in Search AI Overviews In fact, this isnt Googles first foray into advertising within AI experiences. Late last year, the company began showing ads in Searchs AI Overviewsthose helpful AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results for certain queries. This initiative already hinted that Google is actively looking for new ways to integrate advertising into its own AI-powered products as well. President Donald Trump continues to push the U.S. tech companies to increase local manufacturing with a higher tariffs policy. Among them is NVIDIA, which committed to investing $500 billion over the next four years to expand AI chip production. While NVIDIA has agreed to Trumps policy, the companys CEO raised concerns about how the US chip restriction is indirectly helping Huawei take a lead in the AI industry. NVIDIAs CEO shares concerns about US sanctions indirectly boosting Huaweis position in the AI industry According to last weeks Reuters report, Huang raised concerns about Huaweis success in the AI field despite stringent US sanctions. Per the report, the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee held a private meeting with a few NVIDIA executives to discuss various topics. One of the majorly discussed topics was Huaweis constant growth in the manufacturing of AI chips. Addressing his concerns, NVIDIAs CEO reportedly said that restrictions on Nvidias chips in China could make Huawei chips more competitive in the market. One senior committee added, If DeepSeek R1 had been trained on (Huawei chips) or a future open-source Chinese model had been trained to be highly optimized to Huawei chips, that would risk creating a global market demand for Huawei chips. NVIDIAs spokesperson, John Rizzo, said that Huang met with the lawmakers to discuss a lot of things. Huang reportedly discussed analyzing the strategic importance of AI in the US infrastructure and local manufacturing. Rizzo further noted that NVIDIA is doing its every bit to comply with the US chip restriction. The company also fully supports President Trumps approach to boost American tech through local manufacturing. Its worth noting that the NVIDIA CEO believes Huawei is powerful. In an interview dated April 30, the CEO talked about Huaweis place in the Chinese AI market. Huang said that the AI competition is a protracted war that cant be won overnight. The CEO further noted that Huawei has come a long way and is quite strong in computing, networking, and software. This is why the NVIDIA CEO is concerned about Huawei taking the lead in the AI competition. NVIDIA cant sell its H20 chips in China Chinese lawmakers have restricted many tech companies, including NVIDIA, from supplying advanced AI chips and products in the country. This comes as a result of US sanctions on China. This is why NVIDIA had to manufacture China-specific chips called H20. After recent policy changes introduced by President Trump, NVIDIA cant even sell those chips to China. Huawei took this opportunity to fill the gap left by NVIDIA and is reportedly preparing to ship Ascend 910C AI chips. Anthony Joshuas return to the ring is to be delayed by elbow surgery that will prevent him from training for up to eight weeks. Joshua has not fought since being crushed inside five rounds by IBF heavyweight king Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September with the hoped-for bout against Tyson Fury scuppered by his British rivals latest retirement. There is still the prospect of Joshua and Fury meeting later this year, but first the 35-year-old former unified champion must recover from the operation that will take place this month. Im trying to get my body right. Ive got have a little surgery on my elbow, a small surgery, sometime in May, he told DAZN. Im finalising the details. It will see me out of the gym for six to eight weeks and as soon as Ive healed Ill be back. Joshua had rebuilt after losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk by reeling off three successive wins, only to be knocked out by Dubois in a one-sided clash that led to calls for the London 2012 gold medal winner to retire. However, Joshua knows that a showdown with long-term British rival Fury would be highly lucrative for both fighters. Dubois returns to Wembley to face Usyk on July 19. Clive Palmer in April. His party, Trumpet of Patriots, will not pick a seat in the House of Representatives after the Australian 2025 federal election. Photograph: Danny Casey/AAP What does spending tens of millions of dollars on advertising and bombarding people with unsolicited text messages get you? Nothing, if youre Clive Palmer at least in the House of Representatives. Trumpet of Patriots, Palmers most recent political party, will not win a single lower house seat and, as of midday on Saturday, had only 1.85% of the national vote. Legalise Cannabis Australia, which spent just $6,200 on social media ads in the last 30 days and barely campaigned, has so far won 1.14% of the vote. It is not known exactly how much money Palmers party has spent on this election campaign. He told the Daily Telegraph he had spent up to $60m, but this figure has not been independently verified. Public records show the party spent more than $5m on YouTube ads and $1.2m on Meta ads. It is too early to say whether the minor party will win enough votes and preferences to secure a Senate seat. Its best chance is in Queensland, but it currently has just less than a third of the required quota. This outcome may not be known for several days. On Channel Seven on Saturday night, Palmer said the advertising spend had stimulated debate and claimed credit for an end-of-campaign discussion about welcome to country ceremonies, which his party had strongly criticised. I think we can win some Senate seats and play a really important role in the next term of parliament, Palmer told Channel Seven. Ads claiming we dont need to be welcomed to our own country, were splashed on the front pages of Nine newspapers during the election campaign. Hours after welcome to country addresses were disrupted at Anzac day dawn services, similar ads surrounded the homepage of news.com.au. Related: Hecklers and booers at Anzac Day welcome to country must face the full force of the law, PM says The Trumpet of Patriots leader, Suellen Wrightson, who appeared on lengthy television ads during prime-time slots, did not come close to influencing the vote in the New South Wales coal mining seat of Hunter, securing just 2,855 votes or roughly 3.3% of the vote so far. Legalise Cannabis Australia secured 4.98% of the vote. On Saturday night, Wrightson thanked candidates in Hunter for a respectful and engaging debate about what we need in our community. One thing we can all agree on is Australia is the best country on Earth and our collective future is worth fighting for, said Wrightson, whose Facebook profile has now been locked. Preferences from Trumpet of Patriots did cause some chaos in the final weeks of the campaign. One Nation changed its how-to-vote cards to move the Nationals and Liberals higher at the last minute in response to the Trumpets placing Coalition MPs last. When Trumpet of Patriots was launched in April, Wrightson said Australia needs many of the policies of the Trump administration, which will be effective in bringing Australia back on track. Yellow hats saying Make Australia Great Again were handed out. The American journalist Tucker Carlson featured in proceedings. In his victory speech on Saturday night, Anthony Albanese criticised attempts to mimic foreign political campaigns in Australia, without specifically mentioning the United States or Trumpet of Patriots. Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future, Albanese said. While texts from Trumpet infuriated many Australians, the practice was not new or illegal. Australian political parties are exempt from privacy laws and anti-spam rules. This is also a bipartisan practice, although not with the same frequency. On the final day of the 2022 election, the Liberal party used unsolicited text messages about asylum seeker boat arrivals and during the 2016 campaign, Labor sent messages about Medicare. The Independent MP Monique Ryan also sent them during this campaign. Credit: X/@sentdefender | X/@manniefabian The Houthi militia attacked Israels main international airport with what they claimed was a hypersonic missile that left a huge crater in the ground and injured eight people. British Airways and other major airlines have cancelled flights to Ben Gurion until at least Wednesday after the missile struck a road near terminal 3. Video from inside the airport showed passengers running for cover as the missile struck in the distance. Meanwhile, medics treated several people for minor injuries from shrapnel. The IDF said Israels air defence system made several attempts to intercept the missile launched from Yemen but failed to do so, raising concerns about air defences. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, vowed to retaliate. Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters, Mr Netanyahu said on X. The attack came just hours before senior Israeli cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify its war in the Gaza Strip, and the army called up tens of thousands of reservists. Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, threatened a forceful response to the attack and said: Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger. Crater caused by missile attack at Ben Gurion airport - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP A senior member of the Houthi rebels, Muhammad al-Bahithi, claimed the group had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the Ben Gurion airport as proof of our ability to strike fortified sites in Israel. The rebels have fired ballistic missiles at Israel every day since Friday, but the IDF is yet to respond to the attacks. Israels Magen David Adom emergency service said it provided medical treatment and evacuated eight people to Shamir-Assaf Harofeh and Sheba-Tel Hashomer hospitals. The Houthi militia, which is backed by Iran, has been attacking Israel since the Gaza war began, but missiles rarely penetrate air defences. It comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, and calls from hardliners to launch airstrikes on Tehran. Palestine II missiles In December last year, the Houthis fired numerous Palestine II ballistic missiles at Israel, of which one penetrated the air defence system and hit a playground in southern Tel Aviv, wounding 16 people. Images of the Palestine II missile closely resemble Irans Fattah hypersonic missile, according to Emily Milliken, the associate director of the Atlantic Councils N7 Initiative. The Houthis have several Iranian-made long-range missiles at their disposal, according to the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, including the Shehab-3 missile with a range of 2,000 km and the Sumar cruise missiles with a range of 2,000 km. The IDF has launched several attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen since the group began its attacks on Israel in late October 2023, most recently in December last year, when it targeted ports and energy infrastructure in the capital of Sanaa. The Israeli army confirmed on Sunday it was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to expand its operations in Gaza. Many of the reservists are expected to replace soldiers serving in the West Bank and along the Lebanese border so that they can be sent to Gaza. IDF chief Eyal Zamir pledged that the army would destroy what remains of Hamas infrastructure, both on the surface and underground. Aftermath of missile attack near Ben Gurion airport - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP The security cabinet is expected to vote on the expansion of the IDF operation in Gaza at 18:00 local time, an Israeli official told The Telegraph. It was unclear if the ministers would give final approval at the meeting. Mr Netanyahu has long argued that only increased military pressure in Gaza will force Hamas to free the remaining 50 hostages in a ceasefire deal. The decision to expand the ground operation was harshly criticised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, which warned that any escalation in the fighting would put the hostages, both the living and the deceased, in immediate danger. It will risk the lives of our soldiers and exact a painful price from tens of thousands of reservists and their families. The vast majority of the Israeli public views the return of the hostages as the nations highest moral priority, the forum said. War has a supreme goal The expected expansion of the military operation in Gaza comes as Mr Netanyahu made clear in a speech this week that the primary goal for Israel is to defeat Hamas, not freeing the hostages. The war has a supreme goal, and the supreme goal is victory over our enemies, and this we will achieve, Mr Netanyahu said. Mr Zamir publicly contradicted Mr Netanyahu in a speech on Independence Day this week, saying that the armys moral, national, and foremost obligation is to bring the hostages home. The expansion of the military operation in Gaza has sparked widespread debate over the heavy toll on reservists, many of whom have served hundreds of days since October 7, and the governments failure to draft ultra-orthodox Jews to the army. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for the weekly protest against the governments handling of the war in Gaza. Lady Gaga gave a free concert on Saturday night in front of more than 2 million fans who poured onto Rio de Janeiros Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. Tonight, were making history.. Thank you for making history with me, Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd in the Brazilian capital. The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 10.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show. Cries of joy rose from the crowds of tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the beachs vast stretch of sand. Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of costumes, including a dress with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Some fans many of them young arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. Fans cheer as they watch Lady Gagas free concert on Copacabana beach (Bruna Prado/AP) Today is the best day of my life, said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. Its surreal to be here. Madonna turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year with her own free show at the iconic stretch of seaside. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint Johns Day celebrations in June. It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population, said Osmar Lima, the citys secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Halls tourism department last month. Rios City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gagas concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (some 79.5 million) into Rios economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Rios metro employees danced to Lady Gagas 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video to commuters. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rios City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Lady Gaga in 2017 cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues (Silvia Izquierdo/AP) Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. Ive been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life, she said while wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gagas outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents total freedom of expression being who one wants without shame. Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonnas show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a New Years Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Rio states security plan included the presence of 3,300 military and 1,500 police officers, and 400 military firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017, when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. Shes the best artist in the world, the 25-year-old said, as chants of Gaga, I love you in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him. Lando Norris took aim at Max Verstappens crash or dont pass driving after he accused the Red Bull driver of deliberately pushing him off the road at the Miami Grand Prix. Pole-sitter Verstappen and Norris went toe-to-toe through the opening two corners at the Hard Rock Stadium, with the latter falling off the track and losing four positions. Oscar Piastri passed Verstappen on lap 14 to assume the lead and, although Norris followed him through four laps later, he was already nine seconds behind. LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO! Verstappen takes the lead, with Kimi Antonelli in second and Oscar Piastri third pic.twitter.com/aZZUhUs4vR Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 4, 2025 Piastri took the chequered flag 4.6 seconds clear of Norris to land his third victory in a row and increase his title advantage over his McLaren team-mate from nine points to 16. Verstappen finished fourth. Norris said: It is never the best feeling. Max put up a good fight, as always and I paid the price. What can I say? If I dont go for it, people complain and if I do go for it, people complain, too. But that is the way it is with Max. Crash or dont pass. Norris had acknowledged that he needed to kick his stuttering title bid into gear and, although he took advantage of a safety car to win Saturdays sprint race, he will leave Florida further behind his team-mate in the title race. Piastri (left) extended his title lead over Norris (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) His hopes of victory evaporated on the first lap when Verstappen out-braked himself into the opening right-hander and had Norris, who started alongside the Dutchman on the front row, for company at the next corner. But Norris ran out of room and when he re-joined the track he was down in sixth position. Verstappen retained the lead. Norris was straight on the radio to complain: He forced me off, mate. What am I meant to do? Just drive into the wall or something? I was completely alongside (him). The stewards noted the flashpoint but did not believe it warranted an investigation, let alone a punishment. Oscar Piastri takes win number FOUR of 2025 It's an impressive McLaren 1-2 with Lando Norris in P2 #F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/plbdn8yXtk Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025 On lap four, Piastri, who started fourth, moved clear of Kimi Antonelli to take second. Verstappen then launched a champions defence to keep Piastris superior McLaren behind. But, after he carried too much speed into the first corner on lap 14, Piastri swooped by. By now, Norris, who had made light work of Alex Albon, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to take third, was on Verstappens gearbox and back in contention. On lap 17, he slung his McLaren underneath Verstappens Red Bull but both drivers ran off the road and Norris was advised to give the position back which he did at the penultimate corner. Norris finally got his man on the next lap but he had lost more than six seconds and Piastri was nine seconds up the road and too far ahead to challenge. Verstappen lost out under a Virtual Safety Car to allow George Russell to take the final spot on the podium half-a-minute behind Piastri. Verstappen finished fourth. Two years ago at Miami we were the slowest team and we were lapped twice, said Piastri. Now to have won the Grand Prix by over 35 seconds to third is an unbelievable result. Max Verstappen insisted his brilliant pole position for Sundays Miami Grand Prix is proof that becoming a father will not slow him down. Verstappen was a late arrival to the sixth round of the campaign in Florida after his girlfriend Kelly Piquet gave birth to their daughter, Lily, earlier this week. Yet Verstappen was able to toast his newborn with the third pole of the season, and his second in succession, after he saw off Lando Norris challenge at the Hard Rock Stadium by just 0.065 seconds. MAX VERSTAPPEN IS ON POLE POSITION! The Red Bull driver clinches pole from Lando Norris in P2 and Kimi Antonelli in P3 #F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/x1ZBVrQQlD Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2025 Kimi Antonelli, who secured a surprise pole for the sprint race, took third, just two thousandths of a second slower than Norris, with championship leader Oscar Piastri fourth. George Russell was fifth with the top five separated by less than two tenths. But Lewis Hamilton will start way back in 12th following the worst qualifying performance of his Ferrari career to date. Verstappen and Norris were separated by just 0.003 sec heading into their final runs and while both improved, it was the Dutchman who took top spot. Clearly becoming a dad didnt make me slower so we can throw that out the window for anyone who has mentioned it, said Verstappen. I dont listen to these silly things. There have been enough racing drivers in the past who have been world champions after having kids so I dont know where the idea comes from. Lando Norris will start on the front row for Sundays Miami Grand Prix (Shawn Thew/AP) While Norris was pipped to first place by Verstappen, he will take encouragement from starting ahead of title rival Piastri following a string of poor qualifying performances. Norris also won the earlier rain-hit sprint race to reduce Piastris advantage from 10 points to nine, and he will start two spots ahead of his team-mate. Speaking prior to Verstappens comments, Norris said with a smile: I was hoping becoming a dad would slow Max down but it clearly didnt. Max did a Max lap once again and I cannot fault him. I didnt deliver and it is a shame not to be on pole, but the pace was there and I have been feeling better than I have for the past weekends, and I am ready to see what we can do heading into the first corner. Hamilton rolled the strategy dice to finish third in the sprint, but he endured another dire qualifying session when he was knocked out in Q2. A tough Q2 for the boys, Charles makes it to the top 10 shootout, but unfortunately we lose Lewis @Charles_Leclerc P8@LewisHamilton P12 pic.twitter.com/kodreGUVsH Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 3, 2025 Hamilton was already in bother as he approached his final lap, and then he made a mistake at the hairpin and was unable to improve leaving him 0.718 sec off the pace. The 40-year-old has now been out-qualified by team-mate Charles Leclerc at five of the six rounds. Leclerc was able to haul his machine in Q3, and will line up four places ahead of Hamilton in eighth. Fernando Alonsos late crash in the sprint paved the way for Norris to win and although Aston Martin repaired the double world champions machine in time for qualifying, he was bumped out in Q1. Alonso will line up in 17th with British rookie Ollie Bearman 20th and last with rain on the radar for Sundays 57-lap contest. Faithlyn Seawright. Photograph: Destiny Green Photography Receiving her inchunwa was not something Faithlyn Taloa Seawright did lightly, but when the moment just felt right, she knew it was time. Seawright, who was the 2024 Miss Indian Oklahoma and a previous Chickasaw Princess, had long studied the tradition that she inherited from her ancestors. In Choctaw and Chickasaw languages, inchunwa means to be marked, branded or tattooed. So receiving inchunwa, or traditional Indigenous tattoos, is something that must be done with reverence, Seawright said. The practice was once common among the south-eastern Indigenous nations (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee and others), but after colonization the tradition faded away for many. Now, through efforts like those from the Inchunwa Project, a community-rooted collective that is working to revitalize the tattoos, south-eastern Indigenous people across the country are breathing new life into the practice. Last year, the Inchunwa Project, which began in 2017, hosted its first retreat, which included traditional tattoo artists, people entering tattoo apprenticeships and south-eastern tribal folks who were interested in learning about tattoo revitalization. Those gathered played games, wrote poetry, ate traditional foods and talked about the research theyd found. The retreat was a time for fellowship, but it was also one for action, in which people could share their research into the ancient practice and decide what they were going to do with it. We met to talk about how and why we got involved with tattoo revitalization, where we want to see this project going, what would our full vision be and how are we going to get there, said Seawright, who is a Chickasaw citizen. Some artists brought their supplies to the event, which led to a few tattooing sessions where people received their finger inchunwa, or tattoos, that have different meanings. Seawright, who had already received six lines on her fingers years prior, received her first facial tattoos at the event. Her latest inchunwa consists of two lines on either side of her mouth. One line represents the fact that Seawright has entered adulthood and the other signifies that she is a young adult without children. If she has children, she will have three lines. Once she is an elder or has grandchildren, she will have four. The facial inchunwa is intended to grow with her throughout life. Seawright said that the inchunwa session had been full of encouragement, with people gathering to witness it. Thats really what help[ed] us to have that traditional aspect, to have support there, those that are there to give guidance: Remember to breathe, its OK to cry if you need to, you need water, maybe its time for a break. For Seawright, receiving her inchunwa reflected her commitment to her community and to setting the groundwork for being a good ancestor. The six lines on her fingers represent a personal promise to better herself, an homage to her siblings who are not with her in the physical world and the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women. I prayed on it and I waited for years for that moment to come, she said of her finger tattoos. The only way I can describe that decision of knowing when to get it is you just feel that pull, that emotion, and you just know thats the time. Reclaiming a thousand-year artistic tradition In 2017, about 30 Choctaw women and two-spirit people planned to walk the Trail of Tears and receive their inchunwa at the end to commemorate the action, their friendship and their commitment to community. The group approached a wall of logistical questions: who would tattoo them? What designs would they receive? What did those designs mean? They decided to pause the walk and instead research and learn more, meeting online from 2018 to 2021 to discuss their findings. The Inchunwa Project was born from this research and collaboration. While they initially considered compiling all of the information into a book, they realized a podcast would be a better way to reach people. Since so many of us were Washington-based at that time, we would travel back to Oklahoma or to the south-east specifically for cultural gatherings, said Lisa Fruichantie, the executive director of the Inchunwa Project. It was a way for us to connect no matter where we were. In receiving and promoting inchunwa today, south-eastern Indigenous people are continuing a millennia-old tradition. Tattooing is a really ancient art form, said Mairin Odle, an associate professor in the department of American studies at the University of Alabama. If youre looking at south-eastern communities, theres an almost thousand-year artistic tradition that you can look to for examples and for proof of it. Images and descriptions of south-east Indigenous people during the early years of European contact, such as a 1732 image of a Choctaw warrior with a painted face and tattooed neck and torso, and an 1834 image of two Choctaw women with facial tattoos, refer to or depict tattoos. Three Cherokee men, known as the three kings, who traveled to England in 1762 to meet King George III, were all heavily tattooed across their faces and bodies. People who receive inchunwa today can draw from their ancestors, using pottery, shell carvings and other artisan works from pre-contract, during the Mississippian Era, as inspiration for designs. They can also use modern works, from south-eastern basket weavers or stick makers, to create new meanings. We cant say for sure that that is what it meant to the ancestors, Fruichantie said. But we can say that this is what has come to us, and what [it might mean] for the future. There are key differences between traditional Indigenous tattooing and western tattooing. In the latter, it is common to use stencils, a tattoo gun and brightly colored ink. For many Indigenous tattoos, however, hand poke, in which artists make the images without a stencil as a guide, is more common. As such, receiving the inchunwa may take longer. Its a more intimate process between the person getting the tattoo and those that are giving the tattoo, Seawright said. Though older Indigenous methods included using garfish teeth or deer bones, modern practitioners caution against the potential of blood-borne pathogens and for ensuring a sterile environment. The decision on the type of method used tattoo gun or hand poke is ultimately left to the personal preference of the person receiving the tattoo. Seawrights face and hand tattoos were both done with tattoo guns, but, she said, it doesnt make them any less traditional compared to someone else that did hand poke tattoos. A responsibility that I literally wear on my face The Inchunwa Projects work in promoting traditional tattoos has brought deeper understanding to south-eastern communities. It is part of a larger effort around revitalizing traditions after the colonial era and centuries of forced assimilation. I was raised up to believe that nothing was extinct. Nothing dies. We call it going to sleep, Seawright said. My father was a part of our Chickasaw revitalization of stomp dancing and thats what he taught me. Hes like: Theres a time we stopped doing these; these dances went to sleep. But with the help of our fellow tribes, like the Muscogee and Seminole, we were able to bring this back. And so, I never thought of it as them being gone, they just went to sleep and somebody had to have that vision and bring it back and bring it back to the people. The Inchunwa Project and the community that has developed around it have connected the group very deeply, Fruichantie said. Last year, when the group had a table at the Indigenous tattoo music festival, a woman approached them and specifically referenced an episode of the podcast with Julie Cordero-Lamb, an ethnobotanist and member of the Chumash Nation who teaches traditional regenerative horticulture. She said that [the episode] inspired such a sense of pride within her community, Fruichantie said. And that there are about 20 different women that have now received their facial inchunwa, which is really big because its such a big commitment. Revitalizing the traditional practice has an impact both on the person who decides to receive their inchunwa and the community at large. Im old enough to have had the conversations with my parents that a lot of people have had where its like: Dont get tattoos, dont get your hair dyed, because thats going to be a job killer, Fruichantie said. Its a big deal for people to get their hands tattooed, but even bigger on the face. I think that shows such a big commitment to their culture. We often say its a responsibility to my people and to my culture that I literally wear on my face, she said. Similarly, whats most important for Seawright is the impact her tattoos have on the future generations. We believe that our culture is a living culture, she said. Unlike what western society puts in the history books, were not a past people. We are a continuation. And I think a lot of our listeners really resonate with that. Seeing her two-year-old niece for the first time after receiving her facial inchunwa showed Seawright how important it was for her to pick up the banner of tattoo revitalization. She ran up to me and she put her hand on my face, just lightly touching it and smiling, Seawright said. It was that little acknowledgement. Its something thats so spiritually moving. Were bringing these back not only for our elders, but were making these new pathways for our future generations to have that be a common sight. For my niece to just do that simple move, it helped bring it all together. This is who its for. Helen Fielding (right), pictured with Renee Zellweger, who plays Bridget Jones in the film series, said harassment was something women put up with - John Nacion/Penske Media Helen Fielding, the Bridget Jones author, has alleged she was routinely groped while working at the BBC in the 1980s. The 67-year-old claimed it was commonplace at the time for men at the broadcaster to touch womens breasts during conversations. Describing an alleged culture of harassment, she said: I worked at the BBC when I was in my 20s, and you just got used to the fact that people would actually put their hand on your boob while they were talking to you about work. The authors comments, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, were made at the annual Soho Summit at Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire, last week. Speaking at the rural retreat, Ms Fielding claimed women at the BBC had grown resigned to the behaviour. It just seemed to be what you put up with, she said. The author found fame in the Nineties with her best-selling Bridget Jones novels, which were later adapted into a series of popular films starring Renee Zellweger. Reflecting on the era, she added: I first wrote Bridget pre-MeToo, and when I look at that film now, I cant believe that that stuff was going on. In scenes in the novels echoing her own experiences, Ms Jones regularly fends off inappropriate advances, including from her boss Daniel Cleaver, played by Hugh Grant in the films, who gropes her in the office. She is also sexually harassed by Mr Cleavers manager, Mr Fitzherbert nicknamed T--spervert who openly stares at her breasts. Sexism still a problem in movie business Ms Fielding claimed sexism remained deeply entrenched in the film world. I honestly think its still there in the movie business, its just under the parapet, she said. I think there has to be a constant awareness of not being unequal in the way women are treated. You still have to fight much harder as a woman, even a successful woman, and you get treated in ways that men would not be treated. Her first BBC role after graduating from the University of Oxford was working behind the scenes on Jimll Fix It, the childrens show later at the centre of a scandal when its host Jimmy Savile was unmasked as a paedophile. Ms Fielding has previously said she had concerns about Savile. She said in 2019: We always said, Dont leave Jimmy alone with the children. But we were sort of 23, and you know... I am sure the producers must have known. We didnt think he would do anything. But he was so creepy. We always stayed with the kids. She joined the BBC as a regional researcher in 1979 on the news magazine Nationwide and later produced documentaries in Africa for the first two Comic Relief broadcasts. Ms Fielding went on to write for national newspapers before launching her anonymous Bridget Jones Diaries column in The Independent in the 1990s. The dispatches struck a chord with single women and led to four novels and major film adaptations. A BBC spokesman told The Mail on Sunday: Were sorry to hear of these experiences. Attitudes and behaviours have changed significantly in the last 40 years and the BBC, like the rest of society, is [a] very different place now from what it was then. Lando Norris accused Max Verstappen of deliberately pushing him off the road as Oscar Piastri won the Miami Grand Prix to extend his lead in the world championship. Pole-sitter Verstappen and Norris went toe-to-toe through the opening two corners at the Hard Rock Stadium, with the latter falling off the track and losing four positions. Norris took aim at Verstappens tactics claiming he had to take evasive action to avoid hitting the wall but the stewards took no action against the Red Bull driver. Piastri passed Verstappen on lap 14 to assume the lead and, although Norris followed him through four laps later, he was already nine seconds behind. Piastri took the chequered flag 4.6 seconds clear of Norris to land his third victory in a row and increase his title advantage over Norris from nine points to 16. George Russell finished third, half-a-minute back and ahead of Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton was involved in a radio spat with Ferrari after he called on them to move team-mate Charles Leclerc out of his way. Ferrari ushered Leclerc aside but then told Hamilton to allow his team-mate back through in the closing stages. Leclerc and Hamilton finished seventh and eighth. Norris had acknowledged that he needed to kick his stuttering title bid into gear and, although he took advantage of a safety car to win Saturdays sprint race, he will leave Florida further behind his team-mate in the title race. His hopes of victory evaporated on the first lap when Verstappen out-braked himself into the opening right-hander and had Norris, who started alongside the Dutchman on the front row, for company at the next corner. Oscar Piastri takes win number FOUR of 2025 It's an impressive McLaren 1-2 with Lando Norris in P2 #F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/plbdn8yXtk Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025 But Norris ran out of room and when he re-joined the track he was down in sixth position. Verstappen retained the lead. Norris was straight on the radio to complain: He forced me off, mate. What am I meant to do? Just drive into the wall or something? I was completely alongside (him). At the last round in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen was penalised five seconds for gaining an advantage when he ran off the road to keep Piastri behind in the run down to turn one. On lap four, Piastri, who started fourth, moved clear of Kimi Antonelli to take second. Verstappen then launched a champions defence to keep Piastris superior McLaren behind. But, after he carried too much speed into the first corner on lap 14, Piastri swooped by. By now, Norris, who had made light work of Alex Albon, Russell and Antonelli to take third, was on Verstappens gearbox and back in contention. The drivers drove life-size LEGO cars before the race (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) On lap 17, he slung his McLaren underneath Verstappens Red Bull but both drivers ran off the road and Norris was advised to give the position back which he did at the penultimate corner. Norris finally got his man on the next lap but he had lost more than six seconds and Piastri was nine seconds up the road. Hamilton wanted Ferrari to order Leclerc aside in the battle for a distant seventh. You want me just to sit here, said the seven-time world champion, who felt he was owed a favour by moving over for Leclerc at the second round in China. Hamilton was back on the radio: This is not good team work. That is all I am going to say. Hamilton was unhappy with his Ferrari team (Shawn Thew/Pool Photo via AP) Ferrari ordered Leclerc out of the way but Hamilton snapped: Have a tea break while you are at it. Come on! On lap 38, Leclerc allowed Hamilton through with the Monegasque then complaining he was in his team-mates dirty air. Hamilton could not get anywhere near Antonelli and allowed Leclerc back past under instruction from the Ferrari pit wall with four laps to go. Hamilton was then told by race engineer Riccardo Adami that former Ferrari man, Carlos Sainz, was 1.4 sec behind him. Hamilton hit back: You want me to let him past as well? Hamilton and Sainz then banged wheels at the last corner on the last lap, with the former finishing just three tenths ahead. Municipal workers clean up around burnt cars in the residential area following Russia's drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not. In comments aired Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century in power, Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a logical conclusion. Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Putin said: There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires, he said. Putin signed a revamped version of Russias nuclear doctrine in November 2024, spelling out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscows atomic arsenal, the worlds largest. That version lowered the bar, giving him that option in response to even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. In the film, Putin also said Russia did not launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine what he called a special military operation in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea, because it was practically unrealistic. The country was not ready for such a frontal confrontation with the entire collective West, he said. He claimed also that Russia "sincerely sought to solve the problem of Donbas by peaceful means. Putin said that reconciliation with Ukraine was inevitable." He should think about ending his war Russia and Ukraine, however, remain are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a ceasefire is possible even from today if Moscow is serious about ending the war. Speaking Sunday at a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskyy noted that Russia has ignored a U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraines call for a 30-day ceasefire. Putin is very eager to show off his tanks at the (Victory Day) parade, Zelenskyy said, but he should think about ending his war. Zelenskyy again expressed deep skepticism over Russias proposal of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II, saying Moscow continues to launch hundreds of assaults despite publicly signaling interest in a partial truce. Even during Easter, despite promises including to the United States Russia carried out more than a hundred assaults, Zelenskyy said, referring to Russian attacks during the 30-hour Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by Putin. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a more substantial 30-day pause in hostilities, as the U.S. had initially proposed. The Kremlin said the Victory Day truce was on humanitarian grounds and will run from the start of May 8 and last through the end of May 10 to mark Moscows defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 Russias biggest secular holiday. Zelenskyy thanked Pavel for his countrys military support and said Ukraine hopes to receive 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 as part of a Czech-led initiative to supply military aid to Kyiv. The initiative, launched in 2024 and supported by NATO allies, supplied Ukraine with 1.5 million artillery rounds last year. Zelenskyy also said he had discussed with Pavel "the next steps in the development of our aviation coalition"," namely the creation of an F-16 training school. He said that such a base could not be opened in Ukraine because of Russian attacks. Attacks on Ukraine continue A Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, wounded 11 people, Ukraines State Emergency Service said Sunday. Two children were among the wounded. The attack woke up Valentyna Fesiuk, an 83-year-old resident of Kyiv's Obolon district. I was just sleeping when the house shook," said Valentyna Fesiuk, an 83-year-old resident of Kyivs Obolon district. "It was at 12:30. An apartment on the 12th floor caught fire," she told The Associated Press. Another resident, Viacheslav Khotab, saw his car burning. "I was covered with broken glass, he said. I couldnt do anything. The 54-year-old was frustrated with stalled peace negotiations: "They cant agree on anything, and we are the ones who suffer the consequences. Daryna Kravchuk, an 18-year-old student in the district, described how five to six minutes after the air raid was activated, we heard a strong impact, everything started shaking. ... There were three strikes almost in a row after the air raid was activated." Its very scary to witness, we have been suffering from this for so long. People are just suffering all the time. ... Its still very hard to see our country constantly being destroyed, she told the AP. Two people were killed by Russian guided bombs Sunday, one each in the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions, local officials said. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraines air force said. Of those, 69 were intercepted and a further 80 lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russias Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine A teenage Princess Elizabeth danced in jubilation on VE Day after slipping into the crowds unnoticed outside Buckingham Palace, describing it as one of the most memorable nights of my life. The future Queen Elizabeth II, then just 19, and her sister Princess Margaret, 14, joined thousands of revellers as they gathered in front of the royal residence on May 8 1945. The princesses did the hokey cokey and the Lambeth Walk, and took part in chants of We want the King at the Palace railings. Huge crowds in Trafalgar Square celebrated Victory in Europe Day on May 8 1945 (PA) They walked for miles and also danced the conga through the Ritz hotel in nearby Piccadilly. The Queen, speaking in 1985, recalled: My sister and I realised we couldnt see what the crowds were enjoying so we asked my parents if we could got out and see for ourselves She added: I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief. The Queen said: After crossing Green Park we stood outside and shouted We want the King, and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony, having cheated slightly because we sent a message into the house to say we were waiting outside. I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief. The Queen was 19 years old on VE Day. More than thirty years later, she recorded her memories for a unique BBC Broadcast. #VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/jWf4bebj2e The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2020 She described how she was terrified of being recognised on the streets so I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes but was told off by a Grenadier officer who was part of their group. Three-quarters of a century later in 2020, the Queen, by then the UKs longest-reigning monarch, addressed the country to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. She urged the nation to never give up, never despair echoing the message of VE Day poignant words which resonated during the Covid-19 lockdown. As part of the official celebrations in 1945, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth made eight appearances on the Palace balcony in 10 hours on one occasion accompanied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Here's Winston Churchill & the Royal family greeting the public from Buckingham Palace balcony, #VEDay, 8 May 1945 pic.twitter.com/Dtx58arzLU Science Museum (@sciencemuseum) May 8, 2015 Elizabeth and Margaret appeared six times with their parents throughout the day and evening. In an unprecedented and spontaneous breach of royal protocol, they also hurried out of the Palace after dinner to join the crowds, accompanied by a group of Guards officers, who were friends of the princesses. It was Margarets idea and the King and Queen agreed to the excursion, with the monarch writing in his diary that day of his daughters lack of social life: Poor darlings, they have never had any fun yet. Under the cover of darkness, the royal teenagers went unnoticed in the throng. VE Day celebrations in the East End of London (PA) Jean Woodroffe, one of the Queens first ladies in waiting, once recalled how Elizabeth delightedly joined in the celebrations. What was amusing is that we went into the Ritz hotel through one door and out of the other door, the other end, doing the conga, Ms Woodroffe told BBC Radio 4s Today Programme in 2006. The extraordinary thing was that nobody seemed to take much notice. Then we stood outside Buckingham Palace with the crowd and we all shouted We want the King with everybody else until the King and Queen came out onto the balcony. Elizabeth, who in February 1945 at the age of 18 had undertaken National Service in the Auxiliary Transport Service, wore her ATS uniform on the day. Princess Elizabeth, in her uniform of Sea Ranger, and Princess Margaret (right), at Girl Guides march past the year in 1946 a year on from VE Day (PA) She had been registered as No. 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor and took a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot, qualifying as a driver. Margaret described the war years as black and gloomy, but said VE Day came as a wonderful sunburst of glory. The royal family had led by example and lifted morale during the conflict. On the outbreak of hostilities, it had been suggested that Queen Elizabeth and her daughters should be evacuated to the safety of Canada or the United States. But she declared: The children wont go without me. I wont leave the King. And the King will never leave. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stand amid the bomb damage at Buckingham Palace (PA) Elizabeth and Margaret moved to Windsor Castle during the war, just as the Queen did during the coronavirus pandemic. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, slept at Windsor but won praise for spending their days at Buckingham Palace during the Blitz. After German bombs fell at the palace, Queen Elizabeth said: Im glad weve been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the east end in the face. The east end of London was just one of the badly-hit areas the royal couple visited during the war to show support. The princess became Queen just seven years after the end of the war when her father died in 1952. Zia Yusuf also said Reform would introduce task forces to audit spending in the councils it controls and suggested it will look to cut spending on DEI initiatives. Photograph: Lia Toby/Getty Images Reform UK has vowed to use every instrument of power to resist housing people seeking asylum in areas where it now controls councils, its chair has confirmed. Zia Yusuf, the party chair and a major donor, acknowledged Reform may not be able to stop people seeking asylum being put up in hotels where the Home Office has contracts with accommodation providers. However, he said the party would use judicial reviews, injunctions, planning laws in an effort to prevent them being accommodated. You know, a lot of these hotels there has been litigation around this already a lot of these hotels, when you suddenly turn them into something else, which is essentially a hostel that falls foul of any number of regulations, and thats what our teams of lawyers are exploring at the moment, Yusuf told the BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. Yusufs comments were made after Nigel Farage, Reforms leader, said he would resist those seeking asylum being housed in the 10 council areas where his party had taken control after winning more than 670 seats overall in Thursdays local elections. Since then, Reform has come under scrutiny over some of its promises to slash spending at councils and prevent the housing of asylum seekers. The party has said it wants to cut diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) officers and work at the councils it controls, despite this being a very small part of their budgets, with most money spent on social care and education. Yusuf said Reform would introduce taskforces to audit spending in the councils where it had won control and suggested the party would be digging into what local authority job roles involved in order to cut costs. If you take Lincolnshire county council, yes, they do not currently have somebody with the job title DEI officer, [but] they do spend considerable money on DEI initiatives, he said. Yusuf said the party was realistic about the fact the levers of change at a local level pale in comparison to the powers of Westminster. Thats why this is part of a journey to making Nigel the prime minister with a Reform majority, he said. Andrea Jenkyns, Reforms new Greater Lincolnshire mayor and a former Conservative MP, also confirmed her suggestion that immigrants could be housed in tents, saying the UK was acting like bees to honey by putting people in hotels. This is taxpayers money and it should actually be tents, not rent, the former Tory minister told LBC. Jenkyns also said she wanted to cut up to 10% of Lincolnshire county councils staff and root out the waste at the local authority. I think, personally, [we] ought to look at maybe cutting the workforce by up to 10%. Weve got to have a lean, mean local government. Thats what I personally like to see, but again theres variables there, because we havent elected a Reform county council leader yet, so theres got to be discussions. Jenkyns also said she was up for a fight with the unions, after the head of Unison urged staff at Reform-run councils to join them and secure union protection. King Charles is set to lead VE Day celebrations with a tea with veterans in Buckingham Palace - John Phillips The King wants no distractions from VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations this week amid an ongoing row involving the Duke of Sussex. It is understood that the Royal family wants nothing to detract from the focus on veterans and their sacrifices during the Second World War. It comes after Palace insiders said Prince Harrys outburst about King Charles on Friday will only deepen the rift between them. The Dukes comment about his fathers cancer on the BBC, in which he said that he doesnt know how much longer he has left, was considered to be in particularly poor taste. Now, it is understood Buckingham Palace hopes nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries. Royal family will unite with the rest of the nation It comes ahead of four days of commemorative events to mark the important anniversary, including a military procession and RAF fly-past on Monday, which the Royal family will watch from the Palace balcony. Senior members of the family will turn out in full force to take part in the events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Ahead of the celebrations, a Palace aide said that the Royals are very much looking forward to all the weeks VE Day events. Throughout the ceremonial and celebratory events, including a concert being held at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday, they said that the family will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation. The aide added that the veterans selfless devotion, duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all and must never be forgotten. The comments follow the Duke of Sussexs TV interview aired hours after he lost his appeal against the Government over security, during which he claimed that he wanted to reconcile with his family, but said King Charles wont speak to me. The Duke alleged that the Royal household had exploited the issue of security to imprison members of the Royal family, blocking them from being able to choose a different life, describing the court ruling as a good old-fashioned establishment stitch up. Buckingham Palace took the rare step of issuing a statement in response to the Dukes comments on Friday, illustrating the strength of feeling. A spokesperson said: All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion. On Monday, Their Majesties will be turning their attention to leading the nation through the most prominent VE Day celebration in years. Among the planned events are a tea party hosted by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace for Second World War veterans and a new exhibition of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. This weeks festivities will likely be the final landmark anniversary at which veterans, the youngest of whom are now in their late 90s, will be present. Military personnel return to Wellington Barracks in London early on Saturday morning after taking part in rehearsals for the VE Day anniversary procession. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters Keir Starmer has praised the selfless dedication of those who have served in the military before the anniversary of VE Day as the government unveiled a new 50m support system for veterans. In an open letter to mark 80 years since the end of the second world war in Europe, the prime minister said the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces was a debt that could never fully be repaid. He said the country would show how thankful it was during events to commemorate VE Day, which signalled the end of fighting on 8 May 1945. It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil, Starmer wrote. VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid. A procession of 1,300 military personnel and civilians through London will take place on Monday, accompanied by Nato, Ukraine and Commonwealth armed forces representatives, and a flypast by the Red Arrows and Voyager transport aircraft. There will also be a two-minute silence at noon on Thursday followed by a service in Westminster Abbey attended by King Charles. Street parties will be held in towns and cities across the UK as part of the special events including community tea parties, 1940s dress-up events, and gatherings onboard second world war warships. In addition, a display of almost 30,000 ceramic poppies will go on show at the Tower of London. On Monday, the government will announce a 50m pot of funding for services to support veterans with housing, employment, health and welfare. The new Valour service is to help fulfil Labours manifesto pledge to implement the armed forces covenant and fund initiatives for veterans, some of whom face struggles to integrate back into civilian life after serving in the military. John Healey, the defence secretary, said: The nation owes a duty to those whove served to defend our country, and it is only right that the government steps up our support to them. The armed forces set most people up for success in life but when veterans need help, then support is too often a postcode patchwork. Our plan to develop a UK-wide veterans support service will work with enterprising health, employment and housing charities and it is backed by the one of the largest ever government funding commitments to veterans. Starmer said his thoughts would turn both to those who served in the second world war and those who carried the torch of their legacy today. Alongside our history and our values, service is the other great force that binds a nation together, he said. So this week, I want you to know: the whole nation is inspired by the selfless dedication of your example. Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Anthony Albanese after the Australian leader won a second term with his centre-left government. The Prime Minister congratulated Mr Albanese on Sunday morning for his historic election win after he became the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in two decades. Australia and the UK has a strong and enduring friendship, and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Albanese in the years to come, including through increased trade and economic security for working people in both countries, a Downing Street spokesperson said. Congratulations, @AlboMP on your election win. The UK and Australia are as close as ever and we will continue to work together to deliver a brighter future for working people in both of our countries. pic.twitter.com/jXG44lddAk Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 3, 2025 They discussed defence and security, including shared support for Ukraine and agreed to increase ambition on the Aukus submarine programme. Sir Keir said he would ask his Aukus adviser, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, to travel to Australia in the coming weeks to discuss the programme further. Aukus is a trilateral naval security alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. During a victory speech in Sydney, Mr Albanese suggested his Labor Party government has increased its majority in the next Parliament by not modelling itself on US President Donald Trumps administration. The party branded Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton Doge-y Dutton and accused his conservative Liberal Party of mimicking Mr Trump and his department of government efficiency run by billionaire Elon Musk. Mr Dutton lost his parliamentary seat of 24 years in the Labor landslide, with analysts arguing that mirroring Mr Trump switched from a political positive for Australian conservatives to a negative after the US president imposed global tariffs. Parallels have been drawn to the recent Canadian election, in which opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also lost his seat. Mr Poilievre had been regarded as the favourite to become Canadas next prime minister and return his Conservative Party to power for the first time in a decade until Mark Carneys Liberals won the vote after Mr Trumps global trade disputes, including a threat to make Canada the 51st US state. TikToker Betty is a veterinarian technician who loves Golden Retrievers - she has three of them! She rescued one of them, and she has a very distinct feature the others don't have; she's missing most of her nose. Lady may look a bit different, but her missing nose doesn't stop her from running and playing with her furry siblings. Betty posted a video introducing us to Lady, explaining that another dog bit off Lady's nose. She's had several surgeries to fix the injury. She seems just as happy and energetic as any other Golden we know! Honestly, Lady doesn't look all that much different from her sibling Golden Retrieversher nose is just a bit shorter! I think her tongue always sticks out, too, but she's still just as cute as any other Golden! Commenters all agreed that Lady radiated happiness and joy. @Lynn shared, "She is beautiful and clearly a happy fur baby!" Wanda agreed, "She looks gorgeous and extremely happy!" Related: Golden Retriever's 'Vocal' Way of Running Down Stairs Is Music to Everyone's Ears Commenter Questions About Lady's Missing Nose @Ashley asked, "Can she still breath through it or does she have to breathe through her mouth?" Betty replied, "She can still breathe through it. They tried to make it look more natural the first time, but I guess it was too hard for her to breathe so thats why they had to do another surgery to help her." Commenter @Julianna Martinez shared, "That's what I'm scared about, my German Shepherd putting his nose through the fence. Another dog might bite it off." Betty responded, "Yes! It can happen." I wonder if that's what happened to Lady? There are many cases of dogs that have lived long and happy lives without noses. Some dogs are missing their nose due to a birth defect or cancer. I did a quick Google search and there are tons of stories about dogs who have lost their noses and lived just as any other dog. The biggest difference is that they just look different, and some of the dogs' teeth and mouth are also malformed. Other than that, they all appear to be happy and living the life of any other 'normal' dog! A 14-year-old boy who died after a fire at an industrial estate has been remembered by his headteacher as a valued and much-loved pupil. The fire broke out near Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening, and 14 children aged between 11 and 14 have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, Northumbria Police said. The force said a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was found inside the building. The scene of a fire at Fairfield industrial park (Owen Humphreys/PA) There are 11 boys and three girls under arrest and in custody. On Sunday, David Thompson, head teacher of Hebburn Comprehensive School, spoke of the tragic loss of one of our pupils. In a Facebook post, he said: Our school community is heartbroken. Layton was a valued and much-loved member of Year 9, and he will be greatly missed by everyone. We extend our sincere condolences to Laytons family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. As a school, we will rally together to support one another through this tragedy. Anyone who wanted to pay their respects was invited to lay flowers at the school. Police were alerted to reports of the fire on Friday shortly after 8pm. The fire was extinguished a short time later but fears were raised for the missing teenager, who was believed to have been in the area at the time. Police tape on the gates of Fairfield Industrial Park (Owen Humphreys/PA) A police spokesman said: Sadly, following searches carried out by Northumbria Police and partners at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building. His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specialist officers. In a joint statement, local councillors Amanda Wintcher, Ian Patterson and Paul Diston said they share our communitys sadness about the tragedy and passed on their good wishes to the boys family and friends. They said: We have been in touch with residents about concerns regarding anti-social behaviour at Fairfield industrial estate and the former Harrisons slipway site nearby for some time. A broken fence panel along the side of the warehouse and a reported fire were among the concerns. They said contact had been made with Securitas, Gateshead Council, the Fire Service and Northumbria Police and some actions had been taken. Floral tributes left by the gates of Fairfield Industrial Park (Owen Humphreys/PA) A police cordon was in place at the scene on Sunday and blue balloons in the shape of a number 14, along with floral tributes, were among the tributes placed by mourners. One of the messages, pinned to a bunch of flowers, read: Thank you for brightening up our lives. You will be missed beyond words. Another message said: Rest in paradise, Layton. Always in our hearts. Fly high with the angels. Took too soon. Love you forever. A GoFundMe page set up by a family friend to support Laytons mother with funeral costs had raised more than 9,000 by 6pm on Sunday. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, previously said: This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life. Our thoughts are with Laytons family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one. Our specialist officers will continue to support them in whatever way they can. We ask that their privacy be respected at this time. She said a cordon would be in place while police carry out inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Officers would be in the area to offer reassurance to the public, she added. Anyone who has information that could help the investigation has been urged to get in touch with Northumbria Police. Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: My heartfelt condolences are with the family and friends of Layton Carr at this devastating time. Im being kept updated regularly by the Chief Constable and her team and would like to thank all emergency services involved in the response and ongoing inquiries. I know this will have come as a shock to the Bill Quay community and I echo officer requests for anyone with information to please get in touch with Northumbria Police. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, visits Prague to discuss further European military aid with Petr Pavel, his Czech counterpart - Martin Divisek/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The US is planning to send advanced air defence systems to Ukraine after Donald Trump signed a minerals deal with Kyiv and threatened to walk away from peace talks. One Patriot system will be moved from Israel after undergoing refurbishments, while a second system could be sent by Germany or Greece, according to four officials. Mr Trump paused all military deliveries to Ukraine after a row with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. But he has since grown frustrated with Vladimir Putins refusal to commit to a ceasefire and has withdrawn from formal peace negotiations. The officials, speaking to the New York Times, refused to confirm whether the proposed shipment reflected a change in the US presidents approach toward Ukraine. Joe Biden, the former US president, secured the deal with Israel in September ahead of Mr Trumps election win, according to a former White House official. It comes ahead of a mooted three-day ceasefire this week while Putins allies are in Moscow for Victory Day. Mr Zelensky has threatened to ignore the truce after dismissing it as a theatrical performance. Last year, Mr Zelensky asked Western allies for at least seven Patriot defence systems to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missile attacks. Kyiv has eight, but only six are currently working as two are reportedly being refurbished. A spokesman for the US national security council said it did not provide details on the strength and placement of defence systems. President Trump has been clear: he wants the war in Ukraine to end and the killing to stop, he added. Russia launched an overnight drone strike on Kyiv that left at least 11 people injured, including two children, and set several residential buildings on fire, Ukrainian officials said. Falling debris from destroyed drones sparked several blazes in the Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts of the capital, according to Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyivs military administration. Emergency services said dozens of firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fires raging in Kyiv overnight, as well as tackling a smaller blaze in Kyivs central Shevchenkivskyi district. In an interview on Sunday, Mr Trump signalled a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine was some way off, and said he had come close to walking away from the negotiating table in the past. I do believe were closer with one party, and maybe not as close with the other. But well have to see. Id like to not say which one were closer to, he told NBCs Meet the Press. Mr Trump declined to set a deadline on when a truce would have to be negotiated. Instead, he said he would tell both countries, keep being stupid and keep fighting if they proved intractable. Sometimes I get close to it, and then positive things happen, he added. In an interview on Sunday, Vladimir Putin said he hopes he would not have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine as he took a journalist on a tour of his private Kremlin apartment. The Russian president said: There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons... and I hope they will not be required, in response to a question about Ukrainian strikes. Credit: Telegram/Pavel Zarubin Putin hinted he was ready to use nuclear warfare in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia with Western missiles for the first time, when he signed a law allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. Also on Sunday, Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region, destroying much of the plant but causing no casualties, the local governor said. It comes as Mr Zelensky said that he did not believe that Russia would keep its promise to abide by a three-day truce starting on May 8, which is timed to coincide with Moscows celebrations to mark the end of the Second World War. This is not the first challenge, nor are these the first promises made by Russia to cease fire... We understand who we are dealing with, we do not believe them, he said on Sunday at a press conference alongside Petr Pavel, the Czech president. A 30-hour Easter truce was meant to take place last month, but Mr Zelensky said at the time that Moscow had breached the supposed ceasefire more than 3,000 times. The Russian defence ministry, in turn, claimed Kyiv had launched drone and artillery attacks. 05:44 PM BST Thats it today Thanks for following our live coverage today. Here is a summary of the main events: The US will reportedly send a Patriot air-defence system to Ukraine after Donald Trump signed a minerals deal with Volodymyr Zelensky. Vladimir Putin said he hopes he will not have to use nuclear weapons during an interview on state television. Mr Zelensky said he does not believe a three-day truce over Russias Victory Day holiday will happen. Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region. Mr Zelensky visited Prague, where he met with Petr Pavel, his Czech counterpart, to discuss further military support. Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, and Mr Zelensky butted heads over Ukraines ascension to the EU, with the former saying there would be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Vladimir Putin will sign a series of deals with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, in a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. A Russian drone strike on Kyiv injured 11 overnight, including two children. You can find more of our coverage on Russias invasion of Ukraine here. 05:35 PM BST Victory Day parade rehearsals under way Russian tanks drove through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazis defeat. The T-90M tanks will appear as part of a sizeable military parade in Red Square, presided over by Vladimir Putin and attended by various world leaders. Among this years attendees will be Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who is making an official state visit to the nation over the holiday and holding bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart. Russian T-90M pass through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9 - Alexander Nemenov/AFP 05:17 PM BST Putin: I hope not to use nuclear weapons Vladimir Putin said he hopes he will not have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine in an interview with state television. The Russian president told journalists that there has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons... and I hope they will not be required, in response to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Kremlin soil. Putin hinted he was ready to use nuclear warfare in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia with Western missiles for the first time. The Russian leader signed into law a doctrine that lowered the atomic threshold, allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. In a preview of the interview, posted to Telegram, the Russian president told reporters: We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires. His comments came as the Kremlin announced Putin would be signing a series of deals with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, during a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations next week. 05:00 PM BST Zelensky: Three-day truce will not happen Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said on Sunday that he did not believe Russia would adhere to three-day truce planned to coincide with Moscows Victory Day celebrations. Speaking in a joint press conference with Petr Pavel, the Czech president, he said: This is not the first challenge, nor are these the first promises made by Russia to cease fire... We understand who we are dealing with, we do not believe them. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, had proposed a 72-hour ceasefire over the Russian holiday, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and it allies victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. 04:15 PM BST Zelenskys stance on nuclear warfare Volodymyr Zelensky previously appeared to suggest that Ukraine would build a nuclear arsenal unless it is granted Nato membership. In October 2024, Ukrainian president told European Union leaders during a speech in Brussels: Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons, which will serve as protection, or it must be part of some kind of alliance. Apart from Nato, we do not know of such an effective alliance. Mr Zelensky has repeatedly called for his country to be admitted to Nato, as the alliances Article Five mutual defence clause states that an attack on one of its 32 members is an attack on all. 04:13 PM BST Putin stance on nuclear warfare Vladimir Putin previously signalled he was prepared to use nuclear weapons in November last year after Ukraine struck Russia using Western missiles for the first time. Kyiv fired US-made Atacms missiles at an ammunition dump near Bryansk, in southern Russia, roughly 100 miles from the border, shortly before dawn. In retaliation, the Russian leader signed into law a doctrine that lowered the atomic threshold, allowing a nuclear response to be triggered by an attack with conventional weapons if it threatened the countrys territorial integrity. At this time, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russias security council, warned the Kremlins enemies that they could now trigger a Third World War, saying: Russia could retaliate [to Atacms strikes] with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key Nato facilities, wherever theyre located. 03:52 PM BST Watch: Putin hopes not to use nuclear weapons Credit: Telegram/Pavel Zarubin 03:21 PM BST Kyiv residents suffering consequences of stalled peace talks Residents caught in the overnight drone strike on Kyiv that injured 11 people, including two children, have expressed frustration at the stalled peace negotiations. Viacheslav Khotab, 54, watched his car catch fire during the attack. I saw my car burning. I was covered with broken glass, he said. I couldnt do anything. He added: They cant agree on anything, and we are the ones who suffer the consequences. Another resident, Valentyna Fesiuk, 83, who lives in the capitals Obolon district, was woken up by the attack. I was just sleeping when the house shook. It was at 12:30. An apartment on the 12th floor caught fire, she said. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, according to Ukraines air force. Of those, 69 were intercepted and a further 80 lost, likely to have been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russias defence ministry said its air defences shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. 02:50 PM BST Ukraine strikes Russian electrics factory Ukrainian forces struck an electrical equipment factory in Russias Bryansk region, destroying much of the plant but causing no casualties, the local governor said on Sunday. Alexander Bogomaz, whose region borders both Ukraine and Belarus in the far west of Russia, said on Telegram that the Ukrainian strike destroyed workshops and administrative buildings at the factory in the village of Suzemka. Mash, a Telegram channel with links to Russias security services, said the factory produced electrical equipment, including transformers. It claimed the plant had been struck using a Grad rocket system and posted a video showing large plumes of smoke coiling above what it said was the factory. A senior Ukrainian government official said the factory specialised in the production of electronic equipment for Russias defence industry. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, wrote in a post on Telegram: According to preliminary information, the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk Region, is no longer operational following the strike. 02:45 PM BST Pictured: Zelensky in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky (right), the Ukrainian president, and Petr Pavel (left), his Czech counterpart, inspect guards during a welcome ceremony at Prague Castle - Martin Divisek/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Volodymyr Zelensky will spend two days in Prague to discuss ongoing military supplies, including support for its F-16s - Martin Diviswk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 02:28 PM BST Zelensky and Orban butt heads over EU ascension Viktor Orban told Volodymyr Zelensky there would be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary amid his ongoing opposition to Kyiv joining the bloc. The Hungarian prime minister said on social media: What the Hungarian people think is not decided by the president in Kyiv or the bureaucrats in Brussels... Every Hungarian will have their say on this. Whether you like it or not. Mr Orbans comments came after the Ukrainian president told reporters on Sunday that a recent opinion poll suggested 70 per cent of Hungarians supported Ukraines EU accession. The Hungarian leader has spoken out against Ukraines joining the bloc on the grounds that it could harm his own countrys economy. In turn, the Ukrainian president called on Mr Orban not to drag us into your elections by blocking Ukraines EU bid. 02:07 PM BST Russia destroys 13 Ukrainian drones overnight Russian air defence units destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones overnight in the regions of Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk, according to Moscows defence ministry. Belgorod in particular has seen an increase in Ukrainian activity after Kyivs forces staged an incursion into the western Russian region in March this year. Russia claimed the attack was quickly thwarted, but it remains unclear whether the Belgorod incursion was intended as a brief raid or as part of a longer-term operation. 01:47 PM BST Zelensky to discuss F-16 support in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to the Czech Republic for its support of Ukraines F-16 fleet during a visit to Prague. The Ukrainian president said in a post on social media that the two nations were co-operating on the development of our military aviation, expanding pilot training programs, and supporting our F-16 fleet. The Czech artillery initiative, which was launched in 2024 to counter delayed US aid and backed by several countries including Canada and Norway, has played a key role in quickly supplying Ukraines front-line troops. Mr Zelensky said: We express our gratitude to Czechia for its principled support and for strengthening our cooperation. The Czech artillery initiative has proven effective, and we will continue this effort. Together with the First Lady, we have arrived in the Czech Republic on an official visit. Meetings are scheduled with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, with the heads of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, leaders of parliamentary factions, as well as with pic.twitter.com/ZgI7PGIF93 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) May 4, 2025 01:25 PM BST Putin and Xi to sign series of deals in Moscow summit Vladimir Putin will sign a series of deals with Xi Jinping in a three-day visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations. The Kremlin said Mr Xi would visit between May 7-11, and the pair will hold talks to further develop the two countries partnership and strategic co-operation amid Russias war in Ukraine. China and Russia have grown closer during the war, with the West accusing Beijing of supplying weapons components to Moscow. But Mr Xi has stopped short of formally supporting Russia in the conflict and has warned Putin against the use of nuclear weapons. The Russian president has called for a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations, when some world leaders will be in Moscow for a military parade, but Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine would not be playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere over the Russian holiday. Putin responded by telling Russian state television he hoped the need would not arise to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying I hope they will not be required. 01:17 PM BST US no longer mediating peace talks Xi Jinpings visit to Russia comes as the United States announced it would no longer mediate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The State Department said it was changing the methodology of how we contribute to the talks and will no longer fly around the world at the drop of a hat for meetings after Vladimir Putin refused to agree to a deal. Tammy Bruce, a spokesman, said: We will continue to help, but we will no longer fly around the world as mediators in meetings. She added that Kyiv and Moscow must now present concrete proposals for ending the war and should meet directly to resolve the conflict. 12:41 PM BST Initiative allows 18-24 year olds to fight in Ukraine A Ukrainian initiative allowing those below the draft age of 25 to serve in the military on one-year contracts is fully under way. The scheme was introduced earlier this year and entices 18 to 24-year-olds to join the army with the promise of lucrative contracts, social benefits and elite training. The approach also enables Ukraine to recruit younger soldiers without having to formally lower the draft age, a move that it has long resisted, even in the face of White House pressure. New Ukrainian infantry recruits aged 18 between 24 carry out a mock assault as part of one-year contracts to reinforce the military - Anadolu 12:12 PM BST Putin: I do not feel like a politician Putin told Russian state television he does not feel like some kind of politician in a rare look at his life behind the locked doors of the Kremlin. In the carefully choreographed film, Putin offered chocolates and a fermented Russian milk drink to Pavel Zarubin, a top Kremlin correspondent, in his private kitchen. Speaking about his 25 years in power as president and prime minister, Putin said: I dont feel like some kind of politician. I continue to breathe the very same air as millions of Russian citizens. It is very important. God willing that it continues as long as possible. And that it doesnt disappear. 11:50 AM BST Zelensky touches down in Prague Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Prague to discuss the Czech Republics ongoing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The Ukrainian president landed in the countrys capital just before midday (10am GMT), where he was greeted by Jan Lipavsky, the Czech foreign minister, local media reported. The office of Petr Pavel, the Czech president, said he would receive the Ukrainian first couple at Prague Castle on Sunday afternoon. The EU and Nato member has provided Ukraine with extensive humanitarian and military support since the Russian invasion in February 2022. It has taken in over half a million Ukrainian refugees, supplied the army with tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters, and backed calls for Europe to supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition. Dnes jsem na Ruzyni privital prezidenta @ZelenskyyUa, lidra svobodneho sveta. pic.twitter.com/cZaCFZuzNQ Jan Lipavsky (@JanLipavsky) May 4, 2025 11:38 AM BST Tanks rehearse for Russian Victory Day parade Russian tanks have driven through central Moscow during a rehearsal for Russias Victory Day parade on May 9, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the Nazis defeat. The T-90M tanks will appear as part of a sizeable military parade in Red Square, presided over by Vladimir Putin and attended by several world leaders. One of those in attendance will be Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who is making an official state visit to the nation and holding bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart. 11:19 AM BST Putin: We are strong enough to finish Ukraine operation Vladimir Putin has said Russia is strong enough and has sufficient resources to finish its operation in Ukraine. The Russian president told state television that Moscow had the means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion and he hoped it would not need to use nuclear weapons in the conflict. Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire backed by Ukraine and the US, which is trying to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin said the proposed deal did not offer international recognition to territory seized by Moscows troops and suggested it did not satisfy their demands to oust Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. 11:03 AM BST Russian forces casualties pass 955,000, report suggests Russia has lost 956,810 troops in Ukraine since the start of the war in Feb 2022, according to a report by the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces. The figure includes some 1,340 Russian forces casualties over the past day alone. The report said Russia had also lost 10,758 tanks, 22,403 armoured fighting vehicles, 27,327 artillery systems, 1,376 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,155 air defence systems, 372 airplanes, 335 helicopters, 34,860 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine. 10:46 AM BST Drone strike on Kyiv injures 11 Russia launched an overnight drone strike on Kyiv that left at least 11 people injured, including two children, and set several residential buildings on fire, officials said. Falling debris from destroyed drones sparked several blazes in the Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts of the capital, according to Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyivs military administration. Some 76 firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fires raging in Kyiv overnight, as well as tackling a smaller blaze in Kyivs central Shevchenkivskyi district, emergency services said. Across the city, several cars also caught light after being struck by falling drone debris, they added. Firefighters battle a blaze in residential Kyiv after an overnight Russian drone strike - Olga Yakimovich/Reuters 10:36 AM BST Putin and Xis diplomatic history China has portrayed itself as a neutral party over the course of the three-year war, although Western governments say its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. Last month, Volodymyr Zelensky said two Chinese citizens were captured fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian president claimed his forces had fought with six Chinese soldiers in Donetsk and that there were many more in the Russian ranks. But the prisoners of war said they were not fighting on behalf of China and had no links to Chinese state authorities. Instead, they were recruited as mercenaries through online advertisements, they said. 10:23 AM BST Russia accuses Ukraine of making threat against victory parade Russia has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of making a direct threat to the Second World War commemorations, after the Ukrainian president said Kyiv would not take responsibility for ensuring safety on the day. On Monday, Putin declared a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the 80th anniversary parade, saying it would run from May 8 to May 10 during which Russia would host international leaders including Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. But Mr Zelensky on Friday dismissed the truce as theatrics and said Ukraine cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore, we will not give you any guarantees. Russia responded by calling his statement a direct threat. Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: He is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day. 10:15 AM BST Putin and Xi to discuss matters on international agenda Xi Jinpings visit to Moscow comes at the invitation of Vladimir Putin. The pair will attend the formal celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and its allies victory in the Second World War, as well as holding diplomatic discussions. A statement from the Kremlin said: The bilateral talks to be held during the visit will focus on the core aspects of further advancement of Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as pressing matters on the international and regional agendas. It added: The two leaders are to sign a number of bilateral inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents. MANILA On a balmy night outside Manilas Baclaran church, Gerald Concepcion, 32, and his fellow devotees were decorating a float of the Virgin Mary with fragrant lilies and pink carnations. He added artificial white doves to the arrangement, saying they were in honor of the late Pope Francis, who had led a radical shift in the Catholic Churchs treatment of LGBTQ people. Pope Francis is a testament that God is alive, Concepcion, a devout Catholic who works as a street vendor, told NBC News. He accepted everyone, including us gay people who have long been marginalized. Francis death on April 21 has opened the eternal tension between choosing a successor that represents continuity, or one who will bring change, including a possible return to the churchs recent past of more conservative positions on issues like homosexuality. Luis Antonio Tagle, a Filipino cardinal often dubbed the Asian Francis for his emphasis on poor and marginalized people, has emerged as a possible leading contender, or papabile, when the conclave meets on May 7 to elect Francis replacement. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2013. If chosen as pope, Tagle could carry with him some lessons from the Philippines. Despite being the biggest Catholic nation in Asia about 80% of Filipinos are Catholic and the third-largest in the world, it is also one of the more LGBTQ-friendly countries in the region. Many gay Catholics, like Concepcion, remain active and visible members of the church, and he says Tagle offers the possibility of continuing Francis embrace of gay Catholics into the next papacy. Being gay is not wrong because we were also created by God and all things that God created are beautiful, Concepcion added. The Philippine Catholic Church has become more open to gay Catholics in recent years, including in a 2024 position paper in which the church acknowledged the LGBTQ communitys important role in the life of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. And while Tagle, who is known for avoiding provocative rhetoric and controversial issues, has rarely spoken publicly about homosexuality in his statements and homilies, he has lamented the churchs harsh words in the past about gay and divorced people. Filipino Catholics say they have felt supported by some of his actions and see them as potential signs of his approach to the community if he were to be elected pope. Edwin Valles, former president of Courage Philippines, an LGBTQ organization under the Archdiocese of Manila, says he is certain that Tagle would continue embracing the gay community. In 2014, Valles said he approached Tagle, then head of the Archdiocese of Manila, to request a priest to be assigned to guide their members, a request Tagle granted. Its a commitment on his part, Valles said. He puts money where his mouth is. So I like to think that he will also do the same if and when he becomes pope. Valles tells a story from a 2018 event they both attended, when a young faithful asked the cardinal about the status of LGBTQ Catholics. And his answer was something like: All of us are Catholics, all of us are parishioners, all of us are children of God. So why make that label and distinction? That just serves to separate or put people in boxes, Valles recalled Tagle saying. A man of the people The Jesuit-educated Tagle, 67, was born to a Filipino father and a Filipino Chinese mother who were both bankers, and Tagle grew up in a well-to-do family. He was ordained as a priest in 1982 at the age of 24, and like Francis, adopted a simple life. From 2001 to 2011, he served as the bishop of the Diocese of Imus, a city south of Manila, and his hometown. There, Tagle took to walking the streets, greeting street vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers. Residents affectionately recalled how Tagle would sit on a wooden bench outside a humble neighborhood barbershop, Bible in hand, his presence so regular that it earned Roland, the shopkeeper, the nickname, Holy Barber. Tagle then became Manilas archbishop in 2011 and was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. In 2015, he was elected president of Caritas Internationalis, the humanitarian and development organization of the Catholic Church, and was re-elected again in 2019. That year, he moved to the Vatican after Francis appointed him head of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the churchs missionary arm. He would fly back to the Philippines, unannounced and without fanfare, to check on his ailing parents, have his hair cut by Roland, and make surprise visits to neighbors and relatives eager to receive a blessing from a cardinal back home from the Vatican. He does not possess a prophetic voice Tagle is highly respected in the Philippines, where he is widely perceived as warm, gentle, approachable, humble and at times funny, just like Francis, Noel Asiones, an academic researcher from the University of Santo Tomas, a Catholic university in Manila, told NBC News. Tagle in Vatican City in 2023. As a top cleric, Tagles pastoral approach reflects a leader eager to serve and emphasize meeting the needs of his flock, Asiones said. But the similarities seemed to end there. Unlike Francis, who spoke with forceful, moral authority on worldly issues like exploitative capitalism or the injustices of war, Asiones said, Tagle lacks or does not possess a prophetic voice. Tagle has been criticized for his inaction on sexual abuse by priests, and his silence on the extrajudicial killings ordered by the Philippines former President Rodrigo Duterte, in a crackdown on drugs that left tens of thousands, including children, dead. Duterte openly attacked and threatened the church, which in the Philippines has historically stood up against political power. In the face of the flagrant human rights abuses, however, Tagle responded with statements Dutertes opponents criticized as vague and unchallenging. I dont think Tagle will be entirely Francis 2.0. For one, he opts for political correctness, often avoiding confrontational language, and seems reticent, if not afraid, to hold truth to power, Asiones said. A good theologian, but a poor administrator Tagle has had significant experience in the Vatican, but observers say it has been far from stellar. In 2022, Francis dismissed Tagle and the rest of the leadership team of Caritas Internationalis after a Vatican-led audit found real deficiencies in management and procedures. What the Roman Curia needs is a pope who is also a good administrator, said Charles Collins, managing editor of Crux, an international publication focusing on the Catholic Church. Tagle is considered intelligent, a good theologian and a good communicator. But in many ways he has not been a very good administrator in some of the jobs hes had in the Vatican, Collins said. He has not proven himself in that role. Francis had shaken things up in the Vatican and the cardinals may look to someone who could provide stability to replace him. I think the conclave is going to look at a European cardinal to become pope, Collins said. Three issues are expected to hound the next pope: clerical abuse, poor finances of the Vatican and the ongoing cultural war between progressives and conservatives. Tagle might be one of the more popular papabili, but Collins cautioned that in every conclave, there are always people who are being promoted more in the media than among the cardinals. A pope from Asia or Africa is a good news story, but that does not reflect the views of the cardinal electors. Camille Elemia reported from Manila and Imus, Philippines. A Boston college admissions worker is accused of harassing a 17-year-old prospective student and offering her $400 for sex after giving her a tour around the school, federal officials alleged. Former Emmanuel College employee Jacob Henriques, 29, was arrested Friday after he targeted four potential students, sharing pornography with their phone numbers and soliciting commercial sex from them, the US Attorneys Office in Massachusetts alleged. Jacob Henriques, who worked as an assistant admissions director at the private catholic school, used his position to access the potential students records, Jacob Henriques was charged with attempted sex trafficking of a minor on May 2, 2025. emmanuel.edu The accused creep allegedly contacted the four high school students during their visit to the school on April 25. Authorities said he obtained the registration paperwork of one prospective student, a 17-year-old, which contained the girls date of birth and other personal information, minutes before a tour. During the tour, Henriques questioned the girl about her grade and the school she went to before using the data he collected from the paperwork and texting the girl hours after their meeting Henriques did not reveal who he was to his alleged victim on the text thread, but offered to pay her $400 for some fun and claimed to have pornographic photos and videos ready to send her way. Despite rejecting his advances multiple times, Henriques continued to message the girl and allegedly asked the minor if she wanted to participate in a gangbang with him and whether or not she wanted to have sex with him. Henriques allegedly contacted the student after giving a tour at Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts. Google Maps A sign for Emmanuel College stands in front of the St. Joseph dorms on March 31, 2000. Boston Globe via Getty Images The perv continuously asked the minor if she had changed her mind and he would buy her anything, according to the US Attorneys Office. Henriques allegedly viewed the teens profile nearly 50 times over three days between April 25 and April 28. The teens attempt to block Henriques number became futile when the relentless degenerate began emailing her. Federal agents arrested Henriques on May 2 and charged him with attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Henriques allegedly viewed the teens profile nearly 50 times over three days between April 25 and April 28. emmanuel.edu Henriques graduated from Emmanuel College in 2021 and is responsible for reading students applications from Massachusetts, New Yorks Albany and Hudson Valley regions, Vermont, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, according to his now-deleted university profile. Henriques was fired from the school after the revelation of the heinous accusations. Emmanuel College was left saddened, angered, and shocked by these serious federal allegations that have been brought against a former employee. They are an affront to our core values, and we stand with any victimized by this incident, the school said in a statement obtained by CBS Boston. Henriques is scheduled to appear in US District Court in Boston on May 5, 2025. The FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force opened an investigation into Henriques crimes. FBI He faces up to life in prison if found guilty. The FBI has opened up an investigation into Henriques alleged crimes, asking for suspected victims to file information against the former college worker. If you know of someone else who has possibly been victimized by Jacob Henriques, please encourage them to complete the form themselves, the agency wrote. Courtesy of Netflix Jeanne Goursaud as SARA on the set of Exterritorial The Netflix film Exterritorial is a nonstop action thriller. The German movie follows Sara Wulf (Jeanne Goursaud), a former Special Forces soldier, who desperately tries to find her son after he's kidnapped in the US Consulate in Frankfurt. The young boy, Josh (Rickson Guy de Silva), was taken while he was in a playroom in the consulate, while he and his mom were awaiting approval for a visa, so they could move to America. After she sees her son missing from the playroom, Sara becomes panicked and the security officers in the consulate are unwilling to help her. They instead try to convince her that she came to the consulate alone, and there is no record of her son being there with her. The film, which takes place entirely within the confines of the consulate, shows Sara using her military training to fight off security officers trying to stop her from finding her son. One security officer in particular, Erik Kynch (Dougray Scott), becomes fixated on trying to stop Sara at all costs, but his motives don't become apparent until the end. As the movie unravels, Sara is forced to face her past in Afghanistan and the ambush that nearly killed her and how it relates to her son's kidnapping. So, how does Exterritorial end? Heres everything to know about why Sara Wulf's son was kidnapped and the conspiracy that led to his disappearance. Warning: Exterritorial spoilers ahead! How does Exterritorial end? Sasha Ostrov / Netflix Jeanne Goursaud Exterritorial Throughout the film, Sara Wulf unleashes her military training to make her way through the consulate and get answers about her son's kidnapping. After initially thinking that Josh was kidnapped as part of a drug ring, she later finds out that her time in Afghanistan is the reason that she's fighting for her and her son's lives. When Sara was overseas, her team was ambushed by the Taliban, and the resulting explosion killed eight of her fellow soldiers, including her son's father. Sara was the only soldier who survived the ambush. Before she entered the US Consulate in Frankfurt with her son, a journalist investigating the incident called her and asked if she could identify anyone from a video. At the time, Sara was unable to recognize anyone. However, after her son was taken, she finds out that security officer Kynch was also a soldier in Afghanistan at the same time as her. Sara soon realizes that he had met with a member of the Taliban prior to the attack and sold them information on her team's plan. Kynch initially vehemently denies any involvement and convinces everyone that Sara is suffering from a hallucination caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Luckily for Sara, she meets a woman named Irina (Lera Abova) who is also being held in the US Consulate against her will. Irina reveals that she is the daughter of a rich German criminal who was killed by the government and that she contains a USB drive with proof of the assassination. Sasha Ostrov / Netflix Jeanne Goursaud as SARA on the set of Exterritorial In the midst of Sara trying to find her son, she and Irina fend off two trained assailants who are trying to abduct her, so she cannot uncover the German government's murder. The two women then make their way to Kynch's office, where they find out that he's been the mastermind behind the whole ordeal. Sara comes to the conclusion that Kynch kidnapped her son as part of a larger plan that would result in Sara's death, so she could never expose him for leaking information to the Taliban. Sara and Irina make their way to a warehouse within the consulate, and Irina gets into the back of a truck leaving the facility so she can safely escape. Sara then escapes the consulate and heads to Kynch's daughter's school, taking her to a locked room and demanding that Kynch come in and talk with her. During the intense conversation, Kynch finally admits to leaking information to the Taliban for money prior to the deadly explosion. He also explains that German kidnappers paid him to abduct Irina. He was going to blame the abduction on Sara and kill her in the process, thus silencing her from exposing his secrets. Kynch pulls one last move in the confined space and shoots Sara in the stomach, while also shooting himself in the leg, so he can claim she shot him first. However, Sara crawls to the intercom where she plays Kynch's entire confession, which she recorded on his daughter's toy, to the rest of the generals. What happens to Sara and her son in Exterritorial? Sasha Ostrov / Netflix Jeanne Goursaud, Rickson Guy Da Silva Exterritorial Sara successfully rescues her son Josh after proving her innocence at the end of Exterritorial. While Sara is recovering from her gunshot wound, she sees Josh, standing over her and smiling. Eight weeks after the incident took place, Sara calls Irina who is safely in the U.S. to let her know that she and her son are preparing to finally move to the country. Sara is still living with the aftermath and PTSD from the explosion, but she seems to be handling it in a healthier way. In the beginning of the film, Sara saw a helicopter that triggered her PTSD and caused her to fight a teenage boy. However, at the end of the film, Sara sees another helicopter and while she is entranced, she is able to manage the stress and smiles with her son instead. What happens to Eric Kynch in Exterritorial? Sasha Ostrov / Netflix Dougray Scott Exterritorial Immediately after Sara plays the recording of Officer Kynch's confession, the other officers turn on him and arrest him. Sara confirms at the end of the movie that Kynch has been detained in the U.S. She also reveals that his co-conspirator Sergeant Donovan (Kayode Akinyemi) has in turn been arrested. Will there be a second Exterritorial movie? Sasha Ostrov / Netflix Jeanne Goursaud, Rickson Guy Da Silva Exterritorial A sequel to Exterritorial has not been officially confirmed. However, the movie quickly climbed to the No. 1 spot of most-watched movies on Netflix after its American debut on April 30. Read the original article on People Kendy Howard was found dead in her bathtub. While dispatched as a suicide, clues at the scene made Kootenai County authorities suspicious. Here's a look at the case: A 26-year marriage Dan and Kendy Howard / Credit: Brian Wilkins Dan and Kendy Howard had been married since 1994. By 2021, Dan Howard had gone from working as an Idaho State Trooper to working in the Alaskan oil fields for three weeks at a time. Kendy seeks divorce Kendy Howard / Credit: Brian Wilkins On Jan. 28, 2021, just five days before she died, Kendy Howard picked Dan Howard up from the airport and told him she wanted a divorce. She described Dan's reaction to a friend as having been "not good." Dan Howard's call to 911 Dan Howard was once a Idaho State Police trooper. / Credit: Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney On the night of Feb. 2, 2021, at 10:43 p.m., Dan Howard called 911, screaming Kendy had shot herself. "She's in the bathtub dead ..." The call was dispatched as a suicide. Dan Howard at the scene Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Miranda Thomas was one of the first responders to arrive at the Howards' home. / Credit: Kootenai County District Court Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Miranda Thomas was one of the first officers to arrive. Thomas said she witnessed Dan Howard screaming, crying and gagging. Kendy Howard found in the bathtub Kendy Howard was found dead in the bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. / Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Caption: Kendy Howard was found dead, naked in the bathtub of her home, with a gunshot wound to her head. Kendy's gun was submerged in the bathwater. A packed duffle bag Deputy Thomas noticed a packed duffle bag filled with women's clothing at the bottom of the stairs at the Howard home. / Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Thomas noticed a duffle bag with what she said seemed to be women's clothing packed inside. "Was someone planning on leaving the house?" she said. A clue on the dryer When first responders arrived to the Howard home, the clothes dryer was running. It was full of clean bath towels and mats. / Credit: Kootenai County District Court Kootenai County Sheriff's Detective Jerry Northrup said that in the dryer he observed "bathmats and towels ... and they were still somewhat warm," which he said led him to question when the cycle had been started. How did Kendy Howard really die? Kendy Howard's own pistol which was found at the bottom of the tub. / Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Kendy Howard's gun was found in the bathtub. Investigators said they would have expected to see a lot more blood in the bathtub if she had been alive when she was shot. Kendy's daughter accuses Dan Howard Kendy Howard's daughter, Brooke Wilkins. / Credit: CBS News When Dan Howard called his stepdaughter Brooke Wilkins with the news of Kendy's death, investigators said they could overhear Wi accuse Dan of killing her mother. Despite their suspicions, detectives said there was not enough evidence at the scene to arrest Dan. Dan Howard arrested In April 2023, Dan Howard was charged with murder. He was also charged with domestic battery from an incident seven months before Kendy's death. / Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff's Office It took two years for prosecutors to build their case. In July, 2023, Dan Howard was arrested and charged with Kendy Howard's murder. Dan Howard on trial Dan Howard at his trial for the murder ofn his wife Kendy. / Credit: Pool On March 4, 2024, the trial of Dan Howard began. The prosecution claimed Dan had killed Kendy by putting her in a carotid restraint hold a maneuver he had learned in his law enforcement training. The defense maintained that Kendy's death was a suicide. After 10 days of testimony, 62 witnesses, and just over eight hours of deliberations, a verdict was reached. Dan Howard found guilty On March 19, 2024, the jury found Dan Howard guilty of second-degree murder and domestic battery. Life in prison Dan Howard make a plea for leniency at his sentencing. / Credit: Pool At Dan Howard's sentencing hearing in May 2024, Judge Lamont Berecz told him, "You killed a mother. You killed a grandmother. You killed a sister ... You snuffed that out because of your own pride, greed, and anger." Dan Howard was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Daughter reflects on iconic photo that shows reunion with her father, a Vietnam prisoner of war Kentucky distillery defies historic flooding and reopens for "Derby Week" Trump's AI photo of him as pope sparks worldwide outrage Ministerio de Defensa Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia/Facebook People being rescued from swap after plane crash in Bolivia Four adults and one child were found alive after surviving nearly 48 hours in a swamp in Bolivia A search and rescue operation had been launched to find possible survivors after a small plane was reported missing on Wednesday, April 30 The plane had crashed after having engine failure, according to reports Four adults and one child have been found alive after surviving nearly two days in alligator-infested waters following a plane crash in Bolivia. On Friday, May 2, the five people were rescued after the small plane was found by local fishermen in Bolivia's Amazonas region around 48 hours after the aircraft was reported missing, Bolivian news outlets La Razon and Red Uno and BBC News reported. The plane took off from Baures in northern Bolivia heading to the city of Trinidad at 12:00 noon local time on Wednesday, April 30. The pilot reported "technical problems" around an hour into the flight, "before all contact with the aircraft was lost," La Razon reported. A search and rescue operation was launched to find the missing passengers on Thursday, May 1. Among the survivors were three women, a child, and the 29-year-old pilot. They were found in excellent condition, Wilson Avila, director of the Beni Department's emergency operations centre, told BBC News. Ministerio de Defensa Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia/Facebook Survivors of plane crash in Bolivia Related: Pilot Rescued with Daughters After Spending Night on Crashed Wing Was Not Authorized to Have Passengers: Officials The passengers were found huddled together on the fuselage of the small plane" after surviving there for more than 40 hours, Red Uno stated on Instagram. In footage posted by the outlet, the survivors are seen being transported to helicopters on stretchers by emergency responders after being rescued. 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 Ministry of Defense said in a statement, per La Razon, "On Friday, May 2, at 7:20 a.m., an Eco Charlie EC-145 helicopter took off from Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Equipped with a crane, tracking technology, and specialized equipment from the SAR-FAB (Bolivian Air Force Search and Rescue Service), this unit headed to the municipality of Baures. The search was reinforced in the area delimited by the previous flights." Aerial work and ground tracking helped to locate the missing aircraft. Pilot Andres Velarde said the plane crashed in an emergency landing after having engine failure, according to BBC News. He tried to land the aircraft near the Itanomas River, however, the plane lost altitude and he was forced to land in the swamp, the outlet reported. Getty Small plane (stock image) Related: Man and 2 Children Found Alive During 'Miracle' Rescue 12 Hours After Plane Crashes on Frozen Alaska Lake The five people remained on top of the plane where they were "surrounded by alligators that came within three meters of us, Velarde told BBC News. "We couldn't drink water and we couldn't go anywhere else because of the alligators. Velarde said he believes the alligators stayed away as petrol was leaking from the plane into the water, the outlet reported. Ruben Torres, director of the Beni Region Health Department, said, "I am really happy because in the end all the institutions joined together to be able to find the missing people and save those lives," per BBC News. Read the original article on People A mayor from a western Mexico town was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp where human bones and clothing were found, a federal official said. Teuchitlan Mayor Jose Murguia Santiago was arrested as part of an investigation by government prosecutors into probable omissions or complicity of authorities with the Jalisco New Generation cartel, a federal source told AFP on Saturday. The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Murguia was arrested late Saturday afternoon, according to federal arrest records. This photo released by the Jalisco State Attorney General's Office shows shoes at the Izaguirre Ranch where skeletal remains were also discovered in the municipality of Teuchitlan, Mexico, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. / Credit: Jalisco State Attorney General's Office via AP The cartel, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says has some 19,000 in its ranks, developed rapidly into an extremely violent and capable force after it split from the Sinaloa cartel following the 2010 killing of Sinaloa cartel capo Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel Villarreal by the military. The "ranch of horror," as some local media called it, in the Izaguirre Ranch in Teuchitlan in the western state of Jalisco was first discovered in September 2024. Six months later, people searching for missing relatives found clothing and human remains, raising questions about the initial investigation, including a failure to search the site thoroughly. Human Rights Watch called it an "apparent mass killing site." The cartel allegedly used the ranch to train newly recruited gunmen, senior officials have said. The Guerreros Buscadores collective, a group dedicated to locating missing relatives, has described the Teuchitlan ranch as an "extermination center" with "clandestine crematoriums" where forced recruits were thought to have been held by the cartel. Barricade tape set up by authorities cordons off parts of Izaguirre Ranch during a tour for the press, days after skeletal remains were discovered on the premises. / Credit: Alfredo Moya / AP Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters in late March that there was "no evidence that it was an extermination camp." But he also said that an alleged recruiter who was arrested said that cartel members tortured and killed recruits who refused to cooperate or tried to flee. The attorney general's office, which has denied that executions were systematically carried out, took over the investigation after a complaint from Guerreros Buscadores. The group found buried bones, clothing, shoes and other objects at the ranch, which went unnoticed during a search in September by authorities who raided it following reports of gunfire. The interior of Izaguirre Ranch during a tour for the press. / Credit: Alfredo Moya / AP According to the Jalisco state prosecutor's office, 10 people were arrested, two captives freed and a dead body found along with skeletal remains in September. Besides Mayor Murguia, about a dozen others have been arrested in the case, including a police chief from a neighboring municipality and two of his officers. More than 127,000 people are registered as missing in Mexico, most of them since 2006 when the government declared war on drug trafficking groups. By state, Jalisco has the highest number of missing persons cases, with more than 15,000. PBS CEO says "we have never seen a circumstance like this" after Trump targets funding Mike Waltz's removal is "significant" for U.S. national security interests, H.R. McMaster says Face the Nation: McMaster, Maher, Kerger A Minnesota woman caught on a viral video calling an autistic child the N-word is painting herself as the victim and has raked in more than $500,000 in an online fundraiser after declaring her personal information had been leaked because of the incident. Shiloh Hendrix identified herself as the mother caught on camera this week hurling the vile slur at a 5-year-old boy she allegedly caught rifling through her bag at a playground in Rochester, about 90 minutes south of Minneapolis. Hendrix can then be seen in the clip turning her ire, and profanity, on the black man who confronted her and filmed the incident. A woman was captured in a viral video hurling the N-word several times on a Minnesota playground. NBC/Sharmake Omar When Sharmake Omar asked Hendrix if she flung the vile slur at the child, she told him, Yeah, the clip showed. He took my sons stuff, she declared. Omar, 30, pressed the blonde woman, who was carrying a child on her hip, and asked if digging through her belongings would justify using a racial slur against a child. If thats what hes going to act like, she said before repeating the slur several times at Omar while he recorded. Thousands of people online condemned Hendrix for using the hateful language, especially against a child. The boy is autistic, Omar told NBC News, adding his parents, who are from Somalia, were supervising their three other children on the playground at the time of the incident. That little boy was visibly upset by the incident, Omar, who also has Somalian heritage but is not related to the boy, told the outlet. During the confrontation, Hendrix allegedly told him he and his wife shouldnt have more children because they are a drain on the welfare system. Hendrix has since proclaimed herself victim of an attack asserting online that the viral video has put her family in jeopardy. Shiloh Hendrix is halfway to her $1 million goal. GiveSendGo I recently had a kid steal from my 18month old sons diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was, the woman, identifying herself as Hendrix, wrote in a crowdsourcing post. Another man, who we recently found out has had a history with law enforcement, proceeded to record me and follow me to my car. He then posted these videos online which has caused my family, and myself, great turmoil, she wrote, referring to Omar. My SSN has been leaked. My address, and phone number have been given out freely. My family members are being attacked. My eldest child may not be going back to school. Even where I exercise has been exposed. Hendrix claimed she believes she must relocate herself and her two children to escape threats stemming from the Internet, and has asked for $1 million to make the move. As of early Saturday, more than $525,000 had been raised. Hendrix claims the video has put her family in danger. NBC/Sharmake Omar While Hendrix claimed in the post that Omar had a history of problems with law enforcement, state court records show she has multiple convictions of her own, including driving under the influence, disorderly conduct and brawling. The Rochester Police Department said Friday it was investigating the matter after receiving multiple calls relating to the video. This isnt racism, its a public reckoning for Karmelo Anthony getting paid $500k to kill a white child while no one flinched. Shiloh raising money for a slur is just a mirror, and what it reflects is a society that rewards certain narratives, buries others, and calls it justice. pic.twitter.com/t9Iy0MVABJ Francesco (@frandalorian) May 3, 2025 Minnesota law defines one type of assault as an action taken with intent to cause fear. It would be considered a misdemeanor. The boys parents have expressed support for prosecution, according to Omar. Neither Omar nor Hendrix could be immediately reached for comment by The Post. On Friday, the Minnesota Democratic delegation commended Omar for standing up to Hendrix even as she continues to spew hate. We condemn these vile acts of racism in the strongest way possible. This disgusting rhetoric has no place in our community, and were grateful that a bystander took action and prevented further escalation by the perpetrator, the group said in a statement. Some online commenters claimed Hendrixs fundraising from the incident was a public reckoning after the family of Texas teen Karmelo Anthony, who is black, raised more than $500,000 following his arrest for allegedly fatally stabbing a white teen. Anthony has claimed self-defense. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Russia from May 7-10 to participate in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Kremlin said on Sunday. In a statement on Telegram, the Kremlin said that Xi will discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin the development of the two countries' strategic partnership, as well as signing a number of documents. "During the talks, the main issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda will be discussed," the Kremlin said. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War Two but pushed Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Hitler committed suicide and the red Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag in 1945. Several other national leaders are expected at the celebrations, including the presidents of Brazil and Serbia, and the prime minister of Slovakia. Putin has proposed a three day ceasefire with Ukraine around the May 9 celebration, one of the most important in the Russian calendar. Responding to Moscow's offer of the three-day ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was ready as long as the ceasefire would be 30 days in length, something Putin had already ruled out in the near term, saying he wants a long-term settlement not a brief pause. Zelenskiy said Ukraine, given the continued war with Russia, could not guarantee the safety of any foreign dignitaries who came to Moscow for the traditional May 9 victory parade. Zelenskiy has in recent weeks upped criticism of China, which he has said is providing weapons and gunpowder to Russia. Russian state news agency RIA cited Putin, in a documentary film marking 25 years since his first inauguration as Russian president aired on Sunday, as saying that Russia's relations with China were: "truly strategic in nature, deep-seated". "Our national interests coincide", it quoted him as saying. (Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) By Andrew Hay (Reuters) -A Guatemalan migrant who crossed the US border eight months pregnant and gave birth in Arizona has avoided fast-track deportation after intervention by the state's governor, her lawyer and a federal official said on Saturday. The 24-year-old woman gained public attention after lawyer Luis Campos said federal agents denied him access to her in a Tucson hospital after she gave birth on Wednesday and told him she was set for rapid removal after entering the country illegally. The case raised concerns about the treatment of mothers and infants caught in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, prompting Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs to contact federal officials, according to local media. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the woman had been placed in normal deportation proceedings following her discharge from hospital and given the right to contact an attorney. "The woman was transferred to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations with a court date to appear before an immigration judge," said a CBP spokesman. "The child remains with the mother." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Campos said the woman, who he identified only as "Erika," fled a "violent situation" in Guatemala, according to her mother who requested that he represent her. He talked to the woman on Friday and she said she walked for two days in the desert before being apprehended about 50 miles (80 km) south of Tucson. She has the right to express fear of returning to Guatemala and request asylum, he added. "I'm hoping to get news either today or tomorrow that she's been released," said Campos, adding that Phoenix immigration lawyers had offered him their help at the request of Hobbs. The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Hobbs spokesperson told local media her office contacted federal and local officials regarding the welfare of the woman and newborn. "Governor Hobbs has been clear in her opposition to inhumane immigration enforcement practices," the spokesperson said, according to 13News. The CBP spokesman said agents followed the law and adhered to CBP procedures at all times in relation to the woman. (Reporting By Andrew Hay, editing by Deepa Babington) Tamilore Odunsi/TikTok Tamilore Odunsi Tamilore Odunsi was found with multiple stab wounds and pronounced dead in her Houston apartment on April 26, days before she was supposed to graduate Police said Odunsi's roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, is responsible for her death, and allegedly tried to kill himself after stabbing her Grant and Odunsi got into an argument about their cats days before he allegedly killed her, police said. The student, who moved from the U.K. to get her nursing degree, had only been living with Grant for about two months before her death The man who was living with nursing student Tamilore Odunsi, who was brutally stabbed to death days before her graduation, allegedly killed her following a dispute over their pets. Odunsi's roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, is suspected to be responsible for the fatal stabbing and allegedly attempted to kill himself after the altercation, Houston police told local CBS affiliate KHOU 11. On April 26, police conducted a welfare check at the students Houston apartment. They entered the unit after seeing blood on the rear patio, and, once inside, they found Odunsi, 23, with multiple stab wounds and Grant, 40, with at least one. Odunsi was pronounced dead at the scene. Now, police said that days before the stabbing, the roommates got in an argument over the cats that they kept in the apartment, eventually leading Grant to stab Odunsi, KHOU 11 reported, citing authorities. Gofundme Tamilore Odunsi After stabbing Odunsi, Grant tried to end his own life by stabbing himself six times, including once in his neck, detectives told KHOU 11. He and Odunsi had only been living with each other for about two months at the time of the incident, per the outlet. Following the April welfare check, Grant was hospitalized in critical condition. On May 3, he was booked into jail and charged with murder, according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE. He is next expected to appear in court on Monday, May 5. A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department (HPD) was not available to respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 3, or Sunday, May 4. Tamilore Odunsi/TikTok Tamilore Odunsi Originally from the United Kingdom, Odunsi documented her experience as a British student studying in the United States on her TikTok account @tamidollars. She gained over 30,000 followers for her study tips and other school-related content. In the weeks leading up to her death, Odunsi was counting down the days to her college graduation on TikTok. In her final video, posted five days before her death, she shared her excitement about the milestone, dancing alongside text that read: 23 years old, BSN grad in 2 weeks, Vacations booked, Summer is 14 days away, Starting to look human again. Im readyyyyyyyyyyyyy , Odunsi wrote in the caption. 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. Following Odunsis death, a GoFundMe fundraiser was created to raise money to return her body to her family in the U.K. and cover funeral expenses. As of May 4, the fundraiser has surpassed its 40,000 goal, raising a total of 54,530 (over $72,000). According to the fundraiser, Odunsi who was described as "a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition and kindness" moved to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, dedicating herself to a life of care and service." Her death, the page says, is an unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future. Read the original article on People The scene where units were dispatched after a shuttle bus crash in Missouri on Saturday. Over 30 people were injured when a shuttle bus crashed into a ditch in Missouri on Saturday morning. At around 10:45 a.m., the driver of a Freightliner shuttle bus heading westbound on State Highway 100 west of Eagles Nest Drive in Gasconade County traveled off the right side of the road, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. The driver then overcorrected and veered off the left side of the road, hitting a ditch, it said. Officials didnt disclose the cause of the crash. At least 33 people, all adults 27 to 68, were hurt, most of them with minor and moderate injuries, according to online records. Four people had serious injuries: a 36-year-old woman, a 37-year-old man, a 45-year-old man and a 60-year-old man. An additional person on the bus, a 60-year-old woman, wasnt injured. All passengers, including the uninjured woman, were taken to area hospitals. Officials didnt identify anyone on the bus. It wasnt clear how many people were on board or where they were going. Two people on a small, single-engine plane died when the the aircraft crashed and ended up in the backyard of a home in California on Saturday, authorities said. NBC Los Angeles aerial footage of the crash site in the city of Simi Valley, about 42 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, showed a body on the ground, though its connection to the incident was unconfirmed. Simi Valley police said two people and a dog believed to have been on the plane were killed when it crashed shortly before 2 p.m. It ended up in a residential backyard. No injuries were reported on the ground. Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday. "The plane hardly exists anymore," police Simi Valley Police Department Senior Officer Casey Nicholson said at the scene. "It's wreckage." The Ventura County Fire Department said the plane struck two homes, sparking fires, but residents inside each evacuated and were unharmed. The flames were extinguished, but the homes sustained structural damage. Residents of each home were told the residences are uninhabitable, meaning they can't return until sufficient repairs are made, Nicholson said. The Federal Aviation Administration initially said the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft, which it said was a Van's RV-10, a four-seat, single-engine plane shipped as a kit and intended to be assembled by customers. The plane took off from the small airport in the city of Lancaster, a high desert community in Los Angeles County, en route to Camarillo Airport, which is about 20 miles west of Simi Valley, the FAA said in a statement. Both are noncommercial airports. The crash site is Wood Ranch, a hillside neighborhood of two-story houses. Video showed residents and first responders gathering near a hillside after the crash, with separate imagery showing smoke coming from the rooftop of a home. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board were at the scene late Saturday and would like return Sunday, Nicholson said. The FAA said the NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Travelers on cruise ships departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, might be lucky enough to witness launches from Space Launch Delta 45 (previously the United States Air Force Space Commands 45th Space Wing). There are launches scheduled for the morning, afternoon, and night, and apps can help track when and where to view the rockets in the sky. One app, Space Coast Launches, provides updates and has a compass to pinpoint exactly where you should be looking. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. You can also watch the rocket through the app from the beginning of the launch. See the upcoming schedule for launches by visiting the SpaceX or Kennedy Space Center websites. Passengers see rockets from sea On the Celebrity Apex on a mid-March sailing to Nassau in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and the Port of Plata, Dominican Republic, I was able to track the rocket and capture it on video on the night the ship left Nassau. Other passengers on the top deck were also using an app to view the rocket. If you are lucky, you will also see the drone ship, which catches the rockets boosters when it comes back to land. It is important to note that it is not uncommon for rocket missions to be rescheduled due to weather or other reasons, so be sure to check for updates. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. If you are departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, you will have a chance to see a rocket launch on embarkation or debarkation day. It happened to me, coming in from a four-night sailing on the Utopia of the Seas in October 2024. I opened my eyes around 7 a.m. when the ship arrived back to port, and the rocket was launching from Kennedy Space Center. It was an amazing sight, especially when viewed from the ship. Recently from the complex Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, the unmanned Starship launched but blew up in the atmosphere and was seen all over the Caribbean, including from cruise ships. Cruisers near Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas were able to see it quite clearly. If you are sailing out of Port Canaveral, try visiting Kennedy Space Center before or after your cruise. On some cruise ships out of Port Canaveral for example, on the Celebrity Equinox passengers will find opportunities to engage in space-related activities. One of them is viewing the stars from the sky observation lounge. Lecture and presentation offerings can further your knowledge of space exploration and astronomy. Some cruise ships even offer binoculars in some staterooms. Be sure to check before you sail; otherwise, consider bringing your own. Starlink expands its satellites for internet connection On April 12, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a Starlink mission from NASAs Kennedy Space Center just before 9 p.m. EST. The rocket carried 21 Starlink satellites to orbit. More than half of them are supplied with SpaceXs Direct to Cell Technology, which aims to reduce cellular dead zones for mobile devices across the globe. After the rocket launched that day, the booster shut down its engines and detached itself from the rockets upper stage just two-and-a-half minutes after launching. It only took about six minutes for the booster to land safely on SpaceXs drone ship, A Shortfall of Gravitas, in the Atlantic Ocean. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Starlink has proved an essential new development for the cruise industry. While hard to imagine now, cruise ships were not always able to offer internet at sea. If you sailed 20 years ago, you knew that it was not possible to stay connected while you were sailing. Before your next cruise, check to see if there is a scheduled rocket launch. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Tokyo Metropolitan University offers new insight into how the brains support cells, known as glia, might be involved in this destructive process. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0) The human brain depends on a steady stream of energy to keep its complex network of neurons and support cells functioning. When something disrupts that streamespecially glucose metabolismimportant brain functions begin to break down. In diseases like Alzheimers, this breakdown has serious consequences. But now, research from Tokyo Metropolitan University offers new insight into how the brains support cells, known as glia, might be involved in this destructive processand how changing their glucose use could slow it down. The Hidden Role of Glial Cells in Brain Health While neurons often get the spotlight, glial cells quietly work behind the scenes, helping neurons survive, process signals, and stay protected. These non-neuronal cells also play a key role in the brains immune response. When there's an infection or injury, glial cells become activated, clearing out waste and triggering inflammation to fight off threats. Expression of human Tau in fly retina causes photoreceptor degeneration, swelling of the laminal cortex and the formation of inclusions. (CREDIT: Disease Models & Mechanisms) In healthy brains, this process is helpful. But in people with Alzheimers disease, glial cells lose their balance. Instead of helping, they start to overreact. The same inflammation that would help in the short term turns harmful over time. These activated glia begin to damage nearby neurons, releasing toxic chemicals and even eating up healthy parts of the brain. One of the most puzzling aspects of Alzheimers disease is the drop in brain energy. In particular, the brains ability to use glucose, its main fuel, declines. This condition is known as glucose hypometabolism. Since glial cells rely on glucose too, researchers have long suspected that these cells could be affected by this decline in fuel. But how does that lead to inflammation and neuron loss? Fruit Flies Provide Clues About Alzheimers To answer that question, Professor Kanae Ando and her team turned to an unlikely helper: fruit flies. In this study, they used Drosophila flies with a modified retina to mimic some of the changes seen in human Alzheimers patients. These flies expressed a human protein called tau, known to build up inside brain cells in people with the disease. The buildup of this protein is one of Alzheimers key features. Related Stories When tau accumulated in the retina of the flies, it led to visible damage. The flies developed swollen areas near the back of the eye, dark round clumps, and loss of photoreceptor neurons. These clumps turned out to be created by glial cells in the act of phagocytosisa process where they swallow and break down damaged materials. But in this case, they were swallowing too much, causing more harm than good. Even more telling, the damage was tied to increased activity in genes that make antimicrobial peptides. These are part of the immune response and a clear sign that inflammation was taking place. The next step was to see what happened when the team boosted glucose metabolism in the glia. They genetically engineered the flies to produce more of a glucose transporter protein called GLUT3. This protein helps move glucose into cells, increasing their ability to process energy. Tau expression induces glial phagocytosis and expression of AMPs. (CREDIT: Disease Models & Mechanisms) Restoring Glucose Flow Eases Brain Damage The results were surprising. Adding GLUT3 to the glial cells didnt lower tau levels, but it did calm down the inflammation. The flies had fewer abnormal inclusions, less swelling, and less neuron loss. This was especially true when GLUT3 was added specifically to the pigment gliathe support cells that sit next to the eyes light-sensing photoreceptors. This finding shows that the decline in glucose metabolism, not just the buildup of tau, plays a central role in glial dysfunction. The glial cells werent able to carry out their normal tasks when they couldnt get enough energy. When their fuel supply was restored, their harmful overactivation dropped off, and they stopped damaging neurons. Previous research has suggested that brain glucose metabolism drops in people with Alzheimers. Scans of patients often show lower glucose use in key parts of the brain. This may come from reduced blood flow, or from problems with glucose transporters like GLUT3. In glia, poor glucose processing has been linked to increased inflammation and damage. Representative TEM images of eye photoreceptors in flies as indicated. GLUT3 coexpression mitigated rhabdomere distortion (yellow) in the eyes of flies expressing Tau. (CREDIT: Disease Models & Mechanisms) Mitochondriathe cells energy powerhousesalso seem to struggle in glial cells affected by neurodegenerative diseases. When these tiny organelles cant do their job, glial cells shift into a more reactive and damaging state. This has been shown in models of both Alzheimers and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). New Pathways for Alzheimers Therapies This new research brings hope. By showing that improving glucose uptake in glial cells can reduce inflammation and protect neurons, it opens a new door for Alzheimers therapies. Rather than targeting only tau buildup or beta-amyloid plaques, future treatments might help restore healthy metabolism in glial cells. Professor Andos work also suggests that this approach could be helpful in other diseases marked by neuroinflammation, like Parkinsons. Since these conditions also involve reactive glial cells and declining energy metabolism, fixing the energy supply may help control inflammation and slow brain damage. While this work was done in fruit flies, it sets the stage for further testing in larger animals and eventually in humans. The fact that these findings come from an in vivo model adds weight. It means the complex interactions between cell types and systems were preserved during the experiment. Enhanced glucose uptake of pigment glia suppresses tau-induced neurodegeneration. (CREDIT: Disease Models & Mechanisms) Looking Ahead As researchers continue to explore the brains many layers, the role of glial cells is becoming clearer. These cells dont just support neuronsthey actively shape the health of the entire nervous system. When their energy supply fails, they can turn from helpers to threats. The study highlights the importance of looking beyond neurons when trying to treat diseases like Alzheimers. By focusing on how glial cells process glucose, scientists may be able to develop new ways to reduce inflammation, protect brain cells, and improve life for millions of people. New therapies wont come overnight, but every discovery like this brings us one step closer. Understanding how glia, energy, and inflammation connect may help build the treatments that Alzheimers patientsand their familiesso urgently need. Research findings are available online in the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms. Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News' newsletter. Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington DC, on Wednesday. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Donald Trump would not rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland, the worlds largest island and an autonomous territory within Denmark, a fellow Nato member with the US. Since taking office, the US president has repeatedly expressed the idea of US expansion into Greenland, triggering widespread condemnation and unease both on the island itself and in the global diplomatic community. Greenland is seen as strategically important both for defense and as a future source of mineral wealth. In an interview on NBCs Meet The Press on Sunday, Trump was asked whether he would rule out using force against the territory. Related: Danish PM tells US you cannot annex another country on visit to Greenland I dont rule it out. I dont say Im going to do it, but I dont rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which well take care of, and well cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security, Trump said. The exchange came as part of wide-ranging interview following Trumps first 100-days in office last week and he was also asked about the idea of using military force against Canada an idea once unthinkable but now a subject of speculation amid Trumps repeated assertion he would like to make Canada the USs 51st state. Its highly unlikely. I dont see it with Canada. I just dont see it, I have to be honest with you, Trump said. Trump said he had spoke with Canadas new prime minister, Mark Carney, and confirmed that the pair had not spoken about making his country part of the US. But he said they could discuss the topic when Carney visits Washington DC this week or next week. Carney, along with around 90% of Canadians, oppose the idea of folding Canada into the US. But Trump said he was open to a discussion. Ill always talk about that. You know why? We subsidize Canada to the tune of $200bn a year, Trump said. We dont need their cars. In fact, we dont want their cars. We dont need their energy. We dont even want their energy. We have more than they do. We dont want their lumber. We have great lumber. All I have to do is free it up from the environmental lunatics. Related: Triumph for Carney: what happened in Canadas election, and what will it mean? Trump said that if Canada was part of the US it wouldnt cost us. It would be great it would be a cherished state. And, if you look at our map, if you look at the geography Im a real estate guy at heart. When I look down at that without that artificial line that was drawn with a ruler many years ago was just an artificial line, goes straight across. You dont even realize. What a beautiful country it would be, he added. A poll published last month found that 68% of Americans believe Trump is serious about the US trying to take over Greenland, and 53% think Trump is serious when he talks about the US trying to take control of Canada. But the survey, commissioned by ABC News found that respondents didnt think either annexation would be a good idea. About 86% said they opposed the US trying to take control of Canada, and 76% opposed trying to take control of Greenland. The Panama Canal has spent the past few years battling extreme weather, with the El Nino phenomenon and severe drought leading to a water-level crisis. Now, its President Trumps trade war that is threatening the global trade gateway. A critical passage for U.S. East Coast bound ocean freight container traffic, the Panama Canal is facing a potential business slump as a result of Trumps China tariffs and a rapid decline in manufactured goods being ordered by U.S. shippers. Forty percent of all U.S. container traffic travels through the Panama Canal every year, and in all, $270 billion in cargo annually. The U.S. and China are the top users of the Panama Canal, and its role in global shipping has increased in recent years due to the disruption of global supply chains. The Panama Canal Authoritys revenue hit $3.38 billion last year, despite drought conditions, and revenue has increased every year since 2017. More from CNBC The trade war uncertainty and Trumps 145% tariff on Chinese goods which will start to hit goods arriving from China to U.S. ports on May 27 based on the four to six weeks it takes for ocean freight to reach the U.S. from Asia has already resulted in a massive pause on U.S. imports bound from China. According to data from supply chain intelligence firm Project44, there has been a 300% increase in blank sailings (cancelled freight vessels) from China to the United States since Trumps so-called Liberation Day tariffs announcement on April 2. West Coast ports in the U.S. are already being hit and the impact on East Coast ports is expected to increase, with the pullback in vessels a result of the decrease in manufacturing orders for Chinese factories: less products manufactured translates into less shipping containers for ocean carriers. A Panama Canal worker docks the Chinese container ship Cosco at the Panama Canals' Cocoli locks in Panama City in 2018. For the Asia to North America East Coast trade route, Sea-Intelligence has recorded a cumulative blanked capacity of 261,822 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs.) over the last six weeks. This decrease in containers and vessels can impact Panama Canal revenue. The Panama Canal makes its money off of the number of vessel transits and containers moving through the waterway. Since close to 75% of our cargo goes to or from the United States, any recession worldwide or in the United States will impact somehow the Panama Canal, said Boris Moreno, vice president of operations for the Panama Canal Authority. Thats for sure. One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the canal has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent years in the battle for global supremacy between the U.S. and China. Trump has claimed the canals key ports are being controlled by China and has threatened to reassert U.S. control over the canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates. China, along with government of Panama, have denied those claims. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth both visited with Panamanian government officials in recent months. I think that Panama over the last five years has inched closer and closer to China and away from the United States, Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola said in an interview with CNBC earlier this year. Ive seen China and Brazil take away $20 billion with direct contracts. We definitely need to at least have a game there. Ricaurte Vasquez, administrator for the Panama Canal Authority, tells CNBC that with the U.S. being the worlds largest economy, it is reviewing Trumps concerns. Whatever is said in Washington has repercussions all over, said Vasquez. We try to stay cool, calm and collected. He added, It is not true that we are run by Chinese. It is not true that we differentiate rates. It is not true that 38,000 people die in the construction of the Panama Canal. Everyone that wants to sail sails through the Panama Canal. And we are open to the world. That is the neutrality treaty. We have to remain open. In March, an investment group led by U.S. firm BlackRock announced it was trying to purchase two ports at either end of the canal, as well as about 40 others from Hong Kong based-CK Hutchison. The outcome of that deal remains unclear. by Daniele Frison The Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok has led the Thai Catholic Church with a focus on mission and inter-religious dialogue. He had promoted the foundation of the Thai Missionary Society - supported by PIME missionary Fr. Adriano Pelosin - closeness to the poor and openness to the Buddhist majority. He will be among the cardinal electors at the next Conclave. Rome (AsiaNews) - There are two main directions that have marked the compass of the teaching of Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, Archbishop emeritous of Bangkok, Thailand: the focus on the missionary Church and the promotion of dialogue with Buddhism (which about 95% of the population practices). Father Adriano Pelosin, a PIME missionary originally from Loreggia (Padua, Italy), who has been in Thailand since 1978, speaks about this to AsiaNews. We have been friends for over 40 years, and meeting him was providential for the growth of the Thai Missionary Society, which has sent priests to Cambodia, Laos, and Taiwan. Kovithavanij is one of the 133 cardinal electors who, starting from Wednesday, May 7, will participate in the Conclave in the Vatican to elect the new pope. He represents that periphery dear to Pope Francis, which has also been highlighted by the creation of cardinals from Asia. In fact, Bergoglio visited Thailand in November 2019, marking a historic visit after that of Saint John Paul II in 1984. It was at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Bangkok that hundreds of faithful participated in the Mass celebrated together with Cardinal Kovithavanij. Be assured that you are the present and the future of the Church and Thai society, Pope Francis said addressing the youth. Cardinal Kovithavanij, who turned 75 last June, was born in Ban Rak, Archdiocese of Bangkok, in 1949. He was trained at the Saint Joseph Seminary in Sampran and studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Urban University from 1970 for six years residing at the Urban College in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1976. He is the second cardinal in the history of the Thai Church, after his predecessor on the archiepiscopal chair of Bangkok, Michael Michai Kitbunchu. Last June, due to reaching the age limit as stipulated by the Code of Canon Law, Pope Francis accepted his resignation. At the same time, his role as president of the Thai Bishops Conference ended. Archbishop of the capital since 2009, he was created a cardinal by Bergoglio in 2015. Continuing to talk about the missionary institute, Father Adriano Pelosin adds that its foundation was also facilitated and desired by Cardinal Kovithavanij. It was established as an association of priests for the mission, dependent on the Archdiocese of Bangkok. He was very instrumental in the founding of this missionary institute, which was wanted by the Thai Bishops Conference already in 1986. Now, there are about twenty missionaries, mainly working in the north of Thailand, among the mountain tribes, he says. The Archbishop emeritous of Bangkok also helped provide a place for the missionary entity: the church dedicated to Saint Mark in Pathum Thani, a central region of Thailand. Many people in the slums know us: about 200 young people come to play and do activities at the church, he adds. Kovithavanij wanted every parish to have these activities. He was always close to me for anything; we spoke very openly. The magisterium of Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij is inevitably set in the Thai context, where the largest Catholic community resides in Bangkok, counting about 100,000 faithful. The dioceses are attentive to the Catholic faithful, the priests are very good, but they are not very open to evangelization, they struggle to open up to new communities, explains Pelosin. Im talking about the poor, Buddhists: this is certainly a cultural limit as well. This is the challenge of the Church in Thailand: to find ways to communicate the beauty of the incarnated faith, as Pope Francis taught us, through acts of goodness, mercy, hospitality, and openness toward the marginalized. Behind the skyscrapers of Bangkok, there are many poor people, miserable, slaves in every sense, he continues, who need to be looked at, seen, and considered. The Catholic Church has everything to offer, it lacks nothing, but it is closed in itself. Opening the doors: this is the challenge for the local Church. Kovithavanij received episcopal ordination on June 2, 2007, from his predecessor in Bangkok, Kitbunchu. As Metropolitan Archbishop of the capital, he participated in the Synod of Bishops in 2012: on that occasion, his intervention focused on the role of ecclesial communities in dialogue with Buddhist communities. He has helped a lot in the development of evangelization, adds Father Adriano Pelosin, speaking of Cardinal Kovithavanij, whom he considers a great friend. He strongly urged diocesan priests to open new missions around their parishes, to reach out to Buddhists, especially the poor, always encountering many difficulties and challenges. As a promoter of dialogue with regions in Southeast Asia, the Archbishop emeritous has thus facilitated relations with the religious majority of his country. On the evening of April 29, the Thai Buddhist community commemorated the late Pope Francis with a memorial service at the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. This event confirmed the respect that exists between Catholics and Buddhists, which has grown over time and has undoubtedly been nurtured and facilitated by Kovithavanij; both groups participated in the ceremony, including high-ranking members of the Thai Catholic Church, such as Monsignor Vira Arpondratana, now Archbishop of Bangkok. Every time, he welcomed me with the warmth of an old friend, said Somdet Phra Maha Thirachan, abbot of the Yannawa temple, remembering Bergoglio. by E. Cabrera As the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik holds one of the most influential roles in the Roman Curia. His life journeyfrom a war-torn Korea to the corridors of the Vaticanoffers insight into the values, complexities, and vision shaping todays Asian Catholic leadership. (AsiaNews) When others see our joy as Christians, they too are infected with this joy, affirms Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik in a 2023 book recounting his journey from a non-Catholic family in Daejeon, South Korea, to a corner office overlooking St Peters dome at the head of the Vatican department in charge of clergy throughout the Catholic church. Nicknamed the smiling cardinal for his cheerful disposition, Lazarus You Heung-sik's early life was instead marked by hardship. Born on November 17, 1951, in Nonsan, South Korea, during the Korean War, his father disappeared during the conflict, leaving the young Lazarus to grow up in a single-parent household. At sixteen, he became the first in his family to convert to Catholicism, inspired by the example of early Korean martyrs like St. Andrew Kim. His conversion would later influence his entire family to join the Church. Encouraged by religious sisters to pursue the priesthood, he began seminary formation at 18. You was initially disillusioned with seminary life but a transformative experience with the Focolare Movement reinvigorated his vocation. This was further strengthened by his experience of military service near the North Korean border, which taught him how faith can thrive even in adversity, leading others to Christ through small acts of love and the power of the Word. After earning a degree in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Lateran University, he was ordained in 1979 for the Diocese of Daejeon. Over the next two decades, he served in diverse rolesfrom education center director to rector of the Daejeon seminarybefore being appointed bishop in 2005. From Daejeon to Rome: A Life Formed in Faith and Resilience Cardinal Yous rise in the Church hierarchy was marked by both his pastoral sensitivity and intellectual formation. Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Daejeon in 2003 by Pope John Paul II, he became diocesan bishop two years later. As bishop, he gained national recognition for his work with youth, martyrs causes, and migration issues. From 2004 to 2008, he led Caritas Korea, making four visits to North Koreaa bold gesture that would later draw both admiration and criticism. His role on the international stage expanded when, in 2014 he welcomed Pope Francis during his apostolic journey to South Korea on the occasion of the sixth Asian Youth Day. Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy in 2021, succeeding Cardinal Beniamino Stella. In August 2022, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals, becoming the first Korean to head a major Vatican dicastery. Priestly Formation and Reform: A Central Concern A consistent theme in Cardinal Yous work is the formation of priests. Drawing on his years as a seminary rector, he emphasizes the need for clergy to be humanly, spiritually and intellectually mature. He believes that a renewed priesthood must focus not only on theological rigor but on emotional intelligence, community living, and the witness of daily life. He has also expressed strong support for priestly celibacy, rejecting suggestions that the ordination of married men is a solution to the vocations crisis. If that were the case, he noted, then the Orthodox Churches would be flourishing. But thats not the reality. Instead, he calls upon families and laypeople to foster vocations in their homes. Under Cardinal Yous episcopacy, the Diocese of Daejeon experienced significant growth. Between 2006 and 2021, the number of diocesan priests increased from 216 to 373, and the number of parishes rose from 107 to 143. His efforts extended beyond national borderspriests from his diocese were sent to mission territories such as Mongolia, Taiwan, and Japan. This reflects a broader trend in the Korean Church, which has become increasingly influential in global Catholicism. In this light, Yous appointment to the Curia and the cardinalate marks a recognition of the Church in Asia as a vital source of renewal and leadership. Diplomatic Sensitivities: North Korea and China Cardinal You has expressed his support for Vatican diplomatic engagement with communist governments, especially North Korea and China. While many criticized the Holy Sees accord with Beijing over episcopal appointments, Cardinal You has spoken of the agreement as a long-desired outcome supported by Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. During his term at the helm of Caritas Korea he has visited Pyongyang, and has even expressed openness to a papal visit to North Korea. His desire for peace on the peninsula has been a constant of his pastoral ministry. His approach, however, has earned him criticism among some South Korean Catholics for failing to criticize the North Korean regime's human rights abuses. A Quiet Reformer with a Synodal Vision Though not overtly outspoken on controversial issues, Cardinal You supports Pope Francis vision of a synodal Church, one that emphasizes participation, listening, and decentralization. In his view, synodality means cooperation between laity and clergy. I am convinced that above all, the Church is and must be a family, where each one is a gift for the others: men and women, young and old, priests and laity, consecrated men and women. His leadership reflects a nuanced balance: progressive in style and pastoral approach, yet loyal to core Church teachings. His defense of traditional family structures, criticisms of aggressive Protestant evangelization in South Korea, and caution about nostalgia for traditionalism reveal a desire to navigate between extremes. He defends the priesthood as a gift, while warning against clericalism. The priest, he insists, must be a child of the community as well as a father. He stresses the need for priests to live a life that is not only sacramental but also authentically communal and humble. In response to the global clerical abuse crisis, Cardinal You has placed emphasis on prevention through formation. If we succeed in forming priests who are humanly, spiritually and intellectually mature, they will not use sexuality for pure pleasure; they will not abuse minors, he said in an interview with Vatican News. Cardinal You has warned against the Church being too focused on external and organizational aspects, observing that such focus can cause it to lose its flavor. Instead he has consistently urged the Church to listen to the times and meet the challenge of discovering new ways of evangelization, with a joy that compels and as it did a young boy in Nanson many years ago, to bring the Light of Christ beyond the Church out into the world. 4 May 2025 15:55 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more In recent years, the Russian government has repeatedly insisted that it seeks strong, cooperative relationships with its post-Soviet neighbors. Moscow claims to value mutual respect, shared history, and regional integration. Yet, its actions tell an entirely different story one rooted not in partnership but in punishment, discrimination, and strategic humiliation. Nowhere is this contradiction more stark than in the latest incident involving Azerbaijan. Earlier this week, an Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation was en route to Russias Astrakhan region to attend an annual commemoration of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijans national leader. The event, held with the full knowledge and formal invitation of the Russian side, was intended as a gesture of diplomatic respect. But the visit turned into an affront. Azr Badamov, a sitting member of Azerbaijans National Assembly and part of the delegation, was detained at a Moscow airport and denied entry into Russia with no explanation. Despite his diplomatic status and the official nature of the trip, Badamov was informed he was now barred from entering the Russian Federation. He had no prior warning. The move was deliberate, humiliating, and deeply insulting. This episode is not an isolated bureaucratic mishap. Rather, it fits a disturbing pattern in Russias treatment of its so-called partners in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), particularly those who dare to assert their sovereignty or challenge Moscows rhetoric. Under the surface of cooperative summits and symbolic gestures, Russia has been tightening the screws using diplomatic snubs, media propaganda, and even cyberattacks to assert dominance over its former republics. The decision to bar Azr Badamov, in particular, reeks of retaliation. His offense appears to be nothing more than expressing a principled objection to offensive comments made by Russian State Duma member Nikolai Valuev about the Azerbaijani people. Badamovs response was measured, professional, and devoid of personal insult. Still, Moscows response was petty and vindictive proof, perhaps, that respectful dissent is now enough to trigger blacklisting in Russia. This case follows a wider trend of growing racism and xenophobia in Russian political and social circles. Central Asian migrants, in particular, are facing rising levels of discrimination and violence. In recent months, there have been increasing reports of harassment and abuse directed at Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Kazakh nationals. Official statements from Russian politicians questioning Kazakhstans territorial integrity, or labeling migrant workers as threats to national identity, only pour fuel on the fire. But Azerbaijan occupies a uniquely precarious place in this dynamic. While Central Asian states are often targets of Russias racialized domestic anxieties, Azerbaijan faces both political suspicion and ethnic prejudice. Armenians Russias longstanding regional ally enjoy a different standard. Despite years of occupation and recent tensions in the South Caucasus, Armenian individuals and political interests continue to receive preferential treatment in Russia. Crimes and abuses are often glossed over. By contrast, Azerbaijanis are subject to suspicion and double standards. The double-dealing is not only infuriating, it is destabilizing. This latest affront comes on the heels of more serious grievances, including Russias failure to account for the downing of an Azerbaijani military aircraft an event still awaiting honest explanation, apology, or compensation. Moscows silence on that tragedy, coupled with a wave of verified cyberattacks targeting Azerbaijani institutions, suggests a systematic erosion of trust beneath the public veneer of alliance. Let us be clear: Azerbaijan has demonstrated diplomatic maturity in the face of these provocations. Even as a Russian Orthodox Church delegation led by Patriarch Kirill visited Baku and met with President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, expressing mutual respect and cultural harmony, unseen forces in Moscow were working to sour the very fabric of bilateral ties. The detention of Badamov was not just an insult to a lawmaker it was a message, and not a constructive one. Some will argue that these tensions are part of a broader Russian strategy: keeping its neighbors insecure, divided, and dependent. If that is indeed the plan, it is short-sighted. Alienating partners who have chosen strategic alignment over hostility is no way to ensure influence. Todays humiliation sows tomorrows resentment. And Azerbaijan, a country with its own national dignity and strategic weight, is unlikely to forget these transgressions. So, what does Russia want? The question now hangs over the entire post-Soviet space. Is it seeking new enemies? Testing its limits? Or simply losing control of its foreign policy to hardliners and nationalists? Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: Azerbaijan deserves better than this. So does every other nation still clinging to the hope that Russia can act like a true regional partner. In diplomacy, as in life, actions speak louder than words. And Russias actions are making its words ring hollow. If Moscow wants respect, it must start by giving it. If it wants cooperation, it must stop sowing mistrust. And if it truly seeks a stable Eurasian future, it must abandon this dangerous habit of turning friends into adversaries. Because in this game of humiliation and coercion, it is not just Azerbaijan that stands to lose it is Russias own credibility as a serious international actor. And that, in the end, is a price far too high for any nation to afford. 4 May 2025 13:45 (UTC+04:00) An event titled Western Azerbaijan: Deportation and Historical Justice was held in Bakus Nasimi district, jointly organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community, the Nasimi District Executive Authority, the New Azerbaijan Partys (YAP) Nasimi District Organization, and the District Council of Elders. According to Azernews, the event brought together leaders of the organizing bodies along with community members originally from Western Azerbaijan. Participants began by viewing an exhibition showcasing the national and spiritual heritage of Western Azerbaijan. The event proceeded with a moment of silence in memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity, followed by the performance of the national anthem. Zahid Khalilov, acting head of the Nasimi District Executive Authority, and Azar Suleymanov, chairman of the YAP Nasimi District Organization, spoke about the significance of the event. Chairman of the Management Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community and member of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly), Aziz Alekberli, emphasized that the return of Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands in Western Azerbaijan is a historical necessity. He also provided detailed information about the wise, strategic, and resolute policy led by victorious Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev in this direction. Distinguished scientist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vagif Shadlinski, who also chairs the District Council of Elders; head of the Womens Council of the Western Azerbaijan Community and MP Melahat Ibrahimqizi; and Deputy Chairman of the Communitys Board and MP Hikmat Baboglu also addressed the audience, underlining the importance of the event. The gathering concluded with performances by folk musicians and dance ensembles originally from Western Azerbaijan. 4 May 2025 12:10 (UTC+04:00) Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, has sent a letter of condolence to Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (TBMM), Numan Kurtulmus, following the passing of TBMM Deputy Speaker Srr Sureyya Onder, Azernews reports. According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis, the letter conveys Gafarovas deep sympathies to the late deputy speakers family, loved ones, and members of the Turkish Parliament. In the message, Gafarova expressed her condolences both personally and on behalf of the deputies of the Milli Majlis, offering prayers for mercy and peace for the deceased. 4 May 2025 14:10 (UTC+04:00) On May 3rd, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and head and founder of IDEA Public Union, and Arzu Aliyeva, head of Baku Media Center along with their family members, continued their visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, exploring the Ordubad district and surrounding areas. The second day of their tour focused on immersing themselves in the region's heritage, renowned for its ancient history, rich culture, and unique landscapes. Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva began their day at the Ashabi-Kahf shrine, a site of profound spiritual and symbolic significance for Nakhchivan. They explored "Damjikhana" and other sacred areas within the site, chatted with local pilgrims, and posed for photos. Next, they traveled to the city of Ordubad, where they visited historical, religious, and cultural landmarks. Their first stop was the Juma Mosque, an iconic symbol of Ordubad. They then visited the " Geysariyya" History and Ethnography Museum, viewing exhibits that showcased Ordubad's history, cultural heritage, and traditions of craftsmanship. The tour continued with a visit to cultural monuments on Sersheher Street, including the historically significant Sersheher Mosque. Later, at the organic market in Sersheher Square, they were presented with a variety of Ordubad's distinctive local products: national sweets, jams, dried fruits, plant extracts, medicinal herbs, honey, and other bee products. The famous Ordubad scrambled eggs and the regions renowned lemons were also featured. The ancient plane tree in the square, a centuries-old landmark, was highlighted as a symbol of the enduring connection between nature and history in Ordubad. During their walk, they enjoyed meeting and photographing with local residents. Finally, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva visited the Akbarov family in the village of Vanand, Ordubad district. They toured the family's small lemon-growing farm, learning firsthand about the cultivation of the prized Ordubad lemon, nurtured with dedicated care. 4 May 2025 15:25 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized Russias decision to deny entry to a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Azr Badamov, during an official visit to the Russian city of Astrakhan, Azernews reports. In response to media inquiries, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada confirmed the incident, describing it as an "unfriendly act" and demanded a clear explanation from Russian authorities. According to Hajizada, the Azerbaijani delegation which included MP Badamov was traveling to Astrakhan to participate in commemorative events marking the 102nd birthday of Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The visit was organized at the invitation of the Vice-Governor and Head of Government of Astrakhan Oblast, Denis Afanasyev. Despite the delegations official status and pre-arranged schedule, Russian authorities detained Badamov upon arrival at a Moscow airport. He was not permitted to board the connecting flight to Astrakhan and was subsequently informed that he was barred from entering the Russian Federation. No prior warning or notification had been issued. "MP Azr Badamov was held at the airport for a period of time and then sent back to Baku," Hajizada noted. In response, Azerbaijans Embassy in Moscow immediately contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek clarification. While Russian officials acknowledged the issue and promised an investigation, they did not provide any explanation for the decision. "We view this decision by the Russian side as an unfriendly step," Hajizada stated. "We expect a comprehensive and credible explanation from the Russian Federation." The incident has added strain to Azerbaijan-Russia relations at a time when regional tensions remain sensitive. While both sides have pledged continued cooperation, the Azerbaijani government has made it clear that such incidents cannot be overlooked. 4 May 2025 21:42 (UTC+04:00) Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva together with Arzu Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center, visited the DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Center to observe the creative activities of individuals from vulnerable social groups. Established in 2021 on the initiative of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the Center is recognized as the first and largest inclusive creative development space in the South Caucasus. Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev briefed the guests on the Center's activities. He noted that the Center organizes training and workshops for people with disabilities, members of martyrs families, and others from socially vulnerable groups. Beneficiaries also receive social and psychological rehabilitation support. Since its inception, the Center has hosted over 120 events. More than 700 people have benefited from services provided by the main Center and its branches, known as DOST Evi, located in Ismayilli and Barda. Currently, around 200 individuals are engaged in various training programs aimed at developing personal and professional skills. The Minister emphasized that artworks created by beneficiaries have been showcased at several international exhibitions, including in the "Art Pavilion" of the Green Zone at COP29, attracting significant attention. Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva toured the Center to observe beneficiaries and instructors engaged in pottery, carpet weaving, and visual arts. A special composition, prepared by a trainer with disabilities and inspired by traditional Iravan and Karabakh Chelabi carpet designs, was displayed in honor of Carpet Makers' Day on May 5. They also enjoyed performances by children from Social Service Institution No. 2 for persons under 18 with disabilities, as well as an inclusive concert by the Center's trainers and beneficiaries. The visit concluded with a tree-planting event in the Centers courtyard with participation from IDEA volunteers. 4 May 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Pakistan on Saturday successfully carried out a training launch of its surface-to-surface Abdali weapon system, the military said, as part of an ongoing military exercise aimed at assessing operational preparedness and technological capabilities, Azernews reports, citing Tribune. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the missile has a range of 450 kilometres and was launched under the operational readiness exercise codenamed Indus. The launch was observed by senior officials from the Army Strategic Forces Command, Strategic Plans Division, and Pakistans strategic scientific community. The test aimed to validate the systems upgraded navigation technology and enhanced manoeuvrability. According to ISPR, the weapon system demonstrated precision targeting and stable flight performance, meeting all mission objectives. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and chiefs of Pakistans armed forces congratulated the personnel involved. They expressed full confidence in the countrys strategic deterrence capabilities and praised the technical expertise of the engineers and scientists who contributed to the project. The Abdali missile system forms a key component of Pakistans conventional and strategic arsenal, designed for rapid deployment and high accuracy against ground targets. 4 May 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that F-16 fighter jets are already in Ukraine, with more expected to arrive soon, following a meeting focused on the development of the country's military aircraft fleet, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak. We discussed all the key issues: the F-16s that are already in Ukraine, the F-16s we expect in the near future, and the systemic solutions that will help us prepare and use our military aviation more effectively, Zelenskyy said in a statement on X. He expressed gratitude to all partners contributing to Ukraine's capabilities in the skies. Facing Russian advances, Ukraine has repeatedly pressed Western allies to supply it with advanced weapons including long-range missiles and F-16 fighters. Ukraine's Air Force received the last batch of F-16 fighter jets in March. 4 May 2025 18:05 (UTC+04:00) Malaysias Foreign Minister Dato Seri Mohamad Hasan has expressed support for Islamabads stance during a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Azernews reports. According to a statement issued by Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar briefed the Malaysian minister on recent developments in the region, strongly rejecting what he described as Indias provocative actions, including its unfounded claims, inflammatory propaganda, and its unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Dar emphasized that Indias actions constituted a direct violation of the treatys provisions and of international legal obligations. He reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to regional peace and security while underlining its right to safeguard its sovereignty and national interests. In response, the Malaysian Foreign Minister reiterated his countrys support for Pakistans position and urged all parties to exercise restraint. Both ministers agreed to maintain close communication as the situation develops. 4 May 2025 21:50 (UTC+04:00) China and Japan accused each other on Saturday of violating their territorial airspace over disputed islets, with Tokyo formalizing its protest by summoning the Chinese envoy and asking that such an incident not occur again, Azernews reports. However, Beijing claimed that a Japanese civilian aircraft "illegally entered China's airspace" over the islets, prompting a coastguard ship to send a helicopter to send it away, according to multiple media reports. Four Chinese Coast Guard ships entered the Senkaku, also known as the Diaoyu by Beijing, the disputed islets' territorial waters, and launched a helicopter into the islets' airspace, said a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Japanese Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Masaaki Kanai summoned the Chinese embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission to express "strong protest" and "strongly urged" recurrence of such actions, it said. In response, China's Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Liu Dejun said the vessels were there for a routine patrol "in accordance with the law" and that a Japanese civilian aircraft "illegally entered China's airspace" over the islets, prompting them to dispatch a helicopter to remove it, according to the state-run media Global Times. The Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islets are China's inherent territory. We urge the Japanese side to immediately cease all illegal activities, the spokesman was quoted by the daily as saying. The China Coast Guard will continue to conduct rights protection and law enforcement operations in the waters and airspace of Diaoyu Dao to firmly safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. 4 May 2025 22:55 (UTC+04:00) Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi issued a decree on Saturday appointing Salem bin Buraik as the country's new prime minister, replacing Ahmed bin Mubarak, who announced his resignation earlier in the day, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak. According to the official Saba News Agency, the decree was issued by the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the first article says Salem bin Buraik will be appointed prime minister. The second article of the decree states that the members of the government shall continue to do their jobs in accordance with the decision about their appointment. Earlier in the day, bin Mubarak announced his resignation, citing repeated obstructions that prevented him from exercising his constitutional authority. Mubarak explained that he had faced many challenges during his tenure, most notably being denied the ability to exercise my constitutional powers in making necessary decisions to reform several state institutions, as well as being prevented from carrying out the overdue cabinet reshuffle. The resignation comes amid a worsening economic crisis in Yemen. The Yemeni rial is experiencing an unprecedented collapse, deepening the suffering of citizens in a country the United Nations has described as facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Yemeni government has said it is struggling with a severe financial shortfall due to the ongoing halt of oil exports, which has been in place since October 2022 following Houthi attacks on oil facilities. The Houthi group has tied the resumption of exports to an agreement on how revenues would be distributed and used to pay public sector salaries nationwide. Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country from the internationally recognized government. 4 May 2025 23:30 (UTC+04:00) The Sri Lankan government will deploy around 65,000 police officers to maintain order during the upcoming local government elections, said a police spokesman on Sunday, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua. Buddhika Manatunga told reporters that military personnel will also be mobilized as needed for the elections, which are scheduled for May 6. Manatunga emphasized strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating election laws, noting that the police are working closely with the Elections Commission and election monitors. The elections will select members for 339 local government bodies across the country, and polling will begin at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. local time on May 6. A total of 17,156,338 people are eligible to vote, and 75,589 candidates from various political parties and independent groups are contesting in this year's local government elections. Regarding the recent Israel /Iran Conflict (the "12 Day War"), culminating in the United States Air Force employing seven B2 Bombers to complete a 33 hour flight, dropping 14 fifteen ton bunker busting bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities buried deep under mountain rock, which destroyed Iran's nuclear ambitions against Israel and the United States: Should President Trump have unilaterally made the decision to make such a bold decision to conduct this operation, without first running this prospective operation before the US Congress for their approval? 14.29% No, The War Powers Act prohibitions, which requires NO presidential military action without congressional approval.85.71% Yes, the President has Article 2 Constitutional authority to take unilateral military action to protect the American People, providing he does not break congressional codes, which he did not.0% Don't care, never have. If the rabid ideologues among the Obama and Biden district court judges will pay attention, a new ruling by the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia may bring the current judicial insurrection by the Obama and Biden judges to a screeching halt. These partisan district court judges are wantonly disrespecting the Rule of Law and the Separation of Powers by issuing a flood of politically motivated orders to attack the policies of the Trump administration. The US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit has ruled on an entire group of cases against the Trump administration and told district court judges that they, too, must obey the law. The appeals court ruled that the district court judges did not even have jurisdiction of the subject matter of many of their rulings, pointing out that personnel matters had to go to one specialized court and issues on grants to another. The district courts do not have the jurisdiction to take up either type of case. The appellate court also told the district judges that they could not waive the civil bonds required if they issued a restraining order or preliminary injunction against the government or its agencies. In an earlier case, the same circuit court of appeals ruled that the infamous Obama Judge Boasberg did not have jurisdiction in his rulings on illegal alien deportation flights. Our judicial system is in a real mess when appellate courts have to tell lower courts that the law applies to them, too, and they cannot just make whatever ruling they like just because it fits their political agenda. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cadc.41991/gov.uscourts.cadc.41991.01208736131.0.pdf https://redstate.com/smoosieq/2025/05/03/wow-dc-circuit-hands-trump-administration-a-huge-win-that-will-have-far-reaching-implications-n2188653 The arrogant, out of control Obama and Biden judges are rapidly destroying the credibility and reputation of our federal courts. It is good to see the adults finally stepping in, but the real question is where the SCOTUS under its cowardly Chief Justice Roberts been to slap down the judicial coup d'etat? They have been missing in action. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/05/05/none_dare_call_it_treason_of_the_judiciary__152746.html And here is the latest insanity from a Biden judge in Massachusetts. A far left domestic terrorist who firebombed a Tesla dealership doing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage for political reasons has been released from jail pending trial and allowed to go home by the Biden judge on the grounds that he/she could not get transgender cross-sex hormones in jail! https://nypost.com/2025/05/01/opinion/yet-another-woke-judge-goes-lawless-in-move-against-trump/ Retired teacher Fred in a class of his own Sunday Life Spirit of NI winner still giving up time for young people despite officially retiring Fred Brown David O'Dornan Sun 4 May 2025 at 11:00 Award-winning teacher Fred Brown is supposed to be enjoying his retirement, but he loves the job so much he still works part-time. The vessel had run aground in shallow water A baby and a dog and two adults have been rescued after their boat ran aground while sailing on an NI lake on Sunday. Following a call from Belfast Coastguard, an RNLI in-shore lifeboat was launched from Carrybridge, Co Fermanagh shortly after 5.30pm. Reports indicated the boat had broken down approximately one mile north of Knockninny marina on Lough Erne. After the vessel was located in shallow water, two crew members swam to its position where they assessed the wellbeing of those on board. All were safe and wearing lifejackets. Read more Tributes paid after death of NI and Aston Villa legend Peter McParland The boat was in a safe condition, but as it had run aground, the RNLI requested the assistance of a marine recovery company to refloat the vessel. One of the adults, the baby and the dog were all transferred to the lifeboat to be returned to Carrybridge jetty, where they were met by a family member and the Lough Erne Coastguard Rescue Team. The marine recovery company was able to refloat the vessel, which continued on its journey unassisted. Stephen Scott, Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Carrybridge RNLI advised all boat users: With people making the most of the good weather we would advise all boat users before setting out on your journey to please plan your route ahead using the relevant charts for the area making sure to check the navigational marks on the water to those shown on your chart. "Have a means of calling for assistance if you find yourself in trouble and have lifejackets for all on board. "If you see someone or something in trouble on the water or are in difficulties yourself the number to dial is: 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Exclusive | Stormont told a judge that tarmacking 3,000 acres of farmland would be less polluting than the industrial farming it has encouraged The incidents are not being treated as terrorism-related (PA) A woman has died after she was one of four people injured in two collisions with a car in Rochdale on Saturday, Greater Manchester Police said. A 49-year-old male driver has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and remanded into custody, police said. The woman had been airlifted to hospital after she was hit by a car in Whitworth Road and three pedestrians, including a child, were injured in Woodgate Avenue, around two miles away. The incidents are not being treated as terrorism-related and are not related to a pre-planned Counter Terrorism Policing operation which saw a 40-year-old Iranian man arrested in Rochdale on Saturday evening. Emergency services were called to road traffic collisions involving a car and pedestrians at Woodgate Avenue and Whitworth Road at around 2.30pm on Saturday, police said. Those injured in Woodgate Avenue suffered minor injuries, and police said all three have been discharged from hospital following treatment. The driver was arrested on suspicion of assault and attempted murder, but has now been arrested on suspicion of murder. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the victim who has sadly lost their life in this tragic case. The actions of a single person have caused significant damage to the people of Rochdale. I want to take this opportunity to categorically confirm that this terrible incident is in no way related to the pre-planned Counter Terrorism arrests and searches that took place yesterday, part of which resulted in the arrest of a man in Rochdale on Saturday evening. We are aware of comments on social media about the drivers identity and ethnicity. The suspect is a white male currently in custody and no further details can be released at this time. I also want to reassure the public that ongoing efforts are being taken to ensure the safety of people in Rochdale and our Major Incident Team are conducting several lines of enquiry. Mr Webster said it was being treated as an isolated incident and roads have now reopened. He added: This incident caused significant disruption yesterday and I thank the public for their cooperation and understanding while our officers conducted their enquiries. We are committed to this investigation and have significant resources dedicated to it. To all those people affected by yesterdays tragic events, community solidarity and unity is vital in times like these and especially for the families and friends of those impacted by this incident. A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israels main international airport after the impact left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. The missile launch by Houthi rebels on Sunday set off air raid sirens in parts of Israel, and smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before senior Israeli cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the countrys military operations in the Gaza Strip, and as the army began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation in Gaza. Israeli security forces inspect the site (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The Israeli military said several attempts to intercept the missile were unsuccessful before it struck near the airport. It left a deep crater in the ground and a nearby road was littered with dirt. Fragments of missiles or interceptors have struck near the airport before, but this appeared to be the first time a missile had struck the airport since the war began. Police said air, road and rail traffic were halted after the attack. Traffic resumed after about an hour, Israel Airports Authority said. Paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Israeli media said multiple international airlines cancelled flights after the strike. The war with Hamas and then Hezbollah in Lebanon had led a wave of airlines to suspend flights to Israel but they have since returned to pre-war levels. Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. The rebels have been firing at Israel since the war with Gaza erupted on October 7 2023, and the missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated missile defence systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen, and the US, Israels top ally, also launched strikes against them in March. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the airport attack, saying: Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold. Israeli security forces inspect the site (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. Its not bang, bang and were done, but there will be bangs, he said in a video posted on social media. Mr Netanyahu, in a later statement, said Israel would respond to the Houthi attack and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters. An Israeli official said the influential security cabinet will meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting, and a military official said the country is calling up thousands of reserves. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a powerful expansion of the war, but did not disclose details. We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory, he said. He demanded that Israel bomb food and electricity supplies in Gaza. The plans to escalate fighting in Gaza come as a humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. As part of its efforts to pressure militant group Hamas to negotiate on Israels terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza, plunging the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. An eight-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought a lull in fighting and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Palestinian children queue for donated food in Khan Younis (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured swaths of the coastal enclave, and hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. At least seven Palestinians including two parents and their two children, aged two and four, were killed in Israeli air strikes in the southern and central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics said. The Israeli military said on Sunday that two soldiers had died in combat in Gaza, taking the total killed since fighting resumed in March to six. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel says 59 remain in Gaza, although roughly 35 are said to be dead. Israels offensive has killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. The fighting has displaced more than 90% of Gazas population, often multiple times. Hunger has been widespread and the shortage of food has set off looting. Lady Gaga performs during her free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro (Silvia Izquierdo/AP) Lady Gaga gave a free concert on Saturday night in front of at least a million fans who poured onto Rio de Janeiros Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. Tonight, were making history.. Thank you for making history with me, Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd in the Brazilian capital. The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 10.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Cries of joy rose from the crowds of tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the beachs vast stretch of sand. Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of costumes, including a dress with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Some fans many of them young arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. Fans cheer as they watch Lady Gagas free concert on Copacabana beach (Bruna Prado/AP) Today is the best day of my life, said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. Its surreal to be here. Madonna turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year with her own free show at the iconic stretch of seaside. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint Johns Day celebrations in June. It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population, said Osmar Lima, the citys secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Halls tourism department last month. Rios City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gagas concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (some 79.5 million) into Rios economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Rios metro employees danced to Lady Gagas 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video to commuters. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rios City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Lady Gaga in 2017 cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues (Silvia Izquierdo/AP) Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. Ive been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life, she said while wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gagas outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents total freedom of expression being who one wants without shame. Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonnas show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a New Years Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Rio states security plan included the presence of 3,300 military and 1,500 police officers, and 400 military firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017, when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. Shes the best artist in the world, the 25-year-old said, as chants of Gaga, I love you in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him. Like the average Belfast citizen, Im more concerned about bin day than whataboutery Endless orange and green battles disguise the fact we have a lot more in common than we think Kneecap have been at the centre of controversy Bronagh Diamond Sun 4 May 2025 at 15:00 Ive been thinking about the media in todays interconnected world, and how news stories offer a window into the heart of any nation, shaping how societies view themselves and how they are perceived by others. Movie review: Theres more brawn than brains in Brad Pitts new film action sequences are stunning but its a pity about the dull script Loyalists salute Mackers as real brigadier of East Belfast UVF at boozy bash to celebrate Pitt Park verdict Deposed East Belfast UVF leader hits pub with pals and supporters after walking free Stephen 'Mackers' Matthews Ciaran Barnes Sun 4 May 2025 at 08:53 Supporters of loyalist Stephen Mackers Matthews have crowned him the real brigadier after he was cleared of taking part in a UVF show of strength. Spain murder victims criminal associates blamed for attacks A blast bomb found in the Rathcoole estate similar to the one left at the home of Jonny Smyth's mum The mother of the man accused of murdering John George was the target of a pipe bomb attack by a criminal gang. A device was discovered outside Dawn Smyths home in the Ballyclare countryside just hours after a similar explosive package was placed near a property in the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey. One of the most traumatic experiences of my life: BBC hosts wife tells how she was duped by King Con Notorious conman stole significant sum from ex-investment banker after convincing her to hand over account details Kathy Weeks and Matthew Syed Ciaran Barnes Sun 4 May 2025 at 08:51 A victim of millionaire fraudster Jay Cartmill has told of how being scammed by the criminal known as King Con was one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. Alexander Skarsgard felt "embarrassed" as a teenager when his dad would walk around naked. Alexander Skarsgard felt 'embarrassed' as a teenager when his dad would walk around naked The 48-year-old actor is the son of 'Mamma Mia!' star Stellan Skarsgard and admitted that while he grew up in a "very artistic household", he started to develop "insecurities" about the open nature of it all once he reached adolescence. He told The Times: "It was a very artistic household with lots of big dinner parties, lots of wine flowing. My dad was embarrassing because he wasnt like my friends dads. "Hed walk around naked all the time, and thered be weird poets and artists everywhere. Today it sounds super-inspiring and fun and creative, and when I look back it was incredible in many ways we as kids were treated as equals. "Youd be four and sitting with the adults and theyd be listening to you, saying, All right, well, I dont quite agree with that, which Im grateful for. "But when I became a teenager and friends came over, insecurities set in. My dream was for [my dad] to drive a Saab and wear a grey suit and leave at nine and come home at five, not running around with a bunch of hippies and being out all night. "They came to say hi or to get an autograph, but it made me paranoid and very insecure. I didnt like it at all." The former 'True Blood' star dabbled in acting himself as a child but quit when he turned 13, and returned to it when he reached adulthood. At 19, the Swedish-born star signed up to national service and joked it was all because he wanted to be like the next James Bond, although it wasn't quite like the glamour seen in the Hollywood film series. He said: "Now its mandatory, but it wasnt then and I didnt do it for patriotic reasons to defend my country, to keep the Russians from invading Sweden, because that wasnt even on the radar at the time. I did it because I was 19, I didnt know what I wanted to do and I wanted to be James Bond for 18 months.. "Definitely less champagne and models. "It was quite bleak. But it was also a really good experience for me because I was a team leader, and when we were out on missions it was mostly me and three other guys, which was a lot of responsibility for an idiot teenager. So I had to grow up a bit." Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter CHESHIRE Sadie Jean Sworzen is not your average toddler. She's a champion. On April 27, the 3-year-old competed in the East Coast USA pageant in Trumbull, Conn., and was crowned Miss Massachusetts Wee Toddler. Its a lot of fun, Sadies mother, Stephanie Whitney, said on Sunday at her home in Cheshire. [Sadie] has always been older than she is. Shes 3 and she already knows how to spell her name. Sadie will now represent Massachusetts in the East Coast USA Internationals. The competition will be held in New Brunswick, N.J., from July 24-27. Whitney noticed early in her daughter's life that she likes making people laugh and that she had a strong stage presence. She eats it up, Whitney said. She loves it. She just makes friends so easily. On Sunday, Sadie was playing with stickers and was seen showing off her tricks featuring dance moves and somersaults. She also had a box with her Miss Massachusetts crown, sash and pins. She had a beaming smile and a cute bow on her head. Sadie is involved in a dance program and cheers for Top Tier Elite in Adams. Being around other kids has been great for Sadie. She was very happy when her friends won, Whitney said. She just loves being helpful. I felt like I had to do something, and the pageant was just perfect for her. The day before the pageant, Sadie had a cheer competition. Whitney joked that she was exhausted, but loved it. Whitney runs Growing Patch Home Daycare at her home in Cheshire, and Sadie interacts with the kids in the program. When asked if Sadie gets her stage presence from her, Whitney jokingly said: Absolutely not. Its just her 100 percent, Whitney said. At the East Coast USA pageant, Sadie had to go through multiple categories that featured the star search, for which she scored a 9.7 out of 10. There was also the fun fashion and formal wear portion. I was kind of against it in the beginning because I [didnt] want her to feel like she had to be a beauty pageant where it's about your looks, Whitney said. Its more about your personality and how you appear on stage. Its been so supportive. Sadies favorite outfit was her Cinderella gown, which Whitney says she refused to take off. The competition featured contestants from Massachusetts and Connecticut. In just her second beauty pageant, Sadie won in five categories: best smile, best personality, most confident, best dressed and most congenial. When asked what her favorite part of doing a beauty pageant was, Sadie said, dancing on stage. Sadie was also crowned in her first competition in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Whitney says that her daughter has always been that smiley, giggly baby. I pray that the world doesnt take that from her, Whitney said. You see how dark the world is, and its so great to see a light in somebody. Moving forward, Whitney is not putting any pressure on her daughter to continue competing in pageants. If she doesn't want to do them anymore in the future, were just not gonna do it, Whitney said. Up next is the East Coast USA Internationals. The local community is supporting Sadie and has been making good luck pages for her. Weve had a few local businesses whove gone on and [made one], Whitney said. With four days and multiple activities planned, Whitney jokes that Sadie will have a lot more fun than I [will]. GREAT BARRINGTON Voters at annual town meeting on Saturday approved the spending of $3 million for a temporary bridge at Brookside Road. Residents approved the appropriation 281 to 23 for a temporary solution that will reopen the crossing over the Housatonic River that has been closed since May 2024. After nearly a year of study, town officials and engineers settled on a plan that would take a temporary bridge like the one currently at Division Street and "slide it through the existing bridge," said Department of Public Works Superintendent Joe Aberdale. "It appears doable," Aberdale said. The state will eventually replace the bridge, but it will take between eight to 10 years to do so. A number of residents who rely on the bridge, as well as the police and fire chiefs, say that is too long to wait. They said reopening the crossing is critical to safety and response times. Brookside resident Meredith Smyth said that when her 14-month-old son was having a seizure, she called 911. Dispatch told her to run across the closed bridge with her baby to meet an ambulance on the other side. Another neighborhood resident, Gregory Lipper, said that he had calculated that the cost of borrowing the $3 million for the bridge project would likely amount to a tax hit of no more than $10.95 per quarter for property owners. Voters also approved items including town and school budgets, and a second, all-weather police drone. This story will be updated. The attorneys for Stockbridge plan to file a motion at Berkshire Superior Court to dismiss a court filing by an attorney representing two neighbors of the development at the former DeSisto Estate because the town clerk was not notified ahead of the deadline required by state law. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Connie Britton wants to return to 'The White Lotus' - but only if it is filmed in Aspen. Connie Britton wants to return to The White Lotus The 58-year-old actress revealed she has been in talks with showrunner Mike White about reprising her season one role as tech boss Nicole Mossbacher for another instalment of the satirical anthology series, but admitted it isn't easy because of the needs of her 14-year-old son Eyob. She told Us Weekly magazine: I keep telling them, Listen, when youre ready to do 'White Lotus: Aspen', lets do it.' I can pull that off. I have talked for several years to Mike White about shooting another season of that show, which I would love to do. We shot that [first season] during COVID. So my son was able to go with me when we shot it. He would do COVID Zoom school starting at 5:00 a.m. from Hawaii. But that show now means you go spend six months in Thailand to shoot [a season]. Connie admitted taking that much time away from home is "not realistic" right now. She said: As much as I would love to do it. Its a whole thing. Ive definitely had to say no to [other jobs before]. The actress adopted Eyob as a single parent while starring in 'Nashville' and she admitted it was a "traumatising" time because she had thought she could continue to keep working as she had done before without realising how much her baby would need her. She said: I just went off to Nashville and started shooting the show, and I had this baby and I didnt even really know how to be a mother yet. It was kind of traumatising because I had no support system in Nashville, and I was working, you know, sometimes 15, 16, 17 hours a day, and it was a lot of work. "I realised that that was one of the things that still sticks out to me is when you first become a parent, the learning curve of, Oh, I need to think about things differently now and I need to make choices differently now because now I am thinking for a whole other person who cant think for themselves. A young Chinese student who drowned in the River Liffey just over a month after she had moved to Ireland may have been the victim of online fraud as well as being involved in a romantic relationship that ended, an inquest has heard. Haoyu Zhang (23) was pronounced dead at around 4am on January 18th, 2024, shortly after her body was recovered from the water at Inns Quay by a Dublin Fire Brigade rescue boat. Advertisement A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court last week heard evidence that a number of goodbye notes were found in the bedroom of Ms Zhangs lodgings in Dublin. The deceaseds father, Yanlei Zhang, who travelled to Ireland from China with his wife for the inquest, gave evidence that his daughter had arrived in Ireland at the start of December 2023. Mr Zhang said she had intended to stay in Ireland to do a postgraduate degree in Trinity College to help fulfil her ultimate ambition of becoming an English teacher back in China. He told the coroner, Clare Keane, that it was her first time ever to travel outside China and she was very excited about going to study in Ireland, although she had no friends or relatives here. Advertisement The inquest heard Ms Zhangs parents had regular contact with her via video chat two to three times per week. Every time we spoke, she appeared happy. She never appeared sad, said Mr Zhang. He added that she had never spoken about any worries and had no financial struggles. Mr Zhang explained that they sent her 1,000 every two weeks excluding money for rent and her tuition fees. He also confirmed that she had no issues with drugs or alcohol. Advertisement Mr Zhang said his daughter appeared normal and talked about plans for going for a walk and shopping during their last video call on January 13th, 2024. He also sent her a text on January 18th, 2024, to remind her to call her grandfather which went unreplied. The inquest heard the deceaseds parents also established their daughter had been in contact with other friends in China in the days before her death and had not raised any concerns with them. In reply to questions from the coroner, Mr Zhang confirmed that his daughter was able to swim. Advertisement The deceaseds landlady, Joan Meehan, said the student, who had asked to be called Claudia, was very happy but kept to herself a lot. Ms Meehan said she tried to encourage her to go out and meet friends but that she chose to stay in writing her journals most of the time. She told the inquest that Ms Zhang always went to her classes in the Centre of English Studies language school on Dame Street on time and would return straight afterwards to their home off the Navan Road. However, Ms Meehan said the student had her dinner in her room on January 17th, 2024, which was out of character for her and then did not eat it. Advertisement She recalled that Ms Zhang explained that she was not feeling well and would not go to school the next day. The witness said she checked on Ms Zhang in her room at about 8pm that evening and recalled that it appeared that the student had been crying even though she denied it when asked. Ms Meehan said she woke up at some stage later that night when it sounded like someone was leaving the house. The landlady said Ms Zhang was reported missing to gardai after she became worried when the young woman did not return home the following evening and the language school confirmed that she had not been in class. Ms Meehan said her husband, Paul, checked the students bedroom and found five notes on a desk, one of which was in English addressed to her which thanked her for being a lovely host. The couple were contacted later that evening at around 5pm who informed them they had found a body believed to be Ms Zhang. Another witness, Patrick Brien, told the inquest that he was walking along the River Liffey opposite Ushers Quay at around 2:55am on January 18th, 2022, when he saw a red jacket in the water. Mr Brien said he alerted emergency services after he was looking at the object for about five minutes before he realised that it was not just a jacket. Garda Conor Hearns told the coroner that the river was high and fast flowing on the night while conditions were freezing. Garda Hearns said gardai conducting a search along the Liffey quays for evidence of how Ms Zhang got in the water were slipping on icy footpaths. He gave evidence that Ms Zhangs goodbye letters in Chinese indicated that she had been in a romantic relationship that had ended. Garda Hearns said it seemed that the deceased had a desire to start a family with this person but was upset she may have made him unhappy. He also revealed that an examination of Ms Zhangs devices revealed that she may have been a victim of some fraud in the days before her death which was the subject of a separate ongoing investigation by the Garda cybercrime unit. However, Garda Hearns said the potential offence had occurred outside Ireland and the case had not identified any person of interest in relation to Ms Zhangs death. He confirmed that gardai were satisfied that there was nothing suspicious about her death. Garda Hearns said an extensive search of CCTV cameras located between Ms Zhangs lodgings and the Liffey quays had been unable to trace any of her movements that night. The coroner noted that a postmortem showed the victim had died as a result of drowning. Recording an open verdict, Dr Keane explained that while there was evidence about the goodbye letters and Ms Zhang being upset, there needed to be proof beyond reasonable doubt about the deceaseds intention to return a verdict of suicide. The coroner said the open verdict reflected the fact that not all the details of her death were known and she could not discount the possibility that Ms Zhang had slipped into the river. Offering her condolences to the students parents, Dr Keane remarked: It is tragic to see her dreams cut short in this manner and your dreams for her. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. You can also freephone the national Bereavement Support Line run by the HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation at 1800-80 70 77 (Monday-Friday 10am-1pm), and the contact information for a range of mental health supports is available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support/. In the case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 999/112. A Co Clare-based direct provision firm, which has received millions of euro in State payments for housing International Protection (IP) applicants, has been ordered to pay 7,000 compensation to a Romanian worker who was racially abused by a colleague. This follows Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator, Una Glazier-Farmer, ordering James White & Company UC trading as The King Thomond Hotel in the north Clare town of Lisdoonvarna to pay 7,000 to Konsuela Daradics after she was discriminated against and subjected to harassment on the grounds of race by a colleague in staff accommodation. Advertisement James White & Co UC was at the centre of controversy in 2018 when IP applicants first arrived in Lisdoonvarna. A local poll at the time showed that 197 voted no to a direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna with only 15 voting 'yes' and subsequent to the vote James White & Co entered a State contract to operate a direct provision centre at the King Thomond Hotel. Figures published by the Dept of Integration show that the company received 11.39 million (incl VAT) from 2018 to the end of 2022 for accommodating IP applicants in Lisdoonvarna. In October 2021, the company re-registered to unlimited status where it is no longer required to file its annual profits to the Companies Office. Advertisement In the case before the WRC, Ms Daradics lived in staff accommodation provided by the company for over one year and she had a good relationship with the other residents, until another employee, an Irish man, moved in. Ms Daradics told the hearing that he was intoxicated at least every second day and around June 30th, 2024, he allegedly shouted at her, saying, Go back to your f**king country, you f**king Romanians. In her findings, Ms Glazier Farmer stated that the incident of racial harassment experienced by Ms Daradics in a setting where she was entitled to feel safe and secure, is unacceptable. Ms Glazier Farmer stated that it was Ms Daradicss unchallenged evidence that the workplace and associated staff accommodation comprised individuals of various nationalities, and that relations among staff were generally positive. Advertisement However, Ms Glazier Farmer stated that the firm failed to provide adequate training or to communicate effective policies and procedures in respect of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. She said that this failure extended not only to the workplace but also to the staff accommodation, which was under the companys direct control and formed part of Ms Daradicss terms and conditions of employment. In light of this, Ms Glazier Farmer found that the companys omissions contributed to Ms Daradics being subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race. Ms Glazier Farmer stated that she further noted with concern the submissions made at the commencement of the James White & Co UCs case, wherein it was asserted that the matter involved a minor infringement, was nothing serious, and amounted to a frivolous and vexatious complaint. Advertisement She said that these remarks are inappropriate, particularly given the undisputed evidence of racist comments having been made in accommodation provided by the company as part of Ms Daradicss employment package. Ms Glazier Farmer also stated that it is incumbent upon representatives not to mislead or diminish the substance of a complaint, particularly where such assertions are not supported by their clients own evidence. It is accepted, Ms Glazier Farmer said, that an assistant manager took informal steps to investigate the allegation, although this process was not concluded. Ireland HSA urges quad bike users to exercise caution foll... Read More Ms Glazier Farmer stated that it is not accepted that Ms Daradicss early departure from her employment resolved the issue. During her time of employment, Ms Daradics earned 412.75 per week and worked 25 hours per week. Advertisement Ms Glazier Farmer said: "Despite the seriousness of the allegation being acknowledged, there is no evidence of any follow-up action taken by the Respondent to ensure that all employees were made aware of their obligations under the Employment Equality legislation, regardless of the outcome of the complaint. At hearing, it was also submitted on behalf of James White UC that no official complaint was made, and that there was no need for an investigation. Assistant Manager, Jessica Bane gave evidence that racism would not be tolerated and that the matter was taken seriously. Donald Trump has refused to affirm his intention to uphold due process rights laid out in the US constitution. In a new interview, the US president also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the 51st state of the US, and played down the possibility he would look to run for a third term in the White House. Advertisement The comments in a wide-ranging and combative interview with NBCs Meet The Press came as the Republican presidents efforts to quickly enact his agenda faced sharper headwinds from the public as his second administration passed the 100-day mark, according to a recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. Mr Trump made clear he is not backing away from a to-do list that he insists the American electorate broadly supported when they elected him in November. The interview with NBCs Kristen Welker was taped on Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired on Sunday. Critics on the left have tried to make the case that Mr Trump is chipping away at due process in the US, most notably in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned without communication. Advertisement Mr Trump says Mr Abrego Garcia is part of a violent transnational gang, and has sought to turn deportation into a test case for his campaign against illegal immigration, despite a Supreme Court order saying the administration must work to return Mr Abrego Garcia to the US. Asked if US citizens and non-citizens deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the constitution, the president was noncommittal. I dont know. Im not a lawyer. I dont know, Mr Trump said when pressed by Welker. The Fifth Amendment provides due process of law, meaning a person has certain rights when it comes to being prosecuted for a crime. The 14th Amendment says no state can deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Advertisement Kilmar Abrego Garcia (Murray Osorio PLLC/AP) Mr Trump said he has brilliant lawyers and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. He said he was pushing to deport some of the worst, most dangerous people on Earth but courts are getting in his way. I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it, Mr Trump said. Before his White House meeting on Tuesday with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mr Trump is not backing away from rhetoric that has angered Canadians. Advertisement The president, however, told NBC it was highly unlikely that the US would need to use military force to make Canada the 51st state. He offered less certainty about whether his calls for the US to take over Greenland from Nato ally Denmark can be achieved without military action. Something could happen with Greenland, Mr Trump said. Ill be honest, we need that for national and international security. I dont see it with Canada. I just dont see it, I have to be honest with you. Mr Trump said the US economy is in a transition period but he expects it to do fantastically despite the economic turmoil sparked by his tariffs. Advertisement When Welker noted that some Wall Street analysts say the chances of a recession are increasing, the president responded: Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say. Well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that were going to have the greatest economy in history. He also deflected blame for the 0.3% decline in the US economy in the first quarter, insisting he was not responsible for it. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because hes done a terrible job, referring to his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. Mr Trump revisited his recent comments at a cabinet meeting that children might have to have two dolls instead of 30, denying that is an acknowledgment his tariffs will lead to supply shortages. Im just saying they dont need to have 30 dolls. They can have three. They dont need to have 250 pencils. They can have five, he said. The president has repeatedly suggested he could seek a third term in the White House even though the 22nd Amendment says: No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice. Mr Trump told NBC there is considerable support for him to run for a third term. Donald Trump said JD Vance is fantastic (Kevin Lamarque/AP) But this is not something Im looking to do, he added. Im looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward. His previous comments about a third term sometimes seem more about provoking outrage on the political left. The Trump Organisation is even selling red caps with the words Trump 2028. But at moments, he has suggested he was seriously looking into a third term. In a late March phone interview with NBC, Mr Trump said: Im not joking. There are methods which you could do it. He added that vice president JD Vance is doing a fantastic job and is brilliant, and secretary of state Marco Rubio, whom Mr Trump last week tasked to simultaneously serve as acting national security adviser, is great. But Mr Trump said it is far too early to begin talking about his potential successor. He is confident that his Make America Great Again movement will flourish beyond his time in the White House. You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, whos fantastic, Mr Trump said. You look at I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here. No, I think we have a tremendous party. And you know what I cant name? I cant name one Democrat. Israeli cabinet ministers are meeting to vote on whether to intensify military operations in the Gaza Strip, as the army began to call up thousands of reserve soldiers, officials said. Plans to escalate fighting in Gaza more than 18 months after the war erupted come as a humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. Advertisement As part of its efforts to pressure the militant group Hamas to negotiate on Israels terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza, which has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. An eight-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought a lull in fighting and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured stretches of the coastal enclave. Palestinian children queue for donated food in Khan Younis (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. At least six Israeli soldiers have been killed. An Israeli official said the countrys influential security cabinet will meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting. A military official said the country was calling up thousands of reserve soldiers. Advertisement Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted a powerful expansion of the war, but did not disclose details. We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory, he said. Also on Sunday, a missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen brought air traffic at Israels main airport to halt, police said. Israeli security forces inspect the site where a projectile apparently fired by Yemens Houthi rebels landed (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The military said a projectile landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, although it was not immediately clear if it was the missile or an interceptor of the countrys missile defence system. Advertisement Israel has faced continued attacks from the Houthi rebels, who on Sunday launched a missile that set off air raid sirens in many parts of the country. A large plume of smoke could be seen rising near Israels airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling to take cover. It was not clear whether the fragment had landed inside the area of the airport, but police said they were closing the entrances while they dealt with the scene. Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded in the attack. Advertisement Defence minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the strike: Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold. Lady Gaga gave a free concert on Saturday night in front of more than 2 million fans who poured onto Rio de Janeiros Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. Tonight, were making history.. Thank you for making history with me, Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd in the Brazilian capital. Advertisement The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 10.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show. Cries of joy rose from the crowds of tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the beachs vast stretch of sand. Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of costumes, including a dress with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Advertisement Some fans many of them young arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. Fans cheer as they watch Lady Gagas free concert on Copacabana beach (Bruna Prado/AP) Today is the best day of my life, said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. Its surreal to be here. Madonna turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year with her own free show at the iconic stretch of seaside. Advertisement The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint Johns Day celebrations in June. It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population, said Osmar Lima, the citys secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Halls tourism department last month. Rios City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gagas concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (some 79.5 million) into Rios economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Advertisement Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Rios metro employees danced to Lady Gagas 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video to commuters. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rios City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Advertisement Lady Gaga in 2017 cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues (Silvia Izquierdo/AP) Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. Ive been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life, she said while wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gagas outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents total freedom of expression being who one wants without shame. Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonnas show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a New Years Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Rio states security plan included the presence of 3,300 military and 1,500 police officers, and 400 military firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017, when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. Shes the best artist in the world, the 25-year-old said, as chants of Gaga, I love you in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him. A small plane has crashed into a neighbourhood in Simi Valley, California, killing two people and a dog on board the aircraft and damaging two homes, authorities said. Fire crews responded, and police cordoned off the streets, warning people to stay clear of the area. Advertisement Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of one home in the Wood Ranch section of the community, which lies nearly 50 miles north-west of Los Angeles. Wreckage could be seen between the two homes. The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that residents were inside at the time but said they evacuated with no reported injuries. Both homes sustained structural damage and were impacted by the fire, authorities said. The plane crashed in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday (Mark J Terrill/AP) About 40 firefighters attended the scene. Advertisement Officials initially reported one death. Later, the Simi Valley Police Department said the pilot, a passenger and a dog in the plane died. As of Sunday, authorities had not released any information about the occupants of the single-engine Vans RV-10, which is a popular home-built plane sold in kit form. They also did not say what might have caused the crash. The plane crashed into the back garden and dining room of Arman Hovakemians home. Mr Hovakemian told the Los Angeles Times that he was doing work in the garden when he noticed the plane above, circling lower and lower in the hillside neighbourhood. He ran inside to get his wife, Armineh, and their Pomeranian dog, Koko, and they fled the property. A loud bang followed and the fuselage landed where he had been standing just moments before, he said. Advertisement Im numb. It hasnt sunk in yet, Mr Hovakemian said. Were fortunate we were able to get out. In security video recorded by a neighbour that was viewed by the Times, the plane can be heard circling the neighbourhood for nearly three minutes and flying close to homes at points. In another video, the plane can be seen shooting straight up into the clouds then dropping down again. An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was also at the scene on Saturday. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said once the wreckage of the plane is documented, it will be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation. Advertisement Investigators will comb through the planes maintenance records, weather forecasts, recordings of any air traffic control communications, witness statements, the pilots background and any surveillance video that might have captured the aircraft. In January another Vans RV-10 crashed into a warehouse in Fullerton, which is south-east of Los Angeles, while trying to make an emergency landing, killing the pilot and his teenage daughter and injuring 19 people in the building. A preliminary report issued by the NTSB said that plane appeared to have had a door ajar during the flight. A late advertisement splurge by the Coalition wasnt enough to stop its election wipeout on Saturday, as Labor shifted its strategy towards attacking ousted Liberal leader Peter Dutton in the final two weeks of the campaign. The Labor Party spent only marginally less than Clive Palmers Trumpet of Patriots on video advertising across television, streaming platforms and YouTube over the five-week campaign, while the Coalition left most of its spending late, in what might be considered a crucial misstep in a campaign plagued by own goals. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton went hard on attacking each other in political advertising. Credit: Fairfax Media The data, compiled by measurement firm Adgile, shows the major parties spent big on advertising with the commercial television networks over the five weeks. The Trumpet of Patriots spent $24.1 million on video advertising according to Adgile, in return for no seats. It was followed by Labors $24 million, and the Coalition, which spent $20.7 million. The Greens spent $1.46 million, split fairly evenly across television and YouTube and the teal independents spent most of its $657,000 on the Google-owned platform directly targeting voters. Greens leader Adam Bandt has clung onto his Melbourne seat as members internally clash on the direction of the party after the loss of Brisbane seats. Bandt looks set to maintain his position despite a 5.4 per cent swing to Labor in his seat, as the party reckons with the devastating losses of firebrand Griffith MP Max Chandler-Mather and his Brisbane colleague Stephen Bates. Greens leader Adam Bandt will have to define the partys direction. Credit: Paul Jeffers The Greens still hope to retain the Queensland seat of Ryan, held by Elizabeth Watson-Brown, who is in a complex three-horse race with the Liberals and Labor. Melbournes progressive inner-north seat of Wills, where former state Greens leader Samantha Ratnam is attempting to unseat Labors Peter Khalil, is still too close to call, disappointing party strategists who hoped an advantageous redistribution would hand them a seat they have been trying to win for over a decade. As it became clear to Labors Ali France that she was about to pull off what was once thought impossible vanquishing a sitting opposition leader her thoughts were never far away from son Henry. She lost him, aged 19, to leukemia last year a fact Peter Dutton referenced in his concession speech on Saturday night. Ali France thanks supporters in Dickson on Sunday morning. Credit: Cameron Atfield I said to Ali that her son, Henry, would be incredibly proud of her tonight, Dutton said in his last appearance as opposition leader. Thanking visitors and supporters beside busy Gympie Road at Strathpine on Sunday morning, just a couple of hundred metres from Duttons electoral office, France revealed details of her conversation with Dutton as he conceded Dickson on Saturday night. Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Donald Trump. Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president's threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty. Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 169 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation. Recounts in two closely contested electoral districts saw the party lose a seat in Quebec province but gain another in Ontario. At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note. Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was "in politics to do great things, not to be something." "And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust," he said. Canada's strained relations with the United States -- historically, its close ally and biggest trading partner -- was among his "immediate priorities," he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues. Canadians elected him "to stand up to President Trump," he said, adding that he will act "with focus and determination." "Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations," said Carney. But he warned also not to expect any "white smoke" from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough. Carney reiterated his message from the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors "based on steadily increasing integration is over." "The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future," he said. Trump "respects strength," he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes including a massive build-up of infrastructure and new housing. The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois, the third-largest party in Parliament, both called for unity after the elections to fight US levies including on the automotive and steel sectors. Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain counter-tariffs on American products as long as Washington's measures were in place. "This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy," Carney said. To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between Canadian provinces by July 1 to expand the economy, and to strengthen trade with "reliable allies." "Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects," he said. He announced also that he would unveil his new Liberal government in the week of May 12 and that parliament would return on May 26. King Charles III -- Canada's head of state, as it is a British Commonwealth country -- will deliver the opening speech, Carney said. "This is a historic honor which matches the weight of our times," he emphasized. "It clearly demonstrates the sovereignty of our country," he said in a pointed reference to Trump's ambitions to make Canada the 51st American state. The ceremonial speech, which marks the opening of a new session of the Canadian Parliament and outlines the government's goals, is usually delivered by the governor general, who is the King's representative in the country. With Teslas reputation falling and Chinese exports to the US under threat, an automotive start-up backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plan to offer an alternative a small and affordable ute it hopes will become the Ford Model T of electric vehicles. Slate Auto has been flying under the radar for years, hiring employees from the likes of Ford, General Motors and Harley-Davidson, and is led by Chrysler veteran Christine Barman as its chief executive. It has significant Amazon roots, having originally spun out of the Re:Build Manufacturing incubator. Slate Auto is making a simple and lower-cost EV it hopes Americans can afford. According to a report from Tech Crunch, the company raised at least US$111 million in a Series A round in 2023, plus an undisclosed amount in a series B late last year, with Bezos and other Amazon executives among the investors. The leads of Slates digital, e-commerce and in-vehicle experience divisions also come by way of Amazon. Is Slate ready to join a line of budding Tesla killers? Given the size of the company, it will need to make a lot more vehicles to hurt Elon Musks baby, which is shipping millions of cars per year. Slate is likely to be pumping out closer to 100,000 cars. But it does offer an attractive option to those who want an everyday electric ute rather than a $100,000 Cybertruck, or EV enthusiasts who have soured on Tesla for political reasons. Singapore: Singapores Peoples Action Party (PAP) won its 14th successive election on Saturday to extend its unbroken six-decade rule, delivering a strong mandate to its new prime minister as the city-state braces for economic turbulence from a global trade war. On the same night as Australias incumbent government easily secured a second term, the PAP took 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats up for grabs, with victories by huge margins in many of the 33 constituencies, as the opposition failed to build on gains made in previous contests. Lawrence Wong, Singapores prime minister, celebrates victory. Credit: Bloomberg The election was a bellwether of the popularity of the PAP amid some signs of disenchantment with its tight grip on power, speech and assembly in the Asian financial hub, whose 6 million people have known no other kind of government. Though the PAP has consistently won about 90 per cent of seats, its share of the popular vote is closely watched as a measure of the strength of its mandate, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong eager to leave a mark on his first election in charge. Brazilian police say they thwarted a bomb attack planned for Lady Gagas historic weekend concert that drew more than 2 million people to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Two people had been arrested over a plot orchestrated by a group promoting hate speech and the radicalisation of teenagers, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state said on Sunday, Brazil time. According to the Rio city hall, 2.1 million people attended the American pop icons free concert on Saturday. The suspects were recruiting participants, including minors, to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails, the police said in a statement. Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. Cartoon Brew is pleased to invite you and a guest to a special screening of Arcane on the evening of Saturday, May 10. The screening will take place at the Teatro Roma theater at Netflixs Tudum Theater in Hollywood (1350 Ivar Avenue), and will be followed by a Q&A with executive producer/showrunner Christian Linke, co-director Barthelemy Maunoury, and screenwriter/co-executive producer Amanda Overton. All attendees will receive a free Art of Arcane book after the screening. RSVP for the event HERE. Arcane tells the origin story of two iconic League of Legends champions, who just so happen to be sisters: Jinx (also known as Powder) and Vi find themselves on rival sides of a brewing war between the utopian city Piltover and its oppressed underbelly, Zaun. The discussion will explore the storytelling and artistic creation of the unforgettable final chapter of the show, one of Netflixs most successful animated series ever, as well as discuss whats next for stories from the world of Runeterra. Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. Compared to other developed countries, the U.S. federal government offers little financial support to its animation industry. Last night, president Donald Trump signed an executive order to cut one of the few remaining sources of federal government animation funding: PBS Kids. The broad order is directed at the taxpayer-backed Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a nonprofit entity created by Congress that doles out funding to public broadcasters in the United States. The broadcasters additionally rely on donors and sponsors, with the money from the CPB making up only a portion of their budgets. It is not clear whether the order can be implemented legally. CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the Presidents authority, Patricia Harrison, the president and chief executive of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said in a statement today. Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government. PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger also issued a statement this morning: The Presidents blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night, threatens our ability to serve the American public with educational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years. We are currently exploring all options to allow PBS to continue to serve our member stations and all Americans. The White House claims that PBS is used to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as news' and is trash that passes as news.' It has previously asked Congress to rescind $1.1 billion from CPB, which amounts to two years worth of funding. Here are some of the animated series that have received funding from CPB in the last couple years. These amounts dont represent their total budgets, but rather the money that they have received from CPB: Animation represents a relatively small part of the money distributed by CPB; our research indicates that it amounts to less than five per cent of the groups overall spending. Nevertheless the money is an important source of funding for educational animation in the United States. Paul Siefken, CEO and president of Fred Rogers Productions, which produces animated series like Daniel Tigers Neighborhood and Almas Way, told Kidscreen today: Federal funding for PBS KIDS is irreplaceable and essential for the critical educational resources that tens of millions of children rely on all over the country. We support PBS and have chosen to work with them for the last 57 years because no other childrens media provider has public televisions local infrastructure, which helps our youngest learners where they live and learn. The new executive order would directly affect funding that our kids programming relies on, Seeta Pai, vp of childrens media and education at GBH (Bostons PBS station which produces a lot of content for PBS Kids), also told Kidscreen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire. Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire pushed by Kyiv and Washington, which is trying to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine. "This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war," Zelensky said. Zelensky was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday. Zelensky said Ukraine would not be "playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on 9 May," when some foreign leaders are due in Moscow for Russian World War II commemorations. Russia's proposal has been seen in Ukraine as an attempt to prevent Kyiv from hitting Moscow on the holiday, during which there is a grand military parade on Red Square and the Russian leader addresses the nation. Ukraine has hit Moscow several times during the invasion, as well as targets across Russia. Leaders of around 20 countries, including China's Xi Jinping, have accepted invitations to join this year's celebration, according to the Kremlin. Zelensky said some countries had approached Kyiv, warning they were travelling to Russia and had requested safety. "Our position is very simple towards all countries that have travelled or are travelling to Russia on May 9 -- we cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation," he answered. "They are ensuring your safety," Zelensky said, adding Russia "may take various steps on its part, such as arson, explosions, and so on and then blame us." Russian officials have promised grand celebrations for the occasion, during which Putin will seek to rally support for his troops fighting in Ukraine. Russian troops have been making gruelling gains on several parts of the front, and Moscow and Kyiv have stepped up their aerial attacks. The United States has warned it could abandon efforts to broker a ceasefire if it does not see progress. Washington is seeking "a complete, durable ceasefire and an end to the conflict", rather than a "three-day moment so you can celebrate something else," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said this week. Bruce said it would ultimately be up to US President Donald Trump to decide whether to move ahead with diplomatic efforts. Trump has overhauled US policy towards Russia since taking office, initiating a rapprochement with the Kremlin. This culminated in an on-camera clash between Trump and Zelensky at the White House on February 28, where both leaders had been set to sign a mineral deal granting US access to Ukrainian resources in exchange for some protection. Ukraine has since renegotiated the deal, which would see Washington and Kyiv jointly develop and invest in Ukraine's critical mineral resources. Zelensky on Friday said the deal was beneficial to both sides and protected Ukraine's interests -- even though the accord offers no concrete security guarantees for Kyiv. This followed a meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the end of April before Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, the first encounter since their public clash. "We had the best conversation out of all those that preceded it," Zelensky said Friday. "I am confident that after our meeting in the Vatican, President Trump began to look at things a little differently." An elderly couple in the Harrison area lost their home Saturday morning to a fire. At 9:53 am, a homeowner called 911 reporting a fire at their home at 8733 Bethany Lane. The family was able to evacuate the house without injury. At 9:58 am, Hamilton County Sheriffs Office arrived, reporting fire through the roof. Moments later, fire units arrived and confirmed a fully involved house fire with a roof collapse. Once firefighters confirmed everyone was out of the house, they conducted a defensive attack to contain fire to the home and prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby propane tank. No injuries were reported but HCEMS was on the scene for potential injuries to firefighters. Highway 58 VFD fire officials reported the house was a total loss. The cause of the fire will be under investigation by Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist two elderly adults with their emergency needs. A mutual aid response was requested for Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department and Chattanooga Fire Department to stand by at Highway 58 fire stations for any additional emergency calls. Home News Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secures reelection As Christians across Australia gathered in prayer this week for godly leaders and national wisdom, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured reelection Saturday, with his center-Left Labor Party projected to win a parliamentary majority amid widespread voter concern over the cost of living, health care and housing. Opposition leader Peter Dutton, head of the center-Right Liberal Party, conceded defeat and confirmed he had called Albanese to offer his congratulations. Early results indicate a nationwide swing toward Labor and away from the Liberal-National Coalition. Dutton also lost his own seat of Dickson in Queensland, further compounding the coalitions loss. Aussie voters have spoken for fairness, aspiration, and opportunity for all, Albanese said in a statement following the result. In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination. 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 Labor Partys strong showing might eliminate the need for coalition negotiations, which Albanese had earlier ruled out. However, in the event of a hung parliament, a variety of independents and Greens candidates who gained ground in several key races could still influence the final shape of the government. Key issues dominate voter sentiment The Labor governments emphasis on social stability, renewable energy, and equity in public services appealed to Australians frustrated with rising costs and conservative policy inertia, observers noted. One of the more divisive topics on the political landscape though less dominant this cycle was the proposed revival of the indigenous Voice to Parliament. The initiative, which stems from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, was rejected in a 2023 referendum that sought constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory powers. Critics, including the Australian Christians party, opposed Labors continued support for the idea. After a clear and democratic referendum, Labor still wont listen, the party wrote in a Facebook post during the campaign. Trying to revive a failed, divisive proposal shows just how out of touch this government really is. Christians across the spectrum pray for the nation In the lead-up to the election, Christian communities across Australia joined in prayer not for any particular party, but for the future of the nation. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), in partnership with the Canberra Declaration and a range of church groups, hosted a federal election prayer meeting on May 1. We will pray for voters wisdom, godly leaders, and for truth and righteousness to prevail in our nation, said Michelle Pearse, ACL chief executive officer, in an email invitation. We wont pray for a specific party or candidate, but for voters to have wisdom and discernment. Participants included leaders from Australia Prays, Family Voice, Church & State, and Archbishop Julian Porteous, among others. Another faith-based political group, the Australian Christians party, ran candidates promoting policies such as defending life from conception, protecting religious education and speech, and supporting traditional families. Record election turnout amid national reflection The 2025 federal election was billed as one of the largest in Australian history, with both houses of Parliament partly dissolved on March 28 and early voting opening April 22. Most of the electorate cast their votes on May 3. The electorate appeared to favor stability and values-driven governance, underscored by Albaneses message of unity. Australian people have voted for Australian values, he said. The decisive result hands Albanese a renewed mandate to tackle domestic challenges and navigate Australia through a complex geopolitical landscape. His Labor government is expected to prioritize climate action, economic fairness, and social inclusion. Further analysis of final seat counts and preferences will determine the influence minor parties and independents may wield, especially in the Senate. Originally published at Christian Daily International Home News New River Pastor William Schonemann found dead in bed with hands pinned to wall, sources say The death of beloved Pastor William Schonemann of New River Bible Chapel in Arizona has been ruled a homicide as sources reveal disturbing details about what police found when his body was discovered inside his home on Monday. In a news release provided to The Christian Post on Wednesday, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said officers found 76-year-old Schonemann dead at his home after they responded to a call at 7:31 p.m. Investigators indicated that they observed evidence of foul play at the scene but did not elaborate. 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 Multiple sources have since told Fox 10 Phoenix that Schonemann suffered significant injuries. He was reportedly found on his bed with his arms spread out and his hands pinned to a wall. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond when asked by CP about the details allegedly observed at the crime scene. They noted in an earlier statement that they believe the pastors murder is an isolated incident. "Our thoughts are with Mr. Schonemanns loved ones as we continue our efforts to bring justice in this case," Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez with the sheriff's office said. "MCSO detectives are actively investigating and following all leads. We will share more information with the public as soon as it becomes available." Residents of the small New River community remained stunned and on edge about the murder. Honestly, I was shocked because New River is so small. I leave my keys in my vehicles, dont lock my door and things like that, New River resident Emily Brean told Fox 10. Why are you gonna murder a pastor or a minister? You know, for what? Another resident, Carol Mathews, noted that while she's not comfortable with the idea of a murder suspect on the loose in a town with just over 17,000 people, according to the 2020 census, she understood why investigators are being careful with the case. Whenever there is a potential murderer running around, I am not too comfortable, but I can understand why they wouldnt share, she said. If its a one hit for someone I think theyll find them. But there is a reason this person did it and thats what they need to find out. Schonemann's son, Randall Schonemann, declined commenting on the investigation but told AZ Central that his fathers death was unexpected. He told the publication that his father had served as a pastor at New River Bible Chapel for about 25 years and was a member before that. He said his father, a U.S. Navy veteran, found faith after returning from the Vietnam War. When the late pastors wife of 49 years, Crystal Schonemann, died in 2022, Randall Schonemann said his father devoted even more time to the church. He said his father was outgoing and liked to work on cars. Our dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went. We will miss the loving guidance and patience. The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport getting his steps in, he said in a statement to Fox 10. The creativity of all machines he built. There are never enough words to say it all or to say it as well as a person would like. Simply, he is missed. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a second term in a dramatic election that delivered a crushing blow to the Liberal Party, with early results pointing to a landslide shift in voter sentiment. The outcome signals a preference for stability over disruption, as global tensions rise in the wake of Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency. According to projections by national broadcaster ABC and CNN affiliate Sky News, Albanese's center-left Labor Party is on track to secure a parliamentary majority. Though votes are still being counted, early returns indicate a significant swing toward Labor across key electorates. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton suffered a stunning personal defeat, losing his Brisbane seat of Dicksona district he has represented for over two decades. His ousting capped a devastating night for the former senior minister in the last Coalition government and dashed his hopes of becoming Australia's next prime minister. In a concession speech, Dutton accepted full responsibility for the party's loss. "He said he had phoned Albanese to congratulate him, and had also spoken with Ali France, the Labor candidate who succeeds him in the electorate of Dickson." The election result marks a historic milestone for Albanese, who becomes the first Australian Prime Minister to win re-election since John Howard's victory in 2004. Addressing supporters shortly before 10 p.m. local time, Albanese expressed gratitude to voters for returning a majority Labor government. "In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination," he said, receiving a warm ovation from a jubilant crowd. Australia's renewed tilt toward a left-leaning government reflects broader international shifts, mirroring recent developments in Canada where Mark Carney's Liberal Party won power. While Australia hasn't faced the same direct threats to sovereignty as Canada, recent polls suggest Trump's erratic foreign policies and tariff impositions have eroded trust in the U.S. among Australian voters. Despite entering the five-week campaign in a strong position, Dutton's campaign faltered amid policy reversals and mounting criticism of his proximityboth rhetorical and ideologicalto Trump. Analysts point to Labor's steady leadership and diplomatic response to Trump's imposition of a 10% tariff on Australian goodslater pausedas a key moment that helped sway voters. Following Trump's April 2 "Liberation Day" speech, Albanese convened a press conference alongside his foreign and trade ministers, declaring: "This is not the act of a friend." Dutton, meanwhile, was unable to distance himself from the former U.S. president in the eyes of many voters. One flashpoint came when Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the senator Dutton chose as shadow minister for government efficiency, declared during the campaign that she wanted to "make Australia great again"a phrase strongly associated with Trump. Price later claimed she hadn't realized what she'd said. Asked whether the Trump comparisons had harmed Dutton's campaign, Price remarked, "If you sling enough mud, it will stick." With Labor poised to form government with a clear mandate, the result reinforces Albanese's image as a steady hand amid global unpredictability and sets the stage for further consolidation of his leadership at home and abroad. Home News Watchdog reports record number of blasphemy cases in Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan A rights watchdog chronicled a record 344 new blasphemy cases in Pakistan in 2024, highlighting increased abuse of the countrys condemned blasphemy laws. Of the 344 new blasphemy cases, 70% of the accused were Muslims, 6% were Christians, 9% Hindus and 14% Ahmadis, according to the annual Human Rights Observer report issued by the Center for Social Justice (CSJ). The blatant weaponization of blasphemy laws continued to enable persecution, religious intolerance and widespread human rights violations, the report stated. 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 Section 298-A of the blasphemy statutes, which relates to disrespect of holy personages, including the family, wives and companions of Islams prophet, Muhammad, and the four caliphs and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, was the most used section. Last year, 128 people were charged under this section. The next most frequently abused provision was Section 295-A (hurting of religious sentiments) with 106 reported cases, the report noted. Section 298-C, which is specifically against the Ahmadi community, was also widely misused, with 69 accused. Sections 295-B (desecration of the Quran) and 295-C (disrespecting Muhammad) were also extensively used, leading to 62 individuals accused across various regions of Pakistan, the report noted. Punjab Province recorded the highest number of blasphemy-related accusations, accounting for 62% of the cases, followed by Sindh Province with 30%, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 5%, Azad Jammu and Kashmir with 2% and Gilgit-Baltistan with 1%. Among districts, the highest number of reported blasphemy incidents occurred in Punjab Provinces Sheikhupura District with 32, Lahore with 28, Kot Addu with 13, Rawalpindi with 13, Okara with 11, Sargodha with 11 and Gujranwala with 10, as well as Sindh Provinces Tharparkar District with 35 and Larkana with 11. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Mansehra District recorded the highest number of cases with seven. Ove the course of the year, 10 people accused of blasphemy were extra-judicially killed by individuals or violent mobs, including six in Punjab Province (two each in Lahore and Rawalpindi, and one each in Sargodha and Gujrat), two in Sindh Province (one each in Karachi and Umerkot), while there was one each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Swat), and Balochistan (Quetta). At least 2,793 persons were formally or informally accused of blasphemy in Pakistan over the past 38 years, 1987 to 2024, according to the report. Over those years, 54% of those accused were Muslims, 30% were Ahmadis, 11% were Christians and 3% were Hindus, while the religious identities of another 3% could not be ascertained. The report stated that at least 104 people were killed extra-judicially following blasphemy allegations between 1994 and 2024, which included 67 Muslims (64%), 26 Christians (25%), seven Ahmadis, one Hindu and one Buddhist, while the religion of two persons was unknown. Punjab was the province with the most killings at 72 (69% of the total), followed by 15 in Sindh, 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in Balochistan, two in Islamabad and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Forced conversions On the issue of forced conversion of minority girls and women, the CSJ report revealed that at least 421 cases were reported between January 2021 and December 2024 in Pakistan. The victims included 282 Hindu girls, 137 Christian girls and two Sikh girls; 71% of the victims were minors, of whom 22% were younger than 14, and 49% were between the ages of 14 and 18. Only 13% were adults, and the ages of 16% remained unverified. The report added that the overwhelming majority of cases, 69%, occurred in Sindh Province, followed by 30% in Punjab Province. The CSJ report also highlighted discriminatory prison policies, where minority inmates are denied remission benefits available to Muslim prisoners. Additionally, textbooks continued to promote Islamic content in non-religious subjects, undermining minority students rights, according to the report. It also observed that despite the introduction of the National Commission for Minorities Bill, 2025, delays and weak enforcement persist. Out of 186 bills tabled in legislative assemblies, only 23 addressed human rights, with just one minority-related bill becoming law. Pakistan, where the population is more than 96% Muslim, ranked eighth on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Korean Church Media Association raises alarm over Chinas new crackdown on Christians The Korean Church Media Association issued a statement expressing deep concern over new Chinese regulations on religious activities that went into effect on May 1, according to reporting by Christian Daily Korea. The association warned that the "Rules for the Implementation of the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Aliens within the Territory of the People's Republic of China" appear aimed at significantly restricting missionary work within China. According to available reports, China has managed religious activities, particularly Christian ones, through regulations on religious affairs. But these new implementation rules appear to significantly increase both restrictions and pressure, the statement said. 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 group noted that while China had previously applied 22 regulatory provisions, the new rules expand that number to 38. These new provisions more thoroughly define matters such as the location and method of religious activities, the approval procedures required by Chinese authorities, and corresponding penalties, the association stated. As a result, we anticipate strict regulation of religious activities, especially those targeting Chinese nationals, including missions, education, fundraising, and even internet-based religious activity. The statement added that China has already been aggressively regulating religious activity since 2017. Many Korean missionaries have been forcibly expelled or denied visa extensions, forcing them to leave their mission fields, it said. The association further accused the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of employing comprehensive and global strategies to expand its influence while using every pretext to restrict religion and missionary activity within its borders. The CCP is aggressively pursuing global influence through hybrid warfare, unrestricted warfare, and united front strategies, it said. Meanwhile, within China, they suppress religious and missionary work under various pretexts. Calling for vigilance, the statement urged the international community and especially South Koreans not to be deceived by Chinas strategies. Even if there are exchanges and trade between nations, hidden agendas and strategic manipulation must be uncovered and rooted out, it said. We must ensure that the Chinese Communist Party cannot treat Korea and the Korean people with disrespect. The statement concluded by encouraging global attention to Chinas religious restrictions and advocating for firm resistance to infringements on religious freedom. Originally published by Christian Daily Korea, translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff. Home News This week in Christian history: Dwight Moody joins church, PCUSA changes rules on fidelity Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths. Some events, drawn from over 2,000 years of history, might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many. 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 following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history. They include Dwight Moody being accepted into church membership, the election of Orthodox Patriarch Jeremias II, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) amending its rules on marital fidelity for clergy. Home Opinion The federal persecution of Christians will stop. Here's why Never let anyone tell you that elections dont matter. On April 22, Attorney General Pam Bondi convened the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, a bold step toward restoring the religious liberty that has been under siege for far too long in our once-Christian nation. Established by President Donald Trump in February through Executive Order 14202, titled Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias, this task force signals a seismic shift in how our government will treat Christians. 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 Christians are, without question, the most persecuted religious group in America. During 12 of the last 16 years under the anti-Christian Obama and Biden regimes (with a four-year reprieve during Trumps first term), Christians were explicitly and relentlessly targeted by the life-crushing power of the government. If it wasnt the feds, it was hostile blue states like Colorado, Virginia, New York, and others that did the devils dirty work. And if it wasnt the feds or the states, it was universities, corporations, and the media. So for conservative Christians and First Amendment fans everywhere, this isnt just a policy win being put into action its an answer to prayer. God is closing the mouths of the lions and opening the door out of the den (at least for the next four years). The meeting, attended by heavyweights like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and FBI Director Kash Patel, was a call to investigate and end what the initial EO described as the Biden administrations egregious pattern of targeting peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses. These words cut right to the heart of the matter: The previous administration weaponized federal agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, and IRS against believers, while turning a blind eye to vandalism and violence against churches and pro-life centers. The task force, Bondi vowed, would ensure that abuse would not continue and that American tax dollars were not used to support the weaponization of our legal system to target Christians. From what I can tell, this task force is no abstract bureaucratic exercise nor is it simply a talking point offered to satisfy Trumps Evangelical voting base. The meeting featured gut-wrenching testimonies from Christians persecuted under Bidens watch. Michael Farris, an attorney specializing in religious liberty cases, recounted how Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel was investigated and charged by the IRS for alleged Johnson Amendment violations a thinly veiled attack on a churchs right to speak the truth. Phil Mendes, a Navy SEAL, shared how he was fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds. And Dr. Scott Hicks of Liberty University detailed how Christian institutions like his and Grand Canyon University were intentionally targeted and slapped with punitive fines for their biblical worldview. These are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate campaign to marginalize Christians, a campaign that Bondis task force is now poised to dismantle. Again, the past two decades have felt like a slow-motion crucifixion of our values. Under Obama, the Affordable Care Acts contraception mandate forced Christian employers like Hobby Lobby to violate their conscience or face crippling fines. Remember the Little Sisters of the Poor? This celibate order of elderly nuns was ordered to provide abortion and contraceptive coverage to its employees. Obamas DOJ also argued against religious liberty in landmark cases, such as Obergefell v. Hodges, prioritizing secular ideology and the radical LGBT agenda over faith. Biden doubled down, with his DOJ prosecuting pro-life Christians under the FACE Act, resulting in multi-year prison sentences for peaceful protesters, including a Catholic priest and a 75-year-old grandmother. Meanwhile, over 400 attacks on churches since 2020 have gone largely unprosecuted. The secular culture, amplified by Hollywood, academia, and media, has mocked and vilified Christians, painting us as bigots for holding to biblical truths about marriage, life, and gender. This is the context in which Trumps task force emerges, not as some act of favoritism towards Christians but as a necessary corrective to a government that has trampled on the First Amendment and, specifically, the religious liberty rights of Christians. This is a much-needed correction. Still, even without the backdrop of this recent persecution, its good for our government, and any government, to prioritize protecting Christianity. Christianity is the one true faith. Our nation was founded on Christian principles. And the Bible is clear about the role of government in upholding justice and righteousness. Romans 13:4 calls governing authorities Gods servant for your good, tasked with promoting what is right and restraining evil. Christianity was and still is the bedrock of Western civilization, including the United States. Protecting it is not about establishing a theocracy but about preserving the cultural and spiritual inheritance that makes America exceptional. As Bondi herself put it, Protecting Christians from bias is not favoritism. Its upholding the rule of law and fulfilling the constitutional promise [of the First Amendment]. The task forces mission is both practical and profound. It will scrutinize federal agencies for anti-Christian policies, seek input from faith-based organizations, and recommend legislative or executive actions to root out discrimination. Already, the Trump administration has dropped three FACE Act cases against pro-lifers and redefined the law to prevent further abuse. FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the infamous 2023 anti-Catholic memo from the FBIs Richmond office, pledging to eliminate any bias influencing investigations. Secretary Rubio raised concerns about a Christian Foreign Service Officer threatened with a child abuse investigation for homeschooling, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon tackled abusive gender ideology being forced on Christian kids, against their parents wishes, in public schools. Skeptics, like the Interfaith Alliance, mistakenly argue that this task force risks elevating one faith over others. But this is a strawman. The task force doesnt diminish other faiths; it corrects a specific, documented pattern of anti-Christian hostility. Critics also claim there is no evidence of systemic bias. But the testimonies at the task forces meeting, and countless others, are evidence enough real people, real persecution, real injustice. If the launch of this task force doesnt bring you to rejoice, or you want to nitpick peoples theology, youre missing the bigger picture here. Christians should be ecstatic about this because it represents a government finally listening to our cries. For too long, weve been told to keep our faith private, to bow to the altar of secularism. But as Jesus said, No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket (Matthew 5:15). This task force is a light shining on the darkness of anti-Christian bias and proclaiming that our faith has a place in the public square. Its a reminder that our government can and should protect the freedoms that define us, ensuring that Christians can worship, speak, and live without fear. In a culture that increasingly rejects God, Bondis task force is a bulwark against the tide. Its a declaration that America will not abandon its Christian heritage, that we will stand firm in the face of hostility. As we celebrate this victory, we should pray for Bondi and her team, that they may be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) in their mission. Originally published at Standing for Freedom Center. The Trump administration plans to significantly shrink the workforce of the Central Intelligence Agency and other U.S. intelligence agencies, with the aim of cutting thousands of employees over several years, two sources with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. The administration's cost-cutting approach at the CIA and other intelligence agencies suggests a more calibrated effort than its strategy at other federal departments, with some agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development essentially dismantled. Lawmakers have been told that the downsizing would cut about 1,000 to 1,200 employees at the CIA, the sources said. The agency does not disclose the size of its workforce, but leaked documents in 2013 showed the agency had more than 21,000 employees. The Washington Post first reported on the planned personnel cutbacks. The CIA declined to comment on details of planned reductions to the agency's workforce. It was unclear how the cuts would affect different departments. A CIA spokesperson said in an email that the agency's director, John Ratcliffe, "is moving swiftly to ensure the CIA workforce is responsive to the Administration's national security priorities." "These moves are part of a holistic strategy to infuse the Agency with renewed energy, provide opportunities for rising leaders to emerge, and better position CIA to deliver on its mission," the spokesperson added. Other intelligence agencies, which unlike the CIA fall under the Defense Department's budget, are looking to make personnel cuts in line with the Pentagon's goal of reducing the civilian workforce by up to 8%, according to one of the sources with knowledge of the matter and a former intelligence official. The cuts at the CIA and other spy agencies would be achieved through a combination of scaling back hiring, early retirements and so-called "buyout" options for those ready to accept a one-time offer to resign later this year. But no mass firings were planned, the sources said. The planned cutbacks come at a time of heightened security threats, with China's military power on the rise, Russia carrying out a sabotage campaign in Europe while waging a war in Ukraine and Iran pressing ahead with its nuclear program. At a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, said her office is "25 % smaller and more lean today than when I walked in the door" in mid-February. Gabbard did not elaborate. At her Senate confirmation hearing in January, Gabbard said she supported scaling back the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the country's spy agencies. The ODNI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The cuts come as the Trump administration and Elon Musk's advisory Department of Government Efficiency attempt to dramatically slash the federal workforce. Although the administration plans to avoid mass firings, it tried to fire dozens of employees at the CIA and ODNI because they had been assigned temporary jobs working on diversity programs. A group of the employees challenged their firings in court, and a federal judge in March issued a temporary injunction halting their dismissals. The CIA additionally offered buyouts to its workforce in February. Passengers wait following Israel closed its airspace to all domestic and international flights between 01.00-07.00 a.m. were canceled after Iran launched the attack on Israel, at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 14, 2024. Nir Keidar | Anadolu | Getty Images A missile launched by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Sunday briefly halted flights and commuter traffic at Israel's main international airport after an impact left a plume of smoke and caused panic among passengers. The Houthi rebels have been striking Israel throughout the war in Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport came hours before top Israeli Cabinet ministers were set to vote on whether to intensify the country's military operations in the Gaza Strip. The army, meanwhile, began calling up thousands of reserves in anticipation of a wider operation in Gaza, officials said. The missile launch Sunday set off air raid sirens in multiple parts of Israel. A plume of smoke was visible at the airport, according to footage shared by Israeli media. Passengers were heard yelling and scrambling for cover. It was not immediately clear whether the projectile, which landed in a field near an access road leading to airport parking lots, was the missile or its fragments, or an interceptor from Israel's air defense systems. It left a deep crater in the ground and a nearby road was littered with dirt. Israel vows to respond to the airport attack Police said that air, road and rail traffic were halted following the attack. The traffic resumed after about an hour, Israel Airports Authority said. Israel's paramedic service Magen David Adom said four people were lightly wounded. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a video statement that the group fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at the airport. Houthi rebels have been firing at Israel since the war with Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, and the missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel's missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen and the U.S., Israel's top ally, also launched a campaign of strikes in March against them. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed retribution for the airport attack: "Whoever harms us, we will harm them sevenfold." Israeli ministers to vote on expanding war in Gaza An Israeli official said the influential security Cabinet would meet on Sunday evening to vote on plans to expand the fighting. A military official said the country was calling up thousands of reserves. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a "powerful" expansion of the war, but did not disclose details as to what the new plans would entail. "We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory," he said. He demanded that Israel bomb "the food and electricity supplies" in Gaza. The plans to escalate fighting in Gaza more than 18 months after the war there erupted come as a humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens. As part of its efforts to pressure the militant group Hamas to negotiate on Israel's terms for a new ceasefire, Israel in early March halted the entry of goods into Gaza. That has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began. An eight-week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought a lull in fighting and freed Israeli hostages collapsed in March. Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza on March 18 and has captured swaths of the coastal enclave. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed, according to local health officials. Fighting in Gaza drags on U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the National Day of Prayer, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 1, 2025. President Donald Trump argued in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" that fulfilling his ambitious campaign promise to rapidly carry out mass deportations may take precedence over giving immigrants the right to due process under the Constitution, as required by courts. A central part of Trump's agenda has been implementing the "largest deportation operation" in U.S. history, as he vowed during the 2024 campaign. In service of that goal, his administration has pressed the courts to allow the immediate removal of immigrants it accuses of being members of a Venezuelan gang, without giving them a chance to plead their case before a judge. In an interview last month with "Meet the Press," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "Yes, of course," when asked whether every person in the United States is entitled to due process. Trump, however, isn't so sure. "I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know," Trump replied when asked by "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with Rubio. His comments came during a wide-ranging interview at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which aired Sunday. The Constitution's Fifth Amendment says "no person" shall be "deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law"; it does not say that person must be a U.S. citizen, and the Supreme Court has long recognized that noncitizens have certain basic rights. Trump has also said that while "we always have to obey the laws," he would like to see some "homegrown criminals" sent to El Salvador as well, a proposal that was widely panned by legal experts. When Welker tried to point out what the Fifth Amendment said, Trump suggested that such a process would slow him down too much. "I don't know. It seems it might say that, but if you're talking about that, then we'd have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials," he said. "We have thousands of people that are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth." "I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it," he added. "But even given those numbers that you're talking about, don't you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?" Welker asked. "I don't know," Trump replied. "I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said." The Supreme Court has already made it clear to the Trump administration in three different recent decisions that it has to allow basic due process rights for immigrants based on the long-standing understanding of the laws. That would not require full trials, as Trump suggested. What it would require is the chance to appear before an immigration judge. Such judges are not part of the judicial branch; they are employees of the Justice Department. Administration officials have spoken out against such constraints, leading to allegations that they have defied instructions from lower court judges and even the Supreme Court. One major point of contention has been the administration's novel invocation of a 1798 law, the Alien Enemies Act, to quickly deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The law has previously been used only during times of war, but the U.S. government is claiming that the gang is effectively an invading force connected to the Venezuelan government in order to use the law's power to remove people without going through the processes laid out in other laws, like the Immigration and Nationality Act. That effort, though, is facing stiff opposition. Men facing deportation under the law said they had no chance to contest whether they are even members of the gang, leading to two different Supreme Court decisions that blocked the administration from sending them to prison in El Salvador without due process. One decision came early on the morning of April 19, hours after men had been loaded onto buses and were seen heading toward an airport in Texas. Another high-profile case has involved Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who was living in Maryland with his wife and three children when he was deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration accused him of being a member of the MS-13 gang which Abrego Garcia's wife and attorney deny in its justification for deporting him to his home country, even though an immigration judge's order from 2019 barred him from being sent there. The administration has admitted that it was an "administrative error" to deport him, and the Supreme Court ordered that the government "facilitate" his return to the United States so that he can plead his case. The administration appears to have made little effort to do so and has insisted it doesn't have the power to force El Salvador to do so. "I don't know," Trump replied when asked whether anyone in his administration is in touch with the government of El Salvador to return Abrego Garcia. "You'd have to ask the attorney general that question." It is not disputed that Abrego Garcia entered the U.S. illegally or that the government could potentially deport him. Trump insisted he was not defying the Supreme Court. "No. I'm relying on the attorney general of the United States, Pam Bondi, who's very capable, doing a great job. Because I'm not involved in the legality or the illegality," he said. "I have lawyers to do that and that's why I have a great DOJ." Trump also said he may go back to the Supreme Court to seek clarification on what the justices meant by the word "facilitate." "We may do that. I was asking about that. We may do that," he said. The Panama Canal has spent the past few years battling extreme weather, with the El Nino phenomenon and severe drought leading to a water-level crisis. Now, it's President Trump's trade war that is threatening the global trade gateway. A critical passage for U.S. East Coast bound ocean freight container traffic, the Panama Canal is facing a potential business slump as a result of Trump's China tariffs and a rapid decline in manufactured goods being ordered by U.S. shippers. Forty percent of all U.S. container traffic travels through the Panama Canal every year, and in all, $270 billion in cargo annually. The U.S. and China are the top users of the Panama Canal, and its role in global shipping has increased in recent years due to the disruption of global supply chains. The Panama Canal Authority's revenue hit $3.38 billion last year, despite drought conditions, and revenue has increased every year since 2017. The trade war uncertainty and Trump's 145% tariff on Chinese goods which will start to hit goods arriving from China to U.S. ports on May 27 based on the four to six weeks it takes for ocean freight to reach the U.S. from Asia has already resulted in a massive pause on U.S. imports bound from China. According to data from supply chain intelligence firm Project44, there has been a 300% increase in blank sailings (cancelled freight vessels) from China to the United States since Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs announcement on April 2. West Coast ports in the U.S. are already being hit and the impact on East Coast ports is expected to increase, with the pullback in vessels a result of the decrease in manufacturing orders for Chinese factories: less products manufactured translates into less shipping containers for ocean carriers. For the Asia to North America East Coast trade route, Sea-Intelligence has recorded a cumulative blanked capacity of 261,822 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs.) over the last six weeks. This decrease in containers and vessels can impact Panama Canal revenue. The Panama Canal makes its money off of the number of vessel transits and containers moving through the waterway. "Since close to 75% of our cargo goes to or from the United States, any recession worldwide or in the United States will impact somehow the Panama Canal," said Boris Moreno, vice president of operations for the Panama Canal Authority. "That's for sure." One of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World," according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the canal has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent years in the battle for global supremacy between the U.S. and China. Trump has claimed the canal's key ports are being controlled by China, and has threatened to reassert U.S. control over the canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates. China, along with government of Panama, have denied those claims. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth both visited with Panamanian government officials in recent months. 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Not only was Lewis on top of the laughs game, as he told Larry Wilde in The Great Comedians Talk About Comedy, but he knew more about most fields than the people who studied the subjects in college. Would you know what the procedure for brain surgery is from reading books? Lewis asked. I could tell you because I watched it. Same thing with an appendectomy, tonsillectomy, amputation, Ive seen (them). But Lewis practical knowledge extended far beyond the medical field. You think you could articulate about what makes a submarine go 400 feet below the surface of the water by reading about it? Or being in it, like I was? Or jumping, Lewis offered. Did you ever jump in a parachute? You can read about it, but that aint gonna tell you anything. I did it. Practical application. Don't Miss In case you havent guessed by now, Lewis wasnt much of a reader. I know a lot of guys that have read thousands of books, the comedian said with disdain. But Im still a professor of cinema at the University of Southern California. They cant make it. Let me just Snopes this claim for a second. While Lewis gave lectures about film at USC in the 1960s, Ive yet to find a source that claims he was a professor, honorary or otherwise. Lewis likely could have cared less about the distinction. I know my racket, and (USC) wanted the one that knew best, he told Wilde. A drop-outs a professor! Advertisement Forget actual education audacity is where its at, according to Lewis. Without an ego, no ones going to know (a comedian) is alive, he explained. Egos very important. Years later, Lewis was even more sure of his intellectual abilities. I'm a multi-faceted, talented, wealthy, internationally famous genius. I have an IQ of 190 that's supposed to be a genius, he told Los Angeles Magazine in 1980, a dozen years after his conversation with Wilde. People dont like that. My answer to all my critics is simple: I like me. I like what Ive become. Im proud of what Ive achieved, and I dont really believe Ive scratched the surface yet. No wonder Lewis once told Look magazine he refused to read books. He sincerely believed he was a genius who could learn whatever he needed by talking with someone over a beer. Reading books isnt bad, he consoled Wilde, who occasionally read one himself. Its just time-consuming. And I can learn more from sitting with a new acquaintance about what life is all about than I would ever get from a book, cover to cover. Maybe so, but I still wouldnt want Lewis performing my appendectomy. Airplane! is generally considered to be one of the greatest movie comedies of all-time. The sequel, which introduced William Shatner and a bomb-wielding Sonny Bono to the franchise, not so much. Play The steep drop in quality can be explained by the fact that Airplane II: The Sequel was helmed by Canadian comedy writer Ken Finkleman, and not the original filmmaking team of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker. Well, it turns out that ZAZ did offer to helm a follow-up to Airplane!, but their plans were torpedoed by legendary director and wine magnate Francis Ford Coppola. Don't Miss David Zucker recently sat for an interview with right-wing YouTuber, and star of the South Park of X, Dave Rubin. Zucker discussed how ZAZ was approached by Paramount to make Airplane II, and they even put together a pitch that would have picked up right after the events of the original film. Bob (Hays) and Julie (Hagerty) fly down the plane, and he takes her home to meet his family, and its The Godfather. As the late Jim Abrahams revealed in the book Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!, the story would follow the characters of Ted Striker and Elaine Dickinson in a non-aviation scenario. We thought we could use those same characters but not have to be trapped in an airplane the whole time, Abrahams explained. And we had pretty much run out of airplane jokes. Advertisement So instead, they would parody the acclaimed Godfather series. ZAZ even came up with an idea for the poster: the familiar twisted plane from the original Airplane! poster dangling from the marionette strings made famous by The Godfathers poster. St. Martin's Publishing Group The directors pitched their concept to Michael Eisner and future Quibi genius Jeffrey Katzenberg, who were at Paramount at the time. The executives loved it but clearly didnt want to tick off Francis Ford Coppola, who had made the Academy Award-winning Godfather films for the studio. They said theyd better go to Francis to see if its okay, Zucker recalled. And Coppola said no. He didn't want us to do it because he wanted to do The Godfather Part III. Of course that may not have been the best idea. Looking back on it, everyone would have been better off if wed done Airplane II: The Godfather, Zucker added. Advertisement Advertisement Incidentally, Abrahams did eventually direct his own Godfather parody, 1998s Mafia!, originally titled Jane Austens Mafia, which starred Airplane!'s Lloyd Bridges as a Don Corleone-like mobster. And even it was better than The Godfather Part III, at least in terms of the number of exploding fart scenes it featured. A year ago, my views on Lucy Letby were like pretty much everybody elses in Britain. It seemed clear from reports of her trial that this woman had killed seven helpless infants and betrayed the trust vested in her by the hospital, the families and by decent society. I had no issue with the vilification of her by the Press, and I certainly thought a lifetime in prison was the punishment she deserved for such heinous crimes. But then I read a 13,000-word article in the New Yorker magazine that raised serious concerns about Letbys trial. A court order made this unavailable to UK readers, which seemed inconsistent with open justice, so I questioned the restriction in Parliament. Immediately, my inbox was flooded by leading statisticians, neonatal specialists, forensic scientists, legal experts and those who had served at the Countess of Chester Hospital and were afraid to come forward. The experts included past presidents of the Royal Statistical Society and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health people more knowledgeable than the purported experts whose evidence convicted Letby. They were concerned by what they perceived as the false analyses and diagnoses used to persuade a lay jury to convict her. Undoubtedly, the continued speculation on this case will be distressing for the babies families, but they, more than any of us, deserve the truth. I had no issue with the vilification of Lucy Letby by the Press, and I thought a lifetime in prison was the punishment she deserved - then I read a 13,000-word article in the New Yorker magazine that raised serious concerns about Letbys trial, writes David Davis MP Lucy Letby, 35, was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder eight more Lucy Letby being arrested at her home in Chester on July 3, 2018 So I spent three months finding out for myself, initially reading the account of every day of the trial, but eventually getting my hands on the bulk of the court transcripts from the original trial. When I came across an issue where my scientific knowledge was inadequate I am a molecular scientist but not a doctor I sought specific high-level expert and impartial advice. I do not take on miscarriage of justice cases lightly; they can take years and are often painful for everybody involved. So I went through every conviction. I was looking for one where Letby was clearly guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In my view, there was none. Since then, the prosecution case has fallen to pieces bit by bit. Bogus statistical arguments have been exposed. Weak expert evidence has come under irresistible pressure. And a picture has emerged of a unit with poor medical management that very probably contributed to, or even caused, the deaths of a number of these babies. Last month, Letbys defence team delivered a tsunami of fresh evidence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the body reviewing her case. The deluge included 23 reports from 24 experts from eight countries. Protestors in support of Letby gathered at Liverpool Town Hall in March as the Thirwall Inquiry approached its later stages The evidence demolishes the prosecutions case against Lucy Letby. One report, 698 pages long, containing the conclusions of 14 leading neonatal experts, concludes that there was no medical evidence to support malfeasance causing death or injury in any of the 17 cases at the trial. These experts were convened by Dr Shoo Lee, author of a 1989 paper that played a substantial role in persuading the jury at the original trial that Letby had injected air into babies veins. Dr Lee has since been clear that his paper was misrepresented in court, and has been at the forefront of attempts for Letbys case to be heard again. At a press conference I chaired on February 4, he declared that, in his opinion, far from being murdered, the babies died from either natural causes or poor medical care. He, like many experts involved in this case post-trial, is working pro bono in pursuit of the truth. And with alarming regularity, revelations destabilise the progressively implausible case holding up Letbys conviction. Last month, it was the discovery that one of the four doctors who initially accused Letby almost certainly misled the jury. According to the trial testimony of Dr Ravi Jayaram, Letby had not raised the alarm when Baby K was in difficulty. At a press conference I chaired on February 4, he declared that, in his opinion, far from being murdered, the babies died from either natural causes or poor medical care, writes David Davis Dr Jayaram discovered the babys oxygen levels had plummeted because her breathing tube was dislodged, after, by chance, walking into the room where Letby was alone with the baby and apparently doing nothing to help. Yet in a recently revealed email he had sent after the death, he said that Letby had called the doctor for help. Letbys lawyers did not find out about this email until September last year. I concluded some time ago that Lucy Letby is almost certainly innocent. A large proportion of the country is now coming to the same conclusion. In this case the old adage justice delayed is justice denied is certainly true. Justice delayed will deny this young woman some of the most important years of her life. This case demands a retrial, the CCRC must act quickly and a referral should be in months, not years. The British people are not fickle about their politics. While almost every European country has undergone something like a revolution, with new parties and movements, over the past 20 years, English voters have remained largely loyal to their two big, old parties. Things have been notably different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the most populous part of the kingdom has generally kept hold of Tory or Labour loyalties stretching back for a century, especially in general elections. Thursdays local election voting suggests that this is now coming to an end. Both Labours Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch have much to worry about. A general election fought with voters in this mood could leave them both in the dust. Nigel Farages Reform UK has achieved far more than his previous movements, Ukip and the Brexit Party, could ever do. So, are we on the brink of the sort of convulsions which have recently gripped France, Germany and Italy? Its hard to say. Is Labour becoming an urban rump of privileged graduates, cut off from its base? Increasingly. Will the Tories be swept away? Not necessarily. The first-past-the-post voting system (which has often served this country well) puts pressure on rivals to form alliances before elections, rather than after them. Nigel Farage s Reform UK has achieved far more than his previous movements, Ukip and the Brexit Party, could ever do. Pictured: Reform party leader Nigel Farage reacts as the party wins the Runcorn and Helsby by-election Is Labour becoming an urban rump of privileged graduates, cut off from its base? Increasingly. Will the Tories be swept away? Not necessarily. Pictured: Nigel Farage poses for a picture with winnning candidate Sarah Pochin as Reform beats Labour by six votes to take Runcorn in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election Both Labours Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) have much to worry about Mr Farage has shown in the past that he is ready to do deals with the Tories. He did this in 2019 when he stood down Brexit Party candidates in Conservative-held seats, helping to give Boris Johnson the most convincing Tory majority since the Thatcher era. The balance of power on the Right has shifted greatly since then, but can we see in this episode the faint shadow of a new and devastating political alliance? Let us watch carefully. Send Letby case back to court If we are serious about the punishment of crime, we have to be sure we are punishing the right person. Long prison terms meet a reasonable public demand to see the criminal pay. They deter crime. But what if an innocent person goes to jail? Imagine the horror of being locked up for years for a crime you did not commit. A society in which such miscarriages were ignored would not be safe or just. The recent case of Andrew Malkinson, wrongly imprisoned for a rape he absolutely did not commit, is a distressing example. Now there are growing concerns about the case of the former nurse Lucy Letby, 35, convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. Multiple whole-life orders imposed on her mean she will die in prison. But did she have a fair trial? There are growing concerns about the case of the former nurse Lucy Letby (pictured), 35, convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more The Mail on Sunday today publishes a summary of the many doubts about this case, the weakness (and absence) of evidence, the wrong conclusions drawn from statistics. Some doubt that any crimes were committed at all. Voices speaking out against the safety of the convictions now include the distinguished barrister Adam King and the retired Supreme Court Judge Lord Sumption. This controversy has undoubtedly been distressing for the parents of those babies. This newspaper has the greatest sympathy with them. But if an injustice has been done, then it must be righted. We do not say that Ms Letby is innocent. What we do say is that there is now so much doubt, the Criminal Cases Review Commission should urgently refer the matter to the Court of Appeal. The dark true story of a woman who killed her friend before using semen from brothel to make it look as though she'd been raped and murdered is set to be explored in a new Netflix documentary. Maria Angeles Molina, known as Angi, from Barcelona, was jailed for 22 years in 2012 for the grisly crime, which was committed to cover up identify theft and a sick plot to steal 1million in an insurance scam. In 2008, she lured her friend Ana Paez, 35-year-old fashion designer, to an apartment which she had fraudulently rented in Ana's name just a few days before. She sedated Ana before placing a plastic bag over her head and sealing it with gaffer tape. To make it look like her victim had been raped, Maria then injected the semen, which she had obtained from a brothel, where she paid two prostitutes to masturbate in front of her into a jar. She disguised herself wearing a wig in order to take out several bank loans and insurance policies in Ana's name. Maria denied the charges and said that at the time of the murder she was out shopping. The case, which was dubbed by the media as 'the near-perfect crime', will be covered in the Netflix Spanish documentary series Angi: Fake Life, True Crime. Maria Angeles Molina, known as Angi, from Barcelona, killed her friend Ana Paez then used semen from brothel to make it look as though she'd been raped and murdered Maria was a well off Spanish business woman, who made millions from her fraudulent crimes. She was previously married to Juan Antonio Alvarez Litben, a businessman who died under strange circumstances back in 1996. The Netflix series sheds light on Maria's marriage to Juan, while also speaking to his family members about his mysterious death. It wasn't until Maria was convicted of the murder of Ana that authorities started to ask questions about Juan's death. On February 19, 2008, Maria invited Ana to dinner at a flat she'd rented for just three days, using Ana's name. That morning, Maria had withdrawn 600 from an account in Ana's name. CCTV from the bank showed her walking in wearing a wig. She sedated her friend before placing a plastic bag over her head and sealing it with gaffer tape. In 2008, she lured her friend Ana Paez, (pictured) 35-year-old fashion designer, to an apartment which she had fraudulently rented in Ana's name just a few days before Maria was able to seduce the heads of several banks for years Maria was jailed for 22 years in 2012 for the grisly crime, which was committed to cover up identify theft and a sick plot to steal 1 million in an insurance scam She disguised herself wearing a wig in order to take out several bank loans and insurance policies in Ana's name To make it look like her victim had been raped, Molina then injected the semen, which she had obtained from a brothel. The police initially thought that her death was caused by a sexual crime or a sadistic game gone wrong until their investigation brought Maria to their attention. The elaborate cover-up came after Maria had stolen Ana's identity and used it to take out bank loans and insurance policies in her name. The day of the murder Maria drove to Zaragoza in a Porsche with the intent of forming an alibi. She had driven the near four hour trip to collect her father's ashes, who had died the previous year. That evening she drove the four hours back to Barcelona, where she told Ana to meet her at the apartment because she was going to cook her dinner. At the apartment Maria drugged Ana and she passed out, meaning she was able to carry out the rest of her cruel plan without a struggle. When investigating Ana's death police noticed large sums of money had been withdrawn from her bank account and they saw Maria on CCTV pretending to be her friend. Barcelona High Court sentenced Maria to 22 years in prison, meaning she will be released in 2034. She was previously married to Juan Antonio Alvarez Litben, (left) a businessman who died under strange circumstances back in 1996 The court noted 'she took advantage of her friendship to steal ID documents with the intention of gaining economic benefit'. She was given 18 years for the murder and a further four years for the fraud. The murderer was able to seduce the heads of several banks for years. They also granted her loans and insurance policies that she signed under the identity of her former partner. Police searching her home found an unopened bottle of chloroform and an insurance policy in Ana's name. And Maria's boyfriend at the time also passed police Ana's original passport and ID card which he found stashed behind Maria's bathroom cistern. Maria denied the charges and said she was out shopping at the time of the murder. She told the court: 'Without yoghurts or condensed milk I am nothing.' But the court ruled: 'The amount and the relevance of the evidence, amply accredited, leave no doubt as to the identity of the killer.' Two episodes of Angi: Fake Life, True Crime premiered on Netflix on May 1. The Netflix series sheds light on Maria's marriage to Juan, while also speaking to his family members about his mysterious death Although originally made in Spanish the series has been dubbed into English. Director Carlos Agullo described the investigation into the case as 'laborious and also revealing.' Speaking to Netflix he said: 'In addition to the proceedings, we have reviewed more than 2,000 pages of case files, crime reports, and family files. 'We have also conducted more than 60 conversations and interviews with retired police officers, private detectives and those close to both cases. 'We have faced a multifaceted investigation, as many as Angi's multiple identities. It has been a challenge, a real game of mirrors, and we hope that the viewer can experience the same challenge.' Angi: Fake Life, True Crime is airing on Netflix now. Aussie shoppers are increasingly turning to ultra-fast fashion from Asia as they are drawn by affordable price tags and inexpensive runway-inspired styles. But mum Cath Matar is warning everyone to think twice before buying cheaply made clothes from overseas - after she and her teenage daughter Indigo developed what she claimed to be severe allergic reactions to their new outfits. 'My whole body and face flared up as soon as I opened the box - even before I took anything out of the packaging... the clothes were still in plastic,' Cath told FEMAIL. 'I came out in huge welts all over my arms. My eyelid swelled up and was so swollen it was half shut - I looked like I'd had a stroke.' At first, the 56-year-old didn't suspect her mass-produced clothes were to blame for the painful rashes and oozing wounds - but she claimed she knew something was seriously wrong the moment she slipped into her new trousers. 'My leg broke out in sores,' the mum said. She was distraught to see her 14-year-old daughter Indigo develop red, raised rashes on her skin - especially on her hands - after trying on her new outfits. 'It's heartbreaking,' Cath said of the moment she saw her little girl in pain. Mum Cath Matar is warning everyone to think twice before buying cheaply-made clothes after she and her teenage daughter Indigo suffered what she claimed to be severe allergic reactions from being exposed to their new outfits Indigo's hands were covered in bloody rashes, while Cath had welts on her legs - both conditions they claimed were caused by their new fast fashion clothes 'Flares are exhausting and Indigo's hands get it the worst. When Indigo flares like this, her face and hands are so wrinkled, she looks like a little old woman. 'People telling you to stop scratching is like telling you to stop breathing.' The mum and daughter have lived with eczema for most of their lives - but have always managed to keep it under control. However, Cath claimed that the recent fast fashion purchase triggered their sensitive skin, leaving them with intensely itchy rashes. 'Indigo and I suffer from head to toe, but our worst spots are our hands, which are ravaged,' she said. 'They're itchy and raw with deep cracks, oozing and bleeding with red hot inflamed lesions sometimes right down to the bone - and it smells like your body is rotting from the inside, so you're even more self-conscious.' After realising their new clothes were wreaking havoc on their sensitive skin, they threw everything into the washing machine. 'But it didn't make any difference and took ages to get back under control,' Cath said. Cath claimed that the recent fast fashion purchase triggered their sensitive skin, leaving them with intensely itchy rashes. Left of Indigo's hand and right of Cath's arm 'It's excruciating and incredibly hard to get the skin elasticity back as your face and body feel so tight.' The mum said she has since returned the items back to the retailer. 'I sent them back and told them exactly what happened,' she said. 'I'll never buy from them again... I'll stick to my usual cotton and linen from now on. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.' Cath claimed the only thing that helped reduce the inflammation and heal their skin was the $24.50 Pink Eczema Cream from Australian natural skincare brand MooGoo. 'It calmed both of our skin down straight away, took the heat out and now it's really healing,' the mum said. 'It took about a week for the swelling to go down, then we peeled from the dead skin the swelling caused, but now we're almost clear. 'It's an absolute gamechanger.' In May 2024, South Korean officials shockingly found some fast fashion clothes, bags and accessories contained high levels of toxic chemicals. The mum and daughter will no longer buy fast fashion clothes from overseas Cath and her daughter Indigo have lived with eczema for most of their lives - but have always managed to keep it under control Dermatologist, Professor Deshan Sebaratnam from The Skin Hospital Sydney, explained how some mass-produced clothes can cause allergic contact dermatitis in patients who are sensitised to them. 'Washing the clothes (when you receive them) is a good idea,' he said. 'But there are some products, like benzalkonium chloride which require dozens of washes to get rid of the product. 'Patients are often better off throwing out the clothes if they are having reactions to it.' Meanwhile, MooGoo CEO Melody Livingstone said the Gold Coast brand has seen a 25 per cent rise in sales of their eczema and psoriasis creams. 'We're now selling one of our psoriasis or eczema cream every one minute and 45 seconds,' she said. 'It's also been a hot summer, which seems to have flared people's skin issues. Even people who haven't had skin issues in the past, or only mild reactions, are blaming the dyes and chemicals used in manufacturing their clothes. Melody said as there is no proven cure for skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, education and keeping symptoms under control is critical. 'The skin has a protective barrier and if it's broken that means it's susceptible to infection. It is important to start using a good quality moisturiser to maintain skin barrier function,' she said. It's hard to believe mammograms are currently undertaken only by female health workers, rather than simply by anyone man or woman with the right qualifications. Thankfully, the Society of Radiographers is calling for a change in policy. This shouldn't be driven by the growing backlog of these vital checks, but by common sense. Anyone who objects to a man giving them a mammogram clearly hasn't had breast cancer. Or indeed any serious illness. It's not uncommon to feel squeamish about showing your body to medics. But that way of thinking is for amateurs. When you are seriously ill, you simply don't care. As I lay in the hospital ward after my colon cancer diagnosis, my body was there for anybody who wished male or female, young or old to prod and peer at throughout the day. Any trace of modesty or dignity, or the usual feelings about the appearance of my body, had become irrelevant. I consciously decided it didn't matter who looked at me or how I looked. It's hard to believe mammograms are currently undertaken only by female health workers, rather than simply by anyone man or woman with the right qualifications. Thankfully, the Society of Radiographers is calling for a change in policy, says Alexandra Shulman (stock image) This shouldn't be driven by the growing backlog of these vital checks, but by common sense. Anyone who objects to a man giving them a mammogram clearly hasn't had breast cancer. Or indeed any serious illness, says Shulman (stock image) The idea of being uncomfortable with having a male nurse squishing your breasts into an X-ray machine is frankly laughable when you consider what nurses, consultants and GPs are used to seeing when treating patients. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was examined and then operated on by a male surgeon. My colon cancer was also dealt with by a male surgeon, who has seen my entire body exposed on scans. It hardly made sense to be embarrassed when he and all the other doctors involved were staring at my naked abdomen while I was conscious. Illness is a humbling experience, no respecter of social status (as clearly evidenced by the King's cancer) or personal emotions. The best you can do is hope that anybody, of any gender, knows what they are doing and just let them get on with handling whichever part of your body they need to. Kicking up a storm over weather alerts I've just returned from a trip to Louisiana. Along with alligators, gumbo and crayfish there was the unnerving experience of frequent dangerous weather warnings. I'm a weather fanatic and enjoy nothing more than trawling through weather apps on my phone. As soon as I cross the Atlantic, I'm glued to the TV weather channel, hugely enjoying the dramatic tone of the announcers tracking some storm or other over the Great Plains. But even so, the siren weather alerts that screeched through the mobile phone network every day in Louisiana were quite discombobulating. The siren weather alerts that screeched through the mobile phone network every day in Louisiana were quite discombobulating, says Shulman. Pictured: Floods during Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2024 Louisiana is essentially one big swamp, and flooding is rampant. Its climate means thunderstorms and hurricanes are fairly common, too. Pictured: Two men paddle in high water after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area August 31, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana Louisiana is essentially one big swamp, and flooding is rampant. Its climate means thunderstorms and hurricanes are fairly common, too. So it's perhaps unsurprising they err on the side of caution when it comes to warning locals of the perils coming their way. However, being woken at 3am with a terrifying alert announcing 'This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation, do not attempt to travel' did severely test my enjoyment of American weather news. It's also left me a little more tolerant of the hyped-up storm warnings we get over here when a relatively mild wind is blowing. At least they don't scream at you in the middle of the night. My Southern soul doesn't travel well Sadly, there are some words that don't travel. I've come home from the Deep South in love with the term 'y'all', widely used to refer either to a single person or a group. 'How y'all doing?' has a much nicer ring than our 'How are you?' I long to adopt it, but I've tried it out in the privacy of the bedroom, and in a middle-class London accent it just sounds ridiculous. Like Hawaiian shirts, I've concluded it's best left where it came from. An AI supermodel is strutting this way When is a fashion model not a person but an invention of AI? Any day now, it appears. Although digital 'avatars' are already used in fashion imagery, it's not yet the case that a real model's image can be replicated artificially at least, not legally. But that day is coming. Although digital 'avatars' are already used in fashion imagery, it's not yet the case that a real model's image can be replicated artificially at least, not legally. Pictured: Supermodel Gigi Hadid Ripping off a famous model's image for free will never be acceptable, but fashion photography is expensive and it's easy to see how tempting it would be for brands and magazines to use AI-generated advertising campaigns and shoots. Pictured: Kendall Jenner Although it'll be a while before we see an artificial Gigi Hadid or Kendall Jenner, at the lower end of the food chain this is already happening, with model agencies selling image rights of their lesser-known clients for AI use. Musicians and writers are already fighting back against their work being used by AI without payment or consent. Ripping off a famous model's image for free will never be acceptable, but fashion photography is expensive and it's easy to see how tempting it would be for brands and magazines to use AI-generated advertising campaigns and shoots. No flights, no studios, no hotel bills and quite possibly no photographer. Sad and terrifying. But not unimaginable. When money talks a tale of two mags That old chestnut 'If you remember the Sixties, you weren't there' came to mind during my visit to The Face magazine exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I certainly was there in the Eighties and remember those years well. But my Eighties wasn't the one portrayed in the pages of The Face, which was the new kid in town and a riot of street style and multiculturalism. I was working on Tatler, a grande dame whose pages were filled with both the figures of a newly wealthy meritocracy and old-guard aristocracy. The two titles reflected very different worlds, although both were terrific in their own ways. It was also interesting to see what The Face achieved on little money compared with the extravagant budgets at big magazines. In Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's memoir, When The Going Was Good, he recalls consulting proprietor Si Newhouse over a disputed $250,000 in a contract negotiation for photographer Annie Leibovitz. Newhouse concluded: 'Oh, give it to her. We don't want to nickel-and-dime-them.' As they say another time, another place. Kinder Buenos have been around for more than three decades - but many fans of the sweet treat have had no idea what the name of the bars meant. The two-fingered snack, which was created by Ferrero, launched in Italy and Germany in 1990. In the following years, it was rolled out to more places, including the UK, where it is a firm favourite for many. The Italian confectioner's creation features a wafer-style shell, filled with a hazelnut cream-stye filling, covered in milk chocolate. Two fingers are separately wrapped, with each divided into segments, making it easy to break apart and share. Kinder Bueno bars are part of a larger range, including Kinder Chocolate, Kinder Surprise Eggs, and Kinder Joy. In some markets, alternative versions of the bar are available, including the white chocolate Kinder Bueno and other flavours. But while many have enjoyed eating the treat, most do not know what the name Kinder Bueno actually means, according to the Daily Record. Kinder Bueno bars were launched 35 years ago - and the treat's unusual moniker has baffled some chocolate lovers for years (stock image) One Reddit user said they have 'thought all the time' about what the chocolate bar's name actually means A post in Reddit's Candy forum saw one curious confectionary fan musing over the bar's moniker. They noted that many people think it is a German product, as the word 'kinder' is German for child. However, they added, it is actually an Italian product, which prompted them to question why it would have a German word in its name. 'Is it because the owner was German in origin but lived in italy ? Or was it because Italy had closer ties with Germany back then?' they mused. Their post continued: 'But then when I read Bueno is Spanish and means good . That made me think maybe they had multiple share holders from Spain at one point? . 'Or maybe the owner did a lot of travelling and just enjoyed different cultures and languages? What are your thoughts?' The Italian confectioner's creation features a wafer-style shell, filled with a hazelnut cream-stye filling, covered in milk chocolate (stock image) One commentator revealed that they were also baffled by the name, writing: 'Ive thought about this all the time.' Another comment, from a now deleted account, shed more light on it, writing: 'Pietro Ferrero created the Nutella, Kinder, Mon Cheri, Tic Tac, Ferroer Rocher, Pocket Coffee. He was an Italian guy from the region of Piedmont...He wanted to have products that were able to conquer the international markets. So he chose names that had words in different languages.' According to Kinders official website, the name was picked to directly reflect that the bar is delicious. It says: 'Bueno means "tasty" or "good" in Spanish and we think it captures the chocolate bar's exceptional taste. 'Kinder Bueno is a unique chocolate bar with a taste experience that defies expectation. 'Michele Ferrero created Kinder Bueno in 1990. He wanted to create a chocolate bar that was more refined and sophisticated than anything else that existed in the marketplace. 'So, he created Kinder Bueno, an extraordinary chocolate bar that has a unique combination of textures and flavours and a delicate dark chocolate drizzle to top it off. We carefully select all ingredients according to our high standards of excellence in quality, freshness, and we are committed to their environmental sustainability. 'Kinder Bueno is sold in packs containing two individually wrapped bars; we recommend eating one individually wrapped bar as a serving of Kinder Bueno!' A psychic has issued a stark warning to Prince Harry following his explosive interview with the BBC last week. Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil, is often referred to as the 'Living Nostradamus' due to his numerous accurate predictions throughout the years - including his forecasting of the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II's death and the Microsoft global outage. The Duke of Sussex, 40, will make reconciliations with his father, King Charles, 76, in 2026, and even move out of his home in Montecito, California, should predictions made by the fortune-teller come true. Following the Prince's explosive interview with the BBC last week - in which he blasted the royal family and complained about not being able to return to the UK after losing his court battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards - the oracle has laid-bare six chilling predictions for his future. Speaking to The Sun, Salome claimed predictions reflect the Duke of Sussex's current predicament of being 'trapped' between his new life in California with his wife and children, and 'ghosts' between him and the royal family. Summarising his predictions, in a stark warning to the estranged Prince, Salome said: 'The future holds intense trials, but also the chance of rebirth.' Harry has been followed by a 'constant hurricane of family tensions, legal battles and public controversy', but will regain public trust and repair royal relations, according to the fortune-teller. In one of his predictions, Salome said a 'silent reconciliation' will take place between Harry and his father next year, as Charles continues to battle cancer. A psychic has issued a stark warning to Prince Harry following his explosive interview with the BBC last week (pictured) He said: 'It will be intimate, away from the cameras, and motivated by a sense of urgency and finitude.' Meanwhile, he believes relations between Harry and Prince William will remain stony, and the pair will stay distant. His other predictions include 'secret documents' coming to light from a former Sussex employee, Harry launching a new humanitarian project for the mental health of war veterans and even leaving California over the next few years. Salome also believes that Harry is writing a new book - but that it's completely different to his controversial memoir, Spare. He believes documents will be leaked by a former employee of the Sussexes that will reveal the painful extent to which Meghan 'exerted a strong influence over his decisions' - often in ways that have 'conflicted with his own values'. He said that a former employee will reveal compromising records about the Duchess of Sussex in the latter half of this year, or during the start of the next. The oracle said that between July and September of this year, Harry will face serious security risk that will lead him having to postpone a humanitarian mission in Africa, an ordeal that will initiate a public reassessment of his vulnerability. Harry will end up leaving his home in Montecito, though the move will not bring him back to Buckingham Palace, or even the UK, but will take him to a new country. He suggested South Africa or New Zealand could be on the cards as the next destination the Prince will take residence. Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil , is often referred to as the 'Living Nostradamus' due to his numerous accurate predictions throughout the years - including his forecasting of the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II 's death and the Microsoft global outage In one of his predictions, Salome said a 'silent reconciliation' will take place between Harry and his father next year amid a 'health crisis' suffered by the King (pictured together in 2022) The oracle predicts an ex-employee of the Sussexes will leak telling documents. Meghan and Harry pictured in New York last month This will be in-part due to the marking of Prince Harry's 42nd birthday, an age that marks 'Kabbalistic maturity', according to Salome. This maturing will lead him to discover 'a new purpose in life'. The predictions have been issued hot on the heels of Prince Harry's scathing interview with the BBC on Friday in which he lamented that he will not be able to bring his wife and children back to the UK after losing his court battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards. Harry also claimed to be the victim of an 'establishment stitch-up' and said it was 'sad' he was unable to show his family his homeland due to issues with his security. During the blistering attack, he complained that his father wont speak to me and said he had had 'so many disagreements' with his family, some of whom 'may never forgive' him for writing a book. In the extraordinary interview, Harry added that he was 'devastated' after losing his battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards which puts him on the hook for 1.5million in legal costs. Today, a report in The Sun on Sunday revealed Harry claimed to have taken an 'unimaginable security risk' by ordering a Deliveroo takeaway during a boys' evening - despite having complained about security measures for him and his family. The Duke of Sussex at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8 during his appeal against a High Court ruling preventing him getting automatic taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK Following the decision, Meghan showed her support for her husband by sharing a black and white photo of Harry, Archie and Lilibet to her Instagram account It has now been alleged a Deliveroo driver arrived at his friend Lord Charles Vivian's 8million London townhouse with food during a get-to-together last May. This is despite high-profile figures usually avoiding such deliveries for safety reasons, The Sun on Sunday has reported. Princess Diana's former protection officer Ken Wharfe described the move as an 'unthinkable security risk'. He said: 'It's unbelievable that such a high-profile person, who considers themselves to be such a high-security risk, would allow themselves to have a Deliveroo driver arrive at a house with no idea of who they are and what they might be carrying in their bag.' Sophie Rain, 20, from Florida, has earned 37 million in just two years One of the highest earning OnlyFans models has revealed why she believes the platform should only be used as a 'last resort' - despite having bagged 37million in under two years. Self-claimed virgin, Sophie Rain, from Florida has opened up about her job, urging aspiring X-rated models to think twice before choosing it as their career path. The 20-year-old boasts a whopping 17.5 million followers on the adult subscription site and claims to have pocketed $50 million (37 million) since starting her account less than two years ago. But despite her skyrocketing success on the site, Sophie warned that it isn't always the 'glamorous' lifestyle social media presents it to be, and that there are only room for a certain number of people to reach high earnings from using it. Sophie, who began creating X-rated content in 2023, claims she is both a Christian and a virgin. Keen to offer advice to others considering creating an OnlyFans page, Sophie warned that many mistakenly believe they can make their millions by launching a 'random page', but that the job isn't always so 'glamorous'. 'I encourage anyone to make sure you try other things before this job,' she said. 'Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of going to college because my family didn't have the money.' One of the highest earning OnlyFans models has revealed why she believes the platform should only be used as a 'last resort' Self-claimed virgin, Sophie Rain (pictured), from Florida, has opened up about her job, urging aspiring X-rated models to think twice before choosing it as their career path She implored anyone with the funds to study, to do so before resorting to OnlyFans, which doesn't require qualifications. 'If you have the chance and ability to study, do that first. I think everyone should get an education - get your degree, girls! 'OnlyFans should be a last resort.' While social media may lead some to believe OnlyFans stars indulge in a 'glamorous' and carefree lifestyle, the 20-year-old warned that it was much harder 'on the mind' than most grapple. 'This job is also much harder on the mind than you could ever think,' she said. 'OnlyFans is not always this glamorous perfect lifestyle on social media.' Despite what others may think based on online narratives of OnlyFans models, she warned there wasn't room for everyone earn their millions using the platform 'There are only so many girls who can achieve what I have.' The highest earning OnlyFans model has revealed she believes using the platform should only be used as a 'last resort' - despite having bagged 37 million in just two years But despite her skyrocketing success on the site, Sophie warned that it wasn't always the 'glamorous' lifestyle social media presents it to be, and that there are only room for a certain number of people to reach high earnings from using it Sharing her secrets to success, the youngster said it was essential for any hopeful models to first establish a social media following outside of OnlyFans. 'Do not start OnlyFans unless you already have a social media platform or you will fail,' she said. 'The biggest mistake that young people make is to launch a random page, thinking that posting a few sexy photos will make them millions. 'It's not true,' she said, insisting that the work wasn't as easy as it appeared on the surface. 'You need to establish yourself as a name and a face first if you want to make real money,' she advised. Things haven't always been easy for the model, who grew up on food stamps and previously earned a living working as a waitress. Now with heaps of cash at her disposal, Sophie is able to enjoy the lifestyle she always dreamed of, and can easily buy whatever her heart desires. Not only does she believe there is a finite amount of people who can make their success on the platform, but she admitted that the job requires people to 'push' themselves. Not only does she believe there is a finite amount of people who can make their success on the platform, but she admitted that the job requires people to 'push' themselves Sophie, who began creating X-rated content in 2023, claims she is both a Christian and a virgin But things haven't always been easy for the model, who grew up on food stamps and previously earned a living working as a waitress Now with heaps of cash at her disposal, Sophie is able to enjoy the lifestyle she always dreamed of, and can easily buy whatever her heart desires She implored anyone with the funds to study, to do so before resorting to OnlyFans, which doesn't require qualifications 'You have to work super hard to push yourself out there and stay on people's minds constantly. 'I got extremely lucky,' she confessed. Although she has 'no regrets', Sophie said she would likely have opted for another career, had she had the opportunity and funds to try. 'Had I been in a more stable family in terms of income, I likely wouldn't have gone this route - but I have no regrets. 'I went from living on food stamps and serving tables to this new lifestyle in quite literally less than two years. 'I now only fly private and can barely go out in public anymore unless I want to be recognised every minute. 'I'm proud of myself and love being the number one girl on OnlyFans,' she said. The model previously said that she often shies away from creating X-rated content, despite what people may think based on her online presence. 'I post some explicit stuff, but not as explicit as people may think,' she explained to DailyMail.com. 'I am still a virgin and don't fit in the regular "porn star" category. I see myself more of the girl next door who happens to have an OnlyFans, but one that has so much more to offer than just my own body.' Sophie's bank balance has raised some eyebrows among other adult content creators, including podcaster Adam22, who accused her of fabricating the figures for clout. 'They're welcome to question and think I'm lying because it just solidifies in my brain that what I'm doing with my career is next level and that I'm insanely successful,' she boasted. 'I'm so lucky to be where I am and I know this is not normal to be earning $50 million dollars.' A high school student has revealed how he rakes in five figures a month through his lucrative side hustle. Michael Satterlee, 17, from Albany, New York, is currently finishing up his last year of high school... and he already runs a successful business. The teenager started by selling 3D-printed calculator cases to his peers. And once it took off, he started offering a slew of other products, eventually launching his own company, called SoleFully. He now focuses on shoe charms, but sells a range of items and earns roughly $20,000 a month in sales. 'I started my first business selling 3D-printed calculator cases,' Michael told Absolutely Business recently. 'I just taught myself. [Now], I sell charms for everything but mainly clogs. 'I've been doing business stuff my whole life, selling products, testing ideas. But then I found something that clicked and I just ran with it. A high school student has revealed how he rakes in five figures a month through his lucrative side hustle Michael Satterlee, 17, from Albany, New York, is currently finishing up his last year of high school... and he already runs a successful business The teenager started by selling 3D-printed calculator cases to his peers. And once it took off, he started offering a slew of other products, including shoe charms 'We offer everything from functional accessories like flashlight charms to gag gifts and White Elephant party [a gift-giving game] items like fake toes.' Michael explained that his success didn't come 'overnight,' and it took 'a lot of trial and error' to 'find the right product and the right way to market it.' 'It's definitely surreal at times but I try to stay grounded,' added the teen. 'I'm grateful that something I started out of passion has turned into something bigger than I ever imagined. 'At the end of the day, I'm just focused on continuing to learn, grow and improve my business.' Michael said he makes sure to fit the work around his classes by heading to his warehouse at 5am and working for three hours before going to school. After he finishes his last class around 1pm, he heads back to the warehouse and work until 8pm. His company, called SoleFully, sells a range of items and earns roughly $20,000 a month in sales 'We offer everything from functional accessories like flashlight charms to gag gifts and White Elephant party [a gift-giving game] items like fake toes,' he said The business-savvy teen continued: 'On weekends, I work usually about 13 hours a day. 'I hardly take breaks but I still make time for family because that's most important to me. A lot of times, to fit both school and work in, I cut back on sleep. 'I try to get it [my homework] all finished and sent off during school hours. And outside of school, I focus completely on business. [But] I still place a strong emphasis on my grades.' Despite raking in tons of money at such a young age, Michael is very diligent about his spending. He said: 'Most of my income gets reinvested right back into the business; buying more printers, upgrading equipment and improving operations. 'I also save a good chunk and keep things pretty low-key when it comes to personal spending. 'I've also built a small team. Some are friends who I trained and others I brought on professionally as things grew. Michael says his family and friends are 'super supportive' of his endeavor. Michael said he makes sure to fit the work around his classes by heading to his warehouse at 5am and working for three hours before going to school, then continuing after his classes Despite raking in tons of money at such a young age, Michael is very diligent about his spending As for his advice to other young people who want to follow in his footsteps, he recommended 'working hard and taking it step by step' As for his advice to other young people who want to follow in his footsteps, he recommended 'working hard and taking it step by step.' 'The process is going to be hard and very time consuming but if it were easy, everyone would do it,' he dished. He hopes to one day 'branch out' into a 'bigger 3D printing venture.' As for what's next for him, he explained, 'I'm still undecided on university but I've earned scholarships to a couple of schools, which gives me options. 'I'm weighing whether the traditional college route or doubling down on my business is the better move right now.' A wedding musician has revealed how he went to performing for $3 in tips to a millionaire by age 30. Moses Lin, 31, from Anaheim, California, always had a passion for music. In college, he started a YouTube channel where he would share videos of himself performing instrumental covers on guitar as a 'fun, creative outlet.' But as his channel started to take off, he decided to drop out of college and pursue music full-time - but it wasn't easy. He would perform for hours and only earn a few dollars in tips, which left him struggling to make ends meet and with sometimes barely enough money to buy food. But his hard work and dedication eventually paid off, and he's now a wildly successful wedding performer who has played for a slew of stars - including Meghan Markle, Oprah, and Gayle King. He recently spoke about his journey exclusively with DailyMail.com. '[My first performance] was for three hours at this cafe, but I was completely ignored by almost all the guests, and I made only $3 in tips,' he recalled. A wedding musician has revealed how he went to performing for $3 in tips to a millionaire by age 30 Moses Lin, 31, from Anaheim, California, dropped out of college to pursue his dream of being a musician - but it wasn't easy 'After the performance I got back in my car and broke down crying. I felt like an absolute failure, and began questioning if I was throwing away my life trying to pursue music. 'I wondered if I could ever make any money from music, and on the drive home that day, I almost gave up on a music career completely. 'That was the lowest point in my journey, and I am so grateful that I somehow decided to believe in myself that day and keep going.' As he tried to break into the music industry, Moses explained that he would perform at 'local restaurants, shopping malls and hotel lobbies.' He also started teaching private guitar lessons, and between the two, he brought in roughly $1,000 per month. But his rent was $700, leaving him with only $300 for gas, food, and everything else. 'Every month was a struggle, but it was honestly also thrilling at the same time,' he admitted. 'I had the privilege of being able to devote 100 percent of my attention towards music and to be my own boss. He would perform for hours and only earn a few dollars in tips, which left him struggling to make ends meet and with sometimes barely enough money to buy food He spoke about his journey with DailyMail.com, explaining, '[My first performance] was for three hours at this cafe, but I was completely ignored, and I made only $3 in tips' 'My goal was never to become successful or wealthy, my goal was simply to be happy. 'And looking back, I was genuinely happy back then. I loved what I was doing and I had complete freedom and control over my life.' After being invited to perform at a friend's wedding, everything changed for Moses. But his hard work and dedication eventually paid off, and he's now a wildly successful wedding performer who has played for a slew of stars - including Meghan Markle, Oprah (seen), and Gayle King He dished, 'I very quickly realized how incredibly fun weddings are, and how much I loved the energy. 'I decided I wanted to work more weddings, and slowly began branding my business as a wedding guitarist.' Flash forward to now, and Moses has been named the 'Top Wedding Musician in the Country.' He plays at weddings all across the globe, and charges up to $15,000 for his services, which includes '30 minutes of live music before the wedding ceremony and about an hour of live music during either cocktail hour or dinner.' 'Looking back, I think there were two things that really contributed to my growth,' he shared. 'I always try to push boundaries and innovate. Im always thinking of ways to be just one percent better than yesterday. 'I know that if I spend hours rebranding my website or tweaking the color grading on a video or testing out a new guitar pedal, you might not really be able to tell a difference. 'But if you have a one percent improvement happening a thousand times, it will compound into massive growth. '[Also], unlike most musicians that download sheet music and can learn a simple song in a few minutes, I spend 40 hours on each song, creating a complex instrumental version that only I can perform,' he explained. 'Over my career, Ive spent over 3,000 hours creating these complex arrangements, and its something that Im truly proud of.' He now plays at weddings all across the globe, and charges up to $15,000 for his services He's now a millionaire, and is 'projected' to earn another $500,000 this year alone He told DailyMail.com that he earns roughly $25,000 to $30,000 per month, while his real estate portfolio brings in another $12,000 per month. He's now a millionaire, and is 'projected' to earn another $500,000 this year alone. 'My wedding business started doing quite well in 2019, so I began investing the profits into real estate,' he added. 'Since then, Ive been able to purchase a home in California and eight houses in Little Rock, Arkansas, that I rent out. 'I have a property manager, so Im still able to devote my full attention to weddings. Thanks to those real estate investments, I became a millionaire last year at the age of 30.' As for his biggest advice, he suggested living 'frugally' even if you're earning a high salary, and teaching yourself 'as much as you can about finances.' 'Most people are more concerned with having a certain lifestyle and appearing wealthy, and that becomes the very reason they never become wealthy,' he added. 'Im quite proud of the life that Ive created for myself and Im grateful for all the opportunities that brought me here, but honestly, my lifes not that much different than when I was making $100k/year. 'The million dollars isnt in a bank account, its all equity trapped in my houses that I cant touch, and over half my income goes into a savings account to buy the next property, so my lifestyle is actually quite simple, and Im pretty happy with that.' '[I'm not going to lie] its really difficult [to become a millionaire], but if you find something youre exceptional at, put in ungodly amounts of hours, mercilessly cut your spending, and have a little bit of luck, you have a great shot at succeeding.' Though inmates on Death Row all have the same destination, some methods are more painful and torturous than others. Last year, 25 people - all men - across nine states were put to death as punishment for heinous crimes like murder. There are several execution methods performed in the US, but the vast majority, about 1,000 since the 1970s, have been through lethal injection, a three-drug concoction that renders the body unconscious and induces a heart attack. However, amid a series of botched executions with lethal injection that have led to painful deaths and even failed executions that required the inmate to undergo another round, some more archaic methods have gradually made their way back into the 27 states that allow the death penalty. Before lethal injection became the most common execution method, most offenders were killed by electric chair, which sends 2,000 volts of electricity through the nervous system and 'fries' the brain. Earlier this year, Alabama executed murderer Brad Sigmon via firing squad, a 400-year old technique in which corrections officers shoot one bullet into an inmate's chest. It was America's first firing squad execution in 15 years. DailyMail.com has revealed the most brutal ways to be executed, as told by experts and witnesses. Firing Squad A chair sits in the execution chamber at the Utah State Prison. It is designated for firing squad, an archaic execution method making a comeback Last month, Brad Sigmon of South Carolina was tied down to an armless chair. A white target with a red bullseye was pinned to his chest. Guards held his head in place with straps across his chin and forehead and put a black hood over his head. Sandbags surrounded the chair to soak up his blood. In an enclosure about 20 feet away, three officers raised their rifles and each shot a bullet into Sigmon's chest at the same time. He was declared dead three minutes later. Sigmon, 67, was the first American in 15 years to be put to death via firing squad, a centuries old execution method that only recently regained traction. Just weeks after Sigmon's execution, 42-year-old Mikal Mahdi of South Carolina met the same fate after choosing firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. He spent about 45 seconds groaning in pain and was declared dead four minutes after the shots rang out. Brad Sigmon, pictured here, was the first American executed via firing squad in 15 years Firing squad executions in the US date back to 1608, and about 142 people have been put to death this way since then. In a modern-day firing squad execution, three officers stand about 15 feet away and fire through a small opening in the wall. The inmate's head is covered and they are restrained by their arms and legs. Despite the brutality of the method, some experts have suggested a firing squad execution may be one of the fastest ways to die. Dr James Williams, an emergency room physician in Texas and courtroom expert on firing squad executions, told The Marshall Project: 'There is a lot of evidence that the near-instant loss of blood pressure means no blood gets to the brainstem, and there is a rapid loss of consciousness. He compared it to a chokehold, which causes loss of consciousness in three to five seconds. However, a South Carolina court in 2022 said firing squad death could be considered 'torture' because it damages an inmate's heart and its surrounding bone and tissue. Experts testifying in the case said this would be extremely painful until the inmate falls unconscious. Firing squads are legal in Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah. Inmates can choose the methods in Utah and South Carolina, and in Mississippi it may be used if lethal injections are unavailable. A March 2025 bill made firing squad the main execution method in Idaho. Nitrogen gas It's an execution method so cruel the United Nations branded it 'torture.' Nitrogen gas execution, also called 'nitrogen hypoxia,' uses nitrogen gas to suffocate a person. Inmates are strapped to a gurney, unable to move any of their limbs, and are fitted with a mask and forced too breathe in pure nitrogen. Though nitrogen is naturally occurring and composes more than three-quarters of the air we breath, inhaling it at high concentrations leads to suffocation. While authorities in the four states where nitrogen hypoxia is legal - Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana - predict nitrogen hypoxia knocks an inmate unconscious and causes multi-organ failure in five to 15 minutes, critics say it causes excessive pain and humiliation. This could mean being left in a vegetative state or choking on one's own vomit. The World Society for the Protection of Animals said in its 2013 guidelines: 'Current evidence indicates this method is unacceptable because animals may experience distressing side effects before loss of consciousness.' The American Veterinary Medical Association made a similar conclusion in its 2020 guidance. And officials from the United Nations said it could breach human rights treaties that forbid 'torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' Kenneth Smith of Alabama last year became the first American executed by nitrogen gas, a method dubbed by authorities as too cruel for animals Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, became America's fifth inmate executed by nitrogen as last in March. It took 19 minutes for him to stop breathing Some critics say that the use of a one-size-fits-all mask means that it's not airtight. An inadequate seal could lead to oxygen leaking through the mask, which could lead to a prolonged and painful death. According to the theory, this could also lead to a stroke, seizure or the inmate being put into a vegetative state instead of dying. Even brain cells that are starved of oxygen for a few minutes may never recover, leaving the sufferer brain dead but still technically alive. Last year, Kenneth Smith of Alabama became the first American executed with nitrogen gas. It took 22 minutes for the 58-year-old to be pronounced dead, during which he thrashed against the gurney, convulsed and vomited into his mask. Since then, four more men have chosen nitrogen gas for their execution. Jessie Hoffman Jr of Louisiana became America's fifth inmate executed with nitrogen gas in March. It took 19 minutes for him to stop breathing. Witnesses reported he twitched and jerked his head with fists clenched. Prisoners can select this method of execution. In Mr Smith's case, he chose it after surviving a botched lethal injection. Lethal injection Pictured above is Joe Hutchinson, a convicted five-time murderer executed by the state of Florida vias lethal injection on May 1, 2025 Lethal injection is the most common execution method in the US, with 1,377 injections administered since the 1970s. The method was first developed in 1977, though it would be five years before it would be used for the first time in Texas inmate Charles Brooks. Today, all 27 states that have the death penalty allow lethal injection. Lethal injection involves restraining the inmate to a gurney and placing heart monitors on their skin. Two needles, one of which is a backup, are inserted into the prisoner's veins, usually their arms. The inmate is given a trio of chemicals: the anesthetic midazolam to render them unconscious, the paralytic bromide to stop them from moving and potassium chloride to stop their heart. Dr Joel Zivot, an anesthesiologist and professor at Emory University in Atlanta, told CNN the 500 milligram dose of anesthetic likely triggers pulmonary edema, a condition in which fluid builds up in the lungs. If the inmate is not fully unconscious, pulmonary edema could make them feel as if they are drowning. However, Dr Ervin Ten, a retired anesthesiologist who has witnessed several executions, said if pulmonary edema starts after a patient becomes unconscious, it is likely 'not causing them discomfort.' Lethal injection is the most common execution method in the US. It involves a trio of chemicals meant to anesthetize, paralyze and induce cardiac arrest. Pictured above is a physician in Belgium administering a lethal injection in 2024 Experts have also raised concerns that the paralytic would render an inmate unable to communicate distress if they have not properly been knocked unconscious. Dr Mark Health, an anesthesiology professor at Columbia University, testified in a lawsuit challenging Kentucky's execution protocol that some inmates have cried tears during the process. He said this could indicate severe pain or suffocation. Potassium chloride has also been shown to cause severe pain, which some experts comparing it to feeling like the arm is on fire. The whole process is meant to take about five minutes, but botched case can take up to two hours. The most recent lethal injection procedure was performed May 1, 2025, in Florida for Jeffrey Hutchinson, who was convicted of murdering 32-year-old single mother Renee Flaherty and her three children in 1998. The procedure took 15 minutes. According to the Associated Press, Hutchinson's legs shook and his body spasmed for several minutes before he went still and was declared dead. Glen Rogers, nicknamed the 'Casanova Killer,' will also be given a lethal injection in Florida two weeks later for the murder of five people in the 1990s. An additional eight lethal injections have been planned so far for 2025. Hanging Hanging was last used in 1996 and was most popular throughout the Wild West. The method is meant to be painless but can lead to prolonged breathing trouble Up until the 1890s, hanging was the most common method of execution in the US, particularly famous in the Wild West. But in 2025, it is only a legal execution method in Washington state, and this is only if lethal injection is either unavailable or ruled unconstitutional. The last hanging execution was carried out in 1996 in Delaware for Billy Bailey, who was convicted of murdering elderly couple Gilbert and Clara Lambertson. Hanging was the official method of execution in Delaware until 1986, and the gallows were disassembled entirely in 2003. The method typically involves an inmate being weighed the day before and authorities having to perform a rehearsal with a sandbag the same weight as the inmate. This is meant to determine how long the drop from the top of the gallows needs to be for a quick death. During the execution, the inmate's hands and feet are secured and they are blindfolded. Once the noose is placed around their neck, a trap door beneath them opens and the inmate falls through, breaking their neck. While hanging is meant to provide an instant death, small errors can make it torturous. If the rope is too short, for example, an inmate could be strangled instead of having their neck immediately broken. This could leave them gasping for air for up to 15 minutes. In fact, throughout the 1800s, inmates were known to hang by their broken necks for up to 30 minutes before finally succumbing to asphyxiation. Harold Hillman, an expert in executions at the University of Surrey, told NBC News: 'Hanging is a very cruel way of killing people. 'The fracture obstructs their breathing, and they are left gasping for breath.' If inmates fall too far, they may pick up so much speed that the noose decapitates them. This would be an instant death. Electric chair Pictured above is an electric chair used by the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The last electric chair execution took place in 2020 in Tennessee Around the time hanging became less common in the US, the electric chair came to take its place. In 1881, a dentist named Dr Albert Southwick suggested using electrocution to execute inmates after he watched an elderly drunk man 'painlessly' die from touching an electric generator. New York's Electrical Execution Law was passed eight years later and Edward David, an electrician at Auburn Prison, was commissioned to build the world's first electric chair. On August 6, 1890, 30-year-old William Kemmler of New York became the first American killed via electric chair. A year earlier he had been convicted of murdering his wife Matilda 'Tillie' Ziegler. However, the process was far from painless. The machine delivered 700 volts of electricity for only 17 seconds before the current failed. Even though witnesses reported smelling burned clothing and charred flesh, Kemmler was far from dead. Anything over 50 volts is considered potentially deadly. He underwent a second charge of 1,030 volts for two minutes. As he was confirmed dead, smoke wafted out of his head. Since 1890, 4,374 electric chair executions have been performed in the US, the only country to have ever used the method. The electric chair is no longer used as the sole execution method in any state, and the last one was in Tennessee in 2020. The method is legal in nine states, and in many cases, the inmate can ask for it in place of lethal injection. Nicholas Sutton, pictured here, was the last inmate executed via electric chair in Tennessee in 2020. He was sentenced to death in 1985 for stabbing fellow inmate Carl Estep The method involves shaving and strapping a person to a chair with belts across their chest, groin, legs and arms. A metal skullcap-shaped electrode is attached to the scalp and forehead over a sponge moistened with saline. The inmate is then blindfolded and the executioner pulls a handle to deliver between 500 and 2,000 volts of electricity for around 30 seconds. The exact amount depends on weight and how much the inmate is able to survive. US Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, who opposed the death penalty, described electric chair executions in gruesome detail in 1986. He said: 'The prisoners eyeballs sometimes pop out and rest on [his] cheeks. The prisoner often defecates, urinates, and vomits blood and drool. 'The body turns bright red as its temperature rises, and the prisoners flesh swells and his skin stretches to the point of breaking. 'Sometimes the prisoner catches fire... Witnesses hear a loud and sustained sound like bacon frying, and the sickly sweet smell of burning flesh permeates the chamber.' This happens because the intense electric current causes all muscles in the body to lose control, including those in the bladder and bowels. The body also thrashes so hard that multiple bones break. The current also fries all nerves in the body, including those in the brain. Robert H Kirschner, a forensic pathologist and deputy chief medical examiner of Cook County, Illinois, said: 'The brain appears cooked in most cases.' Mandi Masterpole was one of 16 million Americans taking ADHD medications the only catch? She didn't have the disorder. She took drugs like Adderall and Ritalin without a prescription, using them to power through schoolwork, juggle babysitting jobs, and stay energized for parties. By 22, Masterpole suffered a devastating heart attack after five years of abusing the stimulants which she likened to 'legal speed.' I bought a few and I tried them and that was it. I remember my eyes lighting up, the colors seemed to be brighter,' said Masterpole from Hamilton, New Jersey. 'Everything seemed to be bright. I thought it was like heaven. I was like, Oh my god, this is amazing. One pill a day quickly became two as she chased that initial high. Eventually she was snorting the drug four times a day with most of her $600 weekly paycheck going towards the cost. ADHD drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse are designated schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. Mandi Masterpole began abusing Adderall and Ritalin when she was 17. She enjoyed it for its ability to keep her awake and alert to keep up with her school work while also spending time with friends and partying For people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they can be valuable medical tools as they simply replenish depleted levels of chemicals in the brain that help patients concentrate. But for those who don't have the disorder, they overstimulate the brain with pleasure hormones, leading to performance-enhancing effects and an addictive euphoric 'high' that can prove dangerous. Masterpole would take the drugs, typically crushed up and snorted, for six days a week. 'It got to the point where I would make a schedule. I would stop the pills on Tuesday, because I was off work on Wednesday,' she said. 'So I would stop on Tuesday, I would take Wednesday to eat and then I would start my pills again. I needed to take a day to eat because I wasn't eating anything.' The drugs decimated her appetite with her weight plummeting from a healthy 140 lbs to a stick-thin 114 lbs. The drugs were also doing insurmountable damage under the surface. Aged 21, she became unexpectedly pregnant with her daughter, Shea, and though she says she stopped taking the drugs during her pregnancy, by that point the damage to her heart muscle was done. I knew when I went into labor, I was telling my mom, something's not right",' Masterpole recalled. The doctors asked me if I had taken anything, I ended up telling them that I had abused drugs and they basically said I had blown out my heart. On top of that, she was a type 1 diabetic and had not been taking her insulin as needed. I would tell people to steer clear of these drugs completely. It's not worth it. It may make you feel good but it's going to tear everything apart, Masterpole, now 34, said. She is pictured with her daughter Shae The drugs had weakened my heart, plus the diabetes had made it so weak that when I went into labor my body couldn't handle it, Masterpole said. Years of heavy drug use in addition to mismanaging her diabetes made the young womans heart ridiculously weak, the doctor told her. There was nothing to it, she said. He was like, you just shattered it. Now, the 34-year-old often requires a wheelchair to get around as her weakened heart has left her with fatigue and shortness of breath. She can't have any more children due to the stress it would impose on her depleted body. Masterpole is looking back on her experience in the hope of educating young people who opt to start taking the drugs without a doctors order just to get ahead in academics or to party. The irony, Masterpole says, is that even though she was abusing her body, she was excelling in her school work and social life. She worked and studied all day to become a mortician but was still able to see her friends and party at night. Years of heavy drug use in addition to mismanaging her diabetes made the young womans heart ridiculously weak, the doctor told Masterpole After her heart stopped twice, doctors implanted an LVADa mechanical pump that supports a failing heartto keep her alive 'Here I am telling myself I'm doing the right thing getting school done but I was blowing my heart out the whole time. Adderall and similar drugs boost concentration by increasing dopamine (motivation, focus, and reward) and norepinephrine (alertness and attention), helping the brain prioritize tasks and ignore distractions. 'I was telling myself, I'm getting so much done, I have time, I can still party, I can still hang out, I can get up and go to work. She was making money babysitting at the time and figured that, as long as she could still be a proper caregiver, her drug use wasn't be problematic. Adderall and similar drugs boost concentration by increasing dopamine (motivation, focus, and reward) and norepinephrine (alertness and attention), helping the brain prioritize tasks and ignore distractions It's not like I'm nodding off in class, it's not like I can't see the kids. I'm washing them, I'm changing diapers, I'm doing everything I need to do,' she recalled thinking. But taking Adderall in high doses puts undue stress on the heart, speeding it up and raising blood pressure, which over time can cause the heart muscle to thicken. Amphetamines like Adderall and Ritalin also cause blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the supply of oxygen getting to the heart. And they disrupt the regular electrical activity in the heart, causing a life-threatening disruption to normal rhythm known as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Stimulants can also cause spasms in the heart arteries, cutting off the flow of blood even without any buildup of plaque there, which exacerbates heart damage. At the height of her addiction, Masterpole did not consider any of this and it led to irreparable damage. Masterpole, pictured with her daughter when she was a newborn, remains on the heart transplant wait list After giving birth to her daughter, her heart stopped twice during a week in the hospital and she was taken to the operating room to have a Left Ventricular Assist Device, or LVAD, implanted. The device helps the heart mechanically circulate blood when the left ventricle the heart's main pumping chamber is too weak to function effectively. Masterpole also had a pacemaker and defibrillator installed in her heart when she was 29. A pacemaker acts like a metronome for the heart, sending small electrical pulses to maintain a steady beat. And a defibrillator monitors the hearts rhythm 24/7. She is now on a waiting list for a heart transplant, which, in some cases, can take years. Your browser does not support iframes. She remains at the bottom of the list due to the fact that the interventions have worked so far. And while she is doing better now, Mandi had to put her dreams on hold. Unable to finish her mortuary schooling, she returned later but found it too difficult to balance with her many health needs. I would tell people to steer clear of these drugs completely. It's not worth it. It may make you feel good but it's going to tear everything apart, Masterpole warned. It's not the quick fix I thought it was. Everybody should know it's not what you think, it will lead you down a way that you do not want to go. A young woman has urged the public to seek help for persistent coughs after her irritating tickle turned out the be the only sign of life-threatening blood cancer. Beth Harris, 24, from Staffordshire, said if she hadn't challenged her doctor's initial diagnosis of a chest infection, she would have been dead within the year. The conveyancer first began coughing in February, but assumed it would 'just go away'. However, after nagging from her mother and partner, she sought help from the GP, who diagnosed a chest infection and prescribed two different types of antibiotics. 'I was one of those people who thought it was just going to go away,' she said. Eventually she returned to her doctor, who voiced concern that the problem was not disappearing. To check nothing sinister was wrong, the GP sent her to the local hospital for an X-ray and CT scan. A fortnight later she was called back to receive the crushing news that she had stage two B-cell lymphoma a type of blood cancer. The 24 year-old was convinced that her chesty cough would just 'go away' The condition develops when a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes develop abnormally, and multiply to form growths in the glands that are responsible for eliminating waste. This can lead to tumours in numerous spots around the body, most commonly in the neck, groin and thymus gland in the chest. Scans had found several lumps in Ms Harris' neck and chest, including one main tumour blocking the entrance to her heart and left lung. 'They said the minute they took a look at my results, they saw that I hit every single marker for cancer,' she said. 'You know your own body and I had a feeling when they asked me to come in and my mind instantly went to cancer. 'I remember her saying "you've got lymphoma" and I burst into tears and zoned out. 'I was instantly thinking I'm going to die and my mum's going to have to plan my funeral.' Thankfully, Ms Harris was told her cancer was caught in the nick of time. Ms Harris' partner Lewis urged her to visit the GP for the cough - it she hadn't have sought help she'd be dead within a year, she said. Around 5000 people are diagnosed with B cell lymphoma every year, according to Cancer Research UK. 'The doctor said if I had left the cough, I would have been dead by Christmas,' she said. 'I'm lucky that I had a really good GP.' Beth was initially told she would be having a six-month course of chemotherapy in hospital, but because of fluid around her heart, a decision was made to change it 'The treatment will now be given every other week for three months,' she said. 'The fluid has been caused by what they thought was the chest infection. 'If the initial three months go well, I'll take chemotherapy tablets for the following three months. 'The doctors hope I'll be in remission by October. 'I am apprehensive. But when you break it down, it doesn't seem as big and scary.' Her message to others is clear: 'If you don't feel well, get yourselves checked out 'It's scary to think at 24, my mum could have been planning my funeral in the New Year.' Bill Maher has been left stunned after hearing that Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are likely frontrunners to lead the Democrats. The liberal comedian discussed who is currently on the horizon for the party's 2028 primary with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher on Saturday. Republican politician McCarthy said he thought Vermont Senator Sanders and New York lawmaker AOC would be the prime candidates, to which Maher exclaimed: 'No!' 'Who's at the top of that ticket, Kevin? Because if it's not Bernie, he's going to be vice president and "wait his turn"?' Maher quipped, as the audience laughed. McCarthy reasoned that his picks are 'in the lead right now' because they 'get the biggest crowds' at political events and rallies. Voter surveys have also reflected McCarthy's prediction that AOC, 35, could be the next Democratic Party leader. A recent CNN poll indicated that liberals believe the New York Congresswoman is the person who best reflects the party's key principles - although there wasn't a clear winner and many respondents had no opinion at all. The survey asked Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independent voters which politician best reflects the core values of the Democratic Party today. Bill Maher has been left stunned after hearing that Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are likely frontrunners to lead the Democrats Republican politician Kevin McCarthy (pictured) said he thought Vermont Senator Sanders and New York lawmaker AOC would be the prime candidates, to which Maher exclaimed: 'No!' Ten percent of voters chose AOC while former Vice President Kamala Harris was a close second with nine percent of the votes. Sanders came in third with eight percent while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was placed fourth with six percent. Former President Barack Obama and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett were tied for fifth with four percent. California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were all tied at two percent. Another fifteen Democrats including some lawmakers and governors each received one percent of the votes, while a whopping 26 percent of respondents had no opinion. Trump allies greeted the results of the poll as good news as the progressive Democratic congresswoman has long been accused of being too far left by moderates. Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro also shared the poll on his show, dubbing the results 'brutal' for Democrats. He claimed the New York Congresswoman is 'totally out of touch with most Americans.' The survey conducted March 6-9 included 1,206 respondents and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be the next Democratic Party leader, voter polls indicate Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders came in third place in the CNN poll of 1,206 liberal voters It comes after Maher, 69, claimed that millennial liberals are preoccupied with 'posturing and purity' which will alienate voters and 'blow it' against Donald Trump. The commentator also saved some ire for Trump, claiming in an op-ed that his first 100 days back in the White House had been a 's***show'. Maher slammed DOGE as 'inefficient,' while slamming Trump for 'disappearing people' via deportations, 'killing people overseas' by cutting aid money, and causing a market collapse. Maher's criticism came despite recently having what he called a cordial dinner with the president in the White House. 'I'd like to be a FTSE 100 company,' Andrew Webley, founder of The Smarter Web Company, told This is Money last month, as the firm launched its retail offering on the Aquis Exchange. Two weeks later it looks like this dream is edging slowly closer to being within his grasp. We spoke to Webley as the Smarter Web Company launched its IPO with a price of 2.5 pence per share, raising 1million through its IPO alone. The Smarter Web Company offers web design and digital marketing services to more than 250 different clients but that's not the driving force behind the IPO and its success. Instead, a major part of its strategy going forward, and undoubtedly the selling point to investors, is the firm's adoption of a digital asset treasury policy centered around bitcoin - making it the UK's answer to US star Microstrategy. As at 2 May, Smarter Web Company shares had almost doubled and were trading at 4.88 pence each, and the firm's market capitalisation has risen from 3.7million to 7.16million. Webley told This is Money: 'We were really pleased that we could do the retail offer, which is a little bit unusual with an IPO for a small company.' A major part of The Smarter Web Company's strategy is to create a digital asset reserve While having only commenced trading on the Aquis exchange on 25 April, the Surrey-based web design firm has become the most traded stock on Aquis by volume. The firm's average daily volume since it started trading is 82,861, with 404,415 shares changing hands this week alone and 9,890 on its first day of trading. Webley said: 'It's a bit overwhelming, the response has been brilliant. I've had so many supportive messages, with people saying 'I love what you're doing with your company. 'It's been really nice just to see people in the UK get behind what we believe is a very good story from the UK. I suppose that's the answer to the volume, people see that we're trying our best and we're working hard.' He added: 'Before we decided to be a public company, we've done everything transparently. The prices of our web design packages are on our website. We give people the truth, you know, at all times we're professional with them. 'We don't try and overcomplicate something that doesn't need to be overcomplicated. That's the same approach that we've taken to our investor relations. So we're just trying to be transparent.' The firm this week announced its latest bitcoin purchase worth 244,000, increasing its holdings to 5.74 bitcoin worth 414,000. The company also set out a ten-year plan, indicating that it is looking to grow its client numbers in the short term, as well as its intention to make strategic acquisitions. These sit alongside its other ambition to continue the growth of its digital asset holdings. Webley said: 'We are focused on accelerating short-term growth by scaling our proven core services, while also exploring strategic acquisitions that could unlock compelling value. 'By taking a pioneering approach to treasury management using digital assets, including bitcoin, we believe we offer investors an excellent opportunity.' Webley says the combination of a scalable business as well as the firm's digital asset treasury offers different attractive features for different investors. He said: 'Some people will look at our business and say "I like what you're doing on your organic growth," and others will say, "I like what you're doing with your innovative approach to Treasury management," investors choose the bits of the business that they like, and that's why they invest in it.' Webley added: 'I just want to be very clear about how grateful we are for the support that everyone has shown if people didn't get behind it, it wouldn't be as exciting as it is. 'With that excitement obviously comes responsibility. We've now got to execute our strategy.' EV charging at home still saves motorists a significant amount of money per mile compared to filling up a conventional car with petrol, despite the Ofgem energy price cap rise coming in. The AA's latest EV Recharge Report for March shows that electric car owners who charge at home pay just 5.6p/mile for standard rate domestic charging. This compares to 11.8p/mile running a petrol car costs due to stubborn pump prices. It continues to highlight the low running costs benefits of EVs for those with access to home charging. And while there was a lot of noise made around a predicted fall in petrol prices, retailers ripping motorists off at the pumps by failing to pass on savings means they're still paying far more per mile than EV drivers. This is despite the Ofgem energy price cap increase from 1 April - a 6.4 per cent hike compared to the end of March. But those powering their EVs from home still only pay 5.6p a mile on the worst case tariff, the AA says. Charging at home is still around 6p/mile cheaper than filling up with petrol despite touted pump price drops and the rise in the Ofgem energy price cap The Recharge Report found that the average price of petrol was down to 134.7p a litre last week - just 0.4p a litre below the low-point in March - even though a 3-a-tank saving at the petrol pumps was forecasted a fortnight before. The cost of per mile petrol driving was left at 11.8p a mile. Even after the weekend, the average petrol price was only down to 134.3p a litre. Home charging on the most expensive standard rate cost just 5.65p a mile; it means expensive variable rate kerbside charging still provides a saving of nearly 2p a mile over petrol. While there's still a 'driveway divide', with EV owners without off-street parking who are therefore reliant on the pricier public charging network, there are still promising savings compared to petrol, the AA reports. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy, said: 'The drop in peak rate slow charging is good news for EV owners without a driveway. 'Closing the gap on the so-called pavement tax is a positive step, but the government missed the chance to take bold action by retaining the 20 per cent VAT rate on public charging at the Spring Statement.' Even the most expensive unplanned charge on the public network has seen a drop in average costs of 5.8 per cent to leave the price per miles of ultra-rapid peak less than 3p a mile more than petrol, closing that gap. Off-peak rapid charging though is still beating petrol per mile, now at 10.62p a mile compared to 11.86p per mile for petrol. Calculations are based on adding 80 per cent charge to a Vauxhall e-Corsa, 50kW, with a WLTP range of 221 miles - this equates to 178 miles of range - and filling a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2-litre petrol's 40-litre tank to 80 per cent full (32 litres). MARCH 2025 FLAT RATES Charge Type Speed Mar Ave (p/kWh) Feb Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to add 80% charge Pence per mile (p/mile) Domestic Up to 7kW 25 25 0 10.00 5.65 Slow Up to 8kW 50 50 0 20.00 11.3 Fast 8-49kW 60 59 1 24.00 13.56 Rapid 50-149kW 74 74 0 29.60 16.72 Ultra-rapid +150kW 78 78 0 31.20 17.63 PETROL 135.60 ppl 139.80 ppl -4.20 ppl 43.39 11.86 Source - AA EV Recharge Report March MARCH 2025 PEAK AND OFF PEAK RATES Charge Type Speed Mar Ave (p/kWh) Feb Ave (p/kWh) Difference (p/kWh) Cost to add 80% charge Pence per mile (p/mile) Slow Off-Peak Up to 8kW 44 44 0 17.60 9.94 Slow Peak Up to 8kW 65 69 -4 26.00 14.69 Fast Off-Peak 8-49kW 54 54 0 21.60 12.2 Fast Peak 8-49kW 85 85 0 34.00 19.21 Rapid Off-Peak 50-149kW 54 54 0 21.60 12.2 Rapid Peak 50-149kW 85 85 0 34.00 19.21 Ultra-rapid Off-Peak +150KW 47 47 0 18.80 10.62 Ultra-rapid Peak +150kW 65 65 0 26.00 14.69 PETROL 135.60 ppl 139.80 ppl -4.20 ppl 43.39 11.86 Source - AA EV Recharge Report March The report coincides with new charging updates from the Department for Transport Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics: April 2025 that show there's been a 28 per cent increase in publicly available chargepoints over the last 12 months. There are a total of 76,507 charging devices, of which a fifth are classified as rapid or ultra-rapid, meaning drivers can stop and recharge their car quickly. There's also been a 25 per cent increase in the number of on-street electric vehicle chargers compared to April 2024, and an eight per cent increase compared to January 2025. New DfT charging stats show there are now 76,507 charging devices across the UK, of which a fifth are classified as rapid or ultra-rapid, meaning drivers can stop and recharge their car quickly However, Vauxhall - which works with councils and leading charge point providers through its Electric Streets of Britain campaign - has highlighted that the figures show there's has been a drop in the number of public charge points in some regions of the UK, with the North East and Northern Ireland reporting lower levels in April compared to January. In response to this regional irregularity, Vauxhall's Electric Streets Director, Phil Douglas, said that the 'encouraging' rise in on-street chargers needs to be managed with the 'importance' of the 'devices being installed in the right place' in mind. 'The fact that public charging device figures have actually fallen in the North East and Northern Ireland since the start of the year is surprising', he commented. 'Through Electric Streets of Britain, over 1,000 residents in the North East and Northern Ireland have registered the need for on-street charging near them. 'It is important that local authorities continue to consider the needs of drivers nationwide to make sure no part of the country is left behind on the electrification journey.' Warren Buffett has been hailed as 'everything that is good about American capitalism' after announcing his retirement after six decades. The billionaire investor, 94, said he would hand over the reins as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway to vice chairman Greg Abel at the end of this year. And his announcement came as he rebuked Donald Trump over his tariff war on America's trading partners, saying: 'Trade should not be a weapon.' Buffett took over Berkshire then a failing textile company in 1965 before turning it into a $1.16trillion conglomerate with nearly 200 businesses across the US economy. The billionaire became known as the 'Sage of Omaha', combining investment success with homespun wisdom and a modest lifestyle. While Berkshire stock rose 5,502,284 per cent from 1965 to 2024, Buffett never moved from a home he paid $31,500 for in 1958. His investment approach stressed the importance of company fundamentals and not overpaying for assets. 'Sage of Omaha': Warren Buffett said he would hand over the reins as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway to vice chairman Greg Abel at the end of this year His best-known investment of recent years was buying shares in Apple in 2016 in what turned out to be a lucrative bet that it would recover from a dip in fortunes. Buffett's own fortune totals $168.2billion according to Forbes magazine, nearly all of which is in Berkshire stock. Apple boss Tim Cook was among the chief executives paying tribute to Buffett. He said in a social media post: 'There's never been someone like Warren, and countless people, myself included, have been inspired by his wisdom. It's been one of the great privileges of my life to know him.' JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon, the world's most powerful banker, said: 'Warren Buffett represents everything that is good about American capitalism and America itself investing in the growth of our nation and its businesses with integrity, optimism and common sense.' Buffett's announcement came at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting at its HQ in Omaha, Nebraska. The company's share price has risen 19 per cent this year, compared with a 3 per cent drop in the S&P 500 stock index as it has been seen as a safe haven from economic uncertainty. But Cathy Seifert, an analyst at CFRA Research, questioned whether it could continue to attract a premium now holding Berkshire stock no longer means 'getting the investing prowess of a legend'. As alleged UFO footage and declassified CIA files on alien encounters flood the internet's stratosphere, one ex-NASA top official has revealed exclusively to the Daily Mail that the US Air Force possesses a 20-foot, gravity-defying 'flying saucer' - and claims he saw the footage more than 30 years ago. Former NASA Chief Flight Surgeon and Air Force Major, Dr. Gregory Rogers, who worked with astronauts on several space shuttle missions, says he was shown security footage by another Air Force major in 1992 depicting the exotic craft levitating in a hangar. He kept the secret for more than 32 years, but following his retirement from the Department of Defense (DoD) last month, he has decided to come forward. Rogers, 68, said he wanted to back up other recent DoD whistleblowers who have told Congress the military has out-of-this-world spacecraft, reverse-engineered from alien technology. 'I know exactly what I saw that day, and it was in no fashion a conventional flying vehicle,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I have heard a number of members of Congress express their desire to hear more of the experiences of any additional whistleblowers. 'Therefore, I am presenting my story. 'I hope that my report may stimulate others to reveal whatever they have similarly witnessed.' Former NASA Chief Flight Surgeon and Air Force Major, Dr. Gregory Rogers, says he was taken into a room by an Air Force major and shown classified footage of a UFO with US insignia A satellite surveillance photo taken for an FBI investigation into UFOs, unrelated to Rogers' case. The 'flying saucer' that Rogers saw on CCTV in 1992 was '20 feet wide, probably 8 to 10 feet tall, and it had a shallow dome on top of it' In the late spring of 1992, Rogers was stationed at the sprawling NASA facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the heyday of America's space program, a busy time of regular launches and high-profile space shuttle missions. Rogers kept the secret for more than 32 years, but following his retirement from the Department of Defense (DoD) last month, he decided to come forward As chief flight surgeon, Rogers was in charge of safety inspections on the base and medical care for its personnel, including the astronauts. This sometimes involved jumping in a helicopter and fishing them out of the ocean after their capsules splashed down to earth. One afternoon around April or May of 1992, he was about to go home after inspecting a facility on the base where satellite components were assembled, when a US Air Force (USAF) major approached him in the corridor. 'He says, "Hey Doc, I got something to show you. It'll knock your socks off,"' Rogers told the Mail. He didn't recognize the man, but Rogers' job involved caring for hundreds of patients, so he said it was not unusual to be approached by servicemen who knew him but whom he had forgotten. The major ushered him into a room with computers, locked the door and closed the blinds. 'I'm thinking, "What on earth is this guy doing?"' Rogers said. 'He sits down at the computer console. It takes several minutes, then all of a sudden up on the screen comes this closed circuit television [CCTV] feed.' A drawing of the ship that Rogers mapped out for the Daily Mail. He said the ship had no apparent antennas or flight control surfaces and had about four horizontal rectangles spaced evenly around the middle Rogers said he didn't recognize the Air Force major who showed him the footage 'against his will' that day, but said he was a 'wimpy guy' who most likely wanted to show off his importance A recommendation letter for Rogers from the DoD. At the NASA facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he viewed the footage, he was the chief flight surgeon in charge of safety inspections on the base, as well as medical care for its personnel, including the astronauts He said the footage showed a standard aircraft hangar, 'just like' the one that housed Rogers' chopper for his work with the 41st Air Rescue Squadron. 'Except it's not my helicopter,' he said. 'There's a flying saucer.' 'I would estimate it was about 20 feet wide, probably 8 to 10 feet tall, and it had a shallow dome on top of it,' he added. 'There were no antennas, there were no flight control surfaces. Everything was very smooth and blended. I saw no rivets, no seams, nothing. 'There was a little area on top which had a stick coming out of it. At the top of it were umbilical hoses, like if you were feeding gasses or electricity into it. 'Everything was white, but there was a vertical black rectangle at the three o'clock, the six o'clock and the nine o'clock position on the upper half of the vehicle.' He said there were also four horizontal rectangles spaced evenly around the middle. 'My mind was going crazy,' Rogers said. 'A flying saucer? Are you kidding me?' He said the footage showed a standard aircraft hangar, 'just like' the one that housed Rogers' helicopter for his work with the 41st Air Rescue Squadron Rogers said the most jaw-dropping part of the footage was when the ship hovered, remained stationary and then made a 45-degree tilt, suggesting it had some unknown propulsion technology The ex-NASA doctor said the footage showed several men - some in lab coats, some in hazmat-type bodysuits - busy around the vehicle. Then on the audio feed, he heard a loud horn-type sound, and the technicians moved out of the shot. What happened next surprised him. 'I hear and see these things that look like electromagnetic charges coming off this vehicle. But there's no devices from which they're emanating,' he said. 'All of a sudden it just lifted up, as smooth as could be. 'Once it got up maybe 3 feet above the concrete surface, it rotated completely around, clockwise, one revolution, then it revolved counterclockwise, one revolution.' The rotation revealed writing on one side. 'It said "US Air Force", and it had the US flying insignia,' he said. 'I'm thinking, this is ours? Two eerie UFOs have been caught on a US naval camera emerging from the ocean and taking off in a 'synchronized' flight off the coast of southern California. The above was captured in 2023, unrelated to Rogers' incident 'At some point, I asked the guy, "Why on earth would we design something like this"? 'He said, "We got it from them," and he was pointing his thumb up to the sky, which I interpreted as meaning from space. 'Then something really caught my attention.' Rogers said the entire craft tipped sideways 45 degrees, but remained stationary, hovering in the air. He said this one maneuver shocked him the most because it showed the craft used some unknown propulsion technology. If a helicopter tips forward while hovering, the thrust from its propellers will force it to move forward. Some military fixed-wing aircraft like the F-35B can take off vertically, but only by using large exterior jets pointed towards the ground, and it would require other jets on its side to stay in place while tipping forward. Rogers, an experienced Air Force pilot, said there was no sign of any such jets on this smooth, white saucer. Rogers posed with legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 95, at a signing for his book Impact. He said they became friendly after this event Rogers' signed photo from the crew of the 1993 Space Shuttle Mission STS-57. Prior to this mission, he had formally raised concerns regarding the safety of the STS space shuttle program. Despite his efforts, he said these warnings were reportedly disregarded by NASA - allegedly leading to the Columbia space shuttle explosion in 2003 'That blew me away because none of the aircraft we have can do that,' he said. Just after the saucer on the video performed its 45-degree tilt, Rogers said there was a knock at the door. 'Somebody was saying "Hey, what's going on in there? Why is the door locked?" The moment that happened this major turns off everything,' Rogers said. 'Then he leans over to me in a very serious voice and says "Don't tell anyone that I showed this to you." 'He opens the door and this lieutenant colonel and two other guys in blue USAF suits walk in. 'The major said, "I had a skin lesion, I wanted him to check to see if it's ok." 'My mind was racing - if I've seen something classified, that was shown to me illegally,' Rogers said. 'I just think, I've got to get out of here. 'So I said, "Yeah, it wasn't cancer. I've got to go back to my clinic." Rogers said he hadn't told his wife about what he had seen for 15 years and that he was breaking his silence publicly due to the influx of disclosures that have come out recently on UAPs Rogers said he never spoke to the major or visited that facility again, and to this day does not know why the USAF officer chose to show him the shocking video 'On the way home from Cape Canaveral down to Patrick Air Force Base, 25 or 30 minutes, the whole time I'm thinking, there is no way on earth I can tell anyone that I just saw a flying saucer. 'This guy trapped me by showing me something I didn't want to see, but there was not a thing I could do about it. 'I absolutely resent being a part of the events of that day,' he added. 'I didn't even tell my wife for 15 years.' Rogers said he never spoke to the major or visited that facility again, and to this day does not know why the USAF officer chose to show him the shocking video. 'My personal opinion is that he was trying to say, "Look, I'm important,"' Rogers said. 'He seemed like a really wimpy guy.' The doctor-pilot was used to keeping military secrets, having flown clandestine missions behind Soviet lines from a base in West Germany during the Cold War in the mid-1980s. But he also has experience blowing the whistle on powerful government institutions. During testing of the space shuttles used for NASA's STS missions in the 1990s, it became clear that thermal protection tiles on the orbiter's wings were vulnerable to damage during its ascent. During his Air Force career, Rogers flew clandestine missions behind Soviet lines from a base in West Germany during the Cold War in the mid-1980s The 2003 explosion of the Columbia space shuttle which caused the death of all seven crew members on board This could cause a deadly disaster during the fiery process of reentering the earth's atmosphere on its return. In his safety role, Rogers says he repeatedly pleaded with NASA leadership to put a repair kit on board, allowing astronauts to repair any damage in space before returning home. He even wrote the 1995 novel Impact about a fictional NASA crew facing this threat. But, he says he was ignored until disaster struck on Feb. 1, 2003, when that exact issue caused the explosion of the Columbia space shuttle and the death of its seven crew members. 'People knew that the danger that I spoke of in '95 was real. They still decided, "We're not going to do anything about it, it's too politically charged,"' he said. Rogers sees the same pattern with UFOs, saying leaders are in denial about what the government calls Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). 'It's the same mentality,' he said. 'We are having videos from FA-18s and from other governmental sources that are showing these things are here. 'We don't even have to debate anymore, are UAPs real? We know they're real. Rogers' recommendation letter from NASA. He said some of the astronauts he has befriended during his time at NASA told him they saw UFOs accompanying their craft flying through space Photo of an alleged UFO in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2002, unrelated to Rogers' case. Rogers said the stigma around UFOs has prevented him from naming the astronauts who have seen them on space flights 'The only thing keeping the government from admitting that is sheer stubbornness at the upper levels. And that gets me as mad as at the NASA engineers.' Through the publication of his 1995 book, he became friendly with astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. He also worked with several other spacewalkers at NASA. Rogers said some, who he declined to name, told him they saw UFOs accompanying their craft flying through space. 'Astronauts have discussed UAPs with me,' he said. 'Vehicles that were not part of the human space program, as far as we know, being in near location to the spacecraft. 'Even flying in formation with them is not uncommon. They've seen these things.' He said these incidents occurred during International Space Station missions, Space Shuttle missions, and missions to and from the moon. But he said the stigma around UFOs prevented him from naming names. 'If you're in the astronaut corps and you want to fly on the next mission, you're not going to improve your odds by telling somebody, "Oh yeah, last time I was up, I saw a flying saucer,"' he said. Rogers says the existence of an Air Force flying saucer program evidenced by the alleged CCTV footage he saw, shows that some in the military are lying to lawmakers. 'Someone had to design and manufacture the vehicle I saw on that video,' he said. 'Someone, somewhere, had to pay for the research and development of this vehicle. 'I believe that this monetary expenditure should have been identified to Congress since they hold the power of the purse over all military spending.' Rogers said he was not a UFO enthusiast before his chance experience and recent testimony by whistleblowers. But now, in his retirement, he has joined the board of Oklahoma-based charity International UFO Bureau (IUFOB) and is helping witnesses investigate alleged encounters. IUFOB, founded in 1957, says it is the 'oldest UFO organization in existence', with a mission 'to provide comprehensive, data-driven insights that inform public understanding, scientific exploration and global policy.' Rogers is on the board of the Oklahoma-based charity the International UFO Bureau (IUFOB), which is headed by CEO Mindy Tautfest (pictured) David Grusch (center) pictured with former pilot Ryan Graves (left) and Navy veteran fighter pilot Commander David Fravor (right) as they were sworn in to give testimony to Congress on July 26, 2023 Led by CEO Mindy Tautfest, the nonprofit is currently compiling databases on UFO incidents and using artificial intelligence to filter information and spot trends. Rogers now joins a growing number of whistleblowers telling lawmakers that we have recovered and replicated alien spacecraft. He said it was testimony from others that finally persuaded him to come forward. In 2023, senior DoD intelligence officer David Grusch came forward, telling Congress under penalty of perjury that he 'was informed in the course of my official duties of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program to which I was denied access.' Grusch claims that in his role as National Reconnaissance Office liaison to the Pentagon's UAP Task Force, he interviewed 40 witnesses within the US government and concluded that the state had captured alien craft and 'non-human biologics.' Long a ridiculed subject, support for the serious investigation of UFOs was rekindled in 2017 when the New York Times published videos from 2004 of a white 'tic tac' seen by Navy aviators off the California coast. The candy-shaped object was traveling at breakneck speeds and performing maneuvers thought to be impossible for human craft. 'Other whistleblowers who have learned about UAPs have given their own testimony to Congress, so I am simply adding my voice to theirs in confirming their prior reports,' Rogers said. 'As they have led the way by speaking out before me, I hope that my report may stimulate others to reveal whatever they have similarly witnessed.' A police officer hurt when an IRA bomb killed six people in Harrods including three cops has revealed she was forced to quit the police because of her injuries but didn't qualify for a medal because she didn't die. Pam White, then-24, was blown off her feet just days before Christmas on December 17, 1983, by an IRA car bomb that took the lives of her colleagues Inspector Stephen Dodd, 34, Sergeant Noel Lane, 28, and PC Jane Arbuthnot, 22. However, although she performed the same role as her colleagues who were killed that day, only they and their families will receive medal recognition. That is because while there is a medal for emergency service workers killed in the line of duty, the Elizabeth Emblem created last year, and other medals for gallantry, there is not one for those who have not died but were forced to quit the force because of the injuries they sustained. Pam, from Tabley, Cheshire, is now backing fellow former police officer Tom Curry's campaign for a medal for injured members of the emergency services who have been forced to quit the police because of their injuries. She said: 'It would mean a lot to me because the bravery shown on that day would be recognised. 'I really feel that all the officers who were there at the bombing should have received an award for their bravery. However, although she performed the same role as her colleagues who were killed that day, only they and their families will receive medal recognition. PC Pam White did not hesitate in guiding members of the public to safety despite being 'absolutely terrified' that a second device could detonate at any moment. Pictured: Pam White as a serving officer in 1980 Pictured: The aftermath of the IRA car bombing of Knightsbridge department store Harrods 'People might say that it is only a medal but it's an actual recognition that all that you've gone through wasn't in vain. 'Nobody knows what I did on that day. Nobody knows what the other officers did. 'All I can say is that all the officers that were injured stayed at the scene. Not one of the officers thought, 'Oh, I've been injured. I'm going to get out of here.' 'We all stayed. Didn't think of ourselves. We were thinking of keeping the members of the public safe and try to limit any further casualties. That went beyond our duty. 'All we received at the time was a letter from the commissioner. Having this award would mean so much to me and the other officers. 'I was 24 years old with everything going for me and then I didn't. I have had some tough times - everybody does but I have fought through them.' PC Pam White did not hesitate in guiding members of the public to safety despite being 'absolutely terrified' that a second device could detonate at any moment. She said her police emergency training kicked in and she was determined evacuate shoppers and help the injured. The bombing had a dramatic impact on her life, with Pam eventually losing her job, her health, her fiance and her home. Brave Pam (pictured) was blown off her feet just days before Christmas on December 17, 1983, by an IRA car bomb that took the lives of her colleagues Inspector Stephen Dodd, 34, Sergeant Noel Lane, 28, and PC Jane Arbuthnot, 22 Pam said: 'I don't know why I survived. For many years I had survivor's guilt, which I wasn't aware of at the time' Pam White with comedian Spike Milligan leaving Chelsea Police Station on December 22, 1983, to visit victims of the Harrods attack Pam never fully recovered from the horrific ordeal and was medically discharged from the Met three years later. Pam held on to the anger she felt for both the police and the IRA for nearly two decades until she became a Christian and took part in peace and reconciliation work, which finally gave her the strength to forgive. Pam, then aged 24, and other officers had been deployed to Harrods department store in London, on December 17, 1983, after the Met received a bomb warning. They had sealed off the streets and were attempting to evacuate the area when the blast ripped through the Hans Crescent entrance at 1.21pm just 36 minutes after the IRA's alert that it had planted a bomb. Three members of the public, Kenneth Salvesen, 28, Jasmine Cochrane Patrick, 25, and Philip Geddes, 25, were also killed and 90 others injured after the explosion sent rubble, glass and other debris raining down on to the streets. Pam and PC Arbuthnot were just 12ft away from the bomb when it exploded. 'I still to this day don't know how I survived,' she said. 'We had just sealed the road off to cars. I had just spoken to Jane and turned my back and the bomb went off. 'Me turning my back could have possibly saved my life. I was later told that if you are facing a blast, the air is sucked out of your lungs and you are killed that way. 'Jane was killed instantly. 'I don't know why I survived. For many years I had survivor's guilt, which I wasn't aware of at the time. 'I couldn't answer the question why I survived. My partner was also a police officer, and he just basically said ''just get on with it''. But I couldn't. 'It was absolute carnage that day. People were lying injured everywhere. 'All the windows at Harrods had been blown out and there was a lot of damage. 'One of my colleagues had cufflinks from a shop mannequin embedded in his kidneys following the blast. 'Those officers not killed by the blast just carried on with their duties. 'We didn't think of doing anything else. 'There was building nearby and I just got people into there. I'd got into the building because the doors had been blown off. Once in there I just got them to lie down. 'I was in total shock that the bomb had exploded. 'There was a Mini parked right opposite the bomb car and we had been informed of another bomb, because it was very common then for the IRA to plant the secondary device. 'I was absolutely terrified that another bomb would go off. 'The sole purpose of the bomb was to lure the police officers to the death. 'The IRA saw it as a war and we were in uniform so they thought we were part of the problem, where I just thought I was a bobby on the beat. 'The IRA said they didn't want to civilian casualties but planting a bomb outside Harrods on the last Saturday before Christmas, what did they expect? 'It's a miracle more weren't killed. Pam, from Tabley, Cheshire, is now backing fellow former police officer Tom Curry's campaign for a medal for injured members of the emergency services who have been forced to quit the police because of their injuries Pictured: Emergency services inspect the scene after the bomb exploded outside Harrods 'If people hadn't come out of the other entrance more would have been killed.' Pam and her colleagues finished their shift and returned to the station. The next day she returned for duty. 'I was told to take a couple of weeks off, which I did. 'I returned to work but it wasn't the same. 'There wasn't any debriefing back then. Now officers would receive very heavy debriefing. 'We've got nothing. They gave us alcohol that the public had donated, told us to have few drinks, forget about it and move on.' Pam did not suffer any physical injuries following the bombing. 'I didn't have a scratch on me,' she said. 'I couldn't hear anything and the ambulance officer who treated me said that if my hearing didn't return after three days, I'd be permanently deaf. Fortunately, it did but I have suffered from tinnitus ever since.' She added: 'I was ostracised by some of my colleagues because I didn't suffer any physical injuries. 'They thought I was putting in on. I looked OK on the outside but inside I was different. 'Until the bombing, I was a very confident person. I was young, fit, excited and proud to be a MET police officer. 'I had everything going for me and then it was gone.' 'I joined the Met because my brother was in the police and I saw it as an exciting career. 'But after the bombing that all changed. 'I had to carry on as normal because you couldn't show any weakness but inside I was terrified about doing the job. 'I dreaded calls regarding sudden deaths or something gory because of all the maiming I had seen. 'It affected me badly. I couldn't admit I had a problem because I thought I would lose my job. 'I didn't realize at the time but my career had ended then. I wasn't the same person. 'I was suffering from PTSD.' A few months after the bombing Pam's health deteriorated. She said: 'I began suffering from stomach problems and began losing weight. 'I went to see my superintendent and I was dripping with sweat. It was dripping onto his desk. 'He picked up the phone and sent me to the nursing home at Hendon. 'It was a medical facility for officers and I was in there from February to August. 'I was told I had severe anxiety state and I was forced to see a shrink. 'In those days, if you had those kinds of issues in the police, nobody would trust you or want to work with you. 'It was a very tough time.' 'The experience of the bombing was such a shock to my body and that your adrenals produce noradrenaline for no reason. 'That was the reason for the sweating but I didn't know that then. I thought I was dying. I thought I was having a heart attack. Pam returned to work but was put on restrictive duties in the station's property store. She was finally medically discharged in July 1986. Pam said: 'I was very angry because I wasn't given a choice. 'I was discharged on the grounds that I had tinnitus and severe anxiety state, which is now PTSD. 'I'd also developed stomach problems, which was all related to the bomb blast. 'Everything had been taken away from me. 'I was very proud to be a Met Police officer and have many happy memories. 'In the time between the bombing and leaving the police, I lost my relationship as I was engaged, I lost my home, my health, and my career. 'I thought 'why has this happened to me?' I didn't realise how lucky I was to have survived.' Pam finally let go of her hatred in 2001. She said: 'I was angry with the IRA for many years. But I found faith and realised that all the internal pain was not good for me. 'You can't vent at an organisation like the IRA. I met the IRA's commander-in-chief on a trip to Ireland and I went up to him to say I forgave the IRA. He said that was appreciated.' Yet despite this, Pam still suffers flashbacks every time there is a terrorist attack. 'Each bombing takes me back there,' she said. 'I am not good with loud noises and this is a weird one but if I go to the cinema I have to sit on the end seat, or stay in a hotel room at the end of the corridor.' And while she is glad her colleagues are eligible for the Elizabeth Emblem, she hopes one day police officers like herself who have to leave the job they love because of injuries sustained in the line of duty will receive medals as well. Homeowners at a smart newbuild estate claim they unwittingly signed up to fleecehold agreements after discovering hidden service fees they believe will add hundreds of pounds in costs every year. Residents at Wayland Fields, a Barratt Homes estate, say they were told annual service charges would be around 125 per annum to pay for cutting grass and trimming hedges around their properties. But they have since learned they are liable for flood defences as well as community amenities, including a childrens play area and wetland areas surrounding ponds, which they fear will see charges soar to 500 or more. They argue the financial blow is effectively a surcharge on their council tax as the local planning iauthority has refused to adopt the disputed facilities, despite them benefiting the wider community. James Dann, 69, who bought a four-bedroom house on the estate in Watton, near Thetford in Norfolk, for 375,000 in December 2022 with his partner Alan Gibbons, 62, told the Mail: We were initially told when we viewed the property that there would be an additional cost but it was only referred to as grass cutting and sorting out the hedgerows. There was nothing mentioned about covering the costs for the attenuation ponds. They were put here to alleviate flood issues that have been here for years. Weve also been told were responsible for the childrens play area. Why are we having to pay for something thats a public open space? Homeowners at the Waylands Field estate in Watton, Norfolk, fear their service charges could quadruple to more than 500 Helen and Brian Dingwall (left), with neighbours Alan Gibbons (second from right) and James Dann complained they are being hit with 'hidden' charges Residents at the newbuild estate say they will be paying for an attenuation pond which takes away excessive rainfall - which other parts of the community will benefit from for free The equipment could be damaged and wed have to pay for that. The costs may be low in the first five years but they could escalate if equipment needs replacing. If we sell the property, there could be an issue [because of uncertainty over costs]. The retired insurance broker added Wayland Fields residents were paying for the upkeep of wetland meadows near ponds that homeowners from a neighbouring estate were using for free. People come across the road from the Hopkins Homes development. A lot of people walk their dogs, he complained. Another Wayland Fields homeowner, retired Brian Dingwall, claimed he was misled. This term fleecehold comes with estates like this, he said. Whats really going on is local councils are paying for the infrastructure maintenance via the collection of this money from managing agents, who are uncapped and uncontrolled. We bought a freehold but were tied in like a leaseholder because of the areas that have not been adopted by the council. His wife, Helen, added: We are paying the council tax and we will [also] pay this. They are doing it sneakily. There are 180 three and four-bedroom homes on the estate, with prices ranging between 287,995 and 399,995. Just eight remain to sell. It is set in a green corner of England that has easy access to the north Norfolk coast that is popular with tourists and the shopping mecca of Norwich. The desirable location has seen prices soar, with the three-bedroom former show house on the market for 400,000 well up on the 287,000 it was originally snapped up for, according to residents. But they said this doesnt justify the eye-watering charges they face. Similar levies are applied to other newbuild estates but these dont come with the open-ended financial risk associated with flood defences that protect other homes in the area and other community facilities. Mr Dingwall added: Our experience felt very much like discovering a ticking time bomb in terms of the pending uncapped and uncontrolled financial costs. The hidden costs came to light when the estate management company prematurely attempted to apply the annual service charge, despite a promise this would not happen until the development was completed in August. The bill was for 135 but this applies to facilities that are new and havent accrued large maintenance or replacement costs yet. Homeowner Samantha Brown shared the widespread fury. She said: I dont understand why Im paying to maintain space that any member of the public can use. Purchasers claim they were told annual service charges would be around 125 and would cover cutting grass and maintaining hedges Property prices at the estate have gone up significantly, some residents claim - but they say this doesn't justify annual maintenance charges they weren't made aware of If we had known about this, we would never have moved here. Neighbour Rick Bhullar added: This arrangement benefits everyone except the people who live here. Another local, who asked not to be named, said: We were told it was going to be 100 or something a year for grass cutting. Now theyre saying its for other things. We havent even got it straight what were paying for. An activists organisation, called Wayland Fields Group, has complained to planning authority Breckland District Council demanding the situation is addressed and urged bosses at Barratt Homes to review the arrangement. Dozens of MPs wrote to the then Tory government in early 2024 calling for an end to so-called fleecehold agreements, under which people with freehold properties were being locked into contracts with private companies to maintain communal areas around them. Conservative peer Lord Moylan, a former advisor to Boris Johnson when he was London mayor, described it at the time as the next great scandal approaching the housing market. He added: It is in very large measure attributable to councils who are simply resiling from taking on their duties. They will accept the additional council tax that is generated by the new properties but they will not take on the responsibilities for maintaining those common amenities. Residents fear annual service charges will soar as infrastructure ages, leaving them with an 'open-ended financial burden' Wayland Fields estate is in a desirable location that is surrounded by countryside and close to the north Norfolk coast and Norwich Housing minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook replied that the Government was carefully considering a report by the Competition and Markets Authority into problems faces on such unadopted newbuilt estates. Breckland District Council said the management and maintenance of open spaces in Wayland Fields were approved in 2019. It added: 'The provisions in that approval set out that the site, including the flood attenuation areas, can be managed by a management company with residents of the properties contributing to costs of maintaining the open space. 'This is an established and accepted process nationally and one that should be covered by due diligence during the conveyancing stage of a residents house purchase.' Jane Scarrott, clerk of Watton Town Council, said: 'For some time, Watton Town Council has voiced a policy not to accept any open space land or other infrastructure from developers and thus newer estates in the town tend to be maintained by a management company. 'Some residents of Wayland Fields have attended a town council meeting a while back when they were informed of this. 'It is becoming much more usual that local authorities are not adopting any infrastructure on housing estates and management companies, to which residents make a contribution, are maintaining open spaces etc.' James Dann (right), pictured with partner Alan Gibbons, said when they viewed their property they were told of 'additional costs' but that it referred to 'grass cutting and sorting out the hedgerows' A Barratt Homes Anglia spokesman said local planning authorities were 'always offered' the option to adopt facilities at newbuild estates but 'in this instance, the offer was refused, leaving a management company as the only alternative'. They added: 'We ensure residents are made aware of any service charges at the point of reservation, which covers the maintenance of the play area, public open space, general landscaping and the sustainable drainage system at Wayland Fields. 'The drainage strategy was developed and agreed in consultation with Norfolk County Council, as is required through the planning process... 'Once the development is complete later this year, residents will take over directorship of the estate management company giving them control over the ongoing maintenance and management of their community facilities.' A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: 'We are committed to bringing the injustice of "fleecehold" private estates and unfair costs to an end. 'This year we will consult on the best way to achieve this and will include options to reduce the prevalence of private management of these estates - which are the root cause of the problems faced by homeowners.' When most people pull up under the double aches to order salty fries and a Big Mac, they aren't thinking about the bold red and yellow color scheme of the iconic restaurant, but it does mean something. It's printed on everything - the bag, the French fry boxes, even on the ice cream wrapper that sticks to your cone. So why exactly did the fast-food chain choose these two clashing colors? Well, it's a mind trick... literally! 'Red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger; it attracts attention,' color psychologist Karen Haller told The Mirror. 'Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness.' She went on to say that the color combination psychologically indicates to the brain ideas of 'speed' and 'quickness.' 'In, eat, and out again,' she told The Mirror. The yellow has a double function; the bright color naturally draws attention and can be easily spotted from the road. Also, the yellow arches resemble one of its most popular menu items: fries. When most people pull up under the double aches to order salty fries and a Big Mac, they aren't thinking about the obnoxious color scheme of the iconic restaurant, but it does mean something 'Red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger; it attracts attention,' color psychologist Karen Haller told The Mirror . 'Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness' And pair the arch with its red base, the resulting combo looks like their famous box of fries. There are only a few places where the McDonald's logo isn't yellow and red, and you'd have to drive to Arizona to find one of them. A store in Sedona instead has a unique set of teal colored arches on its exterior. The Sedona location, located off State Route 89A, isn't the only McDonald's in the world that deviates from the classic yellow symbol, but this one has a good reason. The burger joint location was built in 1993 - just a few years after Sedona was incorporated into Arizona. After the Department of Community Development settled into its role, it decided it was unhappy with the bright gold against Sedona's muted natural red rock beauty. 'Someone suggested it would be interesting if they did something else than golden arches to fit in with the identity that the city decided to establish,' senior planner for the department, Cari Meyer, told ABC 15 in 2022. The city government pushed McDonald's to switch to teal to avoid clashing with Sedona's breathtaking background. Haller went on to say that the color combination psychologically indicates to the brain ideas of 'speed' and 'quickness' There are only a few places where the McDonald's logo isn't yellow and red, and you'd have to drive to Arizona to find one of them. A store in Sedona instead has a unique set of teal colored arches on its exterior After the Department of Community Development settled into its role, it decided it was unhappy with the bright gold against Sedona's muted natural red rock beauty (pictured: Sedona) Surprisingly enough, the fast-food chain agreed, making it the only store with this unique color scheme. Regardless of the color, their fries and burgers and oft-broken ice cream machine will always draw customers in. Citizens from the US, Australia and Scandinavia are trying to claim asylum in Britain, official figures suggest. Asylum claims have spiralled to all-time highs in the wake of the small boats fiasco, with 108,000 applications lodged in 2024. Pakistan was the most common country of origin (10,542), followed by Afghanistan (8,508), Iran (8,099), Bangladesh (7,225) and Syria (6,680). Those five countries alone made up 38 per cent of all asylum applications last year. Yet critics argue that applications of residents from wealthy Western countries with no major human rights abuses are proof that we've become a 'soft touch'. In 2024, there were 99 claims from the US, 22 from Italy, 20 from Portugal, 17 from France, and 10 from Australia. Separately, applications also came from the oil-rich states of Kuwait (1,936), Bahrain (203) and Saudi Arabia (202), as well as the Caribbean tourist hotspots of Trinidad and Tobago (444), St Vincent and the Grenadines (102) and Antigua and Barbuda (16). To be eligible for asylum, the Home Office states: 'You must have left your country and be unable to go back because you fear persecution.' Your browser does not support iframes. Migrants wave to a smuggler's boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel, on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France on April 26, 2024 The Home Office uses the claimant's primary/preferred nationality for dual nationals. In cases where there is a disputed nationality, officials log what they believe is true. Robert Bates, of the Centre for Migration Control, told MailOnline: 'Our asylum system is far too generous and is one of the most easily accessible in the world. 'It is incapable of weeding out individuals who are simply economic migrants that are chancing their arm. 'This is why people from peaceful and prosperous countries are lodging claims here, because they are all but guaranteed access to state handouts and support for their desired lifestyle. 'If they were genuine asylum seekers then they would have no qualms in resettling somewhere closer to their homeland, where the cultural and societal norms are more familiar. 'But Britain is now seen as the land of milk and honey.' The Home Office states that individuals claiming asylum in the UK must demonstrate they are unable to live safely in any part of their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This could be based on their race, religion, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, political opinion, or any other factor that places them at risk due to the social, cultural, religious, or political situation in their country. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Only once asylum seekers are officially granted refugee status or another humanitarian protection status are they allowed to work, study and claim benefits such as Universal Credit in the UK. When it came to initial asylum applications from the US, 13 were granted and 45 refused in 2024 giving an approval rate of 22 per cent. Of the grants, four were given humanitarian protection status and nine refugee status. Almost all claims from countries experiencing ongoing conflict such as Syria (98 per cent) and Sudan (99 per cent) were granted. Albania had one of the lowest rates (3.7 per cent). On average in 2024, 53 per cent of applications were refused at initial decision not counting withdrawals. However, there have been a number of high-profile cases of former asylum seekers being allowed to stay due to extremely controversial reasons. One such case from earlier this year involved an immigration tribunal ruling that an Albanian criminal would be allowed to stay because his son had a 'distaste' for foreign chicken nuggets. As well as breaking down asylum seekers by nationality, the data also breaks it down by gender. It reveals that in 2024, three-quarters of applicants were male. The data shows that asylum seekers are also overwhelmingly young, with two-thirds aged under 30. Just 4 per cent were over 50. Your browser does not support iframes. A worried group gather in Manchester in November 2024 to protest against asylum seekers being housed locally What is an asylum seeker? Asylum is protection given by a country to someone fleeing from persecution in their own country. An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for asylum and is awaiting a decision on whether they will be granted refugee status. An asylum applicant who does not qualify for refugee status may still be granted leave to remain in the UK for humanitarian or other reasons. An asylum seeker whose application is refused at initial decision may appeal the decision through an appeal process and, if successful, may be granted leave to remain. Advertisement Britain now spends 5.4billion on asylum, including housing some in hotels and giving them 49.18 per week if their accomodation does not provide meals. Before the small boats crisis unfolded in the English channel, the annual bill for the entire asylum system stood in the region of 732m. The route was almost never used prior to 2018 but since then, around 148,000 people have made the journey often paying 5,000 to criminal gangs for a one way ticket. Criminal gangs from Albania have been seen brazenly advertising a life in the UK on social media, enticing them with jobs in illegal cannabis 'farms'. Small boat arrivals now make-up nearly a third of all asylum claims. Others arrive through legal routes such as on a student visa before they lodge an application. In March there was a report that detailed at least a 100-fold increase in the number of foreign nationals arriving here as 'skilled workers' and then claiming to be refugees. Asylum claims made by this category of visa-holder jumped from 53 in 2022 to 5,300 in the first ten months of last year. Alp Mehmet, the chairman for Migration Watch UK, said: 'The diverse nationalities now claiming asylum shows what a soft touch weve become and that the system is not only a huge cost to the taxpayer but also not fit for purpose. 'For so long as the government remains in denial about the total failure of its policies, both the flow of illegal migrants and the costs will go on climbing.' Your browser does not support iframes. Pictured: An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England When an application is refused at initial decision, it may be appealed. Between 2004 and 2021, around three-quarters of applicants refused asylum at initial decision lodged an appeal. Nearly a third of those appeals were allowed. However, the quality of decision-making is often poor, with many refugees having to rely on the courts to award protection following an appeal of the Governments initial decision, according to The Refugee Council. The appeals process can be complex and lengthy, with people seeking asylum having to wait months in state-provided accommodation for their appeals to be heard. Mr Bates said: 'Our asylum system is a huge drain on the public finances. 'We must implement a strong deportation programme along with an effective freeze on new applications until, at least, we have got our house in order and costs under control. 'This is the only way to deter would-be economic migrants from attempting to take advantage of our hospitality.' Your browser does not support iframes. The West London borough of Hillingdon (pictured) is Britain's asylum seeker hotspot It should be noted that while most grants of refuge have historically come via the UKs in-country asylum process, others have come via resettlement schemes following specific cases involving countries such as Ukraine, Syria, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan. This means refugees from these schemes are not recorded in the figures for general asylum seekers. These numbers can be quite significant, for instance, the number of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the UK in 2022 (155,000) was around the same as the number of people granted refuge in the UK from all origins, in total, between 2014 and 2021. Although Ukrainians arriving under these schemes are often referred to as refugees, they do not have the legal status as refugees that are granted asylum in the usual way. Instead they derive their right to live and work in the UK from the conditions of the visa schemes. The Home Office has previously claimed the government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain and that it is determined to restore order to the operation. It said it remains resolute in its commitment to remove those with no legal right to be in the UK. Since the election, it said it has returned 6,781 failed asylum seekers, a 23 per cent increase in the same period 12 months prior The Home Office has been contacted for further comment. Labour was today urged to tackle the scourge of empty homes to tackle Britain's housing crisis. Across England as a whole, almost 265,000 dwellings are long-term vacant. Yet, in parts of the country, close to 3 per cent of homes are empty, MailOnline can reveal. Housing experts say converting the legion of vacant dwellings would help ease the shortage, which has priced millions out of owning their own homes and made rents rocket. Sir Keir Starmer's government has promised to build 1.5million homes by the end of this parliament under their 'bulldozer blitz'. Critics have accused them on waging war on rural England, concerned that swathes of Green Belt land will be concreted over. Yet ministers are on course to miss the target, sparking calls for them to instead turn their attention to the 70billion catalogue of abandoned properties. This would help thousands of families who are trying to find an affordable home to rent or buy, and help tackle the soaring numbers in temporary accommodation, experts say. Francesca Albanese, of homelessness charity Crisis, said: 'Homelessness is rising across England, with record numbers of households stuck in temporary accommodation including a staggering 160,000 children. Your browser does not support iframes. The local authority with the most amount of long-term vacant homes was Kingston upon Thames, south west London, at 2.8% The Isles of Scilly had the second-highest rate of long-term empty homes in the country at 2.3% Top 10 areas with the highest rate of long-term empty homes Kingston upon Thames: 2.8% Isles of Scilly: 2.3% Middlesbrough: 2.2% Bolsover: 2.2% Torbay: 2.1% Preston: 2% Kensington and Chelsea: 2% Rochdale: 1.9% City of London: 1.9% North East Lincolnshire: 1.8% Advertisement 'This is trapping people in poverty, as well as causing damage to their health and wellbeing. 'Meanwhile, there are thousands of vacant properties standing empty that could be repurposed as genuinely affordable homes. 'The sticking point is that there's currently no incentive to encourage councils, who are already struggling financially, to bring empty properties and other unused buildings into use to tackle homelessness.' Chris Bailey, for the campaign group Action on Empty Homes, believes councils need more powers, staff and financial resources to sort out the problem. He said: 'Long-term empty homes matter because the worst impacts of our housing crisis, while both shocking and potentially deadly, involve relatively small numbers of families (around 120,000) costing taxpayers billions in Temporary Accommodation costs. 'Empty homes could cut this bill if utilised.' The group argues that getting empty properties back in circulation is better than building new homes as it saves on land and avoids wasting carbon, helping to combat climate change. However many of the long-term vacant homes are old, in need of investment and are nowhere near ready to be lived in. Homes can also sit empty for other reasons. For instance, there may be a feud within a family after an owner has died because one relative doesn't want another to benefit from any sale. Councils already have extensive tools to bring empty homes back into use. They can charge anywhere between 50 per cent to 300 per cent extra on council tax bills for homes left empty for more than two years. Local authorities can get funding through the Affordable Homes Programme to help bring homes back into use. As a last resort, councils can use a Compulsory Purchase Order to buy a property without the owner's permission. Some empty homes in County Durham even had the words 'rent me' rubbed onto the front window last year One home in the village of Horden in County Durham had a fake door plastered on its frontage alongside a boarded up window to fool criminals into thinking it was lived in The 10 areas with the lowest rate of long-term empty homes Wandsworth: 0.1% Wyre: 0.1% Hillingdon: 0.3% Crawley: 0.3% Ealing: 0.4% Chichester: 0.4% Tandridge: 0.4% Winchester: 0.4% Rushmoor: 0.4% Havant: 0.4% Advertisement And through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities receive the same level of reward from central government for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one. But over the years there has been calls for the government to go further, for instance to cut VAT on refurbishment to help owners make homes ready for needy tenants, or to abolish council tax discounts and exemptions on empty homes. The Local Government Association (LGA), the national membership body for local authorities in England and Wales, believes they must be given more power to reduce the number of empty homes. Councillor Adam Hug, the housing spokesperson for the LGA said: 'Long-term empty homes represent a missed opportunity to provide housing for those in need and those on housing waiting lists. 'Councils share a collective national ambition to tackle local housing challenges. 'However, they must be sufficiently empowered and funded to carry out work on this area.' He argues that the qualifying period for Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) needs to be reduced to six months. Currently, EDMOs can only be used on properties vacant for two years and linked to anti-social or criminal behaviour. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir Starmer's government has promised to build 1.5million homes by end of this parliament under their 'bulldozer blitz' Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data suggests 2.8 per cent of dwellings in Kingston-upon-Thames are long-term vacant. For a home to be officially classed as 'long-term empty', it has to be liable for council tax, unfurnished, and no one has lived in it for over six months. These statistics, accurate as of October, are then compared against the most up-to-date estimates of dwellings in each authority. Vacancy figures above 2 per cent were seen in six other parts of the country Isles of Scilly, Middlesbrough, Bolsover, Torbay, Preston, and Kensington and Chelsea. When looking at raw numbers, Birmingham has the biggest supply of empty homes (5,406). Nationwide, the figure has risen from 200,000 in 2016. Although the figures say there are now just shy of 265,000 long-term vacant homes, some campaigners believe the true number is closer to 1 million. However, the vast majority of them are not included in the official data because they have an exception. For example, a property might not be included in the count if the owner is in care or has recently died and the property is held in probate (waiting to be transferred to a beneficiary). Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Ms Rayner (pictured in Cambridgeshire with Keir Starmer in December) is trying to build 1.5million homes to help with the housing crisis There are also homes that haven't been unfurnished and empty for longer than six months but which may well be categorised as long-term empties soon. Action on Empty Homes also estimates there are around 260,000 second homes holiday or weekend homes left to sit empty for months. As well as being a waste of resources, long-term empties can also become an issue for those in the local community. Organised criminal gangs have seized empty homes to farm cannabis, unbeknownst to the owner. Teenage tearaways have also been known to break into them. Locals might move out to avoid the problems, which can then have a knock-on effect on businesses that might struggle to survive without the custom. However even if all of the 265,000 long-term empty homes were brought back into circulation, experts warn it would still not be enough. A 2023 report published by the property experts Savills said it would account for approximately just one year's worth of current housing delivery falling short of the 300,000 minimum additional dwellings a year required to satisfy demand. Mairi MacRae, of the housing charity Shelter, said: 'Genuinely affordable social homes are in vanishingly short supply and the country is paying a heavy price. 'A record 165,510 children are homeless in temporary accommodation often shoddy private rentals. 'With more than 1.3million households stuck on social housing waiting lists, it's incredibly frustrating to see homes sitting empty. 'There are no quick fixes for a housing emergency of this scale, but acquiring and converting long-term empty homes is a cheap and sustainable way to get some of the social rent homes we need quickly. 'The government must leave no stone unturned if it's serious about ending homelessness. It must seize the opportunity to convert homes that sit empty for more than six months.' A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited, and we know that having too many empty homes in an area can have a significant impact on the local community. 'That's why councils have a range of powers to bring them back into use, including charging additional council tax on vacant properties and the ability to take over the management of long-term empty homes.' He inspired us to believe that somewhere inside we all have the power to change the world, and showed us that a little magic can take you a long way. But while Roald Dahl's reputation as one of the great children's storytellers remains undeniable, his literary legacy forever secured by classics like Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, the darker aspects of the author's worldview have become barely less notorious since his death in 1990. In his novel The Twits, Dahl reflected on how external appearances can be deceptive. 'You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth,' he wrote, 'but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams.' The flip side of that sentiment, however, is that unwholesome thoughts can also be concealed beneath an outwardly respectable veneer. Dahl might have captured the imagination of millions of children with characters like Charlie Bucket, the 10-year-old boy who rises from poverty to become heir to Willy Wonka's confectionery empire in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but his toxic personal views stood in stark contrast to the family-friendly tales he produced. That is why the the Olivier award-winning play Giant, which deals with Dahl's noxious antisemitism and has just transferred to the West End, will make for uncomfortable viewing for those who view the author only through the lens of his classic tales. Infamously, Dahl's beliefs were laid bare in his musings on another author's work. In August 1983, he wrote a review of God Cried, an account of Israels invasion of Lebanon the previous year produced by the Australian author Tony Clifton. 'Never before in the history of man has a race of people switched so rapidly from being much-pitied victims to barbarous murderers,' Dahl wrote in the Literary Review. 'Never before has a race of people generated so much sympathy around the world and then, in the space of a lifetime, succeeded in turning that sympathy into hatred and revulsion.' When the New Statesman subsequently contacted Dahl to ask about the review, in which the author also stated that the US was 'dominated by the great Jewish financial institutions' to the point where they 'dare not defy' Israel, Dahl doubled down on his views. Born in 1916, Dahl was just three years old when his father died. At the age of nine, he was sent to boarding school and hated every moment. He left at 17 and went adventuring in Africa In 1983, children's author Roald Dahl wrote a review of a book called God Cried, an account of Israel's invasion of Lebanon the previous year, that was considered to be deeply antisemitic 'Theres always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere,' the writer told journalist Michael Coren. 'Even a stinker like Hitler didnt just pick on them for no reason.' Coren, who had anticipated that he would find Dahl in more contrite mood, was stunned by the author's intransigence. 'The assumption was that he would row back from his extremist stance and the story might make a few paragraphs in the next edition,' Coren wrote in this space last year. 'When I phoned him that day, I had no idea that our exchange would still be being talked about decades later. 'If I had expected him to apologise for some of what he'd written, or at least qualify the harshness and inaccurate generalisations, I was soon to be disappointed. The opposite happened. 'When I raised the tenor of [his] observations with the author, he was polite - not unfriendly - and spoke slowly and deliberately. But it was as if I'd opened the doors on some dark, deep hatred that had been waiting for years to be expressed.' The fallout from this reputation-puncturing episode provides the starting point for Giant, which premiered at the Royal Court theatre in London last September and has now transferred to the West End. Starring John Lithgow as Dahl, who stood 6ft 6in tall but saw his stature greatly diminished in the eyes of many as a result of the scandal, Mark Rosenblatt's play earned the American a best actor award at the Oliviers. John Lithgow in Giant at the Royal Court theatre in Sloane Square, London. The play, by Mark Rosenblatt, has just transferred to the Harold Pinter theatre for a West End run In the play, Romola Garai, left, plays an American Jewish sales executive sent to persuade Lithgow's Dahl, second from left, to issue a public apology for antisemitic remarks Michael Coren subsequently interviewed Dahl for the New Statesman and was told by the author: 'Even a stinker like Hitler didnt just pick on [Jews] for no reason' Dahl is seen with his first wife, the Hollywood actress Patricia Neal, at the 1969 Academy Awards ceremony. The couple had five children together The drama opens with Jessie Stone, an American Jewish sales executive dispatched by Dahl's publisher, attempting to persuade Dahl that a public apology would be in order. The to-and-fro that develops between the pair gradually throws light on the author's views until, eventually, they are illuminated with glaring intensity. In that sense, even the fictional elements of the drama find a counterpart in real events. Just as the darker side of Dahl's nature becomes ever plainer on stage, so it was in real life. In 1990, just months before his death at the age of 74, Dahl spelled out his bigoted beliefs in definitive fashion. 'Im certainly anti-Israeli, and Ive become antisemitic in as much as that you get a Jewish person in another country like England strongly supporting Zionism,' he told the Independent. 'I think they should see both sides. 'Its the same old thing: we all know about Jews and the rest of it. There arent any non-Jewish publishers anywhere, they control the media - jolly clever thing to do - thats why the president of the United States has to sell all this stuff to Israel.' In the aftermath of his death, the troubling nature of Dahl's personal views was initially overshadowed by his reputation as one of the foremost childrens writers of the 20th century. In 2003, four of his books made the top 100 of The Big Read, a BBC survey to determine the nations best-loved novel. But the tide began to turn in 2018, when it emerged that a plan to honour his life and works with a commemorative coin had been rejected by the Royal Mint because Dahl was 'associated with antisemitism and not regarded as an author of the highest reputation'. Together with the Roald Dahl Story Company, the novelist's family later issued an apology for 'the lasting and understandable hurt caused by some of Roald Dahls statements'. The darker side of Dahl's imagination, often reflected in his children's books, was front and centre in his short story collection Tales of the Unexpected, which became a TV series Dahl with Patricia Neal. Their marriage was was scarred not only by his infidelities but also by mishap and tragedy, including the death of their seven-year-old daughter from measles Dahl answers a telephone while filming an episode of the science fiction show Way Out in Central Park, New York, in 1961 'Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and to the values at the heart of Roald Dahls stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations,' read a statement on the author's official website. Yet it remains far from clear that Dahl had a positive impact on those closest to him. His first wife, the Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal, who had previously been married to Hollywood legend Clark Gable, dubbed him Roald the Rotten, portraying him as an arrogant and irritable figure. It cannot have helped that Dahl was a serial womaniser, even cheating on Neal with her closest friends - one of whom, Felicity D'Abreu, became his second wife in 1983 after an 11-year affair. Dahl's marriage to Neal was scarred not only by his infidelities but also by tragedy and accident. Their baby son was badly injured when a taxi hit his pram, their eldest daughter died from measles at the age of seven, and Neal suffered a series of catastrophic strokes that put her in a coma for three weeks and left her temporarily paralysed. Dahl's daughter Tessa, the second of the couple's five children, found him remote and controlling. It is no coincidence that her 1988 novel Working for Love deals with a problematic daughter-father relationship. Daddy gave joy to millions of children,' Tessa has said, 'but I was dying inside. 'Even though he was present for me physically, he was not emotionally. It was just bad luck, jolly bad luck, that I had been present both for my brothers accident and my mothers strokes. That my older sister Olivia had been the love of Daddys life. That both of us contracted measles, but that she had died.' When the second world war broke out, he joined the RAF and crashed in the Libyan desert, sustaining a head injury that would cause him pain for the rest of his life Dahl, pictured here in 1960, 'liked to say things he didnt mean just to get a reaction' according to the Jewish film director Steven Spielberg If the picture that emerges seems largely removed from the fictional landscapes Dahl conjured, it should be acknowledged that even his writing for children was inflected with a darker side. Many have detected misogyny in his portrayal of characters like Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress of Crunchem Hall primary school in Matilda, while the ostensibly benign chocolatier Willy Wonka is one of numerous figures in Dahl's oeuvre who betrays a more sinister side. And even Dahl tempered his initial portrayal of Wonka's Oompa Loompas as black pygmies. Yet any consideration of the author's legacy should not overlook the personal trials he endured. Born in 1916, Dahl was just three years old when his father died. At the age of nine, he was sent to boarding school and hated every moment. He left at 17 and went adventuring in Africa. When the second world war broke out, he joined the RAF and crashed in the Libyan desert, sustaining what he described as a monumental bash on the head. The injury would cause him pain for the rest of his life, and perhaps went some way to explaining his cantankerous nature. John Lithgow and Elliot Levey in Mark Rosenblatt's Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London Lithgow's Dahl talks to the American publisher Jessie Stone, played by Aya Cash, in Giant None of which excuses Dahl's unsavoury views, of course, and it is perfectly legitimate to wonder whether his barnstorming success as a children's author would have been achieved had his personal beliefs been public knowledge. Even Steven Spielberg, the Jewish director of 1993 Holocaust drama Schindler's List, was unaware of Dahl's past when he filmed The BFG. Notably, though, Spielberg refused to condemn the author on learning the truth. Dahl liked to say things he didnt mean just to get a reaction,' said Spielberg. 'All his comments about bankers, all the old-fashioned, mid-1930s stereotypes we hear from Germany - he would say for effect, even if they were horrible things. How then should Dahl be remembered? Was he a monster, a magician - or merely a man of contradictions? Jeremy Treglown, the author of a 1993 biography of Dahl, inclined to the last of those possibilities. 'He was famously a war hero, a connoisseur, a philanthropist, a devoted family man who had to confront an appalling succession of tragedies,' Treglown wrote in Roald Dahl: A Biography. 'He was also a fantasist, an anti-semite, a bully and a self-publicising troublemaker.' As Giant hits the West End, audiences will once again have the chance to make up their own minds - but the man who plays him has no doubt. 'Dahl wasnt a monster covered in scales,' said Lithgow. 'He was a very complicated man damaged by terrible tragedies.' Holding a large-sized vial, the nurse approached my daughter Ashley's bed. 'We've got to draw more blood,' she said. It was the seventh time that day. Ashley was only three and cried every time. I wasn't much better either. 'I'll step outside this time,' I said, trying to hold it together, as my little girl called out for her mother. I'd been just 18 when I had Ashley. Her father wasn't around and I'd been a single mother for much for that time. Things got even more challenging when Ashley was 18 months old and began to act differently. She stopped making eye contact, started clasping her hands together and rocking back and forth. While other children her age were walking and talking, Ashley had rapidly deteriorated in both those areas. Of course, I took her to multiple doctors but none of them could work out what was wrong, other than suggesting it was likely some kind of genetic condition. The poor thing was in and out of hospital, being poked and prodded, tested for everything under the sun. Sometimes she got distressed, but when each hospital procedure was over, she'd smile at me. She could no longer say 'mama' though, which broke my heart. Finally, when she was six, Ashley was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a progressive genetic neurological condition. I was a single mother to Ashley for much of her life. Even though she couldn't speak, she often smiled and giggled, even in her sleep 'Physically and mentally, she'll always be an infant and probably won't see her 11th birthday,' the doctor told me. I was devastated, especially when soon after that she stopped growing completely. A few years later, Ashley began having up to 18 seizures a day. Watching her tiny body jerk so violently was terrifying and upsetting to watch. Despite all her challenges, Ashley shone. She still smiled and giggled, even sometimes when she was asleep. Eventually, we found a medication that largely controlled Ashley's seizures, which was a huge relief. Looking after her was still a full-time job though. Day and night. It was a tiring and lonely business. In 2015, I got a Facebook message from Brian Kenneth Urban. We'd been at high school together, but I was surprised to hear from him, seeing as we hadn't exactly got along well then. Still, he convinced me it'd been a long time and he'd changed. When he asked me to go for coffee, I agreed. He'd seen posts about Ashley on my Facebook page and told me he was in awe of how well I took care of her. 'It's amazing what you do for her,' he said. Sometimes Ashley, who had a genetic condition called Rett Syndrome, would have as many as 18 seizures in a day It was a tiring and lonely business taking care of Ashley. Then I met Brian We started dating and I felt loved and supported. He helped me take Ashley to appointments and even contributed to her treatment financially. Eventually, we got married. Brian was my rock when Ashley's seizures started to ramp up again. She was 30 now - far outliving her prognosis - but I was still sick with worry. I took her back to the neurologist and she suggested we try to film a seizure so she could get a better idea of what was going on. So Brian helped me fit a wall-mounted indoor security camera on either side of Ashley's bed. For a few weeks, I routinely watched the footage back, waiting to capture a seizure. Then one day I took my mum to see a play for her birthday and Brian agreed to take care of Ashley for the evening. The next morning, after a walk, I made a cup of tea and sat down to check Ashley's overnight footage. Opening the app, I scrolled back. Then I saw something that made my blood run cold. I almost fell to my knees. In her thirties, my beloved daughter was the size of an eight year old, with the mind of an infant Brian, on camera, sexually assaulting Ashley in her bedroom. My poor, defenceless daughter, cowering before the man who had said he loved and cared for us. My daughter was the size of an eight year old with the mental capacity of an infant. Tears ran down my cheeks and I started hyperventilating. Then I heard Brian's footsteps on the stairs and I froze. I wanted to grab Ashley and run but I was terrified and couldn't think straight. We'd been living with a monster. How had I not known? How many times had this happened? My head was spinning. Brian walked into the kitchen and looked at me quizzically. It was obvious I was distressed. 'What's wrong?' he frowned. When I started dating Brian, he supported me by taking Ashley to appointments and even contributing financially I really thought Brian cared about us. How could I have got it so wrong? I made a hasty excuse to go out to the garage where I called the local police station. Terrified of Brian, I arranged to meet police in the car park of a hotel just down the road from our apartment. When officers arrived, I showed them the video. They couldn't believe it. 'In 20 years, this is the worst thing I've ever seen,' one officer said with tears in his eyes. We went back to the house where police arrested Brian on the spot. As they led him out, he tried to say something to me. 'Do not look at her. Do not speak to her,' the officer yelled. The rest was a blur. Ashley had to be examined at the hospital. Police officers - who'd had to watch the whole video, something I'd refused to do - told me Brian was seen fiddling with the cameras. He'd obviously thought he was turning them off so he could carry out his sick attack without anyone ever finding out. In January 2024, Brian admitted two counts of rape and three of forcible sexual abuse. I was told by a prosecutor that despite her disabilities, Ashley was regarded as an adult woman so there would be no mandatory sentence. After Brian was jailed for five years to life for the two rape charges against Ashley and one to 15 years for each of the abuse charges, I got in touch with a local lawyer. They helped me draft a new law which would impose mandatory sentences on people who offended against a disabled adult or any other especially vulnerable person. In March this year, in honour of my daughter, the Governor of Utah signed Ashley's Law, meaning predators like Brian, who prey on disabled children and adults, will face a minimum sentence of ten years to life. Sadly, around that time, Ashley passed away in her sleep. I was beyond devastated knowing I hadn't been able to protect her from evil. I just hope she is at peace. Valentina Utochenko's life changed forever when she heard the bloodcurdling scream from the back of her hiking group. Fear and adrenaline rushed through the then-21-year-old's body as she stood, frozen to the spot, and watched blood pour from her friend's eyes and ears. To her horror, Alexander Krysin fell to the floor in a fit, writhing around in the crisp mountain snow for a minute before going limp. One by one, the rest of her seven-person group began doing the same. She could do nothing but witness the tragedy in terror. Valentina, 17, along with 24-year-old Tatyana Filipenko, 23-year-old Alexander Krysin, 19-year-old Denis Shvachkin, 17-year-old Viktoriya 'Vika' Zalesova, 16-year-old Timur Bapanov, were being lead through Russia's Khamar-Daban mountain range for a hike by Lyudmila Korovina. What she thought would be a bracing jaunt through the scenic mountains of Russia ended up becoming the defining and most traumatising chapter of her life. The seven Kazakh youngsters had arrived to the remote Russian region of Irkutsk just a week before the tragedy unfolded in August 1993. The group of Kazakh hikers (pictured) were being lead through Russia's Khamar-Daban mountain range for a hike Their journey should've only taken a few days, but most never made it back to civilisation alive The group passed through the rural Khamar-Daban mountain range Valentina Utochenko (pictured) was the only survivor of the tragic ordeal Their aim was to journey across the Khamar-Daban mountain range. Valentina said in an interview after the deadly incident that the group were well-prepared for their journey. She told Russia 1: 'We had gone on hikes before. We had never had any life-threatening situations. 'Everything was thought out down to the smallest detail: from shoes to underwear.' After setting off from the small town of Murino, which sits on Lake Baikal, on August 2 that year, they planned to traipse up the Langutai river before passing through the Langutai Gates pass. Then, they were set to cross to another river, the Barun-Yunkatsuk river, before beginning a long march up the Khanulu mountain and along its ridge. Their arduous journey would've ended in the city of Slyudyanka, on the plateau of the Anigta and Baiga rivers. In total, their route would've taken them though roughly 70 miles of dense forests and snowcapped mountains. And they were meant to meet up with another group, led by Lyudmila's daughter Natalia. Though the first two days of the hike led by Lyudmila went well, making good time up the Retranslyator peak through sun and clear skies that made their journey relatively easy. To this day, the deaths of the hikers have still not been fully explained Valentina said in an interview after the deadly incident that the group were well-prepared for their journey But the group was suddenly subjected to an unexpected rainstorm. This freak weather event soaked their bags and equipment through, forcig the team to change tack, and they decided to make camp. But despite being an experienced hiker, Lyudmila set her group up at an exposed location, drastically increasing the challenge of surviving. Valentina wrote in a statement to investigators: 'We stopped at a height without a forest, pitched two tents. At 4am, the tent guy lines broke. We fixed them. At 6am, the stake was torn out. The sleeping bags were wet.' Unable to build a fire that night, the team hunkered down in miserable weather, before finally being able to get a blaze going in the early hours of the morning of August 5. After cooking breakfast and eating together, they started to carry on down their path. But at 10am that day, Valentina's life changed forever. At an altitude of 2,396m (7,861ft), Krysin let out a harrowing screech from the back of the group. The others quickly turned around, and to their horror they saw he was bleeding from his eyes and ears, and was frothing from his mouth. After several seconds of this, he collapsed and convulsed violently for a few seconds before going still. Lyudmila, terrified that one of her group had suddenly and violently collapsed under her watch, ran over to check on him. The group sett off from the small town of Murino (pictured), which sits on Lake Baikal The seven hikers, led by experienced hiker Lyudmila Korovina (pictured), arrived as a group in the Russian region of Irkutsk in August 1993 Seconds after going to him and trying to wake him up, she too began screaming before bleeding from her own ears and eyes and foaming at the mouth, before going limp and collapsing on top of him. Filipenko was the next to collapse, though her symptoms were far more terrifying. She began to claw at her own throat, as if she were choking. According to Valentina's account of the tragedy, she then crawled to a nearby rock and bashed her head into it over and over against until she was lifeless. Two others, Zalesova and Bapanov, ran away in a fearful frenzy. But whatever had killed the others quickly got them. Both of them collapsed, threw up blood and clawed and their own throats before tragically dying. Valentina and Shvachkin hurried away, but shortly after Shvachkin also collapsed convulsing. The terrified lone survivor, having watched her friends perish one by one, was left to fend for herself in the harsh, remote mountains. She knew it would take her several days to get to safety, and decided to hunker down for the night to get some rest. She was forced to make the difficult decision to return to the site of her friends' deaths to collect supplies to make her way back to civilisation. 'In the morning, I went up, saw Tanya on the rocks, Denis, Timur, Vika. Higher up Sasha and Korovina,' Valya said. In a poignant act of humanity, she made sure to close all their eyes before trekking back. Lyudmila set her group up at an exposed location, drastically increasing the challenge of surviving For four long days, she used her dead friends' supplies to survive as she followed power lines back down the mountains in the hopes that someone would find her. After finding a nearby river, she began following it to its mouth, before being found by a group of Ukrainian kayakers. 'When I remember this picture, my heart sinks. There was a girl standing on the shore, screaming and waving her arms,' said Alexander Kvitnitsky, a kayaker from Kyiv who found her. 'When we got to the shore, she rushed to one of our participants and cried for a long time on her chest. She was incoherently telling us that people had died and that she was scared.' He and his group took her to the closest police station to file a report on her friends' tragic ends. It took her several days to even croak out the necessary information for police to begin their investigation. The mystery of the tragedy has long enthralled Russia and the rest of the world It was another two weeks before local cops began investigating the tragedy, and a further two days for them to find the bodies using helicopters. When they were found, the corpses were partially undressed, exposed to the elements. 'It was a terrible picture. The guys were lying on a small ledge, some pressed close to each other, some a little further away,' Yuri Golius, in charge of the search, told journalists at the time. 'No eyes. Worms were crawling in the empty eye sockets and slightly open mouths.' After they were taken back, all the dead hikers were found to have signs of bruised lungs and a protein deficiency. A coroner concluded that almost everyone died of hypothermia, except for Lyudmila - she was found to have died of a heart attack. In the wake of their terrifying, unexplained deaths, many began to speculate as to how they died, with theories ranging from simple medical maladies to nerve agent poisoning. One of the first explanations for their deaths was hypothermia, which they may have suffered after not properly sheltering on the night of the storm. In extreme cases of hypothermia, sufferers often undergo vivid hallucinations. People also undergo what is known as paradoxical undressing, which is when sufferers of hypothermia feel a sudden need to take their clothes off despite being in biting cold conditions, which perhaps explains why the bodies were found partially undressed. But Valery Tatarnikov and Vladimir Zinov, two rescuers who took part in the search operation for the bodies, claimed that it was impossible for the hikers to die of cold. Zinov instead suggested the group died of altitude sickness. Vladimir Borzenkov, a tourist in the area, and Nikolai Fedorov, a man who was also part of the search operation, suggested that the hikers went mad due to infrasounds that constantly played in their ears. 'Individual rocks under a strong wind can become an infrasound generator of enormous power, which causes a state of panic and unaccountable horror in a person,' Fedorov said. Though the first two days of the hike led by Lyudmila went well, making good time up the Retranslyator peak (pictured) through sun and clear skies 'According to the girl who survived, her friends behaved restlessly, their speech was incoherent.' Yuri Golius, the leader of the search operation, publicly blamed Korovina for being negligent. He said that her inaction led the group to suffer from a vitamin deficiency. But in a 2018 interview for a Russian magazine, Valentina denied this, instead revealing that it was her belief that the group died after each suffering a pulmonary oedema. One theory claimed that the group may have been killed by a nerve agent. The deadly nerve agency Novichok was tested in the region. The gas-based poison could've been left by Russian scientists, and often takes months to dissipate. But for Valentina, the answer to the question of how exactly her friends died is entirely irrelevant. It was, and will forever be, a 'nightmare', and figuring out the cause of their deaths is a fruitless endeavour. 'What's the point? It's all useless,' she said. 'You can't get them back.' Being buried alive is the stuff of nightmares for most people, but for one American woman, who incredibly survived getting trapped beneath a collapsed wall, it felt like a 'really big bear hug'. Ashley Piccirilli, 35, nearly died in May 2021 after she was buried alive at a construction site in Northampton, about 20 miles north of Springfield, Massachusetts. The Air Force veteran had been just a week into her new construction job when a wall of dirt collapsed. One of the trench's side walls crumbled and trapped her under thousands of pounds of dirt - about six feet. The construction worker had to wait 30 minutes before she was dug out of a thousands of pounds of dirt with an excavator and people's bare hands. Now, four years on, Ms Piccirilli has shared what it felt like to be buried, telling People: 'Right when I got hit, when the trench collapsed, everything went quiet - an eerie quiet. 'Ill never forget the sound because it hit me from the left to the right, the sound of the dirt just kinda like a whoosh over my body'. Unaware at the time that her lung had collapsed and all the ribs on her left side and one on her right were broken, the construction worker said she wasn't in too much pain because her body was in shock. She admited that the sensation was uncomfortable and recalled having to take really small breaths due to the pressure on her lungs - with the packed earth above her even forcing her eyes shut. Ashley Piccirilli, 35, nearly died in May 2021 after she was buried alive at a construction site in Northampton, about 20 miles north of Springfield It took about 30 minutes to free Piccirilli using an excavator and hands. She who had broken ribs, a collapsed lung and internal bleeding The Air Force veteran had been just a week into her new construction job when a wall collapsed 'The best way to describe it is it felt like you know when you see someone for the first time that you havent seen in a while and they give you that really big bear hug and theyre holding you really tight and uncomfortable? Thats what it felt like,' she said. Despite her military training that kept he calm, Ms Piccirilli had an unwavering conviction that she would be rescued. 'I never thought I would die, never, because I was like - they know where I am, theyre gonna come get me. 'I knew I was buried alive, I dont know if it was stupidity, but that kept me calm and I didnt panic. I didnt think of family or anything because I didnt think I would die.' Ms Piccirilli was awake for the whole time she was buried but said she knew that if she panicked she would not be here today. 'When they dug me, thats when pain started coming in, thats when I started to panic a little bit, saying, "Wait, please someone help me I cant breathe." Those were the only words I repeated into the ambulance,' she said. When she finally arrived at the hospital, Ms Piccirilli was sent immediately into the operating room after they saw on an ultrasound how much internal bleeding was happening in her abdomen. Baystate Medical Center trauma surgeon Dr. Kristina Kramer said Ms Piccirilli was bleeding to death - so much so, that doctors could hear it, in something medics call 'audible hearing' - and her chances of survival were slim to none. Ms Piccirilli's heart stopped during the surgery thanks to the hole in the main artery and Dr Kramer had to cut open her left chest to sew the leak shut. Piccitilli spent the next 30 days at the hospital but is now back at home and thriving She returned to flight school and is now a pilot at Barnes Air National Guard Base Not yet out of the trenches, Ms Piccirilli went for a second round of surgery the next day to reassess the internal bleeding and close the incisions. The procedure took several hours and a team had to help reconstruct her chest, navigating the broken ribs and clavicle. Ms Piccirilli also had to have her sternum and diaphragm reconstructed and 15-20 per cent of her liver as well as her lacerated spleen. She spent the next 30 days in hospital and a whole year to fully recover. 'The reason she survived is because of her strength physically and mentally and the teamwork of all the different people that were involved in her care its never one person,' said Dr. Kramer. 'For trauma in particular there are so many different pieces that must work seamlessly together from pre-hospital providers to the emergency department and operating room teams, to care team on the units after surgery, to rehabilitation and home care. 'Everyone came together.' A Palm Beach entrepreneur has pleaded guilty to tax fraud after a federal investigation revealed that he stole over $20million from his clients' tax returns. Matthew Brown, 51, was engrossed in the posh lifestyles of the Florida elite until it all came crashing down last September when the Department of Justice filed felony charges against him. He faced two counts of tax fraud for failing to pay trust fund taxes and filing a false tax return, according to court documents reviewed by DailyMail.com. The state argued that Brown's scam funded luxury cars, including Ferraris, a jet plane, a yacht, and a slew of commercial real estate. Brown was accused of using the dirty money to purchase up to 48 vehicles, including 27 Ferraris. He also purchased a Valhalla 55 Sport luxury cruising yacht, which earned him a spot in the winter 2023 edition of Valhalla magazine. Brown and his wife, Kristin, spoke to the publication at the time of purchase about why they decided to buy the yacht, unbeknownst to anyone that he was committing fraud. 'We love the way Viking and Valhalla treat you like family,' Kristin said of the yacht company. Matthew is pictured with his wife Kristin as they purchased a Valhalla 55 Sport luxury cruising yacht The Department of Justice found that Brown had stolen over $20million to fund his lavish lifestyle, including a swath of real estate like their Florida mansion (pictured) In addition to their expensive homes (one pictured above), an investigation revealed that Brown used the stolen funds for luxury vehicles, including a Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht, a Falcon 50 Aircraft, and a collection of cars, including Ferraris, Porsches, and Rolls-Royces 'We are car enthusiasts and support the Ferrari brand, where you get that same type of special support. To feel like you're family and are truly appreciated is invaluable,' she added. Brown said he looked forward to purchasing the yacht and planned to use it to take his friends fishing for sailfish, dolphins, and tuna. Kristin also earned herself a spread on Ferrari's website for her visit to the New York City Ferrari Tailor Made showroom. She was described as an 'avid Ferrarista' and revealed that she likes a specific look for her luxury cars. 'They are all white exteriors, with black or carbon wheels. And I always do accents of red: red brake callipers, red accents in the interior,' Kristin said. The feature described Kristin's experience getting her tailor-made Ferrari. The news release concluded, 'For her part, Brown is already thinking about her next car.' Kristin added that after going tailor-made, 'It's hard to even think about not doing the process for every car.' Kristin has not been charged with any crime but now the Browns' life of Ferrari collections and yacht trips with friends has come to a screeching halt. Brown used the funds to purchase a Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht and was featured in the company's 2023 magazine issue Brown has traded in his luxury lifestyle for a prison cell as he was sentenced to 50 months and two years of supervised release on April 24. He was also fined $200 and will have to pay $22,401,585 in restitution to the companies he stole from. Brown committed tax fraud through his business, Elite Payroll, a payroll and human resource services company. From 2014 through 2022, Brown withheld funds from his clients and underreported their tax liabilities, according to court documents. He then pocketed the difference. 'Instead of paying over the funds he held in trust for his clients, Brown purchased commercial and residential real estate including his multi-million-dollar home and luxury vehicles including a Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht, a Falcon 50 Aircraft, and a collection of cars including Ferraris, Porsches, and Rolls Royce's,' court documents read. Then, starting in 2015, Brown began to withhold over $13million in trust fund taxes, which were meant for his employees' Social Security and Medicare. He also failed to pay over $9million of employment taxes to the IRS. Brown 'willfully aided and assisted in, and procured, counseled and advised' a false tax return to the IRS reporting a tax liability of $32,245, knowing the correct liability was $219,384. The Department of Justice found that Brown withheld over $13million in trust fund taxes, which were meant for his employees' Social Security and Medicare. He also failed to pay over $9million of employment taxes to the IRS Employees caught on to the scheme when they noticed that their Social Security contributions were $0, even though they were full-time and employers are required to withhold those funds. Before Brown's sentencing, one employee wrote to the court in a victim impact statement, 'One day, a colleague urged me to check my Social Security records. 'To my shock, my SSA contributions for three years were listed as $0 - despite full-time employment. 'It took months of persistence during the COVID shutdown to have this corrected. Afterward, I encouraged others to review their records, and many found the same issue.' Brown's attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, argued that his actions were a result of his father's guidance. 'Against the backdrop of his difficult upbringing and family life, Mr. Brown made the worst decision of his life to violate the law,' Neiman argued. He said that Brown was introduced to the industry by his father, who kicked him out of their house. Brown's father then asked him to move to Florida from Rhode Island to work for him. His attorney argued that his father taught him to borrow money from customers to pay past-due payroll taxes. 'Initially, Mr. Brown was taught that this was simply how business was run and that there was nothing inherently unlawful about doing so. 'By the time he took over the reins of the company from his father, however, Mr. Brown learned otherwise,' Neiman continued. 'Though we are by no means minimizing Mr. Brown's actions, it is critical to recognize that he didn't start the practice.' Brown's attorneys also disputed that he used the money to pay for his lavish lifestyle and instead used to funds for other customers' payroll taxes. However, Andrew Ascencio with the DOJ said Brown used 'fraud and deception' to procure a nine-figure net worth. There are five Florida-based companies set to receive retribution from Brown. They are all in the contracting, construction, and home improvement industries. Three companies in the heating and cooling industry, partially owned by Brown, are also set to receive retribution. DailyMail.com reached out to the companies and Brown's representation for comment, but didn't immediately hear back. A well-known real estate agent under investigation for underquoting is the brother of a female author charged with offences relating to child abuse material. Josh Tesolin and the Ray White branch at Quakers Hill in north-west Sydney are being probed by NSW Fair Trading 'following proactive compliance blitzes into underquoting and complaints'. Daily Mail Australia can reveal his sister Lauren Ashley Mastrosa, 33, is facing court over charges relating to her erotic fiction novel 'Daddy's Little Toy'. Mastrosa has also been known as Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa and her pen names of Lauren Ashley and Tori Wood. Lawyers representing Mr Tesolin declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Mastrosa was arrested at her Quakers Hill home on March 22 and charged with possessing, disseminating, and producing child abuse material. She has pleaded not guilty. 'Daddy's Little Toy' describes a man speaking about how he desired a now 18-year-old since she was a toddler. Lauren Ashley Mastrosa (pictured) is the sister of Sydney Real Estate agent Josh Tesolin The 33-year-old Christian charity employee had issued a pre-release of the novel to around 20 advanced readers in March. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received complaints about the book and the Australian Federal Police referred them to NSW Police who arrested her on March 21. At a hearing on April 14, Mastrosa's lawyer Mickaela Mate said the allegedly offensive content was between fictional characters who were two consenting adults. '[It] is a fantasy within a fiction and hence there are no victims,' the solicitor said. As the author's husband Adam Mastrosa watched on, Ms Mate argued it was necessary for the court to prevent the publication of her client's details and the case. But on April 16, Mastrosa lost her bid at Blacktown Local Court. Online threats made against the woman and her husband, including from a TikToker who referred to the electric chair, were high enough that her safety was at risk, the court was told. Mastrosa had experienced distress due to these comments against her because child abuse material was seen as heinous. Josh Tesolin (pictured) is under investigation NSW Fair Trading's Strata & Property Services Taskforce 'Being called a pedophile online is something that sticks in the community,' Ms Mate told the court. She also argued that any magistrate who heard the matter in the future could be influenced because they had read about the widely reported 'memorable' case. The case stuck out because her client worked for a Christian charity, BaptistCare, while writing about allegedly taboo material, the court heard. 'It is so memorable because my client is otherwise... so ordinary,' Ms Mate said. Barrister Matthew Lewis SC, representing News Corp, opposed any suppression, saying details about the case had already gone viral worldwide. 'It's almost akin to trying to stop the tide - it's gone,' he said. Magistrate Rami Attia declined to make the orders, saying there was no expert evidence Mastrosa was at risk of harm or self-harm from further reporting. This was despite the author's 'deep-seated fear' of attending court and her solicitor's genuine concerns for her wellbeing, the magistrate said. Lauren Ashley Mastrosa (left), Annette Tesolin (middle) and Josh Tesolin (right) He also said none of the online threats were elevated enough to warrant the court shielding her identity. Any suggestion a magistrate could be influenced by media reports of the matter was also rejected. Mastrosa did not appear in court for the hearings. Her matter will return to court on June 5. A NSW Fair Trading spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the investigation into Mr Tesolin is ongoing. 'The Strata and Property Services Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading is investigating Quakers Hill Ray White Real Estate and Josh Tesolin following proactive compliance blitzes into underquoting and complaints,' she said. 'As this investigation is ongoing, no further comment is available at this time,' she said. Daily Mail Australia does not allege Mr Tesolin has engaged in underquoting, only that there is reason for NSW Fair Trading to investigate him. A Ray White spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the agency was 'proud of our transparency, professionalism and adherence to NSW Fair Trading requirements'. 'Josh Tesolin is not aware of any personal investigation into him,' she said. 'Rather, on 16 March 2023, the corporate licensee responded to an investigation by NSW Fair Trading; since that date, there has been no penalty, fine or regulatory action taken by NSW Fair Trading against the corporate licensee or Mr Tesolin.' Frustrated parents and locals living next to an eyesore 2-meter concrete barrier have likened it to 'The Berlin Wall' and expressed delight that it was knocked down by a mysterious have-a-go hero in a rented JCB. The structure, which was hastily and mysteriously erected over the Easter holidays, completely cut off a walking route used by residents to get their children to St James Primary School in Oklehampton, Devon. West Devon Borough Council have now issued an enforcement notice ordering Leander Developments to remove the unauthorised structure dubbed by locals as the 'Berlin Wall' between the two housing estates in Kellands Lane. However, residents fear that should the decision be appealed, the wall could be built again prompting mad speculation as to the intentions of the landowners. When MailOnline visited the estate this week half of the wall had been demolished, with blocks lying scattered on the ground. Councillor George Dexter revealed that the problem with the thin stretch of land is that it is located on a ransom strip from a nearby stretch of privately owned land. Therefore any use of the road as a thoroughfare is technically trespassing. He explained: 'There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it. Frustrated parents and locals living next to an eyesore 2-meter concrete barrier have likened it to 'The Berlin Wall' Prior to the wall being built, a small hedge had cut across the two estates 'A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. 'Last week a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice.' An enforcement notice is used when development is carried out without the necessary planning permission. The notice tells the person receiving it what they have done wrong, what must be done to put it right and the timescale within which that must be done. There is a right of appeal against enforcement notices and locals fear this could be enacted. George continued: 'It's a big deal for these people. Why have they done it? Locals think its down to proposed developments in the field next door to it. 'They think the developers are using their ownership of the ransom strip to get a better deal with their application.' Naturally, the community has been staunchly against the new wall. 'Nobody knew why it was put up', says Dana Green, 40, 'I moved here seven years ago and there was a hedge which died. 'Then they put up this huge wall and the kids have been crawling underneath the gaps. 'It's really dangerous.' Roy Hopkinson lives right next to the hated wall. 'It's been mental', he concedes, 'I don't know why they've put it there' Roy Hopkinson lives right next to the hated wall. 'It's been mental', he concedes, 'I don't know why they've put it there. 'It does look like the Berlin Wall, It made the neighbourhood a lot quieter, people were joking that there would soon be watchtowers installed. 'Everyone was grateful to the person that knocked it down.' 'My husband can't get through it as she uses a mobility scooter' said Verity Warren, 'I can't believe they just whacked it up. It used to be a load of dirt but then they made a new path when the school was opened. 'Nothing happens for ages and then there's a bloody great wall built. 'Why didn't they just put some bollards down!' Keith Monnax told MailOnline he had originally made the path through the mud Keith Monnax told MailOnline he had originally made the path through the mud. He said: 'I saw them putting the wall up and thought it was a bit harsh. But then they came and knocked it down anyway. 'What happens now? It's petty and all about land, but nobody knows where it will go from here.' A spokesman for Leander Developments said: 'The land in question is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way across this land - this isnt a question of inconvenience to the public, as anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass. 'To date, we have received a stop notice, but not an enforcement notice. 'The recently erected temporary structure, on our land, was done for public safety and insurance purposes as Google Maps has started to show a right of way across this private land. 'Our insurance requires us to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass, and Google now showing this as a right of way could invalidate our insurance, unless we can demonstrate that we have taken positive steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land. 'On Thursday 17th April, a member of the public, with a digger, caused criminal damage by driving through this temporary structure. This has been filed with the police who have raised a crime number. 'We would recommend members of the public stay away from this structure as we cannot guarantee its integrity following this attack, and the stop notice served by the Council prevents us from undertaking any remedial work. 'To safeguard our insurance, we considered it our right under permitted developments to erect a temporary structure, and it is disappointing that Council is taking measures which allow trespassing to continue, despite making them aware that this was for insurance purposes. 'On 6th January 2023 (nearly two and a half years ago) we had a meeting, on site, with two Directors of the Council, the local member, and the then Leader of the Council to discuss a long-term solution to complete the Kellands Lane connection. 'After the meeting, no further action was taken by West Devon Borough Council. We remain willing to work towards a long-term solution to complete the road connection, but West Devon Borough Council do need to engage with us to enable this to happen.' A mysterious trail camera image of what appeared to be a 'headless' creature prowling through the darkness has left social media users baffled. The footage showed a seemingly unidentifiable animal moving through the frame in the dead of night. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared the photo of the animal this week on Facebook. 'Wildlife is fascinating, cool, and amusing, but sometimes its also a bit tricky!' the organization wrote in the caption. 'Let us know what you see in the first photo in the comments below. Now look at the second photo to learn that what you see is not always necessarily what you think!' The photo prompted viewers to give their own wild speculations in the comments. 'I know the chupacabra when I see it,' wrote one commenter, referring to the mythical creature. Others offered their own theories about the strange creature caught on camera. A mysterious trail camera image of what appeared to be a 'headless' creature prowling through the darkness has left internet users baffled as they desperately tried to identify the beast But the animal is actually nothing more than a common gray fox photographed from an unusual angle that makes it appear headless and pig-like. 'A gray fox that looks like a pig due to the angle it is standing,' the NYS Department of Environmental clarified in their caption, putting an end to the frenzied speculation. 'At first glance, the photo might have tricked you into thinking that the animal pictured was a pig of some kind.' 'However, with a closer look, youre actually looking at the back end of a gray fox! 'The tail is the portion that kind of looks like a pig head-gray foxes have a black stripe down their tail, and its that marking that appears to be a pig's face. 'The face of the gray fox is bent down away from the camera.' The organization then pointed out the animal's head and tail in the photo to prove their theory. Some were quick to confirm the identification The animal is actually nothing more than a common gray fox photographed from an unusual angle that makes it appear headless and pig-like 'That tail is a dead nuts giveaway. Def gray fox,' wrote one user. 'Yep, it looks like a north bound pig but its actually a south bound fox,' another chimed in. Meanwhile, others were tricked into thinking the fox was a pig. 'Fooled me!! Thanks for showing this!' admitted another commenter. 'The foxs tail is what looks like piglets face I believe,' another wrote. Some internet users offered their own explanations for the optical illusion that had caused such confusion. 'The fox's tail is what looks like piglets face I believe,' suggested one person. One user shared a similar incident. A photo of a Wild boar A photo of a gray fox 'I have pictures of a mountain lion that looks like a house cat due to the angle it's standing.' Trail cameras have captured incredibly rare and breathtaking moments of wildlife that would otherwise remain hidden from the public. Just last week, a trail camera captured the incredible moment between a huge mountain lion and her three cubs just steps away from a residential California neighborhood. The close-up and intimate moment was captured by a camera set up by Vishal Subramanyan and Cynthia Cross, who have been patiently staking out the Diablo Range for three years in their quest to document the elusive mountain lions of Northern California. They finally hit the jackpot when their motion-sensor camera captured not just one massive apex predator but her family including three cute cubs in the East Foothills of San Jose. 'All our dreams came true,' Subramanyan told KRON4, speaking about the February recording. The photo prompted viewers to give their own wild speculations in the comments Some internet users offered their own explanations for the optical illusion that had caused such confusion A trail camera has captured the incredible moment between a mountain lion and her three cubs just steps away from a residential California neighborhood The remarkable footage, which lasts 20 minutes, showed the mother mountain lion nursing her young cubs in the wooded area just outside the suburban neighborhood. One especially sweet moment was captured showing the predator picking up a cub while the others playfully pranced around. The UC Berkeley graduate, who holds degrees in ecology and statistics, called it 'one of the most special moments we've ever captured.' 'Mountain lions are obviously an incredible species,' Subramanyan said. 'As an apex predator in the Bay Area, they play a really important role in top-down ecological effects.' The case against Lucy Letby was built on an array of circumstantial evidence a convincing motive has never been identified. So, as the Criminal Cases Review Commission considers submissions from Letbys new defence team, here are the main questions about the prosecution case highlighted by her supporters: 1 - Why was Lucy Letby found guilty when no one witnessed her tampering with babies? Letby was found guilty despite the absence of any direct evidence from witnesses, forensics, CCTV or post-mortems. The only medical witness at Letbys two trials who seemed able to point to behaviour directly linking her to babies deaths was Dr Jayaram but even his account has been called into serious doubt. He testified that Letby was standing over Baby Ks cot as the girl was deteriorating and she did not call for help. But a recently unearthed email which was not disclosed to her defence before the trials appears to show she did call him for help. He wrote before she was investigated: At time of deterioration . . . Staff nurse Letby at incubator and called Dr Jayaram to inform of low saturations [oxygen levels]. 2 - How convincing were the varied explanations for how Letby carried out her crimes? Serial killers are notorious for having one modus operandi, which they perfect with chilling attention to detail. Yet the methods apparently employed by Letby seem more of a pick n mix of MOs. Variously, she was accused of injecting air into babies veins, forcing air into their stomachs, poisoning them with insulin, overfeeding them with milk and dislodging a feeding tube. Post-mortems of six of the suspicious deaths found five were due to natural causes, while one was unexplained. Lucy Letby was sentenced to a total of 15 whole life terms last year 3 - How damning was a work rota presented to the jury which appeared to show Letby was present at all the deaths she was accused of? Letbys conviction leant heavily on the statistical likelihood of her being on duty at the time of 25 deaths and collapses. While 37 other nurses at the Countess of Chester Hospital were on duty for only a handful of cases each, a shift chart showed Letby was at the scene for them all. However, it has since emerged from police notes that Dr Dewi Evans, the prosecutions chief expert witness, originally looked at 28 cases of suspicious incidents and Letby was absent for ten of them. The jury were not told about other deaths and collapses during the same period. Furthermore, door-swipe evidence in one case was wrong showing Letby was on the ward when she wasnt. In September 2023, the Royal Statistical Society wrote to the chair of the Thirlwall Inquiry into the Letby case to warn that it is far from straightforward to draw conclusions from suspicious clusters of deaths in a hospital setting. 4 - How reliable was Dr Evanss evidence? Dr Evans, a 75-year-old former consultant paediatrician from Wales, provided the bedrock of evidence used to convict Letby. Over 30 years he had given expert evidence in criminal and civil cases on clinical negligence and child safeguarding but had never specialised exclusively as a neonatologist. Moreover, he had retired from frontline medicine in 2009. In response to an email submitted by this newspaper, he said he had not been responsible for the care of a premature baby since 2007. During Letbys trial the judge was given an unprecedented warning about Dr Evans issued by Appeal Court Judge Lord Justice Jackson, who argued that in a previous case Dr Evans had decided on the outcome he wanted before working out an explanation to achieve it. 5 - Why did the police dispense with the services of the statistician who questioned their figures? When the University of Warwicks Professor Jane Hutton pointed out the flaws in building a case against Letby using the shift data, she was dropped by Cheshire Police. She has since said: It is beyond reasonable doubt that this conviction is not safe. Letby's (pictured during her arrest in 2018) conviction leant heavily on the statistical likelihood of her being on duty at the time of 25 deaths and collapses 6 - Did the prosecution understand the symptoms of an air embolism, one of the claimed methods of killing? An air embolism occurs when gas bubbles enter a vein or artery blocking the passage of blood. They are very rare and the precise discolouration they cause to the skin is not widely known. To buttress their assertion that Letby injected air into babies, causing such embolisms, the prosecution presented a 1989 study co-written by Dr Shoo Lee a world-renowned expert on the condition. Yet the Canadian paediatrician was not called to give evidence and says his findings were misrepresented. Dr Lee has now undertaken a detailed study and proved air embolism as described by the prosecution experts simply could not happen. Following a full review of all the cases, 14 leading international experts assembled by Dr Lee said it was their joint opinion that no crime was committed. 7 - Did the fall in deaths after Letby was taken off duty prove her guilt? Her supporters point to what they say is a more likely cause. The Countess of Chester neonatal unit was downgraded in 2016 so that it could no longer accept critically ill babies delivered at less than 32 weeks or in need of intensive care. This could easily have been the reason for the fall in deaths, not the removal of Letby. In the same year, the Royal College of Paediatrics carried out a review into the spike in infant deaths and blamed unacceptable standards of neonatal care in the unit over a substantial period. It was deemed to be under-staffed and under-resourced. 8 - Did Letby really confess to murder on a Post-it note? Much was made by the prosecution of incoherent therapy notes written by Letby after she first heard of the accusations, with one I am evil said to amount to a confession. But taken as a whole they come across as an expression of guilt for failing to save ill children, not deliberately hastening their demise. Other notes read, Why me? I havent done anything wrong and I am not good enough to care for them. In 2016, the Royal College of Paediatrics carried out a review into the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit's spike in infant deaths and blamed unacceptable standards of neonatal care over a substantial period 9 - Were the internet searches carried out by Letby about the babies families as damning as they were presented? The prosecution drew attention to the nurses online searches as a sign of a macabre fascination with their deaths. But it is not uncommon for nurses to look up patients or their families whose cases have affected them. With Letby, out of hundreds of searches, only some related to children harmed. There were also many babies in her care she did not search for. 10 - Why were nine prosecution witnesses (and the parents of the 17 babies) granted anonymity for life? The identity of witnesses are protected if the judge deems their safety is at risk. But it is difficult to see the danger to the lives of witnesses in this particular case. Furthermore, it is highly unusual for the parents of victims to be given such anonymity. To many experts, it undermines the principle of open justice. The Trumpet of Patriots leader has shut down her social media accounts after her party failed to pick up any seats despite bombarding voters with spam texts. Suellen Wrightson received 3.72 per cent of the vote in the Hunter, near the NSW Central Coast, as of 11pm on Saturday. Ms Wrightson's result may not come as too big of a shock as she spent little time campaigning in the electorate. The party leader thanked her fellow Hunter candidates on social media on Saturday evening before locking her Facebook and X accounts. 'To my fellow Hunter candidates, thanks for a respectful & engaging debate about what we need in our community,' she wrote on X. 'One thing we can all agree on is Australia is the best country on earth & our collective future is worth fighting for.' The Trumpet of Patriots, which was started by billionaire Clive Palmer, infuriated voters after sending unsolicited texts to mobile phones across the country. The messages were signed off by Harry Fong, the party's lead Senate candidate for Queensland, and urged people to 'Vote1 (sic) Trumpet of Patriots'. Suellen Wrightson received 3.72 per cent of the vote in the Hunter, near the NSW Central Coast, as of 11pm on Saturday Social media was flooded with people complaining about the messages, with the correspondence ramping up at the start of the week. Frustrated Aussies were able to get their own back on Mr Fong after finding the accredited lawyer's mobile phone number online and sharing it on social media. 'His name is Harry Fong and his info is below. He's removed his contact info from his QLD Bar bio but I found a previous one with his mobile and email,' one man posted. 'I've never been so pleased to be a night owl as I am today. Have at him kids, text him and let him know how much you love his spam and feel free to share this post as wide as possible so everyone can reply to his texts!' Mr Palmer was grilled by Channel Seven's Mark Riley on Saturday night over his election spending and spam text strategy. 'You've been the great disruptor in this campaign, there's been absolutely no missing your spam messages on all of our mobile devices,' Riley said. 'What was your objective in this campaign? Last time we heard you spent 100-odd million dollars and got about 10 back. You're doing your dough, what's the point?' Mr Palmer replied by saying: 'Well I think we've got 130,000 Australians homeless at the moment, we've got 3.7million Australians having trouble with food. The Trumpet of the Patriots, which was started by billionaire Clive Palmer, infuriated voters after sending unsolicited texts to mobile phones across the country 'Those sort of issues are real issues to bring for the debate. And I think we put forward a lot of issues over advertising I think should be addressed by the political classes in general. 'So having a debate, having different ideas, having disagreements is not a bad thing for a democracy.' Former Labor leader Bill Shorten then weighed into the discussion and told Mr Palmer, 'there's no doubt Clive, you are a formidable communicator'. 'But for conservatives you're a wrecker, you split their vote... It's a giant billionaire's vanity project. 'And you're welcome to spend your money on whatever you want, it's a free country. 'I'm glad you're so motivated about the homeless and everything else, I'd just be interested to see what you do on Monday to look after them.' The Trumpet of Patriots picked up just 2.1 per cent of the primary vote and failed to pick up any seats as of 11pm on Saturday. In NSW, the party picked up just 1.9 per cent of the primary vote while in Victoria they performed the weakest out of all the states with just 1.2 per cent of the vote. The party performed the strongest in Queensland with 3.52 per cent of the vote. Trumpet of Patriots' candidates performed poorly across the board. In the Sydney electorate of Reid, David Sarikaya received 1.5 per cent of the vote, failing to defeat Labor's Sally Sitou. During the campaign, Mr Sarikaya faced multiple reports that he had formerly been bankrupt. Suella Braverman has called a gross misconduct hearing into a firearms officer cleared of murdering gangster Chris Kaba the 'definition of insanity'. The former home secretary criticised the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the watchdog last week said Sergeant Martyn Blake would face an inquiry over the death of Kaba in September 2022. In October an Old Bailey jury found Sgt Blake, 41, not guilty of murder after he had shot Kaba in the head as he tried to force his way out of a police vehicle stop in Streatham, south London. The gangster's car had been involved in a shooting the previous day and he was linked to a similar incident the week before. The jury had not been told of Kaba's criminality and violent past. Two of Sgt Blake's colleagues also gave evidence saying they were just 'milliseconds' away from firing at Kaba, 24, when he tried to use his powerful Audi Q8 to ram through the blockade. Dozens of Metropolitan Police marksmen downed tools in protest when Sgt Blake was charged with murder, which led to the Army being put on standby. Ms Braverman last night said the IOPC had thrown Sgt Blake 'under a bus' and warned the issue is causing officers to leave 'in droves'. Her sentiments were echoed by two former chief constables. Ms Braverman told The Mail on Sunday: 'The IOPC announcement is the definition of insanity and will mean fewer firearms officers on the streets. Sgt Martyn Blake has been cleared in a court of law and is effectively being tried twice. Suella Braverman criticised the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the watchdog last week said Sergeant Martyn Blake would face an inquiry over the death of Kaba Chris Kaba, 24, was shot in south London on September 5, 2022, when he tried to ram his way through a police roadblock 'We should be supporting our brave police officers, not throwing them under a bus. It's no wonder police officers are leaving the force in droves.' She also urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to 'stop this witch hunt'. Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'I don't think [the IOPC] really understands the profound degree of trauma this guy has gone through for doing his job.' Mike Barton, the former chief constable of Durham Constabulary, added: 'There is a real irony that the officer who is at the centre of all this had milliseconds to make a decision, but everybody else who is trying to second guess what should have been done are taking years to do this.' A source at the IOPC said that the Met itself will conduct the inquiry into Mr Blake and determine its pace, adding: The IOPC is not the judge and jury in this. Last week, IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: We understand the impact this decision will have on Chris Kaba's family and Sgt Blake and acknowledge the significant public interest in this case, particularly among our black communities, firearms officers and the wider policing community. This is a decision we have taken based on examining all the evidence, views of all parties and by applying the thresholds set out in legislation and guidance which govern our work. The legal test for deciding whether there is a case to answer is low is there sufficient evidence upon which, on the balance of probabilities, a disciplinary panel could make a finding of misconduct. This has been met and therefore we need to follow the legal process. We appreciate that the Home Office is carrying out a review of the legal test for the use of force in misconduct cases, however, we must apply the law as it currently stands. Legendary investor Warren Buffett has announced he will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive at Berkshire Hathaway after six decades at the helm. The 94-year-old had been speaking at the company's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, when he made the announcement. The shock announcement came only hours after he had warned about the dire global consequences of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Buffett, commonly referred to as The Oracle of Omaha, received a standing ovation by the thousands who had gathered at the meet after making the announcement. He said he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaway's board that chairperson Greg Abel become CEO at the end of the year. 'I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the Chief Executive Officer of the company at year end', he told the gathering. His announcement was a complete shock, he said that only those who knew were his two children, Howard and Susie Buffett, who sit on the board. Abel, who was sitting beside Buffett on the stage, had no warning to the announcement. He said he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaway's board that Greg Abel become CEO at the end of the year He said he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaway's board that Greg Abel, seen here on Friday, become CEO at the end of the year Buffett has routinely said that he had no plans to retire. After changing his tune on Saturday, he added he would still be 'hang around' to help, but the final say would be with Abel. Buffett, who is currently the CEO and chairman of the conglomerate, and Abel told CNBC after the meeting that they would discuss on Sunday what his formal role at the firm would be. Many investors have said they believe Abel will do a good job running Berkshire, but it remains to be seen how good he will be at investing Berkshire's cash. Buffett also endorsed him on Saturday by pledging to keep his fortune invested in the company. He added: 'I have no intention - zero - of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway. I will give it away eventually. 'The decision to keep every share is an economic decision because I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Greg's management than mine.' Abel has been Buffett's designated successor for years, and he already manages all of Berkshire's noninsurance businesses. But it was always assumed he wouldn't take over until after Buffett's death. Prior to the announcement, Buffett had warned those that gathered that Trump policies had raised the risk of global instability. Buffett poses for a portrait in Omaha, Nebraska, circa 1984 President Obama awards the 2010 Medal of Freedom to Buffett during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 15, 2011 He told the meeting that 'trade should not be a weapon', and 'there's no question that trade can be an act of war'. Buffett said: 'It's a big mistake in my view when you have 7.5 billion people who dont like you very well, and you have 300 million who are crowing about how they have done.' While Buffett said it is best for trade to be balanced between countries, he doesn't think Trump is going about it the right way with his widespread tariffs. 'We should be looking to trade with the rest of the world. We should do what we do best and they should do what they do best,' he said. Buffett, a father of three, is one of the richest men in the world with a personal fortune estimated at around $168 billion, according to Forbes. Despite his huge wealth, he has always said that he would not be leaving his large fortune to his children but instead will give away 99 percent of the money. He had previously said: 'I've never wished to create a dynasty or pursue any plan that extended beyond the children. 'I know the three well and trust them completely. Future generations are another matter. 'Who can foresee the priorities, intelligence and fidelity of successive generations to deal with the distribution of extraordinary wealth amid what may be a far different philanthropic landscape?' The investor has long promoted a straightforward metric known as the Buffett Indicator Buffett is seen here alongside his kids, from left to right, Howard, Susie and Peter at the annual meeting in 2011 Buffett and Abel told CNBC after the meeting that they would discuss on Sunday what his formal role at the firm would be The investor has long promoted a straightforward metric known as the Buffett Indicator. The indicator measures the total value of the US stock market against the country's gross domestic product, or GDP. In other words, it compares what investors are willing to pay for companies to the actual amount of money sloshing through the US economy. When the ratio rises well above 1, it can signal that investors are getting overly greedy. When it falls closer to or below 1, it can suggest that fear is running the show. Last week, the Buffett Indicator was sitting at more than 1.6 a level that suggests markets are extremely overheated relative to the economy underneath them. Buffett's own moves appear to reflect that wariness. Rather than diving headfirst into the market, he has been steadily building a mountain of cash. At the end of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway reported $334 billion in cash on hand more than triple what it held just two years earlier. Buffett is one of the richest men in the world with a personal fortune estimated at around $168 billion He has not stopped investing altogether, but the moves he has made show a cautious eye on global opportunities. Buffett invested in a trading house of Japanese manufacturers, put $1.2 billion into a Mexican beer and liquor brand, and even snapped up stocks of a satellite radio technology company. Back in 2009, when the market bottomed out and the Buffett Indicator plunged to under 0.6, he scooped up stocks in industries that looked boring but were built to endure. As well as his knowledge of the markets, Buffett is also known for his incessant consumption of Coca-Cola, previously admitting a quarter of his calorie consumption comes from the drink. He is partial to both the regular and cherry coke varieties, which give him the necessary energy boosts as he doesn't drink coffee. Buffett is well known for his decadent diet. As well as junk food, he says he is partial to Dairy Queen ice cream for dessert. After studying at the Columbia Business School in New York he began purchasing shares in the textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1962 Buffett, left, is seen here alongside his longtime business associate Charlie Munger who died in 2023 Buffett is seen here alongside his wife Astrid as they arrive for a state dinner at The White House hosted by President Obama in 2012 His meals include so much salt that Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf told Bloomberg in 2014 that, 'When the food comes, Warren grabs a salt shaker in his left hand and one in his right, and it's a snowstorm.' Despite his high-sugar, high-salt diet, he has never touched alcohol. Buffett was born in Nebraska in August of 1930 and previously said that he filed his first tax return at the age of 13, claiming a $35 deduction for his bicycle. He purchased his first shares, in an Oklahoma oil company, at the age of 11. After studying at the Columbia Business School in New York he began purchasing shares in the textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1962. He assumed control of the company in 1965 and phased out its manufacturing interests before buying interests in the Washington Post, insurance firm Geico and oil company Exxon. He, along with longtime associate Charlie Munger, would take the company and make it the trillion dollar powerhouse it is today. Munger died in 2023 at the age of 99, he had served as Buffett's sounding board on investments and business decisions and helped lead Berkshire as its vice chairman since 1978. In 1952, he married his first wife Susan Thompson and the couple had three children - Susan, Howard and Peter - all before 1960. Susan Buffett died in 2004 from a cerebral hemorrhage after suffering from cancer and Buffett went on to marry his second wife Astrid in 2006. A woman who held Elizabeth Smart hostage for months after she was abducted by her husband been arrested in Utah for breaking the terms of her sex offender status. Wanda Barzee, 79 - who was involved in the horrific kidnapping that terrified the nation in 2002 - was picked up by Salt Lake City Police Department after allegedly visiting two parks, NBC reports. Utah law forbids sex offenders from entering or being near public places such as schools and parks. Police said Barzee was spotted at Liberty Park and Sugar House Park last month. She is currently not listed as in custody. Barzee and her husband Brian David Mitchell kidnapped Smart for nine months when she was just 14-years-old. Street preacher Mitchell abducted the teen at knife point after climbing into her Salt Lake City room through an open window. Smart was subjected to brutal abuse including daily rapes and being forced to consume alcohol and drugs at the depraved couple's woodland compound. The teen was eventually rescued after a couple recognized Mitchell and Barzee from an episode of America's Most Wanted as they walked down the street with the teen. Wanda Barzee, one of Elizabeth Smart's captors, has been arrested in Utah for breaking the terms of her sex offender status Smart was just 14-years-old when she was abducted from her home at knife point in 2002 Mitchell was sentenced to life in jail in 2010 and his wife was due to remain behind bars until 2024. However, she was unexpectedly released in 2018. One of the conditions of her release was that she become a registered sex offender for the rest of her life. Violating the terms of her sex offender status could mean that Barzee winds up back in jail. The sick offender had served 15 years in prison for abducting Smart in 2002 when she was released. Smart testified that she had stood by as her husband raped her and even encouraged him to continue the heinous acts. The girl was held captive for nine months in a camp in the woods, where Mitchell performed a mock wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time. To keep her from escaping, she was tied up with steel cables in a dugout filled with mice and spiders. Deranged preacher Brian David Mitchell subjected her to daily rapes during a nine-month-ordeal. Pictured: Mitchell in 2003 Barzee, seen here in 2003, encouraged her husband to carry out the brutal rapes Smart, now a married 37-year-old, was rescued after a couple recognized Barzee and Mitchell from America's Most Wanted Smart was forced to take drugs and drink alcohol, she testified in 2009, and was raped daily as often as four times a day. She previously called Barzee's release 'incomprehensible' and said she was 'surprised and disappointed' by the decision. Now aged 37, Smart has become an advocate for women and children's safety. The married mom-of-three has written a book about the harrowing ordeal and helped make a Lifetime movie and documentary about the crime and her life. Elizabeth admitted that when she first returned home after her traumatic kidnapping, she 'didn't want to speak about what happened with anyone.' 'I wanted to hide those nine months away, and pretend they didn't happen,' she shared. Elizabeth continued writing she knew in her head that none of the kidnapping was her fault. Wanda Barzee, 79, was picked up by Salt Lake City Police Department after visiting two parks in violation of her sex offender status. Pictured: Barzee in 2003 'My heart still felt embarrassment and shame over the vast amounts of sexual abuse I experienced,' she admitted in the gut-wrenching post. 'At the time, I didn't know anyone else who openly shared they had been raped or violated, and no one took the time to explain to me that there is a difference between sexual abuse/rape versus enthusiastic consenting intimacy.' The man who masterminded Donald Trump's tariffs regime says Britain is now a 'compliant servant of communist China' that faces having its 'blood sucked' by leaders in Beijing. Economist Peter Navarro's influence on the President has helped redraw the boundaries of global trade over the past month. Navarro is known for his hostility towards China and claims that, in the face of overwhelming US tariffs of 145 per cent against the Asian superpower, the Chinese may turn their attentions towards the UK. 'If the Chinese vampire can't suck the American blood, it's going to suck the UK blood and the EU blood,' he told The Telegraph. Navarro said the present moment was 'a very dangerous time for the world economies' in terms of their exposure to Chinese money. He added: 'And let's face it, the UK has been an all too compliant servant of the Chinese Communist Party because of the string-laden gifts that China gives as a way of spreading its soft power.' The decision by China's Jingye Steel to shutter the Scunthorpe steel works has reinforced fears about the Chinese government's power in the UK. The UK government has now taken control of the Scunthorpe site and senior figures inside the Labour Party have urged the government to carry out a full review of Chinese investment in critical UK infrastructure and industry. Economist Peter Navarro, the man behind Donald Trump 's tariffs regime, says Britain is now a 'compliant servant of communist China' that faces having its 'blood sucked' by leaders in Beijing The decision by China's Jingye Steel to shutter the blast furnaces (pictured) at Scunthorpe Steelworks has reinforced fears about the Chinese government's power in the UK Senior figures inside the Labour Party have urged the government to carry out a full review of Chinese investment in critical UK infrastructure and industry. Pictured: General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping in December 2022 Office for National Statistics data suggests Chinese investment in the UK in 2023 totaled around 4.3billion - only a tiny percentage of the 2 trillion overseas investment in the British economy in that year. However, experts believe that is a significant underrepresentation of the Chinese position since the data focuses on the source of the immediate investment and now where the money ultimately comes from. Navarro has rocketed to notoriety over the last month as President Trump's economic adviser and the man behind Donald Trump's tariff levies on nations around the world. He originally began interacting with Trump's team in 2011 and was recruited to be economic policy adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign after the President's son-in-law Jared Kushner saw his book Death by China on Amazon. Both the chancellor Rachel Reeves and foreign secretary David Lammy have visited China in the name of what the Starmer administation has dubbed 'pragmatic re-engagement' with the Chinese government. It has been suggested that Mr Navarro's anti-China stance could complicate attempts to forge a new trade deal between the UK and their transatlantic partners. However, the economist said that the trade discussions were 'moving in Trump time, which is to say as swiftly as possible'. He warned that the UK and Europe needed to remain 'very vigilant about becoming dumping grounds for the products that China would otherwise sell to America.' Aussies are set to get a cash boost following Labor's resounding election victory. Increasing its majority in parliament thanks to its massive win, Labor has gained a second term with a plan to enable all first-home buyers to get into the property market with a five per cent mortgage deposit - regardless of their income. Anthony Albanese also won the youth vote by promising to cut university student debt by 20 per cent. The government also campaigned to enable professionals to claim up to $1,000 worth of work-related items without needing a receipt. Labor went to voters too with a plan for $268 a year in income tax relief, which the Coalition opposed under defeated leader Peter Dutton. Under a re-elected Labor government, voters won't get to experience some hip-pocket benefits until July 2026. Here's what you will get following the Albanese government's landslide election victory. Big tax changes are coming to Australia following Labor's resounding election victory - but the catch is voters will have to wait for more than a year for the benefits From July 1, 2026, Australians will be able to $1,000 a year on their tax return without a receipt Income tax cuts: Up to $2,030 for the average worker earning $72,000 The Albanese government is giving Aussies income tax relief as part of a $17billion plan. From July 1, 2026, the 16 per cent tax rate for workers earning $18,201 to $45,000 will be reduced to 15 per cent leading to tax relief of $268. And from July 1, 2027, the tax rate will be reduced to 14 per cent bringing relief of $536 over two years. That means every Australian taxpayer earning above $45,000 will get an extra tax cut of $268 in 2026-27 and $536 from 2027-28. This will cover those on the minimum, full-time wage of $47,627 and the average, full-time income earner on $102,742. Combined with the stage three tax cuts introduced last year, a worker with a middle income of $72,592 will receive a total tax cut of $1,762 in 2026-27 and $2,030 annually from 2027-28. Labor went to the election opposing the Coalition's $6billion plan to halve fuel excise to 25.4 cents a litre for year, which would have amounted to a $14 a week saving for Toyota RAV4 drivers filling up First-home buyers: From January 2026, any first-home buyer can buy with just a 5 per cent deposit no income cap From January 2026, all first-home buyers will be able to get a mortgage with a five per cent deposit regardless of their income. That means they will be able to buy the typical house in their preferred city and not just a small unit or property in a far, outer suburb with a five per cent mortgage deposit. A property newcomer would be able to buy a Sydney house for $1.5million - the city's median price - instead of $900,000 under the existing limit. The limit in Brisbane is $1million, up from $700,000. In Melbourne, it's lower at $950,000, reflecting the decline in Victoria's home prices during the past year, but it's an improvement from $800,000 previously. Perth has a limit of $850,000, up from $600,000, compared with $900,000 in Adelaide, also up from $600,000. The limit in Hobart is $700,000, up from $600,000, while in Canberra it will be $1million, up from $750,000. The Northern Territory limit is unchanged at $600,000. Labor's plan to slash student debt by 20 per cent helped the government shore up the youth vote (pictured are University of New South Wales students) Taxpayers would guarantee the balance of the 20 per cent deposit so they are spared from having to pay costly lenders' mortgage insurance. Student debt - Labor will reduce every Australian's HELP or student loan debt by 20 per cent - saving the average uni grad about $5,500 Labor's plan to slash student debt by 20 per cent helped the government shore up the youth vote. Mr Albanese went to the election with a $16billion plan to reduce student debt by 20 per cent or an average of $5,520 from their Higher Education Contribution Scheme liabilities. Labor also campaigned to lift the repayment threshold from $54,000 to $67,000, calculating it would save someone earning $70,000 about $1,300 a year in repayments. This was on top of another $3billion plan to reduce student debt by indexing the interest on that debt it to the wage price index or the consumer price index, whichever is lower. Mr Dutton had vowed to scrap Labor's student debt relief if the Coalition wins Saturday's election, arguing its unfair on tradies who didn't go to university. The Coalition had also lost the election vowing to axe fee-free TAFE, a Labor policy that debuted in January 2023, because only 100,000 people had completed the courses. Power bill help extended: Two more $75 discounts coming Labor will give two further $75 reductions to power bills in the last two quarters of the year. Childcare costs less for more families Labor has already made it law that any family earning up to $533,280 a year will get at least three days of cheaper childcare each week. Pay rises for aged care and workers on minimum wage Labor is setting aside $2.6billion to give 60,000 aged care nurses a pay rise, and has also asked the Fair Work Commission recommending a real wage increase for three-million minimum wage and award workers. Before the election, Mr Albanese asked the Fair Work Commission to increase the minimum wage to at least keep up with inflation. 'The idea that a Labor government would ever advocate for a below-inflation increase, that people on the minimum wage should go backwards that's not the party I belong to and not the party I lead,' Albanese said at the time. But unlike during the last election, when he supported a 5.1 per cent rise to match inflation, he now refused to specify a dollar figure. The consumer price index, which is a measure of headline inflation, is now at 2.4 per cent. The national minimum wage is $24.10 per hour, which equates to $915.90 per 38-hour week or $47,626.80 a year. Casual employees receive an additional 25 per cent loading, bringing their hourly rate to approximately $30.13. If the fair work commission grants a 2.4 per cent increase in the minimum wage, this would result in an additional $0.58 per hour, bringing the new hourly rate to $24.68 - - or $21.98 a week. The Fair Work Commission conducts the Annual Wage Review between March and June each year. Any changes resulting from this review typically take effect from July 1. A minimum wage rise will benefit the estimated 180,000 workers currently on the minimum wage, as well as 2.6 million workers across 121 awards that will also be adjusted. Cash for tradies Apprentices who work in residential construction will get a $10,000 cash bonus - with the government set aside enough for just over 60,000 apprentices. Employers hiring in priority trades may be eligible for a $5,000 incentive under the Priority Hiring scheme. Solar power rebate Households can access up to $4,000 in rebates for solar battery installations under a Labor program open to everyone, regardless of income. You'll be able to claim up to $1,000 in work-related expenses on your tax return without needing to keep receipts From July 1, 2026, Australians will be able to claim $1,000 a year on their tax return without a receipt. The government says this will benefit 39 per cent of taxpayers - adding up to 5.7million workers. Under existing rules, Aussies can claim up to $300 in work-related expenses without needing receipts, but that rises to $1,000 for the 2026-27 financial year when annual returns are submitted to the Australian Taxation Office. The instant tax deduction change, from $300 to $1,000, will cost the Budget $2.4billion over three years with Labor arguing it would save the average Australian $205 a year on their tax bill. Jenny Wong, the tax leader for CPA Australia - representing Certified Practising Accountants - fears Australians will miss out on tax deductions under the proposal. 'Allowing taxpayers to choose to claim a $1,000 instant tax deduction instead of claiming individual work-related expenses may save some workers a bit of time - but could mean they miss out on the full refund they are entitled to,' she said. But H&R Block's director of tax communications Mark Chapman said the new $1,000 threshold to make tax claims without a receipt would see more scrutiny placed on Australians who made bigger tax deductions. 'The ATO will not need to audit taxpayers who claim the standard deduction,' he said. 'This will enable them to focus on higher tax claims - including work-related deductions over $1,000 - which is sure to increase the pressure on taxpayers to make sure they have the necessary records to support their claim.' Buyers of electric cars will be given major tax incentives Electric vehicle drivers buying a car on a novated lease will continue to be able to claim the entire cost of repayments and running costs from their taxable income. This policy, introduced in 2022, means employers were spared from paying the fringe benefits tax an EV was under the luxury car tax threshold of $91,387, and a staff member bought the car through a salary-sacrificing package. The government estimated Labor's fringe benefit tax exemption on EVs would save an employer $9,000 on a $50,000 Chinese-made Tesla Model 3, while an employee would save $4,700 through a salary sacrificing arrangement. The Liberal Party had opposed this policy along with Labor's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, designed to reduce emissions by 59 per cent over four years. Car companies that sold too many petrol or diesel cars would be penalised, which could see the price of a Ford Ranger ute rise by $6,150, based on Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries modelling. But it also calculated a Tesla Model Y could be $15,390 cheaper as companies that sold more EVs were given credits. A leading barrister has called for the Lucy Letby case to be referred back to the Court of Appeal because her convictions are almost certainly unsafe. Adam King, who prosecuted the Just Stop Oil climate protesters, is the latest respected figure to raise questions about the case against Letby, who was convicted over two trials of killing seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. Since the nurse lost her appeal last year, a mass of evidence undermining the prosecutions case has been gathered by her new legal team, raising questions about the claim she was on duty for every suspicious incident and about the testimony of the main prosecution witness, Dewi Evans. Doubts have also been raised about the tests which purported to show Letby used various techniques including insulin poisoning and injecting air into veins to murder already sickly babies. Contradictory and incoherent notes written by Letby in post-arrest therapy sessions were also presented as a confession even though she strongly denies murder. Last month, Letbys barrister Mark McDonald presented a 698-page report from 14 world-leading experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which deals with potential miscarriages of justice. A leading barrister has called for the Lucy Letby (above) case to be referred back to the Court of Appeal because her convictions are almost certainly unsafe Since the nurse lost her appeal last year, a mass of evidence has been gathered by her legal team, raising questions about the claim she was on duty for every suspicious incident and about the testimony of the main prosecution witness, Dewi Evans (above) Last month, Letbys barrister Mark McDonald (above) presented a 698-page report from 14 world-leading experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which deals with potential miscarriages of justice The report concluded that the babies died from poor care, prematurity and natural causes. Mr King, who is representing Lucy Connolly, a 42-year-old mother appealing against a 31-month sentence for inciting racial hatred through a tweet sent after the Stockport murders, told The Mail on Sunday: This is a rare instance of a case that needs to be considered by the Court of Appeal for a second time, and soon. The ever-growing doubt about the Crowns star experts reliability alone warrants that course. Were almost certainly looking at an unsafe conviction. Since her conviction, dozens of doctors, nurses, statisticians, law experts and scientists have come forward to criticise the way in which evidence was presented to the jury. They include Lord Sumption, a former judge at the Supreme Court, who said he believes Letby is probably innocent. It has been a groggy start for many Liberals this morning, as they contemplate the train wreck from last night. MPs I have talked and texted with this morning seem to think that shadow treasurer Angus Taylor will emerge as the clear frontrunner to take over the leadership now that Peter Dutton has lost the election as well as his seat. But they have concerns that Taylor's stewardship of the Oppositions economic messaging was poor, including during the campaign, coupled with his questionable performances in parliament. 'He's not great but might be all we have for now,' one Liberal MP said. The feeling is that deputy leader Sussan Ley might be 'too risky and too loose' to take over. Ley is also 63 years of age, older than the PM. 'But as a woman perhaps that will help us at this time,' the Liberal MP said. Ley might be worth considering as a stop gap contender, but it's hard to think she wouldn't risk being undermined from day one. At any rate, as part of Dutton's leadership team she was part of the failure that played out last night. That has to count against her. Other options who would involve renewal include defence spokesman and WA MP Andrew Hastie or Victorian MP Dan Tehan, but if they are to emerge as serious contenders 'it will only become clear in the days to come, not this weekend', the Liberal source argued. Hastie is certainly a long-term option seen as capable of winning, but is he ready right now? Tehan might be too folksy to be taken seriously. One name I would like to throw in the mix is Sydney MP for Berowra Julian Leeser. A moderate who resigned from Peter Duttons frontbench over the Voice, he might serve as a clear sign of a clean out and new direction for the party, which voters seem to want. But who are the moderate Liberals left in the parliament to get behind him? Most have lost their seats, both at this election and the last against Teals. It is slim pickings for the Liberals when considering new leaders. Dutton has largely been a one-man band for the last three years. The dominant figure to be sure. The lesser names now left dont jump out at you as natural successors. Which is perhaps why Taylor is the favourite, simply because hes the most obvious contender. Five candidates have already emerged as frontrunners for task The Liberal Party is expected to rapidly seek to replace its ousted leader and task them with the unenviable duty of rebuilding the shattered party its worse-ever defeat in a federal election. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was the highest-profile casualty as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party swept to victory in an historic landslide win at the ballot box on Saturday returned them to parliament as a majority government. Mr Dutton conceded defeat not only in the election but his own seat of Dickson, which he had held for almost a quarter of a century, at 9.30pm on Saturday after being toppled by Labor's Ali France in her third tilt at the west Brisbane electorate. The Liberal veteran's shock capitulation, which saw a swing of almost 11 per cent against him, has left his party in freefall, with no obvious successor and no clear sense of identity. As of 10.30am on Sunday, the Coalition had secured just 37 seats following an unprecedented routing, as attention shifted to who would replace Mr Dutton and be given the task of rebuilding the shattered alliance. War hero and former assistant minister for defence Andrew Hastie and former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor were among the early front runners to emerge in the race for the leadership, with more MPs expected to declare their interest in the days ahead. Former prime minister Scott Morrison's one-time advisor Andrew Carswell said it was vital the party successfully navigated the leadership succession while delivering a scathing assessment of the Coalition's walloping in the poll. 'It's a complete catastrophe for the Coalition, an unmitigated failure,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday morning. A dejected Peter Dutton concedes defeat both in the federal election and in his own seat while flanked by his sons, Harry and Tom, on Saturday night 'This is a party now staring down the barrel at three terms in opposition, having watched the Liberal rump of the Coalition get decimated. 'The Dutton experiment failed and I think the anger and frustration that people had towards Albanese and Labor, wasn't strong enough to overcome people's clear hesitation with Peter Dutton. 'There are some very good up-and-coming MPs and Andrew Hastie is one of those that should be putting up his hand to lead the party.' Former shadow immigration minister Tan Dehan's name was also mentioned among those who might put their hand up for the role - alongside Sussan Ley and Julian Lesser - though he refused to be drawn on his ambitions on Sunday morning. 'I'm giving you a straight answer I haven't thought about it,' he told Sky News. So who are they key candidates - and how likely are they to lead? Angus Taylor The former shadow treasurer is one of the Coalition's recognisable faces - such as they are - and was amongst the first names to be bandied about to assume the Liberal Party's now vacant leadership role. He has been a stalwart for the Libs in the NSW seat of Hume since first being elected to parliament in 2013 and enjoys the support of the National Right faction. Liberal member for Hume Angus Taylor The 58-year-old Rhodes scholar and father-of-four has served as both energy minister in Scott Morrison's Cabinet and minister for law enforcement and cybersecurity under Malcolm Turnbull. However, his profile - and prominent role in the weekend's devastating defeat - could end up counting against him when it comes time for the Liberals settle on a successor this week. Andrew Hastie A former captain in the Australian Army, Mr Hastie served the nation as a troop commander in the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan before entering public office. He has held the seat of Canning in Western Australia since September 2015, just one month after retiring from the Australian Defence Force, after winning a by-election to replace his successor, Don Randall, following his fatal heart attack. Since then, the 42-year-old father-of-three has served as the assistant minister for defence under both Linda Reynolds and Peter Dutton in the Morrison Government. If he secured the role, Mr Hastie would be the first war veteran, engaged in an overseas combat, to lead the Liberal Party since John Gorton was prime minister from 1968 to 1971. Liberal member or Canning Andrew Hastie Mr Hastie, who was one of the few Liberal MPs who scored a big swing to him, has already won the support of prominent Liberal senator and fellow West Australian Michaelia Cash in any forthcoming tilt at the title of party leader. The question will be whether he wants it. Sussan Ley The deputy opposition leader is one of the Liberal Party's most-experienced hands, having served as a Cabinet minister under the Coalition's past three prime ministers - Tony Abbott, Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison. A former commercial pilot, farmer and public servant, she has held the blue ribbon seat of Farrer in NSW's south-west following the retirement of her long-serving successor and former National Party leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer. Liberal member for Farrer Sussan Ley The 63-year-old mother-of-three, who will take over temporarily as leader in Mr Dutton's absence, has garnered support across the party throughout her quarter of a century in parliament. However, again, her close connection to the weekend's humiliating trouncing could count against her. Dan Tehan The former shadow immigration spokesman might not have contemplated a possible push to replace the ousted Mr Dutton just yet - but that doesn't mean others aren't considering his future for him. The one-time public servant and political adviser has been one of the Liberal Party's most polished and versatile operatives since assuming public office 15 years ago. Liberal member for Wannon Dan Tehan The 57-year-old father of five served as the minister for defence matriel, veterans' affairs, defence personnnel and, ultimately, social serves in Mr Turnbull's Cabinet before taking on the education and then trade, tourism and investment portfolios under Mr Morrison. He has held the Victorian seat of Wannon since 2010, after replacing Liberal Party successor David Hawker following his retirement, saw off a challenge from former Triple J host Alex Dyson at this election and is considered one of the hottest contenders outside Mr Taylor, Ms Ley and Mr Hastie. Julian Lesser The former shadow attorney-general could be tempted to pitch himself as a more moderate alternative for the party leadership as the Liberals look to rebuild. Indeed, the 48-year-old former solicitor has become one of the moderate faction's most respected statesmen since replacing the party's longest serving member, Philip Ruddock, in 2016. Of course, the father-of-two will need to ensure he wins his seat of Berowra, which is proving to be quite a tight contested, before even considering a mounting a leadership challenge. Liberal member for Berowra Julian Leeser That said, he was on track to secure victory by just over 2,500 votes on Sunday morning, despite suffering a swing of more than six per cent to Labor candidate Benson Koschinski. Still, even then, he would need an effective divide and conquer strategy to clinch the leadership with the weak moderate faction unlikely to be unable to muster the numbers to mount a genuine tilt. An NHS trust has been criticised for its use of the offensive term 'terf' in a guide on how to support transgender staff. A document produced by the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) used the term, which stands for 'transgender-exclusionary radical feminist', to describe women who do not want to share single-sex facilities with trans women. The document claims that excluding trans women from women-only spaces in the hospital is unlawful. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equality laws. The use of the term was flagged to NHS bosses by The Telegraph, who then warned the trust not to use 'derogatory or dismissive language'. The NELFT is now reviewing its own guidance surrounding single-sex facilities. The Government's equality watchdog, issued their guidance to charities and public sector organisations following the Supreme Court's ruling that trans women men who identify as female are not women under the law. Following the court's decision, there was a debate among charities for women about how to interpret the finding. Many, including Refuge, the UK's largest domestic abuse organisation, and the Girl Guides said they would not let the ruling change the way they treated trans people and looked to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for support. Transgender women should not be allowed to use female toilets, according to the Government's equality watchdog. Pictured: File photo An inclusive changing space sign at an NHS facility, allowing trans women to use the women's room But the EHRC's guidance reiterated the Supreme Court ruling, saying: 'Trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities.' The Trust provides services to parts of north and east London as well as Essex and Kent and specialises in community and mental health. In its staff policy, the trust says it supports colleagues who identify as transgender, as well as non-binary and other gender identities. The document also references 'trans-exclusionary radical feminists', warning that this group may feel that the inclusion of trans colleagues is an 'infringement on their beliefs and values. The term 'terf' has appeared on placards at rallies in London since the supreme court ruling. While most held up signs fighting for trans rights, some activists were seen threatening violence with disturbing images of stabbed and hanged TERFs. One sign at the protest in London's Parliament Square showed an illustration of hangman alongside the slogan 'The only good TERF is a [hanged] TERF.' Another read: 'Trans women are women. Trans men are men. If you don't like that, go s*** somewhere else.' Examples on the sign of where to do that included 'on a pile of Harry Potter books' or 'on the head of another TERF'. A third graphic sign read: 'Trans women are women. Trans men are men. If you don't like that, go s*** somewhere else.' Examples of where to do that on the sign included 'on a pile of Harry Potter books' or 'on the head of another TERF' One sign at the protest in London's Parliament Square showed an illustration of hangman alongside the slogan 'The only good TERF is a [hanged] TERF' A women's rights campaigner said the slur was used to incite violence against women. They told the Telegraph: ''Given that the term terf has been used to dehumanise and silence women it is particularly egregious that this slur is used in the Equality Impact Assessment which is supposed to be the fair and balanced legal section required under the Public Services Duty in the Equality Act'. The guidance for staff at the NELFT was written by DEI managers alongside LGBTQ staff network leaders. It was also signed off by two of the trust's executives. The document came after Maya Forstater, co-founder of charity Sex Matters, won an employment tribunal which declared gender critical beliefs were protected in a democracy. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at the charity, said the NELFT's attitude towards women 'reflects the abysmal response from many NHS trusts to the Supreme Court judgement'. 'Terf is a term used by trans activists to demonise women who are working to restore and protect hard-fought rights to single-sex services and spaces,' she said. 'By the time this guidance was published, Forstater v CGD had already established that gender-critical views are legally protected, further illustrating the long-standing contempt for the law within the NHS.' The Trust, like others in London, currently allows trans women to share wards and lavatories with other women. It has also received a gold award for its commitment to LGBTQ policies by the controversial charity Stonewall. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued itsguidance to charities and public sector organisations following the Supreme Court's ruling that trans women men who identify as female are not women under the law. Pictured: Protesters gathered in support of transgender rights following the ruling Some members of the leading doctors' union, the British Medical Association (BMA) condemned the Supreme Court ruling. Biology in medicine, a group of doctors campaigning for patients to be treated according to biological sex said it was 'destroying trust in medicine', accusing the BMA of 'medical misogyny'. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Organisations across the NHS are reviewing their policies and guidance to bring them in line with the Supreme Court judgment, and this will take some time. Guidance for staff should clearly not include derogatory or dismissive language, and trusts must take this into account as part of their reviews.' A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this Government, and we expect Trusts to follow the clarity that the Supreme Court ruling provides.' A spokesman for NELFT said: 'We are reviewing the content of the guidance in light of the recent ruling, as well as the language used to ensure it is respectful and promotes inclusivity, and we will reissue once complete.' An Aussie has questioned why voters are given pencils instead of pens when marking their ballot paper, raising fears their preferences could be erased and replaced. A 19-year-old first-time voter questioned the method after heading to a polling booth on Saturday. 'Why do they give us pencils to vote?' they wrote on Reddit. 'I know this is extremely unlikely to even happen but voting in pencil means if someone gets my ballot they can erase and change my vote. 'Sure you can also somewhat erase ink but it's a lot harder, such a simple change for an increase in security so why the pencil?' The Australian Electoral Commission states 'since 2020 under section 206 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 the AEC is required to provide an 'implement or method for voters to mark their ballot papers'.' Prior to the 2020 change, the provision of pencils used to be a legal requirement. The AEC has 'found from experience that pencils are the most reliable implements' for marking ballot papers. Millions of Aussies voted in the federal election on Saturday (pictured) Unlike pens, pencils do not run out and polling booth staff check and sharpen pencils throughout election day. The AEC also notes that pencils can be stored more easily between elections and 'they work better in tropical areas'. Although pencils are the writing tool provided to voters at polling centres, voters are allowed to mark their ballot paper with a pen if they wish to do so. In response to the 19-year-old's question, one Aussie reassured the first time voter that polling stations' security prevents ballot paper tampering. 'There are no erasers provided,' they said. 'So when the ballots are scrutinised the erasure immediately looks like a red flag, but also no one would have time to do it. 'If they had opportunity to erase your ballot paper, it would be easier for them just to replace it with a fake one, in which case a pen isn't going to save it.' Another voter explained they were provided with a replacement ballot paper rather than an eraser during one election after making a mistake. A voter places their ballot into a box at a polling station on election day on May 3, 2025 (pictured) 'One time I was filling in the complete below the line senate paper, when if you did below the line you had to complete all 1 to 176 votes,' they wrote. 'When I made a mistake, duplicated a number, so I asked if they had an eraser- they did not, they had to cancel that paper and give me a new one instead.' Gen Z and Millennials outnumbered Baby Boomer voters in the federal election for the first time ever on Saturday. Paul Strangio, emeritus professor in politics at Monash University, told the ABC their mindset was very different to the older generations. 'They're not reaching the sort of milestones that previous generations did, such as home ownership, marrying [and] having children,' he said. 'Those things used to predispose people to becoming more conservative in their outlook.' Prince Harry reportedly took an 'unimaginable security risk' by ordering a Deliveroo takeaway during a boys' evening - despite moaning his safety is at stake in the UK. In a scathing interview with the BBC on Friday, the Duke of Sussex complained he will not be able to bring his wife and children back to the UK after losing his court battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards. Harry also claimed to be the victim of an 'establishment stitch-up' and said it was 'sad' he was unable to show his family his homeland due to issues with his security. But it has now been alleged a Deliveroo driver arrived at his friend Lord Charles Vivian's 8million London townhouse with food during a get-to-together last May. This is despite high-profile figures usually avoiding such deliveries for safety reasons, The Sun on Sunday has reported. Princess Diana's former protection officer Ken Wharfe described the move as an 'unthinkable security risk'. He said: 'It's unbelievable that such a high-profile person, who considers themselves to be such a high-security risk, would allow themselves to have a Deliveroo driver arrive at a house with no idea of who they are and what they might be carrying in their bag. 'It's just unthinkable.' Mr Wharfe also questioned why Harry would have the 'audacity' to moan about his lack of security if he is seemingly willing to take such risks. It comes after Harry last night launched a blistering attack on the King, who he complained wont speak to me. The Duke of Sussex at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8 during his appeal against a High Court ruling preventing him getting automatic taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK Lord Charles Vivian, second from left, pictured with Prince Harry and other friends The Duke of Sussex yesterday complained he will not be able to bring his wife and children back to the UK after losing his court battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards He also revealed he will not bring his wife or children back to the UK - and said he had had 'so many disagreements' with his family, some of whom 'may never forgive' him for writing a book. In the extraordinary interview, Harry added that he was 'devastated' after losing his battle over taxpayer-funded bodyguards which puts him on the hook for 1.5million in legal costs. He laughed as he revealed 'someone had told me beforehand' there was 'no way to win'. Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, told the duke his 'grievance' over downgraded security had not 'translated into a legal argument'. And he ruled the original security decision had been a 'predictable' and even 'sensible' reaction to Megxit when Harry and Meghan stepped back from being senior royals and left Britain. On Friday night Buckingham Palace rebuked Harry's claims of an establishment stitch-up in a blunt statement. A spokesperson said: 'These issues have been examined meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion on each occasion.' A source added: 'It would have been constitutionally improper for His Majesty to intervene while this matter was being considered by the Government and reviewed by the Courts.' Laying bare his rift with the King and Prince William, following his interview with Oprah Winfrey which alleged racism and then the explosive publication of his stinging memoir, Spare, Harry said he had 'forgiven them'. The Duke of Sussex last night launched a series of scathing attacks on the Royal Family, and said his father won't speak to him, in an astonishing interview with the BBC In the astonishing interview, Prince Harry revealed he did not know how long his father Charles had left (pictured together in 2022) Harry's statement in full that he issued on Friday night following the loss of his court appeal 'There have been so many disagreements, differences between me and some of my family,' he said. ''Some will never forgive me for writing a book. But I would love reconciliation with my family. 'I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile.' But Harry paired his plea with an accusation that risks a constitutional debate: 'What I know is interference came from the royal household.' During the interview in California with the BBC's Nada Tawfik, Harry claimed only he and the late Queen were on a par in terms of their security risk 'scores', as assessed by a Home Office quango. He added: 'I've been treated differently to everybody else that exists, I have been singled out.' And in what was interpreted as a reference to Princess Diana, who died in a car crash, Harry said: 'I don't want history to repeat itself. Through the [court] process, I have discovered that some people want history to repeat itself.' Yesterday's ruling is a bitter blow to the duke, who said that, of all his court battles, this one 'mattered the most'. He will now be expected to foot the legal bill for taxpayers and his lawyers. The decision to downgrade the security was made by the Home Office's Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, pictured on Friday as he rejected Harry's appeal Members of the Royal Family depart Westminster Abbey after attending the annual Commonwealth Service in London on March 9, 2020 Harry said his jaw dropped when he discovered the Royal Household he named the Kings private secretary Sir Clive Alderton sat on the Ravec committee. He said: There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands. 'Ultimately this whole thing could be resolved through him. Harry last saw the King in February last year, shortly after Charles, 76, was diagnosed with cancer. In a statement last night, Harry said he would be writing to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper asking her to urgently examine the matter and review the Ravec process. Harry believes he has been 'singled out' and 'badly treated' for 'unjustified, inferior treatment' since Megxit five years ago. His barrister argued that the removal of Met Police armed bodyguards when he is in the UK has left the royal's life 'at stake'. 'The conditions of my security were not based on threat, risk and impact, they were made based on my role - one that my wife and I wanted to maintain but was ultimately refused,' he said. He added: 'This all comes from the same institutions that preyed upon my mother, that openly campaigned for the removal of our security, and continue to incite hatred towards me, my wife and even our children.' When asked whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should 'step in', Harry told the BBC: 'I think that based on the judgment that the court has put out today, it clearly states that Ravec are not constrained by law. 'Again, I wish somebody had said that from the beginning.' He continued: 'Yes, I would ask the Prime Minister to step in. MailOnline has contacted the Sussexes for comment. Five men have been arrested by counter-terror police on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. Four of the detained men are Iranian nationals living in several different parts of England. All were arrested on Saturday under the Terrorism Act as police forces - led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command - carried out raids across the country. Two of the men, both aged 29, were arrested in Swindon and Stockport. A third Iranian, a man aged 46, was arrested in west London, while the fourth, a 40-year-old man, was arrested in Rochdale. The age and nationality of the fifth man is still being established. He was detained on Saturday under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. The sweep came amidst an investigation by counter-terror cops relating to a suspected plot to target a specific location. Officers have been in contact with the potential target, which has not been identified. They are continuing to carry out a number of searches in Greater Manchester, London and Swindon. Pictured: Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack as part of a crack-down operation across the UK (file picture of counter-terror police officers) Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated. 'The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter. 'We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us. 'We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I'd like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.' The arrest and search activity was supported by Greater Manchester Police and Wiltshire Police, the Met said, alongside members of Counter Terrorism Policing across the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will invest $204.5million into a new, free nationwide health advice line aimed at easing pressure on hospitals. Expected to launch in January, the 1800-Medicare service will allow Australians to call any time to speak with a nurse and receive free GP telehealth consultations for urgent issues. Labor says the service could prevent up to 250,000 unnecessary visits to emergency departments each year by giving people a safer, more convenient alternative for after-hours care. 'Life isn't 9 to 5. With 1800-Medicare, neither is health care,' Mr Albanese said. 'Whether your family needs urgent or ongoing health care, under Labor, Medicare will be there for all Australians, in every community.' Anyone who needs urgent GP care for something like an emergency prescription or treatment for a short-term illness or injury, can be connected to a free telehealth consultation with a GP between 6pm and 8am. 'Whether you need expert health advice or reassurance, the registered nurses at 1800-Medicare will be there all day, every day, to provide advice and refer you to the health service you need whether that's your regular GP, the local hospital or a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic,' Health Minister Mark Butler said. 'If you need urgent GP care that can't wait for your regular GP to be available, the triage nurses will connect you to a free telehealth session with a 1800-Medicare GP via phone or video, available all weekend and weeknights between 6pm and 8am. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will invest millions in a new free nationwide health advice line, aimed at easing pressure on hospitals 'A 1800-Medicare GP will provide the free care you need, like an emergency prescription for your regular medication, or treatment for an illness or injury.' Campaigning on reducing living costs, Mr Albanese made health a focal point during the election. He frequently held up his Medicare card as a symbol of his commitment, promising to expand access to bulk billing and urgent care clinics. In his election night speech, he again held up his Medicare card to reinforce that message. 'We will be a government that helps every Australian who relies on Medicare,' he told the cheering crowd. 'Because this card is not Labor red or Liberal blue, it is green and gold. It is a declaration of our national values, in our national colours. 'Medicare belongs to all Australians and together we will make it stronger for all Australians.' With 70 per cent of the vote counted, Labor has won 85 seats with the Coalition going backwards to sit on 35 seats, while 19 seats remain in doubt. Campaigning on reducing living costs, Mr Albanese made health a focal point during the election, frequently holding up his Medicare card Labor saw large swings across multiple states, booting the coalition out of all seats in Tasmania and Adelaide, while making significant gains in Opposition heartland in Queensland. Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed on Sunday the two reasons why Labor won such a historic landslide: voters' desire for stability and Anthony Albanese. 'One of the reasons we gained such a big majority last night is that people recognised that if they wanted stability while the global economy was going crazy, then a majority Labor government was the best way to deliver that,' he told ABC's Insiders. And that desire for stability amid an increasingly uncertain world found its answer in Albanese, who Chalmers described as a 'Labor hero'. The Treasurer insisted he was keen 'not do dance on the political graves of our opponents' but then continued: 'There was a real kind of darkness at the heart of the Coalition's campaign, this kind of backwards looking pessimism, which Australians rejected 'And in rejecting that I think they embraced the kind of leadership which Anthony Albanese provides which is practical, pragmatic, it is problem solving and it's very forward-looking.' Anthony Albanese held up a Medicare card as he claimed victory on Saturday night -a prop he had used repeatedly throughout the election campaign. 'We will be a government that helps every Australian who relies on Medicare,' Mr Albanese told the cheering crowd, holding up his Medicare card while carefully covering the personal details. 'Because this card is not Labor red or Liberal blue, it is green and gold. It is a declaration of our national values, in our national colours. 'Medicare belongs to all Australians and together we will make it stronger for all Australians.' At nearly every stop on the campaign trail, Mr Albanese made sure his Medicare card was seen. He officially launched his election campaign on March 28 holding the card, and prominently displayed it again at key appearances. He showcased it at Maitland Hospital on April 3, the Labor campaign launch in Perth on April 13, and again at Batemans Bay on April 21. He waved it again at Parramatta Town Hall on April 27, the National Press Club on April 30, and on the campaign's final day at Morayfield in Queensland. Anthony Albanese held up a Medicare card as he claimed victory on Saturday night - a prop he had used repeatedly throughout the election campaign Mr Albanese made Medicare a focal point during the election campaign Healthcare became a major issue in Mr Albanese's re-election campaign, with advertisements portraying the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as a serious threat to Medicare. In response to the scare campaign, the Coalition moved quickly to eliminate most differences between its healthcare policies and those of Labor. The Coalition matched Labor's headline goal of achieving 90 per cent bulk-billing by 2030 with an $8.5billion investment into Medicare. It also matched Labor's more than half-a-billion funding pledge towards women's health and a promise to cut the cap on most Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medications from $31.60 to $25. Despite the commitment from the Coalition, it was not enough - with Labor taking out a landslide election win on Saturday night. With 70 per cent of the vote counted, Labor has won 85 seats with the Coalition going backwards to sit on 35 seats, while 19 seats remain in doubt. Labor saw large swings across multiple states, booting the Coalition out of all seats in Tasmania and Adelaide, while making significant gains in opposition heartland in Queensland. The Medicare card became known as Mr Albanese's campaign prop Among the significant wins for Labor was Peter Dutton's electorate of Dickson, as he became the first Opposition Leader to lose his seat at an election. Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed on Sunday the two reasons why Labor won such a historic landslide: voters' desire for stability and Mr Albanese. 'One of the reasons we gained such a big majority last night is that people recognised that if they wanted stability while the global economy was going crazy, then a majority Labor government was the best way to deliver that,' he told ABC's Insiders. And that desire for stability amid an increasingly uncertain world found its answer in Mr Albanese, who Chalmers described as a 'Labor hero'. The Treasurer insisted he was keen 'not do dance on the political graves of our opponents' but then continued: 'There was a real kind of darkness at the heart of the Coalition's campaign, this kind of backwards looking pessimism, which Australians rejected. 'And in rejecting that I think they embraced the kind of leadership which Mr Albanese provides which is practical, pragmatic, it is problem solving and it's very forward-looking.' Disgraced former BBC newsreader and paedophile Huw Edwards has ignored pleas from bosses to return the 200,000 he was paid after his arrest. BBC Chairman Samir Shah said the presenter has been asked numerous times to give the money back, The Sun reported. Mr Shah told Times Radio: 'We've been asking him and asking him and asking him. 'We're getting legal advice on it.' He made a direct appeal to Edwards, 63, saying: 'If Huw is listening, give it back. Just give it back.' The former News At Ten anchor was on 475,000 a year at the time of his arrest in November 2023. While some BBC staff were aware he had been held, he was not sacked at the time. In April 2024 he was allowed to step down on medical grounds. Huw Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs Former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards departs the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London Huw Edwards has ignored calls from the BBC to return the 200,000 he earned after his arrest The former News At Ten anchor was on 475,000 a year at the time of his arrest in November 2023 Edwards, 63, pleaded guilty to having indecent images of children on July 31 at Westminster Magistrates' Court, including 13 of the most serious category A and one of a child as young as seven. He was among the BBC's highest-paid, with its accounts putting him in a pay bracket of between 475,000 and 479,999 for 2023/24 . This was a 40,000 pay rise from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999. At the time the Welshman, who boasted a six-figure salary, was not dismissed despite some more senior BBC staff being aware of his arrest, with reports he paid a teenager 35,000 for sexual images later emerging last September. He was handed a six-month suspended sentence sparking outrage among campaign groups who branded it 'ludicrous, absurd and embarrassing' that he had been allowed to walk out of court instead of being sent to prison. As well as a suspended sentence, Edwards was also put on the sex offender register and was told he had to take part in rehabilitation sessions. At the time BBC boss said there were discussions regarding the six-figure sum Edwards had earned following his arrest saying the BBC could possibly go down the legal route to retrieve the wages. Edwards is currently being divorced by his wife Vicky Find, who is also the mother of his five children, with his 4.75 million Dulwich home also up for sale. The youngest son of Mohamed Al Fayed has revealed he ran away to sea to avoid his father's grip - despite being poised to take over Harrods. Omar Al Fayed, 37, said he fled to a research ship at the age of just 22 - leaving his billionaire father convinced he had been kidnapped. He joined the crew of the Heraclitus, a boat that was built in the 1970s by Californian environmentalists, and had carried out research on oceans across the world. Omar told The Sunday Times: 'I told him exactly where I was going. I just don't think he believed me. And I was completely out of touch in the middle of the ocean.' 'I stuck it out a Harrods for as long as I could. I literally jumped ship. It was not just a cultural upbringing, generational thing. 'It genuinely was a personal difference in our approach to reality.' Police now believe Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, may have raped and abused more than 111 women over nearly four decades. This would make the billionaire Harrods tycoon one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders. Mohamed Al Fayed, who may have raped and abused more than 111 women over nearly four decades, is pictured with his son Omar Mohamed Al Fayed's son Omar has spoken out on the rape allegations against his father (pictured) Omar Al Fayed with his father Mohamed in 2021. Omar previously said he loved his father very much and 'admired his fearlessness' Five brave survivors alleged in a BBC documentary that they had to barricade doors with chairs to get away from former Harrods boss Al Fayed. Former employees said he would fly them to Paris under the guise of a work trip, take away their passports and put them in hotel rooms without locks. Chilling claims say he monitored them with CCTV in their own homes, phone tapping and he threatened their families if they ever dared to speak out about the abuse. BBC journalists looking into his predatory history gathered the stories of more than 20 women who said they had been abused by him, and 'up to 200' more have come forward since. Omar, a lifelong environmentalist, has now said he believes business and industry treats the planet like his father treated women. He also commended the bravery of the women who came forward accusing Al Fayed of sexual assault. 'I am horrified and deeply concerned by the allegations recently brought to light against my late father,' he said when the allegations emerged in September. 'The extent and explicit nature of the allegations are shocking and has thrown into question, the loving memory I had of him', Sky News reported. 'How this matter could have been concealed for so long and in so many ways, raises further disturbing questions.' The billionaire Harrods tycoon, who died last year aged 94, was one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders Omar, centre, with his father Mohamed and sister Camilla at a fashion show in New York He said that he loved his father 'very much' and he was a 'wonderful dad'. But he added 'that aspect of our relationship... does not blind me from an objective assessment of circumstances'. He said he stood 'unequivocally in support of any legitimate investigation into these allegations. 'I will continue to support the principles of truth, justice, accountability, and fairness, regardless of where that journey may lead. No one is above the law.' Omar, the youngest of Fayed's four children with his second wife, Finnish model Heini Wathen, previously conceded that his father was an 'old-school chauvinist'. He told friends: 'Perhaps he was like an older version of Donald Trump.' Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, said in a statement that it is clear Al Fayed 'presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct'. Mr Ward, who worked for Al Fayed for four years, said he was 'not aware of his criminality and abuse' and described it as a 'shameful period in the business' history'. He said an independent review was underway into issues arising from the allegations and that he had 'provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues'. Key Voice architect Thomas Mayo has declared that Labor's resounding election victory was a national endorsement of Welcome to Country ceremonies. The cultural practice became a major issue in the final week of the election campaign after an address by Bunurong elder Mark Brown at Melbourne's Anzac Day dawn service was drowned out by boos and jeers. One of those responsible was a neo-Nazi and the ugly scenes were condemned across the political spectrum. But the episode sparked a national debate after a veteran was filmed telling a Channel Nine reporter it was a 'slap in the face' for those who have served their country in battle to be welcomed to it. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he thought the ceremonies were 'overdone', later clarifying that he did not think they were appropriate on Anzac Day. The debate around Indigenous recognition continued after Foreign Minister Penny Wong suggested the Voice to Parliament a separate indigenous body with powers to influence government legislation - was, like marriage equality, inevitable. But now Thomas Mayo, one of the key advocates of the Yes campaign, has claimed that Labor's thumping majority is an overwhelming rejection of Coalition's criticism of Indigenous recognition. 'Tonight, Australia voted No to ignorance & Yes to Acknowledgement; No to xenophobia & Yes to Welcomes; No to regression & Yes to progress,' he wrote on X. Key Voice architect Thomas Mayo (pictured) has declared that Labor's resounding election victory was a national endorsement of Welcome to Country ceremonies After a week in which the news was dominated by controversies around Welcome to Country, the Prime Minister delivered a defiant Acknowledgement to Country during his victory speech on Saturday night 'Peter Dutton, Jacinta Price, Clive Palmer, Pauline Hanson, the IPA & Advance henceforth have no mandate. 'They've been thoroughly told NO.' His comments were echoed by Anthony Albanese in his victory speech on Saturday night. After a week in which the news was dominated by controversies around Welcome to Country, the Prime Minister delivered a defiant Acknowledgement to Country. 'I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet,' he said, to huge applause and cheers from the crowd. 'And I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging today and every day.' In October last year, Mr Mayo insisted constitutional change, like the rejected Voice to Parliament, could still take place down the track. 'Do you accept that this particular proposal, given it has been rejected by the Australian people is dead - or do you think it could still have a future,' ABC host Patricia Karvelas asked Mayo in an interview. Foreign Minister Penny Wong sparked a political firestorm three days before Aussies head to the polls by suggesting that there will one day be a Voice and people will wonder why there was ever an argument about it 'There's still a future that includes Indigenous people in the constitution. Sure, in reality it's not going to happen again for a while,' he replied. 'It will be a while before any politicians will have the courage to put it to the people and hope for the best. 'We don't always get things right in a democracy. If we accepted the 'No' answers that we got about equal wages or about our right to vote as Indigenous people ... things would be worse today. 'Because more than 60 per cent of young people voted 'Yes' between 18 and 24, that tells me that we've got a future, and what we tried to do last year will be achieved.' Mr Mayo criticised the No campaign and acknowledged that their slogan of 'if you don't know, vote No' was, in his words, 'unfortunately extremely powerful'. May 4, 2025: The current U.S. Navy fighting the Red Sea is the first combat for the navy since the Persian Gulf operations in the early 1990s. The fifteen months of Red Sea operations were the most combat the U.S. Navy has seen since World War II. This involved two U.S. destroyers attacking Yemen Houthi rebels who were attacking shipping in the Red Sea that was headed for the Suez Canal. Those operations began in late 2023 and are ongoing in 2025. The Houthi militia in Yemen, with Iran supplied weapons, have been trying to block commercial ships from reaching the Suez Canal, by using ballistic missiles and large drones. Yemen is along the southeastern and southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, which has the Persian Gulf on its east coast and the Red Sea on the west coast. Ships which dont go through the Suez Canal have to make a much longer journey all the way around the south coast of Africa. A lot more merchant vessels are making that journey due to the very high cost of war risk insurance in going through the Red Sea, which is now an official war zone. On the plus side, the need for so many more ships to make this long journey instead of going the shorter way through the Suez Canal required a ten percent increase in the container ship fleet. Fortunately, there was an eleven percent surplus of these long ships and now nearly all of them are at work. The Houthis say they are at war with Israel and still fire at ships more or less at random, though they contend they only fire on ships serving Israel. So far over 200 ships have been attacked and about 20 percent of them were damaged. The U.S. Navy sent a carrier task force to launch air strikes on Houthi targets with predictable minor effects. That led to more frequent and aggressive attacks which reduced Houthi activity. These attacks used over 200 missiles and as many shells from 127mm or five inch guns on destroyers. Several of those 127mm shells actually shot down Houthi drones. In 2024, one of the Houthi drones hit a building in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, killing one civilian and wounding several others. The next day, Israel sent F-15 and F-35 fighter-bombers to destroy several economic targets in the Yemen Red Sea port of Hodeidah. This is where weapons arrive from Iran for the Houthis to use against Red Sea shipping. The airstrikes destroyed fuel storage sites as well as port facilities, including the difficult-to-replace ship unloading cranes. If the Israelis leave the port alone, repair of these facilities could take up to a year. The Israelis did not leave the port of Hodeidah alone and are now attacking Houthi port installations constantly to prevent more missiles and rockets from being delivered. Israel recently attacked Iran, and destroyed most of the plants that build components for rockets and missiles and factories were these weapons are assembled. Yemens Shia rebels, led by the Houthi tribe, are rapidly using up their stockpile of Iranian missiles to try and block access to the Suez Canal. This capability developed over the last decade as the rebels launched attacks on more distant targets. The rebels obtained more powerful weapons as well, including Iranian ballistic missiles, which were disassembled so they could be smuggled from Iran to Yemen, where Iranian technicians supervised the missiles being assembled and launched into Saudi Arabia. In the last few years, the rebels have received longer range ballistic missiles fired from northern Yemen across Saudi territory to hit Saudi and UAE oil production facilities on the Persian Gulf coast. The rebels also acquired the reconnaissance capability, and/or used Iranian capabilities, to accurately fire missiles at ships passing through the narrow, 26 kilometers wide, Bab-el-Mandeb straits off southwestern Yemen and force ships to take the longer and more expensive and time-consuming 6,000 kilometers route around the southern tip of Africa that takes up to fourteen days. These attacks have always been a potential threat to ships using the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal in Egypt, at the north end of the Red Sea. Transit fees from ships using the canal are a major source of income for Egypt, bringing in about $10 billion a year. Egypt and Iran are enemies and reducing Suez Canal income is a win for Iran, which supported the Yemen rebels for more than a decade to make such an interdiction possible. Western nations reacted slowly to this interdiction effort but by the end of 2024 were launching regular airstrikes on Houthi targets, coordinating their efforts with the Israelis and U.S. carrier task forces in the region. In October 2024 American B-2 bombers dropped penetrating bombs on Houthi underground facilities, destroying missile stockpiles and headquarters for the rebels. This reduced the number of missiles available. This was seen in lower frequency of attacks. A naval blockade of Yemen was tightened, with more frequent inspection of fishing boats and coastal freighters. Western warships close to the Yemen shore continue using their defensive weapons to defeat attacks launched from the Yemen coast. The United States currently has several destroyers based off Yemen. As happened in World War II, victory came to the side that could sever the enemy supply routes and leave them nothing to fight with other than angry press releases and threats of future annihilation. Israel has heard it all before and is still operational. A divorce attorney murdered a Cleveland nurse in a plot to avoid taking her case to court because he had not prepared for it, prosecutors allege. Gregory Moore, 51, is accused of fatally stabbing Aliza Sherman, 53, to death outside his office on March 24, 2013. Sherman was on her way to discuss her divorce case when she was approached by a hooded figure and knifed ten times. Police initially believed she had been attacked by a stranger, but said technological advances led to them recently identifying Moore as a suspect and positing the bizarre motive. Investigators believe Moore hatched the savage murder plot to avoid having to admit that he was unprepared for Sherman's case. The attorney was previously convicted for phoning in false bomb scares to several courts in 2012 to avoid having to come clean about being unprepared for other cases he was due to argue. Moore was arrested and charged on Friday with one count of aggravated murder, one count of conspiracy, six counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. His long-awaited indictment came after the states Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it found evidence Moore had lied about his location at the time of the murder. Aliza Sherman, 53, was fatally stabbed outside her divorce attorney's office in downtown Cleveland on March 24, 2013 Investigators allege that divorce attorney Gregory Moore, 51, murdered Sherman in a plot to avoid taking her case to court because he had not prepared for it Authorities found that Moore had arranged to meet Sherman at his office despite leaving the building hours earlier. Pictured: Aliza Sherman with daughter Jennifer as a child Surveillance footage, phone records and key card data revealed that the attorney had never actually entered his office building as he had claimed and could have been outside at the time Sherman was murdered, prosecutors said. The mom-of-four was attacked as she waited for someone to unlock the doors to Moore's downtown office building, according to the indictment. Surveillance video released by police shows a hooded figure running from the crime scene Moore had disconnected his phone from the cell network for three hours around the time of Sherman's death in an attempt to avoid creating cell tower location evidence, per the complaint. 'These texts and requests for calls were for the purpose of creating false evidence that Moore was unaware of Sherman's assault,' the indictment said. He later turned his phone back on and made several calls to Sherman's phone in an attempt to cover his tracks, prosecutors allege. He then got a new phone a few days after her death, according to the criminal complaint. 'The Sherman family has waited over a decade for answers regarding their mother's homicide,' Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said. 'Through the tenacious work of multiple law enforcement agencies, evidence was accumulated that paints the unmistakable picture that Gregory Moore orchestrated and participated in the brutal murder of Aliza Sherman.' Moore had been acting as Sherman's attorney after her original lawyer was suspended. Sherman was a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio Sherman's husband at the time, Dr. Sanford Sherman, was never identified as a person of interest in the case and has since died, Cleveland.com reports. Moore's arrest marks a dramatic conclusion to a case that had remained one of Cleveland's most haunting unsolved murders. 'The successful conclusion of this case highlights the coordinated efforts between the FBI, local law enforcement, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office and serves as an important reminder of our commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,' Cleveland Office of the FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen said. Prosecutors also highlighted Moore's suspicious actions in the hours after Sherman's death, including false statements to investigators and attempts to mislead the police. In 2017, Moore admitted to lying to police about his involvement in Sherman's death, as well as making bomb threats to the Geauga County Courthouse in January 2012 and the Lake County Courthouse in May 2012, and the Cuyahoga County Courthouse in July 2012. Investigators suggest that he may have been motivated by a desire to avoid taking her case to court, which could have led to financial and professional complications for him. Pictured: Police investigate the scene after Aliza Sherman was stabbed to death He was later sentenced to 180 days in jail, 36 months of community control, and 150 hours of court work service, News5Cleveland reported. Court records showed no attorney for Moore on Friday and hes expected to be arraigned in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court at a later date. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Saturday that President Donald Trump proposed sending American troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking but that she flatly rejected it. Her remarks to supporters in eastern Mexico came in response to a Wall Street Journal article published the day before, describing a tense phone call last month in which Trump reportedly pressured her to accept a bigger role for the US military in combating drug cartels in Mexico. 'In one of the calls, Trump said, "How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the US Army come in to help you,"' said Sheinbaum, who was speaking at a university event near the capital on Saturday. 'And you know what I told him? "No, President Trump, the territory is sacrosanct, sovereignty is sacrosanct, sovereignty is not for sale, sovereignty is loved and defended,"' the Mexican president said. Sheinbaum added that while the two countries can collaborate, 'we will never accept the presence of the United States military in our territory.' White House National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said in a statement later on Saturday that Trump has worked closely with Mexico's president 'to achieve the most secure southwest border in history.' 'Dangerous Foreign Terrorist Organizations, however, continue to threaten our shared security and the drugs and crime they spread threaten American communities across the country,' the statement said. 'The President has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels and the United States stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Saturday that President Donald Trump proposed sending American troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking but that she rejected it Describing a tense phone call last month, Trump reportedly pressured her to accept a bigger role for the US military in combating drug cartels in Mexico The council spokesperson added that Trump had worked closely with Sheinbaum to achieve the 'most secure southwest border in history', however, 'dangerous foreign terrorist organizations continue to threaten our shared security and the drugs and crime they spread threaten American communities across the country,' the spokesperson said. Trump himself said in an interview last week with conservative outlet The Blaze that he had offered to help Mexico fight the drug cartels, but that he had been turned down. Without providing details, Trump told his interviewer: 'You could say at some point maybe something's gonna have to happen. It can't go on the way it is. 'Mexico is very, very afraid of the cartels. We want to help her. We want to help Mexico, because you cant run a country like that. You just cant.' Trump has said publicly that the US would take unilateral military action if Mexico failed to dismantle drug cartels. The two leaders have had several calls in recent months to discuss security issues, trade and immigration. The Wall Street Journal reported ho tension between the two leaders rose towards the end of an April 16 telephone conversation when Trump pushed to have US armed forces take a leading role in tackling Mexican drug gangs that produce and smuggle fentanyl to the US. The US military presence has increased steadily along its southern border with Mexico in recent months, following Trump's order in January to increase the army's role in stemming the flow of migrants. A Border Patrol agent walks past four men being detained after crossing the border illegally through a gap in the walls separating Mexico and the United States in San Diego in January Migrants run to hide from the US Border Patrol and Texas State Troopers after crossing into the United States from Mexico, in El Paso, Texas The US Northern Command has surged troops and equipment to the border, increased manned surveillance flights to monitor fentanyl trafficking along the border and sought expanded authority for US Special Forces to work closely with Mexican forces conducting operations against cartels. Trump designated many of the gangs and cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel smuggling drugs into the US as foreign terrorist organizations on February 19, restricting their movements and lending law enforcement more resources to act against them. Some analysts have warned such designations could be a stepping stone to such military action. Airborne surveillance of Mexican drug cartels by the US military has also increased, as part of efforts to collect intelligence to determine how to best counter their activities. Sheinbaum has since proposed a constitutional reform aimed at adding protections to Mexico's national sovereignty. In her appearance Saturday, Sheinbaum said she had urged Trump to stop the cross-border arms trafficking that has contributed to a wave of violence lasting nearly two decades, claiming more than 450,000 lives in Mexico. Her hardline stance signaled that US pressure for unilateral military intervention would put her and Trump on a collision course after months of cooperation on immigration and trade. Sheinbaum went on to explain that during one of the calls she had asked Trump for help to prevent weapons from entering Mexico from the United States that fuel violence and trafficking. 'We can collaborate, we can work together, but you can do it in your territory, we can do it in ours,' Sheinbaum said. Trump, on his part, has complained repeatedly about cross-border drug smuggling and has pressured Mexico to crack down on criminal cartels. Trump, on his part, has complained repeatedly about cross-border drug smuggling and has pressured Mexico to crack down on criminal cartels. Border Patrol agents tour the El Paso, Texas, border with Mexico alongside Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Trump angered Mexicans in early March when he said America's southern neighbor was 'dominated entirely by criminal cartels that murder, rape, torture and exercise total control... posing a grave threat to (US) national security.' Trump has also long complained that Mexico has not done enough to stop the trafficking of migrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. He has used the issue as an argument for imposing tariffs on the country. Such topics have been part of an ongoing diplomatic dance between the countries over the trade tariffs. Mexico, as the largest US trade partner and the second-largest economy in Latin America, is considered one of the most vulnerable to the US president's expansive import duties. Trump agreed to pause his tariffs in exchange for Mexico reinforcing their side of the border with 10,000 members of Mexicos National Guard in February. Anthony Albanese's landslide election victory has made headlines around the world, with many international outlets echoing a similar message as they compared Peter Dutton to Donald Trump. 'Dutton was seen by many as Australia's Trump,' the BBC's Tiffany Turnbull wrote on Sunday. '(It) appeared to go down badly with voters, despite his attempts to shake off comparisons made between his policies on immigration, public sector cuts and China, and the Trump administration.' CNN gave a similar analysis as it compared Mr Dutton's policy proposals and those of Trump. 'Observers will be examining the results for signs of blowback against Australia's conservative candidates from US President Trump's whirlwind 100 days in office after comparisons were drawn between Dutton's policy offerings and those of the US leader,' the US broadcaster wrote. 'Another center-left prime minister, Mark Carney of Canada - which like Australia is a G20 nation, as well as US ally - recently scored an election win widely chalked up to anti-Trump sentiment.' The Washington Post said Mr Dutton had 'Trumpian tendencies'. 'Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a major comeback after trailing in polls, while conservative leader Peter Dutton, hurt by Trumpian tendencies, lost his seat,' it wrote. Anthony Albanese celebrates a historic landslide victory with his fiancee Jodie Haydon Peter Dutton suffers a crushing defeat, losing his own seat amid comparisons to Donald Trump The New York Times pointed to Trump's trade war as a reason for Australia's decision. 'A superpower loomed large as Australians headed to the polls. It wielded trade barriers as a means of political coercion, imperiling Australia's export-dependent economy,' the news outlet wrote. 'Three years ago that country was China, which had imposed punishing restrictions on many Australian exports, sent spy ships lurking near Australia's west coast and struck an alarming military pact with a regional neighbor, the Solomon Islands. 'This time, as Australians cast ballots on Saturday, that external factor is the United States and President Trump.' Throughout the election campaign, Labor repeatedly tried to link the Coalition to the Trump administration, comparing Mr Dutton's vow to slash the public service with what is happening in the US under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was previously led by billionaire Elon Musk. In January, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was also given the portfolio of 'government efficiency', echoing the name of the new US department. Treasurer Jim Chalmers referred to the Opposition Leader as 'DOGE-y Dutton' after he pledged to axe 41,000 jobs in the public sector if he won power. Among the significant wins for Labor was Mr Dutton's electorate of Dickson, as he became the first Opposition Leader to lose his seat at an election. Global media outlets draw sharp comparisons between Dutton and former US president Donald Trump With 70 per cent of the vote counted, Labor has so far won 85 seats with the Coalition going backwards to sit on 35 seats, while 19 seats remain in doubt. Labor saw large swings across multiple states, booting the Coalition out of all seats in Tasmania and Adelaide, while making significant gains in Opposition heartland in Queensland. Labor national president Wayne Swan said the victory was one of the party's most resounding. 'This is certainly one for the history books, we haven't seen anything like this, possibly since 1993, if ever,' he told ABC Radio on Sunday. 'This is an incredibly substantial achievement for a political leader in the circumstances in which we found ourselves.' Labor senator Don Farrell said Mr Albanese had run a flawless election campaign. '(Voters) saw that the prime minister had a vision for this country, he was looking forward, whereas the Liberals were looking backwards,' he told Sky News. 'People have accepted that we need to look forward when we need to look to the future.' A homemade kit plane crashed into two homes in Simi Valley on Saturday, killing the pilot, a passenger, and a dog aboard the aircraft, police confirmed. The crash, involving a single-engine Vans RV-10 aircraft, occurred around 2 pm in the 200 block of High Meadow Street, about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The home-built plane had departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was headed to Camarillo Airport when it crashed. The FAA initially reported only the pilot was onboard, but police later confirmed that two people died, along with the dog. The victims' identities have not been released. Witnesses said the plane was circling above the neighborhood and appeared to be 'flying on its side' before crashing into one home. 'There was another two minutes of this thing flying around... it was wobbling and just barely made it over the hill,' one witness told ABC7. The second home involved in the crash sustained less damage, though both properties were affected by fire. The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed the residents inside both homes evacuated without injury. A homemade kit plane crashed into two homes in Simi Valley on Saturday, killing the pilot, a passenger, and a dog aboard the aircraft, police confirmed. Pictured: Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley, California The crash, involving a Vans RV-10 - a home-built, single-engine aircraft - occurred around 2 pm in the 200 block of High Meadow Street, about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles One homeowner, Arman Hovakemian, described the terrifying moment the plane crashed. 'I came in to the patio door to warn her, and then I heard the bang, then I turned around, she was almost out,' Hovakemian said. His family's Ring camera captured an explosion and flames from the back of their home. Hovakemian told ABC7 that he quickly grabbed a hose to try to extinguish the flames. 'I saw the fire on the plane, and then I saw the fire on the house. I kept the hose on the plane, and then it just exploded,' he said. 'I needed to back away because I could smell a lot of gas and fuel.' Firefighters had to cut through the Hovakemian's roof to access the flames, noting extensive damage to the back of the Wood Ranch community home. Authorities scanned the scene for a risk of hazardous materials which could cause further damage to the already chaotic scene, however, Andrew Dowd of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, determined there was no threat. Witnesses said the plane was circling above the neighborhood and appeared to be 'flying on its side' before crashing into one home Firefighters had to cut through the Hovakemian's roof to access the flames, noting extensive damage to the back of the Wood Ranch community home 'There's no apparent jet fuel. When firefighters arrive on scene for something like this, one of the things they want to try to determine is, do we have potential for a hazardous materials incident, significant fuel spill, something like that,' Dowd said. 'With this type of small, fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft, the determination was made that we didn't have a significant hazardous materials risk.' About 40 firefighters responded to the crash, and local police closed streets around the area. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, reviewing flight records, maintenance logs, weather conditions, and air traffic communications. 'When you have visibility like it is today, it's always a concern. I don't know... it's way, way too early in this investigation for any of that to be factored in,' a law enforcement officer said at the scene. NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson said once the wreckage of the plane is documented, it will be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation. As part of the ongoing FAA and NTSB investigation, the Hovakemian's home has been red-taped, meaning they won't be allowed back inside anytime soon. ABC News' AIR7 flew over the scene, where one home had significant roof damage and debris around the property As part of the ongoing FAA and NTSB investigation, the Hovakemian's home has been red-taped, meaning they won't be allowed back inside anytime soon The FAA issued the following statement: 'A Vans RV-10 crashed near High Meadow Street and Wood Ranch Parkway in Simi Valley, California, around 2:10 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 3. The pilot was alone on board. The plane departed from William J. Fox Airfield in Lancaster and was heading to Camarillo Airport. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.' The horrifying crash mirrors a similar incident earlier this year in Fullerton, where a Van's RV-10 suffered mechanical failure, killing the pilot and his daughter while injuring 19 others. The NTSB's preliminary report in that case suggested the plane's door may have been improperly secured. A preliminary report on the Simi Valley crash could take weeks to release, with a final report expected months later, the Associated Press reported. Three months after the deadliest aviation disaster in more than two decades, two passengers planes were forced to abort their landings at Reagan National Airport after an Army Black Hawk helicopter veered off course. The two commercial airliners were both forced into last-second go-arounds on Thursday afternoon when the Army aircraft deviated from its approved flight path flying dangerously close to the arriving passenger jets. The incident is particularly alarming given its parallels to the January disaster in which another Army Black Hawk collided midair with an American Eagle CRJ-700, killing 67 people in the worst US aviation accident since 2001. This time, Delta flight DL5825, from Boston, operated by a Republic Airways Embraer EMB-170, was on final approach, descending through around 450 feet, when the crew was instructed to go around. Immediately following them was Delta flight DL1671, from Orlando, flown by an Airbus A319. The aircraft was also on final approach and descending through around 700 feet when its crew was also instructed to go around. The proximity was chilling with as little as 0.4 miles horizontally and just 200 feet vertically between one of the commercial jets and the Black Hawk, according to an FAA email obtained by Politico. Both planes were on final approach when air traffic controllers ordered them to abort their landings around 2:30pm at the crowded Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. Two passengers planes have been forced to abort their landings at Reagan Washington National Airport after an Army Black Hawk helicopter veered off course (file photo) Delta flight DL5825, from Boston, operated by a Republic Airways Embraer EMB-170, pictured, was on final approach, descending through around 450 feet, when the crew was instructed to go around Immediately following them was Delta flight DL1671, from Orlando, flown by an Airbus A319, pictured, The aircraft was also on final approach and descending through around 700 feet when its crew was also instructed to go around 'The helicopter took a scenic route around the Pentagon versus proceeding directly from the west to the heliport,' FAA official Chris Senn wrote in an internal memo. He classified the event as a 'loss of separation,' an official term for a breach of the minimum distance required between aircraft - and a potentially catastrophic safety violation. The Federal Aviation Administration released a formal statement confirming the close call and said that it had launched a full investigation. 'Air traffic control instructed Delta Air Lines Flight 1671 and Republic Airways Flight 5825 to perform go-arounds at the Reagan Washington National Airport due to a Priority Air Transport helicopter inbound to the Pentagon Army Heliport.' The National Transportation Safety Board also issued its own terse update. 'NTSB investigating Thursday's incidents at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in which a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 were instructed by air traffic control to perform go-arounds due to a US Army Black Hawk helicopter inbound to the Pentagon.' When contacted, the Army said it was 'aware of yesterday's incident,' but referred further questions to the Military District of Washington, which oversees Army operations in the capital. The Pentagon has not yet commented publicly, although sources confirmed that it was the same aviation brigade involved in the January 29 fatal Black Hawk crash that was behind Thursday's near miss. Both planes were on final approach when air traffic controllers ordered them to abort their landings around 2:30pm at the crowded Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy didn't mince words after being briefed on the near-miss There is rising public anger over repeated lapses in safety protocols - especially in one of the nation's most complex and crowded airspaces Reagan National airport is one of the busiest airports in the country and stretched to its limit In the January crash, investigators discovered the military helicopter's Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) system - which tracks altitude, speed, and position - had been turned off, likely due to outdated Army policies that required commander approval for broadcast activation during 'sensitive' missions. In March, Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman admitted during a Senate hearing that the Army's ADS-B usage policy was 'inconsistent,' prompting bipartisan condemnation. At the time of the collision, a single air traffic controller at Reagan Airport was simultaneously monitoring both the helicopter and plane traffic. The Army has warned against placing any blame prematurely. 'It is irresponsible to take snippets of information and present them in a way that casts blame on any individual or group,' the Army said in a statement to the New York Times. 'The events of January 29th were tragic, and the Army is committed to a full and thorough investigation that will provide fact-based conclusions so we can ensure an accident such as this is never repeated.' In Thursday's incident, the Black Hawk was broadcasting ADS-B, but even that wasn't enough to prevent complete confusion in the control tower. According to FAA official Senn, the helicopter's radar 'floated and jumped to a different location on the controller feed after being unresponsive for a couple seconds.' That radar glitch occurred just as the Republic Airways flight was 1.7 miles from the runway. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy didn't mince words after being briefed on the near-miss. 'This is unacceptable,' Duffy declared on X. 'The helicopter restrictions around Reagan are crystal clear. I'll be speaking to the Department of Defense to ask why the hell our rules were disregarded. 'Safety must ALWAYS come first. We just lost 67 souls!' Duffy wrote. The incident is particularly alarming given its parallels to the January disaster in which an Army Black Hawk collided midair with an American Eagle CRJ-700, killing 67. Pictured, rescue and salvage crews pull up a part of a Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an AA jet A crane retrieves part of the wreckage from the Potomac River, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the river, by the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Arlington, Virginia in January He added: 'No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in congested DCA airspace full of civilians. Take a taxi or Uber - besides, most VIPs have black car service.' While Thursday's flight was reportedly part of a training exercise, not a VIP transport, Duffy's fury captured the rising public anger over repeated lapses in safety protocols - especially in one of the nation's most complex and crowded airspaces. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), chair of the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, issued a scathing rebuke on Friday afternoon. 'It is outrageous that only three months after an Army Black Hawk helicopter tragically collided with a passenger jet, the same Army brigade again flew a helicopter too close to passenger jets on final approach.' Cantwell demanded the Pentagon and FAA prioritize airspace security and called the latest breach 'an unforgivable error that put civilian lives at risk.' According to FAA data, the Army helicopter had been cleared for a direct path to the Pentagon helipad but inexplicably opted for a 'scenic route' around the Pentagon, triggering a host of airspace complications for multiple aircraft already cleared to land. Air traffic controllers were forced to act fast and bot aircraft aborted their landings. They had circled back around for a safe landing around 10 minutes later. Although no passengers were harmed, the incident has once again sent shockwaves through aviation circles. Behind the scenes, multiple sources confirm that controllers were stretched thin, even as the tower had a full team on duty: one supervisor, four certified professional controllers, and a trainee. But as air traffic becomes increasingly complex, with layered restrictions, drone zones, VIP operations, and military activity, the system appears to be showing signs of strain. Reagan National has been understaffed for many years, with just 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023 - well below the target of 30 - according to the most recent Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan submitted to Congress. The situation appeared to have improved since then, as a source told CNN the Reagan National control tower was 85 percent staffed with 24 of 28 positions filled. DailyMail.com revealed in March that two air traffic controllers had even traded punches when a fight erupted inside the control tower at Reagan National. The airspace around the busy airport is often filled with domestic flights and military aircraft that regularly experience close calls. Surveillance footage taken from inside the airport captured the moment the two planes collided in midair in January Recent incidents at Reagan also include a near collision in May 2024 involving an American Airlines plane that was cleared for takeoff as an incoming King Air plane had been cleared for landing on a nearby runway. The month prior, another near-miss occurred between JetBlue and Southwest planes that nearly collided on a runway. In 2024 alone, the airport experienced at least eight near-midair collisions, according to Federal Aviation Administration data reported by the The New York Times reported. It could be as big of a mistake by Labor to assume this election is an endorsement of its passion for the Welcome to Country being expanded and polemicised as it was for the Liberals to assume the public's rejection of the Voice was a reflection of a desire to change the government. The same goes if Labor now thinks it's a good idea to revisit the Voice in the aftermath of its thumping election win. Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong in victory sounded like they just might go there, such was the passion in their voices when exclaiming their support for Indigenous reconciliation travelling further down the road towards treaty. A point Albo has supported in the past - via his T-shirt wearing endeavours as well as with his words - but clamped up on in the immediate aftermath of the referendum failing so comprehensively. Let's not forget, it lost with a powerful rejection in every state - opposed by more than 60 per cent of the voting population. Equally, opinion polls late in the campaign asking voters if they support more or fewer Welcome to Countries favoured the former. Indeed one of the rare moments during the leaders' debates when those watching warmed to Peter Dutton - as illustrated by the infamous debt worm - came when he expressed the view that the Welcome to Country has been diminished with overuse. Australians are a generous people. Most would support a preamble in the Constitution recognising our first people's. Even a Voice crafted differently and not constitutionally enshrined. Penny Wong speaking during the Labor Party's election night event in Sydney on Saturday night Anthony Albanese speaks passionately after winning the federal election Or rammed down the nation's throat with the message that if you are opposed to it, you are likely racist. That attitude is a sure-fire way to turn the population against just causes. The tone and sharpness behind the way Albo and Wong expressed themselves on stage had exactly that edge to it for mainstream Australians who might not share their enthusiasm for Indigenous issues but are naturally welcoming and generous. The display reminded me of Paul Keating's misunderstanding of the 1993 election result, when he took to the stage in victory to declare the win as 'a victory for the true believers'. Three years later he was turfed out of office in one of the biggest electoral drubbings of all time. A worse defeat than the Coalition suffered yesterday. That moment in time is not precisely analogous. Labor had been in power for a decade and switched leaders 18 months earlier. This government is three years' young. But the vote on Saturday night wasn't an endorsement of Labor's first term. Certainly not an endorsement of its ill-fated foray into the culture wars via the Voice. It was a rejection of Dutton personally and a message that not only are the Coalition not ready for a comeback, but they have gone backwards during their first term in opposition. Anthony Albanese wearing a Yes T-shirt while in Uluru in 2023 Yes voters appearing distraught after the No vote was handed down in October 2023 Opinion polls consistently revealed that voters have been disappointed by Labor's first term in power. Last night's result was a mandate to do better, nothing more. Albo and his team now have that chance and, courtesy of the size of the win, they might have two terms to do better before being seriously challenged again. But not if they misunderstand the message voters sent. Anthony Albanese's emphatic election victory has given him a mandate to introduce controversial policies, Labor's national president says, as the government pushes a radical superannuation tax. For the past two years, Labor has been trying to tax unrealised gains on super above a $3million threshold, putting a bill before Parliament. But key crossbench senators late last year rejected the Labor plan to impose a 15 per cent tax on assets above this level, even if they had yet to be sold. The change - which is still Labor Party government policy - would be a radical departure from the usual practice of only applying a capital gains tax to something once it has been sold Labor's national president Wayne Swan, a former treasurer and deputy prime minister, said Labor now had a mandate to implement policies it had taken to the last election. 'There's no question the government's got a broad mandate for policies that it put before the people,' he told Daily Mail Australia. These wide-ranging policies include the plan for taxing super, but Mr Swan was coy about the move. 'Yes, but I'm not mentioning any one in particular, there's a whole lot of them,' he said. Anthony Albanese's sweeping election victory has given him a mandate to introduce a range of controversial policies it took to the people, Labor's national president says Usually only super assets are taxed when they 'realised' or sold but Albo could tax 'unrealised' gains under new legislation Despite saying Labor has a political mandate, Mr Swan - as the chairman of Cbus Super - declined to defend the merits of the government's controversial superannuation tax policy. 'I'm not going to mention any particular piece of legislation but I think the government has a mandate for matters that it has taken up openly and publicly over the last three years,' he said. 'The government has a general mandate for policies that it previously put forward and continues to advocate for.' Labor is set to have at least 86 seats out of 150 in the House of Representatives and is likely to gain more seats in the Senate, making it easier for the government to get legislation passed that had previously stalled. Combined with the support it is likely to get from the Greens, Labor appears to have carte blanche to implement it's policies. 'If you want to look at change elections post war, this one is probably the best,' Mr Swan said. With 15 House of Representatives seats still in doubt, an even bigger lower house tally would give Labor its biggest ever landslide since 1943 when John Curtin was wartime prime minister. The ABC's retiring election analyst Antony Green also predicted the Coalition would lose seats to Labor in the Senate. 'Labor looks set to gain three seats at the expense of the Coalition which will aid the passage of legislation,' he said. Labor's national president Wayne Swan, a former treasurer and deputy prime minister, said Labor now had a mandate to implement policies it had taken to the last election (he is pictured right with Treasurer Jim Chalmers, left, and his wife) The new legislation to tax unrealised gains on super rather than the capital gains tax practice of only taxing something once it's been sold would be revolutionary. No other country in the world has even tried this policy on retirement savings - known in Australia as the Division 296 tax - and those with a self-managed super fund could be forced to sell assets like real estate to avoid the unrealised gains tax above the $3million threshold. Former US vice president Kamala Harris lost last year's November presidential election to Donald Trump after going to the people with a Swedish-style policy to apply an unrealised gains tax to the ultra-rich with assets worth more than US$100million. Three weeks after the Democrat lost the election, senators in Australia declined to pass Labor's Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023. Climate 200-backed independent David Pocock expressed concerns about taxing unrealised gains. The Greens wanted the threshold reduced to $2million from $3million. Labor also wants to double earning taxes to 30 per cent for super balances above that $3million threshold. Saturday night's election victory for Labor was the biggest surprise since 1993 when incumbent prime minister Paul Keating triumphed, despite being the opinion poll underdog as his Liberal opponent John Hewson proposed a 15 per cent GST during a time of high unemployment. 'It is the best victory, probably bigger, I think, than really '93 in a whole variety of ways,' Mr Swan said. 'If you wanted to look at change elections post war, '93 was pretty significant, unexpected and large.' Labor's victory in that election also occurred a year after the debut of compulsory super. Treasurer Jim Chalmers was previously the chief-of-staff to Mr Swan when he was treasurer and deputy prime minister. Forget the bottles of bubbly - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has kicked off his federal election victory lap by having a cappuccino in the heart of his inner Sydney electorate with fiancee Jodie Haydon. And where better to celebrate a win he described as being a triumph for traditional Aussie values, than one of his seat of Grayndler's most traditional venues: Bar Italia. Indeed, the famed Leichhardt institution, which has stood in pride of place on Norton St for nearly seven decades, is so traditional, staff refuse to serve anything other than full cream milk in their coffees - and only accept cash. Though the Prime Minister revealed it wasn't just the quality coffee that lured there on Sunday morning: he also wanted to pay tribute to the memory of his late mother - and the values she instill in him - following his landslide coup. The old-school trattoria, a short stroll from his childhood housing commission home in nearby Camperdown, had been his mother Maryanne Ellery's favourite cafe . And they had enjoyed time there together right through until her death from a brain aneurysm in 2002. 'I used to visit this coffee shop with my mum,' he told reporters during his visit on Sunday morning. 'I grew up just down the road here and I did certainly think of her last night as well. She would be very proud.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese kicked off his federal election victory lap with a visit to famed Leichhardt trattoria Bar Italia in the heart of his inner Sydney electorate Mr Albanese and his fiancee enjoy a coffee with staunch supporters, including Labor senator Katy Gallagher, at Bar Italia on Sunday morning Mr Albanese and his fiancee were joined at the trattoria on Sunday by a host of his staunchest supporters, including Labor senator Katy Gallagher and MP Jerome Laxale, who managed to retain the party's grasp on the once blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Bennelong in Saturday's election. 'There wasn't one second that Jerome doubted his capacity to win,' Mr Albanese said. And after being served their cappuccinos, he added it was now time for Labor's newly returned - and newly minted - MPs to serve the Australian public. He started by serving up ice creams while reiterating his government's commitment to the people. 'We will be a disciplined, orderly government in our second term, just like we had been in our first,' Mr Albanese pledged. 'We have been given a great honour of serving the Australian people, and we don't take them for granted, and we will work hard every day.' Albanese has previously spoken about the special bond he shared with his single mother, who was on a disability pension, in Sydney's inner west. 'Mum had rheumatoid arthritis that crippled her joints and meant she couldn't work. She lived on a disability pension,' Mr Albanese said while opening up about his mother on social media in 2021. Mr Albanese promised to serve the public... starting with some ice cream 'Life wasn't easy, and her health made things even harder but we got through because of her. 'We lived in council housing, which gave us a sense of security and stability. It was our home. 'She taught me how to save - and how to spend wisely - because every dollar had to count. 'She also taught me the most important lesson of all: the importance of leaving no one behind. 'Truth is, mum was left behind - by people who counted her out, and by governments who cut back support. 'The cutbacks that happened in mum's lifetime meant she had to justify the support she was receiving. 'When health funding was cut, the quality of mum's care was cut too. 'And when they tried to sell our council house, it felt like our home was being taken from us. Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese (right) with mum Maryanne Ellery and son Nathan The Prime Minister credits his mother with inspiring him to dedicate his life to public service 'I know the difference that governments can make on people's lives because I lived it. Mum lived it. 'It's what motivated me to get into politics. To help people. To make life better for people. To make sure no one is left behind. 'Mum always gave me unconditional love. And I feel very privileged to have had that.' Mr Albanese revealed how she was rushed to hospital on Mother's Day in 2002 after suffering from a brain aneurism before dying two weeks later. 'Mother's Day is such a special day, but for me and many others it's always a bit difficult,' he said. 'Mother's Day was the day my mum went to hospital and never came back. He said he had flown to Sydney from Canberra to take Ms Ellery and her sister Margaret to a Mother's Day lunch. 'When I got to her home in Camperdown, I knew something wasn't right. The front door had been left open.' The Labor leader (right) grew up in social housing with his single mum (left) in Sydney 'After decades of health problems, mum had a brain aneurysm, and was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Mum would spend two weeks in hospital before finally passing. 'Over those two weeks, we said goodbye - twice. Both times she came through - she was a real fighter. On the third time, she didn't make it.' Ms Ellery died on May 25 and, in the quarter of a century since, Mr Albanese said he has visited her cemetery every Mother's Day to 'remember how much she sacrificed' for him. 'Mum always gave me unconditional love. And I feel very privileged to have had that,' he wrote. Mr Albanese believed his Italian father Carlo Albanese was dead until he was 15-years-old, and only met him at age 46 in 2009, seven years after his mum died, before he too passed in 2014. Clive Palmer is set to retire from politics after his Trumpet of Patriots political party failed to secure any seats this election - despite him spending more than $60million to promote it. The Trumpet of Patriots only secured 1.85 per cent of the primary vote, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission. On the back of his election blow, Mr Palmer has revealed he will retire from politics and instead focus on charity work. 'I'm 71 and I'm getting too old for politics,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'I'd rather spend time helping the tens of thousands that are homeless and hungry in this country that's why I've donated $5million to Foodbank,' he said. The Trumpet of Patriots infuriated voters after sending unsolicited texts to mobile phones across the country. The messages were signed off by Harry Fong, the party's lead Senate candidate for Queensland, and urged people to 'Vote1 (sic) Trumpet of Patriots'. Social media was flooded with people complaining about the messages, with the correspondence ramping up at the start of the week. Clive Palmer is set to retire from politics after his Trumpet of Patriots political party failed to secure any seats this election - despite him spending more than $60million to promote it Suellen Wrightson received 3.72 per cent of the vote in the Hunter, near the NSW Central Coast, as of 11pm on Saturday Frustrated Australians got their revenge on Mr Fong by finding his mobile number online and spreading it on social media. 'His name is Harry Fong and his info is below. He's removed his contact info from his QLD Bar bio but I found a previous one with his mobile and email,' one man posted. 'I've never been so pleased to be a night owl as I am today. Have at him kids, text him and let him know how much you love his spam and feel free to share this post as wide as possible so everyone can reply to his texts!' Mr Palmer was grilled by Channel Seven's Mark Riley on Saturday night over his election spending and spam text strategy. 'You've been the great disruptor in this campaign, there's been absolutely no missing your spam messages on all of our mobile devices,' Riley said. 'What was your objective in this campaign? Last time we heard you spent 100-odd million dollars and got about 10 back. You're doing your dough, what's the point?' Mr Palmer replied: 'Well I think we've got 130,000 Australians homeless at the moment, we've got 3.7million Australians having trouble with food. 'So having a debate, having different ideas, having disagreements is not a bad thing for a democracy.' The Trumpet of the Patriots, which was started by billionaire Clive Palmer, infuriated voters after sending unsolicited texts to mobile phones across the country In NSW, the party picked up just 1.9 per cent of the primary vote while in Victoria they performed the weakest out of all the states with just 1.2 per cent of the vote. The party performed the strongest in Queensland with 3.52 per cent of the vote. Trumpet of Patriots' candidates performed poorly across the board. In the Sydney electorate of Reid, David Sarikaya received 1.5 per cent of the vote, failing to defeat Labor's Sally Sitou. During the campaign, Mr Sarikaya faced multiple reports that he had formerly been bankrupt. A social media sensation bakery has issued a grateful message to customers and supporters for standing by it after its influencer owner was accused of plagiarising recipes. Two high-profile pastry chefs alleged Brisbane baker Brooke Bellamy had copied their recipes for her cookbook, Bake With Brooki, over the past week. Brooki Bakehouse, thanked customers for their support during the 'difficult week' following the allegations. Ms Bellamy and her staff posted the message on Saturday with a picture of her crew serving customers out of her flagship, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane bakehouse. 'We're very grateful for our local community showing up for us this week,' it read. 'Brisbane, you've been incredible since day one. 'From all of us here, Brooki.' The allegations Ms Bellamy stole cookbook recipes first arose on Tuesday. Brooke Bellamy was accused of stealing recipes for her own cookbook by two authors over the past week She addressed the controversy with an Instagram story posted to her bakehouse's page Australian food blogger and RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi levelled the first accusation on Tuesday. She alleged Ms Bellamy had stolen her caramel slice and baklava recipes in the Bake With Brooki cookbook. Sally McKenney, of Sally's Baking Addiction in the United States, then made her own accusation regarding Ms Bellamy's book. Ms McKenney contended Ms Bellamy had copied her vanilla cake recipe, after Ms Maehashi tipped her off. Ms Bellamy has strenuously denied both baker's claims. She instead argued many baking classics share similar foundational recipes. However, she has offered to remove the contentious recipes from future editions of the book. Many upset baking enthusiasts have taken to social media to weigh in on the controversy. Nagi Maehashi said Ms Bellamy stole her Baklava recipe for her book Bake With Brooki (above) Maehashi is the founder of RecipeTin Eats which is also a social media powerhouse Ms Bellamy has used her bakehouses to evidence her own claims she has been making her allegedly plagiarised recipes for years Ms Bellamy locked down her own social media accounts on Thursday. Bakers with similar but unrelated social media accounts were also swept up in the furore. One Instagram user using the handle @brookies_cookies_au publicly clarified she was not at all affiliated with Ms Bellamy or her businesses. She received a torrent of misdirected abuse, including one direct message telling her to: 'f*** off, you thieving b***h'. 'I'm just a small home baker and this has been overwhelming,' she wrote in a statement. 'Please check before you send hate.' The business, Brooki Bakehouse, is yet to directly address the claims made against Ms Bellamy. However, Ms Bellamy has used her bakehouses to evidence her own claims she has been making her allegedly plagiarised recipes for years. 'Please check before you send hate,' a home baker wrote after receiving misdirected abuse A law expert said Ms Maehashi would have a tough case to prove if she and rival Brooke Bellamy ended up in court. Isabella Alexander, a law professor at University of Technology Sydney, told Daily Mail Australia that it was indeed possible to copyright recipes. 'I guess the answer is yes, a recipe can potentially be protected by copyright law, but it might not give you much protection,' Ms Alexander said. 'It would be easier to claim protection for a recipe that was very unusual, unique, or expressed in a very individual way. 'Where the recipe is quite simple you would be looking for an extremely high level of identity between the original and the alleged copy.' A Spitfire crashed into a farmer's field while reportedly practising a flypast for a VE Day ceremony. Fire crews and paramedics were rushed to the scene after the historic aircraft plummeted from the sky and into crops in West Hythe, Kent. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it. An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling. 'Which we thought was unusual so thought perhaps they're practising for a VE-Day ceremony.' She went on explain how she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. The pilot and passenger had luckily made it out of the Spitfire, but bystanders had gathered to take a look at the damage and check to make sure everyone was safe. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline : 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling A spokesman for the fire service stated: 'We were called to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics.' Emergency crews reportedly left the scene just after 9pm. The iconic aircraft belonged to Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, Fly a Spitfire. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft in the vicinity of Hythe. 'We have spoken to the pilot who has advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information.' According to the local news site, the Spitfire was built in 1943 and entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. Its first operational sortie was flown on September 25, 1944. Armed police have been filmed storming the house of a terror suspect as they arrested eight men - including seven Iranians - in a string of counter-terror raids across Britain. The footage shows officers in camouflage carrying large rifles as they descended on a property in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where they were seen escorting a man away from the house. The probes, which took place in various locations in England yesterday, saw a total of eight arrests made over counter-terrorism concerns. The Metropolitan Police say officers apprehended five men, four of whom are Iranian nationals - two aged 29, one aged 40 and one aged 46 - on suspicion of preparation of an act of terrorism. Separately, three other Iranian nationals were arrested in London as part of an investigation led by the Mets Counter Terrorism Command. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the counter-terror unit, said: 'This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated. 'The investigation is still in its early stages, and we are exploring various lines of inquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter. Armed counter-terror police walk away with a suspect. The Home Secretary said: 'These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats' Officers are carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation. Pictured: police on the scene of East Street in Rochdale The arrests and searches are being supported by officers from Greater Manchester Police and Wiltshire Police, as well as officials from Counter Terrorism Policing from across the country. Pictured: police on the scene of East Street in Rochdale 'We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.' He added: 'We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I'd like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.' Officers are carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation. In an image from Swindon, Met Police officers can be seen arresting a terror suspect outside Costa in the town centre. Plain-clothed officers appear to search the man as he lies on his back, with locals watching on from a distance. The arrests and searches are being supported by officers from Greater Manchester Police and Wiltshire Police, as well as officials from Counter Terrorism Policing from across the country. The four Iranian nationals have been detained under the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006, while the fifth man was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). In a separate image from Swindon, Met Police officers are seen arresting a terror suspect outside Costa in the town centre In an early-morning statement on Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) said: 'I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe' Those arrested are said to be a 29-year-old man in the Swindon area; a 46-year-old man in west London; a 29-year-old man in the Stockport area; a 40-year-old man in the Rochdale area and a man whose age was not confirmed in the Manchester area. Police said in a statement that Counter Terrorism Policing units had also taken three men into custody in London. Two of the men, aged 39 and 44 respectively, were arrested at separate addresses in north-west London. A 55-year-old man was also apprehended at a third address, located in west London. The London trio were arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023 and remain in custody. Searches continue at the three addresses across London. In an early-morning statement on Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked the police for their work. She said: 'I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe. 'Protecting national security is the first duty of Government and our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work. 'These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats. 'The Government continues to work with police and intelligence agencies to support all the action and security assessments that are needed to keep the country safe.' Five people were rescued after spending 36 hours on top of a plane in an alligator-infested swamp after it was forced to make an emergency landing. The small plane was discovered by local fishermen in Bolivia's Amazonas region on Friday after it had been missing for 48 hours. Three women, a child, and the pilot, 29, were rescued from the ordeal in 'excellent' condition, Wilson Avila, director of the Beni Department's emergency operations centre, said. Terrifying footage of the rescue operation showed the group of five huddled on top of the sinking plane as emergency service personnel pulled them off. According to local authorities, the swamp was surrounded by alligators, giving the survivors little-to-no opportunity of saving themselves. The search and rescue operation was launched on Thursday after the plane had disappeared from the radar of the Beni Department in central Bolivia. The pilot told local media that an engine failure had forced the plane to make an emergency landing near the Itanomas River during a flight from Baures in northern Bolivia to the city of Trinidad. Andres Velarde recalled the plane suddenly beginning to lose altitude which sparked his decision to land the aircraft in a nearby swamp. Three women, a child, and the pilot, 29, were rescued from the ordeal in 'excellent' condition Terrifying footage of the rescue operation showed the group of five huddled on top of the sinking plane as emergency service personnel pulled them off After fishermen stumbled across the aircraft, a helicopter was sent to transport the survivors to hospital The five that had been on board stood squashed on top of the plane and were 'surrounded by alligators that came within three metres of us'. Velarde added that he believed the predators were kept away from the group thanks to petrol leaking from the bay. They had also spotted an anaconda in the water, he said. While they desperately awaited rescue, the group of five ate local cassava flour that one of the passengers had luckily packed. 'We couldn't drink water and we couldn't go anywhere else because of the alligators,' Velarde said. Caimans, a relative of alligators, are native to Central and South America and inhabit marshes, swamps, lakes, and mangrove rivers. After fishermen stumbled across the aircraft, a helicopter was sent to transport the survivors to hospital. Ruben Torres, Director of the Beni Region Health Department, said that there had been 'a lot of speculation about the case' and 'many theories' after the plane went missing. 'I am really happy because in the end all the institutions joined together to be able to find the missing people and save those lives,' he told Reuters. Students at Liverpool University have now been told asking someone for their pronouns is not inclusive. In new diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) guidance, obtained by The Telegraph, students and staff at the Russel Group university were warned asking someone to disclose their pronouns could make them feel pressured to 'out themselves' as transgender. It reads: 'When you first meet someone, you don't want to ask about their pronouns,' the guidance reads. 'This could make them feel like you're asking them to out themselves as transgender, agender, or non-binary, which they might not want to do, particularly if you work in a conservative office.' Liverpool University, which has been part of the Diversity Champions scheme at controversial transgender charity Stonewall since 2009, told students they should instead introduce themselves with their own pronouns. According to the guidance this is 'an important indicator of support for trans and non-binary people' and by 'sharing your own pronouns, you're allowing the other person to share theirs, but not forcing them to'. It says 'this small action' can make the environment more 'inclusive for everyone to work and study no matter their gender'. Staff are told to put have their pronouns in their email signature and to mention them when they introduce themselves whilst also only referring to students as 'they/them' until they have confirmed their pronouns. Both staff and students are told the phrase 'preferred pronouns' is 'incorrect' and should not be used because the word 'preferred' suggests someone's gender 'is a preference'. Students at Liverpool University have now been told asking someone for their pronouns is not inclusive and could be triggering People protest in Parliament Square in support of trans rights after the UK Supreme Court unanimous ruled the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex People hold signs claiming trans women are women and trans men are men at a protest in Parliament Square following the Supreme Court ruling The guidance says declaring pronouns is a 'personal decision' and people should not be forced to share them but adds that ;it can make a real difference in reassuring' trans, non-binary, and LGBQT+ staff and students 'they are welcome and accepted'. It also says switching to 'gender-neutral pronouns' for everyone 'ultimately doesn't require too much effort' but could make 'a huge difference in creating a warmer, more inclusive workplace environment for everyone'. The general secretary for the Free Speech Union, Lord Young, told The Telegraph the guidance demonstrate that 'what is politically correct in the trans community changes every 10 minutes'. He added that it feels 'a bit 2024' in light of the Supreme Court judgement and suggested universities stop issuing these guides as 'they cannot hope to keep up'. Director of campaign group Don't Divide Us, Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert, told the publication as 'human beings' we are able to speak to each other and can work out 'difference, hurts and offences' on our own without needing 'approval or gold stars'. She added it is an 'elemental freedom of being a free citizen in a democratic society' and that 'policing this, in whatever guise, encourages authoritarianism'. A spokesman for the University of Liverpool told The Telegraph: 'We are fundamentally committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and students, and proud to be a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community. 'This guidance - which is not mandatory - is intended to support inclusive communication and sits within our broader efforts to foster a respectful and supportive environment.' A backpacker whose best friend died after she was fatally poisoned by a drink in Laos has called for schools to teach children about the dangers of bootleg alcohol. Simone White, 28, was one of six tourists who died after a mass methanol poisoning at a hostel bar in Vang Vieng, Laos, last November. Ms White, a solicitor from southeast London, died from a bleed on the brain after unwittingly being poisoned by free vodka shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel nine days earlier. Racked with survivor's guilt, her travel companion Bethany Clarke, also 28, is now campaigning for all teenagers to be taught the dangers of methanol poisoning. 'I really don't want her death to be in vain. We didn't know anything about methanol poisoning. Having spoken to all our friends and family, not many people actually had heard of it before it affected us,' Ms Clarke told The Times. Ms Clarke and Ms White, who were friends from the age of four at primary school in Orpington, Kent, fell ill the day after drinking between five and six free shots which they mixed with Sprite. Five other guests who were staying at the hostel also died after drinking the same shots. Ms Clarke, who spent five days in hospital but survived, has launched a campaign for the dangers of bootleg alcohol to be taught in PSHE and biology lessons. Her petition, titled 'Put the dangers of methanol poisoning on the school curriculum' has nearly 3,000 signatures. Bethany Clarke (left) and Simone White (right) are pictured the day before they were poisoned Ms White, a solicitor from southeast London, died from a bleed on the brain after unwittingly being poisoned by free vodka shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel nine days earlier. The Nana Backpackers Hostel, where the fatal poisoning took place in November She said 'five minutes in a class' could be crucial, adding: 'When you're young, you're told all about heroin, cocaine, all of that, but you're not really told about this: something more common, that is possibly going to affect you when you travel to another country. You assume it will be regulated but it's not.' Ms Clarke said they definitely would have been more cautious had they been aware of the risks. 'There's just no way we would have ever known that we could end up in a coma from drinking vodka in Laos,' she said. Ms White's mother, Sue, flew out to be by her daughter's side as doctors performed brain surgery. But in the end, Mrs White has to switch off her daughter's life support machine as doctors said they could not to due to their Buddhist faith. Before she died, Ms Clarke rang around friends to collect goodbye message voice notes for Ms White. She played them next to her best friend's ear so she could hear it before she passed. Drinking even a small amount of methanol can be extremely dangerous. Just two teaspoons could make a person go blind and a single shot could be enough to kill you. Symptoms are often delayed for up to 48 hours and can cause coma, convulsions, blindness, nervous system damage and death. British lawyer Simone White, 28, outside the Laos hostel days before she died from methanol poisoning Simone was one of six tourists who tragically died following a mass methanol poisoning at a hostel bar in Vang Vieng, Laos, last November These two bottles were shown in the programme and are said to be similar to the ones thought to have poisoned the backpackers Methanol poisoning is a little-known risk present in many parts of the world with criminal gangs sneaking it into replicas of well-known spirit brands which can then be served at bars in cocktails. The other victims in Laos were 57-year-old American James Huston, two 19-year-old Australian girls - Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jone - and Danish friends Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21. Firebrand's party unlikely to pick up seats Pauline Hanson has promised not to 'back down' in a triumphant tweet despite her party not getting a single MP elected. One Nation had picked up about 6.23 per cent of the lower house primary votes across the nation as of 9pm AEST on Sunday. The numbers currently represent a 1.27 per cent positive swing. However, it won't help the party to land any lower house seats. Stronger swings were recorded in One Nation's favour in the Senate The minor party may pick up a further senate seat in addition to the one Ms Hanson holds, though it may not be known for a number of days or weeks. Ms Hanson thanked her supporters for what she likened to a tidal wave of support. 'Thank you, Australia,' she wrote on X on Sunday. 'This swell of support didn't happen by chance. It happened because everyday Aussies stood up, spoke out, and backed a party that refuses to be bullied or bought.' Pauline Hanson claimed swings toward her One Nation party showed the major parties have left Australians behind Ms Hanson said One Nation was providing an alternative to the spin of the major parties. 'You've made it clear: the major parties don't speak for all of us, and you want real representation. To our candidates and volunteers, thank you. You gave it everything. 'With Albanese re-elected with a strong majority, there will be hard times ahead for Aussie families. 'But One Nation will be there to fight for you, and to fight for our nation's future. From the bush to the suburbs, from tradies to small business owners, from families doing it tough to communities feeling ignored, we've heard you loud and clear. 'And we're not backing down. 'Thank you for standing with us. The fight's far from over, but with your support, One Nation is only getting stronger.' It is possible that Ms Hanson's daughter, Lee, could join her mother in the Senate if the party picks up additional white ballot votes. She said her mother helped inform her decision to enter politics though she has indicated she intended to tread her own path. Lee Hanson could enter Parliament with her mother if One Nation collects another Senate seat 'We're not backing down,' Ms Hanson said after Saturday night's election The elder Hanson has garnered a reputation as a firebrand Senator and sticking the form that has seen her stake out a lengthy political career, she sprayed major party leaders while on the campaign trail. She said Peter Dutton hadn't connected with voters, and the Labor Party was still pushing a post-Voice agenda. Speaking on Clive Palmer's well-advertised Trumpet of Patriots party, Ms Hanson said Australians were fed-up with Mr Palmer's efforts. The Senator pointed out that Palmer had approached her last year with an offer to join forces, but she refused. 'We're totally different. I wouldn't go anywhere near him (Palmer) with a barge pole.' She had been surprised at being referred to as 'evil' in ads featuring party leader Suellen Wrightson, given they crossed paths when Ms Wrightson was chief of staff for Senator Ralph Babet and found her 'so complimentary'. 'If Suellen thinks she's the next prime minister it's a joke. I think they're a joke.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch today dismissed calls for her to resign in the wake of her party's dire performance at local elections. The Tories lost more than 600 councillors and all 15 of the councils they controlled going into Thursday's contest - among the worst results in the party's history. A surge in support for Reform UK saw the Conservatives squeezed between Nigel Farage's party and Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats in many areas. The ex-leader of North Northamptonshire Council, which the Tories relinquished to Reform on Thursday, is among those calling for Mrs Badenoch to quit as party leader. But Mrs Badenoch, who was only elected to her role in November, defended her 'slow and steady' plan to revive the party's fortunes despite 'bumps' along the way. She suggested Reform's success was down to voters 'protesting' against the main parties, with Mr Farage's popularity based on a 'feeling of frustration'. Mrs Badenoch also pointed to the recent 'volatile' nature of British politics as she expressed confidence the Tories could return to power at the next general election. But the Tory leader also admitted Mr Farage could yet be the UK's next prime minister. Kemi Badenoch told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme her party is 'working on a plan' to return to government But the Tory leader also admitted Reform UK's Nigel Farage could yet be the UK's next prime minister Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Mrs Badenoch told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme her party is 'working on a plan' to return to government. 'When I came in, I said it was likely to get worse before it got better, and protest is in the air,' she said. 'What we had was Labour saying 'all we need to do is get rid of the Conservatives and everything will be better'. Things got worse. 'Now we have Reform saying 'all we need to do is get rid of the Conservatives and Labour and everything will be better'. 'I suspect things will get worse, but protest is in the air.' Mrs Badenoch added she was 'sorry' to all those Tory councillors who lost their seats on Thursday. But she also pointed to how Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suffered a disastrous set of local election results in 2021, before his landslide general election win last July. 'Four years ago Keir Starmer had his worst result, he is Prime Minister now with a landslide majority,' Mrs Badenoch said. 'We live in politically volatile times and what I have been saying is that we are going to take a slow and steady way. 'There will be bumps along... but we can do this, and we will do it in four years, not 18 years, 14 years, 13 years like the previous oppositions.' Jason Smithers, who was leader of North Northamptonshire Council until the recent elections, said he will demand Mrs Badenoch's resignation when he speaks to her in the coming days. 'I am on a call next week with the leader of the Conservative Party and I will be putting it to her that she should be resigning,' he said. 'She has not helped in these elections; she has not once come forward and helped at all. 'I am in absolute fear the Conservative Party will implode unless we get a good Conservative who can rally the troops and bring us back to some type of party that is going to challenge.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. But, asked about Mr Smithers' comments, Mrs Badenoch insisted the collapse in Tory support across council areas had been '14 years in the making'. 'That's not going to be fixed after six months. This is six months into a five-year project,' she said. 'What we are doing is steadying the ship, being united. A lot of the instability of the past has gone away. 'But I am not being complacent, I am not dismissive. Reform had a good night, we had a bad night. 'And what this shows, for a lot of people who hoped that just changing leader again would fix everything, is that that's not going to be enough. 'We tried that previously and that brought us to an historic defeat.' Reform won more than 650 council seats and seized control of 10 councils in a set of election results that Mr Farage dubbed a 'Reform-quake'. His party also won mayoralties in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire, and were victorious in the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election. Asked if she thought Mr Farage could be the next PM, Mrs Badenoch conceded: 'Anything is feasible.' She added: 'My job is to make sure that he does not become PM because he does not have the answers to the problems the country is facing.' A female bank robber died in Greece after a bomb she had planned on using to blow up an ATM exploded in her hands. The 38-year-old was carrying the explosive with plans to ditch it outside a nearby bank at around 5am on Saturday in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki. 'It appears that she was carrying an explosive device and planned to plant it a bank's ATM,' a senior police official told Reuters news agency. Something malfunctioned and it exploded in her hands, the official added. Images of the incident's aftermath show storefronts and vehicles damaged by the explosion. Police said the woman, whom they did not publicly identify, had a criminal record related to drugs and prostitution and had been involved in at least one robbery and thefts in the past. The Greek polices division for organised crime was investigating the incident, while authorities were also investigating whether the woman might have had ties to extreme leftist groups. Greece has seen occasional bombings, as well as targeted killings, attributed to various organised crime groups. Greek police experts search for evidence after a bomb explosion in Thessaloniki on May 3, 2025 A woman was killed in the site after a bomb she was carrying exploded, according to local police Police said the woman, whom they did not publicly identify, had a criminal record related to drugs and prostitution and had been involved in at least one robbery and thefts in the past Images of the incident's aftermath show storefronts and vehicles damaged by the explosion The country also has a long history of politically motivated violence dating back to the 1970s, with domestic extremist groups carrying out small-scale bombings that usually cause some damage but rarely lead to injuries. While the groups most active in the 1980s and 1990s, whose preferred targets tended to be politicians, foreign businesses and diplomats, have been dismantled, new small groups have emerged. Last year, a man believed to have been trying to assemble a bomb was killed when the device he was making exploded in a central Athens apartment. A woman inside the apartment was severely injured. It was unclear what their intended target might have been. The blast had prompted Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis to warn of an emerging new generation of domestic extremists. In April, a new group calling itself Revolutionary Class Struggle claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded in central Athens near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greeces main railway services operator, and the planting of another bomb near the Labor Ministry in early February. The explosion near the train offices resulted in limited damage to the building and no injuries. It had been preceded by an anonymous call to local media 40 minutes before the blast warning about the device, leading police to evacuate and cordon off the area. The group that claimed responsibility said the bombing was part of an armed struggle against the state. The bombing at the train offices came shortly after the second anniversary of Greeces worst railway disaster, in which 57 people were killed and dozens more injured when a freight train and a passenger train heading in opposite directions were accidentally put on the same track. The deadly accident sparked widespread anger and exposed severe deficiencies in Greeces railway system, including in safety systems. Some of the relatives of the victims led mass protests against the countrys conservative government on the occasion of the accidents second anniversary. A Cabinet ally of Lucy Powell today batted away calls for the senior minister to quit after she described grooming gangs as a 'dog whistle' issue. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Ms Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons, was 'mortified' about her comments and was 'right' to apologise for them. He added the Labour Government took the issue of child sexual exploitation 'extremely seriously' and was 'making real changes that will help to support victims'. Mr Streeting also insisted that ministers were not 'beating about the bush' when it came to 'thorny issues' such as the ethnicity of perpetrators. The issue of group-based child abuse - including by gangs of Pakistani origin - was put back into the spotlight after Labour denied a request for a new Whitehall-led inquiry. The Government has instead favoured locally-led probes, although Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a 'rapid audit' into the scale of the issue across Britain. During an appearance on a BBC radio programme on Friday, Ms Powell was asked if she had seen a recent TV documentary on grooming gangs. She responded: 'Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now do we... let's get that dog whistle out shall we'. A Cabinet ally of Lucy Powell batted away calls for the senior minister to quit after she described grooming gangs as a 'dog whistle' issue Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Ms Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons, was 'mortified' about her comments and was 'right' to apologise for them The Conservatives have demanded Ms Powell resign from her Cabinet role over the remarks, claiming she had 'belittled' the victims of grooming gangs. But, asked if Ms Powell's job was safe, Mr Streeting told Sky News this morning: 'Yes. I think she's made a genuine mistake. She's owned up to it. She said sorry, and we'll move on.' The Health Secretary added that Ms Powell's comments had not been interpreted as his Cabinet colleague had intended. Asked if he and his Labour colleagues see the grooming gangs scandal as a dog-whistle issue or a 'coded signal to racists', Mr Streeting said: 'No. 'And I don't think that's what Lucy intended to imply in a heated debate on Radio 4, and that's why she's apologised for what she said. 'I don't think for a moment she would have meant or wanted to imply that raising these issues, talking about these issues, is dog whistle.' Speaking later to the BBC, the Health Secretary described Ms Powell as 'mortified'. 'She does not want and would not want people who've campaigned on, or been victims of, these most appalling crimes to think she was in any way trying to undermine those experiences or those arguments,' he said. 'I think the point she was trying to make, and the point I would make, is on such a serious issue the more we can take the heat of the politics out of this and gets the heart of the of the challenge, the better.' But Tory MP Nigel Huddleston, a shadow Treasury minister, said Ms Powell's comments were 'completely inappropriate'. He insisted the issue of grooming gangs needs 'a proper, full inquiry', adding: 'The public demands that and I just do not understand the reasons why Labour is so reluctant. 'And this is why I'm afraid it does smack of some kind of political cover-up because they're worried that it could do some damage to Labour politicians and Labour councils. 'There's accusations that the Labour councils and some of the Labour areas that were responsible for overseeing some of the activities around here did not take appropriate action, and I think they're embarrassed about that. 'They should be embarrassed about it, to be fair, these are accusations, right? They are accusations, but then you clear up the accusations by having a full inquiry.' Fellow Tory MP Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said it was 'shameful that the Prime Minister is apparently standing by' Ms Powell. 'If Lucy Powell wont resign, Keir Starmer should fire her if he is serious about this issue,' he added. 'Wes Streeting saying this was just a 'slip of the tongue' this morning is an unacceptable excuse - especially given Labour's refusal to hold an proper national inquiry and Starmer's 'far right bandwagon' smear in January.' Tim Montgomerie, a political commentator who questioned Ms Powell about grooming gangs during the BBC Radio 4 debate, said her comments were 'clearly ill-judged' but her words have 'wider resonance'. 'There's been a tendency it's gone on for too long now to close all sorts of important debates down by throwing that racist charge at people,' said Mr Montgomerie, a Reform UK member. He said people feel there is a 'stifling of debate', adding: 'In the context of grooming gangs, an issue of such consequence, I think it was clearly ill-judged by Lucy Powell, 'But she was, I think she was keen to have a very strong go at Reform, and I was the representative of Reform that night. 'But unfortunately, the words she chose have wider resonance.' Ms Powell posted on X/Twitter on Saturday: 'In the heat of a discussion on AQ (Any Questions), I would like to clarify that I regard issues of child exploitation & grooming with the utmost seriousness. 'I'm sorry if this was unclear. I was challenging the political point scoring around it, not the issue itself. 'As a constituency MP I've dealt with horrendous cases. This Gvt is acting to get to the truth, and deliver justice.' Greens leader Adam Bandt is at risk of losing his seat after again falling behind in the vote count following Saturday's federal election. Bandt has held the seat of Melbourne for more than a decade, but it could be taken by Labor's Sarah Witty, leaving the Greens without their leader in Parliament. It would be a devastating blow for the party with two other high-profile Greens MPs, Stephen Bates and housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather, having both conceded defeat last night. Ms Witty was ahead of Bandt with 52 per cent of votes compared to 48 per cent as of 10am AEST on Monday morning, with about two-thirds of ballots counted. This represents an 8.6 per cent swing to Labor since the last election in 2022. Preferences in postal votes are flowing 75.9 per cent to Labor and 24.1 per cent to the Greens in a particularly worrying sign for Bandt. The Greens are facing the prospect of having no MPs in the lower house after Bates' and Chandler-Mather's departures and the remaining seats they have a shot at are far from assured. The party is faring better in the Senate with it looking likely to claim 11 spots. Adam Bandt has fallen behind in the vote count to Labor's candidate for Melbourne Labor's Sarah Witty is ahead of Bandt with about 64 per cent of votes counted Bandt released a statement pointing to the Greens' highest ever general vote as a victory late on Election night, despite the potential wipe out in the lower house. 'We have secured the biggest national vote in our history. And together we have kicked Dutton out.' He said at that point he was confident of retaining his own seat and of picking up three more. 'We'll retain all our Senators, Melbourne and we're looking good in Ryan, Wills and Richmond we'll know more soon. 'While our national vote has increased, the collapse in the Liberal vote means that Labor will win the seats of Griffith with Liberal preferences, and Brisbane too.' Firebrand Griffith MP Chandler-Mather lost following a huge 16 per cent swing to Labor candidate Renee Coffey. Chandler-Mather had been called Anthony Albanese's nemesis after butting heads with him about Labor's housing policy, claiming the Labor government was abandoning renters behind during the cost of living crisis. He previously said in Parliament he would have to drag Labor 'kicking and screaming to taking meaningful action' on the rental crisis. 'If we praise the Labor party for offering crumbs, that's all we'll get.' Chandler-Mather was a member of Labor's left during his time at the University of Queensland. Both of his parents were also members, and reportedly encouraged him to join Bandt looked jubilant at an election reception at Hightail Bar in Melbourne on Saturday night Bandt said following his concession speech that: 'There's never been a first term MP who has had the impact of Max Chandler-Mather. 'He put the rental crisis firmly in the spotlight. He secured billions of dollars for social housing. He fed his local community with his own money. This is not the last we've seen of him.' Brisbane Greens MP Stephen Bates also conceded defeat to Labor's Madonna Jarrett, finishing third behind the major parties. They are both one-term wonders, despite the minor party's primary vote holding up. Bandt said that 'Stephen Bates has been an incredible voice for Brisbane'. 'He has delivered 20,000 meals and holding more than 200 events in his community. 'He went from a retail worker into the halls of Parliament, to holding big corporations accountable for three years. Greens MP Stephen Bates is seen voting at Windsor State School in the electorate of Brisbane on Election Day Bandt also gloated about keeping Peter Dutton out of Parliament. The Opposition leader's political career looks set to be over after he lost his Queensland seat of Dickson to Labor's Ali France. 'Congratulations to Prime Minister Albanese and Labor on their campaign to keep Dutton out. 'The Greens are set to be a powerful force in the next Parliament, as part of a strong progressive crossbench and holding the balance of power in the Senate, pushing for more action on the climate, housing and cost of living crises.' Q: China announced that President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. Could you share with us the program of the trip and Chinas expectation regarding advancing its ties with Russia? A: In todays world, unprecedented global changes are unfolding at a faster pace, and the international order is undergoing profound adjustments. With a historic vision and from a strategic height, President Xi and President Putin have guided China-Russia relations in the new era to always forge ahead despite a complex external environment and demonstrate the relations defining features of everlasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win. During his state visit to Russia upon invitation, President Xi will have strategic communication with President Putin on China-Russia relations under new circumstances and on a series of major international and regional issues. We believe the important common understandings between the two presidents will further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, add new substance to strategic coordination, promote practical cooperation in various fields, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute more stability and positive energy to the international community. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War. As the two main theaters of Asia and Europe in World War II, China and Russia made immense sacrifice and major, historic contributions to secure the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and save their respective nations from demise and the future of mankind. President Xi and President Putin previously agreed that the two sides will jointly remember history, honor the martyrs, foster a right view of the World War II history and defend the outcomes of the victory of the war and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice. At this special historic juncture, President Xi Jinpings attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union in Moscow upon invitation is an important part of his visit. It is also reflective of China and Russias support to each others commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As founding members of the UN and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia shoulder special and important responsibility in safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core. The two countries will further strengthen their close coordination in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, rally the Global South, shape global governance in the right direction, unequivocally oppose acts of unilateralism and bullying, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Women's rights campaigners are plotting to take over the men's pond at Hampstead Heath in protest over bosses refusing to ban trans women from the ladies' pond following the Supreme Court ruling. Dubbing it 'Bank Holiday Man-Day', prominent campaigner Amy Desir called on protesters from 'Let Women Swim' to join her by gatecrashing a men's pond session on Monday. Ms Desir and other female activists wearing fake beards were escorted away by police officers when they invaded the men's bathing pond in Hampstead, North London, in 2018. Their latest planned stunt comes after Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond said trans women would be allowed to continue swimming there despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling stating the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex. Kenwood Ladies' Pond said its inclusive gender policy will 'remain in effect at this time', despite the Equality and Human Rights Commission advising trans women should not use women's facilities in workplaces or public spaces. The UK's sole women-only natural bathing pool became a flashpoint in the trans debate after the City of London Corporation adopted a 'self-ID' policy in 2019, meaning trans women can use the female changing rooms and swim there. Gender-critical campaigners have been fighting to 'reclaim' the pond, which opened a century ago for women and girls, but they have been contested by trans activists, including trans broadcaster India Willoughby. In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, Ms Desir has vowed to continue the fight to reclaim women's-only spaces and called for protesters to join her at the men's pond on Bank Holiday Monday. Amy Desir (pictured) was filmed giving a speech to a crowd of women where she vowed to keep fighting for women-only spaces and revealed plans for a protest on Bank Holiday Monday Ms Desir has called on protesters from 'Let Women Swim' to join her by gatecrashing a men's pond session at Hampstead Heath on Monday. She is pictured in 2018 when she infiltrated a men's-only session at a south London leisure centre dressed in trunks and a swimming cap Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond will not ban trans women in wake of the Supreme Court's landmark biological sex ruling (file photo) Female protesters disrupted a men-only bathing session at the Hampstead Heath ponds in 2018 (pictured) - and have vowed to do so again on Monday In a speech to a crowd of women, the mother-of-two said: 'Women have spoken, the Supreme Court has spoken, but the fight is not over. 'If anyone fancies a Bank Holiday Man-Day down at the men's pond, I'll be there next Monday. 'Men's pond because they are still saying 'We'll think about it'. F*** that. The Supreme Court has spoken, we're taking back our spaces and we're proving it now.' Her speech was met with applause and cheers, with one shouting 'Bank Holiday Man-Day!' back. But it was condemned by Ms Willoughby who shared the speech and wrote: 'Weirdo terfs [trans-exclusionary radical feminists]. Hampstead Heath and the ponds are stunning. I swim here in the summer.' Ms Willoughby, a trans newsreader who has been a vocal critic of gender-critical campaigners such as Ms Desir and JK Rowling, added: 'Really sad these lot hang around. The ponds committee has said it wont be banning trans peeps - who have always used the Ladies Pond without incident for decades.' Ms Desir and other women previously disrupted a men's only bathing session at Hampstead Heath in 2018, which led to them being escorted away by police. The invasion was part of a nationwide campaign set up on Mumsnet called #ManFriday which encourages women to 'self-identify' as men for the day on Fridays in a protest against possible changes to gender laws. Ms Desir also caused a storm when she attended a men-only swimming session at Dulwich Leisure Centre after telling staff she 'identified as male'. She and another woman, called Hannah, used the male changing rooms before joining men in the pool in 2018. Ms Desir, who wore just trunks and a pink swimming cap, told the Mail at the time: 'We are doing it to highlight the ridiculous and dangerous move towards self-identification. We are clearly not men but by saying we are, we were allowed to join in men-only activities.' The 2018 stunt ended with the women being escorted away by police officers Members of the protest group wore fake beards as they hit out at the self-ID policy at the ponds The City of London Corporation confirmed earlier this week that it would keep its current gender policy in place while it considers the implications of the Supreme Court ruling. Prominent barrister Sarah Vine KC warned the ponds should now describe themselves as mixed sex and that the current labels could expose the corporation to legal challenge. She said: 'Any continued description of two of the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies' will expose the Corporation to discrimination claims.' Venice Allan, 49, said female-only spaces were needed for 'safety, privacy and dignity'. 'It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the Corporation is trying to fudge this,' she added. Ms Allan last year became the first woman to be banned from an historic association representing users of the North London pond after she objected to biological males being permitted entry. She was told in an email from the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association (KLPA) in May that her membership had been revoked because of her views. Speaking at an AGM in March last year, Ms Allan said: 'When the inevitable happens as a result of your trans inclusive policy that the majority of women, and, so I am told, two men, have voted for today, and a man that you're so inclusive of attacks or rapes a girl, I want you to remember you voted for that. Picture shows Kenwood Ladies' Pond on Hampstead Heath, North London 'I hope that you wake up in the middle of the night and remember that you made that act of male violence in a sacred woman's space possible.' She told the Mail on Sunday afterwards: 'I'm not banned from the pond, but the ban means I can no longer vote on any of the rules. 'More importantly banning me sends a message just a year before we celebrate a 100 years of this iconic women's space that women who object to men using the pool are not welcome.' The KLPA is a voluntary organisation of women who 'care' about Hampstead Ladies' Pond and represent the view of its users to the City of London Corporation, who are in charge of administering the beauty spot. Last month, judges unanimously ruled a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. This mean that trans women, who are biologically male but identify as women, can be excluded from women-only spaces. Lord Hodge said: 'The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. 'But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not.' Since then, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has released interim guidance on how organisations should interpret the ruling. The new guidance says that in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants, 'trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities'. It also states that trans people should not be left without any facilities to use. A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said that its policy was not 'unlawful'. 'These accusations are completely false. The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law,' they said. 'In line with other affected organisations we are carefully considering the judgment and awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission which service providers must take into account.' Karen Webb said detectives 'didn't have a lot to go on' The top cop in NSW has defended detectives after Audrey Griffin's mother revealed she pleaded with them to make her daughter's murder a priority in the days after her body was found in a NSW creek. The 19-year-old was found dead at Erina Creek on the Central Coast on March 22 following a night out celebrating with friends at Gosford Hotel. An initial autopsy indicated the talented athlete had drowned. The report found no evidence of trauma or sexual assault, so detectives deemed the death misadventure. But Audrey's parents Kathleen Kirby and Trevor Griffith pushed for further investigations. Ms Kirby begged to be shown CCTV from the area, and it was only when they were then going through the footage did they notice a man who appeared to be following Audrey as she walked home from the hotel. A CCTV image was then released more than three weeks after Audrey's body had been found, prompting a woman to contact police and tell them the man looked like her ex-husband who had threatened her on the night Audrey died. Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, was then arrested and charged with murder following police catching him confessing to the murder while under surveillance. Days later he took his own life in Silverwater jail. Commissioner Karen Webb said on 60 Minutes on Sunday night that initial confusion over the cause of the 19-year-old's death was because there was so little evidence. She acknowledged police had mistakenly ruled Ms Griffin's death as 'misadventure' before her mother pleaded with officers to review security footage. 'That was based on the medical advice,' Ms Webb said. Audrey Griffin's body was found in Erina Creek, Central Coast, NSW in March 2025 Kathleen Kirby and Kevin Griffin have blasted the justice system after a criminal killed their 19-year-old daughter while she was walking home Karen Webb, NSW Police Commissioner, defended officers who wrote the death off as misadventure Commisioner Webb claimed that all that police had to go on was the report from the postmortem. '[It] didn't suggest any foul play. There's no evidence that she was strangled, there's no evidence that she was sexually assaulted and there's no evidence of trauma. 'So they really didn't have a lot to go on other than a postmortem that said misadventure.' She claimed officers had a 'cop instinct' and doggedly kept pursuing the case despite no details getting released to the media and Ms Kirby having to go into the station and push for the CCTV to be reviewed. The state's Homicide Squad detectives also remained sidelined from the case for a number of weeks, despite consultation from local detectives. Asked whether the case could have been better handled, Ms Webb said: 'Could this be better, more perfect? Yes. 'But, did we catch a killer? Yes.' Officers only identified Torrens after circulating a CCTV image of him via the media. Ms Webb conceded officers had trawled the CCTV vision from Gosford on the night of March 22 only after Audrey's mother pleaded with local police to have a look at it herself. Ms Kirby also said a friend of hers had spotted a suspicious man poking around the spot where Audrey was found at Erina Creek five days after she died, well before police reviewed the CCTV. 'A girlfriend of mine was driving to work at 5 o'clock in the morning, heading towards Sydney at the entrance road and sees a man at 5 a.m. in the morning with a red singlet and white shorts and a white stick poking around,' she said. Ms Griffin's mother had pleaded with investigators to consider foul play before detectives linked evidence from the scene back to Adrian Torrens The description was a match for what Torrens had been wearing on the night of Audrey's death. She added that she also noticed mud underneath Audrey's fingernails when identifying her, which further fueled her belief it was not misadventure. 'Well, they were going back through the CCTV [because] the mum obviously wanted us to do as much as we can,' Ms Webb said. She said Torrens' ex-partner's call identifying him as the man in the video was 'gold' for detectives. Ex-partner Michelle told the program she would have called police sooner about the threats mae against her if she had more faith in their ability to respond. It previously took police months to find him after he breached an AVO for him only to then be let out by the courts on a Community Corrections Order. 'We wouldn't be in this position, I wouldn't be having this conversation with you, Audrey wouldn't be dead if he had have been held in custody,' Commissioner Webb said. 'He should have been locked up. A Community Corrections Order for someone who has a violent history is no answer.' Ms Griffin's parents said the system had failed their daughter in an interview on Sunday night She argued 'soft' sentences should be reviewed. 'I can say as the police commissioner, I'm certainly frustrated because a get out of jail free card is no the answer for people like Torrens,' Ms Webb said. When police brought Torrens into custody, they called Kathleen and Trevor into the station. 'That moment where police tell you that they've arrested a man over your daughter's death, it was like she died again,' Mr Griffith said. 'So I said, "has he said that he's done anything to Audrey, and they said we haven't been able to speak to him yet because he's sleeping. But we have enough evidence",' Ms Kirby said. Both Mr Griffin and Ms Kirby said they had wanted more from the justice system. They couldn't believe Torrens who has an extensive criminal history including theft, fraud, intimidation, drugs and AVO offences had been in the community on a CCO. 'It's outrageous. It's outrageous that he can walk the streets after doing so many offences over the years,' Mr Kirby said. 'Why was he out? Why was he allowed out?' Ms Kirby asked. 'The government are too weak. And the justice system. It's as if they're breeding monsters,' Mr Griffin said. CBS is planning to drop a bombshell report on Donald Trump despite the ongoing $20 billion lawsuit leveled against the network by the president. The broadcaster has said it will be running a segment on Sunday titled 'The Rule of the Law', which scrutinizes Trump's executive orders against law firms. 'On the campaign trail, President Trump vowed to wield the power of the presidency to go after his perceived enemies,' the program description reads. 'Now in the White House, Trump is using executive orders to target some of the biggest law firms in the country that he accuses of "weaponizing" the justice system against him.' Taking aim at CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, Trump's lawsuit accuses producers of editing an October interview with Harris to sway public opinion in her favor. The broadcast channel is also facing a probe by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into whether the interview violated 'news distortion' rules. Complainants said the station broke the law by cherry picking only a portion of Harris' answer to a question about Middle East policy to present her in a favorable light. Sunday's 60 Minutes segment will be hosted by veteran reporter Scott Pelley, who shocked viewers last month when he issued a blistering criticism of his own corporate bosses live on air. CBS News is planning to drop a bombshell report on Donald Trump despite the ongoing $20 billion lawsuit with the president. Sunday's 60 Minutes segment will be hosted by veteran reporter Scott Pelley (pictured), who criticized his corporate bosses live on air last month CBS has said it will be running a 60 Minutes segment on Sunday titled 'The Rule of the Law', which scrutinizes Donald Trump's executive orders against law firms Pelley addressed the resignation of the show's executive producer, Bill Owens, who had stepped down the week before, telling staff he felt like he was 'losing his journalistic independence'. The reporter backed Owens, saying his resignation proved he had been 'the right person' to lead the show all along, while slamming Paramount Global, which he claimed has been taking a more active role in the show's agenda recently. He also suggested the interest from Paramount bosses had come amid a desperate bid to secure political favor from the Trump administration in the hopes a merger would soon be approved. 'Bill resigned Tuesday. It was hard on him and hard on us, but he did it for us - and you,' Pelley told viewers, before delivering the bombshell. 'Our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it. Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways.' 'No one here is happy about it' Pelley revealed about the extra supervision that corporate leaders are imposing. He also noted how in quitting, Owens proved he was 'the right person to lead 60 Minutes all along.' The newscaster went on to make it clear that even though no stories have been blocked outright, Owens believed the creeping corporate oversight had crossed a red line and was undermining the very foundation of journalistic integrity. The debacle has thrown the network into disarray - with the executive producer of 60 Minutes Bill Owens (pictured) resigning last month, saying he was 'losing his journalistic independence' 'None of our stories has been blocked,' Pelley declared, 'but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires. No one here is happy about it. 'Stories weve pursued for 57 years were often controversial, lately the Israel-Gaza war and the Trump administration. Bill made sure they were accurate and fairhe was tough that way.' Owens, 58, had been with CBS News for decades and served as only the third executive producer in 60 Minutes' 57-year history since 2019. In his resignation letter, Owens cited corporate interference as the breaking point, saying it had '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 - a respected figure who recently helped overhaul CBS's Evening News - went on to promise that '60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration,' and 'future' ones as well. 'The show is too important to the country,' Owens ultimately declared, weeks after sources told DailyMail.com how the bigwig was 'feeling the pressure' brought by the Trump lawsuit. He reportedly added during a '60 Minutes' staff meeting last Tuesday: 'Its clear the company is done with me. 'It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer,' Owens said. In Trump's lawsuit, both parties have agreed to enter mediation. It coincides with a planned $8.4 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, which requires approval from the FCC. Though the agency is prohibited from censorship or infringing the First Amendment rights of media, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort the news. Pelley claimed the company has taken a more active role in the show's journalism to secure political favor from the Trump administration CBS previously said the complaint aims to turn 'the FCC into a full-time censor of content' which would result in an unconstitutional role and an impossible one for the agency. In January, the FCC's chair Brendan Carr reinstated complaints about the 60 Minutes interview with Harris, as well as complaints about how Walt Disney's ABC News moderated the pre-election TV debate between then-President Joe Biden and Trump. It also reinstated complaints against Comcast's NBC for allowing Harris to appear on 'Saturday Night Live' shortly before the election. Carr said he has not decided whether to open those other complaints for public comment. Last month, Carr opened an investigation into the diversity practices of Disney and ABC, saying they may violate U.S. equal employment opportunity regulations. 'There's some concerning things that we've seen there,' Carr said. Did YOU see the crash? An eyewitness has revealed how a hero Spitfire pilot saved two lives with an emergency landing in a crop field after losing power. Lee Williams, 55, was on holiday at a campsite in West Hythe, Kent, with his wife Nicola on Saturday evening when they saw two historic warplanes circling overhead, before they heard an engine misfiring and then a 'thud'. He exclusively told MailOnline how he sprinted across the field before clambering over barbed wire where he saw parts of the aircraft scattered among the crops. Mr Williams said he was expecting to see the aircraft in a ball of flames but was left astonished to find an American passenger uninjured and high-fived the pilot for 'saving two lives'. Fire crews and paramedics rushed to the scene at around 7.25pm after the historic aircraft plummeted from the sky. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it. Mr Williams, 55, a managing director of Pacific Security Systems Ltd from Charing Heath in Kent, recalled the moment he realised something was wrong. He said: 'Then my wife said 'Crikey, that was really low'. One of the planes went over, I could hear the engine misfiring and then there was a thud.' Did YOU see the crash? Email taryn.pedler@mailonline.co.uk The Spitfire plane (pictured) made an emergency landing in among the crops of a farmers' field in West Hythe, Kent, on Saturday night Lee Williams, 55, was on holiday at a campsite with his wife Nicola (both pictured) when they saw two historic warplanes circling overhead before they heard an engine misfiring and then a 'thud' 'I ran over to the field, climbed over the barbed wire and the two guys on board had already got out of it. The pilot was on the phone to someone, so I spoke with the passenger, an American guy from Colorado. 'He was given the flight as an experience from his boss, they had flown from Biggin Hill, it was a birthday present. 'They were both uninjured - they did an absolutely great job with the false landing. The plane itself - there were several parts strewn across the field. 'But it was unbelievable that he didn't do more damage. 'I was speaking to the passenger and he said: "These things don't glide very well!" Then the fire brigade turned up and secured the scene. 'I must admit I was 100 per cent fearing the worst when I went to go and help, I was expecting to see the plane on fire at the very least. 'But I high-fived the pilot and then I said what a great job they had done - they saved two lives with the way they landed that. 'It wasn't that they were walking wounded - they weren't even wounded to my eyes. They did a great job.' The warplane is seen lying in a field as onlookers gather around to inspect the damage Volunteers have been spotted protecting a historic 1940s-era Spitfire that landed in a crop field near Hythe, Kent An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling. 'Which we thought was unusual so thought perhaps they're practising for a VE-Day ceremony.' She went on explain how she had watched the plane for a few minutes while driving before suddenly coming across the crashed aircraft. The pilot and passenger had luckily made it out of the Spitfire, but bystanders had gathered to take a look at the damage and check to make sure everyone was safe. 'We contacted the farmer to make them aware and to get the gate opened,' she added. A spokesman for the fire service stated: 'We were called to an aircraft that had made an emergency landing. 'Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe. One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics.' Emergency crews reportedly left the scene just after 9pm. The iconic aircraft belonged to Biggin Hill-based Spitfire flight experience company, Fly a Spitfire. Images from the incident show the warplane lying in a field as onlookers and emergency service personnel gather around it An anonymous witness saw the plane after it hit the earth told KentOnline: 'We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft in the vicinity of Hythe. 'We have spoken to the pilot who has advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. 'The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information.' According to the local news site, the Spitfire was built in 1943 and entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. Its first operational sortie was flown on September 25, 1944. Did YOU see the crash? Email taryn.pedler@mailonline.co.uk A Minnesota man who thought he spotted an empty candy wrapper at an Arkansas park walked away with something far more valuable than a piece of trash. David DeCook of Stewartville was strolling through Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park with his family when he noticed a shimmering object on the ground on April 21. At first, he assumed it was nothing more than an aluminum wrapper glistening in the sun. But he was thrilled to learn he was wrong - he was not looking at litter, but a stunning 3.81-carat brown diamond worth thousands. 'Oh, youre going to be mad once you see what I found!' David teased his brother, Derek, when he reached over to collect the gem, which he registered with the park a few days later on April 24. David and Derek are frequent visitors to the Murfreesboro park - one of the only places in the world where guests can roam and hunt for diamonds - and have taken home countless jewels over the years. Both brothers were shocked by David's most recent find, as it is the largest gem either of them have ever taken home. It was also the heftiest diamond registered with the park so far this year, officials said in a press release announcing David's discovery. David DeCook (pictured) of Stewartville was strolling through Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park with his family when he noticed a shimmering object on the ground on April 21 David and Derek are frequent visitors to Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park (pictured) - one of the only places in the world guests can roam and hunt for diamonds David realized he was not looking at litter, but a 3.81-carat brown diamond worth thousands 'David DeCook of Minnesota just registered this HUGE, 3.81-carat, brown, octahedral diamond he found on the surface at Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park,' a Facebook page titled Diamonds in Arkansas wrote. Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox explained finding the precious crystal was not up to sheer luck. 'April has been a very wet month at the park, with more than 12 inches of rain,' Cox said in a statement. 'Many of the parks largest diamonds are found on top of the ground. As rain falls in the search area, it washes away the dirt and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals, and diamonds near the surface.' The day before David and his family explored the mineral-rich plowed diamond search area, which spans 37.5 acres, the region saw about an inch of rain. Commemorating his successful search, David named his copper-colored, metallic cluster The Duke Diamond after his dog. He said he is not sure what his plans are for his newest prized-possession - but it could be worth thousands. Even though they are valuable, brown diamonds are worth less than white diamonds, according to Naturally Colored. Three carats of white diamond could cost about $40,000, while the same amount of brown diamond costs about $10,000. Both brothers were shocked by David's most recent find, as it is the largest gem either of them have ever taken home (pictured: David holding his jewel and certificate) Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park reported there has been more than 220 registered diamond finds in 2025 (pictured: David's diamond and its certificate) Brown diamonds' values range from $1,000 to $5,000 per carat, according to Ouros Jewels. Based on these numbers, The Duke Diamond could be worth anywhere from $3,810 to $19,050. Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park reported there has been more than 220 registered diamond finds in 2025, roughly weighing a collective 32 carats. Only five of these diamonds have weighed more than a carat. Last year, a French tourist, Julien Navas, found a Carine diamond nearly double the size of David's. It was a staggering 7.46 carats, according to the press release. The most massive jewel ever retrieved from the park was found in 1924. It weighed 40.23 carats and was called the Uncle Sam. Since 1906, when diamonds were discovered in the area, more than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed. Co-op has apologised after the same hackers who targeted Marks & Spencers claimed they had stolen 20 million of their customers' personal data. The retail firm confirmed on Friday it is experiencing 'sustained malicious attempts' to access its systems as it called in the UK's equivalent of the FBI to investigate. It comes as a criminal group, calling itself DragonForce, said it had infiltrated the company's IT network and stolen both customer and employee data in its cyber attack on Wednesday. Co-op conceded personal data such as names and contact details had been taken from its membership scheme after the devastating scale of the attack was revealed. The ransomware group are seeking to extort money from the company, but have not said what they would do with the data if they do not get paid. DragonForce has also claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack on M&S and an attempted hack of Harrods, the BBC said. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said it is investigating the attacks individually but are 'mindful they may be linked'. A Co-op spokesman said: 'As a result of ongoing forensic investigations, we now know that the hackers were able to access and extract data from one of our systems. The Co-op had to shut down parts of its IT system after discovering an attempted hack just days after Marks & Spencer faced a cyber attack, it was revealed The group shut down some services for teams running supermarkets and its legal division - but all stores, deliveries and funeral homes continued trading as usual (file image) 'The accessed data included information relating to a significant number of our current and past members. 'This data includes Co-op Group members' personal data such as names and contact details, and did not include members' passwords, bank or credit card details, transactions or information relating to any members' or customers' products or services with the Co-op Group. 'We have implemented measures to ensure that we prevent unauthorised access to our systems whilst minimising disruption for our members, customers, colleagues and partners. 'We appreciate that our members have placed their trust in our Co-op when providing information to us. Protecting the security of our members' and customers' data is a priority, and we are very sorry that this situation has arisen.' The business said its back office and call centre services have been affected but Co-op's more than 2,000 grocery stores and 800 funeral parlours across the UK are trading as usual. The retail giant, with more than 2,500 supermarkets, 800 funeral homes and an insurance business, initially downplayed the attack by saying it had pre-emptively shut down parts of its IT network after detecting an attempted breach. But the anonymous hackers behind DragonForce contacted the BBC with evidence of databases they had accessed, containing the user names and passwords of all employees, as well as customer membership card numbers, their names, home and email addresses and phone numbers. The BBC said hackers sent the first extortion message to Co-ops head of cyber security in an internal Microsoft Teams chat on April 25. The message read: Hello, we exfiltrated the data from your company. We have customer database, and Co-op member card data. Marks and Spencer is also battling to restore its services following the Easter cyber hack An alleged cyber attack which has crippled Marks & Spencer has been linked to notorious teenage hacking gang, Scattered Spider. Scotland Yard is now investigating The hackers say they also messaged other members of the executive committee as part of their scheme to blackmail the firm. Tactics used were similar to those of Scattered Spider, a notorious network of largely British and American young adults and teenagers skilled at evading detection. An expert said the hackers were likely able to bluff their way past staff because their command of the English language gave them authenticity a crucial asset in convincing targets to unwittingly compromise their own security. Nathaniel Jones, vice president of security and AI strategy at cyber security firm Darktrace, told The Mail on Sunday this made the scam unique. Most of those sort of cyber crime gangs are sitting in Russia or Belarus, he said. So the fact that theyre English native speakers, a number of them, thats quite unique. I dont know another group out there like that. Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf today vowed to use 'every instrument of power available' to stop migrants being housed in areas where it now controls councils. He said the party would use judicial reviews, injunctions and even planning laws to resist asylum seekers being placed in the parts of England where it is now in power. Reform, led by Nigel Farage, gained more than 600 council seats and took control of 10 local authorities in Thursday's local elections. The party also secured another MP by winning the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, and won mayoralties in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. Mr Yusuf set out Reform's intent to shake up town halls following their success across the country, which Mr Farage branded a 'Reform-quake'. He pledged to introduce taskforces to audit spending in councils, as part of a promised crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Mr Yusuf also set his sights on taking over the House of Commons at the next general election, claiming his party were on course for 'between 350 to 400 MPs'. 'Nigel will be our prime minister,' he said of Reform's leader. Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf vowed to use 'every instrument of power available' to stop migrants being housed in areas where it now controls councils Reform, led by Nigel Farage, gained more than 600 council seats and took control of 10 local authorities in Thursday's local elections Your browser does not support iframes. In the wake of his party's local elections success, Mr Farage promised to 'resist' asylum seekers being housed in the counties where Reform was now in charge. He claimed they are being 'dumped into the north of England, getting everything for free'. 'It is unfair, it is irresponsible, it is wrong in every way and I don't believe (Sir Keir) Starmer has got the guts to deal with it,' Mr Farage added. But it is unclear whether Reform councils could block asylum seekers being housed in their council areas, as the system is managed by the Home Office. Asked how his party would intervene in contracts drawn up between the Home Office and accommodation providers, Mr Yusug told the BBC: 'Judicial reviews, injunctions, there's planning laws. 'You know, a lot of these hotels there has been litigation around this already a lot of these hotels, when you suddenly turn them into something else, which is essentially a hostel that falls foul of any number of regulations, and that's what our teams of lawyers are exploring at the moment.' Asked if Reform's policy was to house migrants in tents, as the party's newly elected Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns suggested, Mr Yusuf said: 'That's what France does.' He added: 'We will be publishing a plan to deport everybody who is currently in this country illegally in our first term of government. 'We will publish that plan in the coming weeks and you'll see the full detail.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Reform has pledged to sack council staff working on DEI and climate change, but Mr Yusuf was challenged about Lincolnshire County Council - where Dame Andrea has vowed to conduct a purge - not employing any. He replied: 'If you take Lincolnshire County Council, yes, they do not currently have somebody with the job title 'DEI officer'. They do spend considerable money on DEI initiatives. 'And they have other people who have basically that same job, but under a different title, partly in response to the fact that they've been inundated by think tanks and activists putting in FOIs (freedom of information requests).' He said Reform would send 'teams' into councils, adding: 'We'll be opening up application shortly. We want the brightest and the best. 'If you've got experience in audit, if you've got experience in fixing potholes, if you're a software engineer. 'We're going to bring taskforces in. We're now going to have access to the contract, access to the numbers, access to payroll, and we're going to make these changes.' As Reform enjoyed huge success in the local elections, the Conservatives suffered one of the worst results in their history. The Tories lost more than 600 councillors and all 15 of the councils they controlled going into Thursday's contest. Speaking later to Times Radio, Mr Yusuf said Reform had a 'defections team' for those Tories thinking of switching allegiances. 'Anyone who has a genuine desire to come and join us at Reform, who shares our values and is coming for the right reasons, of course we'll look at that,' he said. 'We think we will win between 350 to 400 MPs at the next election. That's Reform MPs and Nigel will be our PM. 'I think the vast, vast, vast majority of those will be from the grassroots authentic Reform MPs. 'I think the highest officers of the land will be occupied not by former Tory cabinet ministers but by Reform people through and through.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch admitted Mr Farage had successfully tapped into the frustration of voters, but questioned whether Reform would now deliver for council residents. She told the BBC: 'He is expressing the feeling of frustration that a lot of people around the country are feeling, but he also doesn't have a record in government like the two main parties do. 'Now he is going to be running some councils we'll see how that goes but he is expressing a feeling of frustration (and) that is not my job.' Mrs Badenoch said her role is to come up with answers and solutions, adding of voters: 'We understand why they were angry with us. We understand why they removed us from office. 'They're not going to come rushing back just because Labour was bad. They are looking at the two parties as parties that haven't delivered. 'I need to come up with a plan that will deliver. Easy announcements and easy slogans are not a plan.' Labour's Wes Streeting admitted Reform is a 'real threat' to the Government and is being treated as a 'serious opposition force' following their local elections success. The Health Secretary told Sky News: 'I think there's clearly, on the right of British politics, a realignment taking place. 'It's not yet clear whether at the next general election it will be Reform or the Conservatives that are Labour's main challenges, but we've got to take that threat seriously. 'In that spirit, I think Reform does deserve more air time and scrutiny of their policies.' He added: 'I don't know whether it will be Reform or the Conservatives that emerge as the main threat. 'I don't have a horse in that race, but like Alien Vs Predator, you don't really want either one to win. 'But one of them will emerge as the main challenger to Labour at the next general election.' A MAGA favorite to become president after Donald Trump is facing a growing crisis over a gay porn scandal rocking his home state. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin last Friday asked Republican nominee for lieutenant governor John Reid to drop out of the race amid allegations he ran a social media page filled with naked pictures of men. Reid, who is gay and married, denied that the page was his and refused to resign. He claims that the page was created by hardline Republicans in an effort to sabotage his bid to become lieutenant governor. Now Youngkin is stuck in a bind between needing to publicly back the Republican candidate in Virginia's statewide elections and not wanting to align himself with the candidate embroiled in controversy over pornographic social media activity. The crisis, which could damage Youngkin's chances on the national stage in '28, escalated further over the weekend as one of the governor's top aide's resigned. Matt Moran, who ran Youngkin's Spirit of Virginia PAC, stepped down after he was accused of pressuring Reid to remove himself from the GOP ticket. Moran has publicly denied he pushed Reid to step aside. It comes after GOP top brass tried to pressure Reid to quit over the alleged lewd social media page. But these efforts have spectacularly backfired. Under Virginia law, Youngkin cannot run for a second consecutive gubernatorial term in the commonwealth. Many feel that instead, he could launch a 2028 presidential bid as President Donald Trump completes his second term. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (right) finds himself in the middle of a gay porn scandal after it was alleged the candidate he backed for lieutenant governor posted nude images of men on social media. Pictured: Youngkin speaks in Virginia alongside Vice President J.D. Vance Virginia candidate for lieutenant governor John Reid is facing pressure to end his campaign after it was revealed he he had the same Instagram same as a Tumblr account that posts gay pornography The candidate's Instagram handle is 'jrdeux,' which is the same user name a Tumblr account has used to repost and like hundreds of sexually explicit images But Youngkin is far from an early frontrunner when it comes to the 2028 primary race. Instead, Republicans appear to prefer the likes of Vice President J.D. Vance or the president's eldest son Donald Trump Jr. to be the heir to the Trump political legacy, according to multiple polls. In a Sunday interview with NBC News, Trump named Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential figures to continue his MAGA agenda. Reid is the first openly gay candidate for statewide office in Virginia. Youngkin cannot run for a second consecutive term for governor under Virginia law. His Republican lieutenant governor Winsome Earle-Sears is running to be the next leader of the commonwealth. 'The Governor was made aware late Thursday of the disturbing online content,' Youngkin's Spirit of Virginia PAC wrote in a statement. 'Friday morning, in a call with Mr. Reid, the Governor asked him to step down as the Lt. Governor nominee.' Moran did not say if he would campaign on behalf of Reid. Youngkin's PAC pointed Politico to a statement last week where the governor said he will 'support the nominees and their ticket' in the Virginia race. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who cannot run for reelection this year, is embroiled in the scandal after he asked on Friday that Reid end his bid but still insisted he will support whoever is the Republican candidate Reid has published multiple videos of himself refuting the claims directly. In one he accused Youngkin's political operation of 'extortion,' noting how they told him damaging information will be released on him until he drops out of the race The Tumblr account 'jrdeux' includes reposts of hundreds of sexually explicit images, like the censored ones above John Reid is the first openly gay candidate for statewide office in Virginia. He is married to Alonzo Mable (pictured), who is a member of Virginia's LGBTQ+ advisory board 'At the end of the day, Republicans need to win. And that's the bottom line,' he said on Friday. Reid was connected to explicit posts on a Tumblr account with the handle 'jrdeux', which the candidate has used on other social media sites like Instagram and Threads. Reid's husband, Alonzo Mable, has tagged his spouse in social media posts using the 'jrdeux' moniker. The Tumblr account includes a litany of gay pornographic images and kinks. The former radio host says that Youngkin's political operation is threatening him with further damaging information in an effort of hurting his chances at election to be Virginia's next lieutenant governor. 'I can tell you that's not my account,' Reid said in a five-minute video posted on X last week addressing the controversy. In the clip, Reid notes how he was approached by individuals who warned him the account could be damaging to his campaign. 'I demanded to see the evidence, and someone created a social media account with my instagram name, a name, which I've had for years, but this fake account reposted nude pictures of other people, models and porn models,' he says. 'I can tell you, that's not my account, and anyone on the internet can open accounts with the same or similar names as other people.' King Charles has been spotted for the first time since Prince Harry's bombshell interview. The monarch, 76, was seen smiling and waving to well-wishers as he attended a church service in Sandringham while he is staying at his royal estate in Norfolk over the weekend. Charles, who was wearing a dark suit, was spotted in the back of a car as he was driven to St Mary Magdalene Church for the 11am Sunday service, but there was no sign of his wife, Queen Camilla. It is the first time the King has been pictured since Harry complained in a BBC interview that his father 'won't speak to me' and that he was the victim of an 'Establishment stitch-up'. In a widely criticised interview with the BBC, the Duke of Sussex also commented on his father's cancer diagnosis, claiming he 'doesn't know how much longer he has left'. Harry accused the Royal Household of interfering in his battle to have his UK police security reinstated - an allegation dismissed by both the Government and Buckingham Palace. It comes after the duke lost his legal challenge over his UK security arrangements at the Court of Appeal on Friday. He could potentially appeal the decision, which would then put it in the hands of the Supreme Court. After stepping back from official duties in 2020 and moving to California, Harry and his wife Meghan were no longer given the security provided for senior royals in the UK. King Charles has been spotted for the first time since Prince Harry's bombshell interview. He was pictured leaving church in Sandringham The monarch smiled and waved to royal well-wishers as he attended the 11am service on Sunday It comes after Prince Harry complained in a BBC interview that his father 'won't speak to me' and that he was the victim of an 'Establishment stitch-up' Harry said it was too dangerous to bring his family back to the UK without police protection and took the government to court. In February 2024, the High Court ruled this was 'legally sound'. He challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal but lost again on Friday. After the ruling, Harry told the BBC: 'I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.' 'There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,' he added, saying he had now 'forgiven' them. 'I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious.' He said the dispute over his security in the UK had 'always been the sticking point'. And speculating on his father's cancer battle, he said: 'I don't know how much longer my father has, he won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.' In an apparent show of support, Meghan today posted a photo of her husband Harry walking through a garden while clutching Archie's hand and carrying Lilibet on his shoulders. Royal commentators have criticised Harry for speaking publicly about the rift and his father's health. Meghan Markle has posted a photo in an apparent show of support for her husband Prince Harry in the aftermath of his bombshell interview King Charles, (pictured with his wife Camilla), who is still undergoing regular treatments as someone 'living with cancer' Harry and Meghan are pictured with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in California Prince Harry (pictured with King Charles in 2019) said he wants to reconcile with his family Majesty Magazine's managing editor Joe Little found Harry's comments about the health of Charles 'quite alarming'. Mr Little said: 'From what Harry is saying, despite admitting that he has not spoken to his father for some time, I thought it sent out a bit of a mixed message, really. 'Is Harry suggesting that the King isn't as well as we are led to believe?' Alisa Anderson, the former press secretary to the late Queen, also branded his comments about the King's health 'unhelpful' amid continued treatment for an unspecified cancer. She told Sky News the Royal Family would be 'raising their eyes heavenwards', adding: 'That's going to cause real concern and more speculation in the media and the wider public about what his diagnosis is, which is incredibly unhelpful going forward.' Mr Little described the overall situation as 'a very unfortunate state of affairs' and is uncertain if it helps repair tensions since Harry and Meghan stepped away from being working members of the royal family. He added: 'I think for somebody who is seeking reconciliation with his father, his brother and his family, his royal family as a whole, I think the very last thing that he should have been doing was talking publicly. 'He clearly feels aggrieved at the outcome of this legal action but there is a great deal to be gained by maintaining a dignified silence - sadly, as we know from from past events, this isn't Harry's way of doing things. Members of the Royal Family depart Westminster Abbey after attending the annual Commonwealth Service in London on March 9, 2020 'Maybe lessons just haven't been learned from previous occasions where also silence would have been the very best thing to maintain.' On whether a reconciliation could take place soon, he added: 'It's hard to see how that would be possible, but never say never.' The rift between the Sussexes and the royal family opened significantly following their interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they alleged a member of the family was concerned about their son Archie's skin tone before he was born. Then the duke claimed in his controversial memoir, Spare, that William had physically attacked him and that the King put his own interests above Harry's and was jealous of Meghan. In a series of interviews to promote the book, Harry attacked the reputation of Camilla, saying her willingness to forge relationships with the British press made her 'dangerous' and he said she tried to rehabilitate her 'image' at his cost. Mr Little said: 'The fact that all this has been aired in such a public way would not fill any family member with confidence about the future, because you would never be 100% sure that whatever private conversations you had with Prince Harry might not appear in print or in a podcast at some point in the future. The Duke of Sussex at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8 during his appeal against a High Court ruling preventing him getting automatic taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, pictured on Friday as he rejected Harry's appeal 'It's a lot of damage to be repaired. Is the damage irreparable? It is hard to see a way forward with this really.' Harry, who appeared emotional and close to tears through much of Friday's TV interview, said he could 'forgive my family's involvement', naming Charles, the Prince of Wales and his stepmother, the Queen, in events since he began dating his wife Meghan in 2016. Mr Little thinks that 'probably for them (the royal family), the situation is totally unchanged'. He said: 'This is Harry as they have seen him operate for the best parts of the last five years, with the Oprah Winfrey interview and then, or more recently, his book.' When asked in the interview if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry's legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift with his father and his brother, the Prince of Wales. He said: 'I've never asked him to intervene, I've asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their job.' Donald Trump finally stated emphatically that he will not run for reelection in 2028 after alarming constitutional experts by repeatedly flirting with the idea of a third term. For the first time the president brushed off those within MAGA circles encouraging him to balk the Constitution and remain in office beyond his eight, nonconsecutive years. Instead, he listed some potential political heirs for the 2028 presidential election. Trump directly highlighted rising GOP stars he sees as capable of carrying on the MAGA agenda including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. NBC News anchor Kristen Welker asked the president during the interview that aired on Sunday if he is 'seriously considering' a third term. 'I will say this so many people want me to do it,' Trump replied. 'I have never had requests so strong as that.' 'But it's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do,' he conceded. 'I don't know if that's constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else. But, there are many people selling the 2028 hat.' Trump then assured the NBC host: 'But this is not something I'm looking to do.' President Donald Trump directly addressed reports he is considering trying to get a third term in the White House Trump sat down with NBC News anchor Kristen Welker for a wide-ranging interview in his first 100 days back in office He also pushed back against Welker demanding he say whether illegal immigrants deserve 'due process' before they are deported. 'Your Secretary of State says everyone who's here, citizens and non-citizens, deserve due process. Do you agree, Mr. President?' Welker posed. 'I'm not a lawyer. I don't know,' he snipped. She pushed back: 'Well, the Fifth Amendment says as much.' 'I don't know. It seems it might say that, but if you're talking about that, then we'd have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,' Trump lamented. 'We have thousands of people that are some murderers and some drug dealers and some of the worst people on Earth.' 'I was elected to get them the hell out of here and the courts are holding me from doing it.' 'I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said,' he added. 'What you said is not what I heard the Supreme Court said. They have a different interpretation.' Trump says he wants to turn over the White House to an heir for the Make America Great Again agenda in 2028. Multiple polls show Republicans prefer either Vice President Vance or Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr., who has so far expressed little interest in following in his father's footsteps and running for public office. 'I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward,' Trump told Welker in his Meet the Press sit-down interview. 'But I think we're going to have four years, and I think four years is plenty of time to do something really spectacular.' Meet the Press host Kristen Welker pushed back on Trump casting doubt over the constitutionality of a third term Polls show Republican voters want Trump's political heir to be either Vice President J.D. Vance (left) or Donald Trump Jr. (right). President Trump said in his Sunday interview: 'I'm looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward' Welker expressed shock that Trump even cast any doubt over the constitutionality of going for a third term. 'The Constitution does prohibit it,' she said to the president. 'Some of your allies are pretty serious about this, though, Mr. President. And I've spoken to them. They say they are coming up with potential ways, obviously the biggest one would be a constitutional amendment.' 'That's because they like the job I'm doing, and it's a compliment. It's really a great compliment,' Trump said, shrugging of Welker's concerns. 'Many people have said different things,' he continued and reiterated: 'But, I'm not looking at that.' She's a yoga instructor, a mother of two boys and a girl, and a Massachusetts native. This woman is also the mom of a well-known MAGA star and is shockingly younger than her son-in-law - can you guess who it is? It's White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's mom, Erin Leavitt. She was born on July 18, 1970, while her daughter's husband, Nicholas Riccio was born in 1965 - leaving a five year age gap between the two. Karoline, 27, married her husband Nicholas, 59, in January after they welcomed their baby boy Niko in July 2024. The youngest press secretary in history is no stranger to the attention her age-gap romance gets, and even admitted last month she has a 'very atypical love story.' It is unclear how her parents feel about her relationship, but they often post pictures to social media depicting a very tight-knit family. While Erin, 54, isn't as active on social media as her husband Bob Leavitt, 65, she did take to Facebook in September honoring her children, including Nicholas. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt 's mom, Erin Leavitt, is five years younger than her son-in-law Nicholas Riccio. (Pictured: Karoline and Erin) Erin (left) was born on July 18, 1970, while her daughter's husband (right) was born in 1965 'Daughters Day.. Sons Day. I Love mine,' she wrote alongside several snaps. Meanwhile, Bob posted an image of his kids, grandchildren, and in-laws on Easter Sunday in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump. 'Happy Easter everyone. Hope you all have a great day,' he wrote. Both he and his wife post about their daughter's accomplishments, especially since she entered her new role. In a post from 2024, Bob revealed he met his wife when he was 30 and she was just a teenager. 'If you see my lovely Wife today wish her a Happy Birthday. 36 birthdays ago today we went out on our first date. We've been side-by-side ever since,' he said. 'Happy Birthday Erin hope you have a wonderful day. I love you!" he wrote alongside a picture of the two together. If our math is right, she was 18 and he was 28 at the time.' Age doesn't appear to be an issue for this family, but faith plays a major role, as both Bob and Erin have passed down their Catholic beliefs and faith to Karoline and her two older brothers Mike and Joe Leavitt. Karoline, 27, married her husband Nicholas, 59, in January after they welcomed their baby boy Niko in July 2024 Both he and his wife post about their daughter's accomplishments, especially of her in her new role, showing that they are very proud of her. (Pictured: Erin, Karoline and Bob) In February, Karoline told the New York Post: 'My Christian faith is a huge part of my life. 'My faith, my marriage, my family life it's everything to me," she added. Her husband, who is 32 years her senior, is a self-made real estate developer who met his now wife during her congressional career in New Hampshire. Karoline's mother Erin is a yoga instructor at The Hot Yoga Studio. According to the studio's website, she started her yoga career in 2017 and is reiki certified. She holds a degree in human services as well, it added. Karoline's family owns an ice cream Atkinson and her father Bob runs a truck dealership in Plaistow. Just last month, she appeared on the Megyn Kelly show, opening up about how the romance with Nicholas first began. ''I met my husband during my Congressional Campaign. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,' she said. 'I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.' Her husband, who is 32 years her senior, is a self-made real estate developer who met his now wife during her congressional career in New Hampshire. Her mother is a yoga instructor When The Megyn Kelly Show host asked if there had been any thought in her mind of 'I can't date him, he's 59 and I'm 27?' Karoline confirmed that she had dealt with those initial doubts about how the 32-year age gap would impact the relationship. 'Yes, of course. I mean it's a very atypical love story but he's incredible,' she gushed. 'He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend and he's my rock.' The political aide continued: 'He's built a very successful business himself so now he's fully supportive of me building my success in my career. 'He's the father of my child and he's the best dad I could ever ask for. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life.' The government official noted just how much her partner has had to take on thanks to her current role as she added: 'I say, "I walked into your life and it's been a circus ever since" but God bless him because he's fully on board'. Megyn noted that he is 'Italiano, he's a lover, he's a romantic man', to which Karoline enthusiastically agreed. Health Secretary Wes Streeting today revealed how security guards were 'having a tough time' as someone tried to interrupt his live radio interview. The Cabinet minister was forced to break off from speaking to Times Radio about Labour's local elections results to explain why there was the sound of a commotion. 'The poor security guards are having a tough time with someone off camera,' he said. The Labour MP was speaking from outside the BBC's Broadcasting House, where he had earlier appeared on the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. Pictures later emerged of security staff dealing with a man near the central London building. Times Radio presenter Adam Boulton had acknowledged how the sound of someone yelling was becoming more audible during his interview with Mr Streeting. 'Sorry you're being shouted at,' he told the politician during a discussion about England's council contests on Thursday. The recent elections saw Labour lose nearly 200 council seats as both they and the Tories faced a surge in support for Reform UK across the country. Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed how security guards were 'having a tough time' as someone tried to interrupt his live radio interview Pictures later emerged of security staff dealing with a man outside the BBC's Broadcasting House in central London Times Radio presenter Adam Boulton had acknowledged how the sound of someone yelling was becoming more audible during his interview with Mr Streeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suffered a double blow as Labour also lost a parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby to Nigel Farage's outfit. In his interview with Times Radio, Mr Streeting echoed the PM by saying Labour had to go 'further and faster' in delivering for voters ahead of the next general election. He said: 'I'd just ask people to bear in mind we have been in Government for less than a year. 'We have made a lot of progress in that time, but there is much more to do. So I'd ask people to give us the benefit of the doubt and give us time to implement our manifesto.' Mr Streeting drew a parallel with the Labor Party in Australia, who this weekend celebrated an historic landslide victory to be re-elected to power. 'Our friends Down Under were having exactly the same experience as they were approaching mid-term in their government, where they were delivering their manifesto (but) people hadn't actually felt the change yet,' the Health Secretary said. 'And the Australian Labor Party was having a difficult time in the polls... I'm not surprised by that and I think we'll have a similar experience here.' A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said the force had no involvement in the incident at Broadcasting House. The BBC did not comment. A Minnesota man who shot his roommate in the neck dialed 911 in the aftermath and told dispatchers to 'bring the coroner', prosecutors have revealed. 'He's dead,' Cody Vernon Kolstad, 35, said to emergency responders over the phone after gunning down Brian Daniel Stoeckel, 41, just after midnight on May 31, 2022. Kolstad admitted to killing his friend while high on drugs as he pleaded guilty to one count of intentional murder in the second degree on March 28. The Rice County Attorney's Office said Judge Karie M. Anderson sentenced Kolstad to 25 years in jail on Friday. Prosecutors dismissed a first-degree intentional murder charge in exchange for the guilty plea. Kolstad told the court that on the night of the murder he was high on drugs, and Stoeckel 'started talking about how one of us had to die by midnight so I shot him'. The horror unfolded at the duo's shared home on 2nd Street Southeast in the small town of Morristown, located around 60 miles south of Minneapolis. Kolstad dialed 911 shortly after pulling the trigger, and told dispatchers simply: 'He's dead. Bring the coroner.' When police arrived at the property, Kolstad told them his friend was 'badly injured,' according to court filings obtained by Minnesota news service Bring Me The News. Cody Vernon Kolstad, 35, has been sentenced to 25 years in jail after admitting to shooting his friend in the neck while high on drugs. He dialed 911 in the aftermath and told dispatchers to 'bring the coroner', prosecutors have revealed as the grisly case came to a close on Friday Law enforcement officials found Stoeckel dead in his bed beside a hole in the wall. They questioned the defendant while inside. 'Put one in my head and burn me in that building,' Kolstad told investigators, according to ABC affiliate KSTP. 'I took a life.' The bespectacled defendant was pictured in his police booking photo staring vacantly at the camera with his mouth slightly open, while sporting a long straggly beard. The type of drug Kolstad took was not disclosed. Stoeckel's sister, Amy Kraemer, broke down in tears in court as she paid tribute to her brother while addressing his murderer. 'They say the brightest stars burn out the quickest,' she said. 'Cody, you took our star. He didn't burn out; you made that fire go out.' District Court Judge Karie M. Anderson urged Kolstad to take part in a rehabilitation program while in prison and 'make better choices'. 'While you are taking responsibility, you can never make this family whole,' she said, per the Rice County Attorney's office. 'You owe a duty to Brian to do better so that you will never be that same guy that committed murder. 'The expectation is to make better choices show Brian you can do better.' Stoeckel has been remembered as the life of the party by family and friends. Brian Daniel Stoeckel, 41, has been remembered as the life of the party by family and friends 'He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his stories and interesting sense of humor,' his obituary reads. 'He truly brought the life to the party. No matter the circumstance, youd always leave with a story of something funny or crazy Brian did or said when you were with him.' Rice County Attorney Brian Mortenson described the case as 'extraordinarily tragic and difficult' as it came to a conclusion on Friday. 'While no plea agreement can ever undo the profound loss, todays sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions and, we hope, offers some measure of closure to the victims family, friends, and the community deeply affected by this crime,' he told the court. The M&S cyber attack could take 'months' to recover from as 'paranoid' staff resort to sleeping on the office floor amid fears hackers are still inside the system, a source has claimed. Scotland Yard detectives are currently probing the devastating IT meltdown which has caused the retail giant to pause its click and collect service for more than a week. In such attacks, criminals typically infiltrate an IT system, freeze it and demand payment from companies. Speaking to Sky News anonymously, an employee at M&S's head office said the last week had been 'just pure chaos'. The insider said: 'We didn't have any business continuity plan [for this], we didn't have a cyber attack plan. 'In general, it's lots of stress. People have not been sleeping, people have spent their weekends working, people sleeping in the office - just reactive response.' They added it would be 'a few months' before the disruption ended, saying the idea was for a gradual return to normality. Staff are also reportedly being forced to work in an ad-hoc manner in the meantime, having to use their personal devices to communicate. Speaking to Sky News anonymously, an employee at M&S's head office said the last week had been 'just pure chaos' Recent days have also seen Harrods and the Co-op Group targeted by hackers (file image) An M&S spokesman has disputed some of the claims, saying 'M&S has robust business continuity plans and processes in place for managing incidents, led by an experienced team.' The executive team is also said to have exercised a cyber incident last year. But the insider said there is a 'sense of paranoia' due to not knowing who exactly has been 'compromised' as employees still don't know if the hackers are inside the M&S system. The comments come after M&S told shoppers on Friday it was 'really sorry' it hasn't been able to 'offer the service you expect'. CEO Stuart Machin said in a statement: 'We are working day and night to manage they current cyber incident and get things back to normal for you as quickly as possible.' Recent days have also seen Harrods and the Co-op Group targeted by hackers. Co-op apologised after the same hackers - who call themselves DragonForce - said they had stolen 20 million of Co-op's customers' personal data. The criminal group infiltrated the company's IT network and stolen both customer and employee data in its cyber attack on Wednesday. DragonForce are seeking to extort money from the company, but have not said what they would do with the data if they do not get paid. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said it is investigating the attacks individually but are 'mindful they may be linked'. Devastated relatives of a 14-year-old boy killed in a fire at a derelict industrial site leading to the arrest of 14 children told how they had been left numb by the tragedy. Layton Carrs body was found after the blaze on Friday night in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, which took firefighters two hours to extinguish. Leading tributes which poured in online, his aunt Nicole Dingwall said: Cant believe Im writing this. RIP Layton, forever 14. Youll be a massive miss. Thinking of my sister and two beautiful nieces right now. Laytons 35-year-old mother Georgia was too devastated to comment according to relatives parked outside her terraced home in South Shields earlier today. His 16-year-sister Bailey Ann was also heartbroken and the wider family were said to be 'numbed' by the tragedy as 11 boys and three girls, all aged 11 to 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The group have now all been released on bail. The relatives, who did not wish to be named, said: It is a hard moment. His sister is only 16 and is taking it as bad as anything. They are all just numb. Laytons grandmother Gwen Dingwall was also too upset to comment. Speaking from her terraced cottage in South Shields she said: It is too much. Another relative, Casey Garrett, posted on social media: My boy. My baby cousin, my Layton. Nothing will ever come close to the pain I feel right now. Layton Carr, 14, whose body was found inside a former industrial building after a blaze, leading to arrest of 14 children on suspicion of manslaughter following the tragedy on Friday evening Facebook tribute left by Layton Carr's aunt, Nicole Dingwall, after the teenager's death Family friend Stephanie Simpson has been fundraising towards the cost of Layton's funeral Tributes poured in online for the 14-year-old while an appeal to help with funeral costs had this afternoon raised over 10,000. Stephanie Simpson, a close friend of Layton's mother, Georgia, who set up the fundraising appeal, wrote on Facebook that her best friend Georgia Dingwall had lost her son in one of the most tragic ways you could ever imagine. David Thompson, headteacher of Hebburn Comprehensive, where Layton was in Year Nine, said the school community was heartbroken and extended sincere condolences to his family. He said: Layton was a valued and much-loved member of Year 9, and he will be greatly missed by everyone. Floral tributes have been let at the gates of a crumbling business park where Layton died, with neighbours blaming poor security for the tragedy. Floral tributes left at the scene of Layton Carr's death in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear Police tape on the gate of the Fairfield Industrial Estate, which has been declared a crime scene Formerly Marconis Radar Plant, the site is now the 15-acre Fairfield Industrial Estate but residents claim large areas of it are derelict. Although surrounded by a 10 ft tall graffiti-covered wall, sections of it have been breached in a number of areas despite attempts by locals to patch the gaps with corrugated iron. The iron sheeting has been regularly ripped down by vandals who then find they cannot get out again except by squeezing under the front security gate, locals say. Today, the gates remained closed and cordoned off as a crime scene. One neighbour said angrily: It has never been right since Marconi closed. Kids get in and run riot. I caught eight of them on Thursday. Four were on this side of the fence. The other four were trying to get under the gates to get out. They were scraping their knees because they had shorts on trying to get under the gate. Marconi closed a few years after we moved in 43 years ago and it was rented out to different businesses. What happened is terrible. It is shame someone has had to lose their lives for it to get all this attention. Hopefully, some good will come of it. Another neighbour added: Since it has been empty, it has been a nightmare. Corrugated sheets have been put up to stop (trespassers) getting in but they still get in. One resident, who lives near site, said: Groups of 20 to 30 kids come down from out of the area. It's awful, it's tragic what's happened, but it's avoidable. At the back of your mind, you think, someone needs to do something to stop them getting in. I never thought something like this would happen. They are all so young. Well-wishers leave tributes outside the industrial estate where Layton Carr died on Friday The damaged industrial buildings at Fairfield Industrial Estate where tragedy struck on Friday The local added: They come down in groups. I think it's a social media thing. I have seen them get off the Metro, and they are not local. They come in because there's not much CCTV, there aren't any houses, they can do what they like. Flowers and other tributes were yesterday left at the scene Including one that read: Rest in Paradise Layton. Always in our hearts. Fly high with the angels. Took too soon. Love you forever. Lots of love. Another of the handwritten notes next left to flowers and toys said: Thank you for brightening up our lives. You will be missed beyond words. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, said on Saturday: This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life. A woman has died and three others including a child have been injured after a car reportedly ploughed into pedestrians during a horrifying incident in Rochdale. The tragedy unfolded yesterday afternoon, when Greater Manchester Police responded to two separate collisions involving the same vehicle in the Greater Manchester town. Emergency services were first called to Woodgate Avenue, where three people one of them a child were struck by a car. All three were taken to hospital with minor injuries and have since been discharged. However, a second incident on Whitworth Road proved far more serious. A woman, who has not yet been named, was left critically injured after being hit by a car and was airlifted to hospital. Despite doctors efforts, she tragically died from her injuries. A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and attempted murder in connection with the incidents. He has since also been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The case is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Polices Major Incident Team, who confirmed the incidents are not being treated as terrorism-related. The tragedy unfolded yesterday afternoon, when Greater Manchester Police responded to two separate collisions involving the same vehicle in the Greater Manchester town Emergency services were first called to Woodgate Avenue, where three people one of them a child were struck by a car. All three were taken to hospital with minor injuries and have since been discharged The force also stressed the fatal crash was entirely separate from a major counter-terror operation that took place in Rochdale later on Saturday evening. That separate incident saw a 40-year-old Iranian man arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. It is believed to relate to a plot to target a specific premises. That investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing, with support from local GMP officers. Anyone with information about the car incidents in Rochdale has been urged to contact police as the investigation continues. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: 'Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the victim who has sadly lost their life in this tragic case. The actions of a single person have caused significant damage to the people of Rochdale. 'I want to take this opportunity to categorically confirm that this terrible incident is in no way related to the pre-planned Counter Terrorism arrests and searches that took place yesterday, part of which resulted in the arrest of a man in Rochdale on Saturday evening. 'We are aware of comments on social media about the driver's identity and ethnicity. The suspect is a white male currently in custody and no further details can be released at this time. 'I also want to reassure the public that ongoing efforts are being taken to ensure the safety of people in Rochdale and our Major Incident Team are conducting several lines of enquiry. The lone offender has been arrested on suspicion of murder and it is being treated as an isolated incident, with both scenes now closed and roads reopened. 'This incident caused significant disruption yesterday and I thank the public for their cooperation and understanding while our officers conducted their enquiries. 'We are committed to this investigation and have significant resources dedicated to it. 'To all those people affected by yesterday's tragic events, community solidarity and unity is vital in times like these and especially for the families and friends of those impacted by this incident.' Donald Trump doubled down on his threat to use military force to take Greenland if the autonomous Arctic island doesn't concede to his offers to purchase them from Denmark. The U.S. president has repeatedly said he wants to acquire the strategically placed and nutrient rich Danish territory. While he hasn't ruled out using troops to take the land, he says there are likely still diplomatic channels to explore before getting to the point of military action. Political leaders in both Denmark and in Greenland have pushed back against the idea of U.S. purchase. NBC host Kristen Welker asked Trump about his willingness to use the U.S. military to force the issue of taking Greenland. 'I don't rule it out,' Trump said in an interview that aired Sunday morning on Meet the Press. 'I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything.' 'No, not there. We need Greenland very badly,' Trump admitted. 'Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security.' The repeated threat, however, highlight's Trump's seriousness about acquiring the island. President Donald Trump says he won't rule out invading Greenland to take it by force but claims the U.S. is 'not there yet' when it comes to the proposal to acquire the Danish territory Vice President J.D. Vance visited a U.S. Space Force base in Greenland on March 28, 2025 amid diplomatic efforts to drum up support for U.S. acquisition of the autonomous Arctic island Especially since the president has said he wouldn't use the same threat of military force when it comes to Canada. At the end of 2024, Trump first proposed the idea that Canada become the 51st state. But he has since then said that he would rule out using the military to force Canada to become part of the U.S. In his most recent interview with Welker, the president said he doesn't think he would get to the point of using military force when it comes to the relationship with the northern neighbors. 'I asked you if you would rule out military force to take Greenland and you said, no, you don't rule out anything. Would you rule out military force to take Canada?' Welker questioned Trump in their pre-recorded sit-down. Trump replied: 'Well, I think we're not going to ever get to that point. It could happen. Something could happen with Greenland. I'll be honest, we need that for national and international security.' 'But not with Canada?' Welker pressed. 'It's highly unlikely. I don't see it with Canada,' he repeated. 'I just don't see it, I have to be honest with you.' Trump said that he spoke with Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney last week and the two plan to meet in person in the U.S. some time in the next few weeks. Trump sat down with NBC News anchor Kristen Welker for a wide-ranging interview in his first 100 days back in office Welker asked Trump if during their meeting he would discuss annexing Canada. 'I'll always talk about that,' Trump replied. 'You know why? We subsidize Canada to the tune of $200 billion a year.' He said Americans don't need or want cars, lumber or energy coming from Canada. 'We have more than they do,' Trump insisted. 'All I have to do is free it up from the environmental lunatics. We don't need anything that they have.' 'If Canada was a state it wouldn't cost us,' he continued. 'It would be great. It would be such a great it would be a cherished state.' 'I don't think the American public wants me to pay $200 billion a year to subsidize Canada,' hew concluded. 'They do all of their business practically with us. They need us. We don't need them.' Three people have died and 14 more are missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsized in China today. The passenger boats overturned 'on a river in a tourist attraction' in Qianxi city, Guizhou province, according to local media. More than 70 people were thrown into the water and 60 people have been hospitalized following the tragedy, according to local authorities. The report did not immediately offer further details about the type of attraction or the circumstances surrounding the incident. Rescue workers were searching for 14 people reported missing on Sunday night. According to the provincial fire and rescue department, 83 divers and 16 underwater robots were deployed in the search for survivors. An official statement said 248 rescue personnel, including the divers, and 24 vessels had been mobilized in the rescue operation. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged 'all-out efforts' in the search and rescue operations and treatment of those injured, Xinhua said. Xi also 'underscored the importance of strengthening safety measures in tourist attractions' and other 'large public venues', the agency said. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the scene to oversee the rescue efforts. Three people have died and 14 more are missing after two sightseeing boats carrying tourists capsized in China today. Pictured: Rescuers carrying out search and rescue operation at the site where two passenger boats capsized in Qianxi City Sixty people have been hospitalized following the tragedy, according to local authorities The report did not immediately offer further details about the type of attraction or the circumstances surrounding the incident. Pictured: The search operation underway Sunday's incident comes just over two months after 11 people were killed in a boat collision in central China. The accident in Hunan province occurred when a passenger boat struck an industrial vessel, throwing 19 people overboard. Emergency workers were dispatched to the incident, which occurred at around 10am on February 28. Three people were rescued from the water and two were found dead shortly afterwards. The three survivors were taken to hospital. The passenger ship was recovered on February 28, when nine more victims were confirmed dead. More than 500 rescuers were sent by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) and the Ministry of Transport to the scene. The teams used sonar and diving equipment to search the deep waters for the missing people. Conditions on the river were said to be 'complex', with a water depth of 60 metres and strong currents near the riverbed. Three people onboard the oil waste recovery vessel have been detained by police. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed his thoughts on using nuclear weapons against Ukraine as he approaches his 25th year in power. The dictator said Moscow has the strength and the means to bring the brutal conflict to a 'logical conclusion,' adding that the need to use nuclear weapons has not arisen, and he hopes it will not. Putin's comments were aired on Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century as leader. Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, he said: 'There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required.' 'We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,' he added. Putin signed a revamped version of Russia's nuclear doctrine in November, spelling out the circumstances that would allow him to use the world's largest atomic arsenal. The document gave that option in response even to a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. In the film, Putin also said Russia did not launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine - what he called a 'special military operation' - in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea, because it was 'practically unrealistic'. Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed his thoughts on using nuclear weapons against Ukraine as he approaches his 25th year in power. Putin's comments aired on Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century as leader The dictator said that Moscow has the strength and the means to bring the brutal conflict to a 'logical conclusion', adding that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine has not arisen and he hopes it will not. Pictured: Russia testing its new hypersonic 208-ton 15,880 'Satan-2' intercontinental ballistic missile Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, he said: 'There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required.' Pictured: The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile Pictured: Russia's only intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test site explodes during Sarmat missile maintenance 'We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,' he added. Pictured: Rescuers extinguishing a fire after drone attack in Kyiv on May 4 Russia and Ukraine are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a ceasefire is possible 'even from today' if Moscow is serious about ending the war. Pictured: People gather at the site of a Russian drone strike on the Obolonskyi district on May 4 'The country was not ready for such a frontal confrontation with the entire collective West,' he said. He also claimed that Russia 'sincerely sought to solve the problem of Donbas by peaceful means'. Putin said reconciliation with Ukraine is 'inevitable'. Russia and Ukraine are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a ceasefire is possible 'even from today' if Moscow is serious about ending the war. Speaking on Sunday at a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelensky noted that Russia has ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine's call for a 30-day ceasefire. 'Putin is very eager to show off his tanks at the (Victory Day) parade,' Zelensky said, 'but he should think about ending his war.' Zelensky again expressed deep scepticism over Russia's proposal of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in the Second World War, saying Moscow continues to launch hundreds of assaults despite publicly signalling interest in a partial truce. 'Even during Easter, despite promises - including to the United States - Russia carried out more than a hundred assaults,' Zelensky said, referring to Russian attacks during the 30-hour Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by Putin. Putin signed a revamped version of Russia's nuclear doctrine in November, spelling out the circumstances that would allow him to use the world's largest atomic arsenal. Pictured: Young members of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade take part in a tactical field training exercise Zelensky has repeatedly called for a more substantial 30-day pause in hostilities, as the US had initially proposed Speaking on Sunday at a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelensky noted that Russia has ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine's call for a 30-day ceasefire. Pictured: A boy, walking with his father past the site of a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on May 4 Zelensky has repeatedly called for a more substantial 30-day pause in hostilities, as the US had initially proposed. The Kremlin said the Victory Day truce, ordered on 'humanitarian grounds', will run from the start of May 8 and run until the end of May 10 to mark Moscow's defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 - Russia's biggest secular holiday. Zelensky thanked Pavel for his country's military support and said Ukraine hopes to receive 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 as part of a Czech-led initiative to supply military aid to Kyiv. The initiative, launched in 2024 and supported by Nato allies, supplied Ukraine with 1.5 million artillery rounds last year. Zelensky also said he had discussed with Pavel 'the next steps in the development of our aviation coalition', namely the creation of an F-16 training school. He said that such a base could not be opened in Ukraine because of Russian attacks. A Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, wounded 11 people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on Sunday. Two children were among the wounded. Zelensky thanked Pavel for his country's military support and said Ukraine hopes to receive 1.8 million artillery shells in 2025 as part of a Czech-led initiative to supply military aid to Kyiv. Pictured: Fire breaks out after Russia conduct shelling on residential buildings in Druzhkivka city of Donetsk Oblast on May 3 Zelensky also said he had discussed with Pavel 'the next steps in the development of our aviation coalition', namely the creation of an F-16 training school. He said that such a base could not be opened in Ukraine because of Russian attacks. Pictured: A young member of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade takes part in a tactical training exercise A Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, wounded 11 people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on Sunday. Pictured: A woman talks on the phone while standing at the entrance to the Dream Town shopping mall in the Obolonskyi district damaged by a Russian drone strike on May 4 Meanwhile, two people were killed by Russian guided bombs on Sunday, one each in the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions, local officials said. Elsewhere, 11 people were wounded in a Russian drone attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on Sunday. Two children were among the wounded. Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Of those, 69 were intercepted and 80 were lost, having probably been electronically jammed. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. It comes after last month Putin launched a large scale drone attack on Kyiv that has killed at least nine people and injured another 70, including six children, Ukrainian officials say. Russia's overnight combined missile and drone attack triggered fires, smashed buildings and buried residents under rubble in the Ukrainian capital. 'There has been destruction. The search is continuing for people under rubble,' the State Emergency Service wrote on the Telegram messaging app shortly after the attack on April 23. The attacks came 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. A gay woman has called out Walmart for its corny LQBTQ apparel, sparking a social media uproar just weeks ahead of Pride Month. In a video viewed more than five million times, a TikToker expressed her disbelief in the major retailer's Pride Month selection - joking the options were so awful it made her want to leave the LGBTQ community. 'I'm even going to lie to y'all, Walmart is making me not even want to be gay no more,' the woman, whose username is Bracefacepineapple, said in the post uploaded on Saturday. She then displayed a few shirts up for grabs, each featuring a slogan or pun about sexual identities. Receiving the most attention from commenters, the first shirt read 'Homo estas?' - a play on 'Como estas?,' which means 'how are you?' in Spanish. The word 'homo' on the dark-blue top was written in rainbow, while 'estas' was printed in white. Next in the 'hilarious' line-up, as one viewer described it, was a lilac shirt with 'lesbian' across the chest, except the 'i' was swapped out with a bee featuring the colors of the lesbian pride flag - shades of pink, orange and white. A plain white T-shirt had a checklist with the points 'cute, gay and ready to slay' all marked off with rainbow check marks. TikToker Bracefacepineapple (pictured) called out Walmart for its corny LQBTQ apparel, sparking a social media uproar just weeks ahead of Pride Month Receiving the most attention from commenters, the first shirt read 'Homo estas?' - a play on 'Como estas?,' which means 'how are you?' in Spanish Aside from those for or against the shirts, some commenters denounced Walmart overall, claiming these items do not change the fact the store rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies following pressures from conservatives Lastly - and certainly not least - Bracefacepineapple showed off a light-blue shirt reading 'bi babe' instead of 'bye babe,' alluding to bisexuality. The letters were pink, blue and purple, symbolizing the bisexual flag. Ending off the video, the stunned TikTok user said: 'We can just go ahead and skip pride month because...' According to Walmart's website, the store has more than 130 pieces of Pride Month apparel, including a shirt reading 'straight outta the closet,' referring to 'straight out of Compton' and another featuring the saying 'lez is more.' Even though Bracefacepineapple only has about 900 followers on the platform, the clip instantly went viral, with more than 5,000 people sharing their mixed reactions in the comment section. One person wrote: 'Homo estas is killing meeee,' with another saying 'HOMO ESTAS PLEASE OMFG.' Some shared a pun of their own, claiming: 'Im less bien after seeing that shirt.' 'I think they are being TOO supportive,' a baffled social media user asserted. Several people joked that the merchandise was so embarrassing, it was offensive: ''Is this..a hate crime??' Next in the 'hilarious' line-up, as one viewer described it, was a lilac shirt with 'lesbian' across the chest, except the 'i' was swapped out with a bee featuring the colors of the lesbian pride flag The clip instantly went viral, with more than 5,000 people sharing their mixed reactions in the comment section 'They knew they was wrong,' another agreed, with someone speculating that 'somebody straight designing these.' 'It's giving "mom trying to be supportive immediately after their child comes out,"' one girl wrote in a vivid description. Someone added: 'I feel like this is stuff people like Jojo Siwa would wear.' There were, however, some fans of the clothing as some people said they would buy some of the shirts - or already have. 'Not going to lie I kinda need the first one,' a user wrote, referring to the 'homo estas?' look. 'I actually got the Lesbian shirt today,' someone admitted among the majority of comments bashing the merchandise. Aside from those for or against the shirts, some commenters denounced Walmart overall, claiming these items do not change the fact the store rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies following pressures from conservatives. 'Didnt Walmart roll back their DEI thing though?' someone asked. A plain white T-shirt had a checklist with the points 'cute, gay and ready to slay' all marked off with rainbow check marks According to Walmart's website, the store has more than 130 pieces of Pride Month apparel 'We still shopping there? They keep playing black folks and queer folks alike, and yall keep GIVING THEM YOUR MONEY. Also, less consume less lab made weird shyt,' one commented, liked more than 3,300 times, read. 'Wth is that,' a woman began. 'They took away DEI, so who is making those???' 'Crazy how they cut out DEI yet still try to make a dollar from it. Smh,' someone added. This Walmart pride-merchandise debate comes as several major companies pulled financial support from this year's Pride events. PepsiCo, Nissan, Citi, Comcast and PricewaterhouseCoopers are just some of the companies that opted out of sponsoring New York City's Pride festivities. A wave is coming. A turquoise tide on course to batter Scotlands political consensus. After Reforms expectation-smashing performance in the English local elections, only a fool would doubt that Nigel Farages party is well-placed to make gains in the 2026 Holyrood elections. How sizeable those gains will be is difficult to say. There is still a year to go before Scots head to the polls. However, on current polling, Reform could be looking at seats in the double figures. Frankly, even a half-dozen Reform MSPs would be traumatising for the Scottish establishment. Holyrood is their parliament, the stage where their little morality plays are performed, all those self-righteous productions in which refugees are more welcome, racism less tolerated, diversity more cherished and rights better protected in Scotland than in England. Rows upon rows of lanyards and lapel pins, a different one for every day and every cause, bobbing up and down congratulating themselves on their progressivism. All the while, their core areas of responsibility - schools, hospitals, the economy - are neglected and the people they are supposed to serve suffer as a result. The Scottish Parliament is the biggest safe space in the country. Inside its walls, MSPs are shielded from the views of their constituents, able to reassure themselves that everyone in Scotland is for Net Zero, trans rights, and more immigration, and against benefit cuts, Islamophobia and the Israel Defence Forces. Distasteful though most MSPs, journalists and academics might find it, a significant number of Scots hold illiberal views or harbour severe doubts about the enlightened consensus on this matter or that. Seldom is this reflected in the agenda, debates or divisions at Holyrood. If you want to know what happens when the mainstream parties exclude the views of the public from the policy-making process, you need look no further than the council results down south and the thonking great victory recorded by Reform. Nigel Farage 's Reform UK was victorious in the English local elections and he now plans to shake the Holyrood establishment next year Nigel Farage has not always been welcome in Scotland during previous visits with protesters shouting slogans at him ahead of the independence referendum in 2014 Nigel Farages party won 677 council seats and control of ten local authorities, doing rather better than even they expected. Farage isnt my cup of tea politically but Im not being churlish when I say Reforms gains are less to do with its leader than its opponents. This was a vote against 14 years of Conservative broken promises on immigration and Labours decision to scrap the winter fuel payment. It was also a protest against a Westminster elite who, red team or blue team, all seem to be on the same team. The political class is no longer able to conceal its contempt for the voters. Its only natural that the voters dont want to support them at the ballot box anymore. Just as it happened in England, it will happen up here too. The scale wont be the same because many of the impulses that feed into support for Reform in England draw voters to the SNP in Scotland. But Farage is on his way and Holyroods ideological closed shop had better get used to it. Some readers of this column have resolved to vote Reform after becoming thoroughly scunnered with the main parties. Others are just as frustrated with politics-as-usual but dont want to split the pro-Union vote even further. Ultimately, a politician is a politician and if you vote for one because the other has let you down, rest assured the new guy will get round to doing the same eventually. Betrayal is the nature of the beast. But for now voters anger is directed at Labour and the Conservatives. Yes, both. Reform is sometimes spoken of as a threat only to the Tories but the party has a certain appeal to working-class Labour backers, especially baby boomers, who have been alienated as much by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves fiscal prescriptions as by Anas Sarwars ever-shifting stance on oil and gas, or gender, or his partys wider failure to cut through. Even at this late stage, the Scottish political establishment remains in denial. One newspaper splashed Reforms council gains across its front page with the breathless headline: Scotland, are you seeing this? Seeing it? Why, theyre voting for it. In the three most recent polls for the regional list vote, Reform have come in third, third and fourth. It is highly likely that, 12 months from now, there will be more Reform seats in the Scottish Parliament than the UK Parliament. There are five and a half million people in Scotland, and most of them do not inhabit the Holyrood bubble. You will never understand them by maintaining a sneery distance, tutting at their unfashionable opinions and hoping to legislate over their heads. And if you insist on keeping the electorate at arms length, dont be surprised when you are smacked in the face by a shock election result. The voters have been sending endless signals. Youve just been ignoring them. Reform thrives on the complacency of the ruling classes. Like one of those dumb characters from a horror movie, the political and media elites never notice until its too late that Nigel Farage is creeping up behind them with a bloody axe. There probably isnt much the main parties can do at this point to dissuade a vote for Reform. The punters are angry, attitudes have hardened, and a year isnt enough time to reverse trends that have been coming for a number of years now. As I have argued before, the only people who can undermine Reform at this point are Reform. There are, however, some lessons for the establishment parties that, if heeded now, could help them beat Reform at a later date. Lesson number one: Policy is neither a vehicle for politicians vanity nor a punishment for voters who refuse to do as they are told. Take Net Zero. (Please do, and never bring it back.) Here is a policy embraced by parties across the spectrum for no other reason than it makes politicians feel good about themselves. Sorry, what was that you said? I was busy saving the planet over here. Vanishingly little thought went into how feasible the goal was, the practical steps involved in achieving it, or the cost to the public in taxes or reduced quality of life. All that mattered was that ministers could fire off press releases with the phrase most ambitious climate targets in the world. Well, they were certainly ambitious, but the public recognised that the ambition was to penalise them for their ecologically sinful lifestyles. Lesson number two: If you dont like the demos, get out of the democracy business. There are altogether too many people who go into politics to be in politics, and not to serve the people and the country. Truth be told, they dont like the people all that much, considering them racist, uninformed, low-status and unreasonable. Few things are more harmful to the health of democracy than the overt contempt of the governors for the governed. It seeps into everything like a poison. The political class loves to blather on about equality. It would be good if they could accept the voters as their equals. Lesson number three: Leadership is often said to be about taking the public where it isnt yet ready to go, but it is just as much about taking your party where the voters want it to be. You might not believe in controlling immigration, deporting foreign criminals, excluding violent pupils, building roads, or cutting international development, but the voters do. As long as the political mainstream continues to see itself as a bulwark against the electorate, rather than the instrument of the electorate, some voters are going to look elsewhere for representation. A 10-year-old girl has been killed as she slept when a tree fell on her family home in Georgia early on Saturday morning. A'erica Dixon, known as Tink to her family, was at her home on Mims Street SW in west Atlanta when a tree came crashing down at around 3am. According to a GoFundMe launched by her cousin, Tomeka Dixon, the little girl was laying in bed beside her grandmother, Priscilla Dixon, when tragedy struck. The girl's mother, Santice Dixon, was also inside the house at the time, along with her two sisters and brother, and they were trapped by the fallen tree. Santice and Priscilla were rushed to the hospital for treatment, but A'erica sadly died from her injuries. Priscilla is now paralyzed in one leg after suffering a broken pelvis, according to the Dixon family's fundraising page. 'Tink, as we call her, passed away laying in bed with her grandmother, Priscilla Dixon,' the GoFundMe reads. 'Tink was a very happy child who was a cheerleader. She loved dancing and making TikTok videos & playing with her toys.' A'erica Dixon, known as Tink to her family, was killed as she slept when a tree fell on her family home in Georgia early on Saturday morning. She has been remembered as a 'very happy child' Dixon, known as Tink to her family, was at her home on Mims Street SW in west Atlanta, Georgia, when a tree came crashing down at around 3am on Saturday The tragedy was the second hit for the family, who lost Tink's father just two years before, according to the fundraiser. 'The family is still grieving from his loss,' it says. 'We are trying to raise money at this hard time to help bury my lil cousin,' the Dixon family fundraising page adds. 'Unfortunately, her mother cant afford to bury Aerica at this time. Her death was unexpected, now we have to ask for help.' The American Red Cross is also supporting the family with rebuilding, according to Fox News. Shocking footage shows the huge tree severed in half, with the top branches still laying across the roof of the family home. It came as fierce thunderstorms barreled across parts of the US including Georgia over the weekend. 'Tink was a very happy child who was a cheerleader. She loved dancing and making TikTok videos & playing with her toys,' her family said on a fundraising page for her funeral Dixon, known as Tink to her family, was at her home on Mims Street SW in west Atlanta, Georgia, when a tree came crashing down at around 3am on Saturday New rainfall records were set in Oklahoma, where a steady line of slow-moving thunderstorms also caused multiple deaths. At least seven Oklahoma cities, including capital Oklahoma City, set April rainfall records, said Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary McManus. The statewide average rainfall totaled 8.74 inches, surpassing the previous April record of 8.32 inches set in 1942, according to data kept since 1895, McManus said. The record rainfall comes just four months after Oklahoma set an all-time rainfall record in November. A young Israeli woman who survived Hamas captivity has alleged that she was drugged and raped in her own home by a well-known personal trainer and social media influencer. Mia Shem, 23, who was abducted by terrorists from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, bravely spoke out in an interview with Israel's Channel 12, where she detailed her harrowing ordeal. The French-Israeli national, who became the face of Hamas's brutal hostage-taking when she appeared in a chilling 'proof of life' video with a bandaged arm, says the attack happened after she returned home from Gaza. 'This was my biggest fear in life. Before captivity, during captivity and it happened after the captivity, at my home, in the place meant to be safest for me,' she told the broadcaster. Shem said the incident took place last month and that she has since been left traumatised and struggling to cope. 'I came to tell the story as it is, which is that I was abused. I went through an incident last month that caused me to lock myself inside my house, to get into extreme mental states, and at the end of the day - I'm the one that was hurt,' she said. The man accused of the horrific attack is a personal trainer in his 30s who has not been named. According to local reports, he is a fitness influencer with several celebrity clients including a former prime minister. Mia Shem, 23, who was abducted by terrorists from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, bravely spoke out in an interview with Israel's Channel 12, where she detailed her harrowing ordeal Keren Shelf, the mother of Israeli-French citizen Mia Shem, holds up a picture of her daughter during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, 17 October 2023 The French-Israeli national, who became the face of Hamas' s brutal hostage-taking when she appeared in a chilling 'proof of life' video with a bandaged arm, says the attack happened after she returned home from Gaza Police arrested him in March in connection with the case, but he has since been released due to a lack of evidence. However, the investigation is ongoing. Mia had visited the man's gym in Tel Aviv, just minutes from her home, for three training sessions before the alleged assault. While the trainer has denied raping her, Israeli media reports claim he admitted to entering her dressing room several times while she was changing. In her powerful testimony, Shem said she had been approached by the man with promises of Hollywood connections claiming he could help her tell her story on the big screen. 'I'm writing a book, and because of what I went through there are a lot of people who want to take my story and make something of it, so it sounded completely normal,' she said. But when the man turned up alone without the producer he had promised to bring things took a terrifying turn. 'Since he walked in, I don't remember. I don't remember anything,' she said. 'My body remembers. My body felt it. My body knows I went through something.' She described experiencing terrifying flashbacks and physical symptoms that made her realise she had been drugged and assaulted. In her powerful testimony, Shem said she had been approached by the man with promises of Hollywood connections claiming he could help her tell her story on the big screen Mia Shem (C) with her mother and brother upon arrival at the Hatzerim air base following her release by the Palestinian Hamas group on November 30, 2023 Mia Shem (L) with her mother and brother. Mia was just 21 when she was kidnapped from the Nova festival, where more than 300 people were slaughtered in a dawn massacre near the Gaza border Since her release, she has kept a low profile and was last seen in public at Sir Elton John's Oscar party 'Even in captivity, when I was hurt, I got through that,' she said. 'The last thing I needed was an incident like this. I need a moment of peace to process my life for a second - I haven't started processing my captivity yet.' Her devastated mother, Keren Shem, said she had never seen her daughter in such a state. 'When we met after the incident, she couldn't stop crying. She was bent over and crying uncontrollably. 'I've been in difficult situations with her, I know my daughter, but here she was in some kind of complete breakdown. My daughter came back from captivity in a terrible physical and mental state, but not like she is now.' Mia was just 21 when she was kidnapped from the Nova festival, where more than 300 people were slaughtered in a dawn massacre near the Gaza border. She was freed in a hostage deal in November 2023, and later revealed she had been inappropriately touched by a Hamas militant but he stopped when she screamed. Since her release, she has kept a low profile and was last seen in public at Sir Elton John's Oscar party. An Arabic BBC journalist who shared anti-Israel tweets has won more than 14,000 in compensation after a colleague's comments made him appear 'uncivilised'. Ahmed Rouaba, who reposted a tweet suggesting Israel lied to the International Court of Justice in the recent genocide case brought against it by South Africa, was awarded the money after an employment tribunal in London. The tribunal found statements made by his colleague were 'patently related' to Mr Rouaba's race and were 'potentially problematic' as well as 'derogatory'. As a result, the Arabic-speaking journalist was paid 14,246.40 in compensation. The tribunal heard that his colleague at the BBC World Service, Safaa Jibara, made comments about his character, comparing him to a 'savage'. Mr Jibara previously said that Mr Rouba, who is of Algerian origin, was speaking 'like a Bedouin' - a nomadic tribes people partly based out of Northern Africa. Mr Jibara described this comment as racist, he said: 'In Arabic culture Bedouin means savage and someone who cannot abide by the norms of society.' In 2020, Mr Jibara told HR that the previous year when Mr Rouaba was asked to address a meeting in 'formal Arabic' rather than 'Algerian Arabic', he spoke 'violently'. Ahmed Rouaba (pictured) won more than 14,000 in compensation after a colleague's comments made him appear 'uncivilised' Following complaints, senior officials at the BBC World Service division began a formal internal investigation during which one staff worker suggested Mr Rouaba should explain himself in a more 'mild way', while one blamed his 'cultural background' for his temperament. HR officials at the BBC later conducted interviews with those present at the meeting who said Mr Rouaba 'usually gets angry often and quickly', claiming that he raised his voice towards the editors. In a statement given to investigators, BBC reporter Mr Jibara said: 'There's a lot of background between him and the management. He has an attitude towards them. 'Before that we have to mention his character and the fact he is from Algeria. 'There is a violence behind it [the way he speaks], a Bedouin character. He always shouts when he tries to give his opinion, he comes across as sharp.. He can't explain himself in a mild way. He always shouts and is nervous. 'This belongs to his character and his cultural character.' In August 2020, the HR report recommended Mr Rouaba undergo a formal disciplinary review regarding his conduct and he was given a final written warning. But he appealed after acquiring copies of the interviews given by Mr Jibara and another editor and filed a grievance against them about their comments. Mr Rouaba unsuccessfully appealed at another meeting, chaired by the Head of Journalism and accompanied by the BBC's panel of 'External Experts' in August 2021 A BBC official reviewed the grievance and told Mr Rouaba: 'I can see why this statement may have been upsetting for you to read and I absolutely agree that these comments are not acceptable.' But he rejected his complaint, saying the 'incorrect, unacceptable language' had been used 'in an attempt to explain cultural and background aspects.' Despite the decision, Mr Rouaba carried on his fight, unsuccessfully appealing at another meeting, chaired by the Head of Journalism and accompanied by the BBC's panel of 'External Experts' in August 2021. He then took his complaints to a tribunal in 2022. But tribunal judge Antoine Tinnion dismissed his case saying Mr Rouaba had taken too long to file his tribunal claim. Meanwhile, Mr Rouaba reposted several tweets that are considered to be anti-Israel. One of them described elements of Israel's Gaza blockade as 'pure evil', while another suggested Israel was 'starving' Palestinians to 'save money bombing them'. A father-of-three who made the 'last-minute decision' to go on a lads trip died just hours after landing in Benidorm. Joseph McManus, 42, suddenly collapsed on the Benidorm strip on Friday - and was pronounced dead shortly after. Mr McManus, from Dingle, Ireland, decided to go on the holiday after other people dropped out. 'Everyone loved Joseph. He was always smiling and was a big entertainer,' his friend, Lee Beck told the Liverpool Echo. He added that Mr McManus 'loved all his kids, his partner Leanne, and his family'. Mr McManus' family are now trying to raise money to fly his body back to Liverpool. Mr Beck said: 'Joseph's mum keeps saying it's not real, and she is still waiting to get a WhatsApp message from him. His sisters are devastated. They're all going through it.' Mr McManus who worked for the operator DHL at Jaguar Land Rover doted on his own and Leanne's children. Pictured: Joseph McManus, 42, suddenly collapsed on the Benidorm strip on Friday Pictured: A younger Mr McManus, who is from Dingle, Ireland, with his late father His unexpected death has had a significant impact on his loved ones. Several people have left tributes online in his memory. One wrote: 'Joe was everyone's mate in JLR. An absolutely quality lad who had time for everyone. Devastating news for his family and friends. He will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.' A second person wrote: 'Can't believe this, top lad and a good friend. Will miss you brother.' A third added: 'Gutted to hear this. Such a nice lad, thinking of the family'. A missing mother-of-two has been found 'alive and well' nearly 63 years after she first disappeared. Audrey Backeberg left behind a husband and two children in what was is said to have been an abusive home when she disappeared in July 1962. Now 82, she has been rediscovered outside of Wisconsin where she had lived, Sauk County Sheriff's Office said. Six decades earlier, Ms Backeberg went to pick up her salary and hitchhiked to Wisconsin's capital city Madison with her 14-year-old babysitter. This was only days after a criminal complaint had been filed against her husband, the Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy organisation said. They caught a bus to Indianapolis, Indiana, before the teenager became nervous and decided to go home. She was the last person to see Ms Backeburg, then 20, as she walked towards another bus stop. Relatives insisted that the young mother would never abandon her children while her husband passed a polygraph test, presuming his innocence. Audrey Backeberg has been found 'alive and well' more than 60 years after she first disappeared Despite years of investigators desperately trying to track her down, it was a review of the cold case earlier this year by a detective that led him to discovering Ms Backeberg's whereabouts. Detective Isaac Hanson re-interviewed several witnesses and poured over all the evidence - but in the end it was her sister's Ancestry.com account that was the missing piece in tracking Ms Backeberg down. Using their available death records and census reports, he was able to find out her address. He called the local sheriff's department and asked them to 'pop in' on her. 'I had high hopes; there wasnt a certainty that we would know it was her,' he said. Ten minutes later, she phoned Detective Hanson and they spoke for 45 minutes. The detective has promised to keep their conversation private but did not rule out her leaving because of marital issues. Though he added why it was unclear she had stayed away for so long. After going over the cold case, Detective Isaac Hanson said he 'had high hopes; there wasnt a certainty that we would know it was her' when he found her address 'I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and led her life,' he said. 'She sounded happy. Confident in her decision. No regrets.' The police have decided to leave the woman be and have concluded that the disappearance 'was not the result of any criminal activity or foul play'. The startling discovery comes only months after a British woman was similarly rediscovered decades after she first disappeared - only 80 miles from her house. Sheila Fox - a 16-year-old from Coventry - vanished in March 1972, leaving her family desperately worried. She was apparently intending, as was normal in the 1970s, to leave school at 16 which would have happened in July 1972. The precise circumstances of what prompted her to run away from home remain unclear though the accepted version of events among members of her wider family is that she had embarked upon a relationship with an older man and her parents disapproved - or she feared that they would if they found out. According to her cousin Kevin Fox, the family story was that she had 'run off with the insurance man, the man from The Pru.' ('The man from the Pru', short for Prudential, was a popular insurance advertising slogan at the time Sheila vanished.) Sheila Fox vanished from her home in Coventry as a 16-year-old schoolgirl in March 1972 - it was rumoured she had run off with an older man, the identity of whom was a mystery Over the next six decades detectives had no idea what happened to her until they put out a fresh appeal earlier this year with the same grainy photo Her movements immediately after leaving Coventry are not clear. But what is clear is that if Sheila hadn't run away because she 'got in trouble' - as the expression for unplanned pregnancies at the time had it - she soon would be. Just 16 months after disappearing, Sheila gave birth to a son Robert, who turned out to be her only son, in July 1973. Rob's birth certificate shows he was fathered by a man called John Foster, who is described as barman from Enfield, north London. By that time Sheila had changed her surname to Foster, suggesting that Sheila and John had married. Teenage mum Sheila remained estranged from her parents and siblings at this point and would remain so for another decade or so - before herself making contact again. Or at least trying to. 'She got back in touch with her family in the 1980s,' recalled Kevin, 75, who still lives in Coventry. 'But by then the whole family had moved to Canada.' The precise details of what happened when she tried to get back in touch are unclear but it's believed that word reached the Fox family in Canada and the whole notion that Sheila was missing was laid to rest at this point - but apparently no one got around to informing West Midlands Police that they were back in contact. It is also unclear what happened to her relationship with John Foster, but by 1983 Sheila had married divorced father-of-two Jack Thorpe, who is seven years her senior, taking his surname, as did her son, Rob. In 1983 Sheila married divorced father-of-two Jack Thorpe (pictured), a chauffer, who is seven years her senior, taking his surname as did her only son Rob Sheila was a schoolgirl living in this terraced house in Coventry when she vanished in 1972 Jack, a chauffeur, had grown up in north-west London and it's thought the couple were living in the area at this time and subsequently. Certainly from 2003, they were in a flat just off London's North Circular Road in Cricklewood. Then in 2015, Sheila and Jack Thorpe bought a flat in Watford, where they still live. Rob, now 51 and himself also married, lives around the corner from his mother and her husband in the Hertfordshire commuter town. He works as a lorry driver. When approached by MailOnline, Sheila said: 'It all happened a long time ago, I've moved on, it's all in the past. It's been a misunderstanding and I don't want to say any more.' The two front-runner's to replace Pope Francis have been accused of mishandling child sexual abuse claims. Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle cannot be trusted to protect children from abuse, according to a campaign group. The American watchdog Bishop Accountability claims the pair withheld incriminating church records, making them unfit to tackle the issue, which is one of the top challenges facing the Catholic Church today. Cardinals will travel from across the globe to vote for the next pontiff in the conclave starting on Wednesday. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishop Accountability spoke to a press conference just outside the Vatican walls on Friday. She said: 'If Cardinal Parolin becomes pope, we will have a consummate secret-keeper running the Catholic Church, and I think any hope of transparency around sex abuse will be dashed completely.' 'No church official in the world has withheld as many documents about abuse to civil authorities as Cardinal Parolin,' added Doyle, whose group tracks information on such cases. The two frontrunner's to replace Pope Francis have been accused of mishandling child sexual abuse claims. Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, cannot be trusted to protect children from abuse, according to a campaign group. Pictured: Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, left, shows Pope Francis how to give the popular hand sign for 'I love you' at the Mall of Asia arena in Manila The American watchdog Bishop Accountability claim the pair withheld incriminating church records, making them unfit to tackle the problem, which is one of the top challenges facing the Catholic Church today. Pictured: Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishop Accountability spoke to a press conference just outside the Vatican walls on Friday. She said: 'If Cardinal Parolin becomes pope we will have a consummate secret-keeper running the Catholic Church and I think any hope of transparency around sex abuse will be dashed completely'. Pictured: Cardinal Pietro Parolin leaves at the end of a mass for late Pope Francis Doyle then went on to discuss the group's findings on Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila. She accused him of doing nothing to pull the church in the Philippines out of the 'dark ages' of abuse and noted that guidelines dealing with sexual abuse cases have not been published on the webpages of the Manila archdiocese nor the bishops'. Pictured: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends the Fifth Novemdiale Mass She argued that all requests for information about priests from other countries who were accused of abuse have gone through Parolin's office since 2013, while he has been the Vatican's secretary of state, and were often blocked. Doyle cited numerous examples of 'obstruction of justice' around the world, including Chile, Britain and Poland, for which she called Parolin ultimately responsible. In one example, a four-year investigation begun in 2013 by a royal commission in Australia counted 4,400 abused children and 1,100 clerics. She said that when asked for documents, the Vatican produced files on just two priests. When a British abuse commission asked in 2018 and 2019 for information about cases in the English Benedictine Congregation, 'Cardinal Parolin refused, saying that the Holy See [the central governing body of the Church] did not exercise jurisdiction over individuals and institutions outside the Vatican', Doyle said. Doyle then discussed the group's findings on Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila. She accused him of doing nothing to pull the church in the Philippines out of the 'dark ages' of abuse and noted that guidelines dealing with sexual abuse cases have not been published on the webpages of the Manila archdiocese nor the bishops'. On Saturday evening the Philippines' governing body of Catholic bishops issued a rare statement on clerical sexual abuse, defending Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on the issue days before the process to elect a new pope gets underway Doyle said Parolin and Tagle were only two cardinals among many who had not done enough to stop abuse. When asked if any contenders met her approval, she said only bishops in the United States were 'accustomed' to name abusers and banish them from the church Pictured: Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, walks after kissing the cross during the Good Friday Passion of the Lord service in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, April 18, 2025 'If Cardinal Tagle cannot even get his brother bishops from his home country to publish guidelines, what on earth can we expect for him to achieve as pope of a global church?' asked Doyle. On Saturday evening the Philippines' governing body of Catholic bishops issued a rare statement on clerical sexual abuse, defending Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on the issue days before the process to elect a new pope gets underway. The statement reads: 'Addressing allegations of misconduct by clergy rests with the respective diocesan bishops or religious superiors' and not with Tagle. 'Since his appointment to a full-time position in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Tagle no longer holds direct authority over any diocese in the Philippines.' It also noted the key role Tagle - who served as archbishop of Manila between 2011 and 2019 - had played in crafting pastoral guidelines on sexual abuse that were disseminated in 2003. Doyle said Parolin and Tagle were only two cardinals among many who had not done enough to stop abuse. When asked if any contenders met her approval, she said only bishops in the United States were 'accustomed' to name abusers and banish them from the church. A man has died in hospital six weeks after he had acid thrown in his face in an attack allegedly planned by his ex-girlfriend who teamed up with a gang. Danny Cahalane, 38, was attacked with sulphuric acid at his home in Plymouth on February 21. The personal trainer was rushed to hospital for treatment but sadly passed away from his injuries yesterday. Seven men from London and two women from Plymouth have been charged in connection with the incident - two are also facing drug charges. Last week, his ex-girlfriend, Paris Wilson, 34, appeared in court charged with conspiracy to kidnap and murder Mr Cahalane and participation in the criminal activity of an organised crime group. The mother-of-two, from The Quay in Plymouth, was once a probation officer in the citys Barbican area and helped released criminals get housing and employment. She was also a volunteer at Dartmoor Prison where she taught male inmates how to read and write. Wilson was 'trusted' with access to the prison where she 'worked closely with inmates' and 'nobody can believe' she could now be locked up, a source told The Sun. Danny Cahalane (above) was left in a critical condition after reportedly being attacked in his home on Lipson Road, Plymouth, on February 21 Wilson (above) was charged with a plan to kidnap and kill him - she has been accused of plotting alongside a crime gang to throw sulfuric acid in Mr Cahalane's face Mr Calahane (left) was said to have been moved out of the city for his safety, but officers were informed yesterday that Mr Calahane had died on Saturday, May 3 (Pictured with his ex-girlfriend, Paris Wilson) She has now been remanded in custody and is set to appear at a hearing at Plymouth Crown Court on May 12. Grieving the loss of 'an outstanding father and son', Mr Cahalane's family yesterday paid an emotional tribute. They said: 'As a family, we are struggling to come to terms with Danny's passing. Danny was an outstanding father and son. Danny and his mum had so much love for each other. 'He is well loved by his family and friends and as a family we cherish his love and memories. We ask the family are please given privacy and respect during this time.' Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Ben Davies, said: 'Our thoughts are with Danny's family and friends at this sad time. Mr Cahalane's ex-girlfriend Wilson (above), of The Quay in Plymouth, had previously worked as a probation officer and taught male lags to read and write by volunteering at Dartmoor Prison 'The investigation into the incident, which happened on Lipson Road in Plymouth, remains ongoing. 'Nine people have previously been charged in connection to the incident.' Mr Cahalane's ex-girlfriend Wilson, of The Quay in Plymouth, had previously worked as a probation officer and taught male lags to read and write by volunteering at Dartmoor Prison. She cried last week in the dock at Plymouth Magistrate's Court when charged with conspiracy to murder and kidnap as well as participating in the criminal activity of an organised crime group. A young mother who vanished over 60 years ago has finally been found and admitted she has 'no regrets' about her disappearance. Audrey Backebeger was 20 years old and a married mother-of-two when she disappeared from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, in July 1962. On Thursday, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office announced that Backebeger had been found 'alive and well' in another state. 'Further investigation has revealed that Ms. Backeberg's disappearance was by her own choice and not the result of any criminal activity or foul play,' the sheriff's office said. The Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy (WMPA) organization said the woman married her husband, Ronald Backeberg, at just 15 years old and their marriage was riddled with abuse. Despite her family's insistence that Backeberg would never abandon her kids, the case eventually went cold. Detective Isaac Hanson reopened Backeberg's case in March for a comprehensive review as part of an ongoing examination of cold case files. 'I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and lead her life. She sounded happy. Confident in her decision. No regrets,' Hanson told WISN. Audrey Backebeger (pictured), vanished over 60 years ago. She has finally been found and admitted she has 'no regrets' about her disappearance Backebeger was 20-years-old and a married mother-of-two when she disappeared from Reedsburg, Wisconsin (pictured), in July 1962 Backeberg filed a criminal complaint claiming her husband had beaten her and threatened to kill her just days before she vanished, according to WMPA. However, her husband passed a polygraph exam and has always maintained his innocence in the case. Shortly after Backeberg went missing, a 14-year-old babysitter for the couple told police she had hitchhiked to Madison with the young mother, then took a bus to Indianapolis, Indiana with her. The teenager decided to return home and claimed she last saw Backeberg at a bus stop. 'The juvenile was interviewed again as an adult, maybe 15 years ago,' Detective Lt. Chris Zunker of the Sauk County Sheriff's Office told WMPA. 'She stated Audrey had taken a bunch of pills, put them in a Coke can and drank it before taking the bus down to Indianapolis. 'She reported Audrey potentially hooked up with some construction workers that may have been in the area.' The Sauk County Sheriff's Office said investigators pursued numerous leads over the years, but the case went unsolved for decades. Detective Isaac Hanson (pictured) reopened Backeberg's case in March and was able to track her down in another state Earlier this year, Hanson was assigned the case and through re-evaluation and re-interviewing witnesses, was able to track Backeberg down. 'The sister actually had an Ancestry.com account, and I was able to use that. That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,' Hanson said. 'Ultimately, we came up with an address. So I called the local sheriff's department, said "Hey, there's this lady living at this address. Do you guys have somebody, you can just go pop in?" Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes.' Hanson did not specify what state she is in, but said her abusive husband may have played a role in her initial decision to leave. An MSNBC host warned Americans on Sunday that President Donald Trump will go ballistic when his former vice president receives a prestigious award. Mike Pence, who went against his commander-in-chief when he certified the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021, received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum on Sunday night for his actions that day. The JFK Library said Pence deserved the award - which has previously gone to former President Barack Obama and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky - because he put 'his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power,' according to Politico. Caroline Kennedy, the former president's daughter, and her son, Jack Schlossberg, also said in a statement that Pence's decision to certify the election results - even as protesters called for him to be hanged - was an 'example of President Kennedy's belief that an act of political courage can change the course of history.' When Pence took to the stage to receive the award he delivered a not-so-subtle rebuke of his former boss without ever speaking his name. Just hours earlier MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart said he was 'most looking forward to' President Trump's reaction 'because it's totally going to be...'. He then stopped talking, and instead mimed Trump's head exploding. Co-host Elise Jordan agreed, acknowledging: 'Truth Social is going to be lighting up.' Mike Pence received the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday night from Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and her son Jack Schlossberg Pence and his wife Karen arrive at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum on Sunday night for the ceremony Pence's speech included pointed reminders about the Constitution and the rule of law only hours after Trump had answered questions about the Fifth Amendment in a TV interview. Pressed by NBC's Kristen Welker on whether both U.S. citizens and noncitizens are entitled to due process, Trump shrugged: 'I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know.' Pence acknowledged the chaos of that day and the partisan fractures it exposed - both in the country and within the Republican Party. 'By God's grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America,' he said on stage. 'I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations. It's what makes us one people.' Trump, whose first term in office had just ended, had pressured his then-vice president in January 2021 to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president claimed the vote was marred by fraud. But Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When he then stood before Congress on January 6 to accept the 2020 presidential election results, he and legislators from both parties were confronted by an angry mob - many of whom took specific aim at Pence for refusing to use his role to throw out the controversial Electoral College votes from the swing states. Some Trump supporters even erected makeshift gallows and chanted 'hang Mike Pence.' During the House select committee on January 6th hearings, it also came out that a confidential informant on the Proud Boys had told the FBI that if members of the group had found Pence that day they would have killed him. Still Pence refused to leave the Capitol, hiding out in a garage-like structure deemed a secure location within the complex. 'The vice president did not want to take any chance that the world would see the vice president of the United States fleeing the United States Capitol,' his counselor to the vice president Greg Jacob testified to committee members in 2022. Meanwhile, Trump continued to push what has been called the 'big lie' that he lost the election and hit out at his vice president. He is being honored for going against President Donald Trump's wishes and certifying the 2020 presidential election MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart suggested on Sunday that President Donald Trump will go ballistic as his former vice president is honored Former US Rep Joe Kennedy III and his wife, Lauren Anne Birchfield, arrived at the JFK Library on Sunday for the award ceremony Also present was comedian and television host David Letterman The award is being given out by Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg 'Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,' Trump wrote at the time on X as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building. Still, Pence stayed at the US Capitol to continue the ceremonial election certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory once the rioters were cleared. But his decisions that day left Pence in the political wilderness. He tried running against Trump for the 2024 nomination, but only stayed in the race through October 2023. Trump - the far-and-away frontrunner - wouldn't even participate in the GOP primary debates - so the two men never met onstage. Pence then refused to endorse Trump once he secured the nomination - but also wouldn't endorse the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, his political action committee financed advertisements ahead of the 2024 election pushing Americans to vote for Republicans on issues. Pence has been left in the political wilderness since he went against Trump Pence is being honored for his actions as a mob attacked on January 6, 2021 As a mob of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol that day, some suggested they wanted to hang Pence It now remains unclear how much Pence has spoken with Trump since the January 6, 2021 certification. But last year, the president chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance, rather than Pence, to serve as his running mate for his second term in office as he continued to claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. 'Against all odds, I did great in 2016. 2016, how great was that?' Trump told graduates at the University of Alabama on Thursday night, according to the Alabama Political Reporter. 'And then I did much better in 2020,' he claimed. 'Sorry the election was rigged... it was a rigged election. And then in 2024, I made it too big to rig.' In private, though, Trump has apparently admitted he lost the 2020 election, according to comedian Bill Maher - who recently sat down with the president. 'I don't remember exactly what we were talking about, but it must have been something to do with the 2020 election because I know he used the word "lost" and I distinctly remember saying "Wow, I never thought I'd hear you say that,"' Maher recounted on his show, Real Time with Bill Maher. 'He didn't get mad,' the talk show host continued, claiming the president is 'much more aware than he lets on in public.' Iran has become a growing menace on the streets of Britain, with its agents suspected of orchestrating a spate of attacks on UK soil. MI5 chief Ken McCallum disclosed last October that his operatives have tackled 20 potentially lethal plots backed by Tehran since 2022 mostly aimed at dissidents opposing the regime. Iranians Navid Bavi and Bahar Mahroo were attacked outside the Dewan Al-Kafeel community centre in Wembley, north-west London, in May last year. They were protesting a memorial service for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi when masked thugs emerged from the building and assaulted them. Bavi was left partially paralysed while Mahroo reported being sexually assaulted. They had to be protected by police in hospital. Just a few months earlier, Iranian-British journalist Pouria Zeraati had been stabbed outside his home in Wimbledon, south-west London, on March 29. He was walking to his car to head to work at Iran Internationals London studio when a man approached him asking for change. He said he had none when a second appeared and together they grabbed him. The first man stabbed him in the leg but he managed to flee. Scotland Yards counter-terror unit were called in, given the Persian-language station is constantly threatened for its criticism of the regime in Tehran. Zeraati had previously reported on threats against employees, including family members in Iran being questioned to pressure journalists. Iran has been suspected of orchestrating attacks on British soil (pictured: Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addressing the public at a event held in Tehran today) MI5 chief Ken McCallum said his operatives have tackled 20 potentially lethal plots backed by Tehran since 2022 Iranian-British journalist Pouria Zeraati was stabbed outside his home in south-west London Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was convicted of attempting to collect information likely to be useful for terrorism Romanian nationals Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, were arrested in their home country in December over the attack. Extradition proceedings are under way. Chechen-born Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was jailed for spying on Iran Internationals headquarters in Chiswick, west London, in February 2023. The Austrian citizen was convicted of attempting to collect information likely to be useful for terrorism. Dovtaev, 32, flew into Gatwick from Vienna and took a cab to the TV channels base, where he was spotted by security guards who alerted the police. Examination of his phone suggested he was recording the security arrangements as he walked by. His visit was said to be the most recent in a series by others unknown, who had also taken videos, beginning in the summer of 2022. Dovtaev was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. With the federal election behind him, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can finally turn his attention from the polls to his wedding. Mr Albanese has been engaged to his fiancee Jodie Haydon since Valentine's Day 2024, fuelling more than a year's worth of tabloid media speculation over the wedding plans that were on hold until after the election. With Australia delivering an emphatic victory to Labor on Saturday night, the Prime Minister dedicated part of his victory speech to his sweetheart. 'You have my heart, I love you and I look forward to living our lives together,' he said. 'You probably weren't expecting for this to be in your life half a dozen years ago. 'I'm am so grateful for your support, your friendship and your love - you make me so happy.' Ms Haydon has made various appearances throughout the campaign, often with the couple's cavoodle Toto. Ms Haydon and Mr Albanese are planning to get married on an unspecified date this spring, and it is expected to be a small event involving family. With the federal election behind him, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can finally turn his attention to marrying Jodie Haydon Albanese consulted his son Nathan (left) before proposing Details about the location remain scarce. The Lodge in Canberra was briefly considered before being put on hold ahead of the election. Hosting the event at The Lodge would provide added privacy and security, as it is a government building with extra protection measures. Alternatively, the couple's $4.3million mansion in Copacabana on the NSW Central Coast could be an option, offering sweeping ocean views from the spacious backyard." 'It won't be elaborate,' Mr Albanese previously said. 'I, of course, proposed on Valentine's Day last year, and it's lovely having that certainty, and it's just fantastic at my time in life to find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.' Ms Haydon added: 'We're doing it in front of family and loved ones, and I see that as for us. 'It's something we're looking forward to an important and symbolic way to reaffirm our commitment to each other.' Ms Haydon plans to continue working full-time in her role as head of strategic partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank following the wedding. Mr Albanese previously told the Australian Woman's Weekly that he asked his son Nathan for his opinion about Ms Haydon before they got married. Anthony Albanese could host the wedding at his clifftop mansion in Copacabana The Lodge in Canberra (pictured) is unequivocally the most secure premises in the country and much easier to protect than a suburban home 'I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it, and then he came back to me and Nathan was supportive,' Mr Albanese said. 'He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well.' Mr Albanese has generally made an effort to try keep his family out of the spotlight, but in the campaign's final days, Ms Haydon and Nathan took key supporting roles. Like many Americans, Meghan Markle seems to be bemused by the historical British tradition of issuing titles to members of the Royal Family. Although she is often enthusiastic about making the most of her and Harry's Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, she is alleged to have been less keen on one of the ones bestowed to her son Archie - Lord Dumbarton. When she heard the news he would automatically get the title, royal author Tom Bower claims she said: 'Hell no. No son of mine is going to be called Dumb'. In his 2022 book Revenge, he wrote that she was told the news by Sir Thomas Woodcock, the Garter of Arms, when he called her to discuss Archie's titles soon after he was born in May 2019. When Harry and Meghan got married the previous year, as well as gaining their more commonly used titles for England, it was announced they would also be referred to as the Earl of Dumbarton in Scotland and the Baron Kilkeel in Northern Ireland. But despite already being the Countess of Dumbarton herself, Meghan was said to be upset at the news it would also be used by her son, according to Bower. When Archie was born, it was his birthright to take the Earl of Dumbarton title but his parents were reportedly concerned that it would lead to mockery. A source told The Telegraph in 2021: 'They didn't like the idea of Archie being called the Earl of Dumbarton because it began with the word "dumb" [and] they were worried about how that might look.' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not want to use the Earl of Dumbarton title for their son Archie because it contained the word 'dumb', according to a report The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are alleged to have not been keen on the title because they feared the young royal might be mocked Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, places her hand next to her baby son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at the photocall to celebrate his birth at Windsor Castle Another insider told the paper: 'It wasn't just Meghan who pointed out the potential pitfalls, it also bothered Harry.' But the decision to unceremoniously ditch the title caused something of a political wave at the time, with the Dumbarton locals coming out swinging against the move. A Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament Jackie Baillie said: 'I am very proud to be the MSP for Dumbarton. It is my home. Dumbarton is a wonderful place and the people of Dumbarton have always prided ourselves on being open and accepting. 'We welcome with open arms anyone who wishes to be associated with or call Dumbarton their home. 'If the rumours about Harry and Meghan are true, then I would encourage them to rethink their decision as I think there is no greater honour than being named after the town.' A number of Dumbarton natives also took to social media to slam the couple when the news broke in 2021, with some claiming the 'Earl of Wokingham' would be a better fit for the couple. Lifelong residents of Dumbarton, a small town west of Glasgow, rejected the suggestion that Archie would be bullied for the association and insisted that sharing the town's name was something to be proud of. However, the Dumbarton title was was not the only cause of concern the royal couple had when it came to what Archie would one day be called. Shorty after his birth they said in a statement that he would not be a referred to as prince, because they did not want to be bound by convention or history. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex play with their son Archie during a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on August 23, 2022 An old Christmas card with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding Archie and Lilibet The Queen and Prince Philip visit newborn Archie at Windsor Castle Meghan, her mother Doria, and Harry are seen playing with Archie in their Netflix TV series Footmen present the easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to formally announce the birth of Archie The Duke of Sussex speaking at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on May 6, 2019, after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to Archie who weighed 7lbs 3oz Instead, they wanted him to be plain 'Mister Archie' and not bear the title of royal, which was done to help preserve his privacy. However, when Lilibet was born, Harry and Meghan seemingly U-turned and began to use the titles prince and princess. The Palace then updated its website's line of succession list with their official titles. It is understood the titles will be used in formal settings, but not in everyday conversational use. Harry and Meghan are understood to be keen to not deny their children their birthright, but to allow them the chance to decide for themselves when they are older whether to drop or keep using them. The decision raised some eyebrows after Prince Harry's repeated criticism of the monarchy, including his accusation that his family carried out 'total neglect' in the past and saying he suffered 'genetic pain'. He has spoken about his own struggles with his title, saying in 2017 that his time in the Army was the 'best escape I ever had' because 'I wasn't a prince, I was just Harry'. Following the row, royal commentator Emily Andrews tweeted in March 2023: 'The perennial question still remains; if being a royal is so traumatic, such a burden, carries so much inter-generational pain why would you want to style your kids prince and princess/keep your own royal titles.??' However, according to British law, Archie was always destined to automatically become a prince after the Queen died due to long-standing rules. When Archie was born, Harry and Meghan said he would not use the title prince Perhaps things will change when he is older, but at the moment it looks like Archie will not be using the Lord Dumbarton title for as long as his parents are in charge But Meghan and Harry have not been the only royal couple to decide that the titles of prince and princess would not be suitable for their children. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, made the decision early on that their children would not carry the titles, to make it clear to them that they needed to make their own way in life. Princess Anne also chose not give titles to her son Peter and daughter Zara. However, it seems Harry and Meghan have opted for another option entirely, and have instead been referring to their children by the names Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex, rather than their real surname of Mountbatten-Windsor. A source told The Times in February that the adoption of the Sussex title as a surname was done to 'unify' their family. Nevertheless, the historic Earl of Dumbarton title, which was first created in the Peerage of Scotland in March 1675 for Lord George Douglas for services fighting in the Franco-Dutch War, remains unused. The title became extinct in January 1749, and was only recreated in the UK Peerage by the Queen as one of the two subsidiary titles for her Harry when he married Meghan in May 2018. Perhaps things will change when he is older, but at the moment it looks like Archie will not be using the Lord Dumbarton title for as long as his parents are in charge. Many Americans may have never heard of Naperville, an Illinois suburban city outside of Chicago, but the wealthy town has now topped the list of best places to live in America for the second year in a row. Niche, a popular rankings and review service, named Naperville as one of the best cities to live in, giving it a coveted A+. Naperville was given a stellar report card from Niche, earning As in public schools, housing, jobs, outdoor activities, diversity, health and fitness, and was ranked best for families. The lowest score Naperville received was a C+ for weather and Bs in cost of living, commuting, crime and safety, and nightlife. 'It's a big city with a small town feel,' Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli told DailyMail.com. Jenna Mandolini, the director of sales and marketing at Hotel Arista, located in downtown Naperville, echoed a similar sentiment about the city. 'You commonly will recognize somebody at different restaurants out and about just from involvement in the school, involvement in the sports, and just involvement in the community. It feels like everybody knows everybody,' Mandolini told DailyMail.com. 'Even though it's a big city it feels like such a small town,' she added. Niche, a popular rankings and review service, named Naperville (pictured above) as one of the best cities to live in, giving it a coveted A+ Naperville was named the best place to live in America according to Niche ratings for the second year in a row About 74 percent of Naperville residents are homeowners, with the median rent listed as $1,852 and the median home value $509,900, according to Niche. Pictured: The Martin Mitchell Mansion in Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli was elected in 2023 and is a lifelong resident of Naperville Longtime Naperville resident, Jessica Prah, agreed that even though Naperville is one of the largest cities in Illinois, it still feels like the small town that she grew up in. Prah moved to Naperville with her family when she was seven and then left to explore other cities in college. After 20 years away from Naperville, she decided to move back and has been there ever since. She said that even though the city has grown 'immensely' since she was a child, the 'same community vibe continues today'. 'When I was growing up, we went to our community pool. You didn't have to lock your cars. You could ride your bike to the pool. Your parents didn't have to escort you to the bus stop every day. It was that safe, and I still live in a similar neighborhood in Naperville where it's kind of the same vibe,' Prah told DailyMail.com. The administrators of the popular social media account, Naperville Now, said that people who expect to come to a 'manicured suburb' may be surprised to find pop-up poetry nights and neon-lit ramen bars. Population boom Naperville has grown exponentially in the past 45 years, experiencing a population boom in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1980, the city only had a population of 45,500, which almost doubled in 1990 to 85,400, according to the World Population Review. In 2000, Naperville's population hit 128,000, and now there are almost 150,000 residents in the city. As a longtime Naperville resident, Wehrli attested to the uniqueness of the city and praised its growth. 'Naperville was about 20,000 residents when I was a little guy back in 1971,' he recalled. Prah also attested to the transformation of the city since her upbringing, noting that it's become increasingly diverse. She added that the commuting distance from Chicago has brought in more businesses and restaurants. Wehrli explained that the city council passed an ordinance decades ago that required developers to donate land or cash for parks and school sites. He said that the decision 'became a model for cities across the country' that wanted to prioritize outdoor spaces and high-quality education systems. 'It's a formula that really worked and really set the stage for what we've got to work with today,' Wehrli said. Your browser does not support iframes. The city council drafted an ordinance in the 1970s that required developers to donate land or cash for parks and school sites, which created a model for Naperville's outdoor spaces and education system Exploring Naperville Naperville has seen a rise in business investments in the northern part of the city, which Wehrli said attracted the 'best and the brightest from around the world'. Even though the city has grown significantly in recent years, Mandolini attested that there is still a 'small town feel' within the community. 'There's just so much to offer,' Mandolini said. 'There's a variety of different things for every guest. There is something for everyone,' she added. Mandolini said Naperville boasted an 'eclectic' shopping scene with high-end shops and locally owned stores. She added that Naperville has over 300 restaurants, including local steakhouse CityGate Grille as well as Italian eatery and Wine Spectator Award Winner Che Figata. Wehrli praised Naperville residents' civic engagement, citing the public-private partnerships and volunteerism in the city. The city built a Riverwalk in the center of downtown Naperville primarily by volunteers within the community. Wehrli said Riverwalk, 'attracts people from all over the area to come down, walk, relax, see live music, do some sightseeing, maybe fishing in the river, you name it'. Prah said Riverwalk was a 'staple' in the community and residents could easily explore nature preserves while having easy access to restaurants. 'The Naperville Riverwalk is a must when visiting the city for its charm,' Mandolini attested. The administrators at Naperville Now said that mornings on the Riverwalk 'feel like a secret rehearsal before the rest of the day begins.' Naperville has been ranked first as the best place to raise a family by Niche for five years in a row Hotel Airsta is one of the many businesses located in downtown Naperville. The hotel's director of sales and marketing, Jenna Mandolini, said the city offered guests a plethora of things to do Riverwalk was built in 1981 as a community effort and is the town's staple attraction Education Naperville received an A+ by Niche for public schools and ranked first for the best public schools in America. Over 33 percent of Naperville residents have advanced college degrees, while 39 percent have a bachelor's degree. Wehrli said that families move to Naperville for the education system and that the town has 'all the opportunities for the kids to grow and learn'. Prah noticed that many of the new residents in her community moved for the school systems. She added that she's seen an increase in young people in the city as the local university, North Central College, has grown. Naperville has easy access to public parks and greenery, while also being in close proximity to restaurants and the nightlife in downtown Chicago. The downtown area is seen above Naperville ranked as the top city for public schools and the best to raise a family Safe for families Niche named Naperville the best city in America to raise a family for five years in a row. Wehrli said that public safety was a top priority, noting that it was 'imperative that you have a community by and on public safety'. 'It's just not a police certified job, it is everybody's job,' he said. The mayor added that residents in the city view public safety as a 'participation sport', and are committed to making Naperville a secure place to live. 'They're [residents] keeping an eye on each other in their neighborhoods and they are very cognizant of what's going on,' he said. Naperville has topped Niche rankings for its safe neighborhoods, highly rated public schools, access to recreational activities, and parks. The Woodlands in Texas came in second, Cambridge, Massachusetts, placed third, Arlington, Virginia, came in fourth, and Irvine, California, rounded out the top five. Woodstock, New York, was once a tiny hippie town famously associated with peace, love, and the iconic music festival of 1969. Today, it's transformed into America's thriving 'yoga capital,' and affordable housing - once easy to find - is now nearly impossible to secure. Rich Vizzini, the renowned local real estate agent affectionately dubbed the 'Wolf of Woodstock', has witnessed firsthand how drastically the housing market has shifted. 'COVID radically increased the values of properties up here... demand completely outweighed supply when COVID hit - once the beaches closed, that's when the market went wild up here,' he explained. The town, forever linked to the famous Woodstock Festival despite it occurring 60 miles away in Bethel, New York, evolved from a symbol of the counterculture movement into a modern wellness and yoga hub. 'It's probably the yoga capital of the United States... there's a ton of live music, four seasons of activity, and we're so close to New York City,' Vizzini noted. Despite the shift towards wellness and yoga, Woodstock still maintains its original charm. 'The town has changed, but it still has its usual Woodstock groovy vibe. We've had a bunch of good new places to eat over the last five years,' he said. Woodstock, NY - once famed for its counterculture legacy and ties to the 1969 music festival - has become a booming second-home market for New Yorkers and Californians alike Realtor Richard Vizzini says demand surged during COVID, with bidding wars still common and prices continuing to climb However, the shift towards a wellness-centric lifestyle has dramatically changed the housing landscape. Vizzini described the new reality plainly: 'I primarily cater to the second home market - selling homes for New York City residents for the most part.' He said buyers are diverse but it is mainly affluent city dwellers looking for retreats. 'There was a time where it felt like we were dealing exclusively with buyers from Brooklyn. But it's still a good cross-section of New York City... and we've also seen an influx of buyers from California in the last two years,' Vizzini added. The influx of buyers and rising prices have made affordable homes rare. 'In the more affordable price points - especially for primary residences - you can definitely never have enough housing up here,' he explained. He added: 'Since COVID, for sure, we've seen an influx of new construction, and that's been pretty consistent.' He admitted there had been some price drops recently but said the slashing of prices is 'usually from properties that were priced over market. The market's going to set the price - dozen eggs, quart of milk, car, or house'. This 5 bed, 8 bath mansion is currently on the market for $11,000,000 under Rich Vizzini This one bedroom cottage in Woodstock sold for $260,000 recently and at the cheaper end of the market for the town, it is the ultimate fixer upper Vizzini went on to explain how longtime residents initially felt displaced by the changing market after the pandemic hit. 'Initially, during the beginning of COVID, I believe longtime locals felt pushed out. But that was a nationwide situation - people are more or less past the initial shock,' he noted. Vizzini, whose family has deep roots in the area, understands Woodstock's enduring appeal. 'You'll only be bored here if you want to be - there's enough to do, enough places to get whatever you need. Woodstock is the epicenter of the market,' Vizzini emphasized. 'You're not remote - but private. You get the best of both worlds. The crowd at the Woodstock music festival, August 1969 Fans sitting on top of a painted bus at the Woodstock Music Festival, Bethel, New York, 15th-17th August 1969 'My family's been up here since 1948. I've been a weekender my whole life until I moved up full-time - and honestly, there's nowhere in New York State I'd rather live,' he reflected. The Woodstock music and art festival was held from August 15-18 in 1969. It saw around 400,000 attendees partying to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and The Who and became the ultimate symbol of peace, love and the hippie lifestyle. So while the tie-dye may have faded, the magic hasn't. You just might need a few hundred thousand dollars - and a very flexible budget - to be part of it. Real estate agents across America have been warned about defying a landmark $418million settlement that is meant to revolutionize the housing market and save buyers thousands of dollars. The bombshell settlement agreement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) signed in March was heralded as the most significant shift to the property industry in a century. But insiders have revealed to the New York Times that some agents are now creating covert signals to maintain their lucrative commission structures. From August 17, realtors will be banned from discussing how they split commissions on multiple listing services (MLS) - the databases where homes are listed for sale. Before that date, an agent working on behalf of a seller would charge their client a fee of around 5 to 6 percent - which was then split with the buyers agent. But some agents are resisting the changes with some even devising secret codes to communicate commission offers. Some propose placing exactly three cookies on kitchen counters in listing photos to signal a 3 percent commission offer. Others suggest displaying movie titles like 'The Three Amigos' on living room TVs in photographs. The real estate industry was hit by its biggest shakeup in a century in August 2024, when the agent commission system was overturned after a series of lawsuits against major brokerages The bombshell settlement agreement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) signed in March was heralded as the most significant shift to the property industry in a century Many plan to simply pick up the phone for off-the-record commission talks. 'The interpretations have gone wild, Ryan Tucholski, chief executive of the West Volusia Association of Realtors in Central Florida, told the New York Times. Despite warnings from Michael Ketchmark, the lead lawyer who won the massive settlement against NAR, that further legal action would follow any attempts to circumvent the rules, the real estate industry appears determined to resist change. 'Anyone who thinks they can continue to fix commissions on new websites or side deals is foolish and wrong,' Ketchmark warned. 'We will take legal action to enforce the settlement agreement. It's time to let the free market finally work.' Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has reopened its investigation into the trade group's antitrust activities. The NAR itself appears to be encouraging its 1.5million members to maintain the status quo by simply moving compensation discussions elsewhere. NAR president Kevin Sears told members in an official video message: 'If there's one thing I know about members, they will figure out how to efficiently communicate the information to see if there will be any cooperating compensation.' The organization's chief legal officer, Katie Johnson, doubled down in a July 31 email, stating: 'Offers of compensation will continue to be an option consumers can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with real estate professionals.' These practices hurt ordinary homeowners, according to research. Research from the University of Southern California School of Law examined hundreds of thousands of home listings across 34 major markets and found properties offering lower buyer agent commissions languished on the market longer and attracted fewer potential buyers. Experts say the settlement is really about changes to the rules which are designed to make real estate brokerages more competitive NAR president Kevin Sears told members in an official video message: 'If there's one thing I know about members, they will figure out how to efficiently communicate the information to see if there will be any cooperating compensation' This might mean agents could steer clients away from homes where they wouldn't earn substantial commissions. This in turn would punish sellers who try to save money. 'Until at least the end of the year, we're going to have chaos,' Rob Hahn, a real estate strategist who writes the industry newsletter NotoriousROB, told the outlet. 'And a lot of agents aren't going to be able to deal with the changes. We're going to see a lot of them choose to leave the industry.' The $418million settlement involving the NAR and HomeServices is one of five main settlements covering various brokerages that make up $1billion in total, according to the official settlement website. It's a debate that will leave many shaking their heads in horror. When it comes to eating breakfast, do you put the cereal or the milk in the bowl first? It's the subject of ongoing discussion online, as some argue for pouring the milk before adding their cereal. Former sprint Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who has appeared as 'Nitro' in the BBC's Gladiator series, is one of the controversial few. In a video uploaded to TikTok, he can be seen pouring milk into an empty bowl with the caption: 'Of course I pour my milk first'. To take the contentious method further, he then puts the bowl in the microwave to warm the milk up, before adding some Choco Wheaties. He wrote: 'Who's triggered? Don't hate me! Warm cereal for the win,' before adding '#milkfirstthencereal'. Now, scientists have weighed in on the controversial topic so, do you agree with their thoughts? Former sprint Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who has appeared as 'Nitro' in the BBC 's Gladiator series, claims milk should go in the bowl first Speaking to MailOnline, Barry Smith, founding director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses and professor of philosophy at the University of London, explained that cereal won't go soggy as quickly if it's added to a bowl of milk. However, it will be better coated if the milk is poured on. Timing is key, he said. 'Of course, it depends what the cereal is,' he said. 'The very earnest nuts and bolts granola from health food stores probably needs a good soak, while sugar laden flakes may dissolve quickly. 'Everyone will have their preferred tolerance, and a little-known fact is how sensitive we are to texture and how much that affects food acceptability. 'Think of people who like their scrambled eggs runny, or firm, their meat well done or raw. We can put people on a scale and they will not be happy at the other end.' We don't taste food all at once, he explained, and we change their texture by chewing, crunching or melting them in the mouth. For example, chocolate changes from a solid piece you snap off a bar to something that melts into a gooey, luxurious molten lava flow that we love. Professor Barry Smith said 'nuts and bolts' granola, like the one pictured here, would need a 'good soak' in milk However sugar-laden flakes, such as these, may dissolve quickly if left in milk for too long (stock image) 'As foods we chew change their textures they change their flavours,' he said. 'The interesting thing about cereals is that we change their texture before we eat them by adding milk. 'So timing is the key whether you put the milk in first or last. 'Experimentation is best to discover when they hit their peak texture the bliss point - for you. 'That also changes as you eat, so the cereal may start a little too hard and end a little too soggy and what you are trying to optimize is the time or number of mouthfuls when it is just right - the Goldilocks Principle. 'Of course, by the time you finish the last, soggy pieces, you are often rewarded by that sugar rich milk, which many people find even more delicious than the cereal.' Another 'milk before cereal' TikTok user, who has the username @chisme, explained: 'Guys, this is the right way. 'Because look now I know how much milk there is and I know how much cereal to put. 'And if I need more cereal, I'll put more cereal. Perfect milk-to-cereal ratio.' Australian milk brand Riverina Fresh uploaded a video in which it claimed that milk should go in the bowl first The UK's top 10 cereals According to a poll of 2,000 adults, the nation's favourite cereals are: Crunchy Nut Cornflakes Cornflakes Coco Pops Weetabix Frosties Rice Krispies Shreddies Ready Brek Special K Red Berries Advertisement Shelby Roach, another TikTok user, uploaded a video showing her boyfriend looking mortified. 'My boyfriend is offended that I was going to pour him milk in this bowl before the cereal,' she said in the clip. When he protests that the cereal should go first, she replied: 'But then the cereal gets soggy.' Meanwhile an Australian milk brand, Riverina Fresh, uploaded a video saying: 'Unpopular opinion. When you make cereal, it's 100 times better when you pour the milk first and then pour the cereal second. 'It keeps the cereal crunchier for longer, and it's just a far superior experience.' Professor Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, said: '"Plip, plop, splash" that is what you get if you add the milk first, rather than the ubiquitous "Snap, crackle, and pop" that has sold so many boxes of breakfast cereal over the years. 'Surely you want the milk to splash over top to ensure maximum flavour in your milk, while preserving crunch for as long as possible. 'No one, after all, likes soggy breakfast cereals.' He said that many will argue the answer to the 'before or after' question is a matter of ritual. 'Whatever ritual you have, no matter what the reason behind it, well ritualized food preparation and consumption can undoubtedly make food taste better,' he said. A Kellogg's spokesman said: 'We know that people eat their cereal in all sorts of ways whether its with ice cold milk, with no milk at all or we've even heard from cereal fans who add peanut butter or protein powder to their bowl of cereal. 'Some prefer to soak their cereal for the perfect amount of time until its soft others are hardcore fans of crunchy cereal. 'Weve been serving up cereal at breakfast tables since 1906 and the most typical way its eaten is by adding milk after the cereal, otherwise things could get messy. 'But if you're a fan of more crunch in your bowl, the milk first approach could be the way to go, as less of your cereal is submerged, and it crucially avoids spillages.' Meanwhile Nestle - who produce the popular Cheerios, Shreddies and Nesquik cereals - says there is 'no rule' when it comes to milk first or cereal first. 'If you're aiming for perfect cereal-to-milk ratio and optimal crunch, you should start with the milk first and add cereals gradually to match the quantity of milk in the bowl,' it says on its website. 'If you feel offended by the idea of going with milk first, you'll be happy to know a lot of people do their cereals the other way around.' Marine archaeologists have found a 'yellow-brick road' at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean that led them to the discovery of two long-lost Danish slave ships. According to historical records, these ships, called Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus, wrecked off the coast of Central America in 1710. Fridericus Quartus was set on fire, while Christianus Quintus had its anchor rope cut and was destroyed in the surf. But for three centuries, no one knew exactly where the remains of these ships were. In Costa Rica, people had long been aware of two shipwrecks located off the coast of Cahuita National Park, but dismissed them as sunken pirate ships. That changed in 2015, when American marine archaeologists found yellow bricks from one of the wrecks, which raised new questions about their history. Researchers from the National Museum of Denmark and the Viking Ship Museum conducted an underwater excavation of the ships in 2023, taking samples of wood from one of the wrecks, the bricks and recovering several clay pipes. The team published their analysis of these objects on Sunday, revealing that the shipwrecks were, in fact, the missing remains of Fridericus Quartus and Christianus. 'The analyses are very convincing and we no longer have any doubts that these are the wrecks of the two Danish slave ships,' said co-researcher David Gregory of the National Museum of Denmark. Marine archaeologists have found a 'yellow-brick road' at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean that led them to the discovery of two long-lost Danish slave ships 'The bricks are Danish and the same goes for the timbers, which are additionally charred and sooty from a fire. This fits perfectly with the historical accounts stating that one of the ships burnt,' he added in a statement. Measurements of the bricks revealed that they were the same size as the 'Flensburg' yellow bricks that were used in Denmark and the Danish colonies during the 1700s. Analysis of their clay confirmed that it came from Denmark specifically either from a beach called Iller Strand or a small town called Egernsund. Both of these places are located near the Flensburg Fjord, which was home to a large brick-producing industry in the 18th century, according to the National Museum of Denmark. The researchers used tree-ring dating to determine where oak wood extracted from one of the wrecks came from, finding that it originates from a tree in the western part of the Baltic Sea that was cut down sometime between 1690 and 1695. The wood was also charred and sooty, which aligns with historical reports about one of the ships being set ablaze. The clay pipes offer further evidence that the ships were Danish, as they proved to be Dutch-produced pipes that were commonly found onboard Danish ships at the time. 'The size, shape and patterns of the pipes suggest that they were produced in the period right before the ships became wrecked in 1710,' according to the researchers. Researchers from the National Museum of Denmark and the Viking Ship Museum conducted an underwater excavation of the ships in 2023, taking samples of wood from one of the wrecks, the bricks and recovering several clay pipes Measurements of the bricks revealed that they were the same size as the 'Flensburg' yellow bricks that were used in Denmark and the Danish colonies during the 1700s Gregory led the study alongside marine archaeologist Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch, who has been working for years to determine the origins of the Costa Rica shipwrecks. 'It's been a long process and I've come close to giving up along the way,' Bloch said in the statement. 'But this is undoubtedly the craziest archaeological excavation I've yet been part of. Not only because it matters greatly to the local population, but also because it's one of the most dramatic shipwrecks in the history of Denmark, and now we know exactly where it happened. 'This provides two pieces that have been missing from the history of Denmark,' he said. Denmark banned the transatlantic slave trade in 1792, but didn't actually abolish slavery until 1847, according to the museum. This project was carried out by the museum's new research center, Njord, which plans to excavate several more Danish shipwrecks around the world. A Florida family was left stunned after spotting a strange white orb hovering silently in the sky for nearly half an hour during a backyard barbecue in Lakeland - but Redditors believe they found what it is. The sighting occurred around 3.30pm on April 20, 2025, according to a Reddit post by user u/JoeBeeff, who captured the mysterious object on video and shared his observations online. While enjoying the sunny day with his brother, they noticed something odd: a circular object hanging motionless in the sky. In the footage, the man can be heard saying, 'How long have we been looking at this thing, like 25 minutes in the exact same spot?' He later adds, 'It's not moving,' clearly baffled. u/JoeBeeff elaborated in his post: 'The object is still in the sky as of writing this, it doesn't move from what we can tell, not even a little. 'My brother got out his binoculars and it looks circular in shape, almost like you can see through it, and had defined edges visible from the sun's light. 'It was difficult to keep the binoculars steady enough to clearly make out what it is, but I feel like even if I could I couldn't identify what it was.' He added that a high-altitude jet flew near the object at one point, making the orb seem unusually large or strangely positioned. A Florida family was left stunned after spotting a strange white orb hovering silently in the sky for over half an hour during a backyard barbecue in Lakeland this past Sunday 'It appears to me like the object is at a lower orbit than the jet was, that or it is a massive object,' he said, emphasizing that the orb didn't drift with the wind. 'With the naked eye you can clearly tell it's circular shape, but it doesn't move.' The sighting quickly garnered attention on Reddit, where users began analyzing the phenomenon. User u/attsci identified the object on FlightRadar as HBAL728, a Raven Aerostar high-altitude balloon. Another user, u/Abrodolf_Lincler_, corroborated this by referencing data from SondeHub, indicating a weather balloon above Lakeland at that time. Despite the initial mystery, the consensus among the Reddit community points to the object being a high-altitude balloon, likely used for scientific or meteorological purposes. Such balloons can appear stationary due to their altitude and the observer's perspective from the ground. This strange sighting comes as another so-called 'orb' sparked an online frenzy - this time in space. During these events, the moon appears as a dark circle moving across the bright surface being monitored by the observatory - a sight that has sometimes been mistaken for a UFO near the sun On Monday, NASA released footage from its Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) showing a dark, circular object drifting across the face of the sun. The video went viral, with conspiracy theorists insisting the orb was a UFO, claiming it 'stopped, hovered for a bit, moved closer to the sun,' then vanished. 'I guess we'll just have to settle for no answers - and watch this get swept under the rug, just like the obvious UAPs we see every day,' one X user lamented. Some even went so far as to suggest the celestial object triggered the widespread power outages recently reported in Spain, France, and Portugal. In reality, NASA confirmed the sighting was nothing more than a lunar transit - a routine celestial event in which the moon passes between a spacecraft and the sun, visible only from space. On Sunday, the moon covered 23 percent of the sun in a partial eclipse, visible only to NASA's SDO. Another clip from NOAA showed the moon as a glowing orb zipping through space, adding to the confusion. The video captured the moon as a dark spot in the frame, moving in front of the fiery sun But NASA scientists emphasized that the apparent 'hovering UFO' was simply the moon blocking the sun's light. The SDO even captured detailed views of the moon's mountains as it moved across the sun's surface. The latest transit lasted about 30 minutes and is part of a series - more are expected on May 25 and July 25. During the final transit, the moon is expected to cover 62 percent of the sun's face. Meanwhile, the next solar eclipse visible from Earth won't arrive until September 21, 2025, and will only be seen from parts of New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Antarctica. NASA's SDO has been monitoring the sun since its launch on February 11, 2010, capturing continuous high-resolution images to better understand solar activity - and occasionally sparking a UFO rumor or two along the way. Apple is best known for its futuristic, spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California. But what many people don't know is that the tech giant also has a huge campus in Ireland. Apple's Cork campus opened its doors in 1980 with a single manufacturing facility and just 60 employees. Fast-forward to today, the site is home to more than 6,000 employees, and serves as Apple's European headquarters. The tech giant is usually extremely private about what happens behind closed doors. However, MailOnline's Science and Technology Editor, Shivali Best, was invited to Cork for a rare look inside the testing labs. There, Apple puts its top-secret prototypes through their paces - and the gadgets won't leave until they pass the rigorous tests. From bashing and prodding, roasting and freezing, here's what really goes on inside Apple's European testing labs. Apple is best known for its futuristic, spaceship-like headquarters in Cupertino, California. But what many people don't know is that the tech giant also has a huge campus in Ireland The iMacs are subject to a cold chamber, where they're blasted with short gusts of -20C air, interspersed with heat Set against the stunning Irish landscape, Apple's Cork campus is mostly made up of a series of glass buildings, interspersed with slick landscaping. To our surprise, however, we were escorted just off the main campus, to an unsuspecting stone building. Chaperoned by several eagle-eyed Apple employees, we made our way down a series of white corridors, which wouldn't have looked out of place in the latest series of Severance. Passing rooms discreetly labelled things like 'Laser Lab', and 'Water Services', we eventually reached our destination - the Reliability Testing Lab. There, we were walked through the series of meticulous tests that each new iPhone, MacBook, and iPad must endure. Speaking to MailOnline, Tom Marieb, Apple's Vice President of Product Integrity for Hardware Engineering, explained: 'We do a huge variety of tests. Our main goal is to meet customers where they actually live and are. 'A lot of our tests aren't "standard tests" - they're tests that we've developed over time to mimic real life and usage.' First up is a huge oven, where we find four iMacs (with a combined cost of over 5,000!) being blasted with 65C temperatures and high humidity. The 'salt test' see the devices sprayed with salt water to recreate the conditions using a gadget on the beach Using the finest dust available, Apple blasts its devices to see if their ports can withstand the bombardment Other tests in this lab are slightly less dramatic - but are no doubt just as important If the problem is internal, it's over to the Radiation Lab for a closer inspection. Labelled with huge signs reading 'DANGER! Radiation risk', this lab is kitted out with the latest, state-of-the-art machines, which allow Apple's technicians to peers inside at almost every level This, Apple tells us, is to test both the internal and external elements - and if any fail, it's back to the drawing board. Next is the shipping and transportation test, which involves vibrating and dropping a device - on its own, in a box, and in a pallet. 'If you look at the industry standard, they'd drop it on a piece of steel,' Mr Marieb explained to MailOnline. 'Well, to us that's not interesting. You don't live in a house with steel floors. 'So we look at wood, we look at granite, we look at asphalt - real surfaces that people really use.' For the next test, dubbed the 'tip test', I was even invited to get involved. Donning a pair of gloves, I tentatively toppled a 1,299 iMac over onto a hard surface - something I'll probably be having nightmares about for the next few weeks. Thankfully, the pricey gadget survived the test, and it was on to the next chamber - the dust test. Apple has invested in a scanning electron microscope and a focused ion beam (FIB) microscope, which can achieve imaging resolution of just 5nm Set against the stunning Irish landscape, Apple's Cork campus is mostly made up of a series of glass buildings, interspersed with slick landscaping Using the finest dust available, Apple blasts its devices to see if their ports can withstand the bombardment. 'We aim to mimic the Arizona desert in that test. So we purposefully find exactly the composition of the sand,' Mr Meriab explained. Now, having survived the heat test, the iMacs are subject to a cold chamber, where they're hit with short gusts of -20C air, interspersed with heat. This, an Apple employee tells us, is to mimic the experience of a device being placed in the hold of an airplane, before being used in a sunny country. In addition, the 'salt test' see the devices sprayed with salt water to recreate the conditions using a gadget on the beach. Other tests in this lab are slightly less dramatic - but are no doubt just as important. One machine's entire job is to test a cable being pulled in and out of the charging port, while another simply presses the power plug from different angles. Meanwhile, one robot mimics sweaty fingers by repeatedly touching the screen with an infused cloth. While this level of testing might sound excessive, it's all part of Apple's 'longevity by design' approach 'Our goal is to find reality and then make it synthetic in a repeatable way to do science on it,' Mr Meriab added. 'So that covers a huge gamut of different things. Wherever you might dream of taking it, we've thought of it and tested it.' If Apple detects any external problems in the reliability tests, the entire design might need to be reconsidered. But if the problem is internal, it's over to the Radiation Lab for a closer inspection. Labelled with huge signs reading 'DANGER! Radiation risk', this lab is kitted out with the latest, state-of-the-art machines, which allow Apple's technicians to peers inside at almost every level. At the most basic level is an X-ray machine, which brings up a 2D scan almost instantly - much like an X-ray machine would let you examine a broken limb in a hospital. If the technicians need a 3D scan, it's over to the CT machine, which creates a 360-degree view of the device. But the machines don't stop there. First up is a huge oven, where we find four iMacs (with a combined cost of over 5,000!) being blasted with 65C temperatures and high humidity According to the tech giant, there are now hundreds of millions of iPhone that have been in use for more than five years - and that number is growing Apple has also invested in a scanning electron microscope and a focused ion beam (FIB) microscope, which can achieve imaging resolution of just 5nm. Given the tiny size of some components, this allows the technicians to pinpoint exactly what might be wrong with a device - and how to fix it. While this level of testing might sound excessive, it's all part of Apple's 'longevity by design' approach. This company-wide effort aims to increase product longevity through new design and manufacturing technologies, ongoing software support, and expanded access to repair services. According to the tech giant, there are now hundreds of millions of iPhone that have been in use for more than five years - and that number is growing. 'We design these things to last a long time - that's our goal,' Mr Meriab added. 'If somebody wants a phone at a more frequent level, that's hopefully because we've made new features that are compelling.' A volcano that has not erupted in 250,000 years is showing signs of an imminent eruption that would cause destruction and loss of life. Uturuncu, a so-called 'zombie' volcano located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, has experienced increased seismic activity and gas emissions. This unrest is visible in a distinctive 'sombrero' pattern of ground deformation, where the land at the center of the volcano is rising while the surrounding area is sinking. A team of scientists led by the University of Oxford in the UK discovered that this activity is due to the movement of liquid and gas beneath the crater, which sits above the largest known magma body in the Earth's crust. Uturuncu stands over 19,700 feet high and is a stratovolcanoa large, steep, cone-shaped volcano built up by layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash and rock. Mount St. Helens and Mount Vesuvius are also stratovolcanoes known for their catastrophic eruptions. Uturuncu lies within 25 miles of three towns, and an eruption could cause widespread damage and pose a serious threat to life, researchers warned. It is about halfway between two major cities in South America, La Paz in Bolivia and Santiago in Chile. Lava flows would engulf these nearby communities, while volcanic ash could spread across Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. Uturuncu lies within 25 miles of three towns, and an eruption could cause widespread damage and pose a serious threat to life, researchers warned More than 1,700 earthquakes have been detected around the volcano recently, leading scientists to study Uturuncu and determine how a dead volcano could come back to life. The research team used seismic tomography, a technique similar to medical scans, to create images of the inside of the volcano. By studying how seismic waves move through different materials, they were able to build a detailed 3D view of Uturuncu's interior. They also looked at the volcano's physical makeup, including the types of rocks, to better understand what's happening underground. Their analysis revealed possible paths where hot fluids are moving upward and where gases and liquids are gathering in chambers beneath the crater. The scientists believe this buildup is likely causing the ground in the center to risebut they said the chances of a full eruption are still low. Co-author Professor Matthew Pritchard from Cornell University said: 'The methods in this paper could be applied to the more than 1400 potentially active volcanoes and to the dozens of volcanoes like Uturuncu that aren't considered active but that show signs of life other potential zombie volcanoes.' California's Long Valley Caldera, a supervolcano, is also deemed a 'zombie' volcano as it last erupted more than 550 years ago. Uturuncu, a so-called 'zombie' volcano located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, has experienced increased seismic activity and gas emissions, sparking fears that an eruption may be imminent As is the Yellowstone Caldera that is closely monitored by scientists. 'The most recent volcanic activity at Yellowstone consisted of rhyolitic lava flows that erupted approximately 70,000 years ago,' according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). 'The largest of these flows formed the Pitchstone Plateau in southwestern Yellowstone National Park.' One of the most famous volcanoes on Earth, Yellowstone is located beneath a national park spanning three states Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. While scientists are unsure if the two volcanoes in the US will ever erupt, they are preparing for Mount Spurr to blow. In March, Alaskan officials warned it could erupt in the next few weeks or months after observing increase seismic activity, ground deformation and gas emission. Mount Spurr also sits about 78 miles from Anchorage, home to nearly 300,000 people, which would be blanket in thick volcanic ash. In a Thursday updated, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said 'unrest continues,' as 'frequent small volcanic earthquakes were detected beneath the volcano over the past day.' While scientists are not sure when Uturuncu will erupt, they are watching Mount Spurr in Alaska that is showing signs of unrest. It last erupted in 1992 (pictured) Mount Spurr also sits about 78 miles from Anchorage (pictured), home to nearly 300,000 people, which would be blanket in thick volcanic ash The eruption will set of a chain reaction that would cause international chaos. A massive cloud of ash billowing 50,000 feet into the air would force international hubs such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and potentially Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down. Halting all incoming and departing flights at these airports could have a ripple effect across the country, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations and even disrupting the global supply chain. Hundreds of planes fly over Anchorage and Fairbanks per day, and it's not just passenger flights that would be impacted. ANC is the fourth-busiest cargo airport in the world, with more than 8,000 cargo flights passing through each month. Then last time Mount Spurr erupted in 1992, ANC shut down for 20 hours while the ash cloud hung over Anchorage. It darkened skies in the middle of the day, and ultimately settled an eighth of an inch thick across the city. When Mount Spurr blows, the resulting ash cloud will pose a significant hazard to airplanes because the particles are highly abrasive. Flying through an ash cloud can quickly damage windscreens, fuselage surfaces, compressor fan blades and even kill the plane's engine. Ash particles can also cause critical navigational and operational instruments to fail. All of this means that it is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby. So, all airports in areas affected by the ash cloud will have to shut down. A 'zombie' volcano that has lain dormant for 250,000 years is on the brink of blowing its top, scientists fear. Experts at Oxford University say Uturuncu, in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, is showing increased seismic activity and gas emissions. The unrest suggests a deadly and destructive eruption is imminent, they predict. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Peril: Uturuncu lies within 25 miles of three towns, and an eruption could cause widespread damage and pose a serious threat to life, researchers warned This unrest is visible in a distinctive 'sombrero' pattern of ground deformation, where the land at the center of the volcano is rising while the surrounding area is sinking. The Oxford researchers discovered that this activity is due to the movement of liquid and gas beneath the crater, which sits above the largest known magma body in the Earth's crust. Uturuncu stands over 19,700ft high and is a stratovolcano - a large, steep, cone-shaped volcano built up by layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash and rock. Mount St Helens and Mount Vesuvius are also stratovolcanoes known for their catastrophic eruptions. Uturuncu lies within 25 miles of three towns, and an eruption could cause widespread damage and pose a serious threat to life, researchers warned. It is about halfway between two major cities in South America - La Paz in Bolivia and Santiago in Chile. Lava flows would engulf these nearby communities, while volcanic ash could spread across Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. More than 1,700 earthquakes have been detected around the volcano recently, leading scientists to study Uturuncu and determine how a dead volcano could come back to life. Rumbling giant: Uturuncu, a so-called 'zombie' volcano located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, has experienced increased seismic activity and gas emissions, sparking fears that an eruption may be imminent The research team used seismic tomography, a technique similar to medical scans, to create images of the inside of the volcano. By studying how seismic waves move through different materials, they were able to build a detailed 3D view of Uturuncu's interior. They also looked at the volcano's physical makeup, including the types of rocks, to better understand what's happening underground. Their analysis revealed possible paths where hot fluids are moving upward and where gases and liquids are gathering in chambers beneath the crater. The scientists believe this buildup is likely causing the ground in the center to rise - but they said the chances of a full eruption are still low. Co-author Professor Matthew Pritchard from Cornell University said: 'The methods in this paper could be applied to the more than 1,400 potentially active volcanoes and to the dozens of volcanoes like Uturuncu that aren't considered active but that show signs of life - other potential zombie volcanoes.' California's Long Valley Caldera, a supervolcano, is also deemed a 'zombie' volcano as it last erupted more than 550 years ago. Ash cloud: While scientists are not sure when Uturuncu will erupt, they are watching Mount Spurr in Alaska that is showing signs of unrest. It last erupted in 1922 (pictured) As is the Yellowstone Caldera that is closely monitored by scientists. 'The most recent volcanic activity at Yellowstone consisted of rhyolitic lava flows that erupted approximately 70,000 years ago,' according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). 'The largest of these flows formed the Pitchstone Plateau in southwestern Yellowstone National Park.' One of the most famous volcanoes on Earth, Yellowstone is located beneath a national park spanning three states Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. While scientist are unsure if the two volcanoes in the U.S. will ever erupt, they are preparing for Mount Spurr to blow. In March, Alaskan officials warned it could erupt in the next few weeks or months after observing increase seismic activity, ground deformation and gas emission. Mount Spurr also sits about 78 miles from Anchorage, home to nearly 300,000 people, which would be blanketed in thick volcanic ash. In a Thursday updated, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said 'unrest continues,' as 'frequent small volcanic earthquakes were detected beneath the volcano over the past day.' Alaskan threat: Mount Spurr also sits about 78 miles from Anchorage (pictured), home to nearly 300,000 people, which would be blanketed in thick volcanic ash The eruption would set off a chain reaction causing international chaos. A massive cloud of ash billowing 50,000ft into the air would force international hubs such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and potentially Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down. Halting all incoming and departing flights at these airports could have a ripple effect across the country, resulting in widespread delays and cancelations and even disrupting the global supply chain. Hundreds of planes fly over Anchorage and Fairbanks every day, and it's not just passenger flights that would be impacted. ANC is the fourth-busiest cargo airport in the world, with more than 8,000 cargo flights passing through each month. Then last time Mount Spurr erupted - in 1992 - ANC shut down for 20 hours while the ash cloud hung over Anchorage. It darkened skies in the middle of the day, and ultimately settled an eighth of an inch thick across the city. When Mount Spurr blows, the resulting ash cloud will pose a significant hazard to airplanes because the particles are highly abrasive. Flying through an ash cloud can quickly damage windscreens, fuselage surfaces, compressor fan blades and even kill the plane's engine. Ash particles can also cause critical navigational and operational instruments to fail. All of this means that it is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby. So, all airports in areas affected by the ash cloud will have to shut down. A divorce lawyer is accused of killing a nurse rather than taking her case to court and being shown up as incompetent. Detectives at first believed Aliza Sherman, 53, had been fatally stabbed by a stranger. But technological advances led them to attorney Gregory Moore, 51, and a bizarre motive: prosecutors allege he killed his client in a savage plot to avoid admitting he was unprepared to argue her case. Savagely murdered: Aliza Sherman, 53, was fatally stabbed outside her divorce attorney's office in downtown Cleveland on March 24, 2013 Charged: Investigators allege that divorce attorney Gregory Moore, 51, murdered Sherman in a plot to avoid taking her case to court because he had not prepared for it Moore is accused of killing Sherman outside his office in Cleveland on March 24, 2013. She was on her way to discuss her divorce case when she was approached by a hooded figure and knifed 10 times. Police initially believed she had been attacked by a stranger, but said technological advances led to them recently identifying Moore as a suspect and positing the bizarre motive. Investigators believe Moore hatched the savage murder plot to avoid having to admit that he was unprepared for Sherman's case - and facing a potentially ruinous threat to his professional reputation. The attorney was previously convicted for phoning in false bomb scares to several courts in 2012 to avoid having to come clean about being unprepared for other cases he was due to argue. Moore was arrested and charged on Friday with one count of aggravated murder, one count of conspiracy, six counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. His long-awaited indictment came after the states Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it found evidence Moore had lied about his location at the time of the murder. Doting mom: Authorities found that Moore had arranged to meet Sherman at his office despite leaving the building hours earlier. Pictured: Aliza Sherman with daughter Jennifer as a child Surveillance footage, phone records and key card data revealed that the attorney had never actually entered his office building as he had claimed and could have been outside at the time Sherman was murdered, prosecutors said. The mother of four was attacked as she waited for someone to unlock the doors to Moore's downtown office building, according to the indictment. Moore had disconnected his phone from the cell network for three hours around the time of Sherman's death in an attempt to avoid creating cell tower location evidence, according to the complaint. 'These texts and requests for calls were for the purpose of creating false evidence that Moore was unaware of Sherman's assault,' the indictment said. He later turned his phone back on and made several calls to Sherman's phone in an attempt to cover his tracks, prosecutors allege. He then got a new phone a few days after her death, according to the criminal complaint. 'The Sherman family has waited over a decade for answers regarding their mother's homicide,' Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said. 'Through the tenacious work of multiple law enforcement agencies, evidence was accumulated that paints the unmistakable picture that Gregory Moore orchestrated and participated in the brutal murder of Aliza Sherman.' Moore had been acting as Sherman's attorney after her original lawyer was suspended. Ambushed: Sherman was a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio Sherman's husband at the time, Dr Sanford Sherman, was never identified as a person of interest in the case and has since died, Cleveland.com reports. Moore's arrest marks a dramatic conclusion to a case that had remained one of Cleveland's most haunting unsolved murders. 'The successful conclusion of this case highlights the coordinated efforts between the FBI, local law enforcement, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office and serves as an important reminder of our commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families,' Cleveland Office of the FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen said. Prosecutors also highlighted Moore's suspicious actions in the hours after Sherman's death, including false statements to investigators and attempts to mislead the police. In 2017, Moore admitted to lying to police about his involvement in Sherman's death, as well as making bomb threats to the Geauga County Courthouse in January 2012 and the Lake County Courthouse in May 2012, and the Cuyahoga County Courthouse in July 2012. Crime scene: Investigators suggest that he may have been motivated by a desire to avoid taking her case to court, which could have led to financial and professional complications He was later sentenced to 180 days in jail, 36 months of community control, and 150 hours of court work service, News5Cleveland reported. Court records showed no attorney for Moore on Friday and hes expected to be arraigned in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court at a later date. It's a familiar sensation that many passengers battle when a plane takes off or lands - bringing painful ears and the feeling that someone's turned the volume down. If it happens on the way up, it can make for a uncomfortable feeling for the duration of a flight, which isn't ideal if you're bound for the other side of the world. Thankfully, a pilot has shared an easy remedy that can ease painful ears for everyone from adults to children, who often suffer more than the grown-ups they're travelling with. During normal ascent and descent, there's tricks that can help open the ear's Eustachian tube which runs from your middle ear to the back of the nose to allow the pressure in the inner ear to equalise with that outside the ear. eSIM travel company Airalo sought the advice of pilot William Hosie, who explained exactly why so many people suffer on flights. He said: 'Cabin pressure changes as you climb or descend in the plane. When the plane is at 35,000 feet, you're breathing air in the cabin as if you're at 6,000 feet. 'The air is thinner and the air pressure is less, which is why some people have problems with toothache, and of course ears.' The first step should be gently blowing the pressure out from the ears. How to do it? Simply squeeze the nose with a finger and thumb, close your mouth and start to blow slowly until your cheeks are puffed out. Ow! Ears popping at 30,000ft can be a painful experience - and is common as planes take off and land as cabin pressure changes Prep is everything says pilot William Hosie, who advises air passengers to take boiled sweets or lollipops on board to try and stop ears from popping in the first place. Hosie offers a word of caution though, saying don't be too enthusiastic or passengers could harm the delicate eardrum, saying: 'A burst eardrum can be very painful and take weeks to heal.' And prevention is always better than cure, he advises, saying simply taking a boiled sweet or lollipop on board can stop them from popping in the first place. Parents travelling with babies and toddlers who may not understand the pain in their ears might benefit from a bottle of milk, or a pacifier, he added. All of these things can cause the opening in the back of the nose to stretch, allowing the air pressures to equalise - and the pain to subside. In 2018, passengers on a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Croatia had to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt recently after the cabin lost pressure. Following the ordeal, 33 passengers were treated in hospital, with some bleeding from their ears. And last year, Delta Airlines passengers were left with burst eardrums and bleeding noses after their flight suddenly lost pressure and plummeted. Passengers aboard a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Portland, Oregon, felt the cabin lose pressure before the plane rapidly descended. The plane experienced the issue at 10,275 feet in the air. Over the course of four and a half minutes, the plane descended from 33,975 feet to 25,075 feet, falling roughly 33 feet per second. Last year, a Delta Boeing 737-900 flying from Utah to Portland had to return to Salt Lake City when the pressure dropped - leaving some passengers with bleeding ears One passenger, Jaci Purser, said it felt like her ear was being stabbed from all of the pressure in the cabin, revealing that she 'grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it'. Aircraft usually fly at an altitude above 30,000ft, climbing or descending to get there at a rate of about 2,000ft per minute. At 30,000ft the outside air pressure is about a third of that at sea level, causing gases to expand. For comfort and safety, aircraft cabins are 'pressurised' to an altitude of somewhere between 5,000-8,000ft, which is lower than pressure at sea level. This is why if you take a bag of crisps on the flight, it looks like it is about to burst, or when you get to your destination your shampoo has leaked into your bag. This pressurisation also helps to keep oxygen at a level that is safe for humans. Normally, as the plane climbs, the air in the inner ear is at a greater pressure than the cabin because it is still the same pressure as when the aircraft left the ground, so the eardrum bulges out. During the climb, yawning, talking, drinking or swallowing cause the pressure in the inner ear to equal that of the cabin pressure at cruise level. When the plane descends, the air pressure in the cabin begins to increase towards that at sea level, while the inner ear remains at the lower cruise-level pressure, and so the eardrum gets forced inwards, causing muffled hearing which you may have experienced when flying. It's 200 years since George Stephenson climbed into the cab of the aptly named Locomotion No. 1 and took 600 passengers on a 26-mile trip on the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Unsurprisingly, there was a buzz of excitement as the wheels rolled down the tracks, beginning in the small settlement of Shildon considered the worlds first railway town and continuing towards Stockton on the River Tees. They were, after all, on the worlds first public passenger steam train ride. It remains a joy to visit this hallowed train spot. But what other uplifting journeys are to be had across Britain the proud home of the railways? North-East Shildon to Darlington, County Durham At Shildon's Locomotion Museum is packed full of old trains - including Galatea and Duchess of Hamilton, pictured This intriguing 11-mile journey is where Stephensons Locomotion No. 1 first chugged away in 1825. Drop by Shildons Locomotion Museum, packed full of old locos; check out the remains of Britains (and the worlds) first station at Heighington; and enjoy crossing Skerne Bridge, the worlds first such railway structure. Dont miss: Seeing Locomotion No. 1. Middlesbrough to Grosmont, North Yorkshire Middlesborough comprised a few abodes by the River Tees before the railway came in the early 19th century, yet by the 1860s it had become an industrial infant Hercules (Prime Minister William Gladstones description). Departing from its atmospheric gothic station, youre soon travelling for 27 miles along the gorgeous Esk Valley Railway, passing bracken-clad moors and hills. Dont miss: The lovely tiled route map at Middlesbrough station. Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear This journey starts at the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick, pictured, to the King Edward VII Bridge at Newcastle This 62-mile journey goes from the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick (designed by George Stephensons son Robert) to the King Edward VII Bridge at Newcastle, spanning the Tyne and opened by its namesake in 1906. Between the bridges, the tracks skirt the North Sea cliffs so make sure you book a seafacing seat. Dont miss: Gazing out to Holy Island in the North Sea. North-West Settle to Carlisle, North Yorkshire and Cumbria Covering 73 bleak yet beautiful miles, this line was completed in 1876 at great expense double the original budget of 3.6million. Thank goodness the original investors stuck to their guns. You cross 22 viaducts, passing peaks and calling at Dent, Britains highest mainline station (530 metres). Dont miss: The spectacular 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct. Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria Avoid traffic-clogged Lake District roads and take to the Cumbrian Coast Line, which stretches 85 miles between Carlisle and Barrow, with long sections snaking along the Irish Sea. The fastest journey takes two hours 20 minutes, though you may want to hop off at Maryport to visit the intriguing Senhouse Roman Museum or at Ravenglass for a side-trip on the local heritage line. Dont miss: The museum of rail paraphernalia at Ravenglass. Wales Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy and Gwynedd Llanduno beach is a seaside town in North Wales, which is surrounded by great scenery perfect to spot from a train From Llandudno Junction, the station for the Victorian-era seaside town, its a 27-mile ride into the hills to the small town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. You follow the pretty River Conwy, slowly rising via farmsteads, woodland and rocky escarpments with former slate quarries dotted with rhododendron bushes. Dont miss: The lovely little platform cafe at Llandudno. Craven Arms to Llanelli, Shropshire and Carmarthenshire Slicing cross country on the Heart Of Wales Line, this 90-mile ride cuts between Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, traversing remote green valleys between rolling hills. Its a Transport For Wales service, often with no more than a carriage or two. Theres an exhilarating feeling as you leave the west coast mainline rattling into the depths of mid-Wales. Dont miss: Taking some snacks/drinks for the three-hour journey. South-West Exeter to Teignmouth, Devon It's 15 miles heading south from the cathedral city along the muddy River Exe, passing a half-sunk vessel by the shore and arriving at a seawall by the English Channel. Golden, red-tinted sands run along the tracks, broken by small headlands with crumbly cliffs. On the section at Dawlish, sometimes closed and occasionally damaged during storms, you almost feel youre surfing along the waves. Dont miss: Getting a sea-facing seat. Truro to Penzance, Cornwall St Michael's Mount in Cornwall is a great spot from this train, with its castle perched up on the hill This 30-mile ride slides between rolling hills from the county capital towards the end of the Cornish line: Penzance, Britains southernmost station. On the run-in, on the left, is the island of St Michaels Mount, with its mysterious castle. Dont miss: A coffee/tea at old-fashioned Sullivans Diner, next to Penzance station. St Erth to St Ives, Cornwall This five-mile journey on Cornwalls north coast leaves the Plymouth-Penzance mainline at the pretty little station of St Erth, winding along clifftops with great sweeps of sand. St Ives, once a sleepy fishing village, became popular with tourists when the Cornish Riviera Express from London began in 1905. Dont miss: Carbis Bay, just before St Ives. West Country Castle Cary to Dorchester West, Somerset and Dorset From the elegant market town of Castle Cary, this ride takes you 30 miles south on the remote Heart Of Wessex line through classic English countryside. The joy here is the sense of isolation, watching little farmsteads pass by, crossing Yeovil Junction and rattling towards Dorsets county town. Dont miss: Lovely skies around sunset. Exeter to Okehampton, Devon Okehampton station sits right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and features an excellent bookshop This route covers 15 miles and is special for being part of a section of the Dartmoor Line that was reopened in 2021 (after closing in 1972). Okehampton station is right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Dont miss: The excellent little bookshop at Okehampton station. The South Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin, Isle of Wight Make sure to stop halfway at Smallbrook Junction for a side-journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, pictured Arriving by ferry, its a few strides from the dock to Ryde Pier Head station, where old London Tube carriages await, along with some newer, purpose-built ones. This quaint, eight-mile ride to the old-fashioned seaside resort of Shanklin bumps along tracks past quiet suburbs and fields. Dont miss: Stopping halfway at Smallbrook Junction for a side-journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Tonbridge to Hastings, Kent and East Sussex This 33-mile line traverses the sandstone hills of the High Weald, cutting through tunnels and winding around contours, calling at historic towns such as High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells and Battle. Expect wooded hillsides, farmland with fruit trees and tranquil countryside before arriving at the fun seaside town of Hastings. Dont miss: Its a short walk from Hastings station to the beach. East of England Norwich to Sheringham, Norfolk In Sheringham, the North Norfolk Railway offers steam rides It's a 25-mile ride from Norwich to the seaside town. The route curves across ploughed fields and flatlands with canals, with the occasional village with a flint church poking up. Dont miss: In Sheringham, join the brilliant Poppy Line North Norfolk Railway offering steam rides. Thorpe-le-Soken to Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex This short journey of five miles or so is all about escaping down the line known as the Sunshine Coast Line to the seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze, which was put on the tourist map by trains in 1867. You cut across gorgeous emerald countryside, before pulling into the terminus, a short walk from the amusement pier. Dont miss: The striking mural of Winston Churchill at Frinton-on-Sea station. Grimsby to Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire The Humber Bridge, the world's longest single span suspension bridge, can be seen from this route Your reward for this peculiar, 21-mile ride passing bulk terminals, warehouses, power stations and electricity pylons as well as some long, flat arable farms is a superb view of one of Britains greatest engineering structures, the Humber Bridge, the worlds longest single span suspension bridge when it opened in 1981. From Barton-on-Humber station its a short walk to the river. Dont miss: The brilliant little cafe/bar facing Humber Bridge. North of England Sheffield to Chinley, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire A passenger train on the Hope Valley railway line, running through the rolling hills of the Peak District The Hope Valley line runs through the Peak District, connecting Sheffield and Manchester. The Sheffield side is especially beautiful, with tracks winding past Hathersage, Edale and Hope, before arriving at Chinley. Fells rise all around and carriages are often occupied by walkers. Dont miss: Walking from Chinley to see spectacular old viaducts from below. Liverpool to Manchester OK, so it may not be especially scenic, but Stephensons 31 miles of tracks between these two cities were just as important to train history when they opened in 1830 as the Stockton & Darlington Railway five years earlier. You can visit Edge Hill station, where the locos set forth to Liverpool Road station in Manchester now preserved as part of the fantastic Science And Industry Museum. Dont miss: Seeing the old tunnels at Edge Hill in Liverpool where the 1830 trains began their journeys. Scotland London Euston to Aberdeen The Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight rail journey beetween Scotland and London - but make sure to book a table for dinner in the dining car The Caledonian Sleeper offers rides from Euston to Fort William, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The latter makes a superb choice. You leave in the evening, enjoying the plush dining car, before arriving around dawn, crossing the Tay Bridge to Dundee and traversing scenic coastline via St Andrews. Dont miss: Booking a table in the dining car. Inverness to Thurso, Inverness-shire and Caithness This long journey of 107 miles (three hours, 45 minutes) offers an escape into a peaty, empty landscape, skirting estuaries, lochs and the coast before arriving at Thurso, Britains most northerly station. Fittingly, this route is known as the Far North Line. It was completed in 1874 thanks to the financial contributions of the Duke of Sutherland. Dont miss: Thursos lovely history museum. Mallaig to Glasgow, Highlands and Lanarkshire The Glenfinnan Viaduct was made famous as the route taken by the Howarts Express in the Harry Potter films It's a blockbuster five hour and 20 minutes, 130-mile journey from the peaceful west coast port of Mallaig to Glasgow. The highlight comes quickly: the Glenfinnan Viaduct, with its 21 spans and long curving shape made famous thanks to journeys taken by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. Dont miss: Booking a seat on a steam train ride, if you can get a space. Northern Ireland Belfast to Derry Over 90 miles, the Belfast to Derry Line connects with Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine and Castlerock making it an excellent way to explore Northern Ireland. It crosses rolling emerald green farmland and slides by mountains and luminous snaking rivers. Dont miss: The spectacular coastal section after Bellarena, before curving inland to Derry. Brits travelling to Lanzarote airport are likely to endure an 'uncomfortable and chaotic experience'. Oswaldo Betancort, the president of the island, made the comment amid calls for urgent action at the travel hub. Following numerous complaints in recent years, Mr Betancort is now calling for a meeting with the Spanish airport authority, AENA. According to the politician, among the issues at Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, there are not enough police on duty when compared to the number of passengers - a situation he described as 'unacceptable'. 'It is unacceptable that residents and visitors have to endure long waits due to insufficient staff at security checkpoints,' Mr Betancort said. 'More human and material resources are needed to guarantee efficient operation.' Some 800,000 travellers passed through the airport in March this year, making it the country's tenth busiest in terms of passenger volume (and the third busiest in the Canary Islands). The complaints received by the airport in recent years include how long it takes to traverse the hub, with passengers noting that there are long waits for both baggage collection and at passport controls. Travellers are photographed while waiting inside Lanzarote airport. Some 800,000 passengers moved through the hub in March alone this year This can take people around an hour - after which, they then have to queue up and wait for a significant amount of time for a taxi, with queues reportedly filling the concourse. According to the Mirror, one holidaymaker described being 'shocked' at how long they had to wait for a taxi. After spending around an hour collecting their luggage and getting through passport control, they said they had been looking forward to getting to the hotel - before being confronted by a 'really massive' queue for cabs. The holiday maker described this queue as 'literally snaking around the concourse', adding that there must have been around 300 people waiting for a car. 'It took us 55 minutes in total to get a taxi, which did nothing for our mood or Lanzarote's reputation,' they added. 'When we asked a taxi driver what the problem was, he said there were not enough taxis to cope with the number of arrivals. The time, we must point out, was 7.30pm, so probably not even the busiest time of the day.' Because of the huge waiting times passengers face when it comes to baggage collection and passport control, there are plans to expand the airport And it's not just people holidaying in the area who have raised issues: locals also feel there is 'significant mismatch' between the demand for amenities like taxis and the supply. According to the authorities, the solution is to create a digitalised service, and talks are being co-ordinated with the taxi association in order to proceed. There are reportedly plans to expand Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, in an effort to improve both the standard of service and efficiency of operations. The aim is to expand and remodel Terminal 1, according to the Airport's Master Plan, as well as expanding check-in, boarding and security control areas. In addition, connecting terminals 1 and 2 in the boarding area, past security control, is also in the plan. Fans of the hit '90s drama ER were in for a treat this week as one of the show's most iconic stars was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles. The reclusive actress, now 67, turned heads as she stepped out looking effortlessly chic a far cry from her white coat days as ER's Dr. Kerry Weaver. The star, who joined the medical drama in season 2 as the no-nonsense chief who famously used a forearm crutch, proved shes still just as striking as ever only this time, in a more casual vibe. Dressed in sleek black leggings and a sporty warm-up jacket, the Emmy-nominated star kept things simple while running errands with her signature ginger hair instantly recognizable to longtime fans. She later made memorable appearances in shows like How to Get Away with Murder and even stepped behind the camera to direct episodes of The West Wing. Can you guess the mystery actress? Fans of the hit '90s drama ER were in for a treat this week as one of the show's most iconic stars was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles The reclusive actress, now 67, turned heads as she stepped out looking effortlessly chic a far cry from her white coat days as ER's Dr. Kerry Weaver Dressed in sleek black leggings and a sporty warm-up jacket, the Emmy-nominated star kept things simple while running errands with her signature ginger hair instantly recognizable to longtime fans If you guessed Laura Innes, you're right! Innes made her final regular appearance on ER in the emotional season 13 episode A House Divided, which aired in January 2007. She returned for the series finale, flying in from Florida to reunite with fellow ER legends Elizabeth Corday, Susan Lewis, John Carter, and Peter Benton. After a warm catch-up dinner, she told the group she had to catch a flight back a poignant farewell for a character who had grown so much throughout the series. Before she became a household name on ER, Innes built a strong foundation in theater, earning critical praise for her stage work in Chicago, where she starred as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire alongside John Malkovich as Mitch. She went on to appear in major productions like Two Shakespearean Actors with Eric Stoltz at Lincoln Center, Our Town at Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Three Sisters at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Her early screen career included a mix of sitcoms and guest roles from co-starring as Krissy Bender Marino in the short-lived The Stiller and Meara Show to popping up on Hey Dude, Party of Five, My So-Called Life, and the Emmy-winning TV movie And the Band Played On. In the early '90s, she landed her first major television role as Bunny, the bold and flirtatious ex-wife of Lowell Mather, on the NBC sitcom Wings. If you guessed Laura Innes, you're right! Innes made her final regular appearance on ER in the emotional season 13 episode A House Divided, which aired in January 2007 She returned for the series finale, flying in from Florida to reunite with fellow ER legends Elizabeth Corday, Susan Lewis, John Carter, and Peter Benton; (with Lisa Vidal as Sandy) She later made memorable appearances in shows like How to Get Away with Murder and even stepped behind the camera to direct episodes of The West Wing Before she became a household name on ER, Innes built a strong foundation in theater, earning critical praise for her stage work in Chicago, where she starred as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire alongside John Malkovich as Mitch Her early screen career included a mix of sitcoms and guest roles from co-starring as Krissy Bender Marino in the short-lived The Stiller and Meara Show to popping up on Hey Dude, Party of Five, My So-Called Life, and the Emmy-winning TV movie And the Band Played On In the early '90s, she landed her first major television role as Bunny, the bold and flirtatious ex-wife of Lowell Mather, on the NBC sitcom Wings Off-screen, Innes has faced her share of challenges: Her first fiance, actor David Bell, was tragically murdered in 1980 at just 22 years old, reportedly over a dispute involving a blocked driveway in Florida. Off-screen, Innes has faced her share of challenges. Her first fiance, actor David Bell, was tragically murdered in 1980 at just 22 years old, reportedly over a dispute involving a blocked driveway in Florida. She later married actor David Brisbin, and the couple have two children a biological son Cal and an adopted daughter, Mia, from China. Still, through it all, Laura Innes remains a television icon and clearly, a class act in real life too. It's the quintessential story of unlikely lovers triumphing over the odds. And 35 years after Richard Gere's Edward became the knight in shining armour that Julia Roberts's Vivian always wanted, Pretty Woman is still the gold standard of rom-coms. It turns out, though, that the smitten businessman and prostitute were not the only underdogs in the Garry Marshall-directed classic. The movie was penned by struggling screenwriter J F Lawton and cast an unknown Julia into its main role, before bouncing back from being dropped by its original producers and becoming the fifth highest grossing filming of all time at its release. But even the prettiest films have an ugly side and it turns out this love story is no different, featuring fakery which clearly went unnoticed by the whopping 42 million people who bought tickets to see its record-breaking cinema run. From shape-shifting snacks to unfunny US sitcoms, how many of these goofs, mistakes and errors did you spot? More than three decades after Richard Gere's Edward became the knight in shining armour that Julia Roberts's Vivian always wanted, Pretty Woman is still the gold standard of rom-coms But even the prettiest films have an ugly side and it turns out this love story is no different, featuring fakery which clearly went unnoticed by the millions who saw it in cinemas From shape-shifting snacks to unfunny US sitcoms, how many of these goofs, mistakes and errors did you spot? Flipping pancakes Choosing what to eat at a fancy hotel breakfast can be daunting, but Vivian's culinary indecision really takes the pancake. Edward has ordered a whopping spread fit for a corporate giant and wanders over to it in his robe as he talks to his lawyer Philip on the most 90s looking mobile phone of all time. Vivian arrives just in time to enjoy the hearty feast and immediately dives into a rather enticing looking croissant. Edward justified his decision to order 'everything on the menu' by admitting he 'didn't know what she wants' and it turns out she can't make her mind up either. Distracting the businessman with some questions about mergers and acquisitions, Vivian can be seen halfway through a pancake a split second after she had been wolfing down the French snack. It's either a sleight of hand to match LA's finest pickpockets or, more likely, a textbook example of film fakery. Vivian arrives just in time to enjoy a hearty breakfast in Edward's penthouse suite and immediately dives into a rather enticing looking croissant Distracting him with some questions about mergers and acquisitions, Vivian can be seen halfway through a pancake a split second after she had been wolfing down the French snack Grinding his Geres In an unforgettable opening sequence, Richard's protagonist Edward stumbles out of a business party and borrows his lawyer's Lotus Esprit to hit the Hollywood Hills. The clearly anxious attorney goes to great lengths to explain the inner workings of his new car, including the American-unfriendly manual transmission. The lecture doesn't pay off as Edward soon gets lost and is left struggling to start the fancy vehicle, leaving him to be rescued by Vivian which sets up the film's plot. Aside from her charm and good looks, the businessman is mightily impressed by her understanding of the British motor after she explains it has a standard H pattern gearbox. But he shouldn't have been so easily fooled. The X180 Esprit used in the film has a five-speed gearbox not a four-speed system, rendering her advice useless. Mercifully, the corporate expert had no clue about cars either and took a shine to Vivian regardless, setting up the plot for this 340million ($463m) grossing classic. In an unforgettable opening sequence, Richard's protagonist Edward stumbles out of a business party and borrows his lawyer's Lotus Esprit to hit the Hollywood Hills He soon gets lost and struggles to start the vehicle, leaving him to be rescued by Vivian which sets up the film's plot...but her knowledge of its gearbox leaves much to be desired A noteworthy error Edward and Vivian's relationship amounts to more than just a transactional exchange, but it's worth remembering that at one point they had to agree on a price. The cost of her services for an entire week comes to $3,000, a figure which recurs throughout the movie, but after a life-changing seven days the businessman offers her much more, including her own condo and an allowance. Concerned she is being treated like a prostitute again, Vivian packs up her bags to head to San Francisco and finally get her high-school diploma. Edward makes sure he pays her regardless and, in various scenes, he starts taking $100 bills out of his wallet and hands them over. But sadly the millionaire shortchanges her, handing her just a few of the notes on each occasion, amounting to $1500 at the most. A whopping 30 bills would have clearly been too thick for Vivian's purse, resulting in a directing decision to underpay her, but it's all rather unfair if you ask us. Interestingly, the film was originally set to take on a name inspired by the price Edward had to pay, with Julia telling The Graham Norton show in 2023: 'It was going to be a much darker film called $3,000.' Edward makes sure he pays Vivian the $3,000 he promised and, in various scenes, he starts taking $100 bills out of his wallet and hands them over. But she is left rather shortchanged I Don't Love Lucy Bored while on holiday at a luxurious five-star hotel? Well, why not take a leaf out of Vivian's book and keep yourself occupied by watching a classic sitcom? Her show of choice was I Love Lucy, but it turns out actress Julia was not amused by the American comedy, failing to crack as much as a smile as she watched. To get over this unusual issue, director Garry had the genius idea of tickling the soles of her feet prompting side-splitting laughter from the cast member. It's a fakery trope as old as time itself, with sitcoms long turning to laughter tracks to provide a built-in endorsement of their show. The feigned chuckle is not the only thing wrong with that scene, as Edward's tie suddenly possesses a mind of its own. Vivian helps the businessman relax by undoing the item of clothing but, by the time she comes back from grabbing something from another part of the penthouse, the cravat is back on, only to be removed again seconds later. Spooky. Vivian helps Edward relax by undoing the businessman's tie while the pair watch classic American sitcom I Love Lucy But, by the time she comes back from grabbing something from another part of the penthouse, the cravat is back on, only to be removed again seconds later. Spooky Watch this Edward's lawyer Philip is undoubtedly the nastiest character in Pretty Woman, setting up a feud with Vivian when he suggests the prostitute is actually a corporate spy, in a chat with his boss. Later, after a business decision goes against him, the slimy attorney exacts his revenge by targetting Edward's new lover having stumbled across her in his employer's hotel room. He attempts to rape her after talking to her on the couch and, in the scramble that ensues, his fancy watch goes flying off his wrist. Then, when Vivian bites him, he's wearing the timepiece again before it disappears once more as Edward arrives on the scene. Philip clearly had bigger concerns than his missing watch, given his employer sent him flying with a fierce slap to the face before promptly firing him, but it would certainly have added insult to injury. As for the goof, it's an incredibly tricky one to spot, with the jewellery flying to screen left in a fraction of a second, so top marks if you clocked it. As Philip attempts to rape Vivian after talking to her on the couch, a scramble ensues and his fancy watch goes flying off his wrist Then, when Vivian bites him, he's wearing the timepiece again... before it disappears once more as Edward arrives on the scene Escargot saga Pretty Woman takes up the mantle from 1964's My Fair Lady and offers a 90s interpretation of the classic Pygmalion story of transforming a 'flower girl' into a lady. In each iteration, their dinner time display serves as the make or break moment, with Eliza Doolittle taught to sit up straight and practise perfect table manners as a priority. Vivian fails the test miserably, hurling a snail across the room in a fancy restaurant before the waiter catches it and says: 'It happens all the time.' As bad as snails are, the behaviour was unacceptable, although the prostitute's charm across the rest of the movie ended up being more than enough to redeem her. It turns out, though, that she was completely blameless. Julia, the actress portraying Vivian, had no role in the food fight with director Garry hurling the snack instead. The filmmaker, who died in 2016, loved the scene so much that he shoe-horned a carbon copy into one of the Princess Diaries films - which he directed. In both, a waiter is given the same line and the role of catching the projectile. In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it - it was actually director Garry Marshall who threw it The filmmaker, who died in 2016, loved the scene so much that he shoe-horned a carbon copy into one of the Princess Diaries films - which he directed Actress Julia had one condition for playing the prostitute in the movie - not stripping off for naked scenes Robes on for Roberts The attraction between Edward and Vivian is incredibly palpable throughout the steamy rom-com and the pair have sex on the very first night of their relationship. But actress Julia had one condition for playing the prostitute in the movie - not stripping off for naked scenes. When the up-and-coming star first met director Garry about taking on the role of Vivian in pre-production, she was 21 at the time and Richard was 40. During their meeting, she insisted: 'I won't be naked.' It ended up being a shrewd decision as some of the outfits Vivian wore throughout the film became legendary, particularly the red dress she sported at the emotional opera scene. During x-rated moments, body double Shelley Michelle stepped into the sex worker's shoes and even appeared on Pretty Woman's promotional poster. Tina Knowles is currently touring the world in support of her new book Matriarch: A Memoir. On Friday, March 2, the mom of Beyonce, 43, and Solange, 38, made her stop in Los Angeles. Keke Palmer, 31, acted as the host and moderator for the event, not knowing she'd need to spring into action to preserve the 71-year-old's modesty. In a TikTok video shared by a fan, Knowles could be seen holding up her gorgeous silver strapless sparkling gown, attempting to prevent the dress from falling off her shoulders. Palmer, in a a cute embroidered denim ensemble, jumped up from her chair and went over to Knowles, asking, 'Is this it?,' before another woman came onstage to provide a style assist. Tina Knowles suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction on Saturday Keke Palmer , 31, acted as the host and moderator for the event, not knowing she'd need to spring into action to preserve the 71-year-old's modesty 'They was acting like it was a whole murder show,' Palmer next joked, mimicking some of the facial expressions she saw from the event staff in reaction to Ms. Tina's wardrobe malfunction. 'I thought it was serious,' she continued. 'I saw the teleprompter [start] typing, 'We need something.' The hell do y'all mean? They went in for no reason.' As Palmer diffused the situation with her jokes, Knowles continued trying to get her dress to stay up with some assist from the event staff. 'Glad thats over,' Palmer remarked when she was alone on stage with Tina again, adding: 'They was gonna give me a heart attack. Whew! So back to the book.' Knowles is on tour promoting her memoir which tells her life story from when she was a girl through her rise as a business owner. The book also talks about how she guided her daughters as well as Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child to 'global commercial success,' the synopsis adds. Her tour kicked off in Washington, D.C. on April 30 with Michelle Obama. She next goes to Houston where Kelly Rowland, 44, acts as her moderator before she heads to London to finish her tour. Beyonce's mother Tina recently fought back the tears as she recounted her 'devastating' breast cancer battle and divorce on an episode of Loose Women last month - and admitted 'I only feel whole now I'm 71.' Keke Palmer , 31, acted as the host and moderator for the event, not knowing she'd need to spring into action to preserve the 71-year-old's modesty In a TikTok video shared by a fan, Knowles could be seen holding up her gorgeous silver strapless sparkling gown, attempting to prevent the dress from falling off her shoulders Palmer, in a a cute embroidered denim ensemble, jumped up from her chair and went over to Knowles, asking, 'Is this it?; before another woman came onstage to provide a style assist. In her book, she book also talks about how she guided her daughters as well as Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child to 'global commercial success.' Seen here in 2024 Tina was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer after doctors discovered two tumors during a mammogram appointment. She appeared on the ITV chat show to talk to Charlene White, 44, and Jane Moore, 62, about her new book Matriarch. Her recent diagnosis was touched upon after Charlene was keen to find out if she had a group of close pals that she could turn to in a time of need. Tina said: 'Friendship with women is of the utmost importance to me, its one of my biggest priorities to stay connected because when I went through that, I depended on my daughters. 'I didn't tell everybody in my friends group. I didn't have to tell them what was going on. 'I just went to Houston, gathered my girlfriends, we went to church, we went to lunch, we went parting at the club, dancing.' As her emotions got the better of her and her eyes started to tell up, she continued: 'I just told them I don't want to talk about what's going on, but I need you right now. 'They were all right there with me.They've been a big part of my life, my whole life.' Michelle Obama was the host and moderator of her Washington D.C. book tour stop Speaking about the support from her famous daughters, Tina added: 'With this one, they were the first people I told. 'They were the only people I told for a while and they rallied around me, they always have at those very difficult times. 'When I went through divorce, the first time I was devastated, and my girls were right there to lift me up and tell me that I can do things, and make me laugh because you know at those times, you need laughter too and they are my rock really.' Tina shares her daughters with ex-husband Mathew Knowles. Sydney Sweeney looked every bit the single blonde bombshell on Saturday as she put on a flirty display with Machine Gun Kelly and Patrick Schwarzenegger at the Palm Tree Beach Club and MGM Grand. The Euphoria star, 27 - who is fresh off a frosty run-in with ex-fiance Jonathan Davino - was all smiles as she mingled with the A-list stars during the festivities. Rocking a denim mini skirt and white tank top that showed off her long legs, Sydney looked carefree at the crowded event in Las Vegas. DailyMail.com's exclusive video shows the actress getting close to MGK, 35 - who recently welcomed his second child and first with Megan Fox. At one point, Sweeney also looked happy to see the White Lotus hunk, 31, as she touched his arm during a lighthearted conversation. However, Patrick soon suffered an embarrassing moment when Sydney humorously pointed out a bit of food in his teeth - which he quickly tried to remove. Sydney Sweeney, 27, looked every bit the single blonde bombshell on Saturday as she put on a flirty display with Machine Gun Kelly and Patrick Schwarzenegger at the Palm Tree Beach Club and MGM Grand The Euphoria star - who is fresh off a frosty run-in with ex-fiance Jonathan Davino - was all smiles as she mingled with the A-list stars during the festivities DailyMail.com's exclusive video shows the actress getting close to MGK, 35 - who recently welcomed his second child and first with Megan Fox In another short clip exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the blonde beauty could be seen talking to Schwarzenegger when she suddenly pointed towards his mouth. Sydney let out a laugh as his hand flew to his mouth and a couple moments later she bent forward to make sure that he successfully removed the food bit. Patrick then snatched out his phone and turned on the camera mode so he could also check for himself. Afterwards, the pair brushed aside the funny moment and were also seen dancing to music that blasted through the venue. Kygo helped DJ the event on Saturday - and the music producer is also part owner of the space. The club is the first partnership between night life giant Tao Group Hospitality and Palm Tree Crew. Schwarzenegger recently starred in the latest season of HBO's The White Lotus - and Sweeney notably took on a role in the show's first season. Sydney and Machine Gun Kelly were also looking extra chummy at the star-studded party at the MGM Grand. The two have known each other since starring together in the 2021 film Downfalls High, which MGK - real name Colson Baker - also directed. At one point, Sweeney also looked happy to see the White Lotus hunk, 31, as she touched his arm during a lighthearted conversation However, Patrick soon suffered an embarrassing moment when Sydney humorously pointed out a bit of food in his teeth - which he quickly tried to remove In another short clip exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the blonde beauty could be seen talking to Schwarzenegger when she suddenly pointed towards his mouth Sydney let out a laugh as his hand quickly flew to his mouth and a few moments later she bent forward to make sure that he successfully removed the food bit Patrick then snatched out his phone and turned on the camera mode so he could also check for himself Afterwards, the pair brushed aside the funny moment and were also seen dancing to music that blasted through the venue Kygo helped DJ the event on Saturday - and the music producer is also part owner of the space The club is the first partnership between night life giant Tao Group Hospitality and Palm Tree Crew Sydney and Machine Gun Kelly were also looking extra chummy at the star-studded party at the MGM Grand The two have known each other since starring together in the 2021 film Downfalls High, which MGK - real name Colson Baker - also directed The pair's playful chemistry at the bash didn't go unnoticed, fueling whispers among partygoers. The rapper also kept it casual for the festivities while sporting a pair of baggy denim jeans as well as a red tank top. He also layered the ensemble with a denim jacket and added a backwards hat on top of his head for a finishing touch. Kelly and Sweeney were also seen talking off-and-on during the weekend bash. At one point, the actress approached the performer and leaned down to tell him something as she held a smile on her face. The beauty also stopped to take a memorable photo with both Patrick and MGK as well as another guest. She then took an additional snap with Schwarzenegger once again as a different partygoer jumped in. Elsewhere during the daytime outing, Sydney mingled with a mystery man who donned a dark navy suit jacket and a pair of jeans. She lightly placed her hand on his arm as they held a conversation amid the bustling event. The pair's playful chemistry at the bash didn't go unnoticed, fueling whispers among partygoers The rapper also kept it casual for the festivities while sporting a pair of baggy denim jeans as well as a red tank top He also layered the ensemble with a denim jacket and added a backwards hat on top of his head for a finishing touch Kelly and Sweeney were also seen talking off-and-on during the weekend bash At one point, the actress approached the performer and leaned down to tell him something as she held a smile on her face She also sported a pair of black sunglasses and allowed her blonde locks to flow down past her shoulders in natural waves The beauty also stopped to take a memorable photo with both Patrick and MGK as well as another guest She then took an additional snap with Schwarzenegger once again as a different partygoer jumped in Elsewhere during the daytime outing, Sydney mingled with a mystery man who donned a dark navy suit jacket and a pair of jeans She lightly placed her hand on his arm as they held a conversation amid the bustling event It is not known who the gentleman is, but the Hollywood star held a smile on her face as she briefly talked to him. Sydney's love life has been making headlines ever since her breakup with longtime fiance Jonathan Davino. The actress split from Davino earlier this year in January, but news of the separation didn't come to light until March. And last month, TMZ reported that the pair have called it quits for good - following a seven-year relationship. 'Sydney and Jonathan are not reconciling romantically and they're not getting back together, despite speculation to the contrary,' the outlet reported. Shortly before, she and Davino finally crossed paths during a frosty reunion at their shared Florida property. Sydney had kept her distance - and her smile - leaving no doubt the romance is done. In reality, that so-called 'reunion' at her Florida home was anything but romantic. According to TMZ, Sydney was simply hosting a gender reveal party for a friend at her oceanfront estate - and Jonathan was only there because he's also friends with the guest of honor. However, a different source told Us Weekly the breakup may not be as final as it seems. Sydney's love life has been making headlines ever since her breakup with longtime fiance Jonathan Davino; former couple seen above in 2018 in L.A. The actress split from Davino earlier this year in January, but news of the separation didn't come to light until March And last month, TMZ reported that the pair have called it quits for good - following a seven-year relationship Shortly before, she and Davino finally crossed paths during a frosty reunion at their shared Florida property. Sydney had kept her distance - and her smile - leaving no doubt the romance is done However, a different source told Us Weekly the breakup may not be as final as it seems 'They were together for so many years and their lives are deeply intertwined,' the insider said. 'Its not easy for them to just cut ties and walk away.' She's also been linked to It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar, sparking fresh romance rumors. Meanwhile, MGK's on-again, off-again romance with Megan Fox has been a whirlwind, with the pair repeatedly breaking up and reconciling over the past year. The two also recently welcomed a baby, adding another layer to their headline-grabbing relationship. Known for his wild image, MGK has previously been linked to stars like Halsey and Sommer Ray, keeping his love life a constant topic of tabloid buzz. Sydney has certainly been keeping busy, including a friendly reunion last month with her former co-star Glen Powell at his sister Leslie's wedding. She's also been linked to It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar, sparking fresh romance rumors Meanwhile, MGK's on-again, off-again romance with Megan Fox has been a whirlwind, with the pair repeatedly breaking up and reconciling over the past year Known for his wild image, MGK has previously been linked to stars like Halsey and Sommer Ray, keeping his love life a constant topic of tabloid buzz Machine Gun Kelly was later spotted pausing for a brief photo session as he arrived to the venue on Saturday The music artist showed off his outfit for the day before joining other celebrities at the event Jessica Alba was another A-lister who stopped by the festivities and showed off her toned figure in a black bandeau top as well as a pair of black trousers The actress also sported a pair of black shades and allowed her brunette locks to cascade down past her shoulders in light waves J Balvin showed off his sense of style in a pair of light blue jeans as well as a black tank top and tan jacket Justin Jesso was seen taking to the stage during the opening of the club The crowd was seen making their way towards the stage during the upbeat performance Kygo held a smile on his face as he played the piano during his set Ava Max wowed wearing a skintight black dress and boots as she performed alongside Kygo Back in 2023, the two fueled romance rumors while promoting their rom-com Anyone But You, thanks to their undeniable chemistry. In an interview with Business Insider, Glen admitted they leaned into that spark for the film's promo, saying, 'I don't have the mental capacity to pull anything like this off, but she's very smart. She's very smart. 'I had such a wonderful journey with her on this thing. But in terms of actual dating and actually being together?' That same year, Glen split from girlfriend Gigi Paris, later reflecting, 'The only reason it made things harder for me to lean into that stuff was that I was going through a very real breakup amidst a promotional tour.' Bianca Censori is covering up, sort of. The model, 30, who appeared to be nude during husband Kanye West's recent livestream, donned a long haired wig with bangs for a snap in her Instagram Stories on Saturday. The exhibitionist, known for her scantily clad outings, wore a sheer nude lace and black Swiss dot piece of lingerie with high heels for the snap which had been softened considerably by a filter. She made no comment about the photo in which she posed in a squat with her knees covering her chest. The hair style in the risque photo was reminiscent of looks showcased by West's ex, Kim Kardashian, 44. The Kardashians star who once declared on The Ellen DeGeneres show 'I don't care what I have to do,' for fashion, has also been known to show more than a little flesh on occassion. Bianca Censori, 30, shared a major transformation on social media Saturday, wearing a long haired wig with bangs in a risque snap in her Instagram Stories Posting the snap was an interesting move for the Australian beauty. Her Instagram account contains only photos of her wearing a sheer flesh colored bra and thong panties while roller skating in Italy in 2023. The display has caused concern among her admirers. 'Does she choose to post this type of content or does Kanye force her to?' asked one worried watcher. 'I cant believe they say Ye be forcing you,' wrote another. One person advised, 'Get some self respect! Leave that man and restore your life and public image.' Another suggested she 'Wear something blue if you need help.' Censori and West, 47, wed in December 2022, and the pair were soon seen out with the Can't Tell Me Nothing rapper wearing his usually all black outfits, while his bride was seen wearing less and less. The display has caused concern among her admirers. 'Does she choose to post this type of content or does Kanye force her to?' asked one worried watcher; Pictured in Los Angeles in February Censori and West wed in December 2022, and the pair were soon seen out with the rapper wearing his usually all black outfits, while his bride was seen wearing less and less ; Pictured in Los Angeles in May 2023 The couple scandalized many after she wore a transparent dress to the Grammys in February; Pictured in Los Angeles in February West, 47, and Censori went through a glitch and reportedly consulted divorce attorneys before reconciling in March. Some fans are concerned about the rapper's control over Censori; Pictured in Milan in February 2024 The couple, who scandalized many after she wore a transparent dress to the Grammys in February, experienced a glitch in their marriage shortly after, with both reportedly consulting divorce attorneys. The two have apparently reconciled and West has since seemed to double down the idea that he controls his wife and what she wears. Earlier this week, he reposted a tweet from X which read, 'every man needs himself a Bianca.' 'She is a good woman that does whatever Ye tells her to do without caring what anyone else has to say,' the original poster wrote. 'The only thing she cares about is being a subservient extension to her master,' with West adding a black heart emoji to signal his approval. Oasis have reportedly dropped a track from their upcoming reunion tour setlist due to its association with disgraced pop star Gary Glitter. Brothers Noel Gallagher, 57, and Liam Gallagher, 52, are said to have cut the song Hello - the opening track from their iconic 1995 album - because it includes lyrics from Gary's 1973 hit Hello, I'm Back Again. The track features Liam repeating the line: 'Hello, hello, it's good to be back, it's good to be back' in the outro, with the melody of Gary's original playing subtly underneath. Due to the sample, the disgraced star and his producer Mike Leander were credited as co-writers on the track alongside Noel, who wrote the rest of the album's songs. A source told The Sun: 'The lyrics of the song would obviously have been a good fit for the reunion tour but the band have decided to leave it in the past. 'It would be inappropriate to play it given its connotations to Glitter and his convictions.' Oasis have reportedly dropped a track from their upcoming reunion tour setlist this summer due to its association with disgraced pop star Gary Glitter Gary, real name Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls MailOnline has contacted representatives for Oasis for comment. Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls. He was then released in 2023 but returned to prison just weeks later after breaching his parole conditions. The predator has already resigned to dying behind bars after the Parole Board blocked his release in February 2024, ruling that he is still a risk to the public. A source previously said: 'He still blames everyone for his situation, rather than accepting it's his fault.' 'Glitter is really down and moaning about his situation,' they told the Sun. 'He has said ''I'm going to die in jail now,'' and is resigned to it. 'He would be almost 87 by the time his sentence ends and knows the effect being inside can have on your health.' The songs removal follows a major Oasis tour decision by Noel and Liam - one that hints the brothers still havent fully buried the hatchet. The songs removal follows a major Oasis tour decision by Noel and Liam - one that hints the brothers still havent fully buried the hatchet Oasis sensationally split in 2009 after a backstage bust-up - devastating their loyal fan base. In the 14 years that have followed, a feud and bitter fighting has ensued with the brothers trading insults back and forth in interviews and social media. But this year, the pair are reuniting for a huge world tour, and have dates booked across the UK, America, South America and Asia in 2025. Despite the highly-anticipated reunion, it appears the Liam and Noel haven't put all of their differences behind them. A source, who has a guest list ticket for one of the shows in Heaton Park, claimed they will be spending time separately following the shows. They told The Sun: 'You might be seeing Oasis on stage but you will not be seeing Liam and Noel together afterwards. 'Each of them had a VIP list where their friends and famous fans could buy their tickets. 'But depending on which brother you got your ticket off, it's their green room and after-party you're invited to. 'It's gutting for people who want to hang out with both of them but it seems they're keeping it all at a distance.' Despite the separate parties, the duo seem to be working well together, with Liam telling his fans he's loved working with Noel again. And Noel feels the same, saying of his sibling: 'He's alright, he's on tip-top form.' MailOnline has contacted Oasis' representatives for comment. The Oasis Live 25 tour kicks off on 4 July at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before playing sell-out gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium in London, and Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium. The Brit pop band will then head over to America, South America and Asia in 2025. Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson have finally settled their divorce but still remain in a contentious legal battle over decisions about their daughter. The actors were previously married for four years before their 2023 split and share one child, daughter Juno Rose Diana Jackson, whom they welcomed together in April 2020. In recently filed legal documents, per TMZ, it was revealed that Jackson, 46, will pay $2,787 each month in child support but he will not be paying monthly spousal support. However, for the legal battle over where their child will go to school, Turner-Smith, 38, requested that he pays her a lump sum of $75,000 for her attorney fees. The Doctor Odyssey star who moved into a rental property after losing his $2 million childhood home in the devastating Palisades Fire earlier this year and his ex went to a mediator to compromise on a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter, now five. However, they are still in a disagreement over where Juno will attend elementary school. Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson have finally settled their divorce but still remain in a contentious legal battle over decisions about their daughter Turner-Smith reportedly requested a judge to enforce a court order to give her the power to move their daughter to a new school. In legal documents filed by her attorney Laura Wasser, she said she researched the elementary school, discussed with Jackson and even made sure it was close enough to his home. However, she claimed that he still does not want to move their daughter to the new school. The pair have been in a legal battle since Turner-Smith filed for divorce two years ago. She listed their date of separation as September 2023 and cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her reason for filing. A few months later, she broke her silence about their divorce and said she decided to file to end their marriage and 'make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us. 'And they don't just affect us, they affect everybody around us,' she told The Sunday Times in February 2024. 'Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working. And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children.' The actors were previously married for four years before their 2023 split and share one child, daughter Juno Rose Diana Jackson, whom they welcomed together in April 2020; pictured May 2022 in New York City In recently filed legal documents, it was revealed that Jackson, 46, will pay $2,787 each month in child support but he will not be paying monthly spousal support; pictured March 2022 in Los Angeles However, for the legal battle over where their child will go to school, Turner-Smith, 38, requested that he pays her a lump sum of $75,000 for her attorney fees; picturedNovember 2019 in Los Angeles They went to a mediator to compromise on a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter, now five. However, they are still in a disagreement over where Juno will attend elementary school; pictured March 2023 in Beverly Hills The exes previously met during his birthday party in 2018. They quickly started dating, and amid their whirlwind romance, they got engaged just months later. The following year, they secretly tied the knot before going on to welcome their only child together in 2020. Following their split, Jackson went on to date Lupita Nyung'o, and he was most recently linked to German model Nastassja Roberts. Last October, Turner-Smith declared that she is 'over men' after their divorce filing, insisting she is happily single and is not focused on dating for a while. Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn recently revealed the reason she wears her late mother's clothing. On the eve of the Kentucky Derby, the 18-year-old teenage daughter of the late model attended the annual Barnstable Brown Gala in a gown that Smith previously wore to the same event in 2004. Joining her dad Larry Birkhead at the soiree, she posed for photos in the sentimental, black gown with crystal-embellished straps and a low back. At the Barnstable Brown House in Louisville, Dannielynn explained why she likes to wear her mother's clothing and shared the heartbreaking reason she decided to wear that specific dress. Her mother passed away at the age of 39 in 2007 when Dannielynn was just a five-month-old newborn baby. While walking the red carpet at the event, the teenager teared up as she spoke about her late mother and the special meaning of the dress she was wearing. Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn recently revealed the reason she wears her late mother's clothing. On the eve of the Kentucky Derby, the 18-year-old teenage daughter of the late model attended the annual Barnstable Brown Gala in a gown that Smith previously wore to the same event in 2004 'This is the closest to a hug I can get from her,' she told Access Hollywood on Friday. On the same day, Dannielynn's father took to Instagram and shared a photo of them together at the event. 'Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole's dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle,' Birkhead wrote in his caption. 'She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom's and "super cool."' She also channeled her mom by wearing her blonde hair up in the same bouncy updo with loose tendrils framing her face. At the gala, Birkhead, 52, also shared his reaction to seeing his daughter wearing the dress for the first time. 'It was emotional because the last time I saw that dress was on Anna,' he told People on Friday. He added that when Dannielynn 'was a little girl, she walked over and she put her hand on the dress. And now that she's actually old enough to wear it, it just seems surreal that we're at this moment.' On Friday, she said that it was the closest she could get to hugging her mother, wh passed away at the age of 39 in 2007 when Dannielynn was just a five-month-old newborn baby 'This is the closest to a hug I can get from her,' Dannielynn said about her late mom on Friday She was the spitting image of her late mom as she rocked the star's jewelry at the Kentucky Derby on Sunday Birkhead and Smith met at the Barnstable Gala in 2003. When Dannielynn was just three years old, she attended her first Kentucky Derby with her father. Since then, the father-daughter duo have made the Barnstable Gala and the Kentucky Derby into their annual tradition. On Sunday, Dannielynn was the spitting image of her late mom as she rocked the stars jewelry at the Kentucky Derby. She wowed in a pale green strapless tulle dress by Mac Duggal, accessorized with a gold pendant necklace, gold watch, stacked bangles, and a feather-trimmed fascinator all pulled straight from her mom's personal collection. In his Instagram post, Birkhead revealed the sentimental connection, writing: 'Jewelry: Anna Nicole archive.' He also joked about his Derby-day makeover, adding, 'She made me cut my hair because she said I looked like a low-rent Keith Urban! Ouch Betting on a great time and good weather for a special family tradition.' The touching tribute came just hours after Dannielynn turned heads at the Barnstable Brown Gala, where she dazzled in one of her mom's iconic backless, floor-length dresses. The 18-year-old beauty arrived with her dad, Larry Birkhead, continuing their beloved annual tradition at the famous horse race Dannielynn wowed in a pale green strapless tulle dress by Mac Duggal, accessorized with a gold pendant necklace In his Instagram post, Larry revealed the sentimental connection, writing, 'Jewelry: Anna Nicole archive.' She was the epitome of her late mother as she wore the star's iconic dress this week Her father Larry Birkhead accompanied his daughter to the festivities on Friday in Kentucky - and uploaded photos to his Instagram page 'It was emotional because the last time I saw that dress was on Anna,' Birkhead explained to the outlet, before recalling how Dannielynn 'walked over and she put her hand on the dress' when she was younger Smith passed away at the age of 39 in February 2007 and her death was later ruled as an accidental drug overdose; Smith seen in 1993 in Beverly Hills The teen picked out her mother's dress to wear to the event and her father believes that 'she's doing a fashion experiment for herself. Also, I think it's really meaningful for her to wear.' Birkheadcontinued, 'I'm just glad she's going through and starting to wear some of [Smith's clothes] because she could literally pick out an outfit a day for the rest of her life and never wear the same thing twice with everything.' He currently is storing clothes that belonged to Smith in case his daughter wants them in the future. 'She's just now starting to get into the curiosity of some of the fashion and things in her mom's world.' Dannielynn has attended the Barnstable Brown Gala with her father since she was a little girl. Last year, the pair flashed cheerful smiles while stopping by the event - and the teen donned a stylish Gianfranco Ferre dress which had previously been worn by Janet Jackson. And in 2023, Smith's daughter sweetly paid homage to the model by wearing a Guess shirt that had black and white images of the late star. She additionally wore a black, layered tulle skirt as well as a thick belt with a shimmering silver bow embellishment on the front. During a past interview with DailyMail.com in 2019, Birkhead opened up about raising his daughter after Smith lived a life in the spotlight. Last year, the pair flashed cheerful smiles while stopping by the event - and the teen donned a stylish Gianfranco Ferre dress which had previously been worn by Janet Jackson Smith welcomed her daughter to the world in September 2006 less than one year before her tragic passing. After her death, multiple individuals stepped forward to claim that they were Dannielynn's father including Birkhead. Following DNA tests, it was revealed that Birkhead was her biological father. 'People always say, "Is she going to be an actress? Is she going to be a model?" And I never push her in a certain direction,' he stated. 'Actually, I get calls all the time and I say, "No, she's not interested in doing that kind of stuff." Right now she's just being a kid.' Birkhead who resides in the state of Kentucky with his daughter also shared at the time: 'She surprised me because last year she took an acting class. 'I got an email from a teacher and she said Dannielynn gave one of the most believable performances of the whole, whole entire school. So, if she wants to do something like that when she's older...we'll see when we get there.' She also welcomed a son named Daniel in 1986 with ex-husband Billy Wayne Smith. 'People always say, "Is she going to be an actress? Is she going to be a model?" And I never push her in a certain direction,' he stated 'We try to talk about him and I shared a birthday with him, so we always celebrated together,' Larry said; Anna seen with son Daniel in 1994 in L.A. However, at the age of 20 in September 2006, Daniel passed away in Smith's hospital room due to an accidental drug overdose. Days earlier, Smith had given birth to daughter Dannielynn. Larry explained, '[Dannielynn] knows just really that her mom was famous and she knows about Daniel. I try to incorporate both of them because sometimes Daniel gets forgotten. 'We try to talk about him and I shared a birthday with him, so we always celebrated together.' He added, 'You know, I tell her stories about them and I try to not make it heavy, because she's just now becoming a teenager and I think some of that stuff will come...' And while also speaking with DailyMail.com in 2023, Birkhead was asked if his daughter did anything that reminded him of Smith - whom he first met in 2003. And while also speaking with DailyMail.com in 2023, Birkhead was asked if his daughter did anything that reminded him of Anna - whom he first met in 2003; the pair seen in 2023 in Kentucky 'Yeah she can spend my money like her mom. And she loves to do that,' he humorously stated. He later expressed, 'I've created such a foundation for that I've given the tools to say, look, this. Life is normal now. 'I'm very picky and selective. She's very grounded and very humble. She is not one of these entitled celebrity kids. She's gone to a public school all her life. That's what she chose. She said I want to go to public school and not to private.' Birkhead further gushed, 'Dannielynn is on the honor roll and she makes great grades. She is taking college level classes. Anna would be very, very proud of her. I know I am.' Jackie O Henderson has maintained her slim figure since shedding a whopping 18kg in 2023. And on Saturday, the KIIS FM star, 50, clothed her slender frame in baggy jeans and an oversized white T-shirt during an outing in Sydney. The blonde beauty, who recently returned from Europe holiday, sported a golden tan and accentuated her bronzed complexion with a light application of makeup. She wore her long blonde hair extensions out, allowing them to cascade past her shoulders. For accessories, Jackie wore a pair of stylish dark sunglasses and held a designer handbag as she soaked up the warm sun. The radio star also carried a bag of green grapes while throwing a striped towel over her arm. Jackie O Henderson showed off her super slender figure in baggy jeans as she stepped out in Sydney with a healthy snack The sighting comes after Jackie O hit back last week after the $5million construction of her 'dream home' inspired fury among her neighbours. The radio queen insisted she was shocked that a neighbour had called her 'disgusting' in a recent interview on the renovations. 'The funny thing is that every neighbour has gone out of their way to say how great my builders are and how thoughtful and considerate they are,' Jackie said on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show. When asked by a producer if she felt bad about the worksite caravans she had parked in the street, Jackie was apologetic. 'It's really unfortunate and I hate that I would ever be putting people out,' she added. Addressing recent comments from an angry Neighbour, Jackie said to her co-host Kyle Sandilands: 'She did say that we are disgusting, you and I'. 'You can't blame people for thinking we're disgusting,' Kyle joked. Jackie has taken on the ambitious project that will see a complete transformation of an oceanfront Clovelly house she purchased at open auction in March 2023. The blonde, who recently returned from Europe holiday, sported a golden tan and accentuated her bronzed complexion with a light application of makeup It is located in one of Sydney's most sought-after suburbs. Two years after the KIIS FM star dropped $13.25million on the eastern suburbs pad, residents close to the building site are complaining about noise and disruptions. Residents claim that demolition work on the site, located on a small cul-de-sac overlooking Gordon's Bay, has created 'horrendous' noise, according to news.com.au. One resident complained to the publication about vehicles owned by tradies working on Jackie's home blocking road access and disregarding designated parking areas. 'I don't want to have to go to them every time I want to get out of my driveway,' the disgruntled neighbour said. A tradie informed the publication that work on the site won't be completed until June 2026. Meanwhile, the sight's foreman said that all the necessary work permits relating to the building of Jackie's huge three-storey abode have been approved. The radio star also carried a bag of green grapes while throwing a striped towel over her arm A report in the Wentworth Courier confirmed that Randwick Council received two complaints about construction. None related to noise or disruptions but rather raised concerns over sediment from the site falling into the ocean. 'Upon receiving the complaints, council officers attended the property and requested the builder implement additional sediment mitigation measures to reduce potential run-off to the ocean,' a spokesperson told the publication. Builders made the changes to the site as requested, they said. Dina Broadhurst put on a racy display on Sunday. The 'nude artist', 48, left little to the imagination as she posed for a racy Instagram selfie taken inside her home. The socialite stripped down to nothing but a white G-string as she stretched her body out on the bathroom floor. Dina was makeup-free and wore a pair of white heels as she leant her arm on the floor for the selfie. 'Soft Serve,' she simply captioned the image. It comes after Dina left her fans stunned last month when she shared a series of sultry shots to social media. Dina Broadhurst left little to the imagination as she posed for a racy Instagram selfie taken inside her home on Sunday In a gallery of provocative images shared to Instagram, the 'nude artist' used clever angles, shadows and mirrors to showcase her naked figure in an artistic way. One standout image featured a surreal, layered shot of her nude silhouette in the reflection of a portrait on her wall. Another showed Dina striking a sensual pose in a blue-framed mirror propped in a sun-dappled backyard, her toned legs and hip-baring ensemble making a striking statement. Many of her followers took to the comment section to gush over the jaw-dropping photos. 'So good,' one person wrote and a second added: 'Shadows and light'. Meanwhile, Dina recently returned from a European holiday after enjoying a romantic getaway with Belgian model Kengi Meert. She jetted to Paris after a sojourn in Chile with her ex John Winning Jr and spent the week rolling around five-star Hotel Costes with Kengi. It comes after Dina left her fans stunned last month when she shared a series of sultry shots which left little to the imagination Kengi won season four of Love Island Belgium but eventually ended things with his show partner Kimmy de Weerd. The male model, 23, is only four years older than Dina's son. They were trying to keep their relationship under wraps by not posting photos of one another on Instagram. Since returning to Sydney, Dina has reunited with her ex John. They were spotted on a date at celebrity hotspot Mimi's in Coogee last Sunday. Rumours had been swirling that Tom Cruise was going to take the next step in his romance with Ana de Armas and bring her to David Beckham's 50th birthday party with some of his close pals. And while Tom Cruise, 62, had seemingly arrived on his own at the swanky celebrations at Notting Hill's Core restaurant on Saturday night, hours later the facade dropped as he was spotted leaving in a car with the actress, 37. The couple made an effort to hide their relationship as they left the venue in the early hours shielded by umbrellas, before ducking behind the car seats as they sat together in the back of the vehicle. While they were trying to conceal their appearance together, bleary-eyed Tom appeared to find the whole thing quite amusing as he was spotted laughing and smiling as their sneaky moment was caught on camera. Ana, who was wearing an elegant strappy black dress, meanwhile kept her head down as she avoided being photographed with Tom, following their earlier best efforts to keep their joint attendance quiet. Earlier in the evening, Tom made a low-key arrival at the celebration, following a series of reports that his girlfriend Ana was also invited to the star-studded event. Tom Cruise, 62, was spotted leaving in a car with actress Ana de Armas, 37, after David Beckham's birthday at Notting Hill's Core restaurant on Saturday night They ducked down behind the car seats as they sat together in the back of the vehicle before heading off The couple made an effort to hide their relationship as they left the venue shielded by umbrellas David has already celebrated with a black tie pre-birthday bash in Miami, a family gathering at his 10 million home in the Cotswolds and a day out with his brood in France on Friday (pictured David and Victoria at his Miami bash) Instead, Tom appeared to arrive solo, spotted sitting in the back of a black cab as he pulled up to the exclusive venue. She had joined Tom in London earlier this week as they both jetted into the capital ahead of Ana's own birthday on April 30. For the Beckham party, Tom looked dapper in a crisp white tuxedo jacket, paired with black trousers and a classic black bow tie. The Hollywood legend briefly chatted with security before being ushered inside, as staff attempted to shield the entrance of the event with large black umbrellas. Top Gun actor Tom forged a close friendship with power couple David and Victoria in the early 2000s. He made an appearance at Victoria's milestone 50th birthday last year. Tom and Ana have been linked together since Valentine's Day this year. They appeared to confirm their love affair is real as they flew into London together this week, just days before her 37th birthday. In exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail, Hollywood icon Tom looked giddy as he piloted a helicopter into the UK capital with the brunette actress by his side. While they were trying to conceal their appearance together, bleary-eyed Tom appeared to find the whole thing quite amusing as he was spotted laughing and smiling as their sneaky moment was caught on camera Top Gun actor Tom forged a close friendship with power couple David and Victoria in the early 2000s. He made an appearance at Victoria's milestone 50th birthday last year (pictured 2008) Gordon and Tana Ramsay were also spotted leaving the party together after a night of celebrations for David Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Baston left the bash together Guy Ritchie and Jacqui Ainsley pictured in the back of a taxi after the party Gary Neville exits David Beckhams 50th Birthday Bash with wife Emma Hadfield He looked a little bleary-eyed Also spotted leaving the party was fellow Hollywood star Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Baston. David has already celebrated with a black tie pre-birthday bash in Miami, a family gathering at his 10 million home in the Cotswolds and a day out with his brood in France on Friday. But the celebrations continued with an intimate dinner party at Core by Clare Smyth, which has no less than three Michelin stars - with flowers and music equipment arriving at the venue earlier in the day. Eva was seen leaving the A-list event in an incredible plunging blue satin gown, while Jose looked smart in a black tuxedo. Elsewhere, Gordon Ramsay cut a dapper figure in a white tuxedo, while his wife Tana wowed in a pale blue satin dress as they left the party. Wife Victoria was by his side at the star-studded event, alongside their kids, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper. Romeo and Cruz's girlfriends Kim Turnbull, 24, and Jackie Apostel, 29, also attended the party. It was exclusively revealed in a Mail+ article that Brooklyn, 26, and his actress wife Nicola Peltz , 30, didn't attend the party. Katie Hind revealed that the famously-close Beckhams have been torn apart by a rift with Brooklyn no longer speaking to the family and his wife Nicola is seemingly at the heart of the feud. Romeo and Cruz's girlfriends Kim Turnbull, 24, and Jackie Apostel (pictured with Cruz), 29, also attended the party Brooklyn was a no show at all of David's event this week, all the more surprising because Brooklyn and Nicola have been in London since last week, having jetted in from their Los Angeles home. They had been invited to all three parties and up to the last hours on each occasion, the family had hoped they would attend. But, says one source, 'each time Brooklyn left his parents hanging'. The latest dinner they missed was a posh seven-course menu at the restaurant starts from 420 per person, including wine pairing. Earlier in the day, David and his family were seen arriving back in London after an overnight stay in Paris to mark the star's 50th. The former footballer was inundated with love from Victoria and his children Romeo and Cruz as they took social media to wish the star a happy birthday on Friday. The family marked the milestone with a luxury trip to the French capital as they flew off in their 40million private jet. The family flew out of Oxford on the Friday for a wine-soaked stop in Bordeaux, before heading to Paris for a swanky dinner to toast the big 50. They were also joined by staff and seen hauling off bags packed with Dior suits, designer gear, and enough premium whisky and rum to stock a Chelsea cocktail bar. David even made sure to tip ground staff at Luton Airport with 20 each as a thank-you before the group headed back to London ahead of the next set of celebrations. The star's Rolls Royce picked them up from the runway, while Romeo headed off in his own Defender. Earlier this week David's 50th celebrations kicked off early with a huge wild family party at his lavish 10m Cotswolds home. Brooklyn, 26, and his actress wife Nicola Peltz (pictured together), 30, didn't attend the party and he reportedly flew back to the US on Saturday before it kicked off Olivia Attwood celebrated her 34th birthday with a bang as she invited some of her closest pals to an intimate party in London's Mayfair on Saturday night. The TV presenter hosted her boozy bash at Bacchanalia, where guests were treated to champagne towers and caviar as they partied the night away. Olivia looked every inch the birthday girl in a glitzy red mini dress, which showed off her slender legs and was teamed with a pair of towering heels. Her blonde locks were worn piled up on her head in a half-up, half-down style, while she added to the look with glamorous make-up and jewellery. Ever the party girl, Olivia was snapped getting into the swing of things as she poured a bottle of pink champagne over a tower of glasses. She also packed on the PDA with her husband Bradley Dack, 31, who was wearing a grey zip-up jumper underneath his blazer. Olivia Attwood celebrated her 34th birthday with a bang as she invited some of her closest pals to an intimate party in London's Mayfair on Saturday night She also packed on the PDA with her husband Bradley Dack, 31, who was wearing a grey zip-up jumper underneath his blazer The TV presenter hosted her boozy bash at Bacchanalia, where guests were treated to champagne towers and caviar as they partied the night away Celebrity guests at the party included her close pal Pete Wicks who attended with his friend and podcast co-host Sam Thompson. The two stars appeared to have brought dates to Olivia's soiree, after Love Islanders Samantha Kenny and Samie Elishi were pictured at the party amid dating rumours. In recent weeks, Pete, 37, has been linked to Samantha, 27, while Sam, 32, is said to have been enjoying dates with Samie, 25. Other stars included longtime friend Georgia Harrison, 30, who was showing off her baby bump in a purple dress after recently revealing she was pregnant. She also was joined by former TOWIE co-star Nicole Bass, who cut a stylish figure in a bow-print vest top with a pair of black micro shorts. Her and Bradley's pal Ronnie Wood, who acted as best man at their wedding, was also there to celebrate the occasion. Olivia's guests were all treated to her latest obsession, POP MART toys, namely Labubu's which have become an increasing trend in recent weeks. The former Love Island star has made no secret of her love of the small cute toys, regularly sharing her new additions on her TikTok page. Olivia looked every inch the birthday girl in a glitzy red mini dress, which showed off her slender legs and was teamed with a pair of towering heels There were a selection of nibbles on offer including a tray of personalised caviar Her blonde locks were worn piled up on her head in a half-up, half-down style, while she added to the look with glamorous make-up and jewellery Ever the party girl, Olivia was snapped getting into the swing of things as she poured a bottle of pink champagne over a tower of glasses Celebrity guests at the party included her close pal Pete Wicks who attended with his friend and podcast co-host Sam Thompson The two stars appeared to have brought dates to Olivia's soiree, after Love Islanders Samantha Kenny and Samie Elishi were pictured at the party amid dating rumours Olivia also gave her Instagram followers a behind-the-scenes look at her lavish birthday bash, sharing clips from inside the decorated venue to Instagram. Before her party, Olivia revealed she had been gifted dozens of toys the brand which she planned to give out at the party as favours. The welcome sign for her party also featured an image of her face as a Labubu, as the theme of the party centred around the viral craze. Her celebrations comes shortly after she revealed she gave TOWIE star Ella, 24, the heads up about her ex Chris Hughes' behaviour before Celebrity Big Brother. Prior to the show, Ella voiced her excitement to meet Chris and even hinted that the pair could get into 'trouble' if they fancied each other. But Ella soon went against the idea of any relationship with Chris as she branded him a 'game player' after he sparked backlash for his 'creepy' friendship with JoJo Siwa, 21. The former Love Island star and American dancer set tongues wagging with their close bond , with Chris branding her his 'girlfriend' before continued to hang out after the show. At the Celebrity Big Brother afterparty, JoJo dumped her partner Kath Ebbs and Chris has since turned down an appearance on Celebs Go Dating. Olivia wowed in a red sequin halter-neck mini dress that showed off her incredible figure, complete with a rose at the neckline and a striking backless design Perched on the bar, Olivia posed for a sexy snap with a glass of bubbly She was joined at the event by her husband Bradley Other stars included longtime friend Georgia Harrison, 30, who was showing off her baby bump in a purple dress after recently revealing she was pregnant She also was joined by former TOWIE co-star Nicole Bass, who cut a stylish figure in a bow-print vest top with a pair of black micro shorts The welcome sign for her party also featured an image of her face as a Labubu, as the theme of the party centred around the viral craze Before her party, Olivia revealed she had been gifted dozens of toys the brand which she planned to give out at the party as favours Olivia was filmed firing champagne all over her pals Throughout the series, Olivia, who dated Chris after they met on Love Island in 2017, admitted she had seen a mixed reaction to his behaviour online. Speaking in a video on TikTok, she said: 'The therapy was expensive, it was time consuming, and now I'm going to have to go back for another round, because I'm not watching anymore, but I'm getting trolled on this app. 'Because every weird, creepy thing that happens, I'm getting tagged in it. I haven't opened TikTok for two days for this reason.' Speaking in a video on TikTok, she said: 'The therapy was expensive, it was time consuming, and now I'm going to have to go back for another round, because I'm not watching anymore, but I'm getting trolled on this app. Earlier in the series, Ella nominated Chris after admitting she had been told by an outsider that he 'likes to play a massive game' and that he 'comes into things with a game plan'. While Olivia didn't go into specific comments, the documentary-maker admitted she did previously speak to Ella. She added: 'There is two sides to every story but I guess my side, I told Ella when I was on TOWIE, just to give some context of the situation of what she knows. 'Some people, very few people, go on reality TV and they are 100 per cent themselves - the good, the bad, the ugly - they are the same on or off camera. She posed up a storm for some snaps taken inside the party Before her party, Olivia revealed she had been gifted dozens of toys the brand which she planned to give out at the party as favours Olivia blew out her candles on the fun cake Her and Bradley's pal Ronnie Wood, who acted as best man at their wedding, was also there to celebrate the occasion She smiled for a picture with Georgia Georgia was also pictured with another pal Lara Accison Nicole and Pete caught up at the party Pete and Sam were naturally side by side at the bash Olivia looked delighted with her Labubu-shaped cake 'Other people, they go on reality TV, they are one person and when you experience them off camera, you literally, it's like shapeshifters, you just...' Olivia later revealed she deleted the end of her video because she worried about getting 'in trouble' She added: 'There's nothing I need to say that has to be said now. It can be said another time. When I'm ready. 'I just can't wait to enjoy TikTok again, I've missed coming on here and not getting violated.' Florence Pugh has revealed that even her grandparents watch the sex scenes in her films and said they are simply another part of her career. The actress, 29, who made her debut in 2014's The Falling, said she has gotten over any potential awkwardness this might cause as she has had sex many times on screen. She recalled taking her grandparents to see the horror film Midsommar in the cinema in 2019, with her grandfather later saying that he would have never watched the film if she hadn't been in it. Florence told NBC's Seth Meyers last month: 'I've also done many a sex scene in my career, and also unfortunately, thats part of the course of what my family watch. 'I remember going like, "Oh my God, I forgot about that", when there was a naked body splayed over breathing organisms, and I was like, "How am I supposed to explain this to my grandparents?"' Midsommar centres around an American couple who join a cult after initially believing that they were attending a mid-summer festival in Sweden. Florence Pugh has revealed that even her grandparents watch the sex scenes in her films and said they are simply another part of her career (pictured in 2023's Oppenheimer) The actress (pictured in Marvel's Thunderbolts) said she has gotten over any potential awkwardness this might cause as she has had sex many times on screen Recalling the initial awkwardness, Florence said she couldn't help but think about how bizarre it was to have those who have raised her watch her sex scenes. Recalling the initial awkwardness, Florence said she couldn't help but think about how bizarre it was to have those who have raised her watch her sex scenes. She joked: 'You watch it with all the people that youve taken and youre like [mouthing], "Oh, f***".' However, the actress said it is not just her grandparents who enthusiastically support her films. She added: 'My whole family are such brilliant supporters. They will be there come rain or shine.' The star said that even when she is unable to personally attend an important event like a premiere, her relations will go on her behalf. Other notable sex scenes from Florence's now glittering career include the one that took place in 2023's Oppenheimer. In the shoes of communist Jean Tatlock she gets down and dirty with Cillian Murphy's nuclear scientist character, beginning the intimacy by posing topless in a lounging hotel room chair. The actress has portrayed several different sexual scenarios in her career so far and said she particularly enjoyed simply being part of a love story. Florence told NBC's Seth Meyers last month: 'I've also done many a sex scene in my career, and also unfortunately, thats part of the course of what my family watch' Florence has portrayed several different sexual scenarios in her career so far and said she particularly enjoyed simply being part of a love story in 2024's We Live In Time This was the case in the 2024 romantic comedy We Live In Time, where she starred alongside Andrew Garfield. She told ELLE: 'I have always wanted to do a love story. You actually get to understand the relationship, and what point theyre at in the relationship, through the style of sex they have.' Florence said the story depicted in the film was beautiful to watch back and at times it felt like she was really having a baby with her co-star. The film itself, as its title suggests, centres around a 10-year love story that sees characters Almut and Tobias navigate a series of challenges, including breast cancer. The Traitors winner Harry Clark has revealed exactly how he spent his 95,000 prize pot from the show. The TV star, 24, bagging the whole prize pot for himself in 2024 after deceiving his fellow contestants right until the very end. But the former Army helicopter engineer has remained humble despite his huge winnings - not having spent any of the money on himself yet. He told The Telegraph of what he's done with his winnings: 'I paid of my mum and dad's small debts and the rest of the money is in a high interest investment account which has just been building up. 'I also took everyone, seven of us, on holiday to Portugal; my family hadn't been away since 2010. 'It was probably the first moment after the show that I patted myself on the back. We're going back to the exact same place this year - only this time, there will be 13 of us.' The Traitors winner Harry Clark has revealed exactly how he spent his 95,000 prize pot from the show The former Army helicopter engineer has remained humble despite his huge winnings - not having spent any of the money on himself yet Harry, a former Army lance corporal still lives in his family's three-bedroom council house in Slough, Berkshire and has no current plans to move out. The Series Two winner previously opened up about struggling with his mental health after finding fame on the BBC show. The British Army engineer told the Monday Mile Podcast with Aimee Fuller, 'It's so weird, my life's been very 50/50, the whole way through.' 'I mean, there's obviously good and bad to it. The bad probably from the four months, and that the success of the show is probably losing myself a little bit.' 'Obviously, a council kid from Slough, I go to these events, you finish a drink, or you finish a glass of Prosecco, soon as you finish it, you get another one in your hand.' 'And then I'm looking around to pay the bill, and there's no one to pay. So I've just been making the most out of it for four months.' 'So I lost my training, and I sort of lost myself a little bit mentally, but just carried on working and now I'm sort of finding that balance.' Harry won The Traitors' 95,000 prize last January after deceiving his fellow contestants, including Faithful runner-up Mollie Pierce. He quickly became a fan favourite on the reality programme hosted by Claudia Winkleman due to his warm and cheeky chappy personality. A constant in his rise to success has been his girlfriend Anna, sister of popstar Conor Maynard, whom he began dating in April 2022 Harry, who previously revealed how his military background helped him to win The Traitors (pictured on The Traitors) However, this was a far cry from how he felt in the years leading up to the show, and Harry admitted he previously hit 'rock bottom'. He said: 'At around 21, I went through a bad time. I was in the darkest place you could possibly be.' 'I had feelings of wanting to end it all. I was quite an angry kid. But the Army moulded my characteristics and made me the man I am today.' 'I began facing my emotions and learned to give myself time to be angry and sad. I started to set myself time limits to process my feelings. Afterwards, I'd tell myself I couldn't waste any more time being angry or upset.' 'I had a realisation that time is the most important thing and I didn't want to waste it. In the Army, I was that guy people would talk to. All I want to do is help. It's a lonely world and it's easy to be blinded by mental health.' Reflecting on his The Traitors win, Harry said he was still working when it aired but has since quit the army. A constant in his rise to success has been his girlfriend Anna, sister of popstar Conor Maynard, whom he began dating in April 2022. Harry's series of The Traitors won the National Television Award for best reality competition, beating the likes of The Apprentice, Celebrity Big Brother, Love Island and Race Across the World. Harry won The Traitors' 95,000 prize after deceiving his fellow contestants, including Faithful runner-up Mollie Pierce (pictured at the NTAs after The Traitors won best reality competition) Lauren Zonfrillo has shared the harrowing final moments she spent with her MasterChef Australia star husband Jock as she said goodbye to his lifeless body. Jock Zonfrillo was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room about 2am on May 1, 2023 after police were called to conduct a welfare check on the 46-year-old. His grieving widow raced home to Australia from Italy with the couple's two young children, where she was faced with seeing his body in a Melbourne morgue. Lauren told 7NEWS Spotlight's Liz Hayes on Sunday that she was full of fear - but needed to see her husband, and speak to him. 'I was scared of it, but it was just what I needed. It was just a very strange feeling' she said while tears rolled down her face. 'Jock was in his pyjamas. I could smell his aftershave. I could smell his hair product. It was just like Jock was sleeping. Lauren Zonfrillo has shared the harrowing final moments she spent with her MasterChef Australia star husband Jock as she said goodbye to his lifeless body. Both pictured 'I went up to him, and I wanted to touch him but I was quite scared. And so I started with his hair, and then I could touch his face, then I was kind of, was okay with it. But it was really my time to say goodbye to Jock' she continued. 'He was still there. I really felt he was there. I told him that it will be okay, that I've got this. That I will make sure the kids live big lives. And that, no matter what, we would be a family.' Lauren said that she begged her husband to tell her what happened to him, and wished that he would reply. 'I asked him what the f**k happened, and I just wanted the words from him. He just looked completely normal to me. 'I could not undo what was in front of me. Like, I am broken now. That's it. There's no fixing me. This is the person I love that much, who cannot be there.' When asked to disclose Jock's cause of death, which has never been revealed, Lauren remained protective of her husband. 'A lot of people want to know the answer to that, I'm really aware of that. I've had a lot of experiences with people coming up to me, all strangers, and asking how Jock died, and it's very unsettling' she said. 'Jock was very open in what he was willing to talk about. And I now don't want to make those decisions, because I don't know what he does and doesn't want to talk about.' Lauren told 7NEWS Sptlight's Liz Hayes (right) on Sunday that she was full of fear - but needed to see her husband, and speak to him 'Jock was in his pyjamas. I could smell his aftershave. It was just like Jock was sleeping' she said while tears rolled down her face Lauren said she 'has an answer' to what killed her husband, but 'it doesn't make a difference' to her grieving process. There was widespread speculation about the cause of Zonfrillo's sudden death due to his well-publicised history of drug abuse and mental health struggles. He left behind Lauren and their two young children, five-year-old Alfie and three-year-old Isla, as well as daughters Ava and Sofia from previous marriages. At the time of Zonfrillo's death, Lauren had been in Italy and reportedly became concerned when her husband failed to keep to their usual daily schedule of telephone calls. A senior Victoria Police source told Daily Mail Australia that officers who attended Zagame's House in Carlton found Zonfrillo dead in his bed and saw no obvious signs of anything suspicious or unusual. There was no drug paraphernalia located, no one else in his room and police at the scene formed the initial view Zonfrillo had died of natural causes. Lauren has never publicly discussed Zonfrillo's cause of death and a spokeswoman for Victoria's Coroners Court told Daily Mail Australia in February that the August 2024 findings of an investigation would not be published. It is unclear if Lauren will reveal what she knows of what happened the night her husband died in her upcoming book Till Death Do Us Part, an extract of which appears in the current edition of The Australian Women's Weekly. 'I went up to him, and I wanted to touch him but I was quite scared. And so I started with his hair, and then I could touch his face, then I was kind of, was okay with it. But it was really my time to say goodbye to Jock' she continued In that extract, Lauren describes how she coped with her first birthday after Zonfrillo's loss. 'I started crying the night before and continued for hours in bed, so I took a sleeping tablet, and then when I woke up the next morning, the tears instantly started again,' she writes. 'The kids came into my room in the morning, and without even saying anything, Alfie went downstairs to the freezer, got me two icepacks, came back upstairs and told me to put them on my head. 'I said it was my birthday, and the response I got was to be asked when they would be able to eat some of my cake.' Alfie and Isla then went downstairs and made themselves breakfast. 'I felt like they didn't care it was my birthday, and that made the crying even more uncontrollable,' she writes. 'Then I acknowledged they didn't understand the importance of the day to me, and I was expecting a three-year-old and a six-year-old to be Jock.' As Lauren's family and friends called and texted with birthday messages she turned off her phone 'so I could cry and feel sorry for myself interrupted'. 'I was now maybe an hour and a half away from needing to leave for my birthday lunch with friends, so I climbed out of bed, took a couple of beta-blockers and some CBD oil, had a shower and got in an Uber,' she writes. Jock left behind Lauren and their two young children, five-year-old Alfie and three-year-old Isla (both pictured), as well as daughters Ava and Sofia from previous marriages Lauren burst into tears when she met friends including her late husband's fellow MasterChef judge Andy Allen and his wife Alex for lunch. CBD (cannabidiol) oil is a prescription medication made from the hemp plant and used to treat epilepsy. It is taken by some users to relieve anxiety and pain. Beta-blockers are used to lower blood pressure and heart rate but can also ease anxiety. Lauren had assumed the first year after Zonfrillo's death would be the hardest, particularly because of all the 'firsts' she and the family would experience without him, but that was not the case. 'That may be true for the first Christmas or Mother's Day, but they actually come in waves each year, and some are freak waves I didnt see coming,' she writes. Lauren also describes how she handles raising two young children as a single parent. 'An agreement I made with myself early on was that good enough was good enough,' she writes. Some of those moments included ordering a cake from Uber Eats for her son's birthday, an occasion which was previously catered for by her husband. Lauren said she 'has an answer' to what killed her husband, but 'it doesn't make a difference' to her grieving process The marketing and communications agency founder, who appears as a panellist on the ABC's Gruen program, also could not work out how to turn on the Christmas tree lights. 'I just keep telling myself that I am doing the best I can in this moment in time,' she writes. 'As I move further away from the immediate trauma of losing Jock, the importance of numbers is receding as I shift from basic survival and getting through one day at a time to freedom and release from guilt. Before his death, Zonfrillo had been preparing for the launch of MasterChef's 15th season, which was set to premiere the night his body was found. He was also in the early stages of planning a new restaurant and had started working on a cookbook prior to his death. Zonfrillo and his wife had put their four-bedroom Carlton terrace up for rent ahead of a potential permanent move to Italy, where his father was born. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Zonfrillo had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in mid 2021, after recovering from an earlier bout with the disease. It is not suggested the cancer killed Zonfrillo, only that he had told friends its return was detected after a routine colonoscopy. Lauren has never publicly discussed Zonfrillo's cause of death and a spokeswoman for Victoria's Coroners Court told Daily Mail Australia in February that the August 2024 findings of an investigation would not be published A source said Zonfrillo kept his health problems from most friends and colleagues, receiving treatment including chemotherapy when MasterChef was not filming. A fortnight after Zonfrillo's death his wife led about 200 mourners who gathered for a funeral at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium at North Ryde on May 13. Among those who attended the service were celebrity chefs George Calombaris, Matt Moran, Colin Fassnidge, Manu Feildel and Shannon Bennett as well as Zonfrillo's co-stars Allen and Melissa Leong. Lauren was among the pallbearers and delivered a eulogy before Zonfrillo's friend and fellow Scotsman, Jimmy Barnes, sang Amazing Grace with his daughter Mahalia. Zonfrillo wrote in his 2021 memoir Last Shot about battling a heroin addiction from his teenage years working as a chef in Glasgow. After moving to north-west England he sold cocaine and other drugs to supplement his wages, was eventually sacked and at 17 made his way to London. Zonfrillo wrote that he turned up at Marco Pierre White's renowned restaurant at the Hyde Park Hotel in 1994 and the famed chef became a mentor who would shape his life. He moved to Australia aged 20 in 1996 and got a job at Forty One restaurant in Sydney where he was using cocaine, pills, LSD and cannabis. Zonfrillo joined the MasterChef Australia judging panel in 2020 with food critic Leong and restaurateur Allen after original judges Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston left According to his book, Zonfrillo kept a raging heroin habit hidden from everyone before going back to the UK in 1997 when his visa ran out. He wrote of taking his last hit of heroin in the toilets at Heathrow airport before returning to Australia in early 2000. Zonfrillo opened his own restaurants, Orana and Bistro Blackwood, in Adelaide in 2013. He added a third, Nonna Mallozzi, in 2018. The latter lasted six months, Bistro Blackwood closed in late 2019 and Orana in March 2020. Zonfrillo joined the MasterChef Australia judging panel in 2020 with food critic Leong and restaurateur Allen after original judges Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston left. Till Death Do Us Part, published by Penguin Books Australia, will be released on May 6. Advertisement Andy Allen has opened up about his final meeting with Jock Zonfrillo, revealing that he saw the late celebrity chef just a couple of hours before he died. Jock, who was found dead aged 46 in a Melbourne hotel room in 2023, co-judged alongside Andy on hit cooking show MasterChef Australia from 2020 up until his death. In a sit-down interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, Andy, 37, got candid about the last time he saw his friend, revealing he met Jock for lunch the day before his body was discovered. 'I've got hairs standing up already,' he told Liz Hayes as he looked back on his and Jock's final meal together, a moment he reflects back on a lot. Andy went on to reveal that he had no idea that there was anything amiss during his last meeting with the celebrity chef. 'That's the thing that hurts the most,' he told Liz with tears in his eyes, '(be)cause it was so sudden.' Andy Allen (pictured) has opened up about his final meeting with Jock Zonfrillo, revealing that he saw the late celebrity chef just a couple of hours before he passed away Jock (left), who was found dead aged 46 in a Melbourne hotel room in 2023, co-judged alongside Andy on hit cooking show MasterChef Australia from 2020 up until his death Elsewhere in the heartbreaking interview, Andy recounted the moment he was given the news of Jock's passing by his wife Lauren Zonfrillo. The chef admitted that the grief of losing his close friend hit him 'straight away', a feeling that made him instantly ill. 'As soon as I got off the phone, I ran straight to the bathroom and I vomited everywhere,' he said. Andy also shared how he still grieves his friend daily. 'I always think of him. And I miss him, I miss him so much. It's crazy that that never goes' he said. 'That being reminded of him wherever I go and no matter what I do, it is still as strong as the day that he passed two years ago.' Andy's raw on-screen moment comes after he shared a heartfelt tribute to his late co-star on the second anniversary of his death. Last week, the celebrity chef shared a throwback photo to social media of them together and captioned it with some bittersweet words. 'Two years since we lost the great man, Jock Zonfrillo. I miss him more than ever,' Andy wrote. In a sit-down interview with Seven's Spotlight, Andy, 37, got candid about the last time he saw his friend, revealing he met Jock for lunch the day before his body was discovered Last week, the celebrity chef shared a throwback photo to social media of them together and captioned it with some bittersweet words The precious picture captured the pair beaming together as they proudly held up string sausages to the camera. Many of Andy's celebrity friends took to the comment section to share their support. Jock's widow Lauren posted a love heart emoji, as did celebrity chef Darren Robertson. Andy previously revealed the death of his close friend and co-star was the 'hardest time' of his life. Last year, he opened up about losing Jock and told how it was 'really difficult' grieving in the public eye. The TV personality candidly revealed it was the first time he had dealt with such a personal tragedy. 'It was the hardest time of my life, I had never had tragedy like that hit me so close, it was very uncharted waters and multiply that by it being in the public eye; it was really difficult,' he told the Herald Sun. Andy detailed his heavy emotional toll and told how he spent a 'full day crying' after travelling to Sicily to mark Jock's birthday. 'I spent a full day just crying, in a couple of hour increments, just having a good old cry, then I would be quiet... then I would go again,' he shared. Jock was found dead at the Zagame's House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, at around 2am on May 1, 2023. At the time, his wife Lauren was in Italy with their two children and had phoned Victoria Police to request a welfare check because he stopped answering her calls. Jock's death came just one day before the 2023 season of MasterChef was due to premiere, and it was delayed in arriving on air for a week 'out of respect'. Actor Jeremy Renner was lucky to survive when he broke 38 bones after a 14,000lb snow plough crushed him but now, two years on, he insists he wouldn't turn back the clock despite ongoing struggles with his injuries. The two-time Oscar nominee, who played Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and a Disney+ series, shows no self-pity as he revealed the near-death experience has transformed his life making it far simpler, better, and more stress-free than before. Indeed, the star of Hurt Locker and The Bourne Legacy said his first thought when he regained consciousness was that he could wipe his future packed diary of filming commitments clear and a feeling of delight that he was free to do what he wanted. Although Renner says he has not given up on his acting, he said he will now be much more choosy and put other parts of his life first before taking roles. That means trying to look for roles in locations where he can take his 12-year-old daughter Ava with him seeing them as opportunities for family breaks with some work thrown in. However, one role he won't be playing in the near future is his old character in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, after he said he was made an 'insult offer' of only half his previous pay to reprise his character. Jeremy Renner claims he was made an 'insult offer' from Disney of only half his previous pay to reprise role in Hawkeye series two He said: 'They asked me to do a season two, and they offered me half the money. I'm like 'I'm sorry'' Renner who often performed his own stunts in the past - slammed the pay cut, as he questioned whether it had been reduced because of his injuries. Speaking now in his most in-depth interview since his horrific accident on New Year's Day 2023, he also told how being taken to pregnant women's classes as a child, where he learned a breathing technique for childbirth, saved his life. His new book about his brush with death is even called 'My Next Breath'. Taking the positives from the accident, Renner said it had brought his entire family closer together, with his mother and sister reconciling after they had previously fallen out and stopped speaking to each other. Renner became something of a real-life action hero after he somehow emerged alive from under the wheels of his snow plough on January 1, 2023. He was trying to save his 27-year-old nephew, Alexander Fries, from being crushed by the vehicle when he himself fell and was slowly rolled over by the wheels and blades outside his home in Lake Tahoe, California. As Renner jumped towards the stop button, he lost his footing and landed on the ice in front of the moving vehicle. His injuries included 14 broken ribs, a spinal fracture, a broken tibia, a punctured lung, a sliced liver, a broken and dislocated collarbone, a smashed-up jaw, and an eyeball that popped out its socket, which he could see with his other eye. He was lucky to survive when he broke 38 bones after a 14,000lb snow plough crushed him back in 2023 He was airlifted to Reno hospital in Nevada for surgeries and later to Los Angeles for more operations. Speaking to Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes for a forthcoming episode of the High Performance podcast, Renner said he knew if he passed out and stopped breathing he was a 'dead man'. He said: 'Under that snowcat body awareness was huge.' Renner turned to the Lamaze childbirth breathing technique he'd picked up when his mother took him along to classes with pregnant women when he was just 11 years old. He said: 'I'm like 'Lamaze breathing'. I mean it is exactly what I was doing on the ice to survive, to manage and mitigate pain - the greatest gift my mom ever gave me, she didn't even try to give me. 'It was just like she didn't have a babysitter, so she just brought me. That was the greatest gift and tool that she ever gave me.' From the moment Renner came out of his coma, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he was already finding the positive mindset that has filled his life with determination and optimism since the accident. He still has to deal with the after-effects of his injuries saying every joint is an issue and he can't even bite food without risking breaking a tooth because his jaw doesn't align. Renner who often performed his own stunts in the past - slammed the pay cut, as he questioned whether it had been reduced because of his injuries But amazingly, when asked if he would trade the post-accident Renner for the one before, he said he would not because he has found a simpler, less anxious life, and a deeper love with his family and friends. He said: 'I'm happy where I'm at. I don't want the version prior. 'Some discomfort here and there, if 'trade that for all the gifts that I got?' I'll stay here all day long. 'I like where I'm at. I let go of all the white noise. I love that life is wonderfully simple. I don't give value to the stuff that I gave value to because it doesn't have any value.' With his life now clearer and more straightforward, he has come to focus on the things that mean most to him and give him the greatest pleasure with the rest, and its stresses, banished for good. He said when he first woke up 'the first thing I thought was that my calendar was clear' - because it had previously been filled with work and other commitments for the year ahead. He said: 'That's pretty blessed, pretty awesome. My whole life was planned out for me and I'm like 'that's all wiped clean'. 'I'm like 'Oh man, this is awesome, I can go do whatever I want now - all I've got to do is just get better'. That's how I started coming out of a coma and recovering. So happy that all that was gone. 'And then like 'no-one's going to come and yell at me because I can't go do their movie now - I think they're going to understand'. I kind of just got freed from the busy. 'I'm happier I give more time to myself. That was a really great, wonderful life shift for me too, just to really prioritise me without it being selfish. 'My life was reduced to one thing - it was just getting better. It's so much better keeping it simpler. I am not going to overcomplicate it anymore. It's so easy to get caught up in the small things and sweat in that small shit. 'I just can't be bothered.' Renner revealed a spin-off benefit of his accident has been the incredible closeness it has forged within his family, including his mother and his sister, who had stopped speaking after a disagreement. He said: 'My sister and my mum weren't even talking for six months. That's quickly wiped clean. Trauma like this was so uniting for my family. We all got through this scenario together.' Sadly Renner's marriage to the mother of his daughter, Canadian model Sonni Pacheco, had ended eight years before his accident, but as well as family Renner said his actor friends, including fellow Marvel stars, rallied round him. 'My relationship with my family, those that I love, deepened even more. The same happened with my friends, like with Paul Rudd. 'He came a couple times to visit me and stay with me, and Sam Rockwell, and all the people that called. 'I spent a lot of time on the phone with people if they couldn't make it. Some flew in just to come say Hi and give me some love.' While Renner, 54, has returned to acting work, he says he is now far more selective about offers and has turned some down he may have taken before. He said: 'I certainly look at where it's filmed. How long do I want to be away from my home? Or if I'm away from my home, ensure that my family can be with me.' One offer which he flatly rejected in somewhat stronger terms than a polite no thank you - was for a return as Hawkeye for another miniseries, after being shocked to discover it involved a pay cut for longer hours. 'They asked me to do a season two, and they offered me half the money. I'm like 'I'm sorry'. 'This is not Marvel (film). This is like Disney - not even really Disney - it's just the penny pinchers, the accountants. I told them to go fly a kite - just at the insult offer. 'Why, did you think I'm only half the Jeremy because I got ran over. Maybe, is that why? That's why you want to pay me half of what I made on the first season'.' Renner's extensive injuries included a collapsed lung, pierced liver and 30 broken bones Renner's nephew, Alexander Fries (right), was in the snowplow's path when it began hurtling towards him. Renner tried to jump back into the driver's seat to stop it, but was dragged under But although unafraid to say no, Renner has not ruled out a comeback should a more realistic offer come along in future. He said: 'I'd still love the character, I'd still love to do it.' Asked if he ever suffers from any kind of anxiety or depression as a result of the trauma and injuries from his accident, he said: 'If I struggled with those it might have been before the incident. I think the snowcat maybe rolled that shit out of me. There's no room for that in my life. 'I'd have more anxiety going out in public before. Now there's an awareness of the incident and people treat me and see me as the man that I am, and not the movie star.' Lauren Zonfrillo has revealed that her late MasterChef Australia star husband Jock would not have wanted her to move on and find a new partner. The grieving widow told 7NEWS Spotlight's Liz Hayes on Sunday that Jock Zonfrillo, who died in 2023, would have advised her to stay single. 'Jock is not the person who would want to say to me, on his death bed, "I just want you to be happy. I want you to be happy"' the 44-year-old revealed. 'Jock would never say that. So I laugh at the thought, because he would say, "I want you to be alone and a spinster and mine for the rest of your life." 'No one else. So I laugh at the thought of that now'. Lauren said that she hopes to find love again one day, but for now, she can't imagine doing so. Lauren Zonfrillo has revealed that her late MasterChef Australia star husband Jock would not have wanted her to move on and find a new partner. Both pictured 'I can't. I still think I am married Jock. I think I've got to accept that he's not coming home, to actually accept that I don't have a husband anymore' she said. 'I do want a big life, and I still believe I can. I think part of that is love. That has been a really wonderful part of my life the past ten years. 'It's likely. I hope so. But I can't imagine it.' Jock was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room about 2am on May 1, 2023 after police were called to conduct a welfare check on the 46-year-old. When asked to disclose Jock's cause of death, which has never been revealed, Lauren remained protective of her husband. 'A lot of people want to know the answer to that, I'm really aware of that. I've had a lot of experiences with people coming up to me, all strangers, and asking how Jock died, and it's very unsettling' she said. 'Jock was very open in what he was willing to talk about. And I now don't want to make those decisions, because I don't know what he does and doesn't want to talk about.' Lauren said she 'has an answer' to what killed her husband, but 'it doesn't make a difference' to her grieving process. The grieving widow told 7NEWS Spotlight's Liz Hayes on Sunday that Jock Zonfrillo, who died in 2023, would have advised her to stay single 'Jock is not the person who would want to say to me, on his death bed, "I just want you to be happy"' the 44-year-old revealed There was widespread speculation about the cause of Zonfrillo's sudden death due to his well-publicised history of drug abuse and mental health struggles. He left behind Lauren and their two young children, five-year-old Alfie and three-year-old Isla, as well as daughters Ava and Sofia from previous marriages. At the time of Zonfrillo's death, Lauren had been in Italy and reportedly became concerned when her husband failed to keep to their usual daily schedule of telephone calls. A senior Victoria Police source told Daily Mail Australia that officers who attended Zagame's House in Carlton found Zonfrillo dead in his bed and saw no obvious signs of anything suspicious or unusual. There was no drug paraphernalia located, no one else in his room and police at the scene formed the initial view Zonfrillo had died of natural causes. Lauren has never publicly discussed Zonfrillo's cause of death and a spokeswoman for Victoria's Coroners Court told Daily Mail Australia in February that the August 2024 findings of an investigation would not be published. It is unclear if Lauren will reveal what she knows of what happened the night her husband died in her upcoming book Till Death Do Us Part, an extract of which appears in the current edition of The Australian Women's Weekly. Before his death, Zonfrillo had been preparing for the launch of MasterChef's 15th season, which was set to premiere the night his body was found. 'Jock would never say that. So I laugh at the thought, because he would say, "I want you to be alone and a spinster and mine for the rest of your life"' she said He was also in the early stages of planning a new restaurant and had started working on a cookbook prior to his death. Zonfrillo and his wife had put their four-bedroom Carlton terrace up for rent ahead of a potential permanent move to Italy, where his father was born. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Zonfrillo had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in mid 2021, after recovering from an earlier bout with the disease. It is not suggested the cancer killed Zonfrillo, only that he had told friends its return was detected after a routine colonoscopy. A source said Zonfrillo kept his health problems from most friends and colleagues, receiving treatment including chemotherapy when MasterChef was not filming. A fortnight after Zonfrillo's death his wife led about 200 mourners who gathered for a funeral at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium at North Ryde on May 13. Among those who attended the service were celebrity chefs George Calombaris, Matt Moran, Colin Fassnidge, Manu Feildel and Shannon Bennett as well as Zonfrillo's co-stars Allen and Melissa Leong. Lauren was among the pallbearers and delivered a eulogy before Zonfrillo's friend and fellow Scotsman, Jimmy Barnes, sang Amazing Grace with his daughter Mahalia. Jock left behind Lauren and their two young children, five-year-old Alfie and three-year-old Isla (both pictured), as well as daughters Ava and Sofia from previous marriages Zonfrillo wrote in his 2021 memoir Last Shot about battling a heroin addiction from his teenage years working as a chef in Glasgow. After moving to north-west England he sold cocaine and other drugs to supplement his wages, was eventually sacked and at 17 made his way to London. Zonfrillo wrote that he turned up at Marco Pierre White's renowned restaurant at the Hyde Park Hotel in 1994 and the famed chef became a mentor who would shape his life. He moved to Australia aged 20 in 1996 and got a job at Forty One restaurant in Sydney where he was using cocaine, pills, LSD and cannabis. According to his book, Zonfrillo kept a raging heroin habit hidden from everyone before going back to the UK in 1997 when his visa ran out. He wrote of taking his last hit of heroin in the toilets at Heathrow airport before returning to Australia in early 2000. Zonfrillo opened his own restaurants, Orana and Bistro Blackwood, in Adelaide in 2013. He added a third, Nonna Mallozzi, in 2018. The latter lasted six months, Bistro Blackwood closed in late 2019 and Orana in March 2020. Zonfrillo joined the MasterChef Australia judging panel in 2020 with food critic Leong and restaurateur Allen after original judges Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston left. Till Death Do Us Part, published by Penguin Books Australia, will be released on May 6. A nepo baby with an iconic pop star mum and rock star dad has shared a sweet tribute to his girlfriend on social media. Kingston, 18, photographed himself sharing a smooch with his partner on London's Primrose Hill, before posting the snap to celebrate her 19th birthday with a heartfelt tribute. He wrote: 'What another great year it's been with you love. Happiest birthday to the kindest soul i've ever met. 'You never fail to make me smile. I'm so lucky to have you. Forever and always lovebug.' But can you guess who his parents are? Kingston, 18, photographed himself smooching his partner Lola on London's Primrose Hill, before posting the snap to celebrate her birthday with a heartfelt tribute But can you guess who Kingston's parents are? Kingston, who also has a fledgling music career of his own, is in fact the son of Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, 59, and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani, 55. The former couple share three sons from their 20-year relationship - Kingston, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11. While the pair amicably separated back in 2016, it is clear that both his parents have had a huge impact on Kingston, who performed his debut solo show two years ago. He was encouraged to do by his mum's new husband, Blake Shelton, 48. Blake said on social media at the time: 'Okay, y'all, here's the deal. 7:30pm this Friday, I'm gonna set up and play 30 minutes or so acoustically. 'Then I'm gonna turn the stage over to a debut artist that will be doing their very first public performance!' Fans, who noted how similar Kingston looks to his dad, were quick to point out his potential as a musician. One said: 'He's got some definite potential! It shouldn't be too hard for him, as he's got the genes to start.' Kingston, who also has a fledgling music career of his own, is in fact the son of Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, 59, (pictured here with his new girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti) and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani , 55. Blake Shelton, 48, who is now married to Gwen, encouraged Kingston to make his musical debut two years ago Blake previously opened up about life as a stepdad and said he wasn't sure if it was even harder than being a biological parent. He said on the radio show The Ride with Kimo & Heather: 'There's definitely nothing easy about it. 'I don't know if it's as hard or harder or not as hard as being an actual biological parent, you know?' Blake then said he had a great inspiration for being a good stepfather. 'I love my stepfather, and I looked up to him. And he's like a father to me. 'So, you know, I have a good inspiration in my life to how to do this and the kind of stepdad I want to be.' The stars of Australia's The Sunday Project had a lot to say about Prince Harry this weekend. The panel on the current affairs show responded with surprise at The Duke of Sussex launching a series of scathing attacks on his family in an astonishing interview with the BBC on Friday. Harry said in the controversial chat he was cut off from his father King Charles who 'won't speak to me' after losing his appeal in court over his security. 'I reckon it might help if he stopped talking to cameras about it' said The Project's Rachel Corbett after seeing a clip of the interview. 'People are upset he made the comment about his dad having cancer' chimed in co-star Sarah Harris. '"I don't know how much longer he has left". It's example of him airing the dirty laundry' she added. The stars of Australia's The Sunday Project responded with surprise at The Duke of Sussex launching a series of scathing attacks on his family in an astonishing interview with the BBC on Friday (pictured) 'Don't forget he wrote a book and followed it up with a documentary and a tell-all with Oprah.' 'There's another book on the way by the sounds of it' quipped Sam Taunton. 'It's interesting when people want to tell you about something and they're giving you so much tea, and I ain't thirsty no more' Rachel said. During the stunning interview, Harry revealed that he 'doesn't know how long his father has left', will not bring his wife or children back to the UK - and said he had had 'so many disagreements' with his family, some of whom 'may never forgive' him for writing a book. Harry also said he was 'devastated' after losing his court battle over security and claimed it was an 'establishment stitch-up'. In response , Buckingham Palace said Harry's security issues had been 'examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion'. England's second most senior judge, Sir Geoffrey Vos, today told the duke his 'grievance' over downgraded security had not 'translated into a legal argument'. And he ruled the security decision had been a 'predictable' and even 'sensible' reaction to Megxit when Harry stepped back from being a senior royal and quit Britain. Harry said he was cut off from his father King Charles who 'won't speak to me'. 'I reckon it might help if he stopped talking to cameras about it' said Rachel Corbett (pictured) 'People are upset he made the comment about his dad having cancer' chimed in co-star Sarah Harris (pictured). 'It's example of him airing the dirty laundry' she added In a devastating broadside reopening wounds with the Royal Family on Friday night, Harry told the BBC in California that he wants 'reconciliation' with the royal family but was at present cut off from his father. 'He won't speak to me because of this security stuff,' the prince said, adding he didn't know how long the King had left to live. 'There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,' he said, but he had now 'forgiven' them. However, while Harry said he wants reconciliation, it is understood King Charles is still frustrated and upset with his son. Speaking to The Sun, a source close to the King said: 'What has frustrated and upset him on a more personal level is the Duke's failure to respect this principle. 'And for his supporters to suggest that somehow his father doesn't care about his family, or should step in. 'He's been particularly concerned that it has taken considerable resources and cost for the Government to defend their position.' Saying that he felt 'let down' and looking upset, Harry today described his court defeat as a 'good old-fashioned establishment stitch up' and blamed the Royal Household for influencing the decision to reduce his security. 'Don't forget he wrote a book and followed it up with a documentary and a tell-all with Oprah' Sarah added 'There's another book on the way by the sounds of it' quipped Sam Taunton (pictured) 'It's interesting when people want to tell you about something and they're giving you so much tea, and I ain't thirsty no more' Rachel said Asked whether he had asked his father the King to intervene in the dispute over security, Prince Harry said: 'I never asked him to intervene - I asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their jobs. 'The Ravec committee is an expert committee full of professionals plus the royals.' He added: 'Five years later, every single visit that I do back to the UK has to go through the royal household. 'My representative on the Ravec committee still to this day is the royal household. 'That's not a decision that I choose. I am forced to go through the royal household and accept that they are putting my best interests forward during these conversations and deliberations. 'So no, I haven't asked my father to intervene.' When asked by the BBC what about his current security arrangements made him feel unsafe, the Duke of Sussex replied: 'Everything.' He continued: 'I would not have taken this this far if I did not have compelling evidence of facts that reveal why the decision was made and I am sitting here today talking to you, where we have lost the appeal, but the other side have won in keeping me unsafe, so again there is a lot of question marks that a lot of people will have. In a devastating broadside reopening wounds with the Royal Family on Friday night, Harry told the BBC in California that he wants 'reconciliation' with the royal family but was at present cut off from his father (left) 'I have all of the truth, I have all of the knowledge now, throughout the legal process. 'I have uncovered my worst fears, and to now know today based on this judgment that there was no legal framework that constrains the decisions of this body Ravec, on which the royal household sit on, and I didn't know that until this legal process in 2021, one of the first things my lawyer said to me as disclosure started, as this process started, was 'did you know that the royal household sat on Ravec?', and my jaw hit the floor.' In a shocking revelation, Harry also said he would not bring his family to the UK. He explained: 'I can't see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point and the things they are going to miss is everything. 'I love my country and always have done. Despite what some people in that country have done. So I miss the UK. I miss parts of the UK. Of course I do. I think it's really quite sad that I won't be able to show my children my homeland.' It comes as Harry today sensationally lost his battle for taxpayer-funded armed police bodyguards when in the UK - putting him on the hook for 1.5million in costs. The Duke of Sussex was told his 'grievance' over downgraded security had not 'translated into a legal argument' to successfully challenge the decision. Harry believes he has been 'singled out' and 'badly treated' for 'unjustified, inferior treatment' since Megxit five years ago. Harry believes he has been 'singled out' and 'badly treated' for 'unjustified, inferior treatment' since Megxit five years ago. Pictured with wife Meghan His barrister argued that the removal of Met Police armed bodyguards when he is in the UK has left the royal's life 'at stake'. The California-based royal had fought the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the country. But Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls said in his ruling this afternoon in London that Ravec's decision 'were taken as an understandable, and perhaps predictable, reaction to the claimant having stepped back from royal duties and having left the UK to live principally overseas'. 'These were powerful and moving arguments and that it was plain the Duke of Sussex felt badly treated by the system', he said. 'But I concluded, having studied the detail, I could not say that the Duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument to challenge RAVEC's decision'. Sir Geoffrey said Harry 'makes the mistake of confusing superficial analogies' when comparing himself with other VIPs which had 'added nothing' to the legal question. He added: 'My conclusion was that the Duke of Sussex's appeal would be dismissed'. It means that for now, armed police bodyguards, paid for by the British taxpayer, will not be automatically reinstated for him, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet when they are in the UK. It raises more questions over whether the Sussexes will visit Britain again. The King and his youngest son are believed to have differing views over Harry's decision to pursue his legal fight with the Home Office. The Home Secretary is calling for the duke to pay all costs for both sides a bill approaching 1.5million (AUD $3,099,700). Gwyneth Paltrow made a rare fashion misstep while attending Maria Shriver's book event at Godmothers in Summerland, CA on Saturday. The 52-year-old Oscar winner - who owns a $14.5M Montecito mansion nearby - neglected to remove three large sticker labels from the soles of her black sandals. Gwyneth wore a dark-denim belted maxi-jacket with a matching handbag as she arrived alongside Rob Lowe's wife Sheryl Berkoff. Also attending the I Am Maria event on Saturday was the 69-year-old former First Lady of California's daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger. Maria published her 352-page collection of poems on April 1, and it quickly became a New York Times Bestseller. Shriver was joined at Godmothers by her longtime friend and neighbor Oprah Winfrey, who moderated the Q&A for her 'astonishing work.' Gwyneth Paltrow made a rare fashion misstep while attending Maria Shriver's book event at Godmothers in Summerland, CA on Saturday Earlier that same day, Paltrow - who boasts 14.7M social media followers - posted a #boyfriendbreakfast cooking video while wearing her $125 Goop Beauty 'Lift + Depuff' eye masks. The Goop CEO-founder captioned her Instagram: 'Trying something new in the kitchen for #boyfriendbreakfast this morning: aloo andaya comforting South Asian dish of spiced potatoes and scrambled eggs. Simple and so flavorful.' On May 14, Gwyneth will celebrate the 21st birthday of her daughter Apple Martin - who's studying law, history, and society at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. 'The reason why I was originally like, "Maybe I'll be a lawyer," was because I loved acting,' the nepo baby told Interview last month. 'But I was insecure and nervous, so I was like, "Oh my god, if I'm a lawyer, I can perform on the stage in a trial setting." It's insane that I thought that. Also I cannot lie, I was like, "I'll just be Elle Woods." [Laughs] It's a lot harder than it looks.' On April 14, Paltrow's son Moses Martin showcased his impressive singing pipes alongside his Dancer Dancer Dancer Dancer bandmate on piano. The 19-year-old Brown University freshman is clearly following in the footsteps of his father - Coldplay frontman Chris Martin - whom the empty nester 'consciously uncoupled' with in 2013 after a decade of marriage. Last year, Gwyneth wrapped her role as Timothee Chalamet's much older love interest in Josh Safdie's solo feature directorial debut Marty Supreme, which hits US theaters December 25. A24's $70M-budget ping pong drama also stars Tyler the Creator, Fran Drescher, Penn Jillette, Abel Ferrera, and Sandra Bernhard. Paltrow will also have a cameo in Rachel Israel's indie comedy Miracle on 74th Street alongside Drew Barrymore, Jill Kargman, Justin Bartha, David Krumholtz, Christine Taylor, and Jason Biggs. The 52-year-old Oscar winner - who owns a $14.5M Montecito mansion nearby - neglected to remove three large sticker labels from the soles of her black sandals Gwyneth wore a dark-denim belted maxi-jacket with a matching handbag as she arrived alongside Rob Lowe's wife Sheryl Berkoff (R) Also attending the I Am Maria event on Saturday was the 69-year-old former First Lady of California's daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger Maria published her 352-page collection of poems on April 1, and it quickly became a New York Times Bestseller Shriver was joined at Godmothers by her longtime friend and neighbor Oprah Winfrey (R), who moderated the Q&A for her 'astonishing work' Earlier that same day, Paltrow posted a #boyfriendbreakfast cooking video while wearing her $125 Goop Beauty 'Lift + Depuff' eye masks: 'Trying something new in the kitchen!' On May 14, Gwyneth will celebrate the 21st birthday of her daughter Apple Martin (R, pictured November 30) - who's studying law, history, and society at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN On April 14, Paltrow's son Moses Martin (L) showcased his impressive singing pipes alongside his Dancer Dancer Dancer Dancer bandmate on piano The 19-year-old Brown University freshman is clearly following in the footsteps of his father - Coldplay frontman Chris Martin (R, pictured March 2) - whom the empty nester 'consciously uncoupled' with in 2013 after a decade of marriage Johnny Depp continued work filming Marc Webb's action thriller Day Drinker while on location at a port near Barcelona, Spain last Friday. The 61-year-old movie star enlisted his very own umbrella handler to shield his pale complexion from the sunshine while headed to the seaside set, where he worked with his much younger co-star Madelyn Cline, 27. Johnny was barely recognizable, mostly thanks to the salt-and-pepper beard crafted by make-up artist Zoe Hay, in honor of his bohemian billionaire character Kelly. Hairstylist Massimo Gattabrusi dyed just the front of Depp's brown hair silver to match the glued-on facial hairpiece and make his wig look fully integrated. The three-time Oscar nominee - who relies on make-up artist Rocky Faulkner - was wearing his own double-denim ensemble, sunglasses, and colorful scarf rather than a costume. Johnny then boarded a motorboat alongside crew members to ferry him to the vintage yacht Nero. Johnny Depp, 61, continued work filming Marc Webb's action thriller Day Drinker while on location at a port near Barcelona, Spain last Friday Hairstylist Massimo Gattabrusi dyed just the front of Depp's brown hair silver to match the glued-on facial hairpiece and make his wig look fully integrated Day Drinker is set entirely aboard the yacht where Depp's character is a 'mysterious guest' that gets 'entangled with criminal figure Cara Lauzzana (Penelope Cruz).' On April 14, Lionsgate released the first still of the Modi director in character as the whiskey-sipping Kelly including blue-colored contact lenses created by Jessica A. Nelson. Johnny is 34 years older than his co-star Madelyn, who portrays private-yacht bartender Lorna that connects with Kelly 'in ways no one saw coming.' The Outer Banks star went incognito as she boarded her own motorboat. Madelyn looked comfy sporting a black hoodie, drawstring wide-leg patterned pants, and white Crocs with her Beats headphones around her neck. Cline beamed as she chatted with a male crew member on the flick also starring Manu Rios, Aron Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle. The South Carolina-born beauty was later seen in a white-collared top as part of her uniform, which was hidden beneath a matching robe and Ugg slippers. On Sunday, Depp reposted Stella McCartney's throwback Instastory of the pair partying at the 2014 Met Gala with his Public Enemies leading lady Marion Cotillard. The movie star enlisted his very own umbrella handler to shield his pale complexion from the sunshine while headed to the seaside set Johnny was barely recognizable, mostly thanks to the salt-and-pepper beard crafted by make-up artist Zoe Hay, in honor of his bohemian billionaire character Kelly (pictured April 16) While on set he worked with his much younger co-star Madelyn Cline, 27. Madelyn looked comfy sporting a black hoodie, drawstring wide-leg patterned pants, and white Crocs The three-time Oscar nominee - who relies on make-up artist Rocky Faulkner - was wearing his own double-denim ensemble, sunglasses, and colorful scarf rather than a costume Johnny then boarded a motorboat alongside crew members to ferry him to the vintage yacht Nero Day Drinker is set entirely aboard the yacht where Depp's character is a 'mysterious guest' that gets 'entangled with criminal figure Cara Lauzzana (Penelope Cruz)' On April 14, Lionsgate released the first still of the Modi director in character as the whiskey-sipping Kelly including blue-colored contact lenses created by Jessica A. Nelson Johnny is 34 years older than his co-star Madelyn (M), who portrays private-yacht bartender Lorna that connects with Kelly 'in ways no one saw coming' The Outer Banks star went incognito as she boarded her own motorboat Cline beamed as she chatted with a male crew member on the flick also starring Manu Rios, Aron Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle The South Carolina-born beauty was later seen in a white-collared top as part of her uniform, which was hidden beneath a matching robe and Ugg slippers The Johnny Puff: Secret Mission actor famously attended the Costume Institute benefit with his second ex-wife Amber Heard, 39, who testified in 2022 that he 'broke her nose' in a jealous rage afterwards. Day Drinker marks Depp's biggest-yet attempt to revive his silver screen career amid years of scandal in the wake of his contentious split from Heard. Over 500M people reportedly livestreamed the six-week legal war between the exes, which was held at Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia in 2022. In June 2022, Depp was awarded $10.35million in a verdict delivered after his legal team successfully argued that Heard's Washington Post op-ed, in which she accused her ex-husband of domestic abuse, was defamatory. Johnny and Amber - who denied each other's allegations - were only married for 15 months before their acrimonious $7M divorce in 2017 amid back-and-forth abuse allegations. At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Depp spoke about how his scandalous split from Heard impacted his show business career. 'Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood?' he said. 'You'd have to not have a pulse to feel like, "No. None of this is happening. It's a weird joke." When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted.' Depp added, 'I don't feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don't think about Hollywood.' On May 27, Depp and his babymama Vanessa Paradis will celebrate the 26th birthday of their daughter Lily-Rose Depp. Day Drinker marks Depp's biggest-yet attempt to revive his silver screen career amid years of scandal in the wake of his contentious split with Amber Heard On Sunday, Depp reposted Stella McCartney's (L) throwback Instastory of the pair partying at the 2014 Met Gala with his Public Enemies leading lady Marion Cotillard (R) He famously attended the Costume Institute benefit with Heard (R), who testified in 2022 that he 'broke her nose' in a jealous rage afterwards The Kentucky-born rhythm guitarist also fathered 23-year-old son John III aka Jack during his 14-year relationship with the 52-year-old Frenchwoman, which ended in 2012. Johnny is rumored to be in 'deep in talks' with Disney to make his comeback as Captain Jack Sparrow in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film. 'It's very close to being a done deal. A script is already in place,' a senior executive told the UK's Express on April 19. 'They actually had two scripts ready to go one with Johnny in mind, the other without him and they are ready to can the one without him.' Depp will also soon reunite with his two-time director Terry Gilliam to portray Satan in his biblical comedy Carnival: At the End of Days, which will soon begin shooting in Italy. The SAG Award winner's multi-layered immersive art exhibition A Bunch of Stuff is currently running through May 22 at Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan. Naomi Watts' youngest child Kai looked stylish during a casual outing in New York City on Saturday. The 16-year-old stepped out in a t-shirt with 'I'm A Little Angel' printed on the front and a silk pink half-slip. Kai completed the casual look with a pair of strappy heels and a black handbag. The teenager's hair was worn in soft waves and the makeup was a nude tone with a glossy lip. Kai wore dark sunglasses while getting an ice-cream on a hot day in New York. Kai's father is Hollywood actor Liev Schreiber who was in a relationship with Naomi for 11 years before they amicably split in 2016. Naomi Watts' youngest child Kai looked stylish as they enjoyed a casual outing in New York City on Saturday The 16-year-old stepped out in a T-shirt with 'I'm A Little Angel' printed on the front and a silk pink skirt The exes also have son Sasha, 17. In March Liev hit back at suggestions that Kai was a 'nepo' kid who got career breaks by having showbiz star parents. 'I don't have many thoughts for the haters. What if you were a professional actor and your child decided they wanted to do something in this world?' he said. 'Do they have a choice? It doesn't matter. That's her life and she does what she wants with her life. I'm super proud of her and I thought she did an amazing job with the show.' Meanwhile, Naomi often shares notes about Kai on Instagram. Back in December, the British-Australian actress shared a sweet picture on Kai's 16th birthday, showing the pair holding hands on the red carpet. Naomi also shared an adorable photograph of Kai as a baby and gushed over her youngest child in a heartwarming caption. Kai completed the casual look with a pair of strappy heels and held a black handbag Kai's father is Hollywood actor Liev Schreiber who was in a relationship with Naomi (right) for 11 years before they amicably split in 2016 'Darling Kai. Happy sweet sixteen. Your sweetness is pure and I'm the luckiest mommy in the world and that world is SO lucky that you are here!' the message read 'You blow me away with your wild spirit, strength and yes your soft sweetness too. You even let me post a baby picture! 'I thank my lucky stars I get to be your mom. I Love you to the moon.' Naomi and Liev Schreiber split in 2016. Liev, 57, has since married Taylor Neisen while Naomi went on to find love again with Billy Crudup. Naomi and American actor Billy, 56, tied the knot in a modest wedding ceremony at a New York courthouse in June 2023. They then exchanged vows for a second time a year later in a larger ceremony with their family and friends in Mexico. Videos shared on social media by Naomi's brother Ben at the time gave an insight into the lavish ceremony, with notable guests including Nicole Kidman and Isla Fisher. Kai and Naomi's niece Ruby were bridesmaids. Her son Sasha and Billy's son William, 20, who he shares with Mary Louise Parker, were also in the wedding party. In two separate incidents, The Delhi police has arrested ten allegedly illegal Bangladeshi migrants, police said on Sunday. Under the drive to identify, detain and deport the illegal immigrants across the capital, Delhi Police has apprehended four allegedly illegal Bangladeshi nationals disguised as transgender people from the Azadpur Sabzi Mandi area in northwest Delhi on Saturday and six more illegal Bangladeshi were detained at Mandawali area of East Delhi, police said. The arrests at Azadpur came following a surveillance operation on Saturday and they have been handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further deportation proceedings. All four were involved in begging at traffic signals and were using a banned app to stay in touch with their families to avoid detection, the officials said. Police revealed that they had undergone minor surgeries and hormonal treatments to alter their appearances and evade detection. The accused were identified as Md Armaan (21), Md Arif (26), Md Jahid (21) and Md Babul (40), all residents of Narayanganj in Bangladesh. During interrogation, they admitted to illegally crossing borders and entering India with the help of agents and later travelling to Delhi by train, police said. Police recovered two smartphones from their possession, both of which had a banned app, which the suspects used to contact their families in Bangladesh. In the separate search operation for illegal migrants in East Delhi, on the basis of secret information, one suspected Bangladeshi woman was apprehended from Mandawali on Tuesday, March 29. Upon sustained interrogation, she disclosed details leading to the apprehension of five more Bangladeshi women from the Paharganj area of Delhi. All six women were brought to PS Mandawali for further interrogation. During preliminary inquiry, it was found that they were residing in India illegally, without any valid documents. Additionally, legal action is being initiated under the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, as well as the provisions of BNS against the above illegal Bangladeshis and other individuals involved in facilitating their illegal entry and stay in India. Since the commencement of the drive from November 19, 2024, 15 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified and deported so far from East Delhi district. Some residents see briefly stopping across their own driveway as harmless, but others argue it's inconsiderate. Parking over driveways in Sydney's Inner West will soon result in cars being towed and fines to the tune of $660. Source: Facebook/Newcastle Herald. It's an issue that has in the past bitterly divided Australians, and now, one major council on the east coast has vowed to take drastic action to stop cars from parking over driveways. While some argue that homeowners should be allowed to park across their own driveways, others warn that such allowances could make it harder to enforce penalties against drivers who block access illegally. Under road rules across much of Australia, it is illegal to stop or park across any part of a driveway even your own as it is considered to obstruct public access. Driveways are considered part of the road reserve, and in most cases, councils and transport authorities have the power to issue fines to vehicles parked in breach of the rules. In Sydney this week, the Inner West Council said it had received an incredible 4,393 complaints concerning the contentious act in just a year. In response, it will now order tow trucks to remove vehicles obstructing driveways and will raise fines for offending drivers from $320 to $660. Yahoo News Australia has reported previously on the controversy, with several incidents occurring in just the last few months alone. A tradie in January challenged a $320 fine he received for parking across his driveway while opening the gate to drive in. Speaking to Yahoo News, Mark branded the fine "unfair". A driver was branded 'arrogant' for blocking a public footpath while parking on their Sydney driveway. Source: Reddit Contenious parking act under the spotlight in NSW While some residents see briefly stopping across their own driveway as harmless, the law is designed to ensure safe and fair use of public pathways. ADVERTISEMENT This technicality is part of what fuels the controversy, with many believing that common sense should override the rule in cases where a driver is clearly using their own driveway. Others argue that allowing exemptions would open the door to confusion and make enforcement of genuine offences more difficult. In December, debate was sparked after another vehicle was snapped over a driveway in Sydney's east. In June, a Lake Macquarie couple told Yahoo how they believed they were "screwed over" by their council, after copping a $362 parking fine for parking across their driveway despite doing the same thing for the past 12 years. Back in June, a Canberra man copped a $132 fine for parking outside his home. Photos show the Nissan tucked in nicely behind another vehicle in their driveway, but the back of the vehicle hung over the boundary line, ultimately "blocking the footpath". This part of the driveway is public property and does not belong to the residents, therefore making the park illegal. Inner West Council will now tow vehicles blocking driveways to nearby parking spots and notify police to inform the owners of their car's new location, The Daily Telegraph reported. This marks a change from the current process, where rangers first try to contact the owner before issuing a $330 fine. The council is believed to be the first inner-city local government to implement such towing measures. Councillor Chloe Smith said she had heard distressing stories from residents impacted by illegal driveway parking, including missed medical appointments and childcare drop-offs. She stressed the need for stricter action in the densely populated inner west. "It can be a really frustrating and galling experience for people," Smith said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. ERNACT has announced the appointment of Aeidin McCarter to its Board, representing Derry City and Strabane District Council. Aeidin takes up the role following the departure of Stephen Gillespie, who has served as a valued member of the Board since 2011. Aeidin brings with her extensive experience in strategic planning and cross-border collaboration. Her appointment is warmly welcomed by the Board, and her expertise is expected to enhance ERNACTs ability to deliver innovative and impactful digital initiatives across the regions it supports. READ NEXT: Annette McGavigan's family seeking preservation order of all Troubles papers held by MOD Chairperson, Councillor Jack Murray, said: We are delighted to welcome Aeidin McCarter to the Board and look forward to the insight and experience she brings. On behalf of the Board, I also wish to extend our appreciation to Stephen as he continues to support from the background. "The Board and management of ERNACT would like to express their sincere thanks to Stephen Gillespie for his 13 years of dedicated service. His contributions have been pivotal for cross-border cooperation through EU-funded projects." Aeidin McCarter, newly appointed to the ERNACT board, said: I am delighted to join the board of ERNACT, having worked closely with the team for some time now including representing Derry City and Strabane District Council on the Interregional Management Committee (IMC). ERNACT board members "I am looking forward to supporting further success for ERNACT and its member organisations. I would like to thank my fellow board members and my predecessor Stephen Gillespie for his service to the board to date and for supporting my appointment as his successor." Teenager Callum Stone (15) was sent home from school in January with a headache. After being picked up by his stepdad, things quickly took a turn for the worst. Callums stepdad, Mark Ferris, who is from Limavady, spoke to the County Derry Post about how the situation unfolded and how his young son is coping throughout his cancer treatment. ABOVE: Callum and his family on holidays on the River Roe Callum had been doing great. He was a very fit and active young lad. He was at the gym, eating healthy, and playing sports. He had a headache that came on all of a sudden in school. They called and I went and picked him up. He wasnt quite getting his words out right and I thought this looks like more than a headache. So I thought thats it, I'm taking him to A&E. On the way he had a sudden seizure in the car with me. So I rushed him straight to A&E, which wasnt that far. When we got to hospital he had several more seizures. He ended up being in hospital for a week, they did an MRI, lumbar puncture and a lot of different tests. Initially they thought it was just inflammation. That is what it looked like because this is quite a rare case and something doctors dont see very often. They ended up letting him home and said it would calm down but he would need a follow up with Great Ormond Street the following week. He went and had a scan there and they recognised it straight away, because they had seen more cases of it. They had their worries that it may be glioma. After more tests and a specialist opinion Callum was diagnosed. ABOVE: Callum while in hospital Mark said the family were stunned at the news of Callums illness and how this has impacted the young man's everyday life. It was a massive shock because Callum was such a healthy lad and something we didnt see coming. We take him for eye tests every year, his eye test in December had no issues. He literally had no symptoms leading up to the seizure. About a week beforehand he said he had a little bit of a headache after PE but he was fine when he got home, it went away and didnt come back. Looking back that probably was a sign but it wasnt a migraine or anything it was just he had a bit of a headache. This has turned everything upside down for Callum. Hes in his GCSE year. He is a studious boy, enjoying school and looking forward to doing his GCSEs. All plans were put on hold for him for a while. Callum has dealt with it all amazingly despite the setbacks. He had six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which ended at the start of April. Of course the treatment made him tired but apart from that he had minimal side effects. After week three he was back in the gym and out walking the dog. He eventually went back to school. After being off for a few months he realised that he was behind the others. Being back at school he has noticed his vision has been affected especially when reading large parts of text. He struggles to focus on the text. So understandably he was quite down the first while back at school because he thought that he was that behind he didnt know how he was going to catch up. Recently he did have some nausea and vomiting so we had to take him back into hospital which meant more time off school but today he has been able to get back to the gym and wants to get back to school so he will be going in for a half day. Speaking on future plans for treatment and recovery for his son, Mark said: He is so amazing! You wouldnt know hes a boy going through what hes going through. Chemotherapy is still continuing. He does one week every four weeks now. We are looking for other treatments that arent available in the UK. We have some appointments in Germany booked for the end of May to speak to a doctor over there. We are exploring our options because it is such a rare childhood cancer there isnt much research. We are now raising funds to give Callum the best chance with this alternative treatment. We believe there is hope for Callum, and anything you can do to support our family, big or small, is appreciated beyond words, whether by donating or simply sharing this page. The reaction has been overwhelming and incredible with everyone sharing his story, very emotional and uplifting actually. Callum is such a positive lad who wants to get stronger, get back to school and do well in life so hopefully that will come true. If you wish to donate to Callums fundraiser you can do so here: bit.ly/42EHOCD The rollout of a new standardised digital system for medical lab test results in Northern Ireland has been hailed as transformational for clinical care. The 18-month implementation of the CoreLIMS Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) was completed last week. Previously there were seven separate systems for managing test results for different medical disciplines. Health and Social Care (HSC) pathology systems have now been combined into a single region-wide digital solution across the five hospital trusts in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS). The results of tests conducted by more than 2,000 laboratory staff in Northern Ireland are now uploaded onto the one system. The system is the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland. Using software supplied by Clinisys, the CoreLIMS has already processed almost 130 million results since November 2023. Northern Health Trust chief executive Jennifer Welsh, who leads the Northern Ireland Pathology Information Management System (NIPIMS), said: Completing the replacement of the ageing and disparate legacy lab systems across the trusts with one regional standardised system has been the result of years of hard work. I would like to acknowledge all the teams and individuals involved, for all the planning, preparation and long hours worked to facilitate this important transition. NIBTS chief executive Karin Jackson, who is the project lead for the CoreLIMS, added: Now that the rollout is complete across Northern Ireland, I am looking forward to seeing how patients and HSCNI will benefit from a significantly updated, improved, and rationalised LIMS. Delivering this technically complex programme in a fast-moving environment would not have been possible without the long hours, commitment, and support from colleagues in the trusts, NIBTS, BSO (the health services Business Services Organisation) and Clinisys teams. Karen Bailey, the chief executive of the BSO, said the rollout marked a milestone in laboratory digital transformation. I want to take this opportunity to pass on my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all BSO colleagues involved in the development and delivery of the CoreLIMS Programme, she said. I would like to further thank the trusts for their support in delivering this key programme that will make a difference to patients across the region. 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. The battle over dogs on beaches is heating up again in Australia, with opinions split on whether our furry friends belong on the sand or off it. Sunshine Coast Council is eyeing a ban on dogs at Stumers Creek in Coolum. Source: Getty/Queensland Govt As yet another Australian council eyes banning dogs from beaches over environmental concerns, residents are ramping up their efforts to conserve what they say is an important recreational hub. On the Sunshine Coast, locals are campaigning to save the off-leash dog beach at Stumers Creek in Coolum Beach, which is under threat as part of the councils Draft Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan. The Save Stumers Creek Off Leash Dog Beach Committee has rallied strong public support, submitting more than 6000 signatures across online and paper petitions. They argue that the one kilometre stretch of beach, from access points 67 to 72, is an important social and recreational space where people and pets can "decompress", exercise, and unwind. But council said it has a responsibility to consider the environmental toll animals take on beaches in the LGA. Speaking to Yahoo, a spokesperson said community feedback is currently being reviewed. Locals say the spot is beloved by the community, but council has said it must factor in environmental concerns. Source: Supplied What's happening at Stumers Creek? The spokesperson told us a decision will be confirmed later this year, but as of Friday, no date for the announcement had been settled on. ADVERTISEMENT "This feedback is now being reviewed with final recommendations set to be presented to Council," they said. "This plan is about shaping a future network of dog exercise areas across the entire Sunshine Coast whether thats parks, beaches or recreation reserves that meet the needs of dog owners while respecting our regions environmental and community values. "The community feedback will help ensure we strike the right balance between creating safe recreational spaces for dog owners and non-dog owners alike, while maintaining the natural beauty of our region." Earlier, Committee member Bree Logie described the debate as absolutely heartbreaking. "I had to comfort grown men and women who were crying: Everyday people, at all ages, in tears," she said. Bree said the committee wants to work constructively with council on a solution that balances environmental concerns with pet wellbeing, and reflects the needs of the rapidly growing community. Where else has recently banned dogs from beaches? The debate over off-leash dog beaches is far from unique to the Sunshine Coast. Across Australia, councils regularly face tension between protecting the environment, accommodating pet owners, and ensuring public safety. ADVERTISEMENT In NSW, last year, Shoalhaven City Council approved a proposal to permanently reduce the off-leash area at Narrawallee Beach in Mollymook, sparking backlash from local dog owners who felt the change was driven by pressure from beachfront property owners. Following a two-year trial, the City of Greater Geelong in Victoria implemented a permanent ban on dogs at Ocean Grove Beach in 2022, despite mixed feedback from the community. Bree Logie of Coolum Beach is campaigning against the idea. Source: ABC In 2022, the Central Coast council in NSW proposed excluding dogs from all sand dunes and patrolled beaches, and restricting access to off-leash areas at popular beaches, citing concerns over non-compliance and community division. But as urban populations grow and more people welcome dogs into their homes, demand for off-leash areas has surged, especially on beaches where dogs can roam freely and socialise. At the same time, concerns over wildlife protection, erosion, and the comfort of non-dog beachgoers have led many local governments to review or reduce off-leash zones. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Meta denies censoring Taiwan content; backlash suggests trust gap remains A former Meta executive has alleged that the company cooperated with the Chinese government to suppress dissentincluding in Taiwanby developing censorship tools and sharing user data. Meta has strongly denied the claims, stating that it has never worked with Chinese authorities to censor Taiwanese content and remains committed to protecting freedom of expression and user privacy in Taiwan. However, the company's public response has met with widespread skepticism among Taiwanese users, with many expressing distrust and frustration on Meta's own platform. Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Global Public Policy Director at Facebook, testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on April 9. She claimed that Meta executives provided user dataincluding that of American usersto Chinese authorities and collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to build censorship tools. She also alleged in her book that Taiwanese users were among those affected by these efforts and accused Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of sharing a key trait with the CCP: silencing critics. In response, Meta issued a public statement in Taiwan on May 2, addressing the accusations with three key points: 1. Meta has never complied with requests from the Chinese government to censor content from Taiwanese users. 2. Meta has never shared user information with the Chinese government or responded to any of its data requests. 3. The team responsible for moderating content from Taiwan has never been based in China. The company emphasized that it complies with the U.S. Stored Communications Act, applying strict data protection policies to all users, including those in Taiwan. To support culturally appropriate content moderation for Taiwan, Meta said it employs native Mandarin speakers familiar with traditional Chinese and Taiwanese culture. These moderators are based in countries outside of China. Meta reiterated that it has never operated a moderation team in Shanghai or any other Chinese city. Still, Meta's reassurances have failed to win over many Taiwanese users. According to reactions to the May 2 statement on Facebook, 87% of users responded with "angry" or "laughing" emojis, while only 11% gave it a "thumbs up"a sign of broad distrust toward the company's claims. One user commented, "Strongly suggest setting up a tax entity and a Chinese-language operations HQ in Taiwan, and hiring local Taiwanese staff. That would clear up a lot of concerns." Another asked, "Then tell uswho exactly is reviewing Taiwanese users' posts? Where is the office located?" A third remarked, "Reels keeps recommending Chinese short videos, even though I haven't followed any Chinese pages. Ironically, people in China can't even use Facebook. So where is all this simplified Chinese content coming from?" (Joseph Chen contributed to this story.) Article edited by Joseph Chen Summer festival organisers are being urged to bolster their weather contingency plans as climate-related events fuel heightened scrutiny from insurers and local authorities. Cancellation and curtailment insurance, which covers unforeseen disruption beyond organisers control, is becoming an essential part of cover in Ireland, according to an industry expert. A growing number of Irish events and festivals have been affected by adverse weather including Forever Young in Kildare, where severe rainfall in 2023 led to the temporary exclusion of day-ticket holders. Brady Insurance said insurers are placing a greater emphasis on how organisers address adverse weather conditions, with some local authorities setting cancellation and curtailment cover as a condition of event licensing. Were seeing more sudden downpours, storm warnings and safety concerns that can derail an event at the last minute, said Jane Brady, CEO of the Leitrim-based insurance provider. The goal is to prepare early and manage risks effectively and ensure that events have the best chance of going ahead with minimal disruption. As well as cancellation and curtailment insurance, insurers want to see proactive measures on-site. These include use of additional woodchip to manage muddy grounds, trackway systems to ensure emergency vehicle access and crowd-cooling measures such as shaded areas or misting stations for potentially hot weather. As an example, the St Patricks Festival in Dublin, which is a client of Brady Insurance, benefited from cancellation and curtailment insurance in 2018. Forecasts of heavy snowfall led to the curtailment of several outdoor events, including the Festival Big Day Out and the 5K Road Race. The festivals existing cancellation and curtailment insurance provided financial protection, underscoring the importance of such cover, said Julia Dalton, operations director with the St Patricks Festival. In todays unpredictable climate, having robust contingency plans and appropriate insurance coverage is not just prudent its essential. Our collaboration with Brady Insurance has been instrumental in ensuring we can protect the experience for our attendees, and give peace of mind to our team, suppliers and partners. It means we can be confident were covered and prepared, no matter what the weather throws at us. Brady Insurance also noted evolving risk concerns beyond the weather with growing interest in securing insurance cover for public disorder risks. It urged festival and event organisers to engage with brokers early in their planning stages to ensure they have the most appropriate cover in place, tailored to their needs. Ms Brady added: With good preparation, clear contingency planning, and the right insurance advice, Irish festivals and events can continue to thrive, even in a more unpredictable world. Dundalk Grammar School student Chukwudike Kpaduwa is Leinster Regional Winner in the 3rd Oireachtas Essay Competition and the Louth student received his prize in Leinster House on Thursday. Chukwudike received his prize from the Competition Founding Patron and former Ceann Comhairle, Sean O Fearghail TD, at a ceremony attended by the winning students, their parents/guardians and teachers, as well as Competition judges and sponsors. The prizegiving ceremony was followed by lunch and tour of Leinster House. The judges praised Chukwudike for writing a well written and researched essay drawing on a variety of examples to support their argument with a strong conclusion highlighting the potential of parliamentary politics to resolve conflicts. The event was attended by Mr Eamonn Crowley, CEO of PTSB and Mr Brian Gilsenan, CEO of CJ Fallon. PTSB has begun a three-year commitment to the Competition as Principal Sponsor and CJ Fallon is Associate Sponsor for the third year running. Read also: Young Louth filmmaker shines a spotlight on mental health The Competition was devised by Independent NUI Senator Ronan Mullen with the support of the Ceann Comhairles Office and the Oireachtas Education Unit. This year, hundreds of Senior Cycle and AS/A Level students across the island of Ireland submitted essays in Irish and English on the theme Parliamentary Politics Liberates / An tSaoirse agus an Pholaitiocht Pharlaiminteach reflecting the 250th Anniversary of the birth of The Liberator, Daniel OConnell. Over 6,000 in prizemoney is awarded. Winners are determined by an expert panel of judges which includes DCU Professor of Politics Gary Murphy and journalist, writer and academic, Alan Titley MRIA. Professor Patrick Geoghegan of TCD, author of a two-part biography of OConnell also provided expert input to this years Competition. Presenting the prizes, Deputy O Fearghail said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad. We are delighted with the growing support for Aiste an Oireachtais with a significant increase this year in the number of entries received, says Senator Mullen, the Competition Convenor. Since Aiste an Oireachtais began in 2022, we have had registrations and entries from almost half the secondary schools on the island of Ireland (47%). It is clear that schools recognise the importance of getting students to think about our democracy and the need to work it for the common good. Cllr Fiona Mhic Conchoille has said she is "disappointed in Louth County Councils decision not to provide car parking spaces for those with hidden disabilities", represented by the sunflower symbol, which she says "indicates a lack of understanding of the needs of those with a non-visible disability". In a motion at the Louth County Council April meeting, Cllr Mhic Conchoille asked that Louth County Council would "examine the provision of special parking spaces in our county's car parks for individuals with hidden disabilities, similar to existing disability parking spaces. "These spaces would be clearly marked with a sunflower symbol and appropriate lining. They are intended as courtesy spaces, relying on the public to respect them and leave them available for individuals with sensory or hidden disabilities. As such, this initiative would not create any additional administrative burden on the council." Replying to Cllr Mhic Conchoille's motion, David Jones, Director of Placemaking and Physical Development, said: "While acknowledging the sentiment of the Notice of Motion, it is not proposed to provide any additional parking designations beyond the current statutory provided for Disability parking spaces, which are subject to regulatory enforcement." In a statement following the April meeting, a disappointed Cllr Mhic Conchoille said that : The sunflower has become internationally recognised as the symbol of hidden disabilities as not all disabilities are immediately obvious. Read also: Louth County Council confirms source of strong odour on Dublin Road "These parking spaces are designed to offer a safe location for individuals who may need extra time or assistance when getting in and out of their vehicles and are not blue badge holders. This would improve access to local facilities. Hidden disabilities can include conditions such as autism, acquired brain injury, sight or hearing impairments, learning difficulties, and chronic illnesses. Individuals often experience pain, fatigue, and feelings of isolation, which can lead to a lack of empathy from those around them. This lack of visible indicators can make it difficult for others to understand the struggles faced by people with hidden disabilities. Cllr Mhic Conchoille said that pilot schemes for similar initiatives are already underway in other counties across the country, which she said suggests that Louth could implement this system with minimal costs and effort. She added that Waterford City and County Council was the first local authority in Ireland to introduce Sunflower parking spaces and plan to add more in the city and county in the near future. Additionally, Cork, Westmeath, and other county councils have followed suit. According to Hidden Disabilities, one in five people in Ireland lives with some form of disability, and 80% of these are living with a non-visible disability. Cllr Mhic Conchoille urged Louth County Council to reconsider its previous decision against implementing these parking spaces, and acknowledged that they are meeting their statutory requirements, but asked is doing the bare statutory minimum enough to make people with hidden disabilities feel included in our society? The introduction of Sunflower Parking Spaces would not only raise awareness but also provide critical support to individuals facing daily challenges due to hidden disabilities. By educating the public about the sunflower symbol and what it represents, there is potential to enhance understanding and promote greater empathy for those in need. I urge Louth County Council to reconsider their decision and help create a more inclusive environment and improve the quality of life for individuals with hidden disabilities through this relatively low-cost initiative. Photo: (Front) Brendan Kelly (100 time Donor), Briege Renaghan, Patricia ORourke, Louise Pickering, Gary Kinsella, Colm Lally (Back) David McDonnell, Anthony Nelis, Ciaran McCabe, Kieran Gallagher, David Mackin, Eamon Hoey The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) held its annual Gold Drop and Porcelain Pelican Awards Ceremony for the North-East, Midlandss region on Friday 25th April, 2025 in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath. One hundred and fourteen 50 time Donors received their Gold Drop and twenty two 100-time Donors received their Porcelain Pelicans at the ceremony. Donors and their guests attended from counties, Cavan, North County Dublin, Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath. Iosif Korpas, Area Manager for the Ardee Centre was MC for the ceremony and welcomed everyone including Board Members of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and congratulated all the Donors on their significant achievements. Chief Executive Officer Orla OBrien thanked Donors from the bottom of her heart stating that donating 50 times is quite an achievement but donating 100 times is awe inspiring. In our presence on the night was father & son - 100 time donor John Egan (father) and 50 Time donor his son Conor Egan who between them donated 219 donations! Both living in Kildare - the room erupted in applause when they received their awards. It was noted that the Ardee Centre hosted the highest number of 100 Time Donor Awards to date. It is lovely to personally meet the Donors who without their help could not benefit the many people in our hospitals every day in Ireland. The CEO presented each of the 50 Time Donors with their Gold Drop awards and the Porcelain Pelicans to the 100 Time Donors. Read Next: Louth CE wants to enhance quality of life of citizens in the county Mrs. Emma Gilbey spoke on behalf of her family and thanked all the Donors present from the bottom of her heart. Emma received blood before and throughout the four hours of emergency surgery that followed during the birth of her son Charlie. 13-year-old Charlie took to the podium & thanked Donors for saving his Mums life bringing the crowd to a standing ovation. Iosif Korpas, Area Manager delivered the closing address. He thanked all the donors on their fantastic accomplishment of donating 50 and 100 times. This requires significant dedication and they are truly inspiring. Iosif also thanked Emma for sharing her powerful story, reminding us all why blood donations are always required. Nazrin Abdul By any measure, the reclamation of over 100,000 hectares of agricultural land in Azerbaijans formerly occupied territories is a remarkable achievement. In just a few years since regaining control over these regions, Azerbaijan has not only restored vast stretches of arable land but also planted the seedsboth literal and symbolicof a more resilient, self-sustaining national economy. This transformation is not just about crop yields or economic gain. It is about restoring dignity, healing wounds, and asserting a sovereign future built on the very soil that had, for decades, been marked by conflict and neglect. In a world grappling with food insecurity, disrupted supply chains, and climate volatility, Azerbaijans quiet agricultural renaissance deserves international attention. The countrys success in rehabilitating more than 100,000 hectares of farmland, with an additional 100,000 hectares nearly ready to be brought into rotation, is not just a technical achievementit is a political and social milestone. It speaks to the vision of a leadership that has placed rural revitalization and food security at the heart of post-conflict recovery. This renewed focus on agriculture is no accident. It reflects a deliberate strategy by Azerbaijans government to reintegrate the liberated territories into the national fabric, not merely through infrastructure projects and housing, but through the lifeblood of the land: farming. In doing so, the state is asserting something essentialthat prosperity and peace must grow from the ground up. Consider what reclaiming land really means in this context. For decades, much of this territory lay abandoned, riddled with landmines, deprived of basic infrastructure, and unable to support even subsistence agriculture. Now, fields that were once no-go zones are sprouting wheat, barley, and other essential crops. This is not just economic development; it is a form of renewala way to make the land live again and to provide livelihoods for thousands who were displaced or cut off from opportunity. To call this progress an agricultural success would be an understatement. It is the visible outcome of state planning, investment, and an unwavering focus on rebuilding. It is also a direct result of the political will of Azerbaijans leadership to prioritize rural development not as an afterthought, but as a core national mission. Of course, challenges remain. Restoring soil quality, upgrading irrigation systems, and ensuring sustainable farming practices are not tasks that end with plowing a field. There is still a long road ahead to modernize supply chains, integrate these regions into broader economic flows, and attract young people to careers in agriculture. But with the foundation now firmly in place, the path forward looks promising. There is also a broader message hereone that extends beyond Azerbaijans borders. As the world rethinks food security in an era of climate stress and geopolitical instability, the Azerbaijani model of reclaiming and revitalizing post-conflict agricultural land offers an instructive case study. It demonstrates that recovery is possible when vision aligns with action and when political commitment is matched by technical execution. The story of Azerbaijans agricultural revival in its liberated lands is not just one of reclaimed fields. It is a testament to national resilience, strategic foresight, and the enduring value of land not just as territory, but as promise Cork takes centre stage in a new foodie series about Irelands culinary fare. In Anna Haughs Big Irish Food Tour, which starts on BBC2 on Monday at 6.30pm, the Tallaght celebrity chef invites famous faces to join her on a culinary journey of the island. She spends time with Dennis Taylor, Ed Byrne, Shayne Ward, Laura Whitmore, and Carl Frampton among others, but begins by bringing comedian Katherine Ryan to Cork. She admits her grans over-boiled and under-seasoned dinners havent given her the best impression of Irish cooking. Their first destination is the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School, where Anna's own culinary journey began, and they follow that up with a visit to one of the oldest food markets in Europe. Speaking ahead of the series, Anna said: "I'm passionate about food. I'm passionate about everything that comes from Ireland, from the culture to the produce and the people. And when the production company, Below the Radar TV, came to me and asked, 'Would I like to travel around Ireland with amazing people like Katherine Ryan and Dennis Taylor?' How could I say no?" However, while she may sound like an expert guide, Anna admits she learned a thing or two herself during the making of the 15-part series, which now comes to BBC2 after previously airing on BBC One in Northern Ireland. She says: "I've learned a lot about my culture, and I feel even more proud and strongly about the beautiful landscapes and the wonderful produce that we have. "And viewers can expect to learn lots of things about Ireland. You'll see the most amazing produce and get to know the celebrities who are on tour with me a little bit more." As Anna explains, she's also picked up some new skills: "I learned how to fish and how to milk a sheep. I essentially could become a mussel farmer now as Angela Scanlon and I had a crash course working on a mussel farm. And I also learned how to box with Carl Frampton!" Her tour of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also took her to some new places, even if they felt familiar. Anna says: "I've never been to Belfast before, and when I arrived in the city, I just felt like I was returning home, even though I'd never been there before." In fact, the only drawback to the series may have been the weather. Anna laughs: "What you probably won't be able to tell when you watch the programme is the battle I had with the wind. I was constantly using things like baking trays and chopping boards when I was cooking outdoors, and somehow had to try and stop the gale force winds blowing out the gas so I could actually cook!" Hopefully, her celeb travel companions, who also include presenter Vanessa Feltz, Father Ted actor Pauline McLynn, wildlife broadcaster Liz Bonnin, rugby legend Bundee Aki, the Saturdays popstar Una Healy, and Derry Girls actor Ian McElhinney, were willing to lend her a hand. The work of the Blackpool Tidy Village Group has been recognised with a nomination for the Lord Mayors Community and Voluntary Awards in the Climate Action, Active Travel and Sustainable Development category. The Blackpool Tidy Village Group and its volunteers can be seen out and about litter-picking, rubbish-collecting, and planting flowers and shrubs. The overall aim of the group is a simple one, to improve the image of Blackpool Village and make it cleaner, greener, safer, better. Speaking to The Echo, Teresa OBrien of the Blackpool Tidy Village group said they absolutely delighted and honoured to be nominated for an award. We are only established since 2023, she said. We are a small band of warriors and they are very enthusiastic. They just give up their time for the benefit of the community. It is lovely to have the work that you do seen, recognised and appreciated. It is just wonderful. It is good for the Lord Mayor and the city council to highlight the good work that is going on, because there is too much negativity in the world, really, I think and it is great to have such positive things highlighted, Ms OBrien added. Read More Mexican community honoured at nomination for prestigious Cork award The streets the group have cleaned include Commons Rd, Thomas Davis St, Dublin St, Spring Lane, The Plaza, Watercourse Rd, OConnell St, and Great William OBrien St. Work of the Blackpool Tidy Village Group The group meets every Saturday morning at Blackpool Community Centre for a litter pick and other works that help keep Blackpool clean. The Blackpool Tidy Village Group highlights the diversity of the Blackpool area, with the volunteers coming from different countries and cultures. We are going to do a major rejuvenation painting project and planting project from the Plaza. We are hoping to get a couple of Welcome To Blackpool signs in different parts of Blackpool. Those kinds of things are on the agenda for 2025 and for the rest of this year, Ms OBrien added. The award winners will be announced on May 7. Two Cork primary schools have picked up awards at a national competition aimed at discovering Irelands next generation of groundbreaking scientists. Baltydaniel National School in Mallow were awarded the Best Visual Display prize at 2025 Intel Mini Scientist Competition for their project titled Camera Obscura. Meanwhile Grange NS in Fermoy received an overall runner up prize, for their project Hurleys and Materials. This year more than 6,800 students from 94 schools in 18 counties participated in the competition, with the grand final bringing together the top 80 projects from across the country. The event marked the culmination of the nationwide competition, which commenced last September. The Intel Mini Scientist competition gives primary school students the chance to explore science and technology through project based learning and exhibitions. Intel vice president Joe Bolger praised the entrants who made it to the grand final held at TU Dublin. This is our largest mini-scientist competition ever and shows the interest in science among our young people. The standard of this years projects is excellent and they are a credit to the pupils and the teachers who supported them. Encouraging scientific endeavours at all levels in our schools will ensure a bright future for our young people. Head judge Sheila Porter, Scifest founder and CEO, said the competition is a wonderful opportunity for young people from national schools and gaelscoileanna across the country to showcase their scientific knowledge. The breath of projects ranging from the benefits of eating beetroot for aerobic fitness, to a project on hydroelectricity, and the level of knowledge demonstrated by todays finalists has been truly impressive. Castleknock Educate Together were crowned as the overall winners of the competition. Prahaladh Pradeep won the award for his Evac Smart project, a smart evacuation system that detects smoke and lights up the safest path for exit from a burning building. The community of Enniskeane is shocked and saddened following the death of a 13-year-old girl at a motor racing event this afternoon. The fatal incident, involving one vehicle, took place at an event hosted by the Cork Autograss Racing Club at approximately 3.30pm. The girl, who is understood to be a local from the Enniskeane area, was taking part in the event at the Castletown-Kinneigh track at the time of the incident. Racing had started around 11am, but was suspended following the crash. Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the incident and attended the scene, where the girl was later pronounced dead. Her body was removed from the scene and was taken to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem examination is set to be carried out by assistant state pathologist Dr Margot Bolster. Speaking to The Echo, Independent councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, Alan Coleman, shared his sympathies with the family of the deceased, saying that the incident has shaken the local community. This is a desperate tragedy for a young girl to pass away in circumstances like that, its absolutely tragic, said Mr Coleman. My heart goes out to the family; people are really shocked and saddened by the whole thing. Fianna Fail councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, Gillian Coughlan said that the incident has cast a dark cloud over the community of Enniskeane. My sincere condolences are extended to the family, friends, participants and attendees at the event [yesterday], said Ms Coughlan. It must be traumatic for all who were in attendance. Nobody thought that this tragedy would unfold and it certainly casts a dark cloud over the whole area. A family liaison officer will be appointed to assist the family of the deceased. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said on Sunday evening that the scene of the incident was being preserved for technical examination, with gardai appealing for witnesses to come forward. Independent Ireland councillor John Collins said that he feels for everybody involved in the tragic event. My sympathies go out to the family and organisers of the event, said Mr Collins. This is a very tragic [incident]. For everybody involved, this is a terrible thing to have happened at any time. Additionally, the Fine Gael councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal area, John Michael Foley, said that he can only imagine what the family of the girl must be going through during this difficult time. This is obviously a tragic event, for someone of that age to pass away, said Mr Foley. Its horrific for the family to endure something like this and for them to ever comprehend it, I can only imagine it. Gardai are urging witnesses to make themselves known to the investigating team, as well as anyone who may have camera footage from the event between the hours of 3pm and 4pm. Those with relevant footage are asked to make this available to investigating gardai by contacting Bandon Garda Station on (023) 8852200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. By David Young, PA The rollout of a new standardised digital system for medical lab test results in Northern Ireland has been hailed as transformational for clinical care. The 18-month implementation of the CoreLIMS Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) was completed last week. Previously there were seven separate systems for managing test results for different medical disciplines. Health and Social Care (HSC) pathology systems have now been combined into a single region-wide digital solution across the five hospital trusts in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS). The results of tests conducted by more than 2,000 laboratory staff in Northern Ireland are now uploaded onto the one system. The system is the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland. Using software supplied by Clinisys, the CoreLIMS has already processed almost 130 million results since November 2023. Northern Health Trust chief executive Jennifer Welsh, who leads the Northern Ireland Pathology Information Management System (NIPIMS), said: Completing the replacement of the ageing and disparate legacy lab systems across the trusts with one regional standardised system has been the result of years of hard work. I would like to acknowledge all the teams and individuals involved, for all the planning, preparation and long hours worked to facilitate this important transition. NIBTS chief executive Karin Jackson, who is the project lead for the CoreLIMS, added: Now that the rollout is complete across Northern Ireland, I am looking forward to seeing how patients and HSCNI will benefit from a significantly updated, improved, and rationalised LIMS. Delivering this technically complex programme in a fast-moving environment would not have been possible without the long hours, commitment, and support from colleagues in the trusts, NIBTS, BSO (the health services Business Services Organisation) and Clinisys teams. Karen Bailey, the chief executive of the BSO, said the rollout marked a milestone in laboratory digital transformation. I want to take this opportunity to pass on my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all BSO colleagues involved in the development and delivery of the CoreLIMS Programme, she said. I would like to further thank the trusts for their support in delivering this key programme that will make a difference to patients across the region. (Photo: Courtesy Anatoliy Raychynets)Volunteer chaplain Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and the Ukrainian Bible Society says, "People who pray for us and with usyou are angels sent from God" after visiting Ukraine's frontline in the war against Russia's invasion in April 2025. War chaplain Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets has shared how he helped troops on the frontline resisting Russia's invasion celebrate Easter this year and how he gave the soldiers Bibles. Raychynets is the head of external relations of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and deputy general secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society. As a chaplain, he has shared his prayers and messages with Ukrainian men and women serving on the frontlines of the war and the World Council of Churches carrried his story. The was has raged heavily since Russian launched an invastion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Part of the ecumenical chaplaincy service, Rev. Anatoliy is delivering Bibles and Easter treats to the Ukrainian men and women defending their country on the frontlines of the war. Photo: Courtesy of Anatoliy Raychynets The pastor is part of an ecumenical chaplaincy delegation that includes clergy in Ukraine from the Baptist Church, Ukrainian Evangelical Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox churches. The delegation left Kyiv for the frontlines on Easter Sunday. On April 24, as Raychynets and the chaplaincy delegation continued to bring Easter tidings to men and women, he shared what he witnessed and passed on to the World Council of Churches. "They have been mobilized to serve, and many of them would very much like to be in church, so to bring the Gospel here is a great joy, and there is so much gratefulness, because it means so much to those who are in very different circumstances," he said. For the chaplains, this work during the week after Easter brings a lot of joy, but also challenges that often seem insurmountable. "We are still here, and this week, all week, we have unit after unit asking us: can you come here? Can you pray, read, and sing with us?" said Raychynets. As part of the ecumenical chaplaincy service, Rev. Anatoliy delivers Bibles and Easter treats to the Ukrainian men and women defending their country on the frontlines of the war. Photo: On April 24, he received the news that Russian strikes killed at least nine people and injured 70 others in an overnight attack on Kyiv. "Early this morning, I got a message from Kyiv that the strike was close to my apartment, where I live with my family," he said. "And here on the frontlines, it's nonstop Russian attacks." Raychynets asks for prayers that he and the other chaplains remain strong enough to share a message of hope with people who desperately want to hear it. "When Jesus had been praying, he took with him three other disciples to pray together because he knew what kind of pain and torture he needed to go throughand how horrible is crucifixion," said the chaplain. "Jesus asked someone to be with him and support him in his prayers," said Raychynets. "I ask my brother and sister soldiers here: did God save Jesus from pain? Did God save Jesus from torture? Nope." But God did send angels to support Jesus, Raychynets pointed out. "In Ukraine, we read in the Bible about the angels who served Jesus," he said. "What we are experiencing right now, is, just as Jesus in Gethsemane had angels come to give him strength, that we would have the world with us, praying with us, and giving us strength in Ukraine." Raychynets said he has been preaching this week on the idea that God is with us through angels, serving, helping, and caring for us. "It gives us so much courage," he said. "We are in danger. We need to jump out of cars and hide ourselves in the forest, hide ourselves in the forest for an hour, because drones are targeting cars." Yet, he added, he sees God's protection and sees God's miracles every day. "Ukraine is still Ukraine," he said. "What we experience is that, God is with us." Instead of deciding between four new models of iPhones every fall, you may have to choose among three in both the spring and the fall. A new report from The Information claims that Apple will change the release cycle for its smartphones, starting with the iPhone 18 in 2026. According to The Information, three unnamed supply chain sources detailed that the more expensive models will launch first, meaning the Pro models will keep the fall release window and the standard model iPhones will get pushed to the following spring. Its a notable departure from the typical all-at-once release schedule, but it could indicate that Apple wants to make room for other models, like the long-rumored foldable iPhone. If the report is accurate, Apple would release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and potentially the foldable iPhone in fall 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 base model, the iPhone 18 Slim and the iPhone 18e in spring 2027. If youve been paying close attention to Apples releases, this change may not be much of a surprise. While the company has been releasing its annual batch of new iPhones in September or October since the iPhone 5, Apple started breaking from the schedule with the introduction of the iPhone SE models, which were usually released in March or April. More recently, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e in February to replace the SE range. As for the iPhone 17, were still expecting Apples regularly programmed schedule with four new devices to be revealed this September. Romania's far-right candidate George Simion took a comfortable lead in Sunday's first round of presidential elections, near-final results for the rerun of last year's annulled ballot showed. The closely watched rerun could potentially herald a foreign policy shift in the EU country of 19 million, which has become a key pillar of NATO since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With 99 percent of ballots counted, nationalist AUR party leader Simion -- a fan of US President Donald Trump -- was leading with 40.5 percent of the vote. He will face off against pro-EU Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan in the May 18 run-off, who surged to second place at 20.9 percent, narrowly booting out governing coalition candidate Crin Antonescu at 20.3. "Together we made history today," said Simion in a video message broadcast at his party's headquarters as euphoric supporters chanted "Out with the thieves, let patriots come". Political science professor Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP that Simion now faced the uphill task of converting his lead into a win in the run-off, predicting that it would be a close race. Other experts however have pointed to divisions within the pro-EU camp after a campaign marked by virulent accusations and dirty tricks. - 'MAGA President' - In all, 11 presidential hopefuls were vying for the post which, while largely ceremonial carries some influence in foreign policy. The rerun follows the cancellation of last year's vote won by NATO critic Calin Georgescu. He was barred from the rerun vote after authorities noted a massive TikTok campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking sometimes violent protests. Georgescu was replaced by 38-year-old Simion, who often dons a cap with the US president's slogan "Make America Great Again". He said he hoped to become Romania's "MAGA president". "It's time to take our country back," said the barred Georgescu after casting his ballot alongside Simion in Mogosoaia, on the outskirts of Bucharest. "We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy -- and bring justice to Romania," said Simion, who campaigned on a promise to put Romania first. Many voters clearly wanted change on Sunday. Robert Teodoroiu told AFP he hoped that this time his ballot would count after last year's vote was annulled. "I'm trying my luck again," said the 37-year-old driver in Bucharest. Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent when polls closed. Simion has largely campaigned online, partly in a bid to woo Romania's influential overseas voters. While describing himself as "more moderate" than Georgescu, he shares his aversion to what he calls "Brussels' unelected bureaucrats". Simion accuses EU officials of having meddled in Romania's elections and has vowed to restore his country's "dignity" within the bloc. While frequently denouncing Russia, he opposes sending military aid to Ukraine and wants Romania to reduce support for Ukrainian refugees. His campaign found favour with 67-year-old Stela Ivan, who hopes a far-right president would bring "change" to Romania after decades dominated by the same political parties since the end of Communism. Another voter, 52-year-old nurse Silvia Tomescu, said she hoped for a "better life, higher wages and a president" who "will not side with Russia". - Under scrutiny - Pro-European coalition candidate Crin Antonescu campaigned on a promise to offer stability, while Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan vowed to fight the "corrupt" and "arrogant" political elite. Simion promised on Sunday that if he became president, he would get Georgescu into power, citing three ways he might achieve that: "a referendum, early elections or forming a coalition in parliament that would appoint him Prime Minister". Following the ballot's shock annulment -- a rare move in the EU -- the rerun was held under close scrutiny. Thousands in Romania have protested in recent months against the annulled vote, denouncing it as a "coup". US Vice President JD Vance also condemned the decision. Authorities have stepped up preventive measures as well as cooperation with TikTok, saying they are committed to "fair and transparent" elections. While the far right alleged "multiple signs of fraud", the government pointed to various disinformation campaigns it said were "new attempts at manipulation and interference by state actors". ani-kym/jj Oscar Piastri made it a hat-trick of wins with victory in the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday as McLaren enjoyed a one-two on the podium to continue their dominant Formula One season. Australian Piastri finished 4.6 seconds ahead of British team-mate Lando Norris with George Russell of Mercedes finishing third but 37.6 seconds behind. The victory was the third in a row for Piastri after his wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and his fourth in the six races so far this season. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who started on pole, finished in fourth place with Alex Albon of Williams fifth and 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in sixth. "I was aware enough to avoid Max in turn one, and from then I knew I had a good pace advantage," Piastri said. "The car was incredible today. "The hard stint I was struggling a little bit, so there are some things to work on. Got to keep learning, but very happy to be leaving Miami on top. "Two years ago here we were the slowest team, I think we got lapped twice. Here, we just won the race by 35 seconds," he added. Piastri, who started at fourth on the grid, grabbed the lead on lap 14 when Verstappen took the inside line but was too late on the brakes and went wide. "Brakes man, honestly, useless," the Dutchman told his team radio and the Red Bull driver, a two-time winner at Miami, was not to get a sniff of the lead again. Norris went on the hunt for Verstappen but by the time he got ahead, after some jousting on lap 17, Piastri had opened up a nine-second lead. "It's never the best feeling (to be second) but the team has done an amazing job, so I can't fault them at all," said Norris. "We were up the road so it is a good feeling. Oscar drove well, Max put up a good fight as always so it is what it is. I paid the price for not doing a good enough job today, but still happy to be second," he said. Russell had finished behind his team-mate Antonelli in qualifying but after some frustration in the sprint race as well, he was glad to be on the podium. "Really happy to come away with P3 as I have been struggling this weekend personally. Well done to the McLaren, they were just too far down the road," he said. It was another disappointing day for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc finishing seventh and Lewis Hamilton a place behind. Hamilton, in his first season with the Italian team, expressed frustration with his team's tactics several times during the race, especially after he was instructed to let Leclerc pass him. Carlos Sainz faces a steward investigation after his aggressive attempt to overtake Hamilton on the final corner. sev/bb Japans apparel imports from China declined further to $11.232 billion in 2024, down 7.61 per cent from $12.158 billion in 2023. Imports from China have now fallen for four consecutive years. Japan imported apparel worth $13.878 billion from China in 2021. This figure dipped slightly to $13.811 billion in 2022, then declined further to $12.158 billion in 2023, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. Japan's apparel imports from China fell for the fourth consecutive year, dropping 7.61 per cent to $11.232 billion in 2024. Volumes also declined across garment types. Jerseys remained the top import at over 21 per cent of the total, followed by trousers, shirts, innerwear, and T-shirts. The trend reflects a consistent shift since 2021, when imports stood at nearly $13.9 billion. In volume terms, Japan imported 2,075.052 million garments at an average price of $4.90 per unit in 2024. Additionally, the country imported 1,574.743 million pairs of other types of apparel at an average price of $0.46 per pair, and 11.095 million kg of other garments at an average price of $29.88 per kg. In 2023, Japan had imported 2,200.995 million garments from China at an average price of $5.04 per unit. It also imported 1,589.313 million pairs and 9.821 million kg of garments, with average prices of $0.48 per pair and $31.18 per kg, respectively. Jerseys were the most prominent apparel category imported from China. Japans imports of jerseys totalled $2,375.623 million, accounting for 21.15 per cent of total apparel imports in 2024. Trousers and shorts followed at $1,597.952 million, or 14.23 per cent, as per TexPro. Among the top five apparel categories, shirt imports were valued at $1,055.404 million (9.40 per cent), innerwear at $919.487 million (8.19 per cent), and T-shirts at $871.251 million (7.76 per cent) in 2024. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The Netherlands gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025) compared to the previous quarter, according to the first estimate released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This modest increase follows a declining trend in quarterly growth over the past year. The slight uptick was primarily due to a smaller reduction in inventories and a 0.5 per cent rise in public consumption. However, the economic momentum was dampened by a 0.2 per cent decline in household consumption and a 2.2 per cent fall in fixed asset investments. The Netherlands' GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in Q1 2025 from the previous quarter, driven by higher public consumption and smaller inventory reductions, despite declines in household spending and investment. Year-on-year, GDP rose 2.0 per cent, with strong contributions from public consumption, trade surplus, and modest gains in exports and investment. External trade also weighed on growth, with exports of goods and services falling by 0.8 per cent, while imports dipped by just 0.1 per cent, narrowing the trade surplus, as per CBS Sector-wise, the public sector made the largest contribution to GDP growth due to its significant economic weight, despite value added increasing more steeply in the energy sector (5.8 per cent). On a year-on-year basis, the Dutch economy grew by 2.0 per cent in Q1 2025. Public consumption, up 2.8 per cent, and a favourable trade balance were the key growth drivers. Household consumption rose by 0.6 per cent, while investments and exports increased by 1.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU) Bangkok, Thailand--(Newsfile Corp. - May 4, 2025) - DMCARE Co., Ltd. has officially launched in 2025 as a one-stop condominium repair and renovation service provider, with a dedicated focus on buildings affected by recent earthquakes. The company is committed to addressing this urgent challenge for residents and juristic persons across Thailand. DMCARE Launches to Lead Condominium Restoration After Earthquakes, Partnering with Dimet Siam to Strengthen Capabilities To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/250588_88a7febbe4830ae3_002full.jpg DMCARE was founded by a team of seasoned professionals in the construction and real estate sectors, with a vision to elevate the standard of building restoration by delivering solutions that are safe, sustainable, and visually refined. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Dimet Siam Public Company Limited, a leading Thai manufacturer of architectural coatings, anti-corrosion paints, fireproof coatings, and industrial paints. This collaboration aims to enhance material quality and ensure the use of certified protective systems in all restoration work. "At DMCARE, we are committed to delivering condominium restoration services that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Our professional construction team is equipped with the expertise and care needed to restore not just buildings, but the peace of mind of the people who live in them," said Kajornsart Chotipanjarat, CEO of DMCARE Co., Ltd. DMCARE's services cover a comprehensive range of repair and renovation works, including structural crack repairs, flooring, wall and ceiling improvements, as well as interior and exterior painting and decorative finishes. All projects are carried out with meticulous attention to detail and overseen by skilled engineers and technicians with deep expertise in condominium restoration. At the heart of DMCARE's operations are its Core Values, which are reflected in every project: Dependability - Trusted service that clients can rely on Mindfulness - Thoughtful care for residential spaces Craftsmanship - Precision and excellence in every step Accountability - Professional responsibility throughout the process Reasonable Pricing - Transparent, fair pricing with no hidden fees End-to-End Support - Comprehensive care from start to finish With strong backing from Dimet Siam and a highly specialized operations team, DMCARE stands ready to be a driving force in restoring and upgrading residential buildings nationwide-ensuring they are secure, beautiful, and built to last. For media inquiries or service information, please contact: Line Official: @DMCARE To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/250588 SOURCE: Plentisoft Saif Ali Khan stated, I like historical films. Maybe films about other cultures, maybe Japanese. I am also very excited to see our culture on the big screens. read more Saif Ali Khan has graced the WAVES Summit and is engaging in impactful conversations about the potential of Indian cinema, cultural impact, and growing connectivity across global platforms. In a recent conversation with Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, Saif Ali Khan opened up about his likeness of films, and shared what kinds of films and matter attracts him the most. Saif Ali Khan stated, I like historical films. Maybe films about other cultures, maybe Japanese. I am also very excited to see our culture on the big screens. The Mahabharata is the greatest story ever told, its one of our great epics. I also like to watch massive war scenes, bringing life, history, and a past that is related to books. I would like to see that kind of atmosphere in movies. And I feel the long-form streaming format is just perfect for it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan was recently seen in the Netflix release Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. The actor played the role of a smooth-talking con-man who is hired by a mafia crime lord, Jaideep Ahlawat, to steal the elusive diamond, The African Red Sun. Ever since the film landed on OTT, the audience showered immense love and appreciation on Saifs acting brilliance and natural screen presence. Now, they are eager to see more of him on the screens! Speculation always runs high when a new pope is to be chosen. With Catholic cardinals set to begin the conclave on May 7 to elect Pope Franciss successor, public interest has increased, partly due to the 2024 film Conclave. The political thriller, while packed with drama and suspense, has introduced many to the rules and traditions behind the secretive papal selection process, though with a Hollywood spin read more Catholic cardinals have announced that the conclave to choose Pope Franciss successor will begin on May 7. The secret vote was delayed by two days so that the cardinals could get to know one another better and try to agree on a suitable candidate before entering the Sistine Chapel. There is always speculation when a new pope is to be chosen. While the conclave could have started on May 5, the cardinals opted to take extra time for informal talks. These sessions also included cardinals over the age of 80, though they would not be allowed to take part in the vote once the conclave begins. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Francis, like his predecessors, upheld the Churchs rule that women cannot be ordained as priests, which means they cannot become pope. According to Catholic doctrine, it is reserved for men since Jesus chose only men to be his 12 apostles. This teaching is considered to be guided by divine truth and cannot be changed. ALSO READ | Stood out like a sore thumb: Did Trump break dress code at Pope Francis funeral? Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88. He suffered a stroke that left him in a coma and led to heart failure. Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became known for bringing a sense of renewal to the Catholic Church. At the time of his election, the Church was seen to be losing influence, especially during the leadership of Benedict XVI. Benedicts unexpected resignation cleared the path for Francis to become pope. Notably, the College of Cardinals, which will vote in the upcoming conclave, includes members from all over the world. Many of them were appointed by Francis during his 12 years as pope, often moving away from the Churchs more traditional centres to bring in new viewpoints. Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel in 2005. AP/File Photo Technically, any baptised Catholic man can become pope, even cardinals over 80, though they cannot vote if they are not present in the room. Still, only cardinals have been chosen since 1378. Ahead of the conclave, public interest has grown, partly due to the 2024 film Conclave, a political thriller that shows the process of electing a pope. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The movie, though dramatic, helped many people learn about the rules and traditions of the selection, adding a Hollywood twist filled with suspense and secrets. While some critics have pointed out where the film falls short, it does show the seriousness of a papal election and touches on the real challenges the Church faces today. Vatican experts, however, say the movie does not get everything right. ALSO READ | Build bridges, not walls: How Pope Francis funeral put peace and compassion front and centre Heres a look at what Conclave gets right and what it doesnt about the selection process. (Spoilers ahead.) Scenery and aesthetics The movie excels at re-creating the look and feel of a conclave. The film gets a lot right. They tried to reproduce the mise-en-scene of the Vatican accurately, William Cavanaugh, a Catholic studies professor at DePaul University in Chicago, said in an email. They show that a lot of the drama is around the preconclave conversations among cardinals. Its not a perfect re-creation, according to the Rev Thomas Reese, a senior analyst with the Religion News Service and a Vatican expert. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He called the movies production values marvellous, but noted slight discrepancies in the cardinals dress. The red in the cardinals garments was a deep red, while the reality is more orange. Frankly, I like the Hollywood version better, Reese, a Jesuit priest who wrote Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organisation of the Catholic Church, said in an email. Brian F OByrne and Ralph Fiennes in a scene from Conclave. AP Protocols of the papal process The movie aligns with real-life expectations for a quick conclave, said Massimo Faggioli, a historical theology professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. A long conclave would send the message of a Church divided and possibly on the verge of a schism. The history of the conclaves in the last century is really a story of short conclaves, he said via email. Reese pointed out other discrepancies. While the voting process was depicted accurately, he said, the ballots are burned not after each vote, but after each session, which is typically two votes. ALSO READ | From legacy to logistics: Challenges loom over next popes election Holy plot holes There are a few particularly egregious errors that, if corrected, would lead to a very different movie. A key character in the film, the archbishop of Kabul, Afghanistan, arrives just before the conclave with paperwork declaring the late pope had made him a cardinal in pectore in secret allowing him to vote for the next pope. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The biggest mistake in the movie was the admission of a cardinal in pectore into the conclave, said Reese. If the name is not announced publicly by the pope in the presence of the College of Cardinals, he has no right to attend a conclave. Sergio Castellitto in a scene from Conclave. AP Cavanaugh agreed and noted that while the movies twist about the Kabul archbishop was far-fetched, it does point to a certain truth about conclaves. The cardinals do not always know who theyre getting when they elect a pope, he said. If the cardinals knew how (Jorge Mario) Bergoglio would be as Pope Francis, many of them wouldnt have voted for him. Pius IX was elected as a liberal and turned into an archconservative. John XXIII was supposed to be a jolly caretaker pope, and he unleashed Vatican II, a series of modernising reforms. Another of the movies more outlandish storylines involves the dean of the College of Cardinals breaking the seal of the confessional by revealing to another cardinal what a nun confessed to him, said Reese. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He committed a mortal sin and would be automatically excommunicated. Such an action would be egregiously wrong, Reese said. In addition to that, a cardinal paying for votes, as shown in the film, is unheard of in modern times, said Cavanaugh, and the politicking is exaggerated. And so are the politics The movie errs in making cardinals into either liberal or conservative champions, said Kurt Martens, professor of canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington. Those labels dont help us, he said, because cardinals are very cautious in expressing their opinions and even someone we think is a liberal cardinal is pretty conservative by secular standards. And he added that even in an unusually large conclave like this years, the rule requiring the next pope to win at least a two-thirds majority of the vote ensures that whatever we call extreme likely wont get enough votes. With inputs from AP On May 4, 1979, Margaret Thatcher was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the UK and Europe. Her leadership marked a transformative period in British politics, characterised by free-market reforms and a bold stance on national and international issues read more UK's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher raises both hands over head and smiles during standing ovation after her closing speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool, England, October 9, 1987. File Image/Reuters On May 4, history when Margaret Thatcher shattered a centuries-old barrier in 1979 by becoming the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Two decades earlier, in 1959, the music industry celebrated its finest with the inaugural Grammy Awards. And in 1994, a pivotal agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation laid the groundwork for Palestinian self-rule. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstposts ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Margaret Thatcher becomes Europes first female PM On May 4, 1979, Margaret Thatcher was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, making history as the first woman to hold the office in the UK and Europe. Her Conservative Party had secured a decisive victory in the general election, winning a 44-seat majority over the incumbent Labour government led by James Callaghan. Thatchers ascent marked a significant shift in British politics, both in terms of gender representation and ideological direction. Born Margaret Hilda Roberts in 1925 in Grantham, England, Thatcher studied chemistry at Oxford University before training as a barrister. She entered Parliament in 1959 and rose through the ranks of the Conservative Party, becoming its leader in 1975. Her leadership style was characterised by a strong commitment to free-market policies, individual responsibility, and a reduction in state intervention. UKs Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi outside 10 Downing Street, London prior to their meeting, October 14, 1985. File Image/Reuters Thatchers premiership, which lasted until 1990, was marked by significant economic and social reforms. She implemented policies aimed at deregulating the economy, privatising state-owned industries, and curbing the power of trade unions. These measures, collectively known as Thatcherism, were both lauded for revitalising the British economy and criticised for increasing social inequality. Internationally, Thatcher played a prominent role on the world stage. She maintained a close relationship with US President Ronald Reagan , sharing a mutual commitment to conservative economic policies and a strong stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President Reagan share a laugh during a meeting of the Allied leaders in New York on October 24, 1985. File Image/Reuters Her leadership during the Falklands War in 1982 further solidified her reputation as a resolute and determined leader. Thatchers tenure was not without controversy. Her introduction of the Community Charge, commonly known as the poll tax, led to widespread protests and contributed to a decline in her popularity. Facing internal party dissent, she resigned in 1990, succeeded by John Major. Despite the polarising nature of her policies, Thatchers impact on British politics is undeniable. She remains a figure of significant historical importance, symbolising both the possibilities and challenges of transformative leadership. First Grammy Awards presented On May 4, 1959, the music industry celebrated its achievements with the inaugural Grammy Awards . Organised by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the ceremony recognised outstanding musical accomplishments from the previous year. The event was held simultaneously in two locations: the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City. A total of 28 awards were presented, honouring artists across various genres. Notable winners included Ella Fitzgerald, who received awards for Best Female Vocal Performance and Best Jazz Performance and Count Basie, who won for Best Jazz Group Performance and Best Dance Band Performance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Domenico Modugnos Volare was awarded Record of the Year, highlighting the global influence of music. Also Watch: The establishment of the Grammy Awards marked a significant moment in the recognition of musical artistry, setting a precedent for future generations of musicians and industry professionals. Rabin & Arafat sign accord for Palestinian self-rule On May 4, 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat signed a historic accord in Cairo, Egypt initiating the first phase of Palestinian self-rule . The agreement, part of the broader Oslo Accords framework, outlined the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area, transferring authority to the newly established Palestinian Authority. The signing ceremony, attended by international dignitaries, was a culmination of months of negotiations aimed at resolving the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the accord faced challenges and criticisms from various factions, it represented a significant step toward peace and mutual recognition between the two parties. The 1994 agreement laid the groundwork for subsequent negotiations and agreements, influencing the trajectory of the region in the years that have followed. Also Watch: On May 7, the world will look on as the conclave to elect a new pope begins. This highly complex and secretive process will be held at the Sistine Chapel. But do you know how long it takes to elect a new head of the Catholic Church? What about the food served to the cardinals? read more Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (centre), attends a mass on the third of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis, in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, days ahead of the conclave, scheduled for May 7. AP In a few days from now, the College of Cardinals will gather under the beautiful frescoes of the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pontiff following the demise of Pope Francis. The secretive process to elect the next head of the Catholic Church, the conclave, has gone people buzzing what goes on behind closed doors? As we await May 7, the scheduled day of the conclave, here are some fun facts about conclaves past. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Longest conclave in history In the 13th century, it took almost three years 1,006 days to be exact to choose Pope Clement IVs successor, making it the longest conclave in the Catholic Churchs history. Its also where the term conclave comes from under lock and key, because the cardinals who were meeting in Viterbo, north of Rome, took so long the towns frustrated citizens locked them in the room. The secret vote that elected Pope Gregory X lasted from November 1268 to September 1271. It was the first example of a papal election by compromise, after a long struggle between supporters of two main geopolitical medieval factions those faithful to the papacy and those supporting the Holy Roman Empire. Shortest conclave ever Before 1274, there were times when a pope was elected the same day as the death of his predecessor. After that, however, the Church decided to wait at least 10 days before the first vote. Later that was extended to 15 days to give all cardinals time to get to Rome. The quickest conclave observing the 10-day wait rule appears to have been the 1503 election of Pope Julius II, who was elected in just a few hours, according to Vatican historian Ambrogio Piazzoni. In more recent times, Pope Francis was elected in 2013 on the fifth ballot, Benedict XVI won in 2005 on the fourth and Pope Pius XII won on the third in 1939. One meal a day rule Gregory X was elected only after Viterbo residents tore the roof off the building where the prelates were staying and restricted their meals to bread and water to pressure them to come to a conclusion. Hoping to avoid a repeat, Gregory X decreed in 1274 that cardinals would only get one meal a day if the conclave stretched beyond three days, and only bread, water and wine if it went beyond eight. That restriction has been dropped. Cardinals stand in prayer inside the Sistine Chapel after they entered the conclave area for electing the successor of late John Paul I in October 1978. File image/AP First conclave in the Sistine Chapel The first conclave held under Michelangelos frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel was in 1492. Since 1878, the world-renowned chapel has become the venue of all conclaves. Everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be judged, St John Paul II wrote in his 1996 document regulating the conclave, Universi Dominici Gregis. The cardinals sleep a short distance away in the nearby Domus Santa Marta hotel or a nearby residence. Alternative locations Most conclaves have been held in Rome, with some taking place outside the Vatican walls. Four were held in the Pauline Chapel of the papal residence at the Quirinale Palace, while some 30 others were held in St John Lateran Basilica, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva or other places in Rome. On 15 occasions they took place outside Rome and the Vatican altogether, including in Viterbo, Perugia, Arezzo and Venice in Italy, and Konstanz, Germany, and Lyon, France. Meet the antipopes Between 1378-1417, referred to by historians as the Western Schism, there were rival claimants to the title of pope. The schism produced multiple papal contenders, the so-called antipopes, splitting the Catholic Church for nearly 40 years. The most prominent antipopes during the Western Schism were Clement VII, Benedict XIII, Alexander V, and John XXIII. The schism was ultimately resolved by the Council of Constance in 1417, which led to the election of Martin V, a universally accepted pontiff. One of the cells in which a Cardinal will live during the Conclave, at the Vatican. File image/AP Challenge to personal hygiene The cloistered nature of the conclave posed another challenge for cardinals: staying healthy. Before the Domus Santa Marta guest house was built in 1996, cardinal electors slept on cots in rooms connected to the Sistine Chapel. Conclaves in the 16th and 17th centuries were described as disgusting and badly smelling, with concern about disease outbreaks, particularly in summer, according to historian Miles Pattenden. The cardinals simply had to have a more regular and comfortable way of living because they were old men, many of them with quite advanced disease, Pattenden wrote. The enclosed space and lack of ventilation further aggravated these issues. Some of the electors left the conclave sick, often seriously. Vow of secrecy Initially, papal elections werent as secretive, but concerns about political interference soared during the longest conclave in Viterbo. Gregory X decreed that cardinal electors should be locked in seclusion, cum clave (with a key), until a new pope was chosen. The purpose was to create a totally secluded environment where the cardinals could focus on their task, guided by Gods will, without any political interference or distractions. Over the centuries, various popes have modified and reinforced the rules surrounding the conclave, emphasizing the importance of secrecy. Youngest pope, oldest pope Pope John XII was just 18 when he was elected in 955. The oldest popes were Pope Celestine III (elected in 1191) and Celestine V (elected in 1294) who were both nearly 85. Benedict XVI was 78 when he was elected in 2005. Non-cardinal pope and non-Italian pope There is no requirement that a pope be a cardinal, but that has been the case for centuries. The last time a pope was elected who wasnt a cardinal was Urban VI in 1378. He was a monk and archbishop of Bari. While the Italians have had a stranglehold on the papacy over centuries, there have been many exceptions aside from John Paul II (Polish in 1978) and Benedict XVI (German in 2005) and Francis (Argentine in 2013). Alexander VI, elected in 1492, was Spanish; Gregory III, elected in 731, was Syrian; Adrian VI, elected in 1522, was from the Netherlands. Pakistan is planning to take India to international court over New Delhis move to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. But Islamabads move for recourse wont be successful. Heres this and more in our weekly wrap of the worlds biggest stories read more People take a boat ride in the waters of Indus River near the Lansdowne Bridge in Sukkur, in the southern Sindh province. After the deadly Pahalgam attack, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, with Islamabad warning any attempt to stop water flows would be considered an "act of war". AFP Its been almost a fortnight since terrorists unleashed havoc in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 innocent people. Since then, tensions between India and Pakistan have been high as New Delhi blames Islamabad for its tacit support to terrorists and taking strict measures against the neighbouring nation. The week gone by also saw Canada hold its elections in which the Mark Carney-led Liberal Party was able to achieve a remarkable turnaround, winning a fourth term, delivering a huge blow to the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And speaking of elections, even Australia went to the polls on May 3 with Australias centre-left prime minister, Anthony Albanese, winning a second term with a crushing victory over the opposition. Albaneses Labor party scored an unexpectedly comfortable win, after a five-week election campaign dominated by the cost of living and global economic uncertainty. Away from politics, also came the shocking news of a massive power outage in Spain, Portugal and parts of France. People were plunged into darkness with no way to communicate with one another and causing flights to be cancelled or deferred. But if you missed these big headlines, dont fret. We have you covered in our weekly wrap that will discuss everything that happened in the past seven days. 1) Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, imperilling the neighbouring countrys economy. An angry Pakistan responded by terming Indias move as an act of war. Its minister, Aqeel Malik, has confirmed that Islamabad is now planning to legally challenge New Delhi on international platforms, including the International Court of Justice. But, this wont really help Pakistan. Read our report to find out why Pakistans efforts wont bear any fruit. 2) While Pakistan has planned on taking India to court over the Indus water, it is also waging war against it not on the battlefield, but in cyberspace. Since the terror attack, different hacking groups based in Pakistan have attempted to deface and harvest personal information from Indian websites. But who are these hackers? What purpose are they serving? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Read the full report to find out. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to his supporters after losing the Canadian Federal Election on April 29 in Ottawa, Canada. AFP 3) Away from the news of terrorism, this week was also saw Canada going to the polls. Mark Carney, the former governor of Bank of England helped steer the Liberal party to a big win in the North American country, with many calling it a turnaround unlike any other. The results delivered a huge shock to Conservatives Pierre Poilievre, who until January, was pegged to win the polls. But as they say in politics, three months is a long time. He went from being a shoo-in for the prime ministerial post, to conceding defeat as well as his own seat in Ottawas Carleton. But how did things get so bad for Poilievre? Why didnt Canada vote for him? 4) This Canada election also turned out to be a mixed bag for Indian-origin candidates. Jagmeet Singh, who was born to Indian immigrants from Punjab, stepped down as leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) after losing his own seat. In Canadas Edmonton, Liberal candidate Amarjeet Sohi lost to the Conservative Partys Jagsharan Singh Mahal. In our report, we analyse the performance of the desi candidates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A child holds a placard at a Labor party election night event, on the day of the Australian federal election, in Sydney, Australia. Reuters 5) On Saturday, Australia went to the polls in an election overshadowed by US President Donald Trump. At the end of it all, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a second term in office in a disastrous night for his conservative rivals. Albaneses victory makes him the first Australian prime minister to win re-election for two decades. Election night was a double whammy for opposition leader Peter Dutton. The 54-year-old leader, who had hoped to end the night as prime minister, lost his seat, Dickson, that hes held for more than 20 years, ending a brutal night for the veteran politician. 6) On Monday, chaos erupted in Spain and Portugal when a major power outage occurred. Thousands of train passengers were stuck, flights were cancelled, and hospitals had to stop regular services as the electricity grid collapsed. Days later, the power is back up but the discussion on what caused it continues among the public as well as officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Did climate change cause this problem? Was it a cyberattack? Our explainer delves into the many theories on what caused the power cut. A colleague of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna holds a photograph of her as she is interviewed during an event in honour of Victorias memory at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers, at Independence Square in Kyiv. File image/AFP 7) The Russia-Ukraine war continues to wage on. It has claimed the lives of countless soldiers and civilians. But the story of Viktoriia Roshchyna, a fearless young journalist, from Ukraine is bound to get you teary-eyed. After disappearing in 2023, her body was finally repatriated this February. But what her family received was shocking to say the least fractured bones, suspected electric burns, her head shaved, and several internal organs removed. Heres her tragic tale. 8) This week also saw US President Donald Trump complete his first 100 days in office. And what a 100 days it has been. His second term has unfolded with sweeping, often controversial moves across domestic and international fronts. From ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to waging war against the countrys elite university, Harvard, Trump has done it all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you feel like you need a catch-up, heres a look at Trumps most controversial decisions in his first 100 days in office. 9) Its been almost eight months since Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh after she was ousted from power. Since then, the country has witnessed political turmoil. But thats not it. A recent order by the interim government to halt the issue of currency notes featuring Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has led to a currency crisis, endangering Bangladeshs economy. Heres more on this here. Thats all from us this week. If you like how we take a deep dive into the news, you can come back to this page for more. A 30minute blackout rehearsal was conducted at the Ferozepur Cantonment area in Punjab on Sunday evening amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. read more Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, a 30-minute blackout rehearsal was conducted at the Ferozepur Cantonment area in Punjab on Sunday evening. The blackout drill was carried in the border town out from 9 pm to 9:30 pm, officials said. All lights were turned off in the area after a siren went off at 9 pm, they said. Earlier, the Ferozepur Cantonment Board wrote to Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma about carrying out the blackout drill. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You are requested to ensure adequate security arrangements during this period, given the total blackout. This rehearsal aims to ensure preparedness and effectiveness in implementing blackout procedures during prevailing war threats. Your support and cooperation are crucial in making this exercise successful, the letter said. Sharma said in a statement that the blackout was part of a routine preparedness exercise. Electricity supply in the cantonment area will be shut from 9 pm to 9:30 pm. There is no need to panic. The administration is fully alert and ready to respond if required, she said. DIG Harmanbir Gill, meanwhile, said police are closely monitoring all anti-social elements, known offenders and smugglers in the area. Vigilance has been ramped up at the toll barriers to track vehicle movement while social media activities are also under surveillance, the DIG said. The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified patrolling along the international border while Punjab Police has set up checkpoints at all strategic locations as a precautionary measure. First, coordinated disinformation posts attempting to portray India as unstable and its military as disoriented popped up everywhere on X. Then, Pakistani mainstream media joined the chorus read more Pro-pakistan X accounts and Pakistani mainstream media have been spreading fake news targeting the Indian military. AI-generated image via DALL-E. In the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, India took swift diplomatic actions against Pakistan. The country was accused of having a hand in the horrific incident that took 26 lives. India sought to hold its neighbouring country accountable for its support to terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and by extension, offshoots like The Resistance Force (TRF), which had initially claimed responsibility for the attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indus Waters Treaty was held in abeyance, a NOTAM restricting Pakistani aircraft from Indian airspace was issues, and renewed global outreach to isolate Islamabad began. Just as support from the international community for India began to flow in, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were flooded by a structured Pakistan-based disinformation campaign. Coordinated disinformation campaign on X Coordinated disinformation posts attempting to portray India as unstable and its military as disoriented popped up everywhere. One viral post falsely claimed the Indian Air Force (IAF) accidentally bombed a civilian area in Madhya Pradesh. The visual of a Su-30 fighter jet dropping munitions was used in several misleading posts. It wasnt a one-off instance. Multiple accounts would post the same information, perhaps with differing images and slight paraphrasing. Take a look at two such posts: This pro-Pakistan handle posted a doctored image of INS Vikrant in a bid to show that there had been a fire onboard. Image courtesy: X.com/@Irves_Watch This handle used an image of Su-30MKI fighter jet dropping munitions with a fake claim that IAF had bombed an Indian village. Image courtesy: X.com These fake claims were then amplified by other accounts on X. For instance, a handle that purportedly uses X to share data-driven stories carried on this disinformation campaign further, reaching thousands of followers. Just IN: Indian Airforce 'mistakenly' bombs a civilian area in the Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This has come when Indian Airforce is on high alert after escalation with Pakistan following Pahalgam attack. South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) April 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet another piece of FAKE NEWS being deliberately circulated online. INS Vikrant was not operationally deployed against Pakistan, and has not "pulled back". This post fits a pattern of disinformation that have targeted Indian Army, Indian Navy, and IAF.#IOR https://t.co/HpUYvOaKKp IORMonitor (@IORMonitor) April 28, 2025 INS Vikrant had not caught fire, and it had not returned from deployment because it wasnt heading to Pakistan for a deployment to begin with. Many X users pointed out that the image was doctored. In case of the claim regarding the Indian Air Force, the source was a tweet by the IAF itself. But the tweet had mentioned that a non-explosive store had accidentally dropped off a fighter aircraft. No bomb was involved. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite multiple users pointing out the information was false, the handles did not remove them. Interestingly, the three handles (of the many that were involved in spreading misinformation) mentioned here regularly made either completely pro-Pakistan posts (calling Indian citizens in Kashmir germs and referring to Jammu and Kashmir as India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in line with Pakistani governments talking points) or seemed to cover global news, but always aligned with the Pakistani establishments narratives without fact-checking. Many have been blocked in India by action of the government. Mainstream media follows the trend This online activity escalated into televised disinformation. Pakistani state broadcaster PTV and private channel ARY News ran reports falsely claiming that Indian generals had been sacked or imprisoned for criticising the government and opposing retaliation against Pakistan. Mainstream media followed the trend of spreading fake news against Indian military while parallely parroting the talking points of Pakistani government and military top brass. In the video clip below, an analyst speaking on PTV News is falsely claiming that Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar had asserted that Pahalgam attack was perpetrated by India and that it was (simultaneously, somehow) also an intelligence failure. The analyst goes on to say that Lt Gen Kumar was arrested for this. #NuktaaeAitraaz #ptvnews #IndianFalseFlag@ShaziaKhanAnchr pic.twitter.com/0ZtPn8B7tw PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 30, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fact of the matter is that Lt Gen Kumar retired honourably on April 30 upon superannuation after nearly four decades of distinguished service. The routine change of command had been notified well in advance. The Indian Army had posted about this, too. Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar after completing an illustrious career of four decades in the Indian Army, today relinquished the Command of Indian Armys Northern Command. He was given a befitting farewell by the brave men and women of the Command. The Indian Army https://t.co/wsXO2lAJAr ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 30, 2025 In an even more brazen attempt to spread fake news, ARY News anchor claimed that Lt Gen DS Rana, Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA), had been sent to the infamous Kala Pani prison in Andaman and Nicobar islands. For starters, the punishment of exile to Kala Pani was a colonial practice that has been discontinued for a long time now. Secondly, far from being dismissed, Lt Gen Rana has been promoted to rank of Commander-in-Chief in situ. This means that he is now elevated to a higher rank in the same appointment as DG DIA. He will take over as Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), a prestigious tri-services command on June 1. PIB fact-checked this. #Pakistan based News Channel @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL and several pro-Pakistan social media accounts are falsely claiming that Lt Gen DS Rana, Director General Defence Intelligence Agency has been removed from his post and deputed to the Andaman & Nicobar.#PIBFactCheck This claim pic.twitter.com/ppuYetsrBI PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 3, 2025 Whats behind the massive disinformation campaign? At least two purposes of this disinformation campaign are apparent at a glance. First, to create panic and confusion within the Indian population eroding confidence in its armed forces and governance. And second, to bolster Pakistani domestic narratives that suggest India is falling apart under pressure, thus masking the countrys own vulnerabilities after the Pahalgam massacre and expected diplomatic fallout. Although not new (think back to fake news spread after Balakot airstrike), this disinformation wave is unusually synchronised. Pakistans fake news machinery appears to be evolving in both scale and sophistication. Indias counter-disinformation response has been swift. The government has blocked dozens of Pakistan-linked YouTube channels and social media pages spreading falsified narratives. The Press Information Bureaus fact-checking wing has been regularly debunking viral claims and urging citizens to verify content before sharing. Indian defence officials have also taken to official handles to clarify misinformation in real time. The decision comes just days before a critical IMF board meeting to approve a new $1.3 billion climate resilience loan to Pakistan read more In a sudden move, the government has abruptly dismissed Krishnamurthy Subramanian from the IMF board, six months before his term was set to end. The decision comes just days before a critical IMF board meeting to approve a new $1.3 billion climate resilience loan to Pakistan. The government has increased pressure on international institutions, particularly the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to halt the flow of financial assistance to Pakistan. According to government sources, the decision to remove Subramanian from the IMF board followed his questioning of IMF statistics, the latest incident in his feud with the multinational institution. Furthermore, the Indian School of Business professor faces claims of misconduct in promoting his recent book, India @100: Envisioning Tomorrows Economic Powerhouse. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The government has yet to select a replacement, although finance secretary Ajay Seth, who retires at the end of June, is viewed as a candidate for the position. Subramanian, who began his post in November 2022, was awarded a three-year tenure. The government nominates an executive director for India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lankaa position that is now vacant, according to the IMF website. The listed alternate director is Harischandra Pahath Kumbure Gedara. Subramanian, who chose to resign as chief economic adviser in 2021 at the end of his three-year tenure and return to academia, has previously made remarks of which the IMF disapproved. However, eleven months later, he relocated to Washington to assume the role of executive director at the IMF. The Hindu festival is the high point in the socio-religious calendar of Thrissur and witnesses the coming together of numerous other temple processions of the city at one focal point the magnificent Vadakkumnathan Temple read more On April 30th, a flag went up in the city of Thrissur, in Kerala. This event called Kodiyettam is a traditional flag hoisting ceremony conducted seven days before the festival called Pooram begins here. The Hindu festival is the high point in the socio-religious calendar of Thrissur and witnesses the coming together of numerous other temple processions of the city at one focal point - the magnificent Vadakkumnathan Temple. Its architecture, the murals within and the legends associated with it are each worthy of a story of their own. And unsurprisingly, the Vadakkumnathan is one of fourteen sites that Kerala has recommended for UNESCO World Heritage status. This venerable shrine, a living embodiment of ancient traditions, witnesses lakhs of people converging during the Pooram, each participant or visitor carrying home memories of an unforgettable public celebration of faith and divinity. However, very few people trace the traditions back to their origins, or to those who encouraged them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the original shrine built at the site of the Vadakkumnathan Temple is said to be nearly sixteen hundred years old, the Pooram itself was the brainchild of Sakthan Thampuran, the ruler of Cochin state at the beginning of the 19th century. Visitors can catch a glimpse of Thampurans life and work at the Vadakkechira Palace nearby, which has a museum named after him. The elegant Sakthan Thampuran Palace-Museum at Thrissur Source - Wikipedia Rama Varma Kunji Pillai Thampuran, to use Sakthans real name, reigned in Cochin for fourteen years beginning 1791. The largest temple festival in this time was the Pooram at Arattupuzha and all the temples around Thrissur participated in this. On one occasion, the temples around Thrissur were late in joining the Arattupuzha event and were denied participation. This paved the way for Thampuran to create another Pooram at the Vadakkumnathan Temple. A 60-acre teak forest around the temple was cleared and the vast park that exists around the temple brought into being. In the process, Thrissur became a cultural hub. The Vadakkechira Palace was built by Thampuran in 1795 in a style that incorporated elements from Dutch architecture. After his death in 1805, he was cremated in the grounds of the same palace a small memorial stands at the spot today. Two centuries after his death, the palace became a museum. Not only is the museum building an elegant structure, but its galleries also showcase Keralas dynamic history since as early as the 5th century CE. Via coins, inscriptions, sculpted remains and more, the place gives a visual commentary on the various influences that impacted the history of the region. A serpent grove in the palace grounds marks the continuation of another ancient Malayali tradition, one normally associated with temples. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Close to this lies another palace-turned-museum. Kollengode was a small kingdom in Palakkad district, bordering what is now Tamil Nadu. A Kollengode ruler called Vasudeva Raja built a summer palace for his daughter in the cultural hub of Kerala in 1904. Another mix of Kerala and European architecture, the stately Kollengode Palace is now Thrissurs district museum. The Kollengode palace museum in Thrissur Murals inside the Kollengode Palace Museum complex A mural inside the Kollengode Palace Museum complex The first thing that catches a visitors eye here are the murals inside its boundary wall elaborate recreations of Keralas traditional painting styles depicting various stories and events from history and mythology. On display within the museum are models of temple architecture as well as various items used in folk dances and other aspects of popular culture, many of which are seen in cultural processions during the Pooram. Also seen here are various household items made of wood, metal and even bamboo. The highlight of the museum is its collection of paintings, again featuring the states rich culture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thrissur has a third museum dedicated to history, one that is sometimes overlooked. Not because it lies in some obscure place but because it is within the zoo complex. Apart from local culture, this museum also contains a display of the regions animal life. But its standout feature is a stone in its precincts a memorial stone erected over a century ago, a stone that debunks the martial race theory of the British Indian Army. This stone speaks of 200 men from Thrissur who went to fight in World War I. Thankfully, it has no mention of any who did not make it back. Back to temples, the Vadakkumnathan is one of 108 iconic Shiva temples along this magical coastline. Given how prosperous this region has been, it is natural that the temples have been modified and many times over at that. If one were to try and understand what a Shiva shrine in Kerala could have looked like in its original shape and form, a journey out of Thrissur is necessary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A four-hour drive southwards brings a visitor to Kaviyoor, near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district. Here on a rocky hill is a shrine that dates to the 8th 9th century CE period. One climbs a flight of steps and reaches a ledge. Carved into rock on one side is a cave shrine. Within is an ardhamandapa with a doorway inside. Flanking this doorway are two huge dwarpalas. One of these life-size figures stands with his hands folded as if waiting for a call from his master within. The other one is leaning on what seems to be a mace. Dwarpalas on either side of the doorway to the inner sanctum, inside the cave temple at Kaviyoor On either side of this ardhamandapa, on its northern and southern walls, are two more carved figures albeit less intimidating. One is a Ganesha seated on a pedestal while the other is a standing sage. Going past the dwarpalas, one finds an inner sanctum. Inside is a huge Shiva linga. The entire temple the inner sanctum as well as the ardhamandapa are carved out of a single rock. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This monolithic rock art shrine reminds a visitor of Pallava architecture, the kind of which is seen in Mahabalipuram. It is a delight to see a lamp lit inside the inner sanctum indicating that the temple is not moth-balled into irrelevance. While the Kaviyoor Shiva temple may not have a Pooram of its own, the Travancore Devaswom Board conducts a morning pooja ritual each day. And thus, another ancient tradition of Kerala continues. The author is a heritage explorer by inclination with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Pakistans military may prepare for warbut its economy is signalling collapse. A state cannot sustain conflict on the strength of power projection alone read more Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir delivered a speech hailing the two-nation theory and drawing a distinction between Hindus and Muslims just days before the terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam. (Photo: YouTube/ISPR) Within 24 hours of Indias action on the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan scrambled to mount a counter-narrative. On April 24, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Committee, where Indias actions were called an act of war. Pakistan declared the Simla Accord void and closed its airspace to India. The rhetoric is fiery, but beneath it lie unmistakable signs of deeper panic. Diminishing Military Standing These signs were immediately apparent just days later. After PM Modi granted the Armed Forces a free hand to respond to the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan began bracing for a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. At 2 AM on April 30, its information minister claimed credible intelligence of imminent Indian action at an emergency press conference. Rawalpindis narrative is one of readiness and capability to match any Indian offensive. The Pakistani Senate had just days earlier unanimously rejected Indias accusations, invoking the 2019 Balakot standoff as proof of its ability to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity. Behind the bravado, the state of Pakistans military tells a more fractured story. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reports suggest that General Munirs leadership is being questioned from within the ranks. His speech at the Pakistani Overseas Convention, referring to Kashmir as Pakistans jugular vein, backfired. Open letters demanding Munirs resignation, which accuse him of turning the Pakistan Army into a firing squad for personal vendetta, are going viral. Reports emerged of widespread discontent among personnel, particularly in regions like Balochistan where military operations have already left reputations bruised. A reported wave of resignations250 officers and 1,200 enlisted personnel is fuelling talk of a brewing mutiny. Despite unconfirmed numbers, ISPR responded with an internal advisory urging all personnel to maintain morale and reaffirm loyalty to the state. Hashtags like #MunirOut trended on social media as the rumour mill suggested Munir had gone into hiding, fled the country with his family or retreated to a nuclear bunker. These claims remain unsubstantiated, but, in a country where the army is seen as the ultimate authority, the mere suggestion of the chiefs absence during a national security crisis is destabilising. The unpopularity of Munir had been brewing well before the current crisis, notably during the 2024 elections when his decision to arrest Imran Khan triggered violent protests from Khans supporters. This was followed by the controversial detention of senior officers, including Lt Gen Faiz HamidKhans close ally and former ISI chiefand, days later, the arrest of three more retired officers for actions prejudicial to military discipline. These moves intensified perceptions of internal dissent and further fuelled public anger against Munir. Crisis Diplomacy and International Reactions The most telling instance of Pakistan facing a policy crisis is the recent shift in stance. On 26 April, at the passing-out parade of the Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwas Kakul, PM Sharif appealed for an independent and credible probe. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested that an international team including Chinese, Russian, and Western experts be assembled to verify whether Mr Modi is lying or telling the truth. As expected, China was quick to echo Islamabads demand by publicly supporting an impartial investigation into Indias claims and issued a statement which stressed mutual restraint and reinforced support for Pakistans firm counter-terrorism actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following China, Dar went on a diplomatic dial-a-thoncalling counterparts in the UK, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye. PM Sharif also phoned the Iranian president, reportedly inviting Tehran as a mediator between India and Pakistan. Now, in a press conference on April 30, FM Ishaq Dar has said, No other country has sacrificed as much as Pakistan, nor suffered so much due to terrorism We have been working closely with the international community to address this common threat. Further disproving Pakistans innocence was an astonishing admission from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif himself. When asked about Pakistans record of training and funding terror outfits, he replied, We have been doing this dirty work for the US for the past three decades. The statement came as India, calling Pakistan a rogue state, urged global partners to take serious note of Pakistans consistent sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, following a DG ISPR presserdelivered to a sparse gathering of foreign reportersGeneral Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry levelled some of the most outrageous and unsubstantiated accusations against India. By showcasing irrefutable evidence, he alleged that India was directing cross-border attacks, supplying explosives, and orchestrating strikes on civilians and security personnela narrative that came across less as an intelligence briefing and more as political theatre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD General Asim Munir, for his part, has maintained a distinctly combative position. During a visit on May 1 to the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to observe Exercise Hammer Strike by the Mangal Strike Corps, he declared, Let there be no ambiguityany military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response. Praising the troops morale and combat readiness, Munir described them as the embodiment of the Pakistan Armys operational excellence. It also appears that DG ISI Muhammad Asim Maliks dual appointment as the new National Security Adviser (NSA) on May 01 is a probe towards quiet outreach with India. What this points to is a deep mismatch within the highest levels of Pakistans civilian and military leadership, where erratic posturing betrays a command structure struggling to maintain a unified front in the face of deepening crises. Despite official denials and attempts at deflection, the emerging pattern is difficult to dismiss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From rushed diplomatic calls to questionable military exchanges, Pakistans behaviour suggests a regime scrambling to contain fallout rather than one seeking real accountability. As India consolidates global support with an assertive narrative, Pakistans response appears inconsistent and unconvincing. The old tactics of denial and diversion may no longer shield Islamabad from the growing chorus demanding transparency and action. A War Pakistan Cant Afford While the military is a capable entity in terms of consolidation and power and may also be prepared for confrontation, Pakistans brittle economy is in no shape to finance a prolonged standofflet alone a war. According to a recent Atlantic Council report, over the last fifty years, Pakistan has slipped from regional potential to one of South Asias poorest nations. Chronic fiscal and external deficits have driven up public debt and servicing costs, triggered repeated foreign exchange shortages, and locked the country into a cycle of economic crisis. Though bilateral and multilateral creditorswho together hold 85 per cent of Pakistans external debthave offered temporary rollovers, the path forward remains precarious. With over $22 billion in repayments due in FY2025, including nearly $13 billion in bilateral deposits, the cushion is rapidly thinning. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans dependence on external lifelines has reached critical levels. It is the fifth-largest debtor to the IMF, which recently extended a $7 billion loan. The World Bank continues to provide targeted support, most recently approving $108 million for programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But no institution will underwrite and give money to a country at war. That leaves China, Pakistans largest bilateral lender, with nearly $29 billion on the books. Yet Beijing, too, appears to be tightening its grip on the purse strings. According to the World Banks 2024 International Debt Report, Chinas share in Pakistans total external debt fell to 22 per cent this year, down from 25 per cent in 2023. The Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China has shown reluctance to extend further concessional loans, citing repayment risks. Islamabads February 2025 request to reschedule $3.4 billion in debt, as well as its recent appeal to expand the existing 30 billion yuan swap line by another 10 billion, remain unmet. Previous similar requests were quietly declined. Even more telling is Beijings silence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China has strategic stakes in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), yet its recent caution signals a recalibration. In the event of war, CPEC infrastructure would be imperilled. Beijing has little appetite to watch its investments go up in smoke. So who will fund this war? The truth is: no one. Pakistans military may prepare for warbut its economy is signalling collapse. A state cannot sustain conflict on the strength of power projection alone. It needs credit, credibility, and currency. Today, Pakistan has precious little of any. And as its generals draw battle lines, its financial institutions are quietly drawing red lines. In the end, the real question may not be whether Pakistan can fightbut whether it can afford to. The author is a research assistant at CLAWS. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The Pakistani military establishment has been consistent in implementing its avowed policy that it will bleed India by a thousand cuts. Indias policy should be to break up Pakistan by a thousand blows! read more Indian security force personnel stand guard at the site of the terror attack in Baisaran, near Pahalgam, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated since the April 22 massacre. Reuters No one can forget how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had famously advised Russian President Vladimir Putin: This is not an era of war, but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, and we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. However, following the Pahalgam terror attack, a narrative is being pushed that India should launch a full-scale military attack on Pakistan. Analysts who are indulging in war-mongering seem to have mistaken PM Modis thinking and intelligence and his mastery over the art of finding solutions to the most complex political problems. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi had also told Putin that a solution to the war in Ukraine cannot be found on the battlefield. I have no doubt that PM Modi is fully aware that a solution to the problems between India and Pakistan also cannot be found on the battlefield. In this context, let me state that the recent statements made by PM Modi are being misinterpreted as a declaration or even an intention to wage a full-scale war against Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi had said on April 22 that those behind this heinous act will be brought to justicethey will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Indias resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger'. Two days later, on April 24, addressing his first public rally in Madhubani after the deadly Pahalgam attack, PM Modi said, Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say this 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. These statements are not tantamount to an intent to attack Pakistan and wage war against it. They only spell out the intention to punish every terrorist and their backers. Those who think that waging war is the only way it can be done are mistaken. In fact, such a thesis only supports the narrative of Pakistani politicians who are trying to distract attention from the terror attack in Pahalgam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For example, on Monday, April 28, Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that a military incursion by neighbouring India was imminent in the aftermath of the deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam. He did not go into further details on his reasons for thinking an incursion was imminent; instead, he said, We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken. Two days later, April 30, Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that his country has credible intelligence that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. Well, more than 36 hours have elapsed, but has that military strike happened? Tarar said that India intends to use the Pahalgam attack as a false pretext for a strike and that any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Above all, in a telephone conversation on April 30 with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought the US help in urging India to dial down its rhetoric on the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He also accused India of escalatory and provocative behaviour. The fact is that the Shehbaz Sharif government is raising the bogey of an Indian attack in order to cause fear and panic within Pakistan and outside it, thus diverting attention from Indias allegations of Pakistans involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack. This Pakistani ploy is having its desired effect. Not surprisingly, US Vice President JD Vance said, Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesnt lead to a broader regional conflict. Another important statement by PM Modi is also being misinterpreted in the media. Recently, on April 29, PM Modi affirmed that it is Indias national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. He also said that the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of Indias response in the aftermath of last weeks terror attack at Pahalgam. He said that the mode, targets, and timing of the response are left to the security forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This has been interpreted as a green light to the armed forces to start a war against Pakistan, but it is not so. Operational freedom generally refers to the ability to act and make decisions without undue constraints or interference. It encompasses the freedom to execute a plan, adapt to changing circumstances, and make choices that align with the organisations vision, without being hampered by rigid processes, staffing shortages, or other external factors. Does operational freedom give the armed forces the right to start a war against Pakistan? Certainly not. That would be a major political decision which would go way beyond operational freedom. The consequences of an all-out war between two nuclear-armed countries would be costly. In any case, PM Modi would not tell Putin that it is not an era of war and then go on to launch a war against Pakistan. That would be rather inconsistent. The last thing that PM Modi can be accused of is being inconsistent. In fact, he is remarkably consistent in his views and pronouncements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The declaration of intent to punish the terrorists is both necessary and reassuring in terms of public anxiety in India. There is a huge deployment of the armed forces, BSF, CRPF and J&K Police all across Jammu and Kashmir. People in India are concerned as to how such a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam could take place despite this heavy deployment. Clearly, there was a security lapse which must be investigated. Again, the Pahalgam attackers, who came from across the Line of Control, clearly got some logistical and other forms of support from local sleeper cells, for otherwise these terrorists could not have carried out the terrorist attack with such impunity and precision. The armed forces have operational freedom and dont need any clearance from anyone to get to the bottom of the security lapse and the support which the terrorists from across the border got from Pakistans sleeper cells within India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modis statements are a message that he wants to take action on all such issues. Internal security has to be tightened, and ISI sleeper cells have to be eradicated in order to prevent such attacks in the future. The revamping of the National Security Advisory Board which took place on May 1 is a step taken by PM Modi to address these challenges. PM Modi has also stated that he intends to punish the backers of the terrorist attacks against India. Clearly, the Pakistani establishment, especially the army and its intelligence wing ISI, are the main backers of all such attacks. They need to be made to pay the price. Some steps have already been announced by the Modi government, and many more are under consideration. The decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is one such step. The impact on Pakistans tottering economy will be deadly. The Shehbaz Sharif government is aware of how this can hurt Pakistan and has termed it an act of war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Downsizing the Pakistan High Commission and declaring the military, air and naval attaches, along with their support staff, as persona non grata is another step. However, this action may not be enough. It is necessary to shut down the Pakistan High Commission while also withdrawing our diplomats and High Commission staff from Pakistan, thereby breaking off diplomatic ties with that rogue neighbour. Why should we have diplomatic ties with such a neighbour whose avowed intention is to bleed India by a thousand cuts? In any case, the Pakistan High Commission is a den of spies and plays a vital role in nurturing the ISIs sleeper cells in India. Therefore, it is in our nations interest that it should be shut down. Above all, there is an old saying that my enemys enemy is my friend. Indian armed forces and intelligence agencies should devise modalities to assist separatist militant outfits in Pakistan, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Baloch insurgents. Using geopolitical factors to Indias advantage is the need of the hour. The differences between Kabul and Islamabad are increasing by the day. The current Afghan government and previous ones do not recognise the Durand Line and have rejected it, viewing it as a colonial imposition. They argue that the line was drawn unfairly and that it cuts through tribal areas and communities, dividing the Pashtun people. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) receives growing support from Afghanistans Taliban rulers to conduct cross-border attacks in Pakistan. TTP continues to operate at a significant scale in Afghanistan and is able to conduct terrorist operations into Pakistan from there, often utilising Afghans. India should render the fullest financial and weapon support to TTP, which can be crucial in its war against the Pakistan army. The Baloch nationalist movement, including the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has a history of demanding greater rights and even secession from Pakistan. Baloch militants have been involved in attacks on Pakistani security forces and development projects, including those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India has denied any official support for the BLF or any other separatist groups in Pakistan. The time has come to completely revamp Indias policy in this regard. The Pakistani military establishment has been consistent in implementing its avowed policy that it will bleed India by a thousand cuts. Indias policy should be to break up Pakistan by a thousand blows! To inflict these blows, India doesnt have to attack Pakistan and wage war against it, which could be a costly option.India has to use all its diplomatic skills. If India assists the Baloch insurgency and the TTP, they will be grateful to India and will also carry out their own objective of striking a thousand blows at the Pakistan army. Breaking up Pakistan by weakening it from within would be the most desirable policy option for India. In conclusion, all this hype about Indias impending attack on Pakistan is misleading. I am confident that PM Modi will fulfil his promise that India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. He will do so in a manner that is effective and enduring. Let us trust him and not try to drive the narrative ourselves. The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Talks of a potential spinout deal, in which TikToks US operations would be transferred to a new entity owned and controlled by American investors, have been ongoing. However, momentum reportedly stalled due to Trumps sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports read more A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. PresidentDonald Trump and TikTok logo are seen in this illustration. File image/ Reuters US President Donald Trump signalled he is willing to once again extend the deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest TikToks US assets, postponing a potential high-stakes tech and geopolitical standoff deeper into the summer. In an interview for NBCs Meet the Press, set to air Sunday (May 4), Trump said he would extend the June 19 deadline if a deal hasnt been finalised, adding that he has a sweet spot for the app that helped him connect with younger voters during his 2024 campaign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD TikTok is - its very interesting, but it will be protected. Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago estate. The reprieve marks the third time Trump has delayed enforcement of a law mandating that TikTok cease operations in the US unless ByteDance relinquishes control of the apps American business. The original compliance date was January 19, the day before Trump was sworn in for a second term. He pushed that to early April and then to June 19. Talks of a potential spinout deal, in which TikToks US operations would be transferred to a new entity owned and controlled by American investors, have been ongoing. However, momentum reportedly stalled after Beijing bristled at Trumps surprise announcement of sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 145 per cent levy on electric vehicles, last month. China has so far signaled it would not greenlight a forced sale of TikTok, a position it has held consistently. Reuters cited one source close to ByteDances US investors as saying last month that work on the prospective deal continues ahead of the June 19 deadline, but the White House and Beijing would need to resolve the tariff dispute first. Tariffs complicate TikToks future Trump remains adamant that his new tariff regime is non-negotiable, suggesting that any lowering would come later possibly as part of a broader deal with Beijing. At some point, Im going to lower them because otherwise, you could never do business with them, he told NBC. And they want to do business very much. His comments come amid sharp pushback from Democratic lawmakers, many of whom argue that Trump lacks legal authority to continue extending the divestiture deadline, particularly after Congress passed legislation compelling ByteDance to act. They also question whether the structure of the proposed deal would satisfy US national security concerns about data access, moderation policies, and algorithmic control core issues that fueled bipartisan support for a forced sale in the first place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD TikToks political edge While national security remains the public rationale for divestment, Trumps embrace of TikToks influence suggests a more complicated calculus. The former president acknowledged the apps role in expanding his reach among younger Americans, a demographic he struggled with in 2020 but improved on in 2024. That could help explain Trumps reluctance to shut down the platform entirely, even as he doubles down on his America First trade policy. It helped me win, he said plainly. Whats next With the June 19 deadline looming, stakeholders across the board ByteDance, US investors, regulators, and the Chinese government now face another period of uncertainty. For TikTok creators and brands that rely on the platforms massive US user base of 170 million, the extension may offer temporary relief, but little long-term clarity. The Biden administration had previously taken a more hardline stance on the app, but it is now Trumps White House that must navigate one of the most consequential tech policy showdowns in recent memory. With inputs from Reuters South Korea was certified measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, and maintains high childhood vaccination coverage. Despite this, it recorded 52 confirmed infections in 2025, mostly contracted by citizens who travelled overseas read more South Korea has reported its highest number of measles cases in six years, with 52 confirmed infections so far in 2025, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Of the 52 recorded infections, 34 were contracted overseas, mostly by travellers returning from Vietnam, while the remaining 18 were domestic transmissions, occurring in homes and healthcare settings through contact with international visitors. The figure surpasses last years total of 49 cases and is the most reported since 2019, when South Korea confirmed 194 cases during multiple cluster outbreaks. While the KDCA insists there is currently no widespread outbreak within the country, the number of cases has steadily ticked up this year mirroring trends in North America and parts of Europe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The global increase in measles is likely to result in more imported cases, Yonhap news agency cited a KDCA official as saying. The official did stress that the risk of a major outbreak in South Korea remains low due to robust national immunisation and disease surveillance systems. South Korea was certified measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, and maintains high childhood vaccination coverage. Rising global tide of preventable diseases The uptick in South Korea comes as the United States grapples with its worst measles situation in decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 935 cases nationwide so far this year with the bulk traced to a months-long outbreak in Texas that has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Canada and Mexico are also facing sizeable outbreaks. Ontario has recorded more than 1,200 cases since October, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua has logged 844 cases. Health officials in all three countries have confirmed that the outbreaks stem from the same measles strain. Behind the rise in measles cases Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes in close proximity to others. While a two-dose Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine provides strong protection, global immunisation rates have declined in recent years. In the US, the majority of recent measles cases have occurred among unvaccinated individuals, often due to misinformation spread online about vaccine safety, distrust of government and health authorities, and a growing political alignment between anti-vaccine views and some conservative groups. With inputs from agencies The terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam targeted tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepali citizen. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism read more Angola President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco condemned the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam and expressed his solidarity with the people of India. Angola was one of the first to react immediately after the sad events in the Kashmir region, where human lives were victimised. In due time, we made the Indian authorities realise our feelings of sorrow to the Indian people and their families. Since it was an act of terrorism and Angola obviously condemns any terrorism, regardless of where it is committed, Angolan president said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam targeted tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepali citizen. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, India and Angola have decided to boost their defence cooperation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering $200 million worth of lines of credit in defence sector during the visit of Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco. Briefing reporters about the visit, Secretary (Economic Relations), Dammu Ravi said defence is another area of cooperation that has attracted a lot of attention. During this visit, the Prime Minister has offered 200 million dollars worth of lines of credit, defence line of credit in Indian rupees. They will be sourcing defence equipment from India. Already they are in touch with the private companies and also public sector companies for various items to be sourced from India, he said. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Lourenco, at Hyderabad House. PM Modi, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, also held a bilateral meeting with President Lourenco at Hyderabad House. The 82-year-old leader had to drop out of the race for the top office following his dismal performance in the presidential debate against Trump read more United States President Joe Biden and first lady Dr Jill Biden depart board the helicopter to take them from the East Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC after the swearing-in of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters Joe Bidens staff last year explored the possibility of the then-president taking a cognitive test but eventually dropped the idea, a book is set to reveal. Bidens mental health and his cognitive abilities were a major poll issue ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. The 82-year-old leader had to drop out of the presidential race following his dismal performance in the presidential debate with then-Republican candidate Donald Trump. Now, a new book, titled 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, written by three experienced American political journalists, has brought to light discussions among Bidens staff. According to a report in the New York Times, one of whose journalists is a co-author of the book, Bidens aides had serious conversations about administering a cognitive test. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bidens aides were confident that he would pass a cognitive test, according to the book, but they worried that the mere fact of his taking one would raise new questions about his mental abilities, the paper said. The book reveals that the discussions took place around February last year. Although no such test was conducted, Bidens poor performance in the debate forced him to step aside and make way for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The Biden White House would remain reluctant to discuss details about the presidents health, but it used to release annual updates from the White House physician about his physicals, something that Trump never did. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had released limited information about his health. The primary disclosure was a doctors letter that claimed he would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency. This statement, however, was not accompanied by extensive medical records or detailed health information. In a March interview, Trump again mocked Biden, saying the only thing he loved about his predecessor was his ability to fall asleep within minutes. Hed go to a beach, lay down on a cot barely able to get his feet through the sand hed lay down and within minutes hes sleeping and have cameras watching. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I would never be able to sleep like that. Thats the only thing that I think that was wonderful, the US president added. During Bidens time in the White House, Trump repeatedly called him Sleepy Joe. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump even criticised Biden for spending too much time at the beach and even sleeping in a swimsuit, according to the New York Post. Dozens of protesters marched up the hills of Haitis capital on Sunday demanding an end to persistent gang violence as they called on the countrys prime minister and transitional presidential council to resign. read more A soldier carries out an anti-gang operation in the Kenscoff neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Feb. 3, 2025. Image- AP Dozens of protesters marched through the hills of Haitis capital on Sunday, voicing their demands for an end to escalating gang violence and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the transitional presidential council. The protest, which reflects growing frustration over the surge in violence as gangs attempt to take full control of Port-au-Prince, highlighted the deepening crisis facing the nation. The only thing the Haitian people are asking for is security, said Eric Jean, a 42-year-old bus driver, marching with a Haitian flag around his neck. Were losing more neighborhoods, more people are dying, more people are fleeing their homes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Marc Etienne, a 39-year-old businessman whose livelihood was destroyed by gang raids, also joined the protest. He now lives in a makeshift camp, alongside tens of thousands of others forced to flee their homes after gangs ravaged their communities. Haiti cannot be run among friends, he said. The city is dying because the (council) is not doing anything to make it better. Sundays demonstration comes a day after hundreds of people gathered in Port-au-Prince to honor several community leaders killed in recent clashes with gangs. Freedom or death! the mourners shouted on Saturday as the leaders of the Canape-Vert neighborhood entered a small stadium where the memorial was held. Videos posted on social media showed the leaders carrying automatic weapons and wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of those killed. Many wore balaclavas to cover their faces and protect themselves from possible retaliation by gangs. Clad in white, the mourners raised their fists and clutched hands in the air as a man on stage roared in Haitian Creole, The blood is not going to be shed in vain! The fight is what? Just beginning! the crowd answered in unison. The unidentified man on stage said the community would never forget the slain leaders as he condemned gang violence. People are dying, and they dont even know why theyre dying, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Canape-Vert is one of the few neighborhoods that has yet to fall to gangs that control at least 85% of the capital. It also is known for having one of Port-au-Princes most powerful neighborhood organizations, led in part by frustrated police officers. In early April, Canape-Vert leaders organized a large protest that became violent as they, too, demanded that Haitis prime minister and its transitional presidential council resign. Sundays demonstration and other recent protests have decried the countrys spiraling crisis, with more than 1,600 people killed and another 580 injured from January to March. In mid-March, hundreds of people armed with sticks and machetes, accompanied by members of an armed environmental brigade, successfully ousted more than 100 suspected gang members that had seized control of a Catholic school, according to a new report issued by the U.N. political mission in Haiti. But the ouster is only one of a handful of successful fights against powerful gangs backed by certain politicians and some of Haitis elite. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last year, more than 5,600 people across Haiti were killed, according to the U.N. Gang violence also has left more than one million people homeless in recent years. Gunmen in recent months have targeted once peaceful neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that would give them easy access to Petion-Ville, a residential area where banks, embassies and other institutions are located. In a February attack on Delmas 30, gunmen indiscriminately fired on the population in the neighborhood, killing 21 men and injuring eight others, according to the U.N. report. In a separate attack on a nearby neighborhood where the French embassy is located, at least 30 people were killed, many of whom were traveling in small colorful buses known as tap taps, according to the report. Other victims include at least 15 people who were family members of police officers. Gangs also have attacked multiple communities in Haitis central Artibonite region, killing adults and small children as they fled. The indiscriminate and brutal nature of some of these attacks shows the gangs strategy to spread panic and reduce the resistance of the local population, according to the BINUH report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Haitis National Police, bolstered by a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police, has struggled in its fight against gangs as the mission remains underfunded and understaffed, with only 1,000 personnel of the 2,500 envisioned. In a push to crack down on gangs, the U.S. government on Friday officially designated Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang coalition, and Gran Grif, the largest gang to operate in Haitis central region, as foreign terror organisations. Critics warn the move could affect aid organisations working in Haiti at a critical time, since many are forced to negotiate with gangs to supply people with basic goods including food and water. With inputs from agencies For over two centuries, Americas system of checks and balances has curbed presidential overreach but Donald Trumps presidency pushed it to new limits. In his first 100 days, Trump issued sweeping executive orders, slashed agency funding and openly challenged court rulings. While the constitutional design has largely held, experts warn its success hinges not just on structure but on leaders willingness to exercise restraint. Heres how US democracy has weathered past and present power struggles. read more A person holds a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America and Declaration of Independence at a May Day rally for the Rule of Law, May 1, 2025, in New York. Image- AP For over two centuries, American democracy has relied on a deliberately constructed system of checks and balances. Though often slow and imperfect, this elaborate, clunky machine, as one historian put it, has generally prevented any one branch of government from overpowering the others even under pressure from ambitious presidents. In recent years, Donald Trump tested this system like never before, issuing sweeping executive orders, slashing agency funding, and openly challenging court rulings. While the constitutional framework has largely held, experts warn its success depends not just on structure but on leaders willingness to exercise restraint. Heres a look at how US democracy has weathered both past and present power struggles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The genesis of judicial review The first and most defining assertion of constitutional boundaries came in 1803, with Marbury v. Madison. Outgoing President John Adams had appointed William Marbury as a justice of the peace, but his successor, Thomas Jefferson, and Secretary of State James Madison declined to finalise the commission. When the case reached the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Madison had acted improperly, but also declared the law underpinning the suit unconstitutional. In doing so, Marshall denied the request and established judicial reviewthe courts power to strike down congressional laws that exceed constitutional bounds. Historical challenges to the balance In 1791, debates raged over Congresss authority to charter a national bank. Although Alexander Hamiltons Federalists prevailed, President Andrew Jackson later opposed the banks recharter in 1832, vetoing it despite congressional approval. His decision reflected growing populist sentiment against centralised economic control and highlighted the presidents veto power as a significant legislative check. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, allowing the detention of individuals without trial. Although this move was later ruled unconstitutional by Chief Justice Roger Taney, Lincoln defended it as necessary to preserve the Union. Congress later retroactively approved his actions, reaffirming the fluidity of executive power in wartime. Following the war, President Andrew Johnson clashed with Congress over the direction of Reconstruction. While Congress sought punitive measures against the Confederacy and protections for newly freed African Americans, Johnson issued pardons and attempted to curb the Freedmens Bureau, emphasising the persistent tug-of-war between legislative vision and executive authority. Historical tests of executive authority In the 20th century, new episodes tested the systems resilience. President Woodrow Wilsons push to join the League of Nations was ultimately blocked by the Senate, which refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles over concerns about foreign entanglements. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelts (FDR) New Deal programs met resistance from a conservative Supreme Court. His controversial proposal to expand the courta move critics called a court-packing schemefailed, but the episode underscored the judiciarys power to limit sweeping executive reforms. FDR also broke the two-term precedent, winning four elections during the Great Depression and World War II. His long presidency prompted the passage of the 22nd Amendment, formally capping presidential terms at twoa safeguard against entrenched executive power. Richard Nixons presidency brought a dramatic showdown over executive privilege. After the Watergate scandal exposed efforts to conceal a break-in at Democratic headquarters, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered Nixon to hand over Oval Office recordings. Facing certain impeachment, Nixon resigned, marking one of the most striking enforcements of accountability on a sitting president. Contemporary challenges under Trump Donald Trumps presidency marked one of the most vigorous modern tests of the constitutional order. In his first 100 days, he issued a flurry of executive orders, attempted to dismantle or defund several federal agencies, and publicly undermined judicial decisions that went against his agenda. In a move emblematic of his expansionist approach to executive power, Trump signed Executive Order 14215 in 2025, aiming to bring independent federal agencies under closer White House control. Critics warned this could politicise institutions historically insulated from partisan influence. Trump has also raised eyebrows by questioning due process rights. After a Supreme Court decision in 2025 overturned a wrongful deportation, he publicly suggested that not all individuals in the U.S. are entitled to constitutional protectionsa position that legal scholars widely criticised as incompatible with the 14th Amendment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speculation around Trump seeking a third presidential term, despite the 22nd Amendment, has also stirred debate. Some allies have floated proposals to amend the Constitution, though such an effort would face steep political and procedural hurdles. The role of public trust Even as the system endures, it relies heavily on public confidence and the good-faith behaviour of elected officials. Recent surveys show waning trust in all three branches of government. A Gallup poll found that confidence in the judiciary has dropped below 50%a historic lowwhile the executive and legislative branches fare even worse. According to John Carey, a political science professor at Dartmouth College, the system was never meant to be foolproof but was designed with the assumption that officials would occasionally test its limits. It only works when people restrain themselves from using all the power they technically have, he said. Putin maintained that Moscow has enough strength and means to bring the conflict, launched in February 2022, to what he called a logical conclusion that aligns with Russias goals read more Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow hopes there will be no need to use nuclear missiles in the Ukraine war. Kremlin Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not. In an interview excerpt broadcast Sunday (May 4) by Russian state television, Putin said he hopes nuclear weapons will not be necessary, despite escalating Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory and continued battlefield stalemates. There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons, Putin said. And I hope they will not be required. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian leader maintained that Moscow has enough strength and means to bring the conflict, launched in February 2022, to what he called a logical conclusion that aligns with Russias goals. The comments come amid increasing speculation over whether Putin might invoke Russias updated nuclear doctrine, which was revised in November 2024 to lower the threshold for nuclear useeven allowing for deployment in response to a conventional attack supported by a nuclear-armed power. Ceasefire proposals reveal deep divisions Putins remarks were aired just days after he unilaterally declared a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with Russias annual Victory Day commemorations of the Soviet Unions triumph over Nazi Germany. The Kremlin said the pause in hostilities, from May 8 to 10, was declared on humanitarian grounds. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly dismissed the gesture, calling it an attempt to create a soft atmosphere for Russias domestic celebrations. In comments made Friday and published Saturday, Zelenskyy reiterated his call for a more meaningful 30-day ceasefire, as proposed by the United States. Diplomatic sources say the divide between Kyiv and Moscows approaches to ceasefire talks remains vast. Russia continues to push for a deal that recognises its territorial gains, while Ukraine insists on a full withdrawal of Russian forces and restoration of its 1991 borders. Drone warfare escalates as civilians suffer Even as ceasefire negotiations stagnate, the wars grinding toll was again felt in the Ukrainian capital, where a Russian drone attack overnight injured 11 people, including two children. Kyivs State Emergency Service said the drones caused a fire in a high-rise apartment building in the Obolon district and damaged multiple vehicles. According to Ukraines air force, Russia launched 165 explosive drones and decoys overnight, of which 69 were shot down and another 80 likely lost due to electronic interference. Two ballistic missiles were also fired. Russia, for its part, claimed to have intercepted 13 Ukrainian drones. An uncertain path ahead Despite global calls for de-escalation, there is little sign of a breakthrough. The United States has stepped up diplomatic efforts, pushing for a longer ceasefire as a foundation for broader talks, but progress remains elusive. As one Kyiv resident put it: They cant agree on anything, and we are the ones who suffer the consequences. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from AP The Israeli military confirmed that its defence system failed to shoot down a projectile, which hit the Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday morning. Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack read more Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen has struck the perimeter of Israels Ben Gurion International Airport. According to Al Jazeera, the strike has damaged the road and a vehicle, prompting the airport authorities to stop air traffic. Shortly after the incident, the Israeli military confirmed that its defence system failed to shoot down the projectile, which hit the airport on Sunday morning. However, they made it clear that several attempts were made to intercept the missile, adding that an investigation into the matter is currently underway. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to The Times of Israel, local paramedics noted that eight people were injured in the incident. Later, Yemens Houthis claimed responsibility for carrying out the attacks against Israel. In a televised statement over the matter, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned airlines that Ben Gurion airport was no longer safe for air travel. Brief suspension of flights at the airport The strike led to a brief suspension of flights at the airport in central Israel, with some having to be redirected. Apart from this, all entrances to the airport were briefly closed while train journeys towards the site have been halted. Israelis living in the central part of the country also heard sirens, prompting them to move into shelters. Apart from this, videos of the incident circulated online, showing the missile hit a connecting road inside the perimeter of the airport with some debris scattered on adjacent roads. Sirens were also blaring across the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Published images show thick smoke rising from Ben Gurion Airport. The Houthis have been attacking the attack since the start of the war in Gaza, expressing support for Hamas and the Palestinian cause. Some online posts sarcastically noted that even Pakistani politicians themselves seemed to lack confidence in their countrys ability to defend itself read more Sher Afzal Khan Marwat is a member of Pakistans National Assembly and a former close aide of jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan As tensions mount between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, a Pakistani lawmakers offhand remarks over the possibility of an Indo-Pak war have triggered a wave of reactions online. Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, a member of Pakistans National Assembly and a close aide of former PM Imran Khan recently told media that he will run away to England if a conflict breaks out. When he was asked whether he would lift arms against India in case of a war, Marwat responded by saying, If the war escalates, I will go to England. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Journalist : Agar india ne attack kar diya to? Shet Afzal Khan Marwat : To hum London bhag jayenge Afzal Khan is a senior terrorist in Pakistan. Even they dont trust their army. pic.twitter.com/LBmFQ1ysSr rae (@ChillamChilli) May 3, 2025 This comment, which was recorded on video, quickly went viral on social media. Many users slammed Pakistans political leaders for not showing enough dedication and expressing doubt about the Pakistani Armys level of readiness. Some online posts sarcastically noted that even Pakistani politicians themselves seemed to lack confidence in their countrys ability to defend itself. During the same conversation, Marwat was asked if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be urged to reduce the tensions between the two countries. In response, the lawmaker said, Is Modi my aunts son that hell back off just because I say so? Marwat, who used to be a high-ranking member of Imran Khans political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has publicly disagreed with the party on several occasions. Because of his criticism, the PTI leadership even stripped him of some important positions he held earlier this year. Meanwhile, tensions are running high between India and Pakistan following the Kashmir terrorist attack, in which 26 people were killed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Indian defence officials, Pakistani soldiers did unprovoked firing using small weapons across eight different areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night. This was the tenth night in a row that Pakistan had violated the ceasefire agreement. The Indian Army responded by firing back quickly and appropriately. New Delhi has put in place broad restrictions on trade and shipping, including a complete ban on all goods that come from or pass through Pakistan. India has also prohibited Pakistani ships from docking at its ports. In a reciprocal action, Pakistans Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced late on Saturday that all Indian-flagged ships are banned from entering Pakistani ports. Pakistani ships have also been told not to dock at Indian ports. Despite Egyptian and Qatari mediators efforts to re-establish a truce, neither Israel nor Hamas has demonstrated a willingness to compromise on basic objectives, with each side blaming the other for the failure to achieve an agreement read more Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters The Israeli Prime Ministers office called on Qatar, a crucial mediator between Israel and Hamas, to stop playing both sides with its double talk and decide if its on the side of civilisation or if its on the side of Hamas on Saturday. Qatar condemned the words as inflammatory. Despite Egyptian and Qatari mediators efforts to re-establish a truce, neither Israel nor Hamas has demonstrated a willingness to compromise on basic objectives, with each side blaming the other for the failure to achieve an agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel, which demands the return of the 59 captives currently held in Gaza, has demanded that Hamas disarm and be barred from participating in the enclaves future administration, a requirement Hamas refuses. It has insisted on agreeing a lasting end to the fighting and withdrawal of Israeli forces as a condition for a deal that would see a release of the hostages. The State of Qatar firmly rejects the inflammatory statements issued by the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, which fall far short of the most basic standards of political and moral responsibility, Qatars foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari posted on X early on Sunday. Al-Ansari criticized the portrayal of the Gaza conflict as a defense of civilization, likening it to historical regimes that used false narratives to justify crimes against civilians. In his post, Al-Ansari questioned whether the release of 138 hostages was achieved through military operations or mediation efforts, which he said are being unjustly criticized and undermined. He also cited the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza represented by what he called a suffocating blockade, systematic starvation, denial of medicine and shelter, and the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of political coercion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Friday, Israels security cabinet approved plans for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Friday, adding to signs that attempts to stop the fighting and return hostages held by Hamas have made no progress. Israels campaign was triggered by the devastating Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and saw 251 taken hostage. It has so far killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and devastated Gaza where aid groups have warned the Israeli blockade risks a humanitarian disaster. Houthis said they carried out the strike, which landed near Israels main international airport, in solidarity with Palestinians read more Emergency personnel work at the site a missile attack, launched from Yemen, at the entrance of Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 4, 2025. Source: Reuters Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (May 4) warned Yemen-based Houthi rebels of multiple strikes after the Iran-backed group targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a missile. Houthis said they carried out the strike, which landed near Israels main international airport, in solidarity with Palestinians. In a video message posted on X, the Israeli PM said Israels response to the strike wont be a one-and-done situation, and there will be multiple hits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are acting against them in coordination with the US. Weve acted against them before, and well act against them in the future. Its not a one-and-done, but there will be strikes, he said. Houthi rebels target Ben Gurion Airport A missile launched by Houthi forces struck very close to Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport, which is located outside of Tel Aviv. Reports indicate that it managed to get past four levels of air defence systems and hit a grove next to a road leading into the airports property. This area is considered highly sensitive within the country. The impact created a large hole in the ground, about 25 metres deep. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that their multiple attempts to intercept the incoming missile were unsuccessful before it landed near the airport, causing a large cloud of smoke to rise into the air. While the missile did not directly hit any of the airports buildings, it did cause panic among the passengers who were inside the terminal. According to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israels national emergency service, at least eight people sustained injuries in this attack. Foreign carriers suspend Tel Aviv operations The attack near the airport caused several international airlines to cancel their flights to the airport. Airlines including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Hungarian low-carrier Wizz Air and Air India suspended their flights to Tel Aviv. Air India in a statement said, Our operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended with immediate effect till 6 May 2025, to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Our staff on ground is assisting customers and helping them with alternative arrangements. This followed a warning from Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree who said Tel Aviv was no longer safe for air travel. Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz has vowed a forceful response Anyone who hits us, we will hit them seven times stronger, he has said. Jaishankar said Europe was not able to adjust to the shifting global power equation and it must change its approach read more Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (May 4) slammed Europe and said in a veiled dig that New Delhi needed partners and not preachers in the evolving multipolar world. The top diplomat further added that Europe was not able to adjust to the shifting global power equation and it must change its approach. His statement comes days after EU High Representative Kaja Kallas urged both India and Pakistan to show restraint amidst increased tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the death of 26 people. Her comments were criticised in India as observers accused EU of drawing a false equivalence between victim and aggressor and turning a blind eye to Pakistans role in cross-border terrorism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Need partners, not preachers Speaking at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025 in New Delhi, Jaishankar said, When we look at the world, we look for partners, we dont look for preachers. Particularly, preachers who dont practice at home what they preach abroad. Some of Europe is still struggling with that problem. Europe has entered a certain zone of reality check. Whether they are able to step up or not is something we will have to see. If we have to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, sensitivity, mutuality of interest and a realisation of how the world works. The minister further said that the US had become self-sufficient in recent times but Europe is under pressure to change. We have now reached a size and a stage where almost anything consequential that happens in any corner of the world matters to us. The United States is much more self-sufficient today than it has been in a long time. Europe is today under pressure to change. The realities of multipolarity are dawning on it. I think it has still not adjusted and absorbed it fully. The US has dramatically changed positions. The Chinese are doing what they were doing. We are going to see an arena of contestation, which is not going to be easy to recall. We are looking at a much more contested world, much sharper competition, Jaishankar said. Indias growing role in the Arctic Jaishankar stressed Indias growing participation in the areas around the North and South Poles. He noted that India has had a continuous presence in Antarctica for more than four decades and has recently increased its involvement in the Arctic through a specific national policy and by working with other countries. He also brought attention to the Arctics importance, both strategically and environmentally, saying that what happens in that region will have significant effects worldwide, particularly for a country like India, which has a large young population. We have had a growing involvement with the Arctic. We had an even earlier involvement with the Antarctic, which is now more than 40 years. We have come up a few years ago with an Arctic policy. We have agreements with KSAT on Svalbard, which is relevant to our space. As the country with the most young people on this planet, what happens in the Arctic is of extreme importance to usGiven the direction in which things are moving, the consequences are going to be felt not just by us but by the entire world, the foreign minister said In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan imposed a ban on ships coming from India after New Delhi banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack read more In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan announced that it is shutting down its ports for ships coming from India. The announcement came after India banned all direct and indirect imports from the neighbouring nations. Tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. On April 22, terrorists infiltrated Barisan Valley in Pahalgam and killed 26 tourists, sending shockwaves across India. Given the recent development of maritime situation with neighbouring country, Pakistan to safeguard maritime sovereignty, economic interest and national security enforces following measures with immediate effect: Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port, Pakistani flag carriers shall not visit any Indian port (and) any exemption or dispensation shall be examined and decided on case to case basis, Pakistani news outlet Dawn reported, quoting the countrys ministry of maritime affairs ports and shipping wing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Saturday, India imposed a ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from Pakistan. The Ministry of Commerce said the measure is being taken in light of national security and public policy concerns. It is pertinent to note that the 200 per cent import duty on Pakistani goods has already curtailed the trade between the two nations following the Pulwama attack in 2019. India ramps up security The import ban came days after New Delhi introduced punitive measures against Pakistan, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. On Saturday, India imposed fresh punitive measures, including the immediate suspension of mail and parcel exchanges with Pakistan by air and land routes. It is pertinent to note that in a few days, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) multiple times. On Saturday, it was reported that a Pakistan Rangers trooper was apprehended by BSF personnel at the international border near Sriganganagar. Sources close to the matter told TOI that the trooper had entered the Indian territory near the internationally recognised boundary at Raisinghnagar. Following the incident, the Indian security at the border was increased with BSF personnel in a state of preparedness to respond decisively to any development from the Pakistan side. The source told the Indian news outlet that the captured Pakistani trooper hailed from Bahawalpur and is currently stationed by the Indian authorities in the Bahawalnagar region. He is currently undergoing serious interrogation by the Indian security forces. With inputs from agencies. While Pakistani politicians are flexing their muscles, the countrys military is facing a major artillery ammunition shortage, limiting its warfighting capabilities to just 4 days amid tensions with India read more As Pakistan flexes its muscles, reports are emerging that the countrys military is facing a critical shortage of artillery ammunition. Sources close to the matter told ANI that this shortage could severely limit Pakistans warfighting capabilities to just four days. As per the report, Pakistan is facing a shortage because it was involved in an arms deal with Ukraine, which has drained its war reserves. Sources told ANI that the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which is tasked with supplying the military, has been struggling to replenish ammunition. The factories are struggling to fulfil the global surge in demand as they work with outdated production facilities. Because of the deplorable state of these factories, Pakistans ammunition reserve can sustain only 96 hours worth of high-intensity combat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This can be concerning for the Pakistani military amid tensions with India following the Pahalgam attack. In the past few days, the personnel from the cash-strapped nations have frequently violated the ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC). The countrys leaders often boast about Pakistans military capabilities by indulging in war-mongering. Why does it matter? It is pertinent to note that for time immemorial, Pakistans military strategy has centred around rapid mobilisation to counter Indian forces, which are already superior in numbers. Without sufficient 155mm shells for its M109 howitzer or 122 mm rockets, the countrys prospective offence against India would be compromised, ANI reported. As per the report, the artillery shell, crucial for the countrys military, was diverted to Ukraine, leaving its own stockpiles low. Since then, POF has been struggling to replenish the demands. Sources told ANI that this shortage is deeply concerning to Pakistans leadership, with some expressing a bit of panic. In the past, former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa acknowledged these limitations, emphasising that Pakistan lacks the ammunition and economic strength to engage in any sort of prolonged conflict with India. Meanwhile, sources have also told ANI that Islamabad is setting up ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border in anticipation of a potential conflict. With inputs from ANI. While Pakistan keeps on harping on its demand to call for an independent probe into the Pahalgam attack. Heres a look at why India can not expect diligence from Pakistan while investigating terror attacks read more As Pakistan continues to demand for independent probe in Pahalgam attack, here's why India cannot trust the country. Shutterstock On April 22, India was rocked by a terror attack after terrorists infiltrated a tourist destination in Pahalgam, Kashmir and killed 26 people. The incident led to a reign of diplomatic turmoil between India and Pakistan. Shortly after the Jammu and Kashmir police revealed that two of the terrorists involved in the attack were Pakistani nationals, India upped its security measures against Pakistan, which included shutting down the Attari-Wagah border. Pakistan went on to claim that it had nothing to do with the attack and introduced countermeasures. But at the heart of the Pakistani argument has been the fact that India should conduct an independent and neutral probe on the matter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were present at the CCS meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23, 2025. File image While India has been hesitant to do so because the incident happened at a tourist destination in India and not at the border, New Delhi has other valid reasons to reject Pakistans demand. As history showed, when New Delhi opened its door for Pakistani investigators to conduct a joint probe, Islamabad backtracked on its promises. One of the prime examples of this was how Pakistans investigative team treated the Pathankot incident. Pakistans top security body, the National Security Committee (NSC), earlier held a meeting to assess Indias slew of measures against the country Pakistans call for a neutral and independent probe' Soon after it was found that Pakistani nationals were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered India to join any neutral and transparent probe into the incident. The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation, the Pakistani prime minister said while addressing the army cadets passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwas Kakul. The same proclamation was echoed by other top Pakistani leaders, such as the countrys Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on political affairs. If neutral people of any third country carry out a probe into this incident, we are ready to cooperate with them, Naqvi said in a press conference in Lahore last month. While speaking to Pakistani news outlet Ary News, Sanaullah also expressed readiness to investigate the case independently. We are ready for a neutral inquiry into the Pahalgam incident, Rana Sanaullah said, adding that Pakistan would also accept a joint investigation or even a third-party special expert-led probe into the matter. Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters The Pakistani administration even went ahead and lured international actors to demand the same, with its longtime ally China joining the same cause. While speaking to Firstpost, Pakistans former High Commissioner to India also sang the same tune that Pakistan would be willing to even go for an international investigation into this attack or the Pahalgam attack as well, questioning whether India will accept the offer or not." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Well, there was a time in history when India did accept a joint investigation into a terror attack in Pakistan. However, the probe went downhill and set a precedent on why India could not trust Pakistans neutral call for an investigation. Pathankot debacle: Why India cant trust Pakistans neutral probe' On January 2, 2016, a group of terrorists, who were later found to be linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist group, infiltrated India and attacked the Pathankot airbase of the Indian Air Force in Punjab. Seven personnel were killed in the attack, and over 30 others were injured. All four terrorists were eventually killed in an operation led by the Indian Army. When fingers started pointing towards how Pakistan supports terrorism, Islamabad started demanding an independent investigation, just like the way they are doing right now. Eventually, a five-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) arrived in New Delhi from Pakistan to investigate the matter. They joined hands with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and collected evidence and other records in the case for six days. Officials of JIT from Pakistan, interacting with NIA team in the presence of DG, NIA. NIA.gov.in The Pakistani officials recorded statements of witnesses and collected DNA reports of slain terrorists. NIA gave a detailed presentation on the probe conducted so far and the JIT visited the crime scene in Pathankot. The team was headed by Additional Inspector General of Police, Counter Terrorism Department, Muhammad Tahir Rai and included ISIs Lt Col Tanvir Ahmed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They recorded statements of 16 witnesses, including a Superintendent of Police-rank officer of Punjab, Salwinder Singh, his jeweller-friend Rajesh Verma and cook Madan Gopal. Three of the witnesses were attacked by Pathankot terrorists. NIA also provided JIT with swabs of the terrorists involved in the incident for further investigation. After six days JIT left for Pakistan, assuring that they would be happy to receive NIA in Islamabad. ### What happened next? After JIT went back, India frequently requested Pakistan to allow an NIA team to visit the neighbouring state for further investigation. While Pakistan did not formally decline the request, it did not provide a definitive response, stating it needed more time to analyse the evidence presented. While all this was happening, Pakistan also appeared to shift its stance on the case. Several Pakistani news outlets like Dawn started to report that after reviewing the NIA evidence JIT believed that the Pathankot attack was staged. They also refused to grant permission to the NIA team to visit Pakistan, making many believe that the Pakistani government was either linked to or supporting the terrorists involved in the attack. ### The investigative journalist who unravelled the case While all this was happening, prominent Pakistani investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani published an explosive report for The News, in which he verified that all six Pathankot terror attackers entered India from Pakistan. The report cited a source from Pakistans civilian intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and stated that the attackers crossed the border near Bamiyal. In January 2016, following the Pathankot attack, I verified the facts and reported that all the attackers had entered India from Pakistan. The civilian intelligence agency, IB, had investigated the matter and informed then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of this fact. The ISI was Ahmad Noorani (@Ahmad_Noorani) April 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The civilian intelligence agency, IB, had investigated the matter and informed then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of this fact. The ISI was left with no option but to accept the established facts, Noorani wrote, recalling the incident. Not the only incident: 26/11 saga After facing immense international pressure, Pakistan detained 20 operatives and senior leaders of terrorist groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa from a training camp in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These terrorists were linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. India cooperated with Pakistan, and till November 2009, New Delhi shared at least seven dossiers with Islamabad. These documents contained evidence and all information related to the terrorists who were found to be involved in the attack. Taj Mahal Hotel. 2008 Mumbai Attack Eventually, Pakistans Federal Investigative Authority (FIA) arrested and booked eight suspects, including the number two in the LeT, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and the terror groups communication expert, Zarar Shah, based on an investigation conducted by New Delhi. However, their cases dragged on, with Lakhvi eventually getting bail in 2014 and getting re-arrested following the outrage. He was released on bail the next year by the Pakistani Supreme Court. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Eventually, FIA prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfikar Ali, who was handling the case, was shot dead in Karachi. To date, Pakistan has convicted not a single terrorist in the 26/11 attack case. Given Islamabads track record in handling such sensitive cases, the question that arises in that why should New Delhi trust Pakistans so-called independent and neutral probe again. With inputs from agencies. The expulsions come at a time in Portuguese politics when populist and nationalist rhetoric has gained traction amid public anxiety over migration and the economy read more Portugals caretaker government has announced plans to expel approximately 18,000 undocumented migrants, in a move that has sparked widespread criticism and intensified concerns about the countrys political trajectory ahead of a high-stakes general election on May 18. The announcement, made Saturday (May 3) by Antonio Leitao Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency, is the latest in a series of controversial decisions by the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) government, which lost a parliamentary confidence vote in March. The planned expulsions are expected to begin next week, with officials issuing notices to an initial group of 4,500 migrants, giving them 20 days to leave voluntarily, Euronews reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Portugal needs to review its deportation system, which doesnt work, Amaro told local media, describing the country as one of the least effective in Europe when it comes to deporting individuals who have violated immigration rules, including those flagged for security concerns. The timing of the policy has raised eyebrows, coming just weeks before Portugal holds snap elections called by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. The PSD leader stepped down after facing a potential conflict-of-interest scandal involving his familys law firm, which had financial ties to a company that received a major gambling concession from the government. Montenegro, who had been in office for less than a year, attempted to defuse the scandal by calling for fresh elections. Instead, opposition parties joined forces to bring down his fragile two-party coalition, which held just 80 seats in the 230-seat legislature. The motion was passed with 128 votes from a broad opposition front, including the centre-left Socialists and the ascendant far-right party Chega. Rising populism and a broken political centre The expulsions come at a time in Portuguese politics when populist and nationalist rhetoric has gained traction amid public anxiety over migration and the economy. Chega, a party once considered fringe, is now the third-largest political force in the country. Analysts warn that the new crackdown may be an attempt by the conservative government to recapture support from voters drifting rightward. Chega leader Andre Ventura has made migration a central issue in his campaign, calling for tighter borders. The governments recent actions appear to mirror that language, even as critics argue they risk eroding Portugals reputation for inclusive governance and human rights. The proposed expulsions also arrive at a sensitive moment economically. Portugal is in the midst of deploying more than 22 billion in European Union recovery and development funds aimed at revitalising its economy, modernising infrastructure, and improving social services. The current political turmoil threatens to disrupt these efforts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A system under pressure Human rights groups have expressed concern that the governments blanket approach may target vulnerable people who had long waited in administrative limbo. Portugals immigration services have struggled with years-long backlogs, especially since the pandemic, when thousands of migrants filed for legal status but never received documentation due to bureaucratic delays. As the country of 10.6 million braces for a turbulent vote, Portugals political centre is faltering, and the edges left and right are closing in. Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, scored between 30 to 33 percent of the vote, ahead of two pro-European candidates who took between 21 and 23 percent, according to two polls. read more Romanian presidential candidate Nicusor Dan speaks to supporters after exit poll results were announced in Bucharest, May 4, 2025.- AFP Photo Romanias far-right candidate George Simion was leading in Sundays first round of presidential elections according to exit polls for the rerun of last years annulled ballot that plunged the country into political turmoil. The stakes are high for the NATO country of 19 million, which has become a key pillar of the defence alliance since Russias invasion of Ukraine. Simion, leader of the nationalist AUR party, scored between 30 to 33 percent of the vote, according to two exit polls. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Crin Antonescu, backed by Romanias governing pro-European coalition, was neck-and-neck with Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who both took between 21 and 23 percent, Together we made history today, said Simion in a video message broadcast at his partys headquarters to supporters chanting Out with the thieves, let patriots come. But political science professor Sergiu Miscoiu told AFP that Simion was likely to be defeated in the second round on May 18, while predicting that it would be a close race. MAGA President In all, 11 presidential hopefuls were vying for the largely ceremonial but influential foreign policy post on Sunday. The rerun follows the cancellation of last years vote won by NATO critic Calin Georgescu. He was barred from the rerun after authorities noted a massive TikTok campaign and issued claims of Russian interference, sparking sometimes violent protests. Georgescu was replaced by 38-year-old Simion, a fan of Donald Trump often seen wearing a cap with the US presidents slogan Make America Great Again. Its time to take our country back, said the barred Georgescu after casting his ballot alongside Simion in Mogosoaia, on the outskirts of Bucharest. We are here with a single mission: to return to democracy and bring justice to Romania, said Simion, who campaigned on a promise to put Romania first. Many voters clearly wanted change on Sunday, among them Robert Teodoroiu, who told AFP he hoped that this time his ballot would count after last years vote was annulled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Im trying my luck again, said the 37-year-old driver in Bucharest. Voter turnout stood at about 53 percent when polls closed. Simion has largely campaigned online, partly in a bid to woo Romanias influential overseas voters. While describing himself as more moderate than Georgescu, he shares his aversion to what he calls Brussels unelected bureaucrats. Simion accuses EU officials of having meddled in Romanias elections and has vowed to restore his countrys dignity within the European bloc. While frequently denouncing Russia, he opposes sending military aid to Ukraine and wants Romania to reduce support for Ukrainian refugees. His campaign found favour with 67-year-old Stela Ivan. She hoped a far-right president would bring change to Romania after decades dominated by the same political parties since the end of Communism. Another voter, 52-year-old nurse Silvia Tomescu, said she hoped for a better life, higher wages and a president who will not side with Russia. Under scrutiny Pro-European coalition Crin Antonescu campaigned on a promise to offer stability, while Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan vowed to fight the corrupt and arrogant political elite. Former Social Democrats prime minister Victor Ponta, who had been banking on a Trump-style Romania First campaign, has been polling behind. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Simion promised on Sunday that if he became president, he would get Georgescu into power, citing three options on how he would achieve that: a referendum, snap elections or the formation of a coalition in parliament that would appoint him Prime Minister. Following the shock annulment of last years ballot a rare move in the EU the rerun will be held under close scrutiny. Thousands in Romania have protested in recent months against the annulment of the vote, denouncing what they called a coup. The United States also criticised the annulment, with Vice President JD Vance condemning the decision. To avoid a repeat of last years turmoil, the authorities have stepped up preventive measures as well as cooperation with TikTok, saying they are committed to fair and transparent elections. While the far right alleged multiple signs of fraud, the government pointed to various disinformation campaigns it said were new attempts at manipulation and interference by state actors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The capsizing occurred during Chinas five-day May Day holiday, a peak period for domestic tourism. Known as golden week, the holiday typically sees a surge in travel across the country read more Two tour boats carrying about 70 people capsized on a river in Chinas southwestern Guizhou province on Sunday (May 4) afternoon amid severe weather, according to Chinese state media. The incident occurred around 4 pm local time on the Liuchong River near the Dongfeng Reservoir, as heavy rain battered the area, plunging dozens of passengers and crew into the fast-moving water. Following the accident, three people died and 60 others were hospitalised, according to state media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rescue workers were still searching for the 14 people who were missing as on Sunday evening. A tourist onboard another vessel told the newspaper that the weather had changed abruptly, bringing a downpour and mist that shrouded the waters surface, complicating visibility and navigation. The China Meteorological Administration had issued warnings earlier in the day for intense rainfall across southern and southwestern China, including Guizhou and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. A dark mark during Golden Week The capsizing occurred during Chinas five-day May Day holiday, a peak period for domestic tourism. Known as golden week, the holiday typically sees a surge in travel across the country. On Saturday (May 3), the state-run Peoples Daily cited data from travel platform Trip.com showing that hotel bookings in Guizhou had jumped by a third on the first day of the holiday. Despite repeated calls by Chinese authorities for heightened safety measures during holiday periods, serious incidents continue to take place. Just two days prior, a sightseeing helicopter crashed in a newly opened scenic zone in Suzhou, killing one person on the ground and injuring four others on board. In December, a separate boating accident in Guizhou claimed the lives of eight people. Chinas leader Xi Jinping urged all-out efforts in the search and rescue operations and treatment of those injured, Xinhua said. With inputs from agencies Since assuming office in January, Trump has repeatedly vowed to take control of Greenland, even as polls show most of Greenlanders dont support the idea read more US President Donald Trump Sunday (May 4) reiterated his ambition to gain control of Greenland, the Danish autonomous territory, and refused to rule out the use of military against the Nato nations territory. Since assuming office in January, Trump has repeatedly vowed to take control of Greenland, even as polls show most of Greenlanders dont support the idea. In an interview with NBC News, Trump was asked whether he would rule out the use of military against the worlds largest island. Trump responded: I dont rule it out. I dont say Im going to do it, but I dont rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which well take care of, and well cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greenland is considered to be very important for both military defence and because it could have valuable minerals in the future. Trump on Canada annexation This discussion occurred during a broad interview that followed Trumps first 100 days as president last week. He was also asked about the idea of using military force against Canada, which was once considered impossible but has become a topic of discussion due to Trumps repeated statements about wanting to make Canada the 51st state of the US. Trump mentioned that he had spoken with Mark Carney, Canadas new prime minister, and confirmed that they had not discussed the idea of Canada becoming part of the US. However, Trump stated that they could talk about the topic when Carney visits Washington DC this week or next week. Carney, along with about 90 per cent of Canadians, are against the idea of Canada becoming a US state. Despite this, Trump said he was willing to have a discussion about it. Ill always talk about that. You know why? We subsidise Canada to the tune of $200bn a year, Trump said. We dont need their cars. In fact, we dont want their cars. We dont need their energy. We dont even want their energy. We have more than they do. We dont want their lumber. We have great lumber. All I have to do is free it up from the environmental lunatics. President Donald Trump said he was unsure whether people in the U.S. are entitled to due process rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution as his administration pushes aggressively to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally and other non-citizens. read more President Donald Trump arrives to give a commencement address at the University of Alabama, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Image- AP President Donald Trump cast uncertainty on whether US citizens and noncitizens are entitled to due process rights as outlined in the Constitution as his administration pushes aggressively to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally and other non-citizens. Asked by NBCs Kristen Welker, Trump hesitated to affirm that people in the US have these rights which guarantee fair legal treatment and a chance to contest adverse actions. I dont know. Im not, Im not a lawyer. I dont know, Trump said, adding that such a requirement would mean wed have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps remarks, particularly regarding immigrants and noncitizens, have drawn attention as his administration continues to push for the removal of people it deems to be illegal residents, including those accused of being gang members. He also cited ongoing legal challenges that have blocked some of his deportation plans, such as a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily barred the deportation of Venezuelan migrants linked to criminal gangs. Trump added that his lawyers are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. On April 19 the Supreme Court justices temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan migrants it accused of being gang members. Trumps administration, which has invoked a rarely used wartime law, has urged the justices to lift or narrow their order. US Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in a filing to the Supreme Court that detainees are receiving advance notice of their removals and have had adequate time to file claims for judicial review. The justices also directed Trumps administration on April 10 to facilitate the return to the United States of a Salvadoran man who the government has acknowledged was deported in error to El Salvador. That man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, remains in a detention center in El Salvador. A federal judge presiding over the case has ordered Trumps administration to provide additional information on what steps it has taken to secure Abrego Garcias return. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Separately, Trump said during the NBC interview that he was pursuing a third presidential term despite earlier suggestions. While occasionally hinting at the possibility, he clarified that running for a third term is not something he is actively seeking. Referring to the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms, he acknowledged, To the best of my knowledge, youre not allowed to do that. With inputs from agencies Why I dream of teaching you across oceans, through math and code, and from one heart to another. Dear Future Student in Taiwan, My name is Donald. Ive lived in Toronto for 25 years, but I was born and raised with the same language and roots you carry today. When I first arrived in Canada, language was my biggest enemy. I still remember how lonely it felt knowing I had ideas, passion, and potential, but struggling to express them fluently. We loved the new country, but the silence was heavy. Thats why I care so much about you someone Ive never met, growing up in Taiwan today. I want your path to be smoother. I want you to learn English naturally and confidently, while also learning the deep beauty of math and computer science, in a way that feels personal, joyful, and efficient. Ive taught students across Canada, the US, Hong Kong, and China. They range from age 5 to 18, and each one has their own story. But my dream? To teach someone like you in Taiwan. To bring everything Ive learned my English, my Chinese, my western-style thinking, my problem-solving joy, my heart for teaching and share it with you. In late 2024, I set foot in Taiwan for the first time. It was a big union of in-law families, full of warmth and laughter. And to my surprise, I felt something I hadnt felt in a long time: Coming home. Taiwan is special. Its a place where kids are often hardworking but under-taught. Where many teachers dont yet blend east and west tradition and creativity, structure and exploration. Where the love of math is too often buried under drills. But it doesn't have to be that way. I dream of helping you fall in love with ideas to see code as art, and math as music. To write something beautiful with Python. To create your first animation with Manim. To feel the pride of discovering something yourself. To think clearly and express boldly, in both languages. A few years ago, our daughter An a proud graduate of the University of Waterloos math and CS program guided us on a visit to her campus. At one point, I found myself at the blackboard, smiling, writing the date 2019.06.16 with my right hand. Wearing a black jacket and glasses, I looked just like a professor. And for a brief second, I imagined I was writing the date of your first class with me. I dont know when well meet. I dont know if this letter will even reach your family. But Ill keep teaching, and keep writing, and keep smiling toward Taiwan Because someday, I hope, youll smile back. Warmly, Donald (aka Golden Thumb) The leader of Turkeys main opposition party Ozgur Ozel was attacked as he left a memorial ceremony in Istanbul on Sunday. read more Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), was slapped by an assailant on Sunday as he was leaving an event in Istanbul. The incident, captured on camera, showed Ozel holding his head in pain while the attacker was swiftly apprehended. Authorities identified the suspect by his initials, S.T., and media reports said he is an unemployed man with a criminal record. Televised footage showed a white-haired man approaching Ozel outside the Ataturk Cultural Center and striking him in the face with an open hand. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office later confirmed that the attacker had been detained. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ozel had been attending a memorial for Sirri Sureyya Onder, a prominent pro-Kurdish politician who passed away on Saturday. Despite the shock of the incident, the CHP leader was reported to be unharmed. The assault has drawn parallels with a 2019 attack on Ozels predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who was also assaulted while attending a soldiers funeral in Ankara province, further stoking concerns about the security environment for opposition politicians in Turkey. Last month, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan filed a criminal complaint for insulting the president against Ozgur Ozel, who said that the country was governed by a junta that is afraid of elections. The arrests were carried out in London, Swindon and the Greater Manchester area and were related to a suspected plot to target a specific premises, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement read more British police on Sunday said they had arrested five men, including four Iranians, on suspicion of terrorism offences. The arrests were carried out in London, Swindon and the Greater Manchester area and were related to a suspected plot to target a specific premises, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The men aged between 29 and 46 were arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act and remain in custody, the police said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The nationality of one of the men is still being established, they said. This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated, said Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism chief Dominic Murphy. The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter, he said. Ukraine conducted mass drone attacks on several Russian cities after the countrys President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected his counterpart Vladimir Putins offer for a three-day truce. Putin has been calling for a truce around May 9 as Russia gears up to celebrate Victory Day read more As the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, reports are emerging that Ukraine has struck several Russian cities in what is being called a mass drone attack. The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putins, offer for a three-day truce in the war, which has been dragging on for three years. On Saturday, local Russian officials said apartment blocks in the Black Sea town of Novorossiysk were damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. Meanwhile, Krasnodar region governor Venyamin Kondratiev reiterated the claim and noted that the Black Sea coast had undergone a mass attack by the Ukrainian military. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the Novorossiysk attack, the authorities stated that five people, including two children, were injured, LBC reported. Footages circulating online show the scale of damage to the apartment blocks following the strikes. In light of this, the Russian authorities declared a local state of emergency. Crimea also gets hit The Russian authorities noted that the Ukrainian drones were shot down over Crimea and several other regions. Apart from this, a church near the two of Belgorod, hundreds of miles to the north, was also hit by detonating drones. It is pertinent to note that the Ukrainian drone strike came after Russia attacked Kharkiv, a Ukrainian city, injuring nearly 50 people. This spate of attacks came after Ukraine rejected Russias offer for a three-day truce next weekend. Russia has been pushing for a temporary ceasefire as it prepares for the Victory Day Parade to mark the Soviet Unions victory in the Second World War. The event is celebrated annually on May 9. While rejecting the Russian offer, Zelenskyy slammed Putin, calling the truce offer a performance. The Ukrainian leader noted that he was ready for a truce but for 30 days rather than three. Last month, Ukraine alleged that Kremlin breached the Easter truce more than 3,000 times, despite the fact that the truce was pushed by Putin himself. This is more of a theatrical performance on his part," Zelenskyy said about Putins latest offer. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war. Ukraine will not be playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putins exit from isolation on May 9," he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier, Putin called for a 72-hour ceasefire, which would begin on May 8. The truce would coincide with the arrival of several world leaders in Moscow to mark Victory Day. In the past, Russia has blocked a 30-day pause deal proposed by the US, garnering US President Donald Trumps wrath. We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore, we will not give you any guarantees, Zelenkyy said. Russia hits back Meanwhile, Russia slammed the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of risking the security of its World War Two celebrations. Kremlin went on to warn that Kyiv may not survive until May 10 if Ukraine attacks Moscow during the May 9 commemoration. He is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said on Telegram. His statement is, of course, a direct threat. Tensions between the two nations are escalating, especially after the US announced that it is pulling out of formal peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Washington urged both countries to come up with concrete proposals to end the war. Donald Trump will no longer act as a mediator between the two countries, the State Department confirmed earlier this week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US is changing the methodology of how we contribute to talks and will stop travelling around the world at the drop of a hat for negotiations, Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, said at a press briefing. Now it is up to the two sides, the time has come when they must present and develop concrete ideas on how to end this conflict. It will be up to them, she added. As billionaire Elon Musk prepares to step down from his role as the head of the DOGE, he said that US President Donald Trump is essential for America to reach greater heights read more As Tesla CEO Elon Musk prepares to conclude his run as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he said he does not regret working at the controversial department. While reiterating his support for US President Donald Trump, the billionaire said that the Republican firebrand is essential for America to reach greater heights. I think it was essential for President Trump to win to ensure that America remained great and that we reach greater heights, Musk said in an interview with Fox Newss Lara Trump that aired on Saturday. During the 2024 presidential election campaign, Musk outrightly supported Trump, after being a donor to former US President Barack Obama. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked about why he switched his alligence, Musk said that he was concerned about former US President Joe Bidens most radical-left, crazy administration ever. Whoever controlled the auto pen and telepromptor during the Biden administration was the real president, he said. If President Trump had not won, I think the Democrat campaign to import vast numbers of illegal voters would have succeeded, Musk averred, adding that America would have risked becoming a one-party state from which we could never escape. Some people out there may be somewhat sceptical. They may think, Well, there isnt some Democrat plan to subvert democracy and achieve a permanent one-party, deep blue socialist state. I assure you, the more you research it, the more you will see it is true, he added. Musk reflects on his time at DOGE During his interview with Fox News, the SpaceX CEO reflected on his time at Doge, at a time when many has condemned the departments cost-cutting efforts. Its not been boring, thats for sure an eventful year to say the least. At least I didnt get shot, you know. Look on the bright side, Musk exclaimed. But we have had people shoot up Tesla stores and burn down Tesla cars. I wasnt expecting that level of violence, really, he continued. The billionaire claimed that bad actors have been targeting him and his team at Doge, which is somewhat inevitable. The department has garnered backlash after it made several consequential and controversial cuts in recent months, including cuts to hundreds of millions in DEI contracts and efforts to slash federal spending by trimming the federal workforce. Some of these cuts have also been challenged in court. When asked about what he wants to be known for Musk said: That I was useful in the furtherance of civilization, he told Lara Trump. That I helped move civilization forward, added to the store of knowledge and capability that I helped understand the universe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that a ceasefire with Russia in its more than three year old war is possible at any moment. read more Municipal workers clean up around burnt cars in the residential area following Russia's drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo) In its more than three-year-old war is possible at any moment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that a ceasefire with Russia. Though, he also said that he did not believe Russia would adhere to a coming three-day truce to coincide with Moscows Victory Day celebrations. Zelenskyy, speaking at a joint news conference in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel, also said that Ukraine hopes to receive 1.8 million shells in 2025 under a Czech initiative to provide military assistance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine wont guarantee safety for visitors to Russia He said that Ukraine cannot provide security assurances to foreign officials planning to visit Russia around May 9, warning that Moscow could stage provocations and later attempt to blame Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that some governments had approached Kyiv seeking safety reassurance while their delegations are in Russia. Our position is very simple: we cannot take responsibility for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation, he said. They are the ones providing your security, and we will not be offering any guarantees. Zelenskyy said he had instructed Ukraines Foreign Ministry to advise against visiting Russia during this period. We must tell those who approach us: we do not recommend visiting the Russian Federation from a security standpoint. And if you choose to do so, dont ask us its your personal decision. The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyivs military actions will remain mirror-like, responding to Russias moves. He acknowledged that implementing a complete front-line ceasefire without robust international monitoring remains nearly impossible, but emphasized that the 30-day window offers a credible start. He confirmed ongoing efforts to convene the next round of negotiations with the U.S. He also expressed hope that it could happen in Ukraine, saying it was a positive sign that such a gathering is under discussion despite recent personnel changes in Washington. Russia wants Ukraine to de-escalate In response to Zelenskyys comments, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that he had unequivocally threatened the world leaders who are planning to arrive in Moscow on May 9. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said Saturday that nobody could guarantee Kyivs safety if Ukraine attacked Moscow celebrations on May 9. In the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, no one will guarantee that May 10 will come in Kyiv, he wrote on Telegram. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia expects Kyiv to take steps to de-escalate before Victory Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will, of course, expect (from) Kyiv not ambiguous, but final statements, and most importantly, actions aimed at de-escalating the conflict during the holidays, Peskov told journalists. Russias ceasefire proposals, he said, were meant to test Kyivs readiness to find ways for long-term sustainable peace between Russia and Ukraine. Santa Comes Early This Year! Turbine Delivering 'Bumblebee' 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' & 'Sing 2' to 3D Blu-ray on December 19th 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. Mon Monday 97 /67 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 90s and lows in the upper 60s. Russo-Ukraine War - 03 May 2025 - Day 1165 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 31 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 Russia has likely incurred approximately 950,000 casualties (killed and wounded) since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the first four months of 2025, Russia likely sustained approximately 160,000 casualties. Should these casualty rates persist for the rest of 2025, this would be the costliest year of the war in terms of Russian personnel, continuing the year-on-year trend of casualty increases. The average daily Russian casualties during April 2025 was just over 1,200, and totalled 36,000 over the course of the month, according to Ukrainian General Staff reporting. This was a moderate decrease from the daily average of 1,300 in March 2025. Whilst the numbers of casualties remain below the very high daily rates of nearly 1,600 in late 2024, when Russia was making territorial gains, it is still towards the high end in the overall context of the conflict. So far in 2025, Russia has not been able to translate continued heavy losses into significant advances in Ukraine. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that The Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 180 combat clashes, the Russian enemy launched two missiles and 55 air strikes, using two missiles and dropping 98 guided bombs, 1132 kamikaze drones strikes, over 4500 shells of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Defense Forces repelled three Russian assaults in the Vovchansk district, another battle is ongoing. The Russian enemy attacked five times Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupyans komu direction in the area of the settlement of Zagrizove and in the direction of Novoosinovoye and Glushkivka. In the Lyman direction today, Russian troops 12 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Ridkodub, Yampolivka, Kolodyazi, Torske and in the direction of Grigorivka. Our troops repelled six Russian attacks in the area of Chasovoye Yar and in the direction of May, Predtechniny and White Mountain in the Kramatorsky direction. In the Toretsky direction, the Russian occupiers have four times today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the Toretsk area and near Crimea and Diliyivka. There's still one battle going on. In the Pokrovsky direction throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 68 assault and offensive actions. The activity of Russian occupiers was observed in the areas of settlements of Stara Mykolaivka, Green Field, Myrolyubivka, Elizabeth, Lisivka, Shevchenko, Oleksandropil, Kotline, Novosergiyivka, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyarivka, Trinity, Andriyivka and in the direction of Romanivka, Malinivka, New Poltavka, Peace-loving, Oleksiyivka. The fights have not subsided so far in 15 locations. The Russian enemy's aviation struck the controlled air bombs to the settlement of Shevchenko First. According to preliminary calculations, Ukrainian warriors eliminated 36 and wounded 39 Russian invaders in this direction; destroyed a car, two motorcycles, two BPLA enemies. In the Novopavlovsky direction, the invaders carried out 56 attacks on the position of Ukrainian troops, Russian forces tried to advance in the areas of settlements of Konstantinopil, Novosilka, Rivnopil, Privilne and in the direction of Odradnoy, Zelenoy Pol, Novopol, Shevchenko and Bagatir. Nine clashes are currently underway. Air strikes were suffered by Green Field, Novopil, Komyshuvakha, Temirivka, Novodarivka. The Russian enemy will suffer a substantial loss. In the Gulyaipil direction, Russian forces used unkekorovani aviation missiles across Malinivka and Gulyaipol. In the Orihiv direction there were two clashes in the areas of Novodanilivka and Kamiansky. Novoandriivka suffered an air strike. In the pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces once tried to approach the positions of Ukrainian defenders, received a cut off. Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk direction today repelled 23 attacks of the zagarbnytsky army. The Russian opponent made four aerial strikes, dropping seven CABs, also carried out 233 shells, of which 10 were from the systems of the fire. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PERTH, May 04, 2025 - Paladin Energy Ltd. (ASX:PDN, TSX:PDN, OTCQX:PALAF) (Paladin or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne Templeman-Jones as independent non-executive director of the Company. Ms Templeman-Jones is a highly experienced non-executive director who has had a wide-ranging executive career in finance, corporate and private banking roles. She commenced her career in a variety of audit and tax roles with PWC internationally and within Australia. Her banking career included senior positions with ANZ Bank and Westpac. For the past decade Ms Templeman-Jones has held a diverse portfolio of Board roles including with ASX-listed Commonwealth Bank of Australia, global engineering services company Worley Limited which operates across the mining minerals, oil & gas, chemicals and renewable energy sectors, software and technology services provider The Trifork AG Group, and automotive products provider GUD Holdings Limited. Ms Templeman-Jones has made a significant contribution to a range of public Boards including as a director of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, a $300 million Federal Government fund to strengthen Australia's cyber security capabilities. Paladin Chair Cliff Lawrenson said, "We are delighted to welcome a new independent director of Anne's experience and capability to the Paladin Energy Board at this exciting time in our journey as a proven developer and uranium producer with a multi-decade growth pipeline of projects. Anne's extensive knowledge of audit, risk, technology transformation and financing will be a real asset for the Board and shareholders. She will take a leadership role on the Board in these areas as Chair Elect of our Audit and Risk Committee, as well as contributing to the ongoing development of global strategy and compliance in multiple jurisdictions." Ms Templeman-Jones' appointment to the Paladin Board is effective 5 May 2025 and election by shareholders will be sought at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Paladin Energy Ltd. For further information contact: A flamingo is a social bird prone to hanging out in a flock. Its a fitting name for a bar, and served as the pink, leggy symbol of one of Buffalos most iconic bars for decades, the Old Pink. About a year after burning to the ground, the Old Pinks presence can be felt in a new downtown venture by its founders and original owners. Mark Supples and Amy Taylor have opened a new bar and food court of international restaurants in the Market Arcade at 617 Main St. The bar, Le Flamant Rose French for the Pink Flamingo doesnt share the original Pinks grunge and late-night hours. It does, however, share the bars ethos: This is a spot for everybody. You can be whoever you want to be as long as youre civil and can get along with the person next to you, Supples said. Otherwise, not a place for you. Elizabeth Licata: They founded the feast that was the Pink Flamingo: Mark Supples and Amy Taylor It is a story that must start with Mark Supples and Amy Taylor, who took over the bar in 1983, with $12,000 in hand. Just before 1 p.m. Friday, International House buzzed with the hum of conversation mingling with bossa nova thudding through the overhead speakers. Five restaurants and one bar share the bright, industrial space, which spans the block from Main Street to Washington Street. There is a lot about International House that is new, and much more that isnt. Before it reopened as International House, it was the Downtown Bazaar, which was owned and operated by nonprofit Westminster Economic Development Initiative. It had a similar business model and four out of the five restaurants have returned under new ownership. The restaurants, each owned by first-generation immigrants, paid a discounted rent and received mentorship. The nonprofit initially opened the Downtown Bazaar as a temporary solution to house some of the restaurants displaced by a fire at its original Grant Street bazaar. (WEDI still owns and operates the West Side Bazaar on Niagara Street.) But WEDI closed the Downtown Bazaar in December amid financial issues. It was losing more money than it was earning and there were infrastructure issues that WEDI couldnt afford to address. Supples and Taylor, founders of The Pink and previous owners of Mothers Restaurant and House of Charm, are not a nonprofit. However, they took over the Downtown Bazaars lease, reopened under the same concept, changed the name, and poured half a million dollars into the food court to give it the best chance of survival in a difficult location. Its not an easy time to own a restaurant, especially in downtown, where restaurants have been suffering from dwindling foot traffic in a post-Covid landscape. Supples doesnt think he will profit. Hes charging less rent to the restaurant tenants than WEDI, according to Lloyd Ligao, owner of Filipino restaurant kiosk Pinoy Boi, and supplied them with new equipment. But after a long career in the restaurant world, Supples thinks its the right thing to do. I honestly believe that (immigrants) are the only chance Buffalo has to grow and thrive, Supples said. Buffalo has been dying slowly for 65 years. Theyre our only chance. Were not going to grow organically. Were only going to grow through immigration and immigrants successfully becoming tax-paying members, which all these people are. Without immigration, Buffalo will continue to shrink. The restaurants include Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine, La Divina Tacos (Mexican), Nile River (Sudanese), Pattaya Street Food (Burmese/Thai) and Pinoy Boi (Filipino). Downtown was at the heart of Buffalo's restaurant renaissance. Now, 'it feels like were sliding back' Downtown Buffalos restaurants are struggling once again. The pandemic hit downtown's social and economic fabric like an earthquake, and as the disease retreated, its effects lingered like a landslide. Were excited for all the changes, Ligao said. Were excited for Marks knowledge. He put a lot of money into this place and I think hes here for our best interests. Garang Doar, co-owner and cook at Nile River, which got its start at the original West Side Bazaar, said he hopes the new ownership changes will usher in a new crowd, because foot traffic was always difficult. Were used to our 9-to-5 workers coming in for their lunch, Doar said. But we do want to see more families, maybe a younger crowd coming in on the weekends and kind of make it their own space. Elizabeth Sher, owner of Pattaya Street Food, likes the changes partly because her four daughters all younger than age 11 are entertained by the new arcade games and ping-pong tables. She also enjoys sharing her food with the community, so shes thrilled to continue introducing customers to foods that are beloved in the two countries she called home before Buffalo Myanmar and Thailand such as the complex, spicy and sour Thai boat noodle soup, which is made with pigs blood. In this building, we see other people that weve never seen before, Sher said. When they come with family, or when they come with friends, they make me happy. International House isnt supposed to be transient, where customers just wait for takeout orders Supples hopes they stay awhile. Diffuse, natural light illuminates the front and back of the space, while a band of colorful, paper lanterns hangs from the ceiling in a festive constellation. Bar chairs are plush leather and hot pink. Custom wooden benches invite lounging customers to loiter after they finish eating at two-tops. The walls are painted with topical murals depicting world maps and immigrant portraits. Its a representation of what Buffalo is, Doar said. Buffalo being a melting pot of different cultures, cuisines, religions, and you get to see that all work harmoniously in one place and let people get an experience in different cultures and see the joy from them. F1 considering higher pitlane speeds for show Formula 1 is considering increasing the pitlane speed limit in order to add more spice to the sport. Nico Hulkenberg, Miami GP 2025 Sauber Prior to the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in 1994, drivers could race into and out of their pitstops at the maximum possible speed. We all remember Nigel Mansell driving full throttle into the pit and full throttle out of the pit, smiled Aston Martin's chief trackside officer Mike Krack. That was pretty cool to watch. But it won't happen again. Indeed, the proposal on the table isn't a return to no speed limits at all - or even an increase at every single circuit. But given that F1 is right at the end of a regulatory cycle, with closely matched cars and a big turbulence effect, some recent races have been less than spectacular. Raising the pitlane speed limit would therefore make additional pitstops less costly and therefore more likely, shaking up the teams' strategic options. Already this year, F1 is mandating two pitstops in Monaco, while the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali has asked Pirelli to be more aggressive with tyre compound selection elsewhere. As for higher pitlane speed limits, it is not being considered for every circuit - just the ones where narrow pitlanes have resulted in the lowest limits on the calendar, at just 60kph. So, the idea is to raise the limit to 80kph in Melbourne, Zandvoort and Singapore. It is believed the measure is being pushed by Liberty Media-owned F1, rather than the more safety-focused FIA. Formula 1 has a working group investigating this issue to make the races more entertaining, revealed Krack. Of course, you'd have to weigh the safety factor against the spectacle. Monaco has already been ruled out for an increase to 80kph, while Krack added: "In Zandvoort, it's simply too narrow there as well. Besides, raising the speed only has a limited effect. I don't think increasing the speed just to improve the show is the right approach. (GMM) Max Verstappen, Miami GP 2025 Red Bull Max Verstappen denied McLaren a pole position sweep by delivering a crucial final lap to secure top spot for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver posted a 1m26.204s on his final Q3 attempt, just 0.065s quicker than Lando Norris, who had been threatening all weekend. Norris appeared on course to take pole before clattering over the inside kerb at the final corner, scrubbing just enough time to lose out. The pole was Verstappens 43rd in Formula 1 and came after a largely conservative build-up through Q1 and Q2. His first Q3 effort of 1m26.492s had set the tone, but with track evolution playing a key role, the McLarens looked like they could pounce. However, both Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to improve significantly, opening the door for Verstappen to put the result beyond doubt. Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued his rapid rise with an excellent third place, splitting the McLaren drivers by narrowly beating Piastri to the second row. George Russell slotted into fifth in the other Mercedes after a scrappy start to qualifying, ahead of the standout Williams duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. Ferraris Charles Leclerc was only eighth, failing to challenge for the front rows on a circuit where Ferrari lacked outright pace. Esteban Ocon gave Haas a rare Q3 appearance in ninth, while Red Bulls Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10. In Q2, McLaren looked dominant as Piastri led Norris by two tenths. Russell sat in the drop zone before his second run, having admitted over team radio that he had no confidence in the car on used tyres. A strong final attempt lifted him comfortably through. Not so for Lewis Hamilton, who missed out on Q3 in his Ferrari by just 0.039s and will start 12th. Isack Hadjar was 11th, less than a tenth from advancing, while Gabriel Bortoleto claimed 13th for Sauber. Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson, the latter suffering from battery issues, rounded out the Q2 field. The opening session, Q1, was filled with typical sprint-weekend chaos. Following earlier rain, the circuit gripped up rapidly, forcing drivers to time their final runs carefully. Verstappen led the session but didnt need to run again, while Hamilton narrowly avoided elimination. Among those to miss out were Nico Hulkenberg in 16th and Fernando Alonso in 17th, despite a late repair job after his sprint crash. Pierre Gasly blamed traffic for 18th, with Lance Stroll and Oliver Bearman completing the bottom five. With McLarens strong long-run pace and Mercedes showing signs of life, Sundays Miami Grand Prix is shaping up to be a tightly fought contest at the front but once again, Verstappen starts from pole. Next article: Gabon swears in former military chief as president, signalling return to constitutional order Ghanaian student in US faces deportation after child porn conviction Thegatewaypundit International News May - 04 - 2025 , 11:45 2 minutes read A video footage showing ICE agents apprehending a foreign national who exploited the U.S. student visa system to commit heinous crimes on American soil has been released. Kwadwo Boaitey Frimpong, a 32-year-old citizen of Ghana, originally entered the United States in 2019 on an F-1 student visa. An F-1 student visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the U.S. government that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States solely for the purpose of full-time academic study at an accredited institution, such as a college, university, seminary, or conservatory. After completing the programme, F-1 students are granted a 60-day grace period. According to ICE, instead of pursuing academic success, Frimpong devolved into criminal depravity, ultimately pleading guilty to seven counts of possession of child pornography. According to a statement from Homeland Security posted on X, the arrest was carried out by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore. Frimpong was taken into ICE custody and will remain detained while deportation proceedings are underway. On Tuesday, ERO Baltimore arrested Kwadwo Boaitey Frimpong, a 32-year-old citizen of Ghana. In 2019, Frimpong entered the United States on an F-1 visa. Frimpong was arrested and convicted on 7 counts of possession of child pornography. Frimpong will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of removal proceedings, the post stated. Rapid Response groups praised the action, underscoring the Trump administrations commitment to ridding the country of criminal aliens: He was here on an F-1 student visa, then was charged with (and pled guilty to) child pornography. Now, hes going home. PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT. The footage is a chilling reminder of why Trumps America First policies struck a chord with millions of voters: protecting our borders, enforcing the law, and making sure criminals like Frimpong are shown the door fast. Next article: Trump criticised after posting AI image of himself as Pope Previous article: Uganda's military chief says missing opposition official is 'in my basement' Seven killed, 20 injured in bombings in South Sudan, MSF says BBC International News May - 04 - 2025 , 09:42 3 minutes read At least seven people have been killed after a hospital and market were bombed in South Sudan, a medical charity has said, as fears grow of a return to civil war. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said helicopter gunships dropped a bomb on the pharmacy of the hospital it runs in Old Fangak, Jonglei state, burning it down, before firing on the town for 30 minutes. A drone then bombed a local market, MSF said. The hospital is the only one in Fangak county, which has a population of more than 110,000 people, MSF said, and all its medical supplies were destroyed. The charity called the attack, which left 20 people injured, a "clear violation of international humanitarian law". MSF spokesman Mamman Mustapha told the BBC's Newshour programme the charity was still trying to establish the facts, but local witnesses had said the aircraft were "government forces helicopters". "The hospital is clearly marked as 'hospital' with our logo," he said. "We have shared also our coordinates for all the warring parties in the area so the hospital should be known to both parties as a hospital." There was no immediate comment from South Sudan's government. The BBC has contacted the foreign affairs ministry. In recent weeks, Nicholas Haysom, who leads the UN mission in South Sudan, has warned the country is "teetering on the brink of a return to full-scale civil war". Those worries have been stoked by an escalating feud between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. Hours before the hospital bombing, the head of the army, Paul Majok Nang, promised punitive strikes after several barges on a river were hijacked. He blamed those attacks on a militia linked to Vice-President Machar, who has not commented on the claim. Machar was arrested in March along with several of his associates, and accused of trying to stir up a rebellion. The government has recently listed counties it considers to be hostile - in other words allied to Machar. That increased the suspicion that South Sudan could be headed for another conflict involving the country's two largest ethnic groups. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but two years later, a civil war erupted when President Kiir dismissed Machar as vice-president, accusing him of plotting a coup. The ensuing conflict, largely fought along ethnic lines between supporters of the two leaders, resulted in an estimated 400,000 deaths and 2.5 million people being forced from their homes more than a fifth of the population. A peace deal was reached in 2018 and a unity government forged with the same two men at the helm, but elections that were supposed to have been called since then have not happened. The peace deal was also meant to see the end of all the militias and the formation of one united army but that has not happened and many armed groups are still loyal to different politicians. The current crisis was sparked earlier this year when the White Army militia, which was allied to Machar during the civil war, clashed with the army in Upper Nile state and overran a military base in Nasir. Then, in March, a UN helicopter attempting to evacuate troops came under fire, leaving several dead, including a high-ranking army general. Rights groups have been calling for the military to stop bombing civilian areas. Next article: New post for Togo President Gnassingbe could see him rule for life Previous article: Seven killed, 20 injured in bombings in South Sudan, MSF says Trump criticised after posting AI image of himself as Pope Graphic.com.gh International News May - 03 - 2025 , 23:45 2 minutes read US President Donald Trump has attracted criticism from some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope. The picture, which was shared by official White House social media accounts, comes as Catholics mourn the death of Pope Francis, who died on 21 April, and prepare to choose the next pontiff. The New York State Catholic Conference accused Trump of mocking the faith. The post comes days after he joked to reporters: "I'd like to be Pope." Trump is not the first president to be accused of making a mockery of the Catholic faith. Former US President Joe Biden caused outrage a year ago when he made the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion access rally in Tampa, Florida. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to answer questions about Trump's post during a briefing with journalists on Saturday. The Vatican is preparing to host a conclave to choose Francis's successor beginning on Wednesday. The image posted by Trump on Friday night features him wearing a white cassock and pointed miter, traditionally worn by a bishop. He wears a large cross around his neck, and has his finger held up, with a solemn facial expression. The New York State Catholic Conference, which represents bishops in New York, took to X to criticise the picture. "There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President," the group wrote. "We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St Peter. Do not mock us." Left-leaning Italian former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also blasted Trump's post. "This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around," Renzi wrote in Italian on X. But the White House rejected any suggestion that the Republican president was making fun of the papacy. "President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty," said press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Next article: Calls asking for Council of State to be abolished not enough Prof Prempeh Ghanaians support media watchdog role despite waning trust Afrobarometer Survey Kweku Zurek May - 04 - 2025 , 19:46 2 minutes read The majority of Ghanaians continue to endorse the medias role as a watchdog over government actions, even as confidence in press freedom and media trust declines, according to new data released by Afrobarometer to mark World Press Freedom Day 2025. The survey, conducted by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), revealed that 82 per cent of respondents believe the media should constantly investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption. However, public perceptions of media independence have become increasingly uncertain, with 32 per cent of citizens now saying the press is not very free or not at all free a sharp increase from 19 per cent in 2019. Most Ghanaians say the media should play an active role in reporting on government mistakes and corruption, Afrobarometer noted in the report. But at the same time, fewer citizens see the media as free and trustworthy. Two-thirds of respondents (67 per cent) still see Ghanas media as either somewhat or completely free. Yet this reflects a growing sense of unease about political interference, especially when compared to earlier years. Trust in news sources has also waned. Only 41 per cent of Ghanaians say they trust news from both privately owned and state-owned media somewhat or a lot, marking declines of 7 and 3 percentage points, respectively, since 2022. Even more striking is the drop in trust for social media as a news source, now standing at just 26 per cent down 12 percentage points in two years. Despite concerns about media credibility and independence, the public does not widely perceive a rise in direct threats against journalists. Fewer than one-third of citizens reported an increase in threats or attacks against media personnel by political party supporters (32 per cent), ordinary citizens (28 per cent), or security forces (26 per cent) in the last two years. The findings are based on face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 2,400 adult Ghanaians conducted in August 2024. The data carries a margin of error of +/-2 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence level. Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, has been tracking public opinion on governance and democratic values across the continent since 1999. This latest release forms part of its Round 10 survey series, which began in January 2024 across several African countries. Previous article: Calls asking for Council of State to be abolished not enough Prof Prempeh Mahama urges media to speak for the people and hold leaders accountable on Press Freedom Day Mohammed Ali May - 04 - 2025 , 10:45 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghanas democracy depends on a strong, responsible media that is not afraid to hold those in power to account and give the public a voice. In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to mark World Press Freedom Day, Mr Mahama praised Ghanaian journalists for continuing to do their work in the face of growing pressure and challenges. As President of the Republic, I join the people of Ghana in celebrating the role played by the Ghanaian media in stabilising our democracy, he wrote. From holding our leadership accountable to amplifying the voices of our citizens, your work is indispensable. Mr Mahama said journalism grounded in truth, fairness, and ethics was not just good practice but necessary for national development. He urged the media to stay committed to public interest reporting and avoid misinformation. I commend the dedication and resilience of our journalists and media professionals, he said. Continue to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity, contribute to informed public discussion, and help shape a stronger Ghana. The President also indicated that his government would back efforts to keep the media free and responsible. He referred to remarks made by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Honours Night on Friday. The government will continue to work towards a free and thriving media space in Ghana, Mr Mahama added. World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 3 every year to reflect on the state of the media worldwide and remember journalists who have died or suffered because of their work. Calls asking for Council of State to be abolished not enough Prof Prempeh Mohammed Ali May - 04 - 2025 , 14:02 3 minutes read The Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh says the Council of State needs reforms and that calls for it to be abolished outright were not enough. Speaking on Joy FMs Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Professor Prempeh noted that while many public submissions received by the constitution review committee as of now are calling for the Council of State to be abolished, the task before the committee is not merely to echo public sentiments but to ask deeper questions about how governance can work better. You really put me on the spot on this one, he said. Yes, weve had a number of submissions on various issues, but one of the interesting ones is the Council of State. The sense at the time we had that conversation was that a number of submissions were in favour of its abolition. But our role as a committee is to probe: why do people want it abolished? Professor Prempeh explained that many criticisms of the Council relate to its limited visibility as an advisory body, its non-binding advice to the President, and the perception that it is too heavily influenced by the executive. My position is: if we dealt with the opacity issue and made its business more transparent, if we tweaked the composition, and if its advice could be made binding in some areas, would people still want to get rid of it? he asked. Rather than take a binary abolish or keep, I have been interested in a middle ground, retain but reform. He stressed that the committees job is forward-looking. We are not just recording what people are unhappy with. We are trying to find out why something is not working and whether it can be made to work. The Council of State was established under the 1992 Constitution to advise the President in the performance of his duties. But in recent years, its relevance has been questioned by some people, with some arguing that it does little to check executive power or improve decision-making. Professor Prempeh said the review process is not an academic exercise behind closed doors. Instead, it is being shaped by direct engagements with Ghanaians, institutions, and experts, with the aim of producing reforms that reflect the real challenges people face. Its not enough to say abolish it because its not working, he said. We need to ask: whats not working, and can it be fixed? The Constitutional Review Committee is currently undertaking consultations nationwide. Its recommendations will feed into proposals to amend sections of the 1992 Constitution that are widely seen as outdated, ineffective, or misaligned with the needs of a modern democracy Previous article: Mahama urges media to speak for the people and hold leaders accountable on Press Freedom Day Serve students better food or lose feeding grants Haruna Iddrisu warns SHS heads Mohammed Ali May - 04 - 2025 , 10:44 3 minutes read The Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has warned heads of senior high schools that the government will not hesitate to reverse the decentralised feeding policy if students continue to receive poor-quality meals. "We are not satisfied with the food that is being supplied. And we are not satisfied even with the timely distribution of their food. If we have to reverse that policy decision even though it is a manifesto pledge, in order to guarantee food products supplied. Ill not hesitate in reversing policy allowing SHS head teachers to purchase food supplies, we are not satisfied with quality of food and timely delivery- Haruna Iddrisu https://t.co/edkMoo80fs pic.twitter.com/VwVopilMNf DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 5, 2025 The Minister issued the warning and said government may reverse the policy decision of there was no improvement. He was speaking during the inauguration of the new Governing Council of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Friday, May 2, 2025. Mr Iddrisu expressed concern over reports of substandard food and delays in supply, saying the feeding arrangement must reflect value for money and meet basic nutritional standards. We are not satisfied with the quality of the food that has been supplied, and we are not satisfied even with the timely distribution of the food, he said. I will not hesitate to reverse that policy decision, even though it was a manifesto pledge, if that is what it takes to ensure that the right quality and quantities of food are provided. The decentralised feeding system allows heads of schools to receive direct grants to buy food locally, replacing the previous centralised model under which the National Food Buffer Stock Company supplied food to schools nationwide. Mr Iddrisu tasked the GES Council, chaired by Professor Mawutor Avoke, to monitor the policy closely. He also urged school authorities to conduct regular internal audits and encouraged surprise inspections by national officers. I expect that internal audits in the schools, together with national reviews, will help track what food is being served, he said. Director-General, you and Professor Avoke should once in a while make unannounced visits to school dining halls to see for yourselves the quality of meals students are being fed. Beyond feeding, the Minister raised concerns about rising insecurity and indiscipline in second-cycle institutions. He cited recent violent incidents, including a shooting at Kumasi SDA Senior High School, which left one student critically injured. Youve heard the stories of gunshots in an educational institution. Youve heard the stories of knives and other weapons being used on school campuses, Mr Iddrisu said. This is not Ghanaian. You have to take immediate and proactive steps to ensure safety in all our educational institutions. In response, Professor Avoke gave the assurance that the GES Council would rise to the task. He said the Council is aware of the challenges and would work to support improvements in school management and student welfare. The trust reposed in us to support pre-tertiary education in this country is not one to take lightly, Professor Avoke said. As members of the GES Council, we are aware of the work ahead, including the implementation of education policies that will support quality outcomes. Mr Iddrisu also stated that recommendations from the recent National Education Forum would not be shelved. He said they would be followed through as part of the governments broader effort to improve the education sector. Next article: Four remanded over deadly sand clash at Asiyaw that left five dead YEA signs MoU with Fire Service to recruit 5000 assistants Mohammed Ali May - 04 - 2025 , 08:29 1 minute read The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has signed a one-year agreement with the Ghana National Fire Service to recruit 5,000 young people as Fire Assistants across the country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Friday, May 3, 2025, forms part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and boost fire safety operations nationwide. In a press statement the YEA said the initiative aims to support job creation while partnering with state institutions to enhance public safety. Under the agreement, the Ghana National Fire Service will handle the training and supervision of the recruits, who are expected to be deployed to various regions upon completion of their training. The recruitment process, including eligibility requirements and timelines, has not yet been announced. The Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Malik Basintale signed the agreement on behalf of the agency. The Minister for the Interior and the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment were also present at the ceremony to affirm governments support for the programme. The YEA operates under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and is responsible for implementing programmes that connect unemployed youth with temporary jobs and skill-building opportunities. Next article: Stop the infighting Bawumia urges NPP members during Thank You Tour A-Gs media trial against Adu-Boahene unlawful NPPs Kwesi Botchway Jnr GraphicOnline Politics May - 04 - 2025 , 19:31 3 minutes read A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team and private legal practitioner, Kwesi Botchway Jnr, has described the Attorney-Generals public commentary on the ongoing prosecution of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, as unlawful and improper. Speaking on Asempa FMs Ekosiisen programme, Mr Botchway sharply criticised Dr Dominic Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, accusing him of overstepping his prosecutorial boundaries by engaging in what he termed a media trial of the accused, rather than allowing due process to take its course in court. The Attorney-Generals focus should be on prosecuting matters in court, not in the media. The Attorney-General is fundamentally an officer of the court, whose duty is to aid the judiciary in administering justice by presenting evidence gathered through proper investigative procedures. What we are witnessing now is quite the opposite, Mr Botchway argued. He contended that the Attorney-General had shifted from his constitutionally mandated role and was prematurely casting judgment in the public domain, thereby undermining the judicial process. The Attorney-General is no longer acting as an impartial officer of the court. Instead, he seems to have taken on the role of an inquisitorconducting his own investigations, drawing his own conclusions, and now seeking to foist those conclusions on the court, he added. Mr Botchway warned that such actions risk compromising the integrity of the judicial system and could prejudice the eventual outcome of the case. He expressed concern that if the court were to acquit the accused, sections of the public might wrongly accuse judges of political bias. The danger here is that if the Attorney-General fails to secure a conviction, we may soon hear accusations that an NPP judge was responsible for acquitting the accused, he said. While he acknowledged the media's role in fostering public awareness, Mr Botchway stressed the need to strike a balance between transparency and legal propriety. It is not wrong to have public discourse around ongoing cases, but when the Attorney-General himself becomes a front-runner in the media trial, it completely defeats the ends of justice, he noted. Justice must be served in the courtroom, not in the court of public opinion. It is only a matter of time, and innocence will be proven. We must tread cautiously when dealing with matters of law, he emphasised. He further warned against the influence of emotions and political sentiment on legal proceedings, insisting that the rule of law must take precedence. It is the law over emotions and political biases anyway. Vindication is in the womb of time, he said. Legal proceedings continue Meanwhile, the Accra High Court has remanded Kwabena Adu-Boahene into the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for seven working days after his bail conditions were revoked. The remand is to enable the Attorney-Generals Office to finalise witness statements in the case, which has been adjourned to May 13, 2025. Court proceedings were partly held in-camera to discuss whether the accused should remain on his existing bail terms. The prosecution argued against his bail, citing attempts to interfere with witnesses. Mr Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, are facing charges of allegedly embezzling approximately $7 million meant for a cyber defence contract between the Government of Ghana and Israeli firm ISC Holdings Limited. Investigators allege that funds were rerouted through their company, BNC Communications Bureau, with large sums reportedly used for personal acquisitions, including real estate. Weekly poll results: vivo X200 Ultra could have been a global hit, X200s would have done well Last weeks poll shows that vivo has a hit on its hands with the X200 Ultra which makes its reluctance to sell it globally even more confounding. Even the X200s did pretty okay, even though its a phone aimed at people who missed the original X200 launch. The vivo X200 Ultra had nearly half of the voters expressing their disappointment that the phone wont be sold in their region. That is a lot of potential customers that vivo is ignoring the X200 Pro is a great phone, but its not as great as the Ultra. A surprising number of people, one in five, are not discouraged so easily and plan on importing the X200 Ultra. Its one of the best camera phones of 2025, so it might be worth the extra hassle. Not everyone loves the Ultra the main point of criticism seems to be that the main camera doesnt have a 1-type sensor (not that 1/1.28 is small, but the term Ultra comes with certain expectations). The curved display has its critics too, they wish it was flat like the X200 Pro. The vivo X200s also inspired some people to try and import it, but those are in the minority. Still, nearly a third of voters are interested in the phone, but again, vivo only plans to sell it in China. Predictably, many are looking at other models in the X200 family and at other flagships. Still, this serves as a decent upgrade over the vanilla X200 for those that missed the original launch. Vivo had a solid first quarter in the Chinese market, the X200 Ultra and X200s should boost its numbers in Q2. These two could have raised vivos market share in other countries too, but alas. The epidemic of methamphetamine addiction on Guam threatens the local labor pool, profits, and the lives of everyone in the business community, Attorney General Douglas Moylan told the Guam Chamber of Commerce last week. Appearing at the Chambers general membership meeting at Hilton Guam Resort and Spa on Wednesday, the AG said meth addiction is driving citizens to theft, and petty criminals to violent crime. Moylan appealed to the islands largest business organization to support his calls for 100% inspection of containers coming in through the commercial port for methamphetamine. Port Authority of Guam General Manager Rory Respicio has disputed Moylans assertions that meth is flowing through the islands seaport, and said that inspecting every container coming to Guam would almost bring everything to a screeching halt. The AG in January opened an investigation into the Port over allegations of hundreds of tampered safety seals on shipping containers allegations that Respicio and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency have both disputed. 100% checks at the Port, youre going to get the decrease in price reduction of supply, less meth addicts. Because these guys are low-end criminals. They dont have the money, but they have the supply, Moylan told the Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. He also said meth either gets to Guam through the air or the sea, and airplanes did not appear to be the issue. Moylan pointed to recent drug stings at ports in California and Florida. The meth epidemic was so bad because there was too much supply and it was cheap, about the cost of a six-pack of beer for a fix, according to the AG. Businesses were being impacted by it, first of all, because they needed to be able to hire employees who were not liable to steal their property in order to obtain more of the drug, the AG said. Meth was the most addictive drug seen in the legal community, and it would be preferable for users to let them go to cocaine, marijuana, anything but meth. Moylan said his office is being overwhelmed with crimes committed by people who use meth. Even if a person came in on a charge other than drug possession, it could usually be found somewhere on their rap sheet, Moylan noted. What they end up doing is stealing, Moylan said. These are the things that the Chamber of Commerce and business people out there have to deal with...you literally have to lock down your businesses with shutters, with almost military grade security to deal with the meth addicts. Non-violent criminals now are graduating to violent crimes when they get addicted to the drug, the AG added. He asserted that every murder on Guam in 2024 saw either an innocent person killed by someone trying to get money for meth, or a meth addict-on-meth addict crime. Moylan pointed to the 2024 Valentines Day murder, where a woman was shot outside of a restaurant in Tamuning during a robbery. Doming Chargualaf Mendiola, who in March was sentenced to life in prison for the killing, was found with the victims car near his house and meth inside the car, according to police reports. The AG on Wednesday said typically, robbers dont kill people because of the threat of much harsher jail time. In this case, (Mendiola) killed the lady, literally discharges his firearms, theres arguments that he was just messed up, Moylan said. The AG said meth also played a role in the killing of a Korean tourist who was shot walking back to his hotel room at The Tsubaki Tower in Tumon one evening in January 2024. One of the suspects in the case was found dead in a vehicle in what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, didnt match the profile of a killer, the AG said. Moylan said when he pulled up the mans file, he was supposed to go to adult drug court. He was supposed to be given therapy in order to help him out. He noted that Tamuning and Tumon, the heart of the islands commerce and tourism, were attracting meth-related crimes like mosquitoes. These are the things that the Attorney Generals Office is dealing with, and these are the things that the Chamber of Commerce and business people out there have to deal with, Moylan told the business organization. The AG said he was not sure whether he would run for reelection in 2026 yet, but until the end of his term, he said he plans to keep hammering criminals and pushing for the confinement of repeat offenders. Moylan is advocating for changes to the legal code through Sen. Telo Taitagues Bill 104-38, the AGs anti-crime bill. Among other things, the bill would mandate that any person with prior convictions who is awaiting trial on new charges be required to post cash bail to be released. It would also allow the attorney general of Guam to require inspections at the Port Authority of Guam. Participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, can get a 50% discount on qualifying fresh produce using their SNAP-EBT card at Pay-Less Supermarket locations from May 6 to 8. The incentive is a pilot program called Dopble Kopble or Double Money, funded by a grant awarded to the University of Guam Cooperative Extension and Outreach, UOG announced in a release. Dopble Kopble is funded by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and it is the first time the grant has been awarded on Guam. The GusNIP grant program, under the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Institute of Food and Agriculture, aims to promote health and food security by making nutritious foods more affordable and accessible for income-eligible households. The incentive includes all qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables both local and imported. The discount does not apply at self-checkout registers and excludes processed produce and produce with added sugar, fats, oils, or sodium. During the launch, the Guam SNAP-Ed program will be providing cooking demonstrations in all locations so participants can learn and taste new recipes and go home with the recipe. This program is a major step in increasing access to healthy food options for Guams SNAP recipients, Tanisha F. Aflague, Dopble Kopble project director and Guam SNAP-Ed program coordinator at UOG, said in a statement. Were proud to be leading an effort that not only supports the communitys health, but also lays the foundation for future nutrition incentive programs in the region. With expanded partnerships, UOG Extension said it can apply for larger GusNIP grants that could support a nutrition incentive program for Guam on a larger scale. The pilot will include on-site interviews and digital surveys with shoppers and Pay-Less Supermarket staff. UOG said this process will assess the future feasibility of an electronic nutrition incentive system and will inform enhancements to the programs efforts to expand nutrition incentives in Guam and other underrepresented areas. For more information on Dopble Kopble, call (671) 477-9266. Guams free association task force is reviving its efforts under new leadership as the Trump administrations imposed tariffs cause uncertainty for U.S. foreign policy and rising costs. You look at the tariffs, economic state there will be repercussions globally so those global waves will reach our shores, said Free Association Task Force chairman Kenneth G. Kuper, PhD. To fight against threats of illegal aliens and drugs, the Trump administration initially imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, according to White House statements. In earlier weeks, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over foreign trade practices and invoked his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. Tariffs were imposed on countries. Trump then imposed a 90-day pause on tariffs while increasing the rate for China to 145%. The Trump White House-imposed tariffs are still developing. Despite the trade wars incurred from the Trump tariffs, Kuper said it might be a little too early to tell the impacts of the administration on the movement towards political status change and free association. Think tanks in Washington, D.C. were floating the idea of statehood for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In a March press conference, Sen. William Parkinson urged for statehood, citing a possible U.S.-China confrontation. Kuper criticized the fear-driven rationale for statehood. The positive side is that it is an acknowledgement of the deficiencies of Guams status quo, Kuper said. But we do not see it as the best option. It seems the impetus for the renewed push has been Make Guam a state because of China. Theres a lot more detail and nuance that should go into that analysis that is currently being provided. Logical next step for Guam Kuper warned that Compact negotiations require serious preparation. Its imperative that we have trained negotiators. If we arent adept at negotiation, adept at building a new government, then we may not get the best deal that we can get, said Kuper. Though each free association agreement is unique, Kuper said Guam is very likely to have similar arrangements as seen in Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands, where the U.S. holds exclusive military access to land, waters, and airspace. Our role is definitely presenting the full picture, including the good, the bad, and the ugly, Free Association Task Force member Nolan G.T. Flores said. He described the benefits of free association, including access to more domestic programs, visa-free travel, and greater self-governance than the current status quo. Its a very empowering status, Flores said. Its this logical next step for Guam...Evolutionary in the sense that weve outgrown territorial status. Reviving the movement Kuper has led the Free Association Task Force for less than a year, focusing the organizations efforts on conducting research and educating the public. The work ranges from archival research of political status developments in Micronesia to studying other free associations, such as the Cook Islands. Membership has also grown significantly, with a sixfold growth in members, according to Flores. The task force is now recruiting volunteers to grow the general task force membership. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about free association or the status quo can contact the Free Association Task Force at freeassociationguam@gmail.com. The U.S. Naval Hospital Guam is among 16 military hospitals that received an "A" rating in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2025, demonstrating their continued commitment to safe, high quality care, and transparency, according to the Defense Health Agency. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade program that rates a hospitals patient safety measures through more than 22 national performance indicators. Each indicator reflects errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent patient harm. This enables all hospitals, including the military, to publicly report their progress in quality and safety. DHA said it leads federal health care systems in adopting the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program, setting a standard for transparency in patient care. This program allows all participating hospitals to benchmark their safety efforts on a national level. Our participation in this program showcases the consistent rigor our medical teams apply to safe, effective health care delivery, Dr. Paul Cordts, deputy assistant director for medical affairs and DHA chief medical officer, said in a statement. "These grades reflect our ongoing commitment to meeting high standards for the patients we are privileged to serve. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program is run by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that advocates for improved patient safety in health care. The program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Operation New Life the greatest mass exodus of people in modern times came alive briefly during the soft opening of the ONL Center on April 30, bringing together an appreciative audience for the opening launch. The center is located in Concourse 1 of the Micronesia Mall, and it features hundreds of photographs from the operation in 1975, a time when Guam received, processed and housed more than 115,000 hopeful Vietnamese refugees, all looking for a new home. Some of those refugees liked Guam and decided to go no further. They planted roots and built homes, they lived and learned and earned and many became U.S. citizens, naturalizing their children in the process. Two generations later, their kids and grandkids are now a big part of Guams Vietnamese community. The center celebrates those refugees who survived that turbulent time, those who were able to find passage to not just safety, but a second chance at life. Many prospered as they integrated into various U.S. communities, including Guam. But the center honors and pays deep tribute to those who lost their lives not only the 70-plus Guam soldiers who died in the conflict, but to all souls whose last memories are of war-torn Vietnam. An event held April 30 at the malls center court launched the exhibit. But much more than a ribbon cutting, the event, emceed by Joanne Matanane, evoked long-forgotten memories and emotions, and even drew tears as the familiar name or photo of a relative, was mentioned or seen. Veteran and legendary fisherman Johnny Atulai Taitano, who helped process thousands of refugees in 1975, was compelled to attend and contribute. He was a young medic in 1975. I was here when Operation New Life was going on, I was working at the hospital. Its a very symbolic thing for those who participated in Operation New Life, he said. The disparity of the Vietnamese people coming off the planes and boats seeking a new life it made you appreciate what you had. Because these people didnt have anything. It was touching. Though most Americans still know little about Operation New Life, for those involved, it forced its way onto the generations that followed. Taitanos granddaughter Arielle Taitano Lowe composed a poem, recited at the event by Atulais wife Bobby. It was a heartfelt observation and conversation with her grandpa, told from a growing granddaughters perspective. The poems name was apt: Soul Fishing. The event was sponsored by the Henry Luce Foundation, Micronesia Mall, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the Guam Philharmonic Foundation Inc. The lead for the exhibit and project is Nam C. Kim, professor of anthropology and director for the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. With recent reports about Guams missile defenses nowhere near happening, and the budget for its construction and implementation reduced is alarming for our island and our community. With Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz in its final stages of completion and Marines soon arriving, what good does that do in defending against a missile attack? Having a robust defense mechanism for Guam, which is strategically vital to the U.S. and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, our islands safety is of utmost importance. The presence of Camp Blaz and additional Marines can enhance the islands overall security posture, but it is crucial to have an effective missile defense system and emergency preparedness plan. The lack of emergency bomb shelters and adequate defense infrastructure raises concerns about the safety of our residents in the event of a missile attack. Its vitally important our island leaders engage the Department of Defense and other federal authorities to address the necessary resources and infrastructures needed to protect our island. This must include a Missile Defense System. Our local leaders must push for the installation and funding of an advanced missile defense system to protect against potential threats. Emergency preparedness is critical in developing a comprehensive emergency response plan that includes clear communication strategies, evacuation routes, and community drills that can help residents be more prepared. Infrastructure development of emergency bomb shelters and other critical infrastructure must be prioritized to ensure the safety of residents. Community engagement is a must in keeping our island residents informed and involved, and enabling discussions about safety measures will foster a sense of preparedness and resilience. Collaboration with federal authorities provides for a strong relationship with federal agencies in securing the funding and support for necessary defense initiatives. Our community and elected leaders must voice their concerns and work collaboratively with federal authorities to ensure that Guam is protected and prepared for any potential threats. Recently, the term Guam Experience has appeared in the media. Certainly, a change is needed to what visitors to Guam experience. This can be accomplished with visitors exploring our island beyond Tumon. For starters, for over two centuries, our island was an outpost of the vast Spanish empire when Spain was the only super-power on the planet. Those were the days of the annual Manila galleons stopping at Humatak for provisions on the long annual voyages from Acapulco in Mexico to Manila in the Philippines. Taking a glimpse at the remnants of our Spanish heritage of over 200 years, being part of the Spanish empire can be a featured adventure on our island. Hagatna was a Spanish town even before the great American cities of the west, such as Denver, Salt Lake City, or Phoenix, were even thought of. Start with the Plaza de Espana in Hagatna that dates back to 1736. Certainly, the Palace in the Plaza that existed until World War II should be rebuilt. Overlooking Hagatna is Fort Santa Agueda from 1800 and hidden in the Hagatna Swamp, but certainly worth an exploration, are the Spanish Dikes from the 1830s. Nearby in Hagatna is the old Spanish bridge built later as part of the El Camino Real that led to Humatak. Along the journey down south, there can still be found more Spanish bridges built in the late 1800s at Taleyfac and Taelayag in Hagat, at Sella Bay reached by a splendid trail, and the last at the entrance to Humatak. Just off Marine Corps Drive is the Antantano Shrine in Piti that dates back to 1784. In Humatak, take our visitors to the old Spanish forts of Santo Angel from 1756, San Jose from 1805, and Soledad from 1810. Then explore the old ruins of the San Dionisio Church that dates back to 1862. Also, Humatak is the monument to the landing of Magellan in 1521 on the first circumnavigation of the globe, perhaps one of the most significant events in the human history of Earth. Further south in Malesso is the old Spanish Conbento, the oldest inhabited building on the island dating from 1856. Two Spanish forts can be visited on Navy Base Guam, Fort San Luis from 1737 near the site of Sumai and Fort Santiago at Adotgan Point constructed later in the 1700s. Guam has a unique past that provides a largely ignored opportunity for our visitors to experience the real Guam Experience away from Tumon that can provide opportunities for our villages to benefit from tourism. More Guam heritage themes will be presented in the future. Enjoying a long overdue cousin gathering, laughter rocked Rice & Ramen. Then, when Amoretta shared an Easter morning photo she took, silence mirrored the glorious sunrise she captured in Mangilao. The marigold skies lifted the white clouds blessing the surroundings. Poles resembled crosses lined the horizon. Magnificent! When Walter shared photos displaying pink swirls of clouds doing pirouettes among the blue skies as a crescent moon peeked through, Rod shared it looked like angels dancing in the clouds celebrating Pope Francis arrival above. Guam is beautiful. Gods work surrounds us. Every morning as I leave the chapel, white birds in a tree wish me a great day. Driving Eric to work, the turquoise waters glisten with happiness as fishers dot the shoreline. Mawar gave the yard a crew cut 15 trailer loads of trees and plants were removed. So, when the orange plumeria blossomed, I cheered. When the red double hibiscus bounced back, I saluted. As the mango tree delivers, I bow. Last week, Pale Mike spoke about trust being a fundamental anchor of belief. Trusting is not always easy, especially when we do not understand or see. Or, perhaps, if weve been tested repeatedly thats my thought. Last week, I fell. I landed on my face cracking my lips and knees open. As a true believer in the Blessed Virgin Mary, I know she cushioned that fall and kept my teeth from breaking. Thank you. The belief and trust notion Pale Mike raised came into play. Eric is 32 and our journey through an OCD, bipolar, autistic life has been a continuous test. Most of his speech is parroting he repeats what is said. Something miraculous occurred during this fall Eric communicated concern on his own initiative. I tripped at his work site and when he saw me covered in blood, he said, Mom, are you alright? Mom, be careful. Mom, slow down. Then, every morning as scabs appeared and fell off and as the swelling subsided, he would look me squarely in the eye and say, Lips are getting better. Whoa! Not expecting a power outage, I was stunned for a second. By the time I made it to Erics room, he had all his flashlights on and was listening to his iPod. Progress! Perhaps the journey of life tests is demonstrating that believing and trusting deliver. Then, like Pale Mike, Father Joel consistently speaks about going beyond the pews to activate love. A smile, a hand, a song, a meal. Into the crowds, like the flea market, Father Joel always encourages. As my knees heal, I cannot kneel. So, I sit at the edge of the bench so as not to encroach in the persons space behind me. Several people have moved to the side or have told me its okay. One church buddy asked me to take baby steps. He even demonstrated the baby steps. I smiled. People being caring is so appreciated. On Palm Sunday, a person handed me one of his palms when he saw I was empty handed. Yes, evil lurks particularly in well disguised ways. But, as we keep an eye on each other, appreciate the goodness, believe and trust, perhaps, all the testing will amplify the Godliness that truly abounds. Godliness also presents steady progress. We thank all the Guam Department of Education teams and community support for getting campuses in good shape. Joe, Chris, Bobbie, Nik, school leaders, thank you for your collaborative leadership. Department of Public Works, for getting closer to giving Sharks their new school. Its easy to lose sight of the nuggets of success. But they are there in countless ways. What nuggets of goodness can you spot? Now that government of Guam agencies have started presenting and justifying their fiscal 2026 budget requests at the Legislature, senators must weigh agencies needs against the urgency of cutting GovGuams costs as a whole amidst federal funding cuts and shifting policies. Just last week, the White House announced an executive order to end public funding of National Public Radio and PBS. The Guam Educational Telecommunications Corp. or PBS Guam has yet to share what this means to its operations and employees. Where will GovGuam get the local funds to replace federal funds for PBS Guam? This comes about a year after an audit report released by the Office of Public Accountability stated that PBS Guam faced hurdles in securing adequate funding and support from the Legislature to sustain its operations effectively. The Guam Department of Education is seeking a record $306 million budget request, which is $40 million more than what senators appropriated for 2025. Where will GovGuam find the money or which programs it will cut or freeze to support GDOEs budget request or at least a separate $20 million to complete ongoing repairs at FBLG Middle School and other campuses if the U.S. Department of Education does not unfreeze $51 million in American Rescue Plan reimbursements? But Education Superintendent Erik Swanson told senators last week that the amount of ARP funding stuck in limbo is about $180 million. What happens if GDOE does not get the relief its been asking from USDOE? There have not been revenue-generating measures or cost-cutting bills from the 38th Legislature in direct response to federal funding cuts, but theres a proposal to reduce the business privilege tax from 5% to 4% without an alternative proposal to replace $60 million to $90 million in revenue that will be lost. GovGuam has also seen federal policy changes, funding cuts and office closures in other areas, from ending the funding for University of Guams DEI-linked programs, canceling Humanities Guahan grants, and closing the Small Business Administrations Guam office. Even the volume of revenues collected above projected levels seems the last several years have leveled off, and budget chairman Sen. Chris Duenas said he will not raise revenues any higher than the already historically high $1.357 billion budget request that Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has asked for. Where will the additional money come from to sustain public education, public safety and public health, at a time when the governor continues to search for local and federal funds to build a new hospital? The governor gave a rosy financial picture for fiscal 2026 but the public wants to know how GovGuam will pay for it all. Haiti - FLASH : The US is discussing with the OAS to deploy Latin American troops to Haiti... The State Department has begun discussions with members of the Organization of American States (OAS) to deploy troops from Latin America to help reduce organized crime and initiate a democratic transition in Haiti. The State Department is developing a plan to combat the criminal gangs that control Haiti. This geopolitical initiative has two fundamental components : a deadly crackdown on criminal organizations and rigorous diplomatic work to guide the democratic transition. The Trump administration has already contacted Albert Randim, the next Secretary General of the OAS, who has expressed openness to the State Department's proposal. The Secretary General-elect has a historical precedent for convincing even the most reluctant OAS members: in 1965, at the request of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the OAS sent a contingent of the Inter-American Peacekeeping Force to the Dominican Republic. Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico might argue that this peacekeeping mission responded to the logic of the Cold War in Latin America, but in reality, it sets a precedent, and this time, it would be aimed at suppressing criminal gangs and strengthening institutions in Haiti. The United States' decision to promote a diplomatic alliance with the OAS stems from the "failure" of the last UN-coordinated mission in Haiti, led by the Kenyan police, which proved powerless against Haitian criminal gangs due to a lack of adequate funding, personnel, and equipment. The United States believes that multilateral responsibility should fall solely to the OAS, as it focuses exclusively on the regional agenda. Pending Randim's official inauguration at the OAS, the State Department has already launched its offensive against the gangs. Two days ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of the "Viv Ansanm" gang coalition and the "Grand Grif" gang, the two main sources of instability and violence in Haiti, as foreign terrorist organizations and global terrorist organizations... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44822-haiti-politic-us-designates-viv-ansanm-and-gran-grif-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations-official.html The Biden administration's plan excludes U.S. troops in Haiti and will propose that certain countries in the region add their military or security forces. Argentina, Canada, and Colombia, among others, are on this short list. The State Department intends for the potential OAS mission in Haiti to arrive in Haiti before the end of 2025. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Media : Messages for World Press Freedom Day Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aime : On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aime reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to independent and transparent journalism. "[...] We are committed to supporting information providers by facilitating access to all available documents and files, thus guaranteeing absolute transparency in the management of public affairs. Freedom of information is a fundamental right, protected by the State. We guarantee the protection of journalists and respect for their work, and affirm that no threats or attacks on freedom of expression have been perpetrated by my Government. A free and responsible press is an essential pillar of democracy, enabling citizens to be informed and institutions to be accountable. We pay tribute to all journalists who have died or disappeared in the line of duty, those who braved danger to ensure that the truth is never slandered. My government is working tirelessly to eradicate problems related to insecurity so that every journalist can practice their profession in complete peace of mind, without fear or hindrance. Democracy depends on a strong, independent, and respected press. This is why we will continue to support those who, every day, give voice to the realities of our society, fuel public debate, and contribute to building a more just and transparent future for all." Should be noted that Haiti fell 18 places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44829-haiti-news-zapping.html Patrick Pelissier, Minister of Justice : On Friday, May 2nd, 2025, as part of this celebration, Patrick Pelissier, Minister of Justice and Public Security, made an official visit to several media outlets in the country, including the daily LeNouvelliste, Radio Tele Scoop, and Radio Television Caraibes. During this tour, the Minister met with the managers and journalists of these media outlets, praising their work and commitment despite the many challenges they face. The Minister placed particular emphasis on the strategic role of the media in promoting justice and combating impunity. He emphasized that the press contributes to informing citizens about their rights and responsibilities, denouncing abuses, and encouraging transparency and accountability in public institutions. Ambassador Stefano Gatto, Head of the European Union Delegation to Haiti : For his part, Ambassador Stefano Gatto, Head of the European Union Delegation to Haiti, emphasized the fundamental role played by a free, independent, and responsible press. "In Haiti, this fundamental right is more precious than ever. Haitian journalists face concrete threats, but continue to uphold the values of truth, responsibility, and commitment. Their work is essential to democracy, the rule of law, and transparency [...] "Supporting the press means defending democracy, freedom of expression, and human dignity. These are values that unite us and that we will continue to defend, alongside the Haitian people." As part of its support for the media, the European Union announces the launch of a fact-checking training program for Haitian press professionals. This initiative aims to strengthen their ability to combat disinformation, promote rigorous, verified, and reliable information, and support the investigative work and professional ethics of Haitian media. On May 3rd, we salute the courage of those in Haiti and around the world who choose truth over fear and ethics over pressure. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Anti-Gang Fight : Special Meeting of the CSPN On Saturday, May 3rd, a High Council of the National Police (CSPN) held a special meeting focused on continuing to implement strategies to counter the actions of armed groups. Several concrete proposals were put forward during this meeting. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Ministers Patrick Pelissier (Justice and Public Security) and Paul Antoine Bien-Aime (Interior), Secretary of State for Public Security Mario Andresol, and Acting Director General Rameau Normil. Notice to Compatriots in the DR The Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago, Dominican Republic, reminds the Haitian community within its jurisdiction, in particular, that the voluntary return service, established by the Haitian government to assist compatriots in difficulty, is operational. The Consulate invites compatriots in difficulty who wish to return to Haiti to contact the emergency service at the following numbers for further information regarding convoys: +1 (809) 671-4526 and +1 (809) 582-5457. Councilor Vertilaire Satisfied Presidential Advisor Emmanuel Vertilaire expressed his satisfaction with the recent decision of the United States to designate the "Viv Ansanm" coalition and the "Gran Grif" gang as terrorist organizations https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44822-haiti-politic-us-designates-viv-ansanm-and-gran-grif-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations-official.html . He emphasized the importance of this measure in the fight against transnational crime and terrorism. Vertilaire also issued an urgent appeal to the international community for coordinated action to eradicate the influence of these groups, emphasizing the need for strengthened cooperation between nations to ensure security and stability in Haiti. Seizure at Miragoane Customs The fight against smuggling continues... A search conducted by Miragoane Customs officers on May 3rd, 2025, resulted in the seizure of 60 balaclavas, 1 professional drone, tactical gloves, handgun holsters, and other police equipment concealed in packages of various items. Press Freedom : Message from the French Embassy On this World Press Freedom Day, the French Embassy in Haiti pays tribute to Haitian press workers. Their work is essential to ensuring the freedom to inform and be informed. They deserve our support and recognition. France condemns all forms of violence and threats against press professionals. It calls for all necessary measures to be taken to uphold press freedom and protect journalists. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44832-haiti-media-messages-for-world-press-freedom-day.html Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis Haiti is in the grip of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, characterized by escalating violence and massive population displacement. On the front lines, Plan International Haiti, in collaboration with Capac Haiti, is establishing child-friendly spaces, offering safety and support, targeted medical care, financial assistance, and protection campaigns. HL/ HaitiLibre On Friday night (local time), an exemption for duty-free imports to the USA that had been in place since 2016 expired. Since then, shipments with a value of less than 800 US dollars have also been subject to full customs duty. This particularly affects Chinese shippers such as Shein and Temu, who send large numbers of parcels to the USA. According to CNN, a total of 1.36 million shipments of goods from China were subject to duty in the last tax year. Anzeige Last week, Temu had already increased its prices for orders to the USA by 40 to 100 percent. Now, according to a media report, the company is going a big step further: according to the US broadcaster CNBC, the company is stopping all shipments from China to the USA. This is what a Temu spokesperson told the broadcaster. Instead, the majority of orders will now be processed "from the country itself". According to the report, Temu had already started to set up several large warehouses in the United States last year. Temu wants more US suppliers on its platform However, these apparently do not have all the products that can be found on Temu's website and apps. According to CNBC, many of them are listed as no longer available. According to its spokesperson, Temu wants to solve this by attracting more US suppliers to offer their goods on the platform. The US tariffs, which can amount to up to 145 percent in the case of goods from China, have also caused upheaval for other companies in the logistics sector in recent weeks. DHL, for example, announced that it would no longer deliver shipments over 800 US dollars to private customers in the USA regardless of the country they come from. However, as the company told the German Press Agency last Monday, there had been "constructive talks with the US customs authorities and other authorities", so that deliveries had been resumed. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. (nie) 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. Employment terminations without the legally required "proper and weighty reason" remain common. Every case is assessed individually, and employees facing unclear situations are encouraged to consult an employment law expert. Ending an employment relationship without a valid legal reason is unlawful in Finland and may entitle dismissed employees to significant compensation, according to a statement from eLuotsi Finland Oy. Compensation for unlawful dismissal generally ranges from three to 24 months salary, but can rise to 30 months in cases involving union representatives, as outlined by Finnish labour law. By contrast, legal terminations involve no obligation for compensation. Tuomas Hamalainen, an employment lawyer at Law Firm Lehtonen Oy, said many employees hesitate to defend their rights, although the law is clear. "Unjustified dismissal is illegal and it is important to address it," Hamalainen said. Finnish law stipulates that dismissals must be based on substantive and serious grounds. Pregnancy, family leave, or holding a position of trust cannot legally justify termination. Nor is it legal to dismiss an employee simply to hire someone else, unless there has been a genuine reduction in workload. In most cases, the employer must first issue a warning and provide the employee with an opportunity to correct their actions unless the misconduct is serious enough to warrant immediate dismissal. Hamalainen explained that employers often attempt to mask illegal dismissals behind seemingly legitimate reasons, such as economic difficulties, poor performance, or workplace atmosphere issues. "Often, it turns out there was no real basis for the dismissal, or that the employer violated procedural rules," Hamalainen said. HT